The signs are up, the wavers are out in full force. Today is the day. Get out and vote. 5 of 8 council seats and several ballot initiatives are awaiting your vote.
The debates have raged, the candidates have spoken.
Now it is your turn. Get out and vote.
Have a wonderful day.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke today in front of a packed room at the Three Oaks Banquet Center in Estero. Approximately 700 supporters and curious information seekers attended.
“Anyone who can clean up New York City can help the country” said Christina Warren, one of Rudy’s supporters. Another attendee, Bob Harrold said “I am curious, I am looking for the right candidate.”
Mayor Jim Humphrey of Fort Myers introduced Florida State Attorney General Bill McCollum, who then Introduced Rudy Giuliani.
Rudy spoke of his record of results and successes in New York City. He pointed out than none of the three democratic candidates had any experience in an executive office. “I don’t think that the Chief Executive Officer of the United States should be trained with on the job experience.” He quipped.
He touted his successes further by explaining that New York City had the highest crime rate in the nation when he took office. As he left office it was named the safest large city in America. His welfare record showed that 1.1 million citizens of the city were on welfare when he took office. There was a reduction of approximately 640,000 welfare recipients after his term.
On fiscal matters, he reminded the crowd that he had cut taxes 23 times, provided balanced annual budgets, and generated higher revenues from 24% lower taxes. He stated “We actually accomplished what people thought was impossible.”
Rudy’s primary focus remains on the war on Terror. “We have to be safe, and we have to win.” He said. He called the reactions of democratic leaders and some members of the press “strategically irresponsible.”
“Have you ever heard of an army being asked to provide their timetable of retreat?” He asked the audience.
On Iran, he stated that if he were elected, his message to Iran is very clear: “I will not allow them to become a nuclear power.”
His second issue of importance was the economy. He referenced President Sarkozy of France, whose recently published book shows an interest in using American principles and placing them as policy in France. He said “There is a wisdom in these quintessential American principles.”
He continued, stating “I mostly look for homegrown principles as a practical matter.” and “Americans solve problems, not the government.”
When discussion turned to Hillary Clinton’s recent “$5,000.00 per child” program, he stated “We don’t have to give kids the impression that money comes from heaven, or from Hillary. It comes from going to school and working hard.”
Next, he received questions from the audience. On immigration, he stated “We must stop immigration at the border first.” He wants to increase the amount of border patrol agents and use fences that are “both physical and technological”.
For legal immigration, he added “We need a tamper proof single ID. If you have one, you are allowed in, you are allowed to work, and you have to pay taxes.”
“After we channel the economic parts through legal channels, we need to make a strong requirement that immigrants read, write and speak English.” this was met with loud applause.
Next he was asked how he stays optimistic in the face of media bias. “It’s fun.” He responded. He explained that he prefers direct communication, and that while he was mayor he held 96 official town hall meetings.
He was asked to explain his position on energy independence. He promoted “energy diversification” as a method. Biofuels, nuclear, clean coal, hydro power, solar power and wind power were all listed. He also stated that higher levels of conservation would help. “There is not one magic solution,” he said.
He also touched briefly on the importance of Florida in the upcoming election, and jokingly encouraged Democrats to boycott the general election for the State as well.
“I like him even better than I did before.” Stated Rochelle Kay of Fort Myers Beach. John Smith of Lehigh Acres asked him a question about gun control after the official session was over, and received an answer. “He supports the second amendment.” John said.
The historic Cape Coral City Council Race of 22 Candidates has now dropped to a field of ten after yesterday’s primary. The unofficial results are available at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
The election results show an incredibly low turnout of only 14% or 9,225 of the 64,915 registered voters in the city.
Jim Burch will take on Tom Hair for District 1. Peter Brandt and Walter Fluegel are up for District 2. Bill Deille and Lynn Rosko will comprise District 3’s race. District 5 will be Eric Grill and Gloria Baron, and Chris Berardi and Derrick Donnell in District 7.
Today is your chance to select the candidates who will run in the general election in November. Please go out and vote today. If you are still undecided on your choices, 12 of the candidates have responded here with information about their vision and goals for Cape Coral. Do your research and decide which candidate is best for you, but do it today!
District: Five
Name: Eric Grill
Occupation: Construction Business Owner
Website: www.grillforcape.com
Email: Eric@GrillForCape.com
Phone: 841-0042
District: One
Name: Thomas W. Hair
Occupation: Mathematics Professor
Website: www.tomhair2007.com
Email: thair@capecoral.net
Phone: 292-9612
What is your vision for the City of Cape Coral? What will the city look like after your first full term in office?
The next five years will be a critical time for Cape Coral. We will pass 200,000 in population making us one of the 100 largest cities in the nation. The decisions we make now will have an effect on our quality of life for decades to come. Specifically, I think we will see several major projects emerge within the CRA that will bring about the creation of a real downtown, the filling in of the Pine Island Road corridor…possibly with a regional mall, and the completion of most of the utility expansion work. I would also like to see if we can lure FGCU to the Academic Village site. The combination of a young, fast growing city and a major branch of a young, fast growing university would be a unbeatable. The bottom line is that we have to set the stage now for what is to come. That is why it is so important to elect leaders with a long range vision for what the Cape can become.
What do you see as the largest challenges facing the city? What are your plans for addressing these challenges?
Growth and construction of the infrastructure needed to meet it. Meeting this challenge is our number one priority. We are the fourth fastest growing city in America, soon to break into the top 100 cities in the nation in population. So, how do we accomplish this?
First, we continue planning and implementing transportation upgrades to meet expected growth. The North Del Prado and Burnt Store initiatives come to mind. Look at what the Mid-Point Bridge did for us when it was completed 10 years ago. Remember the political struggle for that structure and realize that anything we attempt to do in the future to affect positive change for Cape Coral needs to be framed in the context of looking at the long view. Our build-out population is predicted to be approximately 450,000…a number like that demands that we think with our heads and not with our hearts.
Second, we continue without delay the construction of the central water and sewer system. It is environmentally unacceptable to have several hundred thousand people on septic systems on 10,000sqft lots…after 1972 the EPA made it illegal for any home site less than 22,000 sq ft to have a septic system.
We already have the largest residential re-use system in the country and also one of the largest desalination plants. When the north Cape reverse osmosis plant is complete we will have the largest such system in the world. We also need to transfer our fire hydrants to the potable system to give us better control over the use of irrigation water and work with the South Florida Water Management District to educate them on this issue and to allow us to set our own lawn watering times to increase system pressure.
What are your plans for controlling the costs of government services, assessments, taxes and fees to our citizens and businesses?
We need to get a handle on taxes and spending. The city’s general fund budget, where your property taxes go, has increased 60% over the past two years while the combined rate of inflation and population growth during that same period was only 20%. Unfortunately, the ad valorem millage rate did not decrease at a rate commensurate with the increase in property values. Instead we got token decreases in the millage rate that allowed our tax bills to rise three times faster than they otherwise would have.
Gov. Crist has mandated all state agencies cut 4% from their next budget and I propose we follow his lead. This past Thursday I, and the majority of my fellow councilmembers, nearly achieved that target in preliminary budgets negotiations. In the coming weeks I intend to make sure that these cuts become permanent by sponsoring the ordinance that enacts them.
In November, when a new council is seated, I plan to bring back two very important pieces of legislation that would have put spending limits on city government. One caps the rate of growth in the general fund, where your property taxes go, to be no more than the sum of the rate of inflation and population growth, while the other states that the city will not maintain a reserve fund that is greater than 10% of the current budget…meaning any surplus must be returned to the taxpayers. I supported both of these measures, but was unfortunately in the minority…hopefully a new council will change that.
What are your plans for improving the economic situation and general appeal of our city for current and future residents and businesses?
Raising the percentage of our property tax revenue generated by commercial property should be our number priority under the rubric of economic development. We need a road map to go from 8% commercial to the 15% necessary to alleviate the current residential tax burden.
This can be accomplished most effectively by rezoning land to commercial along major thoroughfares to create commercial activity centers like the very successful one at the corner of Veteran’s and Santa Barbara that contains the Publix, Target, and numerous other businesses. Beyond that, the proper use of the 2500 acre Zemel annexation abutting US41 in northeast Cape and the new mixed-use preserve land use designation associated with it should be leverage to the maximum extent possible to bring more needed business activity. Finally, the fast-tracking of major projects within the CRA such as the now-approved 12-story Cape Villagio should be a priority as well.
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?
The current city email system is the most effective way for a citizen to contact his or her council member. It provides an electronic record of the communication, hard copy for the council member to act upon (versus a phone call), and allows for it to be easily forwarded, if necessary, on to the appropriate person or department for action.
I would also like to see space made available on the city website for each council member to have a comprehensive web page where they can express their core beliefs and political philosophy, discuss issues of current concern, and reflect upon actions taken by council.
Candidate Information:
District: 2
Name: Walter G. Fluegel
Occupation: Urban Planning/Director of Planning for Heidt & Associates, Fort Myers
Website: http://www.myspace.com/walterfl
Email: wfluegel@comcast.net
Phone: 542-3396
What is your vision for the City of Cape Coral? What will the city look like after your first full term in office?
Following is a brief overview of my Vision for the City, the complete vision can be found on my campaign website: http://www.myspace.com/walterfl
Some campaigns are focused on what’s wrong with the City and offer little to no solutions for the future. I have intentionally focused my platform on a renewed sense of hope for the City that is based on a Comprehensive Vision for the future. Within the lifetime of our children or our grandchildren this City will grow to reach a population of 500,000. This election is as much about today as it is about tomorrow. All of the candidates are out campaigning hard and we are all dealing with the reality of today’s economy, as we talk about the budgetary issues of the day, it is easy to lose sight of tomorrow and the implications of how we arrived at the budgetary problems of today. The simple fact is, today’s budgetary issues are rooted in yesterday, it is partially, a result of the failure to plan in the past. Will future generations look back at us and agonize over our failure to plan, I hope not. Given the current downtrend in the market, we have the opportunity to do more planning for the future of the City. We need to develop a meaningful long-term Comprehensive Vision, including quality growth that brings jobs and long term stability to the tax base. Improving citizen perceptions of the City is a moral imperative; a government without the confidence of its people cannot effectively serve the people. The National Citizen Survey correctly identified a disconnect (the distrust factor) between the citizens and the City, we do not have a good perception of our City. This is what I will refer to as the identity crisis; the fact is we have begun the transition from a “Small Town” to a major urban center. At this crossroads we do not a have a good handle on our self-identity as we go through this transition; it is tantamount to the analogy of the typical teenager’s struggle to transition from childhood to adulthood.
Where do we go from here, it is obvious that our self-esteem as a community is in need of some major home improvements. Based upon the thoughts expressed in the National Citizen Survey and my 19 years of experience as a professional urban planner, I have developed the following core values to create a Comprehensive Vision for the City and a new sense of self-identity. It is my belief that these core values will lay the foundation for a City that is an attractive place for corporations to locate, as well as a great place to live.
The six main pillars of the Comprehensive Vision are as follows (Details on each topic can be found on my website: http://www.myspace.com/walterfl
1. 1. Growth Management, 2. Economic Development, 3. Redevelopment, 4. Citywide Beautification, 5. Public Safety and 6. Fiscal Responsibility.
The solutions that I am proposing are based in a long term vision for the City, I don’t expect all of the results to be in place after one term. However, I would expect after one term that the citizens would begin to feel a renewed sense of civic pride. Also, I would expect to see the beginnings of tree canopy along our major roadways. Also, I would expect that we will have seen recovery in the real estate market, which hopefully will translate to progress in the CRA. Most important to me, I want to see a return of citizen confidence in the City, citizens must feel like their opinions are valued at City Hall.
What do you see as the largest challenges facing the city? What are your plans for addressing these challenges?
Right now, in large part, we are the victim of a bad real estate market and since development is our main industry, we will need to focus on finding solutions that do not further exacerbate current market conditions. Also, as I mention in my Comprehensive Vision, we need to start looking beyond today and find solutions for tomorrow. We must build a long term stable tax base.
What are your plans for controlling the costs of government services, assessments, taxes and fees to our citizens and businesses?
During economic downturns, sound financial management is imperative. The City budget needs to reflect current fiscal realities facing the residents of the City. The budget should be value engineered to ensure that the residents get the most value for their tax dollar, without compromising the level of service they expect. Beyond the current fiscal crisis, we must focus on creating a long term sustainable tax base, by bringing corporations to Cape Coral, otherwise we will be caught in a perpetual cycle of fiscal crisis with every downturn in the residential real estate market.
What are your plans for improving the economic situation and general appeal of our city for current and future residents and businesses?
Provide sufficient economic incentives (such as substantial property tax abatement/rebates, expedited permitting, permit fee waivers, impact fee waiver fund, equipment reimbursement and/or cash incentives for livable wage job creation) to attract major employment generators, jobs that pay a meaningful livable wage, not a teenager’s part-time salary, i.e. jobs that don’t further exacerbate affordable housing shortages.
Creating long term stable tax base is the best method of preventing current budget issues from becoming an ongoing annual problem. It cannot be stressed enough how important the balance of the core values, identified herein, are to creating a successful economic development atmosphere, which also includes a successful Charter School System and Parks and Recreation System. The simple fact is, Corporations look at many factors when deciding where to locate and of utmost importance is whether or not the community, as a whole, is an attractive place for employees to live.
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?
Having recently read Wikinomics, I’m still learning about the potential for this new medium of communication and how it can be integrated with existing mediums of communications for citizens to provide meaningful input in the public decision making process. I will give some consideration to maintaining a blog for citizen input on the MySpace account that I’ve created for my campaign, but I have a lot to learn about this medium.
Political message approved by Walter G. Fluegel for Cape Coral City Council District 2
Candidate Information
District: 3
Name: Stan Raso
Occupation: Business owner for 25 yrs.
Website: http://www.stanrasoforcouncil.com
Email: sraso@embarqmail.com
Cell Phone: 239-834-9364
What is your vision for the City of Cape Coral?
My vision of Cape Coral would be to have a strong economy, which thrives on new and old business yet still has that feeling of a bedroom community. With a Regional Mall on Pine Island Rd and a downtown that will bring our city a competitive edge over Naples, Bonita, and Ft. Myers, so long as we do not over develop but create an ambience of retail shops, sidewalk cafés and restaurants where the aromas of foods hit you at every other corner, nightly entertainment with local galleries and the sound of jazz as you walk with family and friends that come down to visit. We have gained many new residents and we have lost many, do to high taxes and assessments and insurance rates. My vision of Cape Coral would be to control these factors at least property taxes, assessments and the budget to give the taxpayers a chance to breath. We need vision of common sense looking ahead of the curve.
What will the city look like after your first full term in office?
After my first term in office I would like to see less restrictive government on businesses and to be pro business friendly. More infrastructures to bring in white collar jobs and technology companies into the Zemal property area along Rt. 41. With the $40 million dollar expansion of Page Field Airport witch will include more commercial freight to its lineup, this would help with our infrastructure to promote business development growth. I would like to see lower taxes if possible and if not at least stabilize them for the next few years. When there is a real need to raise property taxes, make it coincide with a cost of living increase and not burden our citizens.
What do you see as the largest challenges facing the city?
One of the largest challenges facing the city is the inner working of the city management and city council. The way it handles the budget and the way they responds to the people and businesses trying to live and work here. Second, we are not getting our fair share of services and return for our tax dollars going over to Lee County.
What are your plans for addressing these challenges?
For one city council needs to take control of the budget process by setting goals of fiscal responsibility for city management. Trim the fat out of supervisory and management personal. To act independently without direction of a budget committee who has done very little for taxpayers in past and present. Let’s put together a group of volunteers with a council person to represent us with directives from city council and pressure Lee County to act responsible and credit us our fair share.
What are your plans for controlling the costs of government services, assessments, taxes and fees to our citizens and businesses?
There will always be a need for services, assessments taxes and fees to our citizens and businesses. As a council member I will vote to keep a lean government and to cut cost when ever possible also direct the city manager and is staff to do the same. We also need to pace ourselves in spending and move along with the growth of our taxes base and economy and no overspending like drunken sailors just off the boat. The city manager and the city council need to work together and have a real business type approach along with common sense and always have a back up plan incase something goes wrong.
What are your plans for improving the economic situation and general appeal of our city for current and future residents and businesses?
We need to add economic diversity in our city’s future plan. With tax incentives to lure businesses to our area reduce red tape that prolongs the opening of a new business and I’m not talking about being less restrictive on public health and safety but if a person is selling nut and bolts it shouldn’t take 6 months to sell nuts and bolts. General appeal of our city should be a safe and friendly city that keeps a combination of residential and commercial economic growth that is for the good of all those who chose to live and work or retire here. We need to keep it afford able so blue collar workers, teachers, policemen and firemen can live here as well and we do not become another Naples.
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 would like to keep a website up for citizens who are engage on the internet. We will all have email and office phone lines or you can contact me by cell phone.
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.
Candidate Information
District: District 7
Name: Chris Berardi
Occupation: Realtor
Website http://BerardiForCouncil.com
Email: Chris@BerardiForCouncil.com
Phone: 239-560-0183
What is your vision for the City of Cape Coral? What will the city look like after your first full term in office?
As the largest city between Miami and Tampa, Cape Coral must become the regional leader for commerce, transportation and recreation. We must think like a major metropolitan city, while maintaining the quality of life that has made Cape Coral “Paradise.” My vision is that Cape Coral will be a vibrant city that provides its residents with abundant, high paying job opportunities by day and shopping, dining and entertainment options in the evening.
The goals of my first term as a councilmember are; A reduction in the size and cost of government, development of a minimum of two Commercial Activity Centers, welcoming the first businesses to the Zemel Annexation Properties, completion of 10 to 12 CRA projects, widening Pine Island Road, landscaping medians of all major thoroughfares and the opening of the Chantry Canal Boat Ramp and Festival Park.
What do you see as the largest challenges facing the city? What are your plans for addressing these challenges?
The Three most important issues we must address are to Increase Economic Development, Control the Cost of our Government and Beautify our City.
In addressing Economic Development the next four years will provide us with great opportunities. We will be creating the vision for the Zemel annexation properties, developing Commercial Activity Centers, and focusing heavily on the CRA. For many of these items we will have only one chance to “Get it Right”. We also must assist our current business base in expansion efforts.
Controlling the Cost of Government must start with passage of the Ordinance I sponsored this year related to spending controls and surplus funds. I am hopeful that after November’s election we will see this ordinance passed and these items sent to referendum. In addition, we must cross-train our city employees, allow some employees to work from home, take advantage of new technology, involve the private sector to offset expenses, and examine our fleet/vehicle policies.
Beautifying our city will require median and main thoroughfare landscaping, done at little cost to the taxpayers by utilizing public/private partnerships. We must also increase code enforcement. This should be cost neutral, as violations should pay for the services provided.
What are your plans for improving the economic situation and general appeal of our city for current and future residents and businesses?
Economic development encompasses several aspects. If our local real estate and construction slowdown has taught us anything, it is that a diverse economy is vital to a healthy city. The Community Redevelopment Area, Zemel annexation properties, commercial activity centers, and Pine Island Road corridor must be developed in a way that meets the needs of our city as we grow. These projects must increase our commercial tax base from its current 8% to offset our residential tax burden and to provide the services a growing city requires. A blend of medical, education, clean industry, and small business development should be pursued. This development must blend with its residential neighbors.
Regarding the general appeal of our city, our exceptional police and fire service must continue to be supported. Development of Festival Park is an important aspect of the northern portion of our city. Median landscaping and tree canopy programs must be developed. Code enforcement efforts must be increased. Many of these issues will require the help of our residents and the partnership of our business community.
What are your plans for controlling the costs of government services, assessments, taxes and fees to our citizens and businesses?
Controlling the Cost of Government must start with passage of the Ordinance I sponsored this year related to spending controls and surplus funds. In addition, we must cross-train our city employees, allow some employees to work from home, take advantage of new technology, involve the private sector to offset expenses, and examine our fleet/vehicle policies. We must also negotiate with our Lee County Commissioners for a greater share of the taxes our residents pay to the county.
Assessments and Fees are just another way of saying “taxes”, and I do not support increases. I believe that finding efficiencies of operation and cutting unnecessary spending are much better ways to find the dollars needed to support the critical operations of our city.
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?
Currently, I utilize a “Blackberry” so that I have the ability to receive and respond to emails or phone calls instantly. I believe that blogging and podcasts will also provide outlets for communicating with our residents. Finally, although not “new technology”, I will continue to speak at any club, homeowners association, or event to which I am invited.
