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May 28, 2008 8:14:32 PM EDT

Does anyone know why the "In Memoriam" was discontinued in the Eagle Eye?  I've asked several times and have received no response.

Hopefully, everyone is having a good spring.  Our weather here on beautiful Old Cape Cod has been brisk, windy and sunny.  We are enjoying our family.

Have a great summer.

Janet Shemligan

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May 27, 2008 9:10:12 AM EDT

 

After hurricane Wilma our shingled roof did not have any damage even with several heavy tree limbs that landed on top.........2 of our neighbors with tiled roofs, about the same age as our roof, did have broken tiles and damage to their roofs.

When I walk around our neighborhoods it is more interesting to look at pretty landscaping than notice what kind of roof is on each house.  Since there was so much talk about roofs I decided, however, to check out roofs on my walk around EC.   I found that some tiled roofs and some shingled roofs look good on their houses and some of each don't look good on their houses.  There are some tiled roofs that need cleaning.....didn't notice any shingled roofs that looked dirty!!!  

 

Betty Jamison

 

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May 25, 2008 6:37:00 PM EDT

(From Naples Daily News  Sunday, May 18, 2008)

 South Regional Library

 

Collier’s newest library should be completed by October.

But budget cuts mean that the South Regional Library will remain strapped for staff and materials come this fall.

DeAngelis Diamond project manager Ralph Payne gave a quick presentation this past week to the Collier County Commission regarding construction progress on the 30,000-square-foot library.

It is located on Lely Cultural Parkway, between Edison College and Lely Elementary School, just off Collier Boulevard in East Naples.

Construction of the $12.5-million library kicked off Nov. 2, after a delay in the bidding process pushed back the start by six months.

“We are pleased to announce ... that we are on schedule and on budget,” Payne said.

According to county documents, DeAngelis Construction began completing the building’s interior framing and started drywall installation in April.

“We’ve actually started priming some of the interior drywall (in May),” Payne said.

In addition, the exterior framing has been completed, the windows have been installed and installation of the concrete board siding has begun.

“It (the building) is going to look very nice,” Payne said. “Very spatial.”

However, even though construction is slated to be done this fall, budget cuts, along with slowing growth and diminishing impact fees, have left the library system facing the harsh reality that it will be unable to open South Regional due to a lack of staff and books.

Public Services spokeswoman Camden Smith said there currently is no money set aside for the new library.

“At this time, the budgets that have been submitted do not include any expansion requests,” Smith said. “Funding for South Regional is in the unfunded request list.”

Whether the new library gets any additional funding to operate will be decided in mid-June, when commissioners have their budget workshops.

Smith said library administrators have been trying to find creative ways to at least be able to get books for the new library.

“We could move some of our circulation (books in other libraries) around,” Smith said. “We have a plethora of paperback and hardcover (books) that can be used.”

Another idea that has been floating around as a way to save money is the possibility of closing a smaller branch library.

Commissioner Donna Fiala said that is not the best choice for the community.

“I am totally opposed to closing any branch libraries,” said Fiala, whose district includes the new library. “The most important thing about branch libraries is that they serve the local communities.”

Still, Fiala said commissioners would look at all the viable options and try to do right by the residents.

“The County Commission has been very solidly behind keeping our public facilities open,” Fiala said. “That’s what serves the taxpayers.”

Submitted by Jim Lackey

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:47 AM

 

In a memo dated May 8,2008 George Brinkmoeller stated  that our attorney Bill Morris advised that once the board confirms or overturns the ARC's decision (with regards to the roof style) then the property manager and board needs to move prudently in replacing the roofs.  The board represents us and we told them what we wanted.  It is apparent to me that once again I am being told what is in my best interest.  Excuse me, but I think I know what is in my best interest and spending money that we as an association don't have and plan on borrowing can't be in anyone's best interest.  During Hurricane Wilma, my husband and I stayed here and lived through the nightmare of tiles flying off the roofs and smashing on the ground and hitting other objects, including our skylights. Would shingles do as much damage  as tiles? There are plenty of communities that have shingles and it doesn't seem to lower their property values.  You just have to read the listings to see that our prices are lower not because of roof materials, but because the carrying costs to live here are high. 

 

Thanks for listening

Joann Bolcato

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May 20, 2008 8:32:04 AM EDT

 

The Condo 5 tile/shingle question is not the main issue.

The main issue is the proposed Architectural Standard soon to be adopted.  It is a good thing.  It will define Eagle Creek.  But who sets the standard?  Is it the developer, no longer with us?   Is it a few members on a committee?  A few more members on a Board?

The Architectural Standard will influence spending at levels equal to recent major capital projects.  It has already influenced the Condo 5 tile/shingle question.  This question alone, when applied to the entire community, involves millions of dollars.  Spending at these levels should have the approval of the entire community.

I am a member of the Condo 5 Association.   I believe that there should be an Architectural Standard.  I can live with however the standard affects the tile/shingle decision.  But the standard should be approved by the majority of Eagle Creek residents before being adopted.

 

Frank Trantanella

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May 19, 2008 4:30:02 PM EDT

 

Let it be known that the Realtors in the Naples/Marco area have no ill feelings towards Eagle Creek. I have spoken to many about our great community and there is no feed back of any problems here. As a 16 year resident here in Eagle Creek I hate to hear rumors like that.  Those who would ever say anything bad about Eagle Creek obviously do not know the community. I have no idea what Realtors Mr. Chirikas has spoken to but if he would like to pass their names on to me I will gladly have a conversation with them and set them straight.  

A property that is not selling has nothing to do with any Eagle Creek rumors. There is a huge inventory of product available everywhere and sellers right now are victims of the current market. I believe we have seen bottom and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Respectfully,

Jay Siemers

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May 19, 2008 3:40:21 PM EDT

 

I feel that I must take a few minutes here to comment on the tile vs. asphalt shingle roof issue. The letter dated March 31, 2008 was asking us our “preference” of tile vs. shingles (copy attached). It said NOTHING about being a vote that would ultimately determine the type of roof, simply asked which we “prefer”. There were 17 who said they would “prefer” shingles and 14 who would “prefer” tile with 17 non responses. I can assure you that had this been presented as an actual vote that would be the deciding factor, we would have gotten ALL parties to respond. I for one would have contacted every condo owner in Condo Association #5 and made my best effort pitch for tile. Simply from a “curb” appeal stance, tile is far more upscale looking than asphalt shingles. We as a community are always promoting how “upscale” we are and shingle roofs just don’t cut it. We made the mistake previously in the Estate Homes by not mandating tile. Just drive down Grey Wing Pointe or Crestwood Lane or Cormorant Cove. Look at the roofs. I would find it hard to believe that you would not agree that tile is much richer looking than the asphalt shingles. I am afraid that many who said they “prefer” asphalt shingles were speaking from their pocket book. I don’t like the price difference either but I bought a condo with a tile roof and when it comes time for replacement I would expect it would be replaced with tile. This is a one time investment and to go the cheap way would be a real mistake. We are our own neighborhood here in Waterford with 7 buildings, all with tile roofs. I don’t care what they did in the old buildings (A through I) that is now history. All of the newer buildings are tile and should remain tile. I commend the Board for their decision. They voted in our best interest.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jay Siemers

May 19, 2008 7:15:13 AM EDT

The following is an excerpt of an article by Donna Fiala, that is being placed in the Collier Citizen newspaper:

 

 "I was privileged to be invited to attend the Annual Southwest Florida Golf Charities Gifting Event for 2008.  It was hosted again by Irv Sherwood and Mike Ward of Erin’s Isle.  The underlying theme was “It’s nice to do nice things for nice people”. 

 

The event was spectacular, and these guys poured their heart and soul into the planning.   248 golfers played at the one-day event.  In their 19 years they have donated a total of $1,225,000 to local charities.  Since 1989, 118 scholarships have been awarded, and nine schools have received a grand total of $850,000 in scholarships.
 

This year $8,000 in $1,000 increments was given to eight Collier High Schools golf programs.  $2,000 was donated to the Care Club of Collier County, $5,000 was given to the Education Foundation of Collier County for college scholarships, and directed towards East Naples students.  Parkside Elementary School received $5,000 toward a golf & tennis summer camp created to encourage life skills, values and role modeling.  Eleven “Title One” Elementary and Middle Schools (low income schools) received $2,500 each for a total of $27,500.  Florida Gulf Coast University Golf Management Program received $5,000, which was matched by the Gene & Mary Sarazen Foundation, for a total of $10,000.  $25,000 was donated to Avow Hospice of Naples, Marco Island and Immokalee and $45,000 was given to nine Collier County High Schools for college scholarships at $5,000 each.  This year’s total gifting was $122,500! !
 

A huge thank you goes to Irv Sherwood, Mike Ward of Erin’s Isle, the Eagle Creek Community, Southwest Florida Golf Charities, and all the wonderful golfers who participated!" 

 

Donna Fiala

 

Jim Lackey

We were totally dismayed to learn that the Architectural Review Committee had the audacity to override a legitimate and democratic vote for our choice of roofing from shingles to tiles.

 

The detailed and statistical points submitted by Carolyn Kriz are indeed valid and no Committee should have the right to overrule the votes of the affected owners on Waterford Drive, particularly since the Architectural Review Committee will not be responsible for any of the financial obligations.

 

We trust that this issue will be resolved to respect the demonstrated wishes of the voters.

 

Ron O'Hearn and Shirley Coleman

#103 - 750 Waterford Drive.

 

We want to express our appreciation to  the Kriz's for their analysis and presentation of the true facts of the Condo 5 reroofing problem and to add that we have written to George Brinkmoeller asking his extreme efforts to reverse the decision of the board. Hopefully, more people will do the same. I have looked at the condos on Eagle Creek Drive and I see nothing deleterious to the esthetics of their community in their shingle roofs.

 

George R. (Bob) and Shirley Leach

Lori's daughter Anna Radliff

Chosen as Lely High School’s 2008 graduate of distinction.

Lely High senior knows life is precious

Naples Daily News

May 14, 2008

When Anna Radliff was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on July 31, 2006, the first thing she thought was that she wasn’t going to be able to play volleyball.

“That was my first thought,” she said, laughing at the memory. “I quickly realized that there were bigger things I needed to worry about.”

Luckily, Anna’s doctors caught the disease early and she was in remission in September 2006. She is now in what is called the maintenance stage, which means Anna receives treatment less frequently than when she was first diagnosed. After five years of steadily decreasing check-ups and treatments for her blood cancer, Anna will be considered “cured.”

Anna said her illness gave her a new outlook on life.

“I have been through one of the toughest things you can go through. I feel like I can do anything,” she said. “Life is very precious, I have come to conclude. With the right attitude, you can do anything.”

It is for her outlook that Anna has been chosen as Lely High School’s 2008 graduate of distinction.

English Department Chairwoman Joyce Shea was going through chemotherapy at the same time as Anna and said she looked to her honors English student for inspiration.

“She is such an incredibly inspirational human being,” she said. “Anyone else, anyone without her character, would have thrown their hands up and given up. She came to school when she was going through treatment and she was engaged. ...And she earned straight As. There was an empty hole in the classroom on the days when she wasn’t there.”

Lely math teacher Sara Mulder called Anna “the perfect student.”

“She was always on task,” she said. “When she was sick, she made up all of her tests and quizzes. I gave her homework and told her it was optional, but she did most of it. She really impressed me.”

Although she admits there were days when she didn’t want to do work at all, Anna said she actually looked forward to going to school when she was sick.

“I wanted to be around my friends at school,” she said. “I wanted to go to class and do something. I was tired of being at home.”

Anna will attend Florida Gulf Coast University this fall, where she hopes to study business and accounting.

“I like solving problems,” she said. “It seems like something that would be fun.”

Anna said she is interested to see what life will be like on her own, in the dorm rather than in the home that she shares with her parents, Bob and Lori.

Shea said Anna’s parents, and brother Robert, are “phenomenal people.”

“She is a credit to her family,” she said. “I think Anna gave them strength when she was diagnosed with cancer.”

Anna will also make a place for volleyball and her other love, tennis, while at school. She said she plans to play intramural volleyball and tennis. She began playing volleyball in eighth grade and started playing tennis her freshman year.

Anna began playing volleyball in middle school after some friends encouraged her to play. Tennis came a little differently.

“I wanted to do something in the spring, but I was not fast enough to run track,” she said. “It was too brutal. I thought tennis would be fun and the serve in volleyball helps with the serve in tennis, so I tried it.”

Mulder, who tutors Anna, said the senior has what it takes to succeed.

“She definitely has the motivation,” she said. “She is very outgoing, very personable. She has a ton of friends.”

Anna hopes to spend plenty of time this summer with those friends before they go their separate ways. On the agenda for the summer? Spending time at the beach, making her famous chocolate chip pancakes and working.

“High school ends too soon. It goes by too fast,” she said. “It’s a little scary (to be moving on). But I am excited.”