Fort Myers Beach, FPL reach impasse in negotiating payment for stolen copper wires

Copper wiring thefts earlier this year have left parts of Estero Boulevard in Fort Myers Beach without streetlights, sparking frustration among residents and a dispute over repair costs. "The streets have always been dark, and they've been a problem," said George Kormos, a Fort Myers Beach resident. Kormos described the impact of the missing lights, saying, "When you drive down my street here, you can hardly find it. There's no light out there when you turn in." The wires, which are spun and run through the bases of streetlights, were stolen in February and March, leaving sections of the boulevard in darkness. "There are no new lights going up, and they want $150,000 in order to continue. However, the town feels very strongly that this money shouldn't come from us," said Abigail Eberhart, representing the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Florida Power & Light (FPL) and the town are negotiating over who will pay to replace the tens of thousands of feet of stolen copper wires. In a statement, FPL said it is "working closely with law enforcement and the Town of Fort Myers Beach to address and deter theft from infrastructure projects." The company did not comment on whether it would cover or help pay for the replacement costs. "We are at an impasse, and now it is up to them to come back to the table with a more reasonable request," Eberhart said. Kormos agreed, saying, "When you run a construction job anywhere, usually you have insurance, and all that should have been insured by FPL or the county." Lee County deputies are still investigating the thefts. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.