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Greater Estero Community Report: Qtr 2 2021
A short time ago, the ECCL released an important document that outlined the organization's strategic plans for the next five years. If you have not yet seen this document, you can access it by clicking here. A key focus within the plan will be Safety, one of the six...
Nancy O’Malley named ECCL Environmental Council Chair
Nancy O'Malley has taken on the role as the ECCL Environmental Council Chairperson, after Joe Micelli stepped down to spend more time lecturing at FGCU. Nancy, now retired, served as Chief Payment System Integrity Officer for MasterCard. She was responsible for...
ECCL Appoints Frank Moser ECCL Board Member
The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Moser to The ECCL Board of Directors. Frank Moser is a resident of Rapallo at Coconut Point.  After graduating from Penn Technical Institute with a degree in...
The ECCL names Mark Ruset as Safety Council Co-Chair
Mark Ruset will take on the responsibilities for Safety as co-chair with Lou Frattarelli who will continue as co-chair of Transportation. These combined responsibilities represent an important step in the coordination the ECCL’s initiatives to improve the safety of...
Close to Two Tons of Rubbish Collected by ECCL Adopt a Highway Volunteers
We are closing in on TWO Tons of Rubbish Cleared from Hwy 41 in Estero by ECCL’s Volunteers over the last six months! The ECCL has been working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41, between the Vines entrance (Breckenridge Road)...
Lee Commissioners award contract for first phase of Corkscrew Road widening
https://estero-fl.gov/lee-commissioners-award-contract-for-first-phase-of-corkscrew-road-widening/ On March 16, 2021, the Lee Board of County Commissioners awarded a contract for the first phase of widening Corkscrew Road east of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to four...
Are Our Waters Safe?
The ECCL endorses the following article prepared by John Cassani the Calusa Waterkeeper. A key strategic focus for the ECCL is also water quality, pollution and the sustainability of our water supply. This becomes more and more important as our population in the...
March 2021 Meeting Summary and Video
March ECCL Monthly Meeting The March 12, 2021 meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Zoom. The featured speaker was Matt Feeney, Assistant Manager of the City of Bonita Springs. You can watch the video or read the summary below. 00:00:00​ Intro 00:00:05​ Welcoming...
Thank You Adopt a Highway Volunteers!
It was a beautiful morning for volunteers to work their magic along Hwy 41 over the weekend. Many drivers, walkers, and bikers were honking and calling out “thank you,” which was very rewarding for the Adopt a Highway team organized by ECCL’s Julie Yellig. The...
Five Reasons to Wear a Mask Even After You’re Vaccinated
Two of the key areas that the ECCL focuses on concerning our vision, "To make the greater Estero area the best place to live, work, and play," are Healthcare and Safety. With this in mind, the ECCL considered a recent article published by Kaiser Health Newsworthy of...
You Can Save A Life-Using an AED
It’s frightening to witness someone at home who has collapsed. If they’re not breathing or gasping for breath: call 911 and immediately begin CHEST COMPRESSIONS. Watch the 30 second New York-Presbyterian Hospital YouTube video, “Everyone Can Save a...
February 2021 Meeting Summary and Video
The February 12, 2021 meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Zoom. The featured speaker was Mary Gibbs, Community Development Director for the Village of Estero. You can watch the video or read the summary below. The video timeline is divided into topics so you can...
Greater Estero Community Report: Qtr 1 2021
The ECCL wishes you a Very Happy New Year, and we hope that you continue to stay safe and well and benefit from the COVID vaccine "rollout" as soon as possible. We are pleased to provide you with the first of four planned GECR Reports for 2021. Our objective is to...
Results of the Estero High School Students’ Designs for the Estero Veterans Pocket Park
Over the past few weeks, the ECCL has taken the initiative on proposing a small "Veterans Community Pocket Park" in Estero. Several local organizations, including members of the Estero "Village" Council, expressed their interest and support for this initiative. The...
Masks and sanitation supplies appreciated by community
On behalf of the many individuals and businesses that have expressed their gratitude to the Village Council for distributing many thousands of masks to residents and 300 commercial hand sanitizers to small businesses, the ECCL applauds the recent initiative. The...
January 2021 Meeting Summary and Video
The January 8, 2021 meeting of the ECCL was held virtually on Zoom. The featured speaker was Lee County Commission Chairman Kevin Ruane. You can watch the video or read the summary below. https://youtu.be/e_LQkJW78ZU President Jim Gilmartin opened the 200th membership...
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...
CPR –An Emergency Life Saving Procedure
   An Important Message on CPR from ECCL’s Health Council’s Cardiac Subcommittee. According to American Heart Association statistics, 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year. Seventy percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur in...
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....
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 Anthony Gigliotti Community Development Council Chairperson
The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Gigliotti as Chairperson of its Community Development Council. The Community development Council, comprised of devoted volunteers, is primarily focused on being well...
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...
Are you prepared for hurricane season?
Precautionary measures can temper the ravages of these destructive storms Disasters + Preparedness IN THIS ARTICLE Hurricanes can shatter lives as well as damage property. Being prepared can help you, your family, or your business minimize the impact of the storm. The...
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