Mexico Sends Aid

For today's laugh, a case of mistaken identity, and Mexico chips in for SW Florida's recovery:

Mexico’s consul general from Miami toured Pine Island, Cape Coral and Fort Myers on Tuesday to view storm damage.

At the 160-lot Pink Citrus Trailer Park in Bokeelia, where many residents are workers from Mexico, Jorge Lomonaco encouraged some people and intimidated others.

A resident identified only as Leticia boldly approached him in hope that he was from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For her, the consular general was the next best thing.

Through an interpreter, she said she was glad Lomonaco had come to see the damage “with his own eyes.”

His surprise visit left park supervisor Ellie Carrier trembling and near tears after his 10-person group, including press from Miami, entered her office.

“They came in to confront, not to talk,” Carrier said. “They didn’t bring water or ice. They brought nothing but the press.”

Lomonaco said he was able to donate some clothing his office had gathered in Miami.