The Internet Edition- Vol. 2 Issue 1

Event Celebrates Joint Efforts of Lee County and Community
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was designated in 1990. The story of how the Dishong - Bowen house came to be relocated to the Boca Grande Community Center and preserved for community uses, starts in 2002 when two very different agencies with very different problems joined together to implement a creative solution for their mutual benefit.

Since the Fire District had a historic house to give away and Department of Parks and Recreation needed additional space: the two organizations collaborated on the relocation of the historic Dishong - Bowen house to the Boca Grande Community Center campus. The Fire District, the GICIA and the Historic Preservation Board all made financial contributions to this project.

 The Dishong-Bowen house was moved to the Community Center and located next to and at the same height as the Teacherage Building - thus eliminating the need for the construction of new bathrooms as the two buildings can share one set of bathrooms.

The Teacherage House was constructed circa 1930 as a duplex to provide living quarters for the Boca Grande School principal and its teachers. As part of the Boca Grande Community Center, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRIS 1995-03-30).

The Teacherage House is a single-story, simple frame vernacular building with Craftsman style elements and T-shaped plan. The structure utilizes primarily heart pinewood, assembled

 with indigenous building techniques typical of the period. The roof material prior to renovation was asphalt shingles although the original material was likely galvanized steel panels (tin). Tongue and groove pine wood drop siding is found throughout the exterior. Most of the original wood double-hung windows have been retained and are in good condition. Over the years there have been various exterior alterations to the building, although the architecture still retains much of its original appearance

In 2001, the DOT office was moved to the Community Center leaving the majority of the house for the expanding operations of Boca Bargains. Today, the Teacherage House is home to the Boca Grande Historical Society and Boca Bargains.
Education the Key to "The Dragons of Gasparilla"
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monitoring the pathways used by invasive species. Williams pointed out that if federal monies are involved "just killing animals" is not the answer. The audience looked for some answers from Dr. Jerome Jackson, the second speaker.

Dr. Jackson, from Florida Gulf Coast University, has been researching the island’s iguana population and the problems it causes for about a year. He was engaged to discover if the population "could be eradicated? If it should be eradicated? and Is that desirable?"

Most of the audience said "Yes!"

The professor has trapped a number of the reptiles for study. One of his findings is that 50% of the captured animals tested positive for an as yet unidentified strain of salmonella. He said, "this is not unusual, most reptiles carry salmonella." Reptiles can carry other diseases that affect human beings and the professor said further testing was planned.

"The key to controlling the population is public education," he said. Part of that effort is a nearly completed brochure "The Dragons of Gasparilla" that contains much of the information given at the meeting.

A number of people help support the iguana population by feeding it. Iguanas are opportunistic


 and will feed on food scraps, so unsecured trash is a food source. Some people think the iguanas are fun to watch and they deliberately feed them. The population at the Lighthouse Museum picnic area has become bold and will approach the tables. The professor suggested that "signage is desperately needed" to inform the public "DO NOT FEED."

According to Dr. Jackson this is the season to curtail the population. The reptiles are sluggish because of lower temperatures. The days are shorter with less sunlight causing their digestive systems to slow. They need the refuge of their burrows and the professor suggested that preventing them from entering


Lori Williams, executive director of the National Invasive Species Council was one of the speakers Wednesday.

their burrows could disrupt all their cycles, including reproduction. He cautioned to "monitor any burrow before blocking it" to avoid harassing a gopher tortoise that might be using the same burrow.

Right now, he says, food is scarce and other seasonal factors come into play. There are migrant, predatory hawks and the presence of more people disrupts them and means more dogs and cats to chase them around.

Dr. Jerome Jackson from Florida Gulf Coast University, has been researching the island's iguana population and the problems it causes for about a year.


Lee County Commissioner Bob Janes shares a chuckle with members of the audience.

Charlotte County Commissioner Tom Moore attended and embraced the suggestion that funding for an eradication program could come from combining an existing taxing unit for street lighting. Moore remarked that this was the first time he had heard "What we can do. Before we only heard what we could not do."

Scott Trebatoski, Lee County Director of Animal Services, said that whatever course was chosen "the more aggressive -- the more likely to have a solution."

Page 8 The Boca Banner 1/13/06

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