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County, state and island officials team up to cut the ribbon during the ceremony. PHOTO PROVIDED
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A poster marking Matlacha’s 100th anniversary.
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Colorful cupcakes at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marked the 100th anniversary of the Matlacha community.
PHOTO PROVIDED
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The front of the Pine Island Art Association, which was repaired by the county after it was damaged by Hurricane Ian. Paulette LeBlanc
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The Lee Board of County Commissioners held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Matlacha Community Park Tuesday, March 24, celebrating completed repairs to the Matlacha Community Center and Pine Island Art Building, the Florida Department of Transportation Little Pine Island Bridge and Pine Island Causeway reconstruction project, as well as the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Matlacha.
Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before recognizing fellow commissioners Cecil Pendergrass, Vice Chairman David Mulicka, Brian Hamman and Trish Petrosky.
Ruane continued to thank participants in this event, such as county staff and administration team, including David Hardener, who oversees all the county including the Department of Transportation. After giving a special thanks to Assistant County Manager Chris Brady and Renn Sailor, he thanked multiple county departments including Lee DOT, Parks and Rec, Facilities and Construction Management for making the day possible.
“I’d also like to recognize some of our partners — Fire Department, Department of Transportation — Wayne Gaither’s here, obviously recognize our governor for all his support through this process –Gov. Ron DeSantis, our key partners in construction will always be in contractors that really delivered what they could. Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Matlacha Pine Island Fire District, Lee County School District, as well as some dignitaries,” Ruane said, motioning toward Sen. Jonathan Martin.
Recognizing the celebration of three major milestones in the Greater Pine Island Community, Ruane explained, the county’s completion of Matlacha Park Community Art Center, FDOT Little Pine Island Bridge, and the 100th anniversary of Matlacha. These projects, he said, represent partnerships and resiliency gained through necessity.
“This moment is meaningful, to say the least…today offers an opportunity to honor Matlacha’s past and continues to reinvest in the future,” Ruane said.
Lee County Commissioner and Board Chairman Cecil Pendergrass thanked Pine Islanders for the strength shown in the last few years, saying we will come back even stronger.
“This year makes the 100-year anniversary for Matlacha…it’s an important thing that we do preserve the current environment out here — still no high rises, no big public beaches — we do have some traffic though here — we have to deal with the traffic, but we have a new bridge now, we have a new park,” Pendergrass said, thanking attendees for their patience with Lee County.
Lee County Commissioner Brain Hamman shared with attendees, his perspective of the morning after Hurricane Ian, which was Sept. 29, 2022. Hamman said he saw what he described as one of the most shocking things he’d ever seen in his life.
“I tried to come out to Matlacha and I saw that the road was just…no longer there–that the power of the water and the hurricane had completely cut through the island and it was shocking, it was devastating and I know, you could see, obviously, the devastation in the homes that was felt here and I believe in the 100-year history of Matlacha, that was absolutely one of the toughest days in the history of Matlacha, but I’m so proud to be here — to be part of this team, on now, the 100-year anniversary of Matlacha, knowing confidently that its brightest days are ahead,” Hamman said.
Florida Sen. Martin talked about his amazement in the fast response to damages caused by Hurricane Ian by everyone, from Gov. DeSantis, to even the smallest community organizations.
“Our number one priority has been to not just rebuild the infrastructure, but ultimately to make sure that the great people who make this community just an incredible place, have the resources they need to get on with their lives and to continue to spread what makes Southwest Florida so special. It’s an honor to serve you and whatever you need in the future — let me know…let’s celebrate today and remember those who made today special,” Martin said.