Sgt. Joe Barley

The quick thinking of a Sheriff’s Office sergeant in Lehigh Acres brought about the arrest of two suspects following a robbery two and a half weeks ago. Bravo Station Capt. Ronald Curtis told those attending the Lehigh Chamber of Commerce luncheon that arrests were made in hardly any time which brought about laughter.

Curtis said that on Aug. 22, two men stole steel pipe and flanges from the Diversified Drilling Co. at 5620 Lee St. in Lehigh. Although the word flange generally refers to the actual raised rim or lip of a fitting, many flanged plumbing fittings are themselves known as “flanges.”

Curtis said that as deputies were racing to the scene of the theft, upon arrival, a witness told them of a Lincoln Town Car occupied by both a white male and a black male that had been seen leaving the area and the witness remembered the tag number

Sgt. Joe Barley, was in Fort Myers when he heard the information dispatched over his radio.

“What he did is driver near the business known as “All Scrap,” which is located on Ortiz Ave in Fort Myers.

Danny Gonzalez

And at around 12:15 p.m.., sure enough, the Lincoln appeared and pulled into the All Scrap driveway.

Barley confirmed the vehicle and the tag and gave the two suspects the shock of their lives by stopping them because he notice too that the trunk lid was open and the flanges stolen from the Lehigh business were in plain view.

“He knew where to go,” Curtis said. “He had a hunch.” This brought about laugher from the audience.

Barley was honored as the Chamber’s Officer of the Month. But he was unable to attend the ceremony at the Majestic Golf Club so Curtis and Lt. James Loethen, second in command at Bravo Station, accepted a citation from Joe Whalen, executive director and CEO of the Chamber.

The two suspects, Frederick Taylor, 37, and Caesar Milla Jr., 40, were charged with burglary of a structure and grand theft.

Employee of the Month at right, Laurie Giovansanti of Sterling House in Lehigh, is presented a citation from the chamber from Joe Whalen, the Chamber’s executive director. Photo by Mel Toadvine

“Sgt. Barley’s skills, abilities and knowledge as a Deputy Sheriff are impressive; and his investigation and removal of these predatory felons from our community was a fine example of excellent police work,” Curtis said. He had made the nomination to the Chamber to honor Barley.

Also honored at the Chamber monthly luncheon, held on the last Tuesday of each month, was Danny Gonzalez as Member of the Month and Laurie Giovansanti as Employee of the Month.

Gonzalez, owner of Lozano’s Mexican Restaurant, has always been a strong advocate for the Chamber, said Whalen.

“Mr. Gonzales has been a member or the Chamber of Commerce since 2008. Danny has always been a strong advocate for the Chamber; in fact, his restaurant hosts our Lehigh Acres Economic Development Board once a month and Danny is also a generous community leader where he continuously donates food and financially supports many organizations and needs in our Lehigh Acres community, Whalen said as he presented the award.

“You are a wonderful example of what a “selfless member” of the Chamber entails,” Whalen said.

Talking with Rep. Matt Caldwell is Paula Camberato, assistant to the district manager at the East County Water Control District. Caldwell was the guest speaker at the Chamber luncheon last week. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Laurie Giovansanti of the Sterling House assisted living home on Business Way in Lehigh was honored as Employee of the Month.

She is a registered nurse and joined the Brookdale Family, owners of Sterling House, in May of 2010. She manages the health care of residents, provides training and supervision to licensed nursing staff.

Whalen said she ensures that once a resident enters Sterling House, they have an optimum life with the maximum standard of healthcare and its six dimensions: purposeful, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual.

“Laurie takes ownership and pride in everything she does, recognizes good people and respects others through her honesty, understanding and trust.

“Laurie always places the residents first and provides them the opportunity to celebrate life every day at Sterling House,” Whalen said.

Member of the Month. Danny Gonzalez, right, is shown with Chamber Director Joe Whalen after Gonzales was named Member of the Month at the Chamber luncheon. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Rep. Matt Caldwell who represents Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres in the State House in Tallahassee gave a detailed talk about redistricting and encouraged members to attend the Aug. 24 hearing at Veterans Park Community Center where the public was encouraged to discuss how future district boundaries should be made.

He said legislators cannot influence the decisions of the voters so he made no suggestions as how district boundaries will be drawn by the Legislature in January. He explained the number of people that must compost districts, both for state representation and for congressional representation.

Caldwell is the first Lehigh resident to serve in public office and was elected as a state representative in the 2008 election.

Edd Weiner, a Chamber member, reminded members of Casino Night on Sept. 24 at the Majestic Gold Club and said tickets were $30 and players get $1,000 in chips. He said the fundraiser for the Chamber begins at 6 p.m.

It was also announced that the annual Fall Golf Tournament to benefit the Chamber will be held on Oct. 1, a Saturday, and that those interested should contact the Chamber now to sign up to play for a chance to win $10,000.

The next Chamber luncheon meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at the Majestic Golf Club. Call the Chamber if you plan to attend. The price for members is $12 and $15 for non-members and guests.