Take Action
News and Posts
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...
Breaking Par at Grandezza Postponed.
The ECCL is a sponsor of the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s Breaking Par at Grandezza event. Both organizations are monitoring the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and are taking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended precautions...
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,...
Important Voting Deadlines
The ECCL reminds all qualified residents in Estero and surrounding communities that calendar year 2020 presents opportunities to exercise the power of your vote in three major elections, with local, state and federal implications. To prepare for these important voting...
8th Annual Breaking Par at Grandezza
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,...
Important BoCC Vote Wednesday on Wetlands
Important Vote Wednesday. Speak to Protect Lee County Wetlands at BoCC Vote Dec. 18.What's at Stake:Voting on a Comprehensive Plan amendment that incentivizes commercial and industrial development on wetlands. When:Wednesday, December 18 at 9:30 a.m....
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...
Lee Health Coconut Point Presentation at Nov. 2019 Meeting
Lee Health buys out NCH’s stake in Bonita Community Health Center
Lee Health will buy out NCH Healthcare System’s 50% stake in the Bonita Community Health Center for $14.3 million, a deal that ends a long-tumultuous business partnership between the rival hospital systems in south Lee County. The acquisition will not affect patient...
Open House at Southwest Florida Research and Education Center
Your Physicians. Your Partners.
Learn more about primary and specialty care services available in Lee Health’s comfortable facility right in...
I-75 at Corkscrew Road Interchange Improvements Begin
Improvements Include Additional left turn lanes in each direction Extending ramp distances New high mast lighting Sidewalk improvements Schedule Start: October 16, 2019 Expected Completion: Spring 2021 Lane closures: Sun - Fri overnight from 7:30 pm to 6 a.m. Workers...
Healthy Life Center: Your Home for Relaxation Ready to chill out and recharge?
Lee Health Coconut Point offers yoga, Pilates, meditation, and more Take a deep breath right here, right now, without worrying about where you are. Take another and another. And one more. We all know that relaxation and refreshment – no matter how small – are...
4th Annual “An Evening Under the Shadow Wood”
Monday DECEMBER 16, 2019 6:00pm Shadow Wood Country Club 22801 Oakwilde Blvd (map) The much anticipated 4th Annual “An Evening Under the Shadow Wood” tickets are now available for purchase. One of the premiere fundraising events in Estero is back to benefit the Arts...
Are you up to date with your vaccinations?
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) are serious diseases that are preventable with vaccination. But, the immunity wears off over time. So, everyone needs a booster shot every 10 years after first being immunized. You can get the vaccination at your...
BE the Difference in a Kid’s Life
The Estero Education Initiative and ECCL Education Council have partnered with Three Oaks Middle School to mentor academically "at-risk" students. We are seeking volunteers who would like to help a child and invest in the future of our Estero youth. This is not a...
Flu Facts
About one of every twelve Americans were sick from the flu last flu season Almost 80,000 died Close to one million hospitalizations And, 22.7 million medical visits The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like...
Jim Gilmartin, New ECCL President
The ECCL Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Gilmartin as the ECCL president. Jim and his wife Bettie have lived in Lighthouse Bay at the Brooks since 2004. In August 2019 with the untimely and unfortunate passing of recently appointed...
Call for School Volunteers
The Estero Education Initiative is looking for adult volunteers to serve immediately at Three Oaks Middle School with 7th and 8th-grade students. The students are part of the AVID program that promotes being college and career ready. AVID’s mission is to close the...
Help Wanted – Finance Committee
HELP WANTED Are you interested in the long – term sustainability of ECCL? Then you should consider becoming part of the Finance Committee. Financial background is a plus but not a requirement. You will not be overwhelmed with meetings and responsibilities; just...
H.R. 3502 Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act
H.R. 3502: To amend the Public Health Service Act and title XI of the Social Security Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing practices, and for other purposes. This bi-partisan bill is now before the U.S. Congress. The bill's general idea is to...
Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) Reorganizes
August 27, 2019: Don Eslick, Chairman of the ECCL has been the driving force behind the organization’s effectiveness for more than 19 years. In April 2019, Don announced his retirement scheduled for the fall of this year. Over two decades Don’s many accomplishments...
Orthopedic Services at Lee Health Coconut Point
Get back in the game of life with increased mobility and reduced pain. From a simple hand condition to a total knee or hip replacement, the orthopedic specialists at Lee Health Coconut Point treat ailments with a focused plan and advanced rehabilitation that ignite a...
A Tribute to Bob King
On August 14, 2019, Bob King, President of the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) peacefully passed on August 14, 2019, at the Hope Hospice, Lee Health Park. The ECCL lost one of its most important, highly respected, and significant advocates for improving the...
Surgery Center gets you back on your feet – the very same day!
Convenience just one part of Lee Health Coconut Point Our active lives take us many places at all hours of the day – from morning walks, to lunch with friends, to shopping, work, kids, grandkids, and so much more. Most of us don’t have time to be sick much less put...
Troyer Brothers Mine – Action Alert
We need new voices on Aug. 21 The final hearing on the Comprehensive Plan and a new Troyer Brothers mine.Aug. 22:Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve all the changes in favor of the Troyer Brothers mine, with Commission Mann being the only opposing vote. ...
Join the ECCL Communications Committee
The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is a network of communities working together to serve as the “Voice of the People” to advocate for positive change and protect our quality of life. The Communications Committee, led by the Chief Communications Officer, is...
2-5-8 Program featured in Estero Life Magazine
Estero Life Magazine featured the Estero volunteer efforts of the Education Council in their magazine on August 2, 2019. "Have you taught your middle schooler how to balance a checkbook yet? Or explained to your 7 year old what taxes are? Thanks to the Estero...
Get into the Spirit of Summer
10 Ways You Can Get into the Spirit of Summer at Lee Health Coconut Point Wellness and nutrition classes, routine exams and health checkups, a pharmacy, healthy cafe and beautiful gardens - all available now at Lee Health Coconut Point. View All Ten!
Mining Update: Protect Your Water Supply, Flooding Mitigation
What’s at Stake:Changes to the Comprehensive Plan that make it easier for developers to build in wetlands.Approvals of new mines in Lee County.What You Can Do:Contact the County CommissionersWhen:NOW Call District 1: John...
State of the Art Physical Therapy Opportunities
State of the Art Physical Therapy Opportunities Lee Health Coconut Point Physical Therapy from Lee Health on Vimeo. Lee Health combines personal care with high-tech solutions, including virtual reality and zero-g therapies for patients with sports injuries, joint...
New Projects Coming to Lee Health Coconut Point
For the last few months, Lee Health Coconut Point has welcomed thousands of patients. “These are visits and appointments that used to happen elsewhere and members of the community would have to travel 30 minutes or even longer than that to access these services,” said...
Signs in Estero
Basic Guidance for the Legal Use of Signs in Estero from the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) August 2014 This document is designed to provide citizen education and awareness. It summarizes often-complex provisions and thus is not intended as, and cannot be...
Feature: Community Call for Safer Biking and Walking Routes in the Village of Estero
(Printable PDF) Latest News on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Inspired by Estero residents and other stakeholders, a steering committee convened last October to begin the preparation of the very first Village of Estero Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The...
County adds website to track widening of Corkscrew Road
Lee County has created an entire website for residents to answer questions and track progress of the Corkscrew Road widening project. Currently in the design phase, the project will widen four miles of Corkscrew Road from 2 to 4 lanes from Ben Hill Griffen Parkway to...
Technology at Lee Health Coconut Point
Coconut Point Technology from Lee Health on Vimeo.
2019’s “Breaking Par at Grandezza” Gala & Golf Tournament a Big Success
Hosted by the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) 7th annual "Breaking Par at Grandezza" Gala & Golf Tournament Since 2013 this Event raised more than $382,000 in Net Proceeds for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida (JASWFL) ESTERO. FLORIDA (April 9,...
Census 2020
We all know how important funding is to support our state and local programs, so we are supporting the Census Bureau 2020 informational initiative to explain the importance of every head in SWFL being counted. Federal support is crucial to assist our population and...
The DR/GR – What is it and why you should care about it
DR/GR stands for density reduction - groundwater resource. It is a large area of land (over 80,000 acres) just east of Estero that was established jointly in 1990 by the State of Florida and Lee County with the specific purpose of protecting the principal water supply...
The DR/GR – What is it and why you should care about it
DR/GR stands for density reduction – groundwater resource. It is a large area of land (over 80,000 acres) just east of Estero that was established jointly in 1990 by the State of Florida and Lee County with the specific purpose of protecting the principal water supply...
Clayton Simmons, Principal at Estero High School, named Lee County Principal of the year.
The School District of Lee County proudly congratulates Clayton Simmons, Principal at Estero High School, for being selected Lee County Principal of the year, and nominated for Florida Principal of the Year Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins says, “Clayton led Estero to a...
Sign up to receive emails on important and urgent issues facing Estero.
Join the Movement
Protect Your Voice
The ECCL provides action alerts, community news, and regular reports on issues affecting the quality of life in the greater Estero area. Sign up to be on the list.