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CITIZENSHIP IN THE
COMMUNITY
SWFL Council
Panther District
Troop 316
Blue Flame Patrol
Kevin Link
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 1
1.
Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the community means and what it takes to be a good
citizen in your community. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship, and explain how you
can demonstrate good citizenship in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship, or school.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 1
DISCUSS THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP, AND EXPLAIN HOW
YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE GOOD CITIZENSHIP IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SCOUTING UNIT,
PLACE OF WORSHIP, OR SCHOOL
The Rights, Duties, and Obligations of Community
•
Being a member of a community-your family or your Scout troop, for example-gives you rights, privileges,
and protection. You may express your opinions, try new skills, hang out with friends, and be safe. In
return, you should honor your parents, respect adult leaders and fellow Scouts, help one another, and
follow the rules.
•
As an American citizen, you are entitled to the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and to the
full protection of federal, state, and local laws. You also can count on the support of local service
departments like fire and sanitation. But these rights of citizenship come with a price.
•
Some obligations are required by law, including paying taxes and obeying the law. Other obligations,
such as valuing others' opinions, staying informed about candidates and issues, and respecting elected
officials, might not be written laws, but they may be considered instructions for good conduct.
•
Just as you are loyal to your family and troop members-even if you do not always agree with them-you
should show allegiance to your local government. If you disagree with what is happening in your
community, you have the right to try to change local public policies.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 1
DISCUSS THE RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP, AND EXPLAIN HOW
YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE GOOD CITIZENSHIP IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SCOUTING UNIT,
PLACE OF WORSHIP, OR SCHOOL
Participation: The Antidote to Apathy
•
Many citizens take their rights for granted. Some citizens do not vote, voluntarily giving up their voice in
the government. Other citizens do not know or care about what is going on in their community-until a
prison is built in their neighborhood, or the crime rate grows. Unless they are upset about a particular
issue, most citizens leave the decisions to elected representatives and local activists.
•
People who feel connected to their community tend to participate. The more active citizens are in their
community, with ties to a school, youth groups, businesses, and service clubs, the more interest they will
have in the local government. That is why longtime residents often hold local offices. You have a chance
now to build connections in your own community. Look for opportunities to get involved with charities,
local companies, your place of worship, and your school. Help people understand the issues in your
community and you will develop a respect for the opinions of others and a compassion for those in need.
You will appreciate the efforts that your elected officials make on your behalf.
•
Good citizenship goes beyond feeling loyal to your community. It is how you conduct yourself as a citizen,
being constantly alert to ways you can improve the lives of your family, friends, neighbors, and your
community as a whole.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 2
2.
Do the following:
a.
On a map of your community, locate and point out the following:
1.
Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public
works/services facility
2.
Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home
3.
Historical or other interesting points
b.
Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether
they are elected or appointed.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 2.A
ON A MAP OF YOUR COMMUNITY, LOCATE AND POINT OUT THE FOLLOWING: CITY
HALL, COUNTY COURTHOUSE, PUBLIC WORKS/SERVICES FACILITY, FIRE STATION,
POLICE STATION, HOSPITAL NEAREST YOUR HOME, AND HISTORICAL OR OTHER
INTERESTING POINTS
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 2.B
CHART THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR LOCAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT. SHOW THE TOP
OFFICES AND TELL WHETHER THEY ARE ELECTED OR APPOINTED
“Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.” City of Cape Coral (September, 2011). Retrieved from
http://www.myflorida.com/audgen/pages/mun_efile%20rpts/2011%20cape%20coral.pdf
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 3
3.
Do the following:
a.
Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal, county, or state court
session.
b.
Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed,
and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 3.A
ATTEND A CITY OR TOWN COUNCIL OR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, OR A MUNICIPAL,
COUNTY, OR STATE COURT SESSION.
Date
•
11/19/12
Time
•
4:30PM
Location
•
Cape Coral City Council Chambers
1015 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33990
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 3.B
CHOOSE ONE OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING WHERE A DIFFERENCE OF
OPINIONS WAS EXPRESSED, AND EXPLAIN TO YOUR COUNSELOR WHY YOU AGREE
WITH ONE OPINION MORE THAN YOU DO ANOTHER ONE
•
•
•
•
•
The last discussion was about taking time off and changing the schedule. Some off the council members
were laughing about taking time off and maybe extending time off which is not funny because we elected
them to work for us and not to joke around about getting paid for time at leave.
Then they talked about changing citizens input to before they vote and not after because after the
citizens would just be stating what they think should of happened and not really what happened.
Some of the council members were being kind of condescending about one of the female council
members because she went to china for the first quarter and has nothing to do with what they were
talking about.
The schedule was maybe going to change to once a week voting schedules to voting instead of once
every five months.
The council member from district one the district I live in is the council member I tried to get a hold of but
he never responded and as the meeting went on I started liking and understanding him even more.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 4
4.
Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:
a.
Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.
b.
With your counselor's and a parent's approval, interview one person from the branch of
government you identified in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how
young people can help.
c.
Share what you have learned with your counselor.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 4.A
CHOOSE AN ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS OF YOUR COMMUNITY; THEN
DO THE FOLLOWING: FIND OUT WHICH BRANCH OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE
Issue
•
Water Purity
Department
•
Water Department
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 4.B
WITH YOUR COUNSELOR'S AND A PARENT'S APPROVAL, INTERVIEW ONE PERSON
FROM THE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT YOU IDENTIFIED IN REQUIREMENT 4A. ASK
WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HOW YOUNG PEOPLE CAN HELP
Date
•
January 8, 2013
Time
•
7:00PM
Name
•
Kraig Hankins, M.S.
•
Environmental Biologist, City of Cape Coral
•
PO Box 150027, Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027
•
Ph (239) 574-0746 Fax (239) 574-0721 [email protected]
•
ISA Certified Arborist
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 4.B
SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED WITH YOUR COUNSELOR
Water purity in Cape Coral is an issue. The city government has people like Mr. Hankins working to make the
water more pure. The city sweeps the streets sometimes to get rid of as much of the dirt and other toxins from
the water systems. In the summer, the water is cleaner. June- October there is a fertilizer ordinance to help cut
back on fertilizer deposits due to all the rain. However, once the fertilizer is in the water system there is not
much you can do about it. There are some exceptions to the fertilizer ordinance though like: vegetable gardens
are exempt from the ordinance. Homeowners are allowed to use fertilizer but it is strongly recommended to use
a coated fertilizer that will let out nutrients slowly and not all at the same time. It is also recommended that
homeowners use low levels of phosphorous in the fertilizers they pick.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 5
5.
With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one
individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor
what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the
community.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUITY – REQUIREMENT 5
Date
•
11/11/12
Movie
•
Pay it Forward
Description
•
When eleven and a half year old Trevor McKinney (Osment) begins seventh grade in Las Vegas, Nevada,
his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet gives the class an assignment to devise and put into action a
plan that will change the world for the better. Trevor's plan is a charitable program based on the
networking of good deeds. He calls his plan "Pay it forward", which means the recipient of a favor does a
favor for a third party rather than paying the favor back.
•
Trevor does a favor for three people, asking each of them to "pay the favor forward" by doing favors for
three other people, and so on, along a branching tree of good deeds. His first good deed is to let a
homeless man named Jerry (Jim Caviezel) live in his garage, and Jerry pays the favor forward by doing car
repairs for Trevor's mother. Trevor's efforts appear to fail when Jerry relapses into drug addiction, but
Jerry will pay his debt forward later in the film by talking to a suicidal woman, who is about to jump off
the bridge.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUITY– REQUIREMENT 5
Description
•
Meanwhile, Trevor's mother Arlene (Hunt) confronts Eugene about Trevor's project after discovering Jerry
in their house. Then Trevor selects Eugene as his next "pay it forward" target and tricks Eugene and
Arlene into a romantic dinner date. This also appears to fail until Trevor and Arlene argue about her
alcoholism and she slaps him in a fit of anger. The two adults are brought together again when Trevor
runs away from home and Arlene asks Eugene to help her find him.
•
After finding Trevor, Arlene begins to pursue Eugene sexually. Eugene has burn marks visible on his neck
and face, and he initially resists Arlene's overtures. When they finally sleep together, he is seen to have
extensive scarring over his torso. Arlene accepts Eugene's physical disfigurement, but abandons their
relationship when her alcoholic ex-husband Ricky (Jon Bon Jovi) returns to her, claiming to have given up
drinking. Ricky's return angers Eugene, whose own mother had a habit of taking his abusive, alcoholic
father back. He explains that his father intentionally burned him, and he warns Arlene of Ricky's potential
to abuse Trevor. When Ricky resumes his abusive behavior, Arlene realizes her mistake and asks him to
leave again.
•
Trevor's school assignment marks the beginning of the story's chronology, but the opening scene in the
film shows one of the later favors in the "pay it forward" tree, in which a man gives a car to Los Angeles
journalist Chris Chandler (Jay Mohr). As the film proceeds, Chandler traces the chain of favors back to its
origin in Tre's school project. After her date with Eugene, Arlene paid Jerry's favor forward by forgiving
her own mother Grace (Angie Dickinson) for her mistakes in raising Arlene, and Grace, who is homeless,
helped a gang member escape from the police. The gang member then saved a girl's life, and the girl's
father gave Chandler his new car.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUITY– REQUIREMENT 5
Description
•
Trevor's school assignment marks the beginning of the story's chronology, but the opening scene in the
film shows one of the later favors in the "pay it forward" tree, in which a man gives a car to Los Angeles
journalist Chris Chandler (Jay Mohr). As the film proceeds, Chandler traces the chain of favors back to its
origin in Tre's school project. After her date with Eugene, Arlene paid Jerry's favor forward by forgiving
her own mother Grace (Angie Dickinson) for her mistakes in raising Arlene, and Grace, who is homeless,
helped a gang member escape from the police. The gang member then saved a girl's life, and the girl's
father gave Chandler his new car.
•
Chandler finally identifies Trevor as the originator of "pay it forward" and conducts a recorded interview
in which Trevor describes his hopes and concerns for the project. Eugene, hearing Trevor's words, realizes
that he and Arlene should be together. As Eugene and Arlene reconcile with a passionate embrace, Trevor
notices his friend Adam being bullied by tall gangster like kids. He rushes into the scene and fights them
while Eugene and Arlene rush to stop him. However, another bully enters the scene and takes a pocketknife out of his pocket. Trevor is then accidentally pushed into the knife and is stabbed. Trevor
consequently dies at the hospital. This news is reported on television; Arlene and Eugene are soon visited
by hundreds of people who have participated in the "pay it forward" movement, gathering in a vigil to
pay Trevor their respects.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 6
6.
List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety)
your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are
important to your community.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 6
LIST SOME OF THE SERVICES (SUCH AS THE LIBRARY, RECREATION CENTER, PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION, AND PUBLIC SAFETY) YOUR COMMUNITY PROVIDES THAT ARE
FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS. TELL YOUR COUNSELOR WHY THESE SERVICES ARE
IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Library
•
The library is important because it helps us learn it provides meeting places for things and you can get a
lot of knowledge from it.
Recreation center
•
Recreation centers are important because they are places to just have fun and do what ever you want.
Public transportation
•
This is essential for people that don’t have a car, so that they can get to work or go shopping.
Public safety
•
This is extremely important for the safety of the people because you want everyone to be safe and not be
in harms way that way everything goes smoothly.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 7
7.
Do the following:
a.
Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your
community together to work for the good of your community.
b.
Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet,
volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
c.
With your counselor's and your parent's approval, contact the organization and find out what
young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of
your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have
learned with your counselor.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 7.A
CHOOSE A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OUTSIDE OF SCOUTING THAT INTERESTS YOU
AND BRINGS PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO WORK FOR THE GOOD OF
YOUR COMMUNITY
African Caribbean American Center
•
AFCAAM helps people help themselves through values and programs that offer hope, challenge the
culture, promote dignity and enhance self-reliance in the Dunbar and Harlem Heights Communities of SW
Florida.
•
AFCAAM
3681 Michigan Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33916
(239) 461-0234
http://afcaam.com/
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 7.B
USING A VARIETY OF RESOURCES (INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS, FLIERS AND OTHER
LITERATURE, THE INTERNET, VOLUNTEERS, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE ORGANIZATION),
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION
•
•
•
•
Founded by Dominican Sisters Marie McBride and Elaine Robbins, AFCAAM recruits K-5 students from the
Dunbar and Harlem Heights communities who would benefit from additional reading and mentoring
services. AFCAAM students come from all ethnic, cultural and family backgrounds. K-5 students are
placed in small classrooms (normally 10 students or less) where they receive 300 hours of group and 1on-1 reading tutelage per year. The only requirement for enrollment are students who are eager to
improve their reading and parents who remain committed to their child’s love of reading.
Close to 90 students are enrolled in the After School Reading & Mentoring programs. A review of all data
indicates that 91% of the students completing the program at Dunbar showed improvement, and 86% of
students at Harlem Heights showed improvement.
This marks the second consecutive year that over 90% of our total student population showed an
improvement. This is due to several factors including staff leadership, curriculum development through
Florida Gulf Coast University, volunteer and peer mentoring, integration of Arts and Music education and
the addition of mid-term progress and assessment reports.
AFCAAM goes beyond quantitative “test-scores” to measure our effectiveness with students. We poll
parents and Lee County school teachers to track behavior improvements, self-esteem and our students
“love of learning.” We integrate immersive learning approaches with the Book Mobile, field trips, music
and drama productions and “snack time” where we vocally celebrate our students’ “victories” within
their classrooms. We live by our mantra:
“A student who’s loved is a student who learns…”
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 7.B
USING A VARIETY OF RESOURCES (INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS, FLIERS AND OTHER
LITERATURE, THE INTERNET, VOLUNTEERS, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE ORGANIZATION),
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION
Volunteers
•
Reading Tutors | Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Mon-Thurs 2:30-5:00 pm
Duties include: Reading to students, assisting individual students with reading, writing, comprehension
and phonics.
Scouts Troop & Pack 3681
•
Pack & Troop 3681 meet on Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons, and was established in 2003.
Boy Scouts of America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the
responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY – REQUIREMENT 7.C
WHILE WORKING ON THIS MERIT BADGE, VOLUNTEER AT LEAST EIGHT HOURS OF
YOUR TIME FOR THE ORGANIZATION. AFTER YOUR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IS OVER,
DISCUSS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED WITH YOUR COUNSELOR
Volunteer Hours - AFCAAM
Date
Hours
Description
11/07/12
2.50
Math Tutor
11/28/12
2.50
Math Tutor
12/05/12
2.50
Math Tutor
12/12/12
2.50
Math Tutor
Total
10.00
Math Tutor
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
REQUIREMENT 8
8.
Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit)
about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures,
and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the
challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as
your patrol or a class at school.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA
•
•
•
•
•
Cape Coral is a municipality located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico.
Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population
of 154,305 by the year 2010.
With an area of 120 square miles (310 km2), Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami. It is
a principal city in the Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The population estimate for the statistical area was 645,899 for 2009.
The city is known as a 'Waterfront Wonderland", since with over 400 miles (640 km) of navigable
waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city in the world.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – LOCATION
26°38′23″N 81°58′57″W
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History began in 1957 when two brothers from Baltimore, Leonard and Jack Rosen, flew over the
peninsula known as Redfish Point, across the Caloosahatchee River near Ft. Myers.
They spent two weeks flying around Southwest Florida looking for land to develop. Flying over what would
become Cape Coral, Leonard tossed some coins out of the window of the plane. He had decided to fix up Redfish
Point so it won't know what hit it! And that he did, changing the wilderness into a waterfront paradise, a place
for selling and buying dreams. Cape Coral was to become the largest master-planned community in the United
States.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History - Before Gulf American
•
Early Cape Coral history starts with the Calusas, a fierce and warring tribe of native Americans, that all
but disappeared by the time the United States gained control of the area.
•
Florida had been discovered by Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon, in 1513.
•
In 1821, Spain deeded the land of Redfish Point to the United States. In return, the United States forgave
the $5 million debt that Spain owed our country.
•
In 1822, Florida became an organized territory and settlers poured in along with runaway slaves who
were harbored by Seminoles. Inevitably, there were clashes between Seminoles and whites.
•
The Harney Point Massacre became part of Cape Coral History during one of the Seminole Wars, where
Seminoles fought against new settlers and the military, to try to keep their land. The Seminoles lost and
were moved to reservations.
•
Later on, the land was patented to Florida, when Florida became a state in 1845. The state sold much of
its land to railroad companies which in turn sold the land to various companies, such as the Matlacha
Cattle Company, and to individuals. One of these individuals was Franklin Miles of Miles Laboratories and
of Alka Seltzer fame, who bought some of the land in 1910. He used it mainly for hunting and the hunting
quite good. There were plenty of wild hogs, deer, wild turkeys and ducks; which were usually hunted on
horseback with dogs.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History - Before Gulf American
•
At that time, Cape Coral was known as the "other side of the river" or "Hungryland". It was populated by
homesteaders, loggers, cattlemen, rustlers and fishermen.
•
It was a hard place to live, wild and desolate,
as you can see from the photo on the right,
which was taken on Pine Island Rd. in 1925.
•
•
That was the land the Rosens bought for $678,000 from Franklin Miles, Ogden Phipps, and Granville
Keller; with their newly formed company, Gulf Guaranty Land & Title Company, later known as Gulf
American Land Corporation, and Cape Coral history was about to change.
In 1958, the ground was broken for the first home, but first, the land had to be prepared.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – Selling the Dream
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – Selling the Dream
• Clearing the land involved a lot of chopping through the mangroves, pine trees, and vegetation with
machetes. The men slept in tents and had to battle rattlesnakes, panthers, and gators.
• The heat was brutal; there were salt marshes, muddy pools, and thick, hard limestone to cut through.
• Canals were dug out with dredges and the earth was used to build up the land to the required elevation of
5'6" above sea level. So many canals and lakes were put in that Gulf American never had to buy fill dirt.
• A crack team of hotshot salesmen
used a fleet of planes for free rides
as a very effective selling method.
Sacks of flour were dropped over the
lots that customers bought from the air!
• The Yacht Club was built with beach, pool, pier, and clubhouse. It had a popular teen club and no adults
were allowed unless accompanied by a child.
• To make the community even more desirable, the Rosens had a country club and golf course built, it was
considered to be luxuriously appointed at the time.
• There was a lot of hype, promotion and advertising. Celebrities like Bob Hope, Anita Bryant, and Hugh
Downs were brought in. A movie with Phyllis Diller, The Fat Spy, was filmed in Cape Coral and so were
episodes of the TV show, Route 66.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – Selling the Dream
• There was even an "amphibicar", a car that could drive off the beach and right into the water, to take
buyers on property tours.
•
•
There were beauty pageants, golf tournaments, festivals and boat races.
Salesmen were sent overseasto sell land, mainly to Americans in Italy, England, Japan, and Germany. Many
Germans bought land as well, and that is why we have a large German community in Cape Coral.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – Buying the Dream
•
The Rosens thought that they would sell most of the lots for people to make monthly payments on and
then eventually retire to later, that way they would have time to build future amenities. But, most
prospective buyers wanted to move down right away.
•
In the first five months, land sales soared to $5 million!
•
Model homes had to be built, a motel and restaurant were needed to accommodate buyers - it was hard
to keep up with the demand for the good life of swimming, lounging, fishing, boating and golfing.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – Living the Dream
•
Early life in Cape Coral could be a soap opera, every one knew everybody. Dust and sand was everywhere,
but it was fun....... especially for kids.
•
There was fishing, crabbing, fort building and King of the Mountain on construction dirt piles. Kids could
watch rockets launching from Cape Canaveral, look for "sea monsters", and go on hayrides.
•
Gulf American provided a boat and gasoline every Sunday afternoon for waterskiing. The company went
out of its way to keep the early residents happy and to help with their promotions.
•
Another way the Rosens drew crowds to Cape Coral was with the famous Rose Gardens, which opened in
1964.
•
The Waltzing Waters, Porpoise Pool, Rose Garden, Aloha Lagoon, Garden and Pavilion of Patriots
entertained prospects and residents for six years until it just got too expensive to maintain.
•
That was because the Rosens decided to sell Gulf American in 1970 to GAC (General Acceptance), a
finance firm from Pennsylvania.
•
The brothers had been accused of dirty sales practices in Cape Coral, history may show that the
accusations were politically motivated.
•
That same year, the community incorporated and became the City of Cape Coral.
•
GAC did not have the vision that the Rosen brothers had and had rising costs, declining land sale, and
other problems.
•
The company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1975.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – Buying the Dream
•
Model homes were built on Flamingo and Riverside Drives. Then came businesses like the Nautilus Motel,
The Cape Coral Shopping Plaza with Elmer's Market, and the Surfside Restaurant with a post office at the
back of the store.
•
Back in 1959, a water view site cost $990, a waterfront site cost $1990, and a riverfront site cost $3390.
You could purchase a site for $20 down and $20 per month.
•
A two bedroom/one bath house cost $10,990, and a three bedroom/three bath house cost $26,250.
•
Homes were given away as prizes on game shows such as The Price is Right, Queen for a Day, and
Concentration.
•
Then came businesses like the Nautilus Motel, The Cape Coral Shopping Plaza with Elmer's Market, and
the Surfside Restaurant with a post office at the back of the store. The mail was brought over by boat
from Ft Myers.
•
Before these businesses were built, it was a 20-mile ride to Ft Myers to get a loaf of bread or medical
care.
•
In 1960, Hurricane Donna slammed through. Some of the residents went to a shelter in Ft. Myers and the
rest stuck it out at the Surfside or the Nautilus. Donna caused some damage, but no one was hurt or
killed.
•
The Cape Coral bridge was built in 1964.Some of the residents were against the idea, they liked the quiet
and isolation; but others welcomed the bridge.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – HISTORY
Cape Coral History – After Gulf American
•
Building in Cape Coral continued, making it one of the fastest growing areas of Florida. You can see below
how the population of Cape Coral exploded:
1960 280
1990
74,991
1970 11,470
2000
102,206
1980 32,103
2009
167,917
•
It was also one of the hardest hit cities in the country from the latest economic crisis.
•
However, you can find great values in homes and properties that are unbelievable. Another reason to
move here or invest are the future plans for Cape Coral.
•
Cape Coral has plans to improve our downtown section into a beautiful area with parks, greenways, bike
paths, shops, restaurants, office spaces, and apartments along landscaped canals that will attract people
and businesses.
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The plan will have 3 phases lasting about 20 years, starting with Cape Coral Parkway, SE 47th Terrace,
and Miramar Street from about Del Prado Blvd South to Coronado Pkwy including the gorgeous-looking
mixed-use development called Village Square.
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Everything is on hold until the economy improves a bit more.
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Cape Coral history is unique, part Wild West and part Hollywood, all with a tropical flavor. From boom to
bust, and back to boom again, the excitement and the relaxation continues.
Cape Coral History Retrieved from: http://www.come-to-cape-coral.com/cape-coral-history.html
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – ETHNIC GROUPS
Non-Hispanic Population
White
113,476
Black
5,679
American Indian
356
Asian
2,272
Pacific Islander
60
Some Other Race
295
Two or More Races
2,150
Hispanic
30,017
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – POPULAR PLACES
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY - REQUIREMENT 8
CAPE CORAL – CHALLENGES
Another Boom to Bust Cycle for Cape Coral
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The greatest challenge facing Cape Coral is the current economic crisis. The city has been overbuilt and
the population has contracted due the economic crisis. There are still many vacant homes that have gone
into foreclosure.
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Cape Coral property prices have decreased by about 1/3 since the economic crisis.
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There are a great number of homes that were built with Chinese drywall. Chinese drywall is a health risk.
It is also corrosive to wiring and home appliances.