To the editor:

Last week’s Breeze had an article about a proposed name change to Jaycee Park. I didn’t realize that anyone can request a name change to any park in Cape Coral. Apparently, anyone can do that.

From the internet, I found out that “the Jaycees is a leadership training service organization and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40.” That sounds like a noble cause to name a park. Now compare that to Roger Dean’s daughter, Patricia, who says “It would mean the world to me to have Jaycee Park renamed Roger Dean Park in honor of my late father.” That takes a lot of gall.

Another internet search revealed that Roger Dean was a multi-millionaire who owned many car dealerships across the country and lived in Palm Beach, Florida. I don’t think he ever lived in Cape Coral. Back in the mid 1990s, Roger Dean’s two daughters donated $1 million toward the construction of a baseball stadium in Jupiter, Florida, that was subsequently named “Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.” Imagine that.

Now his daughter wants to rename Jaycee Park. There’s Roger Dean Chevrolet dealership on Pine Island Road. What a coincidence. Free advertising. Or maybe not so free.

The current City Council and mayor has shown the public that they cannot be trusted when they voted themselves a 100% raise in the form of a stipend. They also have been at odds with the local citizenry around Jaycee Park for proposing and adopting a project to redo the park at a cost of about $18 million. Is Patricia Dean proposing to contribute to these costs? Will the bandshell in the “new” park be called “Roger Dean Chevrolet Bandshell”?

I think the City Council would like nothing better than to bury the name of Jaycee Park and be rid of all the controversy that the Council itself has caused.

The Breeze article says that there is a 30-day window for public comment on the name change. This window closes on Oct. 3, 2024. All comments must be in writing and should be addressed to:

Parks and Recreation Director

1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

Cape Coral, Florida 33990

Here’s your chance to voice your opinions.

Ken Kendrick

Cape Coral