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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 21, 2002
New Catholic university planned near Naples
NAPLES -- The founder of Domino's Pizza announced plans Wednesday to build a Roman Catholic university and college town in southwest Florida.
Tom Monaghan, in partnership with developer Barron Collier Cos., plans to build a town, Ave Maria, as a 5,000-acre community surrounding the 750-acre Ave Maria University near Naples.
Monaghan is pledging at least $220-million to the venture.
Monaghan, 65, long active in Catholic causes, sold Domino's Pizza in 1998 and founded Ave Maria College in Michigan the same year. Ann Arbor officials in April rejected his request to expand the college, which led to his plan to move it to Florida.
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush won't be inaugurated until Jan. 7, but Republicans already are planning parties for the politically faithful and for the public.
There will be a free barbecue in Miami on Sunday, Jan. 5, and a "black tie and blue jeans" inaugural ball in Tallahassee Jan. 6.
Bush said he will wear jeans. "I hate tuxedos," the governor said.
After Bush is sworn in Jan. 7, there will be a free street festival in Tallahassee. The Governor's Mansion will hold an open house. The public will be invited to a prayer breakfast on Inauguration Day.
Details are still sketchy, said inaugural spokesman Todd Harris. There's no word yet on how much a ticket to the ball will cost.
MIAMI -- Three citrus contractors convicted of federal slavery charges were sentenced Wednesday to long prison terms.
Brothers Ramiro and Juan Ramos were sentenced to 12 years and three months in federal prison and must forfeit property worth more than $3-million.
Their cousin, Jose Ramos, was given 10 years, three months and a $10,000 fine.
The three were convicted in June of conspiring to hold workers as slaves, threatening them with violence and holding them hostage over alleged debts.