Helping you. Getting answers. Listening. That’s what WINK Listens is all about. There’s no storyline too big or too small. Here are three examples from WINK Listens events across Southwest Florida.

Kevin and Edmona Valdez shared their concerns about the traffic and infrastructure in Lehigh Acres. They have lived in the area for over 10 years, and attended WINK Listens in Lehigh.

“I wanted to see if we can have somebody step up for the infrastructure of street lights and sidewalks,” said Kevin Valdez.

Edmona expressed her worries about the crashes in their neighborhood.

“Ten accidents since we’ve been there, which is 14 years. They need stop signs every so often, four-way stop signs, because they speed down that road. I mean, it’s 35 miles an hour, and they go down that road, 60, 70 miles an hour,” she said.

“They use our street as a cut-off from Lee Boulevard,” he added.

A mile away at the intersection of Gunnery Road and Sunset, there have been 21 calls for service since January 2024.

“They finally did a traffic light,” said Edmona Valdez.

“They’re kind of wising up,” added Kevin Valdez.

The Valdez family turned to WINK to highlight these issues and ask for community awareness.

“Bring it to the attention of people that are going through our city to be aware of pedestrians, stop signs and new signals,” said Kevin Valdez.

Meanwhile, another story of resilience comes from Fort Myers, where Michele Perez faced financial challenges after her husband Robert passed away 14 years ago. She raised their three children with some assistance from Social Security. Turning 60 this year, Perez applied for survivor benefits.

“It was a shock when he passed away. I mean, it was just we didn’t expect it,” said Michele Perez.

Perez expressed her frustration about the income limitations for these benefits.

“Who can live on $23,400? I can’t,” she said.

Erin Fountain, a registered Social Security analyst, explained the policies surrounding benefits.

“If you start those benefits before full retirement age, there is going to be a certain amount of reduction. And that’s just their policy,” said Fountain.

Perez wants the income limit raised to help families like hers achieve financial stability.

“I don’t understand why it’s so low. Give us a chance to get what we deserve. We lost our spouse, you know, why can’t I get that, that benefit?” said Perez.

Lastly,  the Charlotte County Cultural Center, once a vibrant hub of activity, is facing challenges. Betty Hansen, a Port Charlotte resident, recalls its past glory.

“When I moved to this community 30 years ago, there was this most wonderful place called the Cultural Center. It was just the hub of activity,” said Hansen.

Hansen attended WINK Listens in Punta Gorda to express the community’s need for activities. “You go to Fort Myers, you know, with Lee County and Sarasota County, they at least have senior centers with activities, we have nothing,” said Hansen.

The cultural center faced a downturn due to COVID-19 and the disbandment of the nonprofit that ran it. Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton further damaged the building, leaving it beyond repair with considerable mold. 

Charlotte County plans to demolish and rebuild the center, but funding remains a hurdle. The project is estimated to cost $60 million and is up for consideration in the next 1% local option sales tax referendum.

“People want this back. Don’t make it grand. Just give us back what we had,” said Hansen.

The referendum will go to voters on Nov. 3. If approved, the project will move forward, but the tentative completion date is December 2029. 

WINK Listens locations:Seminole Casino Hotel Event Center

506 S. 1st Street, Immokalee

2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Holy Trinity Event Center

24411 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Marco Island Center for the Arts

1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Friday, January 30, 2026