Council candidates field more questions at FMB Civic Forum
After responding to questions focusing on Beach issues at the local Chamber of Commerce forum last Thursday, the three council hopefuls took another step toward the March 9 elections by answering similar inquiries at the recent Fort Myers Beach Civic Association Forum.
The candidate forum included three-minute opening and two-minute closing statements from Alan Mandel, Joe Kosinski and Larry Kiker, who is looking for re-election. Former Mayor Dennis Boback chaired the public meeting and asked the majority of the questions, which addressed the same issues as the chamber’s questions but appeared to be more in depth. The public also weighed in with their own questions when asked.
During their openings, each candidate gave a brief description on their prior history and credentials for office. Kiker said the council position revolves around overall commitment from himself, family, friends and associates. Mandel said he though he deserved the seat because of his experience from his involvement with the Local Planning Agency, the many ad-hoc committees he has served and his previous town government work in Michigan. Kosinski focused on giving a new perspective to old ideas and an innovative approach to new ones if he was elected to one of the two open seats.
During one question, Boback asked each candidate what would they do to fix the broken water system? Kiker called the issue “the highest priority,” said the current council spent “almost $300,000 putting in new valves to isolate problems” and informed that fellow council member Bob Raymond recently collected a preliminary agreement of $6.3 million federal funds for the $12 million project. Mandel, who chaired the town’s water utility ad-hoc committee, said the real problem centers on financing by stating “we need to spread the cost of a repair of this water system over 20 to 30 years.” Kosinski, an engineer who has designed water treatment facilities in Ohio, would approach FEMA on putting all utilities underground.
Another question asked the benefits of taking over the foreclosed property at Seafarer’s Mall? Each candidate thought the restructuring of Estero Boulevard would help the current traffic problem on the Beach.
“The road could go under the building while parking and retail space could be above,” said Mandel. “You might even have parking on the Gulf side. But, when you come over the bridge, you’ll be able to see the Gulf which is critical for a lot of people.”
“That one intersection ties this island up for miles,” said Kosinski. “This would be a great opportunity to at least start addressing the traffic and do something.”
“That has got to be the most strategic commercial property we have on the island, and it’s been sitting there long enough,” said Kiker. “There is an opportunity to re-look at Estero Boulevard and what may happen there.”
During closing statements, each candidate thanked the appropriate people, reiterated their intentions and asked for their respective votes. Don’t forget. Candidate elections are less than a week away on Tuesday. Go vote from anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.