BikeWalkLee's new Estero representatives

BikeWalkLee is excited to announce that we have BWL reps in the newly incorporated Village of Estero. We've been working with the Estero community through the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) since our inception, so we have a good foundation in that community, but its great to have local citizens who are now going to represent us in the new 6th municipality in Lee County.

Thanks to all of BWL's local reps for keeping our network informed and involved in what's happening around the county.

Background

BikeWalkLee has been involved in advocacy on a countywide basis, participating in Lee County MPO meetings and committees, and in the Board of County Commission committees and hearings. While the majority of transportation decisions that affect bike/ped/transit facilities and complete streets policies are made in these two bodies, the local jurisdictions (Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, and the new Village of Estero) also make bike/ped decisions on their local roads as well as influence decisions on county maintained roads. In the past couple of years, the cities have played a leadership role in implementing complete streets and focusing on bike/ped safety in their local jurisdictions.

Beginning in 2011, BikeWalkLee designated local representatives in each jurisdiction. Click here to the updated list and bios of our local representatives. These individuals serve as our “point persons” who lead the local advocacy efforts and keep the BWL network informed about what’s happening in their jurisdiction. Great things are happening in the local jurisdictions and our local representatives are in the thick of things.

New Estero Representatives

We're pleased to announce that that we have a new "Team Estero" for the recently incorporated Village of Estero--Doug Saxton and Tom Barber, with Doug being the lead point person. Thanks to our long-time supporter organization, the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL). for helping us identify Estero citizens interested in becoming involved with BikeWalkLee.

Below are bios of "Team Estero":
Doug Saxton is BikeWalkLee's lead rep in the new Village of Estero, which incorporated in November 2014. Doug moved to Estero in 2013 from Connecticut after retiring from Pratt and Whitney where he managed the assembly of the some of the most technologically advanced Military Jet Engines in the world. Upon Doug’s retirement, he and his wife wanted to get away from the New England winters and chose Estero based on the weather and the look and feel of paradise. In CT, Doug volunteered for the United Way and Rotary and was a youth coach in many sports including baseball and hockey. Since moving to Estero, he has been active in his Condo Association having served on the board and several committees. He represents his condo association at the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL). He also volunteers at the Café of Life in Bonita Springs. Doug enjoys running and would like to bike a lot more than he presently does. He believes in living an active lifestyle and joined BikeWalkLee's team after reading about the positive effects this group has had various communities.

Tom Barber is part of BikeWalkLee's new Estero rep team. He is a project manager at Agnoli, Barber and Brundage, Inc., a civil engineering firm based in Naples. Tom grew up in Bonita Springs and has lived in Estero for the past ten years. He is in his sixth year on the Bonita Springs YMCA Board of Directors. Tom has coached youth basketball and soccer at the Naples and Bonita Springs YMCA’s for the past eight years. Prior to moving back to southwest Florida Tom earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He is the proud father of three young girls and hopes to create safer opportunities for them to bike, walk and run in their local community. He and his family enjoy being outdoors particularly camping, biking and kayaking.

Here's the full list of our representatives:

• Bonita Springs: Sarah Baker
• Cape Coral: Steve Chupack
• Estero: Doug Saxton with Tom Barber
• Fort Myers: Ann Pierce
• Fort Myers Beach: Bruce Butcher
• Sanibel: Tom Sharbaugh
• FGCU: Dr. Margaret Banyan

Click here for bios and contact information on our local reps.

So, if you live in one of these jurisdictions and want to get involved or have questions, contact our representative for that area. (email: info@bikewalklee.org)

Report by Darla Letourneau