Candidate endorsed by former employee
To the editor:
For almost four years, I worked for the Island Sand Paper under the tutelage of Carl Conley. When I first started covering the Fort Myers Beach government for the paper in 2006, things were quite a mess. I word that about as diplomatically as one possibly can. We had a town that struggled to find a voice outside its own municipal borders and were openly antagonistic with the other government bodies within the county. The voters decided this wasn’t the future the town needed and, in the subsequent elections, picked representatives that both listened to the town’s residents and willingly carried the Beach’s standard to the County and State on a myriad of issues ranging from freshwater releases to re-nourishment. Victories were hard fought, but Fort Myers Beach was no longer being overlooked in the bigger picture of Lee County politics.
I believe that Carl would be a great asset to the Town Council in helping it maintain the momentum it has gained over the past few years. He brings with him a depth of knowledge about the countless issues that will weigh in on the town’s progress in the decades to come. In my early days on the job, he was invaluable in helping me keep my head above water on every facet of life in this community. Whenever I had a question about how things worked down there, he was my go-to guy for the answer. He always knew someone in the town, county, or state that could shed more light onto any subject that came our way. With issues such as the water utility problem still looming on the horizon, his knowledge of the history and details of these issues will prove beneficial to the existing council, allowing him to hit the ground running alongside the rest of them.
However, the chief reason I am writing this letter is not to tell people about Carl’s qualifications. The main reason I am writing is to speak about my own experience with him. People who know me would probably agree that I am about as quiet and reserved as Carl is vocal and passionate. Yet, in my time working for him he never let his voice drown out mine. Whenever I had an opinion or advice, I would have his ear, and he gave my viewpoints due consideration. Carl has a great appreciation for people having a forum for their views, whether it is in print or at the podium. It is that advocating for speech that I find to be an essential quality for those wanting to become public servants.
In fact, it was this passion he held for free discussion that cemented my desire to pursue a career in journalism. As an intern fresh from college, full of doubt, I saw firsthand how much of a difference free press could make in the community it serves. In my first year with the paper, I saw him work tirelessly to give a voice to ideas that were being shunted to the wayside by that bygone Council of angry men. It was this effort, as well as his patience and guidance that cemented my desire to continue down this path. Even now, years after I left the paper, he still offers me help and encouragement in my pursuits.
Carl has always been there for me as a mentor, an advocate, and as a friend. I am without doubt that he will show the same loyalty and commitment to Fort Myers Beach should you cast a vote for him in a few weeks time.
Trent Townsend
Muncie, Indiana