Member News

District will build 2.3-mile stretch of underground wall to keep water in Everglades National Park and mitigate flooding near the 8.5 Square Mile Area
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today approved the construction of a 2.3-mile long curtain wall along the 8.5 Square Mile Area (Las Palmas Community) in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. The underground wall will help prevent seepage of water away from Everglades National Park, support ongoing Everglades restoration goals and support the increase of the flow of water south.
The 2.3-mile long, 26-inch wide curtain wall, in conjunction with other projects SFWMD has completed, will help prevent this seepage of water from Everglades National Park while keeping the water in the park to support restoration goals. Subject to future years’ funding and approval from the Governing Board, the District may expand the wall after the completion of the 2.3-mile long wall. Construction is expected to take 12-16 months.

Spring is the time to get energized and inspired and celebrate the moment. What better way to do so than at the Alliance, where the magic of the new season intertwines with unique experiences that will create lasting memories? Grab a lawn chair and reserve your square to discover an array of live music, family movie nights, opportunities to laugh with a comedy show, enchanting storytelling and more

The Lee County Port Authority Airports Special Management Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 2021, has been cancelled. The committee’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. at Southwest Florida International Airport’s Training and Conference Center. For more information, please visit www.flylcpa.com.
MARCH 11, 2021
Please note:  Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from Port Authority employees and officials regarding Port Authority business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your email communication may be subject to public disclosure.

“I just want to play the instrument that resonates within my soul.”

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 8, 2021) – Boy Agnew Potanovic will host its annual seminar and networking event, Proactive Workplace Solutions: An HR & Employment Law Seminar, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on March 26, 2021, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center at the Luminary Hotel. The all-day seminar was created for Southwest Florida employers, and will feature sessions focused on proactive and cost-effective solutions to workplace legal issues. Topics include tips for navigating ADA/FMLA issues, employment law Q&A, expected changes in employment law under the new Biden administration, and a keynote speech on the importance of inspirational leadership during times of crisis by nationally recognized speaker Chip Madera.
Registration is $75 for general admission and $50 for Boy Agnew Potanovic clients, and includes a continental breakfast and plated lunch.  Continuing education credits are pending from SHRM, HRCI and The Florida Bar. Attendees can learn more by emailing [email protected] or by visiting bapfirm.com.
Highlights of the sessions include:
Employment Law Legislative and Case Law Update
In this interactive session, John Agnew and John Miller will provide an update on important employment legislation and case law from 2020 and on the horizon for 2021. They will also address agency activity from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor, and National Labor Relations Board.
Unforeseen Complications:  Navigating Difficult ADA/FMLA Issues
As if tackling employee leave and accommodation issues was not already challenging enough, add a pandemic on top and many employers found themselves dealing with a wave of leave issues over the past year.  Using real life examples, Suzanne Boy will walk attendees through several complex scenarios, and provide practical suggestions on how employers can best navigate these situations while maintaining compliance with the ADA and FMLA.
Employment Law Under the Biden Administration
With the political pendulum swinging once again, employers can expect to see changes in labor and employment laws under the Biden Administration.  John Potanovic will cover what employers may expect from the new Biden administration and the new Congress, including thoughts and analysis pertaining to EEOC policy and enforcement, wage and hour compliance, paid leave, joint employer liability, and more.
Courageous Leadership: Inspiring Your Team During Times of Crisis
Chip Madera MS, CSP, international executive coach and leadership strategist specializing in
motivation, employee engagement, and accelerating cultures of excellence will present a keynote speech that explores the opportunities COVID-19 has given organizations to re-imagine work practices and engage employees at the highest level. Chip’s presentations engage managers and employees alike to navigate challenging times without missteps inspiring workers to press on toward the future with confidence.
Asked and Answered:  Employment Law Q&A
Perhaps now more than ever, the legal issues facing HR professionals and business owners are complex and seemingly ever-changing.  In this interactive session, the attorneys from Boy Agnew Potanovic and Sproat Workplace Investigations will tackle your most burning employment law questions.  Do you want to know how to navigate difficult termination issues?  What COVID-19 challenges does your workplace continue to face? If you would like to submit questions in advance, please email them to [email protected].
About Boy Agnew Potanovic, PLLC
Boy Agnew Potanovic, PLLC is a Fort Myers-based law firm offering proactive legal solutions for employers, businesses, and government entities throughout Southwest Florida. A client-focused approach that emphasizes relationships and flexibility is the guiding force behind the firm’s work. See how Boy Agnew Potanovic can help your business at bapfirm.com.

FWC urges selected license holders to participate in the Freshwater Stocking Angler Survey
The University of Florida, with assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), encourages the participation and involvement from randomly selected license holders to fill out the Freshwater Stocking Angler Survey. The selected individuals were sent an email with a link to take this survey. UF and the FWC are seeking help in a study of freshwater recreational stocking preferences in Florida recreational freshwater fisheries. The survey is for research purposes and is not spam. The deadline to take the survey is March 31.
The Freshwater Stocking Angler Survey was sent to Florida resident freshwater anglers who were randomly selected. UF and the FWC are invested in learning from anglers what their preferences are for stocking specific species and how they view stocking as a management action. This survey is a great opportunity for freshwater anglers to let managers know how they feel about stocking. The results from the survey will help inform future stocking strategies and management actions. Completion of the survey should take about 15 minutes.
There are no risks anticipated in participating in this survey nor any direct benefits or compensation. All responses will remain completely anonymous and no identifying information will be collected. However, the results will be valuable for improving fisheries management decisions in Florida, therefore it is important for selected individuals to participate in the survey. UF and the FWC thank participants for their time and attention.
For more information about the study, contact Edward Camp at [email protected] or Diana Perry at [email protected].
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 8, 2021) –  Lee Association of Remarkable Citizens (LARC) announces that Brian Bradley has joined its board of directors.  Established in 1954, LARC’s mission is to empower and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to reach their full potential.
Bradley attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated from the University of Florida, where he received his Master of Architecture degree.  His master’s thesis was “Residential facilities for the developmentally disabled.”  He has practiced architecture for the past 31 years and designed the administration building at LARC and the renovations of campus buildings and group homes to make them more accessible.  Bradley works for Lee Health in facilities administration.  He previously served on the board of directors of Manasota ARC.
“The Bradley family has been a part of the fabric of our organization almost since the inception,” said Austin Clinton, president of the LARC board of directors. “Brian’s sister, who was born with Down syndrome, participated in our programs for more than 30 years.  His parents, Dr. James L. and Ann Bradley, supported LARC’s programs and donated Ann Bradley’s parents’ home to LARC after they passed.  It now serves as a group home for individuals with disabilities.  Brian’s brother, Roger, served as LARC’s executive director for 31 years.”
“My parents were encouraged to put my sister in an institution,” said Bradley.  “At that time, there were no opportunities for education for her.  But they chose to raise her at home with her six siblings.   She wasn’t treated differently and had opportunities to be a part of our community,” said Bradley.  “It is important to me to serve on LARC’s board because of their success empowering those with developmental disabilities, like my sister, to work and have happy, fulfilling lives in our community.”
LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range in age from 14 to 77.  LARC offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.
To learn more about LARC, visit www.larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz, Interim Executive Director, at 239-334-6285 x229 or [email protected].
About LARC
Established in 1954, LARC Inc.’s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential. LARC is a 501(c)3 that provides programs and services for approximately 300 local men and women annually. The non-profit offers youth programs, vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.
Elly Hagen
(239) 994-3927
[email protected]