News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 17

THE NEWS-PRESS, FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2002 3B Local State Manatee returned to Caloosahatchee after treatment HOMEWARD BOUND: Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, members of the Lowry Park Zoo Manatee Rescue Team and local spectators carry a 1 manatee down a boat ramp Thursday at the Cape Coral Yacht Club as they release the animal into the Caloosahatchee River. The manatee, Baruna, was found in Cape Coral in January suffering from red tide-related illnesses. Baruna was released after recovering at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa By KEVIN LOLLAR In the first good marine mammal news this week, three rehabilitated manatees were released into the wild Thursday, including one into the Caloosahatchee River. On the darker side, a 33-foot sperm whale carcass washed ashore on Gasparilla Island Monday, it was carved up Tuesday; its soft tissue was dumped at a landfill, and Wednesday its skeleton was taken to the state Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St Petersburg. All three of the released manatees were treated for red tide poisoning at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.

a 9-foot male recovered Jan. 17 from the Baruna Canal in Cape Coral, had other problems, too. "He was kind of a mixed bag," Lowry veterinarian Dave Murphy said. "He had a relatively fresh skeg mark on his back, and he was cold stressed. Nothing was life threatening.

We got him eating, and he should be fine." When Baruna arrived at the Cape Coral Yacht Club boat ramp in a 24-foot U-Haul truck, a dozen people lugged him out in a manatee stretcher and laid him on the concrete, and Murphy announced that onlookers could touch him. After five minutes of manatee massage, Baruna was taken into the water where, with two flaps of his tail, he swam free to the applause of about 100 spectators. The other manatees, Manaso-ta and Placida, had been released earlier in Englewood. One of the spectators at Baruna's release was Stefanie Cianci, 14, of Cape Coral, who wants to be a manatee biologist when she grows up. "It was beyond cool," she said of the release.

"I really got to touch a manatee. That was always my dream. And I got to see him swim away." 7 is "1 STEPHEN HAYFORDThe News-Press Civil rights group fears September election disaster ml mm, intended to eliminate the maligned punch-card voting system and inaction on other problems scrutinized after the electioa The newest commission member, Bush-appointee Peter Kir-sanow, agrees, "There will be a problem again in 2002." Berry believes changes in state laws and election procedures go only about a third of the way toward addressing problems The Associated Press MIAMI Members of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, which harshly criticized Florida's flawed presidential election, said they were worried Thursday that there are major problems ahead. "You've got a mini-disaster waiting to happen in September," commission chairwoman Mary Frances Berry said at a meeting Gov.

Bush campaigning hard despite strong poll examined in detail after the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the presidential recount Forty-one of 67 counties will have new voting equipment in place for September primaries. Machines in rural Taylor County, for haven't arrived yet "The first year you introduce your new voting system is when you're going to have the greatest number of problems," said Ion Frank Brogan, said trips around the state are nothing new, they just receive more attention in an election year. "Capitol for a Day? We've been doing them for four years and this is just our time to do it agaia" he said. "If you look at the bill sign-ings, we've been doing bill sign-ings around the state of Florida for four years." Bush is taking the right approach by being aggressive, said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

"He is working very hard right now, diligently. He's probably smart to do so," Jewett said. "If you end up winning by 10 percentage points you can say, 'Look! It's because we worked so It's better than saying, We lost by five Besides the closeness of the 2000 electioa Jewett pointed out that Florida has more registered Democrats than Republicans, has never re-elected a Republican governor and has two Democratic U.S. senators. called to assess legislative and policy changes adopted since the 2000 vote.

After hearing from county election officials and voting rights advocates, commissioner Christopher Edley Jr. said, '1 am so much more pessimistic than I was when I got off the plane this morning." Elizabeth Hirst, spokeswoman for Gov. Jeb Bush, said Florida is a national leader in election reform pen," he said. The most recent poll showed the Republican governor was well ahead of the two front-running Democrats 22 points ahead of former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and 26 points ahead of Tampa lawyer Bill McBride.

The telephone poll conducted June 7-11 by Mason-Dixon Polling Research Inc. of 625 registered voters claims a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Bush's approval rating was 62 percent six points higher than last year. The only time more Floridi-ans said they like the job Bush is doing was two years ago, when a poll showed 63 percent approved. That means nothing to Bush, he said.

"If you were 25 points ahead and you thought that was really the way it was going to be you'd probably be complacent, you'd probably not be focused, you probably wouldn't go out and raise the money necessary, you probably wouldn't push back when people lie about your record. and pointed out that the state will have made available more than $30 million for voter education, poll worker training and the purchase of new voting equipment by July The commission has acknowledged significant progress in Florida but still has several areas of concern. Members of the federal panel are worried about the combination of voting machine changes "And that is totally foreign to me," Bush said. Democrats were delighted by the discovery of the White House disk and say Bush's aggressive campaigning is a sign that he's concerned about November. "They know that they've got some significant vulnerabilities," said state Democratic Party Chairman Bob Poe.

"While they haven't shown up in a lot of the polling in terms of head-to-head competition, they know that the issues are there that could knock the block out from under them" Bush said people need only look back to the 2000 presidential election to see that Florida can swing either way politically. His brother barely won the presidency when he carried Florida by only 537 votes. Still, Bush and the GOP have a huge edge in fund-raising. As of March 3L Bush had raised $438 million and the Republican Party $20.8 million for state campaigns. McBride had raised $1J5 million, Reno $1.01 millioa and the state Democratic Party $5.4 millioa And Bush has raised millions more for his campaign and the party since thea He was in California on Wednesday and Thursday for fund-raisers.

Today, President Bush will join him for a state Republican Party dinner expected to take in $25 millioa Their mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, has also made stops in Florida to help her son, as has former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani Bush's staff is constantly touting his record, often e-mailing news stories about other state's budget woes as a reminder that Florida quickly recovered from its economic slump. As well as campaigning around Florida, Bush is taking his state business out of Tallahassee. He recently went to the Miami, Tampa Bay and Orlando areas to sign the same bill, holding news conferences at each stop. And next week he will hold the biweekly Cabinet meeting in Miami in what he calls "Capital for a Day." His running mate, Lt. Gov.

Sancho, Leon County elections supervisor. "I would be scared. I would be very scared." The Justice Department which also examined Florida's elections, decided earlier this month to sue and immediately settle with three counties. No other suits were planned because the department didn't expect it could get much more than the new state laws provide. numbers He and others agree that poll numbers at this stage in the campaign are deceiving because not many people are paying attention to the electioa "I don't think the polls reflect the result of November," Reno said.

"As more people get the message, they will understand better the issues." "Florida is a toss up," added McBride. "They're enormously nervous because they see the same numbers we see: We're falling behind all other states in education, per capita income is going down he's trying to solve politically what he hasn't been able to solve as governor." State Republican Party Chairman Al Cardenas said he has seen too many heartbreaking losses George Bush to Bill Clinton in 1992 and Jeb Bush to Lawton Chiles in 1994 to name two to take an election for granted. "We've both been around and watched a lot of favorites not make it to the finish line and we aim to make sure that doesn't happen this time around," he said. June 16. 4200 block of Michigan Avenue, June 17.

2400 block of East Mall Drive, June 18. Thefts 3000 block of Palm Beach Boulevard, June 11. B3100 block of Hanson Street, June 12. B2300 block of Winkler Avenue, June 12. 4600 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 13.

4500 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 15. 4800 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 17. B4100 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 17. 4600 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 17. 2300 block of Colonial Boulevard, June 17.

1700 block of Red Cedar Drive, June 18. B4400 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 18. 4200 block of Michigan Avenue Link, June 18. B2300 block of Winkler Avenue, June 18. The Associated Press TALLAHASSEE Gov.

Jeb Bush is way ahead in the polls, as popular as he's ever been and raising millions more than the Democrats hoping to challenge him, yet hes running like he's 20 points behind. Bush was the first and still only candidate to begin airing television ads, he's crisscrossed the state and country raising GOV. JEB BUSH millions of campaign dollars, and has often taken his official state business on the road. His brother, President George W. Bush, is making his fourth trip this year to Florida today for a fund-raiser in Orlando.

And when it was revealed that a White House computer disk listed Florida as a state where the GOP could lose the governor's seat to the Democrats, Bush readily agreed the race will be close. "In Florida, anything can hap- The Fort Myers Police Department provided information published in this police blotter. It includes information from reports written by an officer. The department made 153 arrests between June 11 and June 18. It is compiled by Mary Ann Husty, staff writer.

FORT MYERS CITY Assaults 2900 block of Blount Street, June 11. B3100 block of Dunbar Avenue, June 11. First block of Patio De Leon, June 12. 2700 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 12. 1000 block of Marsh Avenue, June 12.

31 00 block of Dunbar Avenue, June 12. 1500 block of Hendry Street, June 13. 4000 block of Washington Avenue, June 13. Broadway Avenue at Monroe Street, June 13. CRIME LOG B2100 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 14.

B1700 block of North Meador Court, June 17. B4700 block of Barkley Circle, June 18. Vehicle 10100 block of Metro Parkway, June 12. 2700 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 12. 4100 block of Palm Beach Boulevard, June 12.

9800 block of Bernwood Place June 13. B2200 block of Grand Avenue, June 13. 4200 block of Michigan Avenue, June 14. 3500 block of Central Avenue, June 14. B4200 block of Michigan Avenue, June 14.

3000 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 14. 4200 block of Michigan Avenue, June 14. 1300 block of Sunbury Drive, June 14. 4200 block of Michigan Avenue, June 14. B4100 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 14.

0 41 00 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 14. B4100 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 14. 3500 block of Metro Parkway, June 15. 700 block of Palmetto Avenue, June 17. 10000 block of McGregor Boulevard, June 17.

Second Street at Hendry Street, June 17. 3700 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 18. B1700 block of Red Cedar Drive, June 18. B3700 block of Winkler Avenue, June 18. B4100 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 18.

Robberies 3700 block of Sabal Palm Boulevard, June 11. 4650 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 12. 3500 block of Central Avenue, June 15. 3500 block of Central Avenue, June 15. B3100 block of East River side Drive, June 15.

Stolen vehicles 700 block of Dellena Lane, June 11. 3300 block of Marion Street, June 11. B2300 block of Winkler Avenue, June 11. 3300 block of Nelson Street, June 12. B1900 block of Halgrim Avenue, June 12.

2200 block of Jackson Street, June 13. 3000 block of Fowler Street, June 14. B3700 block of Metro Parkway, June 14. 3500 block of Evans Avenue, June 15. B1800 block of Boy Scout Drive, June 15.

3500 block of Central Avenue, June 16. 1800 block of Linhart Avenue, June 16. B4100 block of Cleveland Avenue, June 16. 4800 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Boulevard, June 16. 3000 block of Fowler Street, June 14. 2700 block of Edison Avenue, June 14. 3300 block of Fowler Street, June 18. 3300 block of Fowler Street, June 18.

fl 3000 block of Fowler Street, June 18. Residential 3700 block of Lora Street, June 11. B2000 block of South Street, June 11. 1900 block of Hill Avenue, June 11. 3000 block of Edison Avenue, June 11.

2200 block of Central Avenue, June 12. 4200 block of Michigan Avenue, June 13. 1900 block of Coronado Road, June 13. 1500 block of Matthew Drive, June 13. 1500 block of Argyle Drive, June 14.

3700 block of Sabal Palm Boulevard, June 13. 800 block of Freemont Street, June 15. 2300 block of Katherine Street, June 16. 3000 block of Lincoln Boulevard, June 16. 1300 block of Ortiz Avenue, June 16.

3900 block of Lora Street, June 14. 3900 block of Broadway Avenue, June 17. 1900 block of High Street, June 18. 1300 block of Lee Street, June 18. Burglaries commercial 2200 block of Fowler Street, June 11.

3400 block of Fowler Street, June 12. 2500 block of First Street, June 13. 3700 block of Palm Beach Boulevard, June 15. 2000 block of Hoople Street, Jyne 15. 2700 block of Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, NOTICE OF COUNTY LEE County muMiccmki MrrriMn The Lee County Port Authority Airports Special Management Committee will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, June 24, 2002, at 1 :30 p.m. in the Training Facility located at the Southwest Florida International Airport, 16000 Chamberlin Parkway, S.E., Fort Myers, Florida 3391 3. During the meeting the Committee will receive oral presentations from selected firms interested in providing General Architectural and Engineering Management and Related Consultant Services at the Southwest Florida International Airport. Items to be discussed as deemed necessary.

OUTweST FLIIHIDI VWIIUIIWIVI 1 IllbbllllW NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on July 1 2002 at 1 :30 P.M., the Board of County Commissioners will hold their next Management Planning Committee meeting in the County Commission Chambers, 2120 Main Street, Old Lee County Courthouse, Fort Myers, Florida. An agenda will be available three days prior to the meeting date from the Public Resources Office, First Floor, Courthouse Administration Building, 21)5 Second Street, Fort Myers, Florida, 335-2269. This meeting is open to the public, and interested citizens are invited to attend. If anyone decides to appeal a decision made by the Board at this meeting, a verbatim record of the proceeding may be needed, including the testimony and evidence upon which any appeal is to be based. P.O Sekulski BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REF.D062 102-122 LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA Weather.

Daily and SundayJ BIREEOAKsHII august Luxtetuuf Meetings Big or We can accommodate You! 3 spacious banquet rooms consider a continental breakfast Luncheon or Dinner meeting I Now thru August room set-up with purchase of continental breakfast with meeting. 20991 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero 33928 (239) 948-3644 F.cIccatcJ iter Gffico t3: Doctors Way 190 Myers, Florida 33912 Gulf Coast Hospital) Olga Freeman, M.O. Csll 225-7261 for an NOW Has 13685 Fort (Next to Appointment ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.