Mayor's Message
May is Water Safety Month. As our weather’s temperature rises, so does activity in and around the water. Swimming and aquatic-related activities play a vital role in good mental health and physical activity. It enhances the quality of life for all Floridians and visitors to our wonderful state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ten people die from accidental drownings every day, with about one in five being children 14 years and younger.
It is very important for everyone to be aware of water safety rules and programs to prevent drownings and recreational water-related injuries. Some of the basics to remember; children should always be supervised by an adult; barriers, such as pool fences, should be installed; children should be given swimming lessons at a young age; and everyone, especially our caretakers, should learn CPR and have safety equipment such as floatation devices in arms reach. We live in a boater’s paradise where many can spend hours on the water. Making sure that your boat is operating properly is the key to safety. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free vessel safety checks. The safety check usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your vessel, and can be done at your docking location or your driveway.
Our Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of safe, fun, and affordable summer activities for children of all ages. Some of the benefits of participation for children include: a place where they can explore, learn, and grow; provides a safe environment for children to develop social skills, decision-making skills, and building of positive relationships. The Parks and Recreation Summer Activity Guide and Summer Camp Guide were recently released and are available on the city website with links to online registration.
The City Council will host a City Council Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, May 10, in Council Chambers. The event will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This meeting will allow the residents to learn about the Lee County Recovery Task Force and provide input to assist in the recovery-planning process.
The city has one ribbon-cutting event in May to celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the SUN Trail will take place on Friday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. The SUN (Shared-Use Nonmotorized) Trail is a paved trail corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians that will eventually run from Del Prado Blvd to El Dorado Blvd, connecting with Van Buren Parkway and the Burnt Store Trail. The total project length is approximately 6.5 miles. The public is invited to both events, so I hope to see you there.
With the next Hurricane season due to begin in only a few short weeks on June 1, I encourage all residents to take the time to get prepared early. The City of Cape Coral will host an Inaugural Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Wednesday, May 31, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Mercola Market. City representatives and local businesses will be on hand to provide information to help residents prepare before, during, and after a storm.
To the young men and women of the graduating class of 2023, I would like to extend congratulations on your upcoming milestone achievement! The time you have invested in learning over the past years, along with the social and personal experiences along the way, have made you what you are today. As you embark upon the next venture in your life, I wish you nothing but success in your future endeavors. Congratulations again to all graduating seniors of the Class of 2023!
I am both humbled and honored to serve as Mayor of the City of Cape Coral. I will continue to ensure that the city works together to accomplish a common goal; a safe, thriving, happy community we can all be proud of.