Matlacha residents express anger with Lee County government over hurricane recovery

Author: David Dorsey, Gulfshore Business
Published: Updated:

Some of the questions had answers, and some of those answers didn’t sit well with many of the almost 100 people present for a Matlacha Civic Association meeting with Lee County government officials as guests.

Some shouting between Matlacha property owners and Lee County government employees and District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane ensued in the parking lot of the RE/MAX Sunshine office off Pine Island Road in the middle of the island the evening of Oct. 28. The civic association’s previous meeting place was destroyed by Hurricane Ian two years ago.

“Matlacha is the gateway to Pine Island and we are restoring its beauty again,” civic association President Carol Scott said in her opening remarks. “We will capture Old Florida in a more, safe and resilient way.” She talked of partnering with Pine Island’s association and possibly forming a special district to help streamline government assistance in the future.

“The civic associations together are helping rebuild business and bring back the novelty, unique cultures of these islands,” Scott said.

To read more at Gulfshore Business, click here.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.