Paying for lights, living in darkness: West Port residents push for answers

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — A group of nine neighbors from the West Port community in Charlotte County came together to WINK Listens in Port Charlotte, hoping to get answers about a problem they say has left their neighborhood in the dark for months.

“We need lights. We need results. You guys do results," John Nowak, a neighbor in West Port said. "West Port is designed as a walkable, active community. We are paying for lights. We want lights. Get us our lights, please."

Residents told WINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean their streetlight issues began after Hurricane Milton hit on October 10, 2024, damaging a significant portion of the community’s lighting system. According to neighbors, about 40% of the light poles failed and were removed.

Then, in September 2025, residents say the remaining 60% of working streetlights were removed from multiple subdivisions. Neighbors say they were told they would be replaced in two weeks.

The group stated the Community Development District (CDD) told them the lights posed a safety hazard. Since then, neighbors say they have had no street lighting at all, leaving their community in near-total darkness at night.

“It’s so dark you can’t even see… your windows have to be down just to see," David McLoud, a West Port neighbor said. 

Another neighbor, Dawn Chenevert said, "We’ve been asked to leave our exterior lights on; that raises our cost for electricity. We just want answers as to when we’re going to see the lights restored.”

Residents say the CDD spent nearly a year working through an insurance claim to determine who was responsible for the failed lights. During that time, the original contractor’s agreement was transferred to another company.

Residents invited WINK News along for a walk through the neighborhood after dark.

“We’re not able to see whether there’s any wildlife… or trip hazards. It’s also a risk for drivers that have to drive through here," Chenevert said while walking.

Residents describe serious safety concerns, including people tripping, difficulty seeing surroundings, and fears about wildlife and crime. Many say they’ve been asked to leave their porch lights on overnight to help illuminate streets, driving up their electric bills.

Photos provided to WINK News show removed streetlights sitting in storage containers within the neighborhood.

Despite the lack of lighting, homeowners say they are still paying more than $2,600 annually in CDD fees and raised questions about where that money is going and why they are not being reimbursed.

"We are paying for this as a community, and we’re not getting the services," Chenevert said. 

CDD response and current plan

The West Port Community Development District (CDD) says the situation is more complex.

The CDD said the original solar lighting system failed to perform as expected. The district claimed it filed an insurance claim, recovered some funds, and put the original contractor on notice for breach of contract.

Now, the district is working to replace the system entirely.

At a board hearing in March, neighbors explained the CDD approved moving forward with negotiations on a new lighting agreement with HV Solar that would include a 15-year lease at approximately $69 per pole per month, with a potential installation timeline as early as June.

If that agreement is not finalized, the district says it plans to move forward with another provider.

The board has also directed staff to pursue temporary “spot” lighting in critical areas as soon as possible while a long-term solution is finalized. Residents tell WINK that temporary lighting has not been installed. 

In response to WINK News, the district said it has been communicating with residents through emails and public meetings and expects to have clearer direction in the coming weeks. Though residents said communication has been limited. 

What is still unknown

Even with a potential plan in place, key questions remain:

When will the lights actually be installed?

How much insurance money was received —and how is it being used?

Why were functional lights removed in September 2025?

Will residents be reimbursed for the time without lighting?

For residents, the biggest concern is the lack of certainty.

While there is now a possible path forward — and even a target of summer installation — there is still no guaranteed timeline for when streetlights will be fully restored.

Until then, neighbors say they are left navigating their community in the dark, waiting for answers and a permanent fix.