Charlotte County Commissioners recently voted to allow changes to their comprehensive plans to allow more development on the 90-thousand acre ranch.

Now Kitson needs similar approval from the Lee County Commission to build his town of 40-thousand residents.

Judah says now it’s up to Kitson to convince Lee Commissioners he’ll put his money where his mouth is when it comes to infrastructure upgrades…

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“What we need to be sure of is if in fact we do amend our comprehensive plan, do provide for the rezonings that need to take place, that we ensure that Mr. Kitson is held accountable for providing for the funding to pay for the infrastructure. You know, from school sites to road improvements…all the way down the line.”

Judah says he’s concerned that while most of the ranch lies in Charlotte County, any new development there will just add to already crowded roads in Lee County.

About 14-thousand-acres of the Babcock property are in Lee County.

This year’s attendees include some big hitters – including Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff. Charlotte County Emergency Management Director Wayne Sallade says Chertoff’s presence is no surprise – following last year’s record breaking hurricane season and greatest natural disaster- dollar wise - in American History.

“those of us who have been in the business for a long time know there was a significant lack of attention to natural disasters after 9-11 – and a lot of our natoin’s focus went to terrorism prepardness and so many people as evidenced by what we saw in the upper gulf states apparently weren’;t paying attention when fl was hit by four storms in six weeks in 2004.

Chertoff outlined ways the government will streamline relief efforts this year. The government is assigning federal disaster responders to 13 states. The idea is to have them standing by to deliver aid and supplies quickly to victims following an emergency. In addition, FEMA will appoint top level disaster officials to oversee federal response in five regions where hurricanes are most likely to strike.

In March the Florida Division of Forestry responded to 41 reported wildfires. The average, recorded over two decades, is 18 wildfires. More people might be a factor in the increase. Spokesman Gerry Lacavera says almost all wildfires are sparked by human activity.

“the leading two causes – are both associated with people being careless – yard fires, trash fires that people don’t pay attention to and get away from them – the other factor is fires that are intentionally set..”

Lacavera says even barbeque grills and carelessly tossed cigarettes can cause wildfires when conditions are this dry. He says Southwest Florida will remain “in the danger zone” until the summer rainy season begins in June.

Gerry LaCavera (LAH-cuh-VAIR-uh) with the Florida Division of Forestry says dry weather and brisk winds are a dangerous combination.

byte: :40 the high winds that we have can make fires more intense and also spread more quickly. One of our worst nightmares is to arrive on a scene and have the winds pick up or even have them gusty. that’s one factor we really don’t want to see when we get out there.

LaCavera says Southwest Florida is extremely dry right now and become even more so as the dry season continues. Rainfall is generally sparse during March, April and May. The summer weather pattern of afternoon showers and thunderstorms begins in June.

The measure prohibits motorists from driving in the fast lane on highways and interstates unless they’re passing a slower driver. Opponents say the bill is just a license to speed and penalizes people who drive the speed limit. Speaking on W-G-C-U’s Gulf Coast Live program, Lee County Sheriff’s Sergeant Larry King said any legislation helps.

“These types of initiatives allow us to have another tool in our belt, so to speak, give us some stronger sanctions that sometimes will effect the drivers on the roadways...either thinking about their actions ahead of time or once the punitive action takes place, will effect their behavior from then on.”

The governor vetoed a similar measure last year. But the bill’s backers have changed it slightly to win his approval this session. It’s currently being heard in the Senate Criminal Justice committee.

The bill’s author says motorists who drive slowly in the fast lane cause road rage by forcing other drivers to tailgate and zip in and out of traffic. Governor Jeb Bush vetoed a similar measure last year saying the bill was just a license to speed. Backers have made changes to try to pacify the governor. Lee County Sheriff’s sergeant Larry King says law enforcement supports the bill.

“Road rage is a fact of life. It’s been ever since there’s been four wheels and probably all the way back to the horseless carriage, we probably had some form of road rage. It will not go away. But it’s certainly something we need to get a handle on and try to deter.”

King spoke on W-G-C-U’s Gulf Coast Live. First time violators would be fined 100-dollars. A second road rage conviction increases to 250 dollars. Opponents say the legislation punishes drivers who obey the speed limit

Charlotte County Utilities Spokesman says this means water use restrictions must be strictly adhered to.

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“ and the watering restrictions are covered by the South West Florida Water Management District which has a two day watering restriction on wells, lakes, rivers, streams, canals and potable water sources – and Charlotte county has enacted a stronger watering restriction that only allows for one day of watering or irrigating outside.

Watering is banned between 10:00 AM and 4 PM. Customers may have noticed a drop in water pressure due to reduction in flow. This could also affect the efficiency of the 42 hundred fire hydrants the utility maintains – bad news when brush fires – also caused by lack of rainfall – are a nearly daily occurrence.

Organizers had thought about 20-thousand people would turn out. But more than three times that amount came to march down Palm Beach Boulevard. It was part of a national effort to draw attention to the importance of Hispanics to local economies. Marcher Jeannette Gugel says illegal immigrants pick oranges, clean hotels and cook meals...jobs others don’t do.

“All we want is for them to have some rights for the people working, contributing and paying taxes and have employment and they’re not breaking the law by any other way just the fact they’re legal. We believe they have to be heard. They’re people. They’re not animals. They should have some rights.”

Gugel wants Congressional lawmakers to hear loud and clear they’re against a proposal to crack down on illegal immigrants. More than 500 law enforcement officers kept watch during the march. Russell Lewis, WGCU News.

The number of marchers, spectators and supporters even surprised organizers who had hoped for a turnout of 20-thousand. The rally was part of a coordinated nationwide effort to draw attention to the importance of Hispanics to the U-S economy. W-G-C-U’s Russell Lewis has the story.

Spokesman Jim Drake says home and business owners to need to comply with the county’s water use restrictions which limit lawn irrigation to one day a week.


“we’re trying to mitigate the effects of a water shortage right now. and what that means is we’ve going to probably issue warnings. What that means is if we see someone irrigating their lawn between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4 PM when they’re not supposed to they’re probably going to receive a door knocker or a warning.

Drake says if warnings aren’t heeded, citations could follow. The water use restrictions also apply to property owners who irrigate with well water.