The United States’ former Counsel General to Guatemala is in Florida this week. Sue Patterson is raising public awareness about conditions in Guatemala – and raising funds to support the work that brough her back there after retiring from the State Department. She spoke to WGCU’s Valerie Alker who has this report.

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Record high gas prices have motivated recent efforts in Congress to increase the nation’s energy supply. But Republican Senator Mel Martinez insists drilling off of Florida’s coast should not be part of that plan. From our Capitol Hill Bureau, Terry Gildea (gil DAY) reports.

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The School District of Lee County has been recognized for operating efficiently – thus saving taxpayers money. The Lee County School district received the Seal of Best Financial Management from the State Board of Education. Superintendent Dr. James Browder says the process that led to the honor began 2-1/2 years ago. It involved self-analysis and improving problem areas the state had outlined for the district. The latest audit determined it successfully completed 98 percent of action plan. And Browder says this was accomplished while also dealing with population growth, trying to shrink class sizes and improve teacher salaries.

”It was a large amount of work in relation to other things going on – we dovetail everything together – and its about working smarter and that’s what we’ve done – we’ve analyzed what we’re doing trying to put it together so that we’re working smarter.”

Browder says by working smarter the district has saved Lee County taxpayers 2-1/2 million dollars. Thirty of Florida’s 67 school districts have applied for the seal of Best Financial Practices – Lee County is the fifth to receive it.

Sarasota’s airport is looking to expand its international offerings. The facility has begun a series of upgrades to lure overseas flights.
More than a half-million people used the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport last year. But virtually all of them traveled domestically. During its busiest time, just a single plane arrives from Canada each day. Airport president Frederick Piccolo says they’d like to attract visitors with non-stop flights from the United Kingdom and Germany. He hopes they can...

“Find someone who wants to start with a flight a week during the heavy season and do some charters. And if we can build on that, we’re hoping to get to the point where maybe we have one or two overseas charters a week during the prime season. We think that would be a successful endeavor into that market.”

The Sarasota airport will begin a two-million dollar customs area upgrade in December.

Southwest Florida needs more foster parents. In Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades Counties, there are more than 500 children and young adults in foster care. But, there are just 175 foster families. Young people enter the foster system when the state determines they’ve been abused, neglected, or abandoned— and have no other family or friends to take them in. Foster care is meant to be temporary… the goal is to either reunite a child with family or find adoptive parents. The Children’s Network of Southwest Florida administers foster care in this region. Spokeswoman Debbie Webb says—on average—a child spends two years in foster care.

“It’s long. But, it’s shorter than it used to be. Historically, you hear about children growing up in foster care—and they’re in foster care their whole life. That is, hopefully, a part of the past. That’s what our goal is—to keep children in care as short as possible.”

Some foster parents adopt their foster children. But that’s by no means a requirement. Webb says a variety of people can become foster parents… single people, married couples in which both people work, those who already have children, and folks in their 50’s, 60’s, and beyond. Becoming a foster parent requires an orientation, a background check, home inspection, and free 10-week evening course. Anyone interested can call 1-800-89-FAMILY.

State Representative Trudi Williams of Fort Myers holds a picnic this weekend focusing on the services government agencies provide to people in Southwest Florida. Williams served her freshman year in the Florida House this past spring.

Trudi Williams represents district 75 – which includes South Lee County and a bit of northern Collier. The Republican plans to run for re-election next year. She is a civil/environmental engineer who is the CEO of a local firm and uses her background when serving on the water and natural resources committee and the agriculture and environmental appropriations committee. She says serving as a state lawmaker is incredible.

“It was fascinating. You really can make a difference up there. Getting the engineering school up and going, sponsoring that bill was great. Doing away with a tax on solar energy apparatuses, because after all we are the sunshine state so we ought to do a whole lot more with solar energy. I think we should lead the country with solar energy, or alternative energy sources.”

Williams also serves on the transportation committee, House commerce panel and the economic development, trade and banking committee. She also served on the South Florida water management governing board from 1999 to 2004.

Trudi Williams’ Day in the Park is Saturday from 11 to 2 at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. It will include events for families and refreshments, all free.

Florida Citrus growers who’ve lost trees to citrus canker will be getting some relief. Valerie Alker reports.