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Editorials

‘Revenue diversification’ no path to lower tax bills

Cape Coral City Council held its final public hearing on the city budget Thursday night, approving a billion-dollar financial plan for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. The budget, all funds included, came in at $1,095,678,548, a 13.25% increase, with the city’s General Fund for operations ...

Southwest Florida: It’s not just for tourists

Nothing says “normalcy” better than a return of events, festivals and other traditions. The roof may still have a tarp, the insurance company may still be balking, but the ability to walk away for an afternoon or evening, to enjoy a little music, a little food and a beverage of choice with ...

Ilczyszyn right choice for Cape’s city manager

Cape Coral City Council kept it in the Cape this week, choosing a long-time city employee for the municipality’s top administrative post. Council unanimously agreed Wednesday to authorize Mayor John Gunter to begin contract negotiations with Michael Ilczyszyn, who has been serving in the ...

Thank you to recovery’s driving force

The U.S. Department of Labor sums up the observance of Labor Day succinctly. Celebrated the first Monday of September, the holiday Congress made official in 1894 is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the ...

Five-pronged path to economic recovery

There are multiple efforts under way to aid in the recovery of Southwest Florida’s hospitality-related businesses. Just shy of one year since Hurricane Ian wiped out Fort Myers Beach, devastated Sanibel, Captiva and Matlacha, and whacked Cape Coral and Fort Myers, many of our tourism-reliant ...

Time better spent

A split Cape Coral City Council wrangled with rules on the books and rules in the making Wednesday night. On the rules existing side, Council affirmed a hearing examiner’s denial of a variance applied for by a homeowner whose new house was built too close to the front setback due to a survey ...

Safety first as new school year begins

School safety has been redefined. Yes, the traditional reminders as little feet hit the streets are still current but school districts and law enforcement agencies across the country have stepped up security in a world where locked doors and campus fences — almost unheard of just a ...

A tale of two facilities

A pair of iconic complexes in Lee County face a similar fate — possible demolition for a future bright and new. Both — the Lee County Civic Center and the Cape Coral Yacht Club — have passed the point of practical repair for the same reason: deferred maintenance. For those who do not ...

America’s killing field

We’re not afraid that Lee County kids and teens have access to drugs. We are terrified. The spector of what’s on the streets — and readily available — is the stuff of nightmares. While youth drug experimentation dates back to when members of our editorial board were growing up more ...

Sales tax holiday much welcomed this year

Approximately 100,000 students will head back to Lee County schools next month and parents are gearing up for a first step to get them there: Back-to-school shopping. The National Retail Federation is projecting a pretty big number this year as parents break out the wallets to buy clothes, ...