Be Safe During Spring 2021 Construction of Widening Corkscrew Rd
By Mark Novitski, ECCL As we prepare ourselves for the next 5 years of construction on Corkscrew Rd between Ben Hill Griffin and Alico Rd., there are a few items to keep in mind: Road detours and uneven pavement require more attention and slower speeds Workers and...
600 lbs. of Rubbish Collected on Hwy 41 in Estero
Volunteers Beat the Record! The team of volunteers participating in ECCL’s Adopt a Highway initiative this weekend helped to collect 600 lbs. of rubbish from Estero’s stretch of Hwy 41, bringing the total amount of litter collected over the last three months by...
Amy Kuchenbecker: “ECCL Volunteer of the Year 2020”
“You never spend more money than you make! You never spend more money than you make!” This enthusiastic chant is performed often and quite loudly in every one of Amy Kuchenbecker’s Junior Achievement (JA) sessions at Three Oaks Middle School. Making 8th graders, a...
December ECCL Monthly Meeting Video & Summary
The December 11, 2020 meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Zoom. Featured speakers were Dr. Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Regional Director, Growing Climate Solutions – Path to Positive; and Jodi Walborn, Policy and Worksite Co-Lead, Blue Zones Project – SWFL.. You can...
COVID-19: Don’t Let Your Guard Down! Don’t Stop Wearing Your Mask!
43% of all Estero’s Covid-19 cases have occurred in the last 6 weeks1Don't Let Your Guard Down! Wear a Mask! The ECCL and the Estero Chamber would like to thank the vast majority of residents in the greater Estero area for observing the Centers for Disease Control and...
420 Pounds of Trash Collected in November by Adopt a Highway Volunteers!
Many Congratulations!! 420 lbs. of Rubbish Collected on Hwy 41 in Estero on November 21st by Our Local Volunteers! Following the successful work in October of those who helped the "Adopt a Highway" initiative headed by Julie Yellig and her team of volunteers and...
The ECCL Congratulates FGCU
FGCU named best public school in Florida for undergraduate entrepreneurship By Kyle McCurry Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has been named the top public college or university in Florida for undergraduate entrepreneurship studies, according to The Princeton...
November ECCL Monthly Meeting Video & Summary
The November 13, 2020 meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Zoom. Featured speaker was Estero Councilmember Jon McLain speaking on transportation issues. You can watch the video below. A summary of the contents is provided below....
Red Sox Home Base Program Supports Local Veterans
In 2004 and 2007, following their historic World Series wins, Red Sox owners, management, and players, along with Massachusetts General Hospital representatives, visited Walter Reed Medical Center and met hospitalized Veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan....
The Estero River Development Update
Brought to you by the ECCL During the recent October 9 "virtual" ECCL's Monthly Meeting, Steve Sarkozy, Estero Village Manager, spoke about the Village's purchase of 67.5 acres at the northeast corner of Corkscrew and US 41. Mr. Sarkozy summarized the steps that are...
Junior Achievement in Southwest Florida: Why it’s Important!
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and The ECCL Hosted First-Ever Virtual Gala earlier this year at The Club at Grandezza. FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 28, 2020) – Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) hosted a...
Off to a Great Start!
The ECCL support of the “Adopt a Highway” initiative headed by Julie Yellig and her team of volunteers started the cleanup of Hwy 41 over the weekend (October 24). The ECCL is working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean an approximate...
Bonita Springs Council Approves London Bay Homes Bayview Development Plans
After three years of negotiation with Bonita’s Zoning and Planning Office and the Bonita Springs Council, London Bay Homes was given the “green light” at Wednesday’s (October 21st) council meeting to proceed with their Bayview development at the western end of Coconut...
Summary of October 2020 Meeting
Key Points from the ECCL's Monthly Meeting Report October 9th (Reporter Karen Katz) President Jim Gilmartin called the meeting to order and there followed a moment of silence for COVID-19 victims. Kyle Coleman, Estero Deputy Village Manager, spoke about the Estero...
The ECCL Has Adopted a Highway
Help Us Keep Estero Looking Beautiful The ECCL (as the adopting organization) is working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to recruit and coordinate groups of volunteers to help clean an approximate four-mile section of Tamiami Trail. Including both...
Summary of September 2020 Meeting
https://youtu.be/PNrj0LTQoTE The monthly Membership Meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Friday, 9/11 at 10 am. Pres. Jim Gilmartin welcomed the participants and Mark Novitski led a moment of silence in memory of 9/11. Speakers Chief Scott Vanderbrook of Estero...
ECCL Appoints Allan Bowditch ECCL Chief Communications Officer
The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Allan Bowditch, Former CEO Martin Hamblin Healthcare, as its Chief Communications Officer. In his role at Martin Hamblin Research’s Global Healthcare Division, he was...
Open Letter to Members in Support of Our Schools
Dear Community Residents & Businesses, In two weeks, the start of one of the most, if not the most, uncertain school years in our lifetime will begin. This comment is not hyperbole. The first day of school in our Estero area will be Monday, August 31. On this day,...
ECCL Appoints Melva Borley ECCL Board Member
The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Melva Borley to the ECCL Board of Directors. Melva was born and raised in Washington, DC, and at 15, was awarded an academic scholarship to the prestigious Emma Willard Prep...
Traffic on East Corkscrew Rd.
Ever wonder why the traffic seems to be getting worse on Corkscrew Rd east of Ben Hill Griffin? The below chart identifies the current homes built and occupied, and the potential homes to be built in the next 5 years. The Phase I expansion/widening of Corkscrew Rd...
More students equals more schools needed in South Lee County
Ever wonder why we need to build new schools in south Lee County? The linked infographic identifies K-12 students in the Estero Area and South Lee County. This information will be used in the Village of Estero Community database so new residents can determine...
ECCL Appoints Rachel Pierce ECCL Board Member
The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Pierce to the ECCL Board of Directors. Rachel Pierce is proud to call Estero home with her husband and four young children. She specifically picked Estero for its...
To Mask Or Not To Mask? That is the Question
The numbers continue to rise The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state and the Lee County numberscontinue to confirm the significant and worrisome rise in COVID–19 cases. However, face masks have become a go-to topic of conversation and debate for many. While...
“2-5-8-Graduate” Junior Achievement’s Programs A Resounding Success in Four Estero Area Schools
On March 27, 2018, the Village of Estero signed a Memorandum with Lee School District entitled, Estero Education Initiative (EEI). In the Fall of 2018, 161 Estero retirees and non-retired residents volunteered to participate in Junior Achievement’s...
Transportation Planning Acronyms You Should Know
MPO, TIP, TMA, & CIP Introduction Planning for the Village of Estero is one of the municipality’s primary overriding governing functions. It provides the framework for the development of the community and the management of land use and other resources. “Strategic...
What to do when a hurricane threatens
Hurricanes are violent and dangerous to your family and your home. When a hurricane threatens to bear down, make sure that you know how to batten down your hatches and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property. When it's hurricane season Hurricane season...
Join Us for the Lee Health Coconut Point Blood Drive
Did you know that one pint of blood can save two lives? We invite you to make a difference in these troubled times at the Lee Health Coconut Point Blood Drive! Join us from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 29 at our Coconut Point facility, 23450 Via Coconut Point,...
June ECCL Meeting Held Virtually
The June 12, 2020 meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Zoom. Featured speakers included Chris Patricca from the Lee County School Board and Steve Sarkozy, Village of Estero Manager. You can watch the video below.
The ECCL Health Council Needs Your Help!
The purpose of the ECCL’s Health Council is to advocate for the resources to improve the health and wellbeing of persons living and working in Estero and surrounding communities by supporting the creation of physical, social, and economic environments resulting in...
Unraveling the Mystery of Development Impact Fees
Few people, outside of the local, county, and state government agencies, understand "Development Impact" fees. The ECCL monitors impact fees, and their use in Estero and surrounding communities. The following information will help you understand what they are, how...
A “slap in the face” for residents of South Lee and Collier County
The content of a number of recent communications from London Bay Homes regarding the development proposals being planned for the former Weeks Fishing Camp at the western end of Coconut Road appears to be a “slap in the face” for residents of South Lee and Collier...
Safety Top Priority at Lee Health Coconut Point
Don’t let fear keep you from emergency care or an outpatient procedure. The change in how we’re living these days is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. But our “new normal” has also had an unintended effect: Many people experiencing symptoms of a...
Lee Health Joins Mayo Clinic Study
Dr. Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO, is proud to share this exciting announcement: “We are excited to announce that Lee Health was accepted and registered as a participating site in Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Study. Starting Monday,...
Village of Estero Mayor Bill Ribble honored with 2020 Home Rule Hero Award
The Florida League of Cities (FLC) has recognized Mayor Bill Ribble with a 2020 Home Rule Hero Award. Ribble earned this prestigious award for his tireless efforts throughout the 2020 legislative session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home...
Grocery Shopping during COVID-19
We’re now a few weeks into the pandemic, and those groceries you managed to binge-buy a month ago are dwindling. It’s time to restock the pantry. But what should you buy this time around? And what’s the secret for keeping food fresher longer? Although you can still go...
Estero Area Roads Improvement Status
Working with the Village of Estero and Lee County transportation we have composed a rough timeline of road project start and completion dates. This is our best information known at this time. We will do our best to update on a quarterly basis. If you want to help the...
Estero High School donates to Lee Health
Thanks to @EsteroHS Principal Mike Amabile for donating all these supplies to @Lee_Health ! Thanks to our partners!
Estero Health Care Advisory March 27, 2020
A consortium of emergency health care advisors has developed the attached outline, which details information and actions for addressing Caronavirus issues including: Social distancing When to seek medical attention Home self-quarantine Visiting an emergency department...
FGCU professor donates salary to help students pursue entrepreneurship
Florida Gulf Coast University professor, Dr. Sandra Kauanui, is passionate about education for our future generations, but, in her case, this commitment goes well beyond the classroom. Dr. Kauanui has made a personal commitment to support a proposed entrepreneurship...
We are seeking a Chairperson for our Environmental Council
Established in 2000, the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is a non-partisan all-volunteer civic advocacy organization. Our purpose is to inform, educate, and enable residents to act to support and improve the quality of life in Estero and surrounding...
Lee Health: Answering Your Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
With the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus making headlines across the world, Lee Health wants to answer your questions and keep you healthy. A few key things to know: There are seven known coronaviruses that can affect humans, and four of them are relatively common and...
ECCl-sponsored flotilla sets stage for annual Estero Bay environmental initiatives
Estero, Fl., Feb. 26, 2020 A group of boaters departed the FGCU Marine Field Station on Sunday morning, February 23, carrying forty-three (43) volunteers, on a special mission. Their goal: an environmental cleanup of the pristine waters of Estero Bay. Their catch:...
ECCL Planning for the Future Survey: A Summary Report
An online survey was conducted in the latter part of 2019 generating almost 600 responses (from who provided their email addresses to keep in touch with the activities of the ECCL) from over 40 neighborhoods in the area. 58% of respondents were males and 42% female,...
Greater Estero Community Report
Happy New Year to Estero and Surrounding Areas! Our positive, proactive vision for 2020 includes a NEW Estero Community Report. We hope this quarterly report provides you with insightful, engaging, informative news about the communities where we live, worship, work,...
January 7 Member Reps and Alts Breakfast Meeting
Approximately forty (40) Member representatives and alternates attended a breakfast meeting on January 7, hosted by the ECCL Executive Management Team (EMT). In addition to our guests, the ECCL Council Chairs were in attendance. Following introductory remarks by...
Federal Health Officials Say This Flu Season Could Be The Worst In Decades
CNN (1/3, Cohen, Bonifield) reported on its website that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, said this current flu season may be one of the worst in decades, and added, “Hopefully this turns around and comes...
Estero Area Excellence in Education Celebration 2019
Thanks to Master of Ceremonies Clay Miller, NBC2 Morning Anchor and co-sponsors The Club at Grandezza and Lee Health Coconut Point, the ECCL Education Council hosted its 2nd annual “Estero Excellence in Education” celebration at The Club at Grandezza on December 3,...
Don’t let your natural tree end up hurting the environment.
When you are ready to take down the Christmas tree be sure to remove all of the lights, wire, tinsel, garland, ornaments, nails, stands, and other materials that are not part of the original tree. Once you have done this you can place it curbside and it will be picked...
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