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July 27, 2010
Posted July 27th, 2010 at 7:30 pm by Michele Harrison
This morning many Collier County residents gathered for the County Commissioner’s meeting as the Jackson Lab debate was up front and center. Residents began gathering early this morning to make sure they got a seat in the room for this exciting meeting.
In the end, the Commisioners voted 4 to 1 to allow a funding evaluation to take place that can be implemented as soon as state money becomes available. Commisioner Henning was the one opposing vote.
It was said that the money would likely come from short-term “interfund loans” meaning it could be taken from one or more departments. With Country Manager Leo Orchs repeating that the funding option was only a short-term solution, it was made clear that the Commissioners would have to re-visit funding for the project for 2012. And, Commissioners were clear about not being in favor of increasing property taxes to support the project.
For complete details of the meeting and the latest updates, go to http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/27/collier-commission-blog-jackson-lab-supporters-fil/
July 16, 2010
Posted July 16th, 2010 at 5:36 pm by Michele Harrison
For those of you that haven’t seen it yet, the Naples Daily News has started to showcase recently sold properties in Collier County on its website for Realtors for free! They announced earlier this week that they have begun to feature recently sold single-family homes for both Collier and south Lee counties where viewers get a chance to see a set of property images along with pertinent details of the sales.
As a Realtor myself, these types of complimentary marketing efforts are greatly appreciated! So, in lieu of the Naples Daily News helping out the Realty community, I thought I would spread the word about this feature on their site. They have even stated that they will be selecting a few photos each week to publish in Sunday’s Daily News Real Estate section and possibly other community publications as space allows.
The article I read said each feature would include, “an exterior photo of the home, address, selling price, Realtor, square footage or general description. Example: NAPLES — Jane Doe of Smith & Company sold this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home at 501 14th Avenue South, Aqualane Shores. It sold in 327 days for $565,000.”
Yet another form of “spreading the love” in our wonderful SWFL community!
July 14, 2010
Posted July 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pm by Michele Harrison
To keep everyone in the loop on the situation surrounding bringing Jackson Laboratory to Collier County, I thought I would make note of a few points mentioned in articles that have recently come out surrounding this subject. There has been a strong focus on the possible financing tactics that are on the table for this project to happen, and there has been a push calling into question the breakdown of projected jobs the venture would bring to the area.
According to the articles I have seen, the seven financing alternatives as it stands right now are:
- “Imposing a franchise fee of 2.4 percent to residents of Florida Power & Light in unincorporated Collier .”
- “A property tax levy with a pay-as-you-go approach and not bonded, and therefore would not require a voter referendum. ”
- “A property tax levy with a pay-as-you-go approach but with the state money being tapped first. ”
- “A property tax of 14.3 cents per $1,000 of property value and issuing general revenue bonds, which would require a voter referendum. ”
- “A non-ad valorem revenue source that would be bonded but no voter referendum would be required. ”
- “A combination of an FP&L franchise fee and property tax of 10 cents per $1,000 of property value for 15 years. ”
- “A combination sales tax increase of a half cent, to start Jan. 1, 2011, along with a 20 cent tax rate per $1,000 of property value for two years. ”
These different directions are going to be presented to the Collier County Commission before the end of the month when a decision will have to be made on whether or not to move forward with this project.
With regards to jobs, there is a citizen’s advisory committee requesting a breakdown of expected job creation – direct and indirect, and permanent and temporary – if the center is built near Ave Maria. According to the article I was reading, “The consultants projected a 23-year build out for the biomedical park with 11,490 jobs created, which include Jackson’s proposed 563 jobs over the first 10 years, other research park jobs and spin-off jobs.”
Stay tuned for future postings on this as news surfaces!
Categories: 55+ Living, Naples News
Tags: Ave Maria, biomedical park, citizen's advisory committee, Collier County, Collier County Commission, financing, Florida Power & Light, franchise fee, Jackson Laboratory, jobs, property tax, research park, sales tax, voter referendum —
June 30, 2010
Posted June 30th, 2010 at 9:54 pm by Michele Harrison
I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that there is no oil on our beaches here in Naples!
With all the coverage lately showing oil coming ashore in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, it is important that we get the word out that Collier County has not seen any of it yet on our coastline. In fact, the Naples Daily News reported that the county’s summer marketing campaign has focused on the message that the beaches are clean and the county is open for business. According to Collier County’s Tourism Director, Jack Wert, surveys have shown that the the “unspoiled environment” and the “white, sandy beaches” were the most influential factors bringing visitors to our area lately.
Stated in a recent report given to County Commissioners:
- “There were 111,700 visitors staying in hotels or other short-term rentals last month, up 3.9 percent from 107,500 in May 2009.”
- “Hotel occupancy rose 2.3 percent in May, compared to the same month a year ago.”
- “The total economic impact of tourism reached nearly $98.3 million last month, up 5.4 from a year ago.”
Even with the above positive statistics related to tourism, I think there is some concern that exists out there about vacationing on Florida beaches in general. People have to be told explicitely that our area is fine; otherwise, they assume our beaches look like the ones they are seeing on the national news.
Make sure to spread the word!
Categories: 55+ Living, Boating, Environment, Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: beaches, Collier County, Collier County Tourism Director, county commissioners, economic impact, Florida, Florida beaches, Gulf of Mexico, hotel occupancy, hotels, Jack Wert, Naples, Naples Daily News, no oil in Naples, short-term rentals, tourism, unspoiled environment, white sandy beaches —
June 27, 2010
Posted June 27th, 2010 at 6:48 pm by Michele Harrison
This weekend, the Humane Society Naples celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Grand Re-opening! Congratulations to them!!!
Construction over the past year is finally complete, and a state-of-the-art shelter and adoption center is now open! To celebrate this event the festivities included: music, tours, demonstrations, food, treats for the kids and lots of “bow-WOW!” Adoptable pets also showed off the incredible new surroundings, and visitors were able to see the latest in shelter technology and procedures available.
The Humane Society Naples is our local Collier County no-kill shelter that has been giving animals loving homes for 50 years now. Without a doubt, we all should show our support for this wonderful organization. If you get a chance take some time to go visit the updated facility, and consider bringing a new friend home with you to become part of your family!
For more information of the Humane Society of Naples, visit http://www.collierhumanesoc.org.
June 16, 2010
Posted June 16th, 2010 at 11:03 pm by Michele Harrison
Forbes.com just released a story a few days ago naming Collier County as the number one relocation destination for wealthy Americans. After analyzing IRS data on moves between counties across the US, Forbes found our county to lead the way for areas where the rich are moving to in large numbers.
According to the report, “Tax returns accounting for 15,150 people showed moves to Collier County from other parts of the country in 2008, the latest year for which IRS data is available. Their average reported income: $76,161 per person–equivalent to $304,644 for a family of four. Although slightly more taxpayers moved out of Collier County than into it, the departing residents’ average income came out to just $26,128 per person. Households that moved to Collier County principally came from other parts of Florida, with Lee, Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Orange counties leading the list. Big northern cities also sent lots of migrants: Cook County, Ill. (home to Chicago); Oakland County, Mich. (near Detroit); and Suffolk County, N.Y. (on Long Island) each sent more than 100 people to Collier County during 2008.”
Clearly our year round beautiful weather coupled with low taxes has been seen as an attractive combination by many of our fellow Americans!
To view the entire story, go to – Forbes.com
Categories: 55+ Living, Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: Broward, Collier County, counties, Florida, Forbes, Forbes.com, IRS, Lee, Miami Dade, Michigan, New York, Orange, Palm Beach, rich, Suffolk county, tax returns, US, wealthy Americans —
June 6, 2010
Posted June 6th, 2010 at 8:10 pm by Michele Harrison
Have you heard about ‘Summer with Seuss’ at the Naples Zoo? I hadn’t heard about it until I saw an article in the Naples Daily News the other day, and I am so excited! It is going to be great for not only the kids, but adults as well as so many generations have grown up with Dr. Seuss books. In fact, the article I read said there were 44 books written between 1937 and 1990. That helps explain why Dr. Seuss became such an artistic and cultural phenomenon for generations of families.
According to the article, the Naples Zoo now has these traveling garden sculptures in the forms of some of the most famous characters of the Dr. Seuss books such as: the Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, the Lorax, the Grinch and Yertle the Turtle. I have to say that just mentioning their names, makes me laugh and think back to fun family times!
After reading about the exhibit, it sounds like they have a very well-rounded program developed for this at the Zoo. Aside from the 4- to 6-foot large-scale bronze sculptures, kids will learn about the history of the Dr. Seuss books, gain information about conservation, listen in on book readings, and even participate in theater performances. The Zoo has even created a scavenger hunt around the Dr. Seuss theme, and the gift shop will showcase pieces from the “Secret Art Collection of Dr. Seuss.”
With so many activities centered on characters that have been a part of families for the past 60 years, you just can’t miss it!
Check it out – the Naples Zoo – http://www.caribbeangardens.com/
Categories: Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: 1937, 1990, Dr. Seuss, families, family, Naples Zoo, Sam I Am, Summer with Seuss, the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, the Lorax, Yertle the Turtle —
May 19, 2010
Posted May 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm by Michele Harrison
Just a quick update for everyone on the state of the real estate market in Collier County as of 4/30/10.
According to the Naples Area Board of Realtors site…
- The overall median closed price increased 22 percent from $170,000 in April 2009 to $208,000 in April 2010. This is the second consecutive month that the median closed price has increased. For properties over $300,000, the median price increased 3 percent from $534,000 in April 2009 to $550,000 in April 2010.
- Overall home sales increased 46 percent to 914 sales in April 2010 compared to 626 sales in April 2009. Properties under $300,000 saw a 25 percent increase in pending sales with 882 contracts in April 2010 compared to 706 contracts in April 2009.
- Single-family pending sales saw a 27 percent increase with 691 contracts in April 2010 compared to 544 contracts in April 2009.
- Condo sales saw a 69 percent increase with 507 sales in April 2010 compared to 300 sales in April 2009.
- The available inventory decreased 13 percent to 9,239 in April 2010 compared to 10,574 in the same month last year
To see the full report and statistics go to www.naplesarea.com
May 14, 2010
Posted May 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm by Michele Harrison
As a long time supporter and member of the Naples Humane Society, I came across a fundraising event happening this weekend that I wanted to let everyone know about!
According to the Naples Daily News, there is a “Dog Wash” happening this Saturday, May 15th sponsored by RBC Bank benefiting both the Humane Society and the PAWS organizations. In its fourth year, the event features doggie washing, pet psychics, a pet photographer, Camp Bow Wow of Naples, doggy daycare, Brookes Legacy with wonderful dogs for adoption, and raffles and silent auctions items. You can also watch therapy dogs in training!
Event Information:
Saturday, May 15th
9 a.m. to 2 p.m
RBC Bank at 9190 Galleria Court
(located on NW corner of Vanderbilt and Airport Rd)
For more information on the Naples Humane Society visit – http://www.collierhumanesoc.org
For more information on the PAWS organization visit – http://www.pawsassistancedogs.com
Why not stop by and show some support!
May 9, 2010
Posted May 9th, 2010 at 8:38 pm by Michele Harrison
In lieu of Mother’s Day, I thought it would be fun to pass on a few famous mom quotes made throughout history. Moms have always made a significant impact in our lives, so I hope you enjoy these…
“If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
“Men are what their mothers made them.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
“The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.”
Henry Ward Beecher, US Congressional clergyman
“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”
Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty
“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”
Chinese Proverb
“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.”
Mildred B. Vermont
Happy Mother’s Day!!!
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