(Editor’s note: The following items were taken directly from the headlines published in The Cape Coral Breeze from 1969-1972)

1969

July – Population tops 12,000

July – Formal incorporation talks begin

November-Committee recommends incorporation

December – Population nearly 13,500

1970

February – Bill formally requesting incorporation referendum presented to legislative delegates

April – Cape voter registration tops 5,200

April – Population tops 14,000

June – Cape incorporation bill introduced in House

June – Cape incorporation bill OK’d by Senate

July – County Commission to vote on incorporation issue

August – Voters approve incorporation, 2,067 to 1,798

September- 10 candidates qualify for city council posts

October – 40 candidates seek city manager’s position

November – City council primary election held

November -Cape’s first council elected; 4,022 cast

December – Paul Fickinger tabbed first city mayor

DecemberPopulation tops 15,500

1971

January – Charles Ryan named first city manger; Clyde Killer city attorney

January – Council OKs $721,400 budget, 0.83 mil tax levy, city emblem

January – City appoints Planning and Zoning Board

April – City Council to move into new quarters on Del Prado Boulevard

April – Population tops 16,000

April – Jim White appointed Cape Police Chief

June – $965,600 budget for 1972 presented to council

July – City receives bids for police cars, radio equipment

July – First five city police patrolmen on road in city

August – Budget of $932,057 OK’d for 1972

August – CCPD fully operational with 16 personnel

October – Proposed truck parking ban protested

October – Control of Fire Department transferred to city

November – Population tops 17,500

December – Paul Fickinger re-elected mayor

1972

February – Court upholds city truck parking ordinance

March – Council OKs parking of boats/trailers in back yards

April – Population tops 18,000

August – Council sets $1,643,596 budget for 1973

October – Council OKs $600,000 city hall complex on

December – Population tops 19,000