(Editor's note: The following items were taken directly from the headlines published in The Cape Coral Breeze from 1969-1972)
1969
July - Population tops 12,000
July - Formal incorporation talks begin
November-Committee recommends incorporation
December - Population nearly 13,500
1970
February - Bill formally requesting incorporation referendum presented to legislative delegates
April - Cape voter registration tops 5,200
April - Population tops 14,000
June - Cape incorporation bill introduced in House
June - Cape incorporation bill OK'd by Senate
July - County Commission to vote on incorporation issue
August - Voters approve incorporation, 2,067 to 1,798
September- 10 candidates qualify for city council posts
October - 40 candidates seek city manager's position
November - City council primary election held
November -Cape's first council elected; 4,022 cast
December - Paul Fickinger tabbed first city mayor
DecemberPopulation tops 15,500
1971
January - Charles Ryan named first city manger; Clyde Killer city attorney
January - Council OKs $721,400 budget, 0.83 mil tax levy, city emblem
January - City appoints Planning and Zoning Board
April - City Council to move into new quarters on Del Prado Boulevard
April - Population tops 16,000
April - Jim White appointed Cape Police Chief
June - $965,600 budget for 1972 presented to council
July - City receives bids for police cars, radio equipment
July - First five city police patrolmen on road in city
August - Budget of $932,057 OK'd for 1972
August - CCPD fully operational with 16 personnel
October - Proposed truck parking ban protested
October - Control of Fire Department transferred to city
November - Population tops 17,500
December - Paul Fickinger re-elected mayor
1972
February - Court upholds city truck parking ordinance
March - Council OKs parking of boats/trailers in back yards
April - Population tops 18,000
August - Council sets $1,643,596 budget for 1973
October - Council OKs $600,000 city hall complex on
December - Population tops 19,000
