Cape Coral Eye Center sets ‘green’ standard
Michael Brown of Solar-Ray, from Orlando, runs wire through the solar panels on the roof of Cape Coral Eye Center at 4120 Del Prado Blvd.

By MCKENZIE CASSIDY, mcassidy@breezenewspapers.com

The race to secure alternative sources of energy is viewed as one of the most pressing, emerging issues of the 21st century.

From hybrids to technologically advanced wind mills, hydroelectric dams and even the use of tides to power electrical turbines, it seems scientists and the average citizen are trying to get a hold of any alternative source that will ease increasing utility bills and protect the environment.

One Cape Coral company, the Cape Coral Eye Center, is setting an example for other businesses in the community by installing panels that would harvest the only free resource left on the Earth — the sun. And in Florida, nicknamed the “Sunshine State,” there’s no better place to capitalize on this energy source.

“I think businesses need to be cognizant of the impact they have, not only on the air and water quality of our community, but on energy consumption as well,” said Dr. Farrell Tyson. “By producing no air pollution or hazardous waste, installation of a solar generator helps protect our natural resources, not to mention other environmental, social and political benefits as well.”

Earlier this week the company began installing 99 solar modules on its roof that would decrease some of their energy costs. According to Kimberly Smith, spokesperson for the Cape Coral Eye Center, the panels will supply approximately half of the energy used in their building on Del Prado.

“They have done some projections and they estimate the average production between 85 and 100 kilowatt hours of electricity per day,” said Smith. “Its is going to create about 45 percent of the energy that the eye center consumes.”

Construction of the panels, each measuring three by five feet, will be concluded by this weekend. While the rooftop resembles something that is common for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, it will be quite out of the ordinary here in Cape Coral.

Overall, it takes up about one-third of the total surface area of the roof.

The project, carried out by an Orlando-based solar power company named Solar-Ray, will cost the eye center $138,000 by its completion, but will save them thousands in future electricity bills.

“One of the interesting things that I’ve discovered is that during the weekend, when we are closed, the energy turns our meter backwards,” explained Smith. “So the power is sold back to the power company and is reversing the cost of our energy.”

The solar electric system, also known as photovoltaic, is a simple process that turns the sun’s rays into useable electricity. It contains a simple chemical compound that sends off a charge when struck by solar energy. The charge is later converted from DC, or direct current, into an alternative current which is the type used in a home or office. And each module has a durable design that is capable of withstanding winds up to 140 mph, according to the designer, Michael Brown.

While the Cape Coral Eye Center is the first commercial facility to install solar panels in the city, earlier in the year a house in the Cape was retrofitted with solar panels that manufactured power for a majority of the home’s needs.

In Florida there are more opportunities than ever for residents to receive rebates or tax credits for using alternative energy. The federal government allows a 30 percent tax credit for anyone who installed a PV system before December 2008. And the state of Florida is providing rebates in the amount of $4 a watt for systems that produce more than 2,000 watts.

“They don’t produce any air pollution or hazardous waste and it protects our natural resources,” said Smith. “This is a new technology that creates jobs and generating our own power at home is certainly in America’s best interest.”

On Friday the price of oil skyrocketed to $137 per barrel, and is predicted to hit $150 by the Fourth of July — a time of high gas consumption because of family vacations. This weekend alone, gas prices are expected to increase by 15 cents in some areas, said Smith, with national gas averages hovering around $4 a gallon.

Energy is a hot issue right now, especially in the 2008 Presidential Campaign where all of the nominees, for the first time ever, had to begin seriously addressing concerns over energy as a result of rising oil prices and fears over Global Warming. Celebrities and other advocates are also taking the stand and supporting more environmentally friendly resources.

Already, fewer Americans are choosing to buy larger cars or SUVs, and are instead turning to sub-compact cars with higher gas mileage. On Friday, General Motors announced that it was closing four of their truck and SUV plants in the United States because people are choosing to buy smaller cars.

While it’s unclear whether the Cape Coral Eye Centers will begin a trend throughout the city and the rest of Southwest Florida, it is clear they are eagerly anticipating the affects of this new solar technology.

“We’ve been in the planning stages of this for some time, seeking out the right technology and the right design engineer for the installation. Now that it’s finally installed, I’m looking forward to seeing how well it meets our projected goals, and also hope to be a mentor to other businesses that are considering doing the same,” said Tyson.

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Full field in Lee County commissioners’ race

By DREW WINCHESTER, dwinchester@breezenewspapers.com

The field has finally come into focus for the Lee County Commission race, after qualifying closed Friday at noon. District seats 1, 3, and 5 are up for election.

Bob Janes in District 1, and Ray Judah in District 2, are facing several opponents who are hoping to upset the long-seated commissioners.

Frank Mann, completing just a half term, is looking to gain re-election for a full four years. The primaries will be held Aug. 26, and the general election on Nov. 4.



District 1

Five candidates are vying for the seat in District 1. As the incumbent, Bob Janes is looking for his third consecutive term. He wants to continue as commissioner because he feels there’s still work to be done to prepare for the county’s continued growth.

“There’s a lot of things I still feel need to be done to make sure Lee county goes in the right direction. We have a growing population, not a shrinking one, and there’s still a lot of problems we need to address,” Janes said. “We need somebody who has experience. I offer a lot. And with the difficulties ahead, we need someone experienced to handle them.”

Once the mayor of Sanibel, Carla Johnston is hoping to follow in Janes footsteps, who served as the island’s mayor more than a decade ago. Now acting as the vice mayor, Johnston, who said she has 30 years of dealing with public policy, threw her hat in the commissioner ring because she feels the county is ready for something new.

“The time is ripe for change. The people are worried about the economy, and we need to find ways to stabilize businesses and jobs,” Johnston said. “We need new development and the next chapter of the way government delivers services to the citizens.”

Cape Coral Mayor Eric Feichthaler, completing his first term as the city’s mayor, said he’s learned Cape residents weren’t happy with the direction their district leader was taking them.

“Many Cape Coral resident have told me our current district representative is not being responsive to our needs. We want someone to be more responsive,” Feichthaler said. “With my energy and commitment, my background in economics, and as a proven tax cutter, I can serve the community better from the County level.”

Former Cape city council member AJ Boyd, will face off against Feichthaler, a former colleague. He said he was spurred to run by a vast string of phone calls over the last few weeks, encouraging him to run.

“They are not happy with the current situation, whatever it may be, and I can’t speak for them. Do I turn my back on them and tell them to figure it out?” Boyd said of the phone calls. “I know the Cape inside and out, but now this is a little broader scope. There are no hidden agendas, I just want to help the public in any manner I can. I’ve been on the political scene for 18 years, ran for mayor of Cape Coral at 25, and wrote or sponsored 155 pieces of legislation on city council.”

Maybe the odd man out, Gerard David Jr., a former actor, thinks the county’s future lies in utilizing solar power, building a high speed rail system, and maybe even building a theme park/movie studio on Burnt Store Road.

“I want to move Cape Coral into the solar age. I’m a supporter of solar energy and I want to see it in the Cape,” David said. “And a high speed rail system. too. I was for rail then, and I’m for rail now, because of gas prices.”

As Republicans, Feichthaler, Janes, and David will face off in the August primary.

The winner will take on Boyd, no party affiliation and Johnston, no party affiliation, in November.

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Commission candidates for District 1 face off; Ideas for present, future discussed

By MATT BLUMENFELD, mblumenfeld@breezenewspapers.com

Economic woes and long-term planning were foremost in the minds and on the lips of four candidates vying for the District 1 seat on the Lee County Commission at a Tuesday morning forum hosted by Businesspeople United for Political Action.

“This year, more than ever, we have an economic crisis. The usual tug between the ‘us’ and ‘them’ cannot continue,” said former Sanibel Mayor Carla Brooks Johnston. “We need to turn today’s obstacles into tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Cape Coral Mayor Eric Feichthaler, who is facing off against incumbent Bob Janes in the Republican primary, touted his credentials saying that his and the rest of council’s efforts to slash property taxes and cut spending eased the burden on homeowners in a tough economic time.

“We took the initiative and lowered not only the millage rate, but we actually lowered spending and millage in a year when we had lower property values,” he said.

Janes, who has held his seat for the past eight years, spoke mostly about his accomplishments on the commission including the juvenile assessment center and the purchase of Babcock Ranch.

“I’m an action-oriented guy. I don’t like to sit back and do nothing and let the world scoop me up, because it doesn’t work that way,” he said.

To reduce tax pains, Janes said that the best thing the county can do is come up with common sense solutions to problems. He pointed to the overcrowded jail as a prime example where cost savings can be realized as a sizable chunk of those currently jailed have mental health problems.

“It doesn’t make any sense to house those people for $100 a night, when we could move them to a community mental health facility for $30 to $40 a night,” the commissioner said.

Gerard David Jr., who ran against Commissioner Brian Bigelow two years ago, nodded to Janes’ years of service and said that he had few qualms with how he has run the county.

“I’m just a firm believer in term limits,” he said. “I believe that term limits are important to our community to bring in fresh ideas. If it weren’t for (Janes’) two terms, I would have voted for him.”

David focused most of his statements on the far future, promoting the idea of light rail transportation across Southwest Florida, the construction of a theme park and movie studio along Burnt Store Road as well as the construction of a solar power plant.

He criticized Cape Coral for asking homeowners to spend thousands on city utilities; David would have told Cape residents to spend assessment money on solar panels on their homes and then sell the power back to Florida Power and Light, using those proceeds to install water and sewer lines.

Johnston, who is running as an independent, called for a “new focus at the Board of County Commissioners,” with elected officials focusing on how to use public projects to get jobs on the street and help keep existing private sector businesses afloat while preparing for the future by attracting new industries to the area.

“Construction is a boom-bust business. We’ve been through the boom and now we’re finding out about a bust,” she said, adding that the county needs to find a way to bring in high-tech jobs.

Johnston also pressed for more action on the part of the economic development department to help current businesses stay open, and she criticized the county for cutting its budget with a “chain saw.”

An early retirement incentive passed as a part of budget cutting led to the county’s economic development head stepping down and taking the buyout.

Feichthaler took a different approach to bringing the area out of the economic doldrums. He said additional public projects to improve infrastructure are necessary but should not be the focal point for turning the county around.

“That should not be the driving force in restoring the economy, it is reducing barriers to growth,” Feichthaler said. “Some of the impact fees in this county are simply too high and discouraging to growth.

“We all have optimism, we all believe that things are going to get better,” he continued. “I think we can really bring strong growth to our area over the next several years if we put in the right policies.”

Janes seemed to take it as a given that rapid growth would return to Lee County in the near future, pressing for better planning with more development in urban centers, less urban sprawl and the protection of open space.

“We want to keep this area, as much as possible, as it is today — as it was when we came down here,” he said. “We’re not going to be able to stop growth. The best way is to learn how to adapt to it.”

Few sparks erupted during the debate, with the only coming from Feichthaler who criticized Janes for not coming to a Cape Coral City Council meeting since he became mayor nearly four years ago. He promised to have consistent office hours in Lehigh and south Lee County.

“With $4 (a gallon) gas I think it is imperative to make ourselves accessible to the public so they don’t have to drive a half hour just to have 5 to 10 minutes of face time with their county commissioner,” Feichthaler said.

Former Cape Coral City Councilmember A.J. Boyd, who is also running for the seat as an independent, had a scheduling conflict and could not attend the forum.

The Businesspeople United for Political Action meeting was held at The French Roast Cafe, behind Outback Steakhouse just north of The Bell Tower Shoppes, in Fort Myers.