Candidate Response - Bruce Gonce
Candidate Information
District: 3
Name: Bruce Gonce
Occupation:
Website: www.gowithgonce.org
Email: bagonce@earthlink.net
What is your vision for the City of Cape Coral?
Cape Coral is no longer the sleepy little bedroom community developers once planned. I see a diverse community where we can “have our cake and eat it to”. Where people want to live because costs are low, jobs are available, recreation facilities are appealing and a sense of community prevails.
What will the city look like after your first full term in office?
Citizens will have a feeling of securing and prosperity due to stable employment and a lower cost of living. Homes, office buildings and retail stores will be occupied rather than vacant with overgrown yards.
What do you see as the largest challenges facing the city?
Reducing taxes, cutting runaway city costs, enhancing economic development, reducing the cost of the utility expansion, re-connecting with the public and reducing the negative and costly impact on citizens for the disconnected operations of the City Government.
What are your plans for addressing these challenges?
The Cape Coral City Council needs to adopt a business philosophy at the core of its operations. In general, a business style approach with my valuation expertise and experience is what I am offering taxpayers. The disconnected relationship between the City Council, City Manager and Staff needs to change. Our City Manager form of government and present situation with the City Manager, shows how employment contracts without escape clauses can create a strangle hold on effective and efficient operations. Is the tail wagging the dog? In addition, one must have a “line by line” approach when cutting the budget. The outsourcing of various studies and consulting firms must be held to a minimum. Impact fees must be cut and the permitting process streamlined in order to attract businesses and create a diversified economic base. To lower the costs of the utility expansion significantly, the City’s Public Works Department needs to develop the capability of installing and maintaining utility expansion projects on its own.
What are your plans for controlling the costs of government services, assessments, taxes and fees to our citizens and businesses?
I will support spending limits or “caps” on the budget and/or mil levy. To re-emphasize, controlling the cost of services by cutting the budget and eliminating waste. Waste is two assistant city managers. Does anyone really know how the impact fee is established and allocated? Accountability is not coming from the City. Some future projects should not be funded at this time and the impact fee MUST be lowered. Should “growth pay for growth”? Not at these costs. It is essential the City get its financial house in order.
What are your plans for improving the economic situation and general appeal of our city for current and future residents and businesses?
To create a climate of cooperation between the city, residences and businesses we need to lower taxes, cut fees and permitting costs. The City Government needs to adopt a spirit of cooperation rather than being a hindrance. Reducing Cape Coral’s “red tape” will also help businesses open more quickly. This will help broaden the tax base and provide employment. My plan is to cut spending, lower taxes and fees, and reduce the “red tape” of government.
What are your plans for using new communication and business tools provided over the Internet for residents and businesses to contact you, or for you to share your ongoing
work with residents?
I advocate changing formal council meetings to Wednesdays at 7:00 PM so working citizens can attend. City Council work sessions should be open to citizens and the media. My phone number is in the phone book and has been for eighteen years and I don’t plan on changing it when I am elected. My web site, www.gowithgonce.org, will remain active. This is a place where citizen input will be welcome and I can post up-dates. I will personally hold periodic Town Hall meetings. This will be especially necessary in order to disseminate information where larger issues are concerned. I already have a history of communicating in this manner when I was a councilman in another community.
The citizens of Cape Coral must understand I will represent only one seat on the council. You have an opportunity to select five councilmen. This will be a majority and only with a majority can these goals be accomplished. If you agree with my philosophy and overall approach, please cast your vote accordingly. But, it is also important to vote for those candidates with a similar philosophy and approach in order to affect change. The people of Cape Coral should never again have their livelihoods or homes put in jeopardy because of the irresponsible decisions made by a few.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I see a diverse community where we can “have our cake and eat it to”
have our cake and eat it too, hum catchy I wonder who he is talking about?
“Citizens will have a feeling of securing and prosperity due to stable employment and a lower cost of living.”
“hum, catchy “”securing”" and prosperity” I wonder who he is talking about?
“Our City Manager form of government and present situation with the City Manager, shows how employment contracts without escape clauses can create a strangle hold on effective and efficient operations.”
Has he read the CM’s contract or is this just another OPINION?
“To lower the costs of the utility expansion significantly, the City’s Public Works Department needs to develop the capability of installing and maintaining utility expansion projects on its own.”
Has Mr. Gonce made an analysis of what it would cost for the city to take the UEP on in house? BTW, the city does maintain the Utility System in house.
“Does anyone really know how the impact fee is established and allocated?”
Well yea, I know that we have periodic studies to determine what the various impact fees SHOULD be. Furthermore, I also know the basis for impact fees. Your statement “at this time and the impact fee MUST be lowered” is completely irresponsible especially since you admit to not knowing how impact fees are established!
“I advocate changing formal council meetings to Wednesdays at 7:00 PM so working citizens can attend. City Council work sessions should be open to citizens and the media.”
Monday council meetings have been held since the city was first incorporated…..
As to the second comment; “City Council work sessions should be open to citizens and the media” THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC & THE MEDIA!
“I already have a history of communicating in this manner when I was a councilman in another community”
According to his web page “Appointed City Councilman, Casper, Wyoming (1988).” “Moved to Cape Coral 1989″
“The people of Cape Coral should never again have their livelihoods or homes put in jeopardy because of the irresponsible decisions made by a few.”
Exactly what irresponsible decisions “made by a few” is Mr. Gonce speaking of. Examples please! I believe it is IRRESPONSIBLE to indict people or cast aspersions without specifics.
“But, it is also important to vote for those candidates with a similar philosophy and approach in order to affect change.”
This is the statement I find most disturbing! Gen. George Patton probably said it best. “If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking.”