Grand Opening Ceremony held for Immokalee Administration Building

By Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — June 14 marked the beginning of a new era for the Immokalee community. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the long awaited Immokalee Administration Building took place before a crowd of approximately 250 people. Tribal officials and citizens had traveled from several reservations to help the residents of Immokalee celebrate this important occasion.

Director of Utilities Susie Kippenberger made the introductions for the ceremony in front of the three story multi-purpose facility which had just been completed and prepared for occupancy.

“It is my pleasure to welcome everyone here today to celebrate this milestone in the history of Immokalee,” she said. “I know that you have all been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get a look inside, so I am going to ask our officials to please come forward to cut the ribbon for us. Once inside, we will continue our presentations, enjoy a luncheon buffet and tour of the structure.”

Immokalee Council Liaison Ralph Sanchez had the honor of operating the large green scissors with the assistance of Brighton’s Council Representative Andrew Bowers, while Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Moses Osceola, Big Cypress Council Representative David Cypress and Hollywood Council Representative Max B. Osceola Jr. looked on.

With a round of applause the ribbon fell to the ground and the crowd moved forward in anticipation.

The audience made their way to the dining room of the seniors’ facilities on the ground floor, which had been prepared for the event. Stepping up to the podium Kippenberger offered background information.

“This project was first conceived in the early 90’s as a one story building, but as time dragged on, your community grew and so did its requirements,” she said. “Plans for this much needed three-story structure had replaced all previous expectations by the time ground was finally broken in November 2004.

“Gulf Building Corporation was selected as contractor for the project with Keith and Schnars engineering firm overseeing construction of the over 28,000 square foot complex,” said Kippenberger. “Bob McIntire of Ram Design was the architect for the project and has done a terrific job of correlating your needs with a very attractive structure. The building has been designed to withstand over 150 mph winds and can be used as a shelter in times of hurricane or disaster. A state of the art generator will immediately take over utility operations when needed and there is a full service kitchen which can provide for the entire community when necessary.”

Continuing she said, “The first floor will house the Department of Elders and their Hot Meals facilities. The library and educational counselors will occupy the second floor. Offices spaces are designated on the third floor for Administration and the roof top is equipped with a state of the art helicopter pad. Before proceeding with our speakers, Immokalee senior Louise Motlow will give the invocation.”

Chairman Mitchell Cypress addressed the gathering in Miccosukee and then recalled the history of the Immokalee reservation.

“During the late 50’s and early 60’s some of our people began settling in the Immokalee area because there was work to be found on the local farms and ranches,” he said. “What started out as a few chickees over on the curve, eventually developed into a small village. The youngsters became students in the local schools and as squatters on the land, it was becoming necessary to look for a more permanent home.

“The initial 5.7 acres of land was donated for their use. Women like Lena Frank, Mary Watts, Lucy Johns, Louise Motlow, Elaine Aguilar and Nancy Motlow, to name a few, built a village which eventually became the Immokalee Reservation. What began as chickees and then trailers, became a small field office and now a three story office building with fourth floor helicopter pad. It took the effort of many to make this possible.

“As things slowly move forward, we always need someone to blame for delays and shortages. We begin to make demands and shout for progress. As project director, Susie Kippenberger had to carry the load. It is in our culture to use criticism to drive forward and make our efforts grow stronger, but now we say thank you for the wonderful job she has done.”

President/Vice Chairman Moses Osceola said: “If you believe in the power of prayer, you can appreciate what Louise Motlow had to say here today. This community has been an answer to many prayers and we pray now to continue to see growth, development and progress that will provide a future for our children. I congratulate Ralph Sanchez on the completion of this project and Elaine Aguilar and Nancy Motlow who were on the ground floor in it’s planning.”

“As Mitchell said, you started with a bare piece of ground, then chickees with no facilities, and now have a state of the art Administration Building which can double as a shelter from storm and provide for the entire community in times of need. The Chairman and I will both have offices now on the third floor so that we can serve you better.”

David Cypress said: “Today marks the completion of a lot of work and vision on the part of many people. Mitchell can tell those stories because he is older and has a long memory,” he laughed, “but I am a young man with no stories. There have been so many elders who put their lives into making this possible that it would be hard to put their names on the building in recognition.”

“Take pride in what you have and in their memory prevent vandalism. They would be proud to see what has grown from the seeds that they planted. What you need now is the church and it will be next. Plans are currently being made and before long the ground will be broken,” promised David Cypress.

Looking around the room Max Osceola said, “I’m glad that I am now 55 and can eat here. You are very fortunate to have such a wonderful new facility. You are the high point of Immokalee. When I was young, I came here to visit and found the Seminoles living on a little piece of unwanted ground next to the landfill and detention center. This was ‘Downtown Motown.’ Since then you have acquired land, built homes, the casino, water and sewer plant and become the hub of the community. You can be very proud of your achievements.”

Ralph Sanchez began by saying: “I remember how excited everyone was twenty some years ago when we got a new office in an old house. None of us could even imagine that something like this would someday go up within our community or that we would have grown to need it. The progress we have made in the past few years is incredible and future plans are extraordinary. I look forward to being a part of this growth. I would like to invite Nancy Motlow to come forward at this time with an announcement.”

Stepping forward, Nancy Motlow said: “It gives me great pleasure to be able to dedicate our new library as the Diane Yzaguirre Memorial Education Center. Born on August 5th, 1963, as the daughter of Dorothy Jimmie and Cleofas Yzaguirre, she put a great deal of emphasize on the value of education. She completed high school in l981, married and had two daughters. As she raised her family, she encouraged them to stay in school and learn everything they could to provide a better future for themselves and their families.”

“Never losing sight of her own dreams, she entered Edison Community College when she finished raising her children. She received a two year degree in accounting in 2004 and accepted a position at the Immokalee Seminole Casino.”

Tearfully Nancy Motlow read a letter Diane had written upon receiving the casino job. It outlined her dreams, achievements and future plans which included returning to college to acquire a four year degree in accounting.

“Through some terrible twist of fate, Diane suffered a cerebral hemorage and was taken from us on August 30, 2004. Her family had to accept her diploma and the 2004 Educational Incentive Award on her behalf,” said an emotional Motlow. “In her short life, she raised a family, got to see her grandchildren, realized her education dream and left a legacy of inspiration for future generations. In placing her name on the library, we hope to encourage others to strive for an education as she did, so that they can help to build a bright future.”

“This is graduation day for Immokalee and its citizens,” Andy Bowers said, sweeping his hand to encompass the building. “This has been a long time coming and you deserve it. Use it and take care of it. Congratulations!”

Elaine Aguilar addressed the group in Miccosukee first and then English.

“I recall growing up with my elders making a home wherever they could as they provided for their children. Finally, in 1968, they received the land across the road. I was living in Labelle at the time and had started my own family. I remember removing the back seat from my little old car and coming to haul fans for my mother, Lucy Johns, Mary Watts Billie, Alice Osceola and Lena Frank. The women were building their own chickees on this land that Miss Sherrod of the Roberts’ family had found for them. They were so excited because they would have something of their own and not be squatting on anyone else’s property.”

“The elders used to say ‘Look beyond your nose, past the tip to the future for your grandchildren.’ I started working for Education, then Board and Council. Cox once asked me what I wanted for Immokalee and I said a building to replace the trailer so we can expand and help our community grow. That wish has grown into a Hot Meals for our seniors, Education department, Library and Administrative Offices. We came from nothing and today we have something to get down on our knees and thank God for,” Aguilar said in a burst of tears.

Coming to her rescue, Susie Kippenberger acknowledged the representatives from Gulf Building Corporation and Director of Education Cindy Hughes before suggesting forming a line at the luncheon buffet. Commemorative paper weights with a photo of the building had been placed on the dining tables and tee-shirts were available.

At the conclusion of the meal, tours were conducted of the structure. In addition to the Hot Meals kitchen and dining room, the first floor had a recreational area for the seniors in which a pool table was being assembled, television lounge, ceramics workshop and a sewing room.

Upon arriving at the second floor, the first doorway gives you access to the new spacious library facilities, rows of shelves loaded with books and room for expansion, study areas and a computer lab. The smaller children were intrigued by the little round tables and small upholstered chairs. Librarian Cris Marrero had laid out small golden books and the preschoolers were already checking them out.

Further down the hall were offices for Education Advisor Norita Yzaguirre, Intervention Counselor Diana Rocha, small interview areas and a large conference room.

On the third floor offices had been provided for the community representatives, chairman, president, Housing and Planning department, etc. A large conference room dominates the center of the floor.

The interior designers had done a remarkable job in furnishing the building and the members of the tour group were very pleased with the end result. By far the highlight of the day were the numerous framed photographs displayed throughout the building which been extracted from the archives of the Seminole Tribe.

Traveling through the hallways, groups of people stood before the artworks and identified themselves, family members and friends, evoking fond memories. Many of the photos were very old and offered them a glimpse into their heritage.

Before departing, many of the guests traveled to the rooftop for a look at the helicopter pad and a few took a short ride over the reservation. However, the majority preferred to survey their surroundings from behind the safety of the lookout railings.