BOCC hopefuls field questions at forum
Eight candidates vying for two seats on the Lee County Board of County Commission answered many Beach-related questions at the Legislative Committee of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce “Commotion by the Ocean” forum at Town Hall on Fort Myers Beach last Wednesday.
BOCC District 1 hopefuls Chris Berardi, Bob Chilmonik, Mike Jackson and recently appointed Commissioner John Manning as well as District 2 applicants Sonny Haas, Cecil Pendergrass, Dick Ripp and incumbent Brian Bigelow sandwiched their responses to the chamber panelist questions between opening and closing comments at the political event held in the FMB Town Council’s chambers located at 2523 Estero Boulevard. The primary election is set for Aug. 24.
During their opening introductions, all of the candidates expressed their viewpoints about why they are running. Here is a capsule look at those comments followed by condensed answers to some of the questions which were asked and a summation of closing remarks.
1. Opening views
n Berardi – “I believe in the principles of lower taxes, less spending and smaller government. We cannot stand for increases in the millage rate. I believe in creating jobs and helping businesses create jobs.”
n Chilmonik – “The big issues are spending, taxes, millage rates, borrowing and job creation. I can assure you to be open, transparent and to let you know how your hard-earned dollars are being spent.”
n Jackson – “We need to control spending and grow our economy, and I’m concerned about protecting our environment. We need to rebuild trust in government because I believe we need to make government accountable.”
n Manning – “I’ve had a lot of dealings with the people on Fort Myers Beach when it was unincorporated. There are a lot of issues since incorporation that we need to address (specifically) Estero Boulevard.”
n Haas – “We’re concerned about (Estero Boulevard) and the traffic on Fort Myers Beach. It has to be taken care of so that we can service the area. I have always stood for fire service consolidation.”
n Pendergrass – “I want to have a working relationship between the cities and the county. I’m really concerned about the Beach issues. We need a five-year plan (for Estero Boulevard) to provide funding for the city of Fort Myers Beach.”
n Ripp – “I have a long and proven track record of accomplishments as an effective team player. I’ve invested over 2,000 hours of my own time seeking to learn the job and to earn your vote.”
n Bigelow – “I have advocated strongly on behalf of the Town of Fort Myers Beach. This road is in a deplorable condition. It is 15 years behind in the improvements stage. It should be done by now.”
2. Questions
a) For District 1 candidates: Do you believe there is a good working relationship with the Town and, if not satisfactory, what would you do to improve it?
n Chilmonik – “The best way is to attend as many public functions and go to as many meetings as possible.”
n Jackson – “We need opportunities for the community to tell the county board what the priorities are and solve problems together.”
n Manning – “It’s important to keep an open door. I believe very strongly in dual communication between county and city.”
n Berardi – “I plan to hold monthly town hall meetings throughout Lee County, so that the residents get a chance to talk to me in their setting in their community.”
b) For District 2 candidates: Do you favor a possible express trolley lane from Summerlin Square to the Beach?
n Bigelow – “We need to re-prioritize how we move around from the mainland onto the Beach. I’d like to reintroduce street cars.”
n Haas – “I’m in favor. We need a great stage to park everybody and a great service with fees and profits shared.”
n Pendergrass – “I would support the trolley system, but we need a five-year plan for road improvements to create a more livable, bikable, walkable community.”
n Ripp – “Yes, we need to help with the traffic situation. The trolley and the roads are the most important.”
c) For District 1 candidates: Based on Lee County closing on Seafarer’s Mall and the vacant beach property across the street, what should happen to the property?
n Berardi – “A passive area with trees and beach access.”
n Chilmonik – “To restore it to its natural state if possible.”
n Jackson – “To make it available to enjoy through a collaboration between the community and Lee County.”
n Manning – “Regarding Seafarer’s property, to assist Beach in ingress and egress on and off island.”
d) For District 2 candidates: Regarding the shrimp industry on San Carlos Island, should the county take steps to better its survival and how?
n Pendergrass – “We need to help the ecosystem of the water to increase the business of the shrimpers.”
n Ripp – “We need to put more effort in saving our existing businesses and investing in our existing resources.”
n Bigelow – “The problem is folks are decimating mangrove forests to build shrimp farms. We need places where they can farm closer to home.
n Haas – “We need to help them keep their costs down for their business, maintenance and fuel, so they can shrimp in our backyard.”
Closing remarks
n Manning – “Fort Myers Beach is an integral part of Lee County. These are tough times. I’m going to look for a common ground on issues of importance to both the Town of Fort Myers Beach and Lee County.”
n Jackson – “If it were of interest to the community to try to find a fairer way to distribute money based on population, I suggest to you the county board should be a partner in doing that. We need lean government but not mean government.”
n Chimonik – “The county commission needs to promote (Fort Myers Beach) across the world. We need to streamline the processes that we have in government to ensure that small businesses receive what they need to be successful.”
n Berardi – “I think rolling back spending and cutting our budget is the key to this race and improving Lee County in many years to come. We must give more of the money you earn back to you. We must make it easier for businesses to be able to open and provide jobs.”
n Bigelow – “Controversy is where the action is. Without conflict of ideas, we aren’t going to advance. I ask hard questions. I demand real answers. I’m a passionate conservationist who believes we need to preserve the environment.
I’m here to defend the small man who doesn’t have a voice.”
n Ripp – “Lee County is hemorrhaging money. We are over taxed. I have the experience, the qualifications and the proven track record to give you the representation you deserve. I have a long-term, positive record of accomplishments of being a team player.”
n Pendergrass – “Fort Myers Beach is the most important part of the county. I can be the strong voice for the county commission. I will ask questions with methodology and passion and, at the end of the day, I will have a working relationship with every city in this county, with every county leader and county department head.”
n Haas – “I’m a life-long resident who farmed in my early years. We’ve got to bring back our quality of life in Lee County, especially on Fort Myers Beach, like the way it used to be. We need to participate in our communities and put more thought in our decisions and our public service.”
The Beach chamber panel featured board members Marilyn Stout, Carl Conley, Marguerite Burns, Roxie Smith, Fran Myers, Ellis Etter, Suzanne Bartels, Ann Alsop, Bill Van Duzer, Jennifer Seaborn and Andrew Cochrane, the chamber’s 2010 chairman of the board. Questions were asked by Beach Elementary students Gabriel Lincoln and Bridget Myers as well. FMB Chamber President John Albion was the master of ceremonies for the event.
The nonpolitical chamber’s Commotion by the Ocean event began in the early 1980s on top of the Lani Kai, after taking it over from the American Business Women’s Association. It has been offered as a public service to the community for more than 20 years by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee. This particular chamber event was the first without the late D.J. (Petro) Petruccelli as its time keeper.
BOCC hopefuls field questions at forum
Eight candidates vying for two seats on the Lee County Board of County Commission answered many Beach-related questions at the Legislative Committee of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce “Commotion by the Ocean” forum at Town Hall on Fort Myers Beach Wednesday.
BOCC District 1 hopefuls Chris Berardi, Bob Chilmonik, Mike Jackson and recently appointed Commissioner John Manning as well as District 2 applicants Sonny Haas, Cecil Pendergrass, Dick Ripp and incumbent Brian Bigelow sandwiched their responses to the chamber panelist questions between opening and closing comments at the political event held in the FMB Town Council’s chambers located at 2523 Estero Boulevard. The primary election is set for Aug. 24.
During their opening introductions, all of the candidates expressed their viewpoints about why they are running. Here is a capsule look at those comments followed by condensed answers to some of the questions which were asked and a summation of closing remarks.
1. Opening views
– Berardi – “I believe in the principles of lower taxes, less spending and smaller government. We cannot stand for increases in the millage rate. I believe in creating jobs and helping businesses create jobs.”
– Chilmonik – “The big issues are spending, taxes, millage rates, borrowing and job creation. I can assure you to be open, transparent and to let you know how your hard-earned dollars are being spent.”
– Jackson – “We need to control spending and grow our economy, and I’m concerned about protecting our environment. We need to rebuild trust in government because I believe we need to make government accountable.”
– Manning – “I’ve had a lot of dealings with the people on Fort Myers Beach when it was unincorporated. There are a lot of issues since incorporation that we need to address (specifically) Estero Boulevard.”
– Haas – “We’re concerned about (Estero Boulevard) and the traffic on Fort Myers Beach. It has to be taken care of so that we can service the area. I have always stood for fire service consolidation.”
– Pendergrass – “I want to have a working relationship between the cities and the county. I’m really concerned about the Beach issues. We need a five-year plan (for Estero Boulevard) to provide funding for the city of Fort Myers Beach.”
– Ripp – “I have a long and proven track record of accomplishments as an effective team player. I’ve invested over 2,000 hours of my own time seeking to learn the job and to earn your vote.”
– Bigelow – “I have advocated strongly on behalf of the Town of Fort Myers Beach. This road is in a deplorable condition. It is 15 years behind in the improvements stage. It should be done by now.”
2. Questions
a) For District 1 candidates: Do you believe there is a good working relationship with the Town and, if not satisfactory, what would you do to improve it?
– Chilmonik – “The best way is to attend as many public functions and go to as many meetings as possible.”
– Jackson – “We need opportunities for the community to tell the county board what the priorities are and solve problems together.”
– Manning – “It’s important to keep an open door. I believe very strongly in dual communication between county and city.”
– Berardi – “I plan to hold monthly town hall meetings throughout Lee County, so that the residents get a chance to talk to me in their setting in their community.”
b) For District 2 candidates: Do you favor a possible express trolley lane from Summerlin Square to the Beach?
– Bigelow – “We need to re-prioritize how we move around from the mainland onto the Beach. I’d like to reintroduce street cars.”
– Haas – “I’m in favor. We need a great stage to park everybody and a great service with fees and profits shared.”
– Pendergrass – “I would support the trolley system, but we need a five-year plan for road improvements to create a more livable, bikable, walkable community.”
– Ripp – “Yes, we need to help with the traffic situation. The trolley and the roads are the most important.”
c) For District 1 candidates: Based on Lee County closing on Seafarer’s Mall and the vacant beach property across the street, what should happen to the property?
– Berardi – “A passive area with trees and beach access.”
– Chilmonik – “To restore it to its natural state if possible.”
– Jackson – “To make it available to enjoy through a collaboration between the community and Lee County.”
– Manning – “Regarding Seafarer’s property, to assist Beach in ingress and egress on and off island.”
d) For District 2 candidates: Regarding the shrimp industry on San Carlos Island, should the county take steps to better its survival and how?
– Pendergrass – “We need to help the ecosystem of the water to increase the business of the shrimpers.”
– Ripp – “We need to put more effort in saving our existing businesses and investing in our existing resources.”
– Bigelow – “The problem is folks are decimating mangrove forests to build shrimp farms. We need places where they can farm closer to home.
– Haas – “We need to help them keep their costs down for their business, maintenance and fuel, so they can shrimp in our backyard.”
Closing remarks
– Manning – “Fort Myers Beach is an integral part of Lee County. These are tough times. I’m going to look for a common ground on issues of importance to both the Town of Fort Myers Beach and Lee County.”
– Jackson – “If it were of interest to the community to try to find a fairer way to distribute money based on population, I suggest to you the county board should be a partner in doing that. We need lean government but not mean government.”
– Chimonik – “The county commission needs to promote (Fort Myers Beach) across the world. We need to streamline the processes that we have in government to ensure that small businesses receive what they need to be successful.”
– Berardi – “I think rolling back spending and cutting our budget is the key to this race and improving Lee County in many years to come. We must give more of the money you earn back to you. We must make it easier for businesses to be able to open and provide jobs.”
– Bigelow – “Controversy is where the action is. Without conflict of ideas, we aren’t going to advance. I ask hard questions. I demand real answers. I’m a passionate conservationist who believes we need to preserve the environment.
I’m here to defend the small man who doesn’t have a voice.”
– Ripp – “Lee County is hemorrhaging money. We are over taxed. I have the experience, the qualifications and the proven track record to give you the representation you deserve. I have a long-term, positive record of accomplishments of being a team player.”
– Pendergrass – “Fort Myers Beach is the most important part of the county. I can be the strong voice for the county commission. I will ask questions with methodology and passion and, at the end of the day, I will have a working relationship with every city in this county, with every county leader and county department head.”
– Haas – “I’m a life-long resident who farmed in my early years. We’ve got to bring back our quality of life in Lee County, especially on Fort Myers Beach, like the way it used to be. We need to participate in our communities and put more thought in our decisions and our public service.”
The Beach chamber panel featured board members Marilyn Stout, Carl Conley, Marguerite Burns, Roxie Smith, Fran Myers, Ellis Etter, Suzanne Bartels, Ann Alsop, Bill Van Duzer, Jennifer Seaborn and Andrew Cochrane, the chamber’s 2010 chairman of the board. Questions were asked by Beach Elementary students Gabriel Lincoln and Bridget Myers as well. FMB Chamber President John Albion was the master of ceremonies for the event.
The nonpolitical chamber’s Commotion by the Ocean event began in the early 1980s on top of the Lani Kai, after taking it over from the American Business Women’s Association. It has been offered as a public service to the community for more than 20 years by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee. This particular chamber event was the first without the late D.J. (Petro) Petruccelli as its time keeper.