FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pete Winton, Lee
County Administration,
(239) 335-2777
BOARD APPROVES VA HOSPITAL RESOLUTION/ADOPTS POLICY POSITION ON CHAIN OF LAKES DRAWDOWN
FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 4, 2003) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting. They are:
VA Hospital - Adopted and sent a resolution requesting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs consider Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center Facility - when vacated - for a VA hospital. The action makes the federal government aware of this area's desire and need for enhanced veterans health care services. The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO CONSIDER A VACANT HOSPITAL IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA FOR A NEW VA HOSPITAL
Whereas: The Board of Lee County Commissioners wishes to apprise the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress of an opportunity to locate Florida's next Veteran Affairs Hospital in Fort Myers; and
Whereas: The closest VA Medical Center to Fort Myers is in St. Petersburg, more than two hours away. Lee County has a VA Clinic that was expanded four years ago but already has outgrown its capacity; and
Whereas: Lee County (Fort Myers-Cape Coral MSA) with 500,000 population is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Southwest Florida (the five-county area) has a population of one million and a projected veterans population of more than 100,000; and
Whereas: Recently, a health care provider announced the merging of two of its local hospitals, leaving Southwest Regional Medical Center - a 400-bed, full-service facility - vacant within the next three to five years; and
Whereas: With Southwest Florida's growing retiree and veterans population this is a wonderful opportunity to serve the future VA needs of this area;
Now, therefore be it resolved that the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida:
Do hereby request the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs incorporate this opportunity into its future planning of the cost/benefit/demand for a VA hospital in Southwest Florida.
River Flow/Estuaries - Approved the following policy position for Caloosahatchee River, Estuary, Lake Okeechobee and Kissimmee Basin water management:
Mall Hearings - Directed to two public hearings the consideration of a development agreement between Lee County and the owners and developers of the Gulf Coast Town Center DRI. The proposed agreement governs the mitigation of the transportation impacts of the Gulf Coast Town Center DRI. The dates are Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Dock Facilities - Requested funding from the West Coast Inland Navigation District for $78,089 to build a dock facility at Caloosahatchee Regional Park. On October 10, 2003 the Waterways Advisory Committee approved a request from the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department for funding from WCIND in the amount of $78.088.50 to construct the Caloosahatchee Regional Park docking facility. The Parks Dept. has obtained the permits necessary to construct a dock and a kayak launch at the Regional Park. Funding will be for the construction of a docking facility to allow motorized vessels traveling the river to access the park. Additional funding is being supplied by the Tourist Development Council for the construction of the non-motorized vessel launch and docking facility at the park. Additional funds are available from WCIND subject to a resolution from the county and approval from WCIND.