Residents who live along Oriole and Matanzas roads on the border of San Carlos Park and Estero are expressing relief and gratitude after the recent cleanup of a long-standing illegal dumping site. The piles of debris had plagued the area for weeks, prompting community complaints and multiple reports to local authorities.
Neighbors reached out to the San Carlos Fire Department, the Lee County Sheriff's Office and even Lee County Code Enforcement about the issue, they were worried for first responders having to travel into a gated community in Belle Lago.
The property was in between Estero and San Carlos Park Neighbors eventually reached out to the village of Estero's code enforcement. Gulf Coast News reached out to the village about the site; they sent us this statement:
"Code Enforcement is aware of this situation, they have been to the site and they told them [Belle Lago HOA] it needs to be cleaned up today [Tuesday] and we will be sending them a violation notice as well."
Crews cleaned up the site. The moment Gulf Coast News arrived to the neighborhood Tuesday afternoon to talk to neighbors, the trash was gone. Instead of voicing their concern, neighbors talked about how grateful they were.
"I suspect that that, your finger says a finger stretched out I believe they touched somebody they got that message and guess what, it's cleaned up I am a happy camper," said Gary Loomis who lives in San Carlos Park. "It makes me feel good that somebody like you can reach out and move mountains."
"I couldn't really figure out what was going on; there were so many people over here, and they had a little dumpster just picking everything up," said Shari Giroux.
The village of Estero is urging residents to report any dumping to the village of the Estero Code Enforcement.
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