News-Press.com

Rick Williams: Unfair to Cape Coral mayor on Ceitus boat lift issue

April 24, 2008

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200804240110/OPINION/804240336

This is in response to the Instant Editorial written about our Cape Coral Mayor Eric Feichthaler on April 21 by Mark Stephens.

There has been an incredible amount of unfounded, high-emotion information being put forth by people who haven't investigated or researched the facts about the Ceitus Boat Lift issue in Northwest Cape Coral. In the editorial, Mark Stephens erroneously maligns the mayor and falsely accuses him of somehow knowingly profiting from the removal of the Ceitus Boat Lift. It's pure, unfounded rubbish!

Many people seem to feel that removing the lift will increase the values of our property in the Northwest Cape, citing new direct boat access to Matlacha Pass. Folks, we have long had direct access through a huge natural breach around the lock, which is one of 13 existing breaches in the system - and our property values have declined, right along with yours.

So, too, have the mangrove forests that continue to die because of the tidal rush of waters through the 13 breaches and around the lock.

As concerned residents of the Northwest Cape, our sole mission in advocating the removal of the lift has been to open up the waterway sufficiently to stop the daily destruction of mangroves while we search for the best fix to storm water management. In a move of rare consensus, the City of Cape Coral (which the mayor rightfully represents), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service have all agreed that the Ceitus Boat Lift needs to be removed immediately to salvage what is left of the mangroves in the area.

Their actions are rightfully taking responsibility to solve an urgent threat. There is not one science-based group, research group, government agency or university opposed to this plan.

However, several (previously uninvolved and uninterested) citizens jumped to conclusions and, without further study, sought to circumvent jurisdictions and halt the process to remove the lift. Had they simply taken the time to get the facts, the City of Cape Coral and Lee County would not be at odds on this issue, while the mangroves continue to die. Environmentally, it's still the right thing - the only thing - to do.

To further demonstrate our resolve, the city has proactively agreed to enter into a joint ecosystem management agreement to jointly try to come up with a solution to solve the long-term pollution issues, with codicils that may require a lift or lock in the future. Our city mayor and city council acted responsibly. They should be praised - not vilified - by the press for doing what was environmentally right.

Let's get together and do what is right for the environment, for our city, and for Lee County.

Hopefully in the future, The News-Press will do it's homework before trying to disparage our good mayor.