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Mayor asks Chamber members to be community minded

4 min read

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker delivered a short and encouraging message during his speech at the Greater FMB Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Biddle’s Restaurant & Piano Bar at 20351 Summerlin Rd.

After discussing the recession cycle the country has endured, Kiker told the business-oriented audience that leadership in the community is how one fights through the rough times.

“The pain of a recession is real,” he said. “The only way we are going to get through this is by leadership. Look across the room, your competitors may be your best resource and these vendors may be your best friend. Leadership in this room on a local level is what it’s all about.”

Kiker was impressed by how the community worked together at the March 19 all-day meeting.

“Most recently, we held a town hall meeting with the help of Al and Kathy Durrett and several folks,” he said. “We invited all the not-for-profit organizations to put in booths and ended up with 19. It was amazing to walk around that circle and get the feeling of why our community works the way it does and why we’re as successful as we are as a town.”

The mayor then discussed the town council’s progress.

“The council that I represent has done one thing probably better than I would have ever expected by recognizing the resources in our community,” said Kiker. “Our community has many, many retired CEOs and CFOs. These are people that have held executive level positions. We have a wealth of knowledge.

“This council has started working with (the town manager) to form ad-hoc committees where we are actually reaching out to the community. We’re finding out that the resources we have are so valuable. It’s really an impressive thing.”

Kiker then gave an example of how slow government works by comparing the agenda from a 1998 town council meeting to the one presented at last week’s meeting. The two agendas focused on the same topics of concern.

“Things change that fast,” he joked.

Kiker then recognized certain people in the room who are responsible for changing that philosophy and insinuated the long-term agenda issues may be resolved or may be closer to being resolved by the end of the current council’s reign.

n Town manager Scott Janke, his staff and the town council for recently wiping out a $700,000 deficit on the town’s $10 million budget.

n Councilman Bob Raymond for spearheading an Estero Boulevard project which will begin soon and will show results with streetscape trees; storm water management; utilities; bicycle paths; sidewalks on both sides of the street; and trolley pull-offs.

n Councilperson Jo List for her role as caretaker for the beach children. She is encouraging them to become community leaders – i.e. the junior council – at their young ages. List also is a liaison between town and county over the acquisition of Bay Oaks recreation facilities.

n Kiker acknowledged Vice Mayor Herb Acken for being instrumental during an interlocal agreement with Lee County over Beach Nourishment – another long-term ongoing process that may be close to being settled.

Councilman Tom Babcock is the point man in resolving the aircraft issues that have affected many Beach residents. His voice is being heard and flight patterns over the beach are expected to be redirected soon.

Kiker then told his listeners about a water system that was bought for $3 million and needs $7 million for repair. The council will be taking this issue to a referendum so that the public will have a chance to review it and then make a decision.

“What it really comes down to is communication,” said Kiker. “I think this council has done a great job at communicating.”

Kiker reflected on his recent trip to Tallahassee and his past three years serving on the council and the Local Planning Agency.

“We have caught so much havoc from so many because our millage rate is so low and that this town hasn’t stepped up to the responsibilities to gather money to raise it,” he said. “But, if you take a look at the millage rates and debt rates of other municipalities around the state, they’re in a heap of deep sneakers. This town is in position to turn on a dime because our debt is so low and has been managed so well that all the grief that we’ve been taking is now turning in to be a shining star for the state and, I think, for the country.”

Kiker finished by directing his attention to everyone in the room and the community.

“We recognize you,” he said. ‘We recognize the public and their resources. We need you.”