Presentation-Slideshow-October-28th-2025

Presentation Slides

The October Engage Estero Community and Membership Meeting featured three speakers who highlighted major community developments in health care, property management, and infrastructure growth across Greater Estero. You can see the complete video of this meeting above.

Dr. Shannon McDonald, Medical Director of the Southwest Florida Proton Center, opened with an update on the region’s first proton therapy facility for advanced cancer treatment, scheduled to begin patient care in December 2025. Dr. McDonald explained how proton therapy differs from conventional photon radiation: protons stop precisely at the tumor site, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs. This makes it especially valuable for treating cancers near critical structures such as the brain, spine, eyes, and heart, as well as in pediatric cases where long-term side effects can be severe.

She traced the therapy’s history from the first Harvard cyclotron in the 1960s to today’s 46 U.S. centers—soon to include the Estero facility. The new Proteus One system will be capable of treating a wide range of cancers and staffed by experienced specialists from national cancer centers. She fielded questions about Medicare coverage, emerging technologies such as carbon-ion therapy, and patient access. Dr. McDonald noted that while the Estero center is new, her 19 years of proton experience and a highly trained team ensure continuity of care for local residents. A former patient shared his positive experience with proton therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer at Massachusetts General, drawing warm applause from attendees.

Next, Andy Provost, General Counsel for Resort Management, outlined recent legislative changes affecting condominium and homeowner associations under Florida’s House Bill 913. Key updates include:

• Requirements that board and annual meetings conducted by video must also provide a physical location, be recorded, and have recordings retained for one year.
• Conflict-of-interest disclosures for management companies with related business interests exceeding $2,500.
• New financial reporting standards: associations must now secure majority votes from all owners to waive annual audits, and officers must sign affidavits confirming compliance.
• Revised inspection laws following the Surfside collapse now require milestone structural inspections at 30 years and every 10 years thereafter, and detailed reserve (SIRS) funding studies by 2025.
  Provost emphasized that these mandates increase board accountability and transparency but also add financial strain and record keeping responsibilities. He cautioned that recorded meetings become official records and may carry legal risk during insurance claims or litigation.

The final speaker, Mark Novitski, consultant to Engage Estero and chair of the East Corkscrew Alliance, provided updates on transportation and development east of I-75. He reported ongoing delays in the Corkscrew Road widening—now projected to extend into 2026—and warned that over 35,000 homes are approved or under construction along the corridor, potentially adding 70,000+ new residents. Novitski urged continued advocacy for traffic safety, new schools, and better access to the Larry Kiker Preserve. He also addressed community concerns about e-bike safety, car-carrier parking, and the long-delayed Bella Terra cell tower.

Engage Estero President Allan Bowditch closed the meeting by previewing upcoming meetings and events:

• Dec. 11: Community Meeting: Village of Estero Traffic Study, Septic-to-Sewer and Estero River Park updates.
• Jan. 29: Community Meeting: FGCU Entrepreneurship School and Enhance Musical Arts Opportunity with FGCU Bower School of Music and the Gulfshore Opera Information.
• Feb. 26: Don Eslick Person of the Year Dinner honoring Dr. Larry Antonucci.
• Mar. 17: Public Forum on “The Future of Estero.”

Bowditch thanked attendees for their continued support and encouraged donations at EsteroToday.com to sustain Engage Estero’s community initiatives.