TOWN CEOs: Beach mayors assemble at County function
Six of 11 former mayors of Fort Myers Beach congregated at the Horizon Council Industry Appreciation Luncheon last Friday.
The group was invited by current Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda, who was attending the event in official capacity and thought having a good number of former island dignitaries under one roof would be a great idea. Each FMB mayor has supported the Horizon Council Foundation, defined as the charitable 501(c)3 organization established to provide a funding vehicle for businesses to invest in the long-term economic development and vitality of Lee County, according to County records.
It was noted that this is the first time that such a large number of former Beach mayors have assembled in the same room. Besides Cereceda, former Beach mayors in attendance were Alan Mandel (2013-14); Bob Raymond (2012-13); Dennis Boback (2006-2008); Bill Van Duzer (2005) and Dan Hughes (2000-04). Larry Kiker (2008-12), Garr Reynolds (2005-06) and Ray Murphy (1999) were the only living former Beach mayors not in attendance. Kiker and Reynolds were reportedly out of town and Murphy had a family emergency. Bill Thomas (2004) and John Mulholland (2000) have since passed.
Cereceda was the first mayor after Town incorporation and served from 1995 to 1999 and has currently served in that executive role since March.
“I was really thrilled that everyone accepted the invitation. I was sorry that Ray Murphy couldn’t be there, and I was unable to get in touch with Garr Reynolds,” said Cereceda. “I don’t think all of the mayors have sat at a table together ever. It’s something that needs to happen on a regular basis. You have all this institutional knowledge of Fort Myers Beach together. The things that happened under each of their leadership is what got us here today.”
Each former Beach mayor in attendance was asked about their most favorite or interesting accomplishment while in office. All have played a major role in Town functions.
“My council passed the water referendum so that the town could finance rebuilding the water system,” said Boback.
“While I was chairman of Metropolitan Planning Organization, the town had the pre-stages of financing for Estero Boulevard approved by the MPO,” said Raymond.
“I think probably one of the most interesting was obtaining the submerged land lease from (former Florida Gov.) Jeb Bush and his cabinet for our mooring field as well as the acquisition of the Mound House and the Newton property,” said Hughes.
Van Duzer was the standing mayor when Hurricane Charley passed through and caused its destruction. He joked about the post-storm reaction, then remembered about his Local Planning Agency participation when he and Hughes were original members and established the land development code.
“I ran for re-election after Charley and got beat by Charley, Charley Meador, Jr.,” he quipped. “When the Town incorporated, I thought, ‘oh crap, I have to get involved.’ That’s when I signed up for the LPA. The minute I lost my seat on Council, I went back on the LPA. I think my greatest remembrance of my service was the LPA.”
Infrastructure projects was the answer for Mandel, a former mayor and current councilman.
“With the Council, I would have to say approval for infrastructure projects Estero Boulevard, potable water replacement and storm water management as well as change in FEMA rates for flood insurance rates on the Beach,” he said.
Since she was mayor of the first Council, Cereceda had a list to ponder, but narrowed it down to adopting the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Community Redevelopment, street-scape master plan and the Times Square pedestrian plaza.
“I guess in the scheme of things, the Comp Plan was the most important thing we accomplished, because it involved so much community involvement. It was such an arduous task but with a lot of buy-in,” she said. “We did a lot of planning and forward thinking back then by looking to the future. During this second go-round, I think that is what is missing right now. We seem to be doing more reacting to the present then we are looking to the future, and that is a mistake. I think little by little you will see change.”
The duty of Beach mayors is to serve as council chairpersons during meetings and as the head of municipal government for the purpose of execution of legal documents as required by ordinance.
Awards given at the Horizon Council Industry Appreciation Luncheon included Newcomer Award (Hertz); Large General Business (LeeSar); Small General Business (Mark Loren Designs); Manufacturing (Fusion Metalworks); Tourism (Enterprise Holdings); Information Technology (CenturyLink); and Lifetime Achievement (Robbie Roepstorff).
According to County records, Roepstorff has been involved with both the Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation for nearly two decades, serving in several capacities and leading in some of groups’ most successful initiatives.
“I am very, very humbled. The Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation is what makes Lee County so strong,” she said. ” The Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation truly makes a difference.”