Cereceda steps aside, Boback takes mayor seat
During his campaign, Dennis Boback consistently reminded voters that very little learning curve would be required for him.
The fact he was formerly mayor between 2006 and 2008 likely served him well during his run for Town Council last week, and it certainly did on Monday when he took the mayor’s seat just six days after being elected.
“It’s great to be back,” said Boback, who was the only council member nominated as mayor. “I’m honored and ready to get to work.”
Each year, the five-person council votes on who will serve as mayor. Anita Cereceda, the current mayor of two years, surprised some by saying “it’s time for a change” in the opening moments of Monday’s meeting, letting her peers know she was not interested in a nomination.
Boback, who was elected mayor during a reorganizing just a few months after being elected to council in 2005, joins Cereceda as the only people to serve as mayor after an extended absence from council. For Boback, it was eight years. For Cereceda, who was the town’s first mayor in 1995 through 1998, it was a 16-year break.
Cereceda’s decision to step aside will in no way limit her efforts, she said.
“My focus is and always has been what’s best for Fort Myers Beach,” said Cereceda, whose three-year council term expires next year. “Whether I’m sitting as mayor or not I will continue to do the same work I was elected to do.
“It’s a good thing to embrace everyone’s point of view. That’s what kind of town this is. I have personal relationships with several of the council members and there was no reason for me to make the transition difficult because that simply wouldn’t have served the residents of this town. It’s going to be a dynamic year ahead and I think we’re all up to the challenge.”
Boback said he did not have his sights set on the mayoral role as he arrived for his first council meeting.
“It’s just what happened, it’s just how it played out,” he said. “If anything, I thought maybe (fellow new council member) Tracey (Gore) would be named mayor because she got the most (election) votes.”
Like Cereceda, Boback said the seat he holds won’t impact his approach to being a council member.
“I’m just up here doing the people’s work,” he said. “Whether or not I’m mayor doesn’t make a difference.”
The mayor position on Fort Myers Beach is mostly ceremonial, as described in the town’s charter, however the position has evolved. For example, the mayor joins Lee County’s other five mayors (Sanibel, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Estero and Bonita Springs) for a meeting that occurs at least monthly.
Meanwhile, council member Summer Stockton moved to vice mayor, her being the only nominee. She replaces Dan Andre, who was not re-elected to a second term. Alan Mandel also left the council Monday, as his term expired after six years.
Cereceda steps aside, Boback takes mayor seat
During his campaign, Dennis Boback consistently reminded voters that very little learning curve would be required for him.
The fact he was formerly mayor between 2005 and 2008 likely served him well during his run for Town Council last week, and it certainly did on Monday when he took the mayor’s seat just six days after being elected.
“It’s great to be back,” said Boback, who was the only council member nominated as mayor. “I’m honored and ready to get to work.”
Each year, the five-person council votes on who will serve as mayor. Anita Cereceda, the current mayor of two years, surprised some by saying “it’s time for a change” in the opening moments of Monday’s meeting, letting her peers know she was not interested in a nomination.
Boback, who was elected mayor during a reorganizing just a few months after being elected to council in 2005, joins Cereceda as the only people to serve as mayor after an extended absence from council. For Boback, it was eight years. For Cereceda, who was the town’s first mayor in 1995 through 1998, it was a 16-year break.
Cereceda’s decision to step aside will in no way limit her efforts, she said.
“My focus is and always has been what’s best for Fort Myers Beach,” said Cereceda, whose three-year council term expires next year. “Whether I’m sitting as mayor or not I will continue to do the same work I was elected to do.
“It’s a good thing to embrace everyone’s point of view. That’s what kind of town this is. I have personal relationships with several of the council members and there was no reason for me to make the transition difficult because that simply wouldn’t have served the residents of this town. It’s going to be a dynamic year ahead and I think we’re all up to the challenge.”
Boback said he did not have his sights set on the mayoral role as he arrived for his first council meeting.
“It’s just what happened, it’s just how it played out,” he said. “If anything, I thought maybe (fellow new council member) Tracey (Gore) would be named mayor because she got the most (election) votes.”
Like Cereceda, Boback said the seat he holds won’t impact his approach to being a council member.
“I’m just up here doing the people’s work,” he said. “Whether or not I’m mayor doesn’t make a difference.”
The mayor position on Fort Myers Beach is mostly ceremonial, as described in the town’s charter, however the position has evolved. For example, the mayor joins Lee County’s other five mayors (Sanibel, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Estero and Bonita Springs) for a meeting that occurs at least monthly.
Meanwhile, council member Summer Stockton moved to vice mayor, her being the only nominee. She replaces Dan Andre, who was not re-elected to a second term. Alan Mandel also left the council Monday, as his term expired after six years.