Q&A: The mayor talks Grand Resorts, the charter referendum, and more
The job of mayor of Fort Myers Beach is one of great demand, and Anita Cereceda is no stranger to that life. The Observer caught up with her this week for an exclusive Q&A.
Q: You are in your sixth year as a Fort Myers Beach mayor, with a 14-year break between your first and current role. Instead of waiting for the book, we’ll ask you now – how is your recent mayoral experience different than the first?
A: “At the heart of the experience I’d say it’s exactly the same. I believed I could do something positive for my community so I threw my hat in the ring. It’s in the details that it gets different very quickly. Twenty years ago I knew little about governing and even less about what would face us as we attempted to create this town. That blind faith helped tremendously. I was working with extraordinary people who I had great confidence in and we forged our way to a pretty good start, I think. Now, I have more experience, faith that’s anything but blind, and 20 years of issues at our feet to deal with. I guess I’d say this time it’s much more complicated.”
Q: Grand Resorts, beach-chair vendors, stormwater fees, etc. In your time as mayor, have the past three months been the most challenging?
A: “I think our greatest challenges are just on the horizon and it’s going to take calm and cool heads to get us through them. Stormwater was, and is, very challenging because of the nature and complexity of the issue. It’s a project that simply had to have action taken because of the health and safety issues around it, not to mention it has been a council priority for at least the last 10 years. The beach-chair rental discussions were necessary to protect the public’s access to enjoyment of our beaches and to manage the proliferation and commercialization of the beachfront. The Grand Resorts proposal will certainly be the most difficult thing to deal with when it comes before the council and the LPA (Local Planning Agency) because of the sheer magnitude of the proposal. That will likely be the most challenging period for me and for everyone on the island.”
Q: On March 15, voters will be asked to consider 21 questions regarding the town’s charter. Which one is most important in your mind?
A: “Without a doubt the question that asks our voters to change the town’s ability to issue long-term debt. I would scrap every other question to have our folks give this issue their undivided attention. It is critical for this to pass and the change to be made. Just think of it from the point of view of your own home or business. You want to have every resource available to make the best decision possible. Our hands are tied with this provision and the result is that it costs the taxpayers of this community money. I cannot find another city with this restriction. Whether you like the town government or not, this is a dollars and sense question and the cost savings answer is to change this provision.”
Q: Questions regarding term limits are on the referendum, but the fact the mayor is voted for by the council each and every year isn’t. You could no longer be mayor in a few weeks even though you are not up for council re-election until 2017. Isn’t the fact you or any mayor can be voted out every year a daunting concept in the name of keeping consistency?
A: “It seems to have served us thus far, but the question of consistency certainly has been raised. It’s personality too — everyone has their own way of doing things. Being the mayor certainly is a great honor and a great responsibility. It’s the most humbling thing I’ve ever done and I appreciate being chosen by the council to serve in that capacity. The Charter Review Committee members did discuss this and they chose to leave it as it is. I trust their judgment.”
Q: When the town was founded in 1995 you were the first mayor and then the role was considered somewhat “ceremonial.” Clearly, that is no longer the case, especially when you consider the county’s mayors meet in official capacities. Should the mayor be elected by the citizens rather than just five council members?
A: “Actually our charter describes the mayor as ‘ceremonial’ in nature. We have a council/manager form of government, which works well for our town. All five council members bring something to the table and to our citizens of the town. I like that equality. I know my vote is the same as Summer’s (Stockton) or Rexann’s (Hosafros), Alan’s (Mandel) or Dan’s (Andre). I don’t think it would be healthy for us to change that.”
Q: On to Grand Resorts. Have you ever seen a topic that has caused such emotion and/or divisiveness?
A: “Yes. When the town incorporated we certainly lived through a very divisive time, simply enduring that process. There were people on both sides of the issue, and many more in the middle, who were fearful of the change it would bring. During that first year we also contemplated a moratorium on all building within the town limits while we were working on the comprehensive plan. But let me say one thing – it isn’t that the issues are necessarily ‘divisive,’ it’s that this community cares deeply about everything that happens here and we voice our opinions. We get through it, we figure it out.”
Q: Seven people are vying for two council seats next month. Are you concerned that voters will only consider the candidates’ stance on Grand Resorts as their reason for support?
A: “No. I think it’s certainly a topic for discussion, as it should be in its proper context, but this is an extremely discerning community. I would never underestimate the voters on Fort Myers Beach. To choose someone on their stance on any single issue leaves you vulnerable to their stance on everything else. We lived though that before, after Hurricane Charley.”
Q: Someday, you will most likely be one of the people voting on a Grand Resorts application. If you had to vote today, how would you vote?
A: “I cannot answer that. It would be unfair to the people I represent and unfair to Grand Resorts. As a member of the council, this application will come before us in a quasi-judicial public hearing. My job is to have an open mind when that happens and to make my decision based upon the evidence brought forward in that hearing. That’s the rule. That’s my – our – obligation. Telling you how I feel about it now only compromises my ability to do that in the future. Having said that, it’s really hard to do though! Everyone wants to ask me about it and I tell them what I can. Most of all I ask them to be patient and wait to see what the application looks like when it finally is made.”
Q: Should Grand Resorts, which will likely be asking for variances from the town’s comprehensive plan, be an island-wide referendum vote instead of a council vote?
A: “No. This case will be studied by the members of our LPA and the Town Council and there will be public hearings in front of both bodies, at which point the public will be heard.”
Q: You own two businesses in Times Square, just feet from where the Grand Resorts complex would end. What do you say to those who suggest you’d personally benefit financially from a Grand Resorts reality?
A: “I understand their concern. All I can do is say that my businesses have never – not in 1995 and not now – been a part of any decision I’ve made as a member of the council. There are a few guys in Times Square that remember when the town did the CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) project that ultimately created the pedestrian plaza and closed that section of Estero Boulevard. My parents both had businesses there at the time. They, and other friends of mine, were terrified we would put them all out of business. I’ve made decisions that have helped businesses and made some that have burdened them, but ultimately making the decision based upon what was the right thing to do. I can’t say anything more than that.”
(Editor’s note: A CRA sets aside future increases in property values to support economic development).
Q: A common battle cry has been “leave our beach alone.” However, the Grand Resorts developer has already purchased more than $30 million in downtown property. Is the possibility of nothing happening at all even in play here?
A: “I spoke to a group of residents at Town Hall last week and I told them, ‘When I was asked a similar question, that if someone told them they would stop all development, that they were likely being untruthful.’ The (Tom) Torgerson (Grand Resorts) group has rights to build on the property they have amassed. Whether that development looks like what we’ve seen in recent presentations or not remains to be seen. What I also said to the same group of residents was that I thought it would be irresponsible of us not to engage in this discussion and simply say no.”
Q: It’s hard to think of a time period more crucial for good leadership than when the town was first established, but the here and now seems to be of undeniable importance. Is it?
A: “The importance of this period of our history cannot be underestimated. Much like our incorporation, these next few years will challenge our leaders to decide what Fort Myers Beach will be for our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Those decisions way heavy on me because as campaign time is upon us, and flyers start to appear in the mailbox, this isn’t just about one project or whether not to allow it or not. This is about the change that we see all up and down our island and in our surrounding communities. As much as many of us would like time to stand still, it won’t. It hasn’t already.”
Q: How are you holding up? Is there such a thing as energized and exhausted all at once? And in a year you’ll have to decide whether or not you’ll run for council again. What’s your prediction?
A: “I’m holding up just as well as the rest of the council. We all have so many responsibilities and other jobs to do. Yes, there is such a thing as being energized and exhausted all at once. I’ve been so privileged to serve this town not once, but twice, and will continue to do the best job I can. But as to what lies ahead next year, I can’t see that far.”