The last week of October and first week of November will be among the busiest of the year - this one or any other - for the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority as it continues to move forward on the $40 million bridge replacement projects.
A Swing Bridge public workshop is set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Boca Grande Community Center. It will be followed at 9 a.m. Halloween with the crucial bid openings for Swing Bridge construction at GIBA's conference room.
The third GIBA meeting in four days will be the 1:30 p.m. quarterly board meeting at the Woman's Club Room in the Boca Grande Community Center.
Article Photos
Jim Cooper
Capping off the action-packed two-week period, Gasparilla Island voters will decide whether to pass the .30 mil property tax increase to help pay for bridge construction. GIBA is also expecting to be notified by the state during this period as to whether or not its State Infrastructure Bank loan application has been approved.
While heading into one of the most important and busiest stretches of its 14-year existence, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority is also seeking two advisory board members to fill vacancies.
Advisory board members serve four-year terms but do not vote on issues. The unpaid volunteer position packs powerful input opportunities.
Fact Box
To Go
What: GIBA workshop
When: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 30
Where: Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium
Why: Swing Bridge
Who: Open to the public
To Go
What: GIBA workshop
When: 9 a.m. Oct. 31
Where: GIBA Administration building
Why: Swing Bridge bid opening
Who: Open to the public
To Go
What: GIBA Board meeting
When: 1:30 p.m. Nov. 2
Where: Boca Grande Community Center Woman's Club Room
Why: Bridge replacement project
Who: Open to the public
"They are important to our very busy and talented board of directors," said Jim Cooper, GIBA executive director, in a press release.
Advisory board members are eligible to sit on all GIBA committees: financial, engineering and administrative.
All advisory board members are required to file an annual financial disclosure form to the State Ethics Committee.
All GIBA advisory candidates must be island residents and property owners or residents and registered voters.
"The GIBA Board has been meeting more frequently due to the active fixed bridges construction, the new Swing Bridge construction and to determine financing for these key projects." Cooper said.
Volunteers are asked to send a rsum and letter of interest to: GIBA, c/o Executive Director Jim Cooper, P.O. Box 1918, Boca Grande FL 33921.
The application period closes Oct. 31. New GIBA Advisory Board members will be selected at the Nov. 2 GIBA Board meeting.
"The GIBA Board invites all highly motivated community residents to consider applying for these two voluntary positions," Cooper said. "GIBA actively encourages island residents with a keen interest in our future community bridge operations to volunteer."
