The Collier County Tourist Development Council approved Monday a measure that could send $44,000 in the direction of Skunk Ape promotion and research.
County commissioners are expected to make a final decision Sept. 14 on the tourist tax money, which could help shed light on the elusive Bigfoot-type creature reported to inhabit eastern Collier swamplands. The money comes from a tax on hotel and motel bed taxes.
David Shealy, owner of Trail Lakes Campground in Ochopee, applied for the grant that would lead two expeditions in search of the creature that resembles the early "Star Wars" movie character Chewbacca in the few blurry photographs that exist. In addition, Shealy asked for a toll-free telephone number - sort of a Skunk Ape hot line - manned 24 hours a day by operators fluent in Spanish, German and English.
After several years of promoting the creature in local, national and international media, Shealy rejoiced after the 4-1 split decision in his favor.
"I guess I'm there," he said, grinning. Under his arm, he carried a glass case temporarily removed from display in his Skunk Ape Headquarters and museum at his campground. The case contained two plaster casts of what Shealy believes are Skunk Ape footprints - one smaller four-toed print of what could be a juvenile and one large 18-inch-long adult print. "The commission will pass it. I'm there."
Shealy walked off with jubilant Skunk-Ape-size strides, his omnipresent black hat with a snakeskin and alligator teeth band silhouetted in Monday's golden setting sun.
But the question of whether the County Commission will give its OK still hovered above Shealy's triumphant walk off into the sunset.
TDC member Pam Mac'Kie cast the dissenting vote on the measure, and Mac'Kie is the county commission's representative on the council. Mac'Kie said she believed Shealy's proposal should be folded into the overall budget for tourism promotion rather than taken as a separate item.
Naples Mayor and TDC member Bill Barnett had different thoughts: "I'd love to see the county commissioners wrestle with this one."
"We've given millions to beach renourishment (Monday night)," Barnett said, referring to the other, more conventional items on the TDC agenda. "I don't see a problem with it."
The concept of a Bigfoot in the Everglades piqued TDC member Liana Buysse's interest.
"I think it's worth giving a chance - something so rare," Buysse said.
And this is that chance Shealy has been waiting for, working for.
Since Ochopee Fire Chief Vince Doerr snapped a photograph in 1997 of what some believe is this shy creature with a penchant for lima beans, Shealy has led the Skunk Ape charge [see earlier story + pics]. He has promoted the creature's existence in newspapers, tabloids, radio talk-show appearances and on such television shows as "Unsolved Mysteries" and Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."
While Shealy realizes the very nature of tabloids, a comedy news show and morning shock radio shows may not necessarily legitimize his assertion that the Skunk Ape is real - and smelly, as its name implies - Shealy believes every mention of Southwest Florida in these media outlets can only serve to promote tourism.
"There are beaches all over the world," he said, noting another big tourism draw in the area. But, is his implication, who else has a Skunk Ape?
"I am the best promoter in all of Collier County," he asserted. "It's undisputed. I honestly believe I am the undisputed best promoter."
Funding for Everglades Bigfoot Research
Mark one up in the name of science. And another in the name of tourism promotion.
[NDN headline: TDC tentatively OK's $44,000 to stalk, promote Skunk Ape ]
[Sources: Naples Daily News / FLA / By Ralf Kircher - August 31 1999]
Page created September 6 1999