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www.Naples.BuyAbbey.com
STEPHEN E. PASCUCCI
MD, FACS

www.bonitaeye.com
Burton Golumbic, DDS
www.BonitaSpringsSmiles
CONTE DENTAL
ASSOCIATES

CREATING BEAUTIFUL
HEALTHY SMILES



David P. Browne, P. A.
___________________
Wills
Trusts
Estates
Tax Planning
239- 498-1191
Sharon Grabau
Realtor
     SMART
      INDUSTRIES
Hurricane Protection

www,StormSmart
Bonita Bay
Resident
Harwick Homes
     Premier Home Builder
Philharmonic
Center
for the Arts

Premier / Sotheby's
International Realty
www.BonitaSpringsNaples.com
Connie
& Max
Lummis
Jeffrey Leach
Senior Portfolio Manager
Senior Vice President
Financial Advisor
239-449-7835
WIEBEL, HENNELLS
& CARUFE
Certified Public Accountants
www.whc-cpas
SPA & BOUTIQUE
Lezgus, inc

Plumbing Repair

239-992-2228

Place of Birth- Cleveland, Ohio

Date of Birth- February 26, 1942

Educational Background- Shaker Heights, Ohio 1961, Attended University of Miami 1962-63, and Ashland College (now University) for several courses.

Professional Background- Manufacturers Representative 1967-1982; 1982-92 Ace Copy Equipment, Ft. Myers, Fl./Columbus, Oh. Regional Manager/Owner;
1993-2005 Owner J & M Air Conditioning, Ft. Myers,Fl., 45 years Sales and Marketing experience.

Current Occupation- Realtor Associate w/John R. Wood Realtors, Inc.

What organizations do you currently belong to? How about past affiliations?
Serve on the City of Bonita Springs Board for Land Use Hearings and Adjustments and Zoning Board of Appeals 2009 to present.

Bonita Estero Area Realtors Association and serve as Building Committee Chairman.

Since 2005, Member of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce Presidents Club and a 2007 graduate of the Chamber Leadership Bonita program.

Advisory Board member of the Bonita Springs Community Fund since 2009.

A member of the South Lee County Hospital Committee 2008 to present.

Serve as and active member of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs and former member of its Board of Directors 2005 to present.

Resident of Bonita Bay since 1993 and recently completed serving on the Homeowners Transition Committee where we successfully converted Community management from the Developer to the Homeowners.

Since 2001, I have served on the Board of the Cracker Cove Homeowners Association and as its President since 2003.

Do you have a Vision for Bonita Springs?
I want to create a community in SW Florida that other cities will point to as the model city where they “do it right”.

What are the most important issues facing Bonita Springs in the next four years?
1. Finding new sources of revenue to supplement our Ad Valorem Tax base that has declined as a result of devaluation of properties within the city. This will enable the City to maintain current services levels and remain on track for other budgeted and planned projects. One possibility may be expansion of the local Dog Track to include Casino games. There good be considerable benefits to the City from such a movement. 

2.  Working with the Chamber, County and other entities to locate new business’  to fill much of the vacant Office, Retail and flex space properties, which will create more employment.  Once that is accomplished we will need to address the issue of creating more affordable housing within the City of Bonita Springs.

What makes you different than the other candidates?
I am a longtime involved resident and to serve as your Councilman, my varied past and present involvement in the community plus business and managerial experience gives me an understanding of the needs of all of the Bonita residents. I  also do not have any further Government aspirations than to serve my District and City in this capacity.

Gated community residents pay additional fees/taxes for sewer lines, roads, police protection, etc. Is that fair? If not, how do you propose paying for it?
Those residents make the choice to live in a gated community and as such understand that there will be services that the City provides that are duplicated by their communities and our willing to pay a premium for the comfort of residing in a gated environment. One example is that within Bonita Bay we have Sheriff patrols, funded by the Community Association in addition.


How do you plan to implement that Vision?
Continuing the positive leadership through a business friendly City Government, visionary Chamber of Commerce leadership; and input from many of retired former leaders of business living here.


Do you favor aggressive economic development in the Bonita Springs/Estero geographic area? e.g. investment in new business and expanding existing business.
Absolutely! And as you point out, economic development does not stop at the city or county line. What is good for Bonita will also benefit Estero and South Lee County, Northern Collier and vice versa.

Do you favor investment/development of the old 41 corridor? If so, what are your priorities?
Times have changed and we need to revisit the Old 41 Redevelopment plan and re-evaluate the overall plan. Until such time as Bonita’s revenues improve we will be limited on the amount of financial aid that can be given to the area. Bonita officials have to be made more aware of the difficulties facing local businesses in today’s economy and not put additional financial burden upon them.

What can be done about The Promenade? What about the empty Target Store in Bonita Bay Plaza?
To single out specific properties is not the City’s responsibility. Overall economic development cooperation with City, County, and State and Chamber involvement is of paramount importance.  

The St. Matthews House issue remains unresolved after several years of consideration. What is your position on whether or not to go ahead with the program?
Currently there isn’t a plan in place, so I can’t make any comments until such time as a new proposal is presented.

Should a new Library be constructed or expand the present one?
Brick and Mortar libraries are the Dinosaur of future, as is the printed page; and the DVD, two of the most popular current uses of the library. With the age of computerization, Kindles, I Pads etc. I’m not in favor of investing all of the money in the current Pine Ave property.
My plan for the future and use for the allocated monies is a series of satellite libraries. These facilities will be located around the city, close to the neighborhoods; would utilize existing vacant buildings and would require minimal staffing. The Bonita Springs library of the future will have public meeting rooms, banks of computers and comfortable reading rooms for residents to enjoy their daily newspapers. For those wanting access to published books and other documents they would be able to “order in” for pick up at their neighborhood “branch” at a later time.

Do you have any thoughts about the Beach Renourishment Project? Who should pay for it-the city tax payers or the beach property owners?
Beaches are for the public and as such renourishment expense should be a Budget line item.

What should be done about the unpaved roads in Bonita Springs? Should the city get involved?
There may be some exceptions, but mostly that depends on what the people living in those neighborhoods want. San Carlos Estates decided they wanted their roads paved so they established a taxing district a few years ago.

Any other issues that you want to comment on?
I will work to accelerate the Shangri La Road extension connecting Old 41 to Imperial Parkway. This is an important roadway relieving traffic along Old 41 and giving the eastern residents of District 4 a speedier access to Naples, the Airport, University and Ft. Myers.

I want to see greater City involvement on issues pertaining to the Fire District and Bonita Springs Utilities.


Roger Brunswick
The Law Offices of
John D. Spear, P.A.

John D. Spear    James E Kerr


239-947-1102

R o y a l   S h e l l
Real Estate
FineHomesOfBonitaBay.com
Sunset - Fishing
Luxury Residential &
D E E R B R O O K
Commercial Construction
Premier

Sotheby's  International Realty
Barbara Barnes-Buchanan.

•Place of Birth:Fort Lauderdale, Florida

•Date of Birth:December 27, 1954

•Educational Background:B.S. Florida State University 1976 (Tallahassee, Florida)
Geography/Statistics;
M.B.A.Nova University 1983 (Fort Lauderdale/Davie, Florida);
American Institute of Certified Planners (National); and
Accredited Airport Executive (National).

•Professional Background:Assistant City Manager, City of Bonita Springs; Manager of
Planning, WilsonMiller, Inc. (Fort Myers, Florida); Director and
Manager of Airport Planning and Engineering, Lee County Port
Authority, Fort Myers, Florida; Planner, Zoning Coordinator,
MPO Coordinator, Lee County, Fort Myers, Florida; Realtor,
Naples and Bonita Springs, Florida; and Fire Fighter,
Appalachicola State Forest, State of Florida Agricultural Service.
Tallahassee, Florida.

•Current Occupation:Realtor, Keller Williams Elite Realty, Bonita Springs, Florida and Planning Consultant, Coastplan, Inc., Fort Myers, Florida.

•What organizations do you currently belong to? How about past affiliations?
Current:  American Planning Association, Bonita Estero Association of Realtors, Florida Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Florida Planning and Zoning Association, International City/County Management Association, Florida City/County Management Association,  Bonita Springs Lions Club, Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida, Florida State Beekeepers Association, Republican Party.

Past affiliations:   Naples Area Board of Realtors Association, Urban Land Institute, Real Estate Investment Society, Florida Airport Managers Association, American Association of Airport Executives, Southwest Florida Environmental Education Committee, Conservancy and Florida Audabon Association.

•Do you have a Vision for Bonita Springs?
Yes, my vision reflects the collective community vision developed through the public workshops and community visioning sessions during the creation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan which generally includes the following Community Vision statements:  1) Afford to live and with which we can identify as individuals; 2)  Actively appreciates the great natural environment; 3) Walkable, pedestrian friendly, flowering indigenous landscaping with welcoming features; 40 Outstanding parks and recreational facilities and the natural estuary, creeks and rivers connected by walkways and bicycle paths; and 5) a community with a “heart”, a social center and hopefully a vibrant “Old Town” in a redeveloped Old U.S. 41.


•How do you plan to implement that Vision?
The Vision will continue to be implemented through implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

•What are the most important issues facing Bonita Springs in the next four years?
Maintaining and Enhancing Community Integrity, Safety, Security including measures needed during times of emergency; Maintaining, Sustaining and Enhancing Environmental Resources of Area recognizing direct relationship to quality of Bonitian Life ; Stabilizing, Sustaining and Developing Economic Base of Community including Tourism, Commercial/Retail, Residential and Agricultural; Maintaining and Enhancing Infrastructure Environmental Quality; Maintaining and Enhancing Infrastructure with ‘natural process friendly’ ground, water and air accomodations.

•What makes you different than the other candidates?
My depth of experience includes 8 ½ years of direct involvement with City of Bonita Springs current and long term issues and projects as Assistant City Manager substantially leveling the learning curve.  My work with writing, applying and administering grants for acquisition and management of parks and recreation, transportation, housing and urban development, tourist development council provide an in depth knowledge of Bonita resources.  My direct one on one involvement with relocation programs provides insight on community challenges.

•Do you favor aggressive economic development in the Bonita Springs/Estero geographic area? e.g. investment in new business and expanding existing business.
I most definitely support economic development and support ongoing efforts of the Chamber of Commerces and Economic Development Organizations.  I support public involvement in economic development to the extent that public expenditures do not benefit one specific business or sector and that supply and demand dictate marketplace decisions.  Investment in community resources that attract and support businesses is supported as a public expenditure.

•Do you favor investment/development of the old 41 corridor? If so, what are your priorities?
Again, I support investment in community resources that will attract and support businesses as a public expenditure.  Supply and demand of goods and services will continue to reflect marketplace trends.  Redevelopment of Old 41 has been studied through various committees, groups and agencies for at least 30 years.  Many improvements have been constructed prior to and after incorporation of the City of Bonita Springs.  Continued business and residential redevelopment will be dependent on demand. 
Maintaining and enhancing the parks and open space areas along Old 41 is a priority.  Providing incentives in land use and zoning flexibility along the riverfront without jeopardizing environmental quality may enhance redevelopment. 

•What can be done about The Promenade? What about the empty Target Store in Bonita Bay Plaza?
Both The Promenade and Target Store are located on privately owned, managed and maintained properties within the City.  Market demand will need to come back to allow property owners the opportunity to bring in alternative developments.  The City will need to continue to closely monitor permitting and construction requirements in an effort to streamline. 

•The St. Matthews House issue remains unresolved after several years of consideration. What is your position on whether or not to go ahead with the program?
The location of a facility of this type should be based on sound land use compatibility principles including safety and security of internal and external uses.  The location of a use of this type should be in close proximity to support services.  

•Gated community residents pay additional fees/taxes for sewer lines,roads,police protection,etc.Is that fair? If not,how do you propose paying for it?
Residents that purchased in Gated Communities were aware of fees such as Community Development Districts which benefit those communities exclusively.  Decisions regarding public payment of fees should be reviewed closely so that it is determined if they are uniformly applied in the community.

•Should a new Library be constructed or expand the present one?
We should definitely maintain the existing Library Facility as part of the County Facilities which are interconnected with shared access to inventories county-wide.  Additional branch library facilities should be located in other Bonita geographical areas accessible from alternative access including pedestrian and bicycling.  

•Do you have any thoughts about the Beach Renourishment Project? Who should pay for it-the city tax payers or the beach property owners?
Where the beaches are a city resource generating economic benefit the city should participate in payment.  Whereas, if the beach is a private beach the private property owners should pay.

•What should be done about the unpaved roads in Bonita Springs? Should the city get involved?
Unpaved roads should be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine extent of ‘benefit’ or ‘taxing’ unit with levels of standards adjusted for local grade roadway design and construction meaning a possible lowering of specifications which translates generally into lower costs.

•Any other issues that you want to comment on:
The City should be proactive on improving areas, streets and property that can be used as pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, bikeways, bike lanes, etc. to make Bonita more accessible without motorized vehicles. 
Dialogues should be undertaken with the Rail Road interests to maintain rail access with alternative vehicles.
Additional pedestrian/bicycle river crossings should be developed.
Private and potential coop small infill farming opportunities should be identified.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on these issues.

Respectfully submitted.

Wesley Norris
Q:  Place of Birth
A:  DeFuniak Springs, Fl

Q:   Date of Birth
A:  November 11, 1942

Q:  Educational Background
A:  13 ½ Years

Q:  Professional Background
A:   Major Retailer, Commercial Insurance and Construction

Q: Current Occupation
A:  Semi-Retired – Still do some construction

Q:  What Organization do you currently belong to?
A:  Member of the Optimist Club of Bonita Springs

Q:  Past Affiliations
A:   Kiwanis Club of Naples (Breakfast)
  Junior Chamber of Commerce

Q:  Do you have a Vision for Bonita Springs?
A:     My vision is to bring sensible diversified economic growth to Bonita Springs

Q:  How do you plan to implement that Vision?
A:          We will need to put our focus with the economic development Committee that has been formed by the Chamber of Commerce and is being supported by the City.  There is a vast amount of talent in this City that can also be tapped to help in this endeavor.

Q:What are the most important issues facing Bonita Springs in the next four years?
A:See separate attachment “Priorities”

Q: What makes you different than the other candidates?
A:I have an ability to listen and to understand the exact question at hand.  I quote from the letter I received from the City when I left the Zoning Board:  “First and foremost you will be missed on the Zoning Board with your ability to sum up certain positions when the meeting was heated and your entertaining sense of humor” 
(1)
Q:Do you favor aggressive economic development in the Bonita Springs/Estero geographic area?  e.g. investment in new business and expanding existing business?
A:Yes, as I stated in the “Vision” Question.

Q:  Do you favor investment/development of the Old 41 corridor?  If so, what are your priorities?
A:Yes.  I think that the overlay plan for the downtown area is a good one.  It may need to be tweaked now and again and especially during these economic times. I know the merchants of downtown have formed a Merchants Association.  I feel the City should work closely with this Association to see what their wants and needs may be.

Q: The St. Matthews House issue remains unresolved after several years of consideration.  What is your position on whether or not to go ahead with the program?
A:I believe the St. Matthews House has been removed from the table at this time.

Q: Gated community residents pay additional fees/taxes for sewer lines, roads, police protection, etc.  Is that fair?  If not, how do you propose paying for it?
A:Gated community at some time in the early stages of development may be paying fees as a Community Development District (CDD).  Once that obligation is met, these fees are no longer in place.
As far as sewer lines, roads, police protection, etc., I do not believe there is a higher tax millage rate for gated community than other parts of the city.  In regard to Homeowners Associations, or Master Associations, the rates and fees are determined by the residents themselves through their Board depending on the level of service they wish to have in their respective communities.  i.e. manned gates, security patrols, beach parks.

Q:Should a new library be constructed or expand the present one?
A:In my mind the library is still an open issue.  There are several questions I would like to have answered before I would say yes or no.  There was one thing I learned while serving for nine years on the Bonita Springs Zoning Board is to keep an open mind until you have heard all the facts.

Q:Do you have any thoughts about the Beach Renourishment Project?  Who should pay for it – the city taxpayers or the beach property owners?
A:I feel all the residents of Bonita Springs have some impact/use of the beach.  Even if you don’t take direct advantage, we receive an indirect advantage by visitors coming and filling up our hotels, motels, restaurants, and shopping malls.  This provides economic input to our city.  We all must have a hand in preserving this outstanding beachfront. 


Q:What should be done about the unpaved roads in Bonita Springs?  Should the city get involved?
A:There is a plan to pave all the unpaved roads (5 plus miles).  This plan should be brought forward, looked at and if reasonable then moved forward.


•Any other issues that you want to comment on:


•SENSIBLE DIVERSIFIED ECONOMIC GROWTH.

•CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON OLD US 41 (DOWNTOWN) DEVOLPMENT.

•CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WATER COMING INTO THE CITY AND STORM WATER RUNOFF GOING INTO OUR RIVER AND STREAMS.

•KEEP EFFICIENT AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT.

•BRING FORWARD THE PLAN TO PAVE THE 5 MILES PLUS OF THE UNPAVED ROADS WITHIN THE CITY.

•MAINTAIN AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE RECREATION AREAS.

•DEVELOP A PLAN FOR BETTER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE RESIDENTS.

•PREPARE AN OVERLAY PLAN FOR HICKOR BLVD.

•A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE “LOOK OF THE CITY”

•HAVE A PERMANENT PLAN TO DETERMINE THE WAY PEOPLE ARE APPOINTED TO THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES IN THE CITY

•ENCOURAGE THE START UP OF A VOCATION TYPE SCHOOL IN THIS AREA.   

STEPHEN E. PASCUCCI
MD, FACS

www.bonitaeye.com
David P. Browne, P. A.
___________________
Wills
Trusts
Estates
Tax Planning
239- 498-1191
Sharon Grabau
Realtor
     SMART
      INDUSTRIES
Hurricane Protection

www,StormSmart
Bonita Bay
Resident
Connie
& Max
Lummis
Jeffrey Leach
Senior Portfolio Manager
Senior Vice President
Financial Advisor
239-449-7835
WIEBEL, HENNELLS
& CARUFE
Certified Public Accountants
www.whc-cpas
SPA & BOUTIQUE
Lezgus, inc

Plumbing Repair

239-992-2228
R o y a l   S h e l l
Real Estate
FineHomesOfBonitaBay.com
Luxury Residential &
D E E R B R O O K
Commercial Construction
Premier

Sotheby's  International Realty
Peter Simmons
Place of Birth:    Exeter, New Hampshire

Date of Birth:March 21, 1967

Educational Background:B.A.  University of New Hampshire
M.A.  The American University
J.D.  District of Columbia School of Law

Professional Background/Occupation:President of The Simmons Group, a consulting and fundraising firm focusing on non-profit and political clients. 
Organizations that you belong to:  Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce, Estero Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of Lee County, Bonita Springs Charter School PTO.

Do you have a vision for Bonita Springs:  I would like to make Bonita Springs an even better place to live, go to school, work, conduct business, shop, and play.  To achieve the vision, I will focus on a limited agenda:  Bonita Springs must leave at or below its means and prioritize accordingly.  I will look for greater efficiencies and cost savings, without sacrificing the high quality services our citizens expect.  I will meet with small business owners, chambers and economic development agencies to ask for their ideas on how the city can help them make the business environment more vigorous.  Perhaps most importantly, I will propose to serve as a liaison between the City of the Bonita Springs and the Lee County School Board and the Florida State Board of Education (similar to how the Mayor is the liaison between Bonita Springs and Lee County Government).  Florida currently ranks 48th out of 50 states in school funding from Tallahassee.  People want to send their children to the very best schools possible; and as a result existing home sales and new home sales will increase; and new and expanded businesses will follow the home sales.  I feel strongly that these issues go hand in hand.  Giving our children and families the tools to thrive in Bonita Springs is the best way forward.  Low taxes, fewer regulations and excellent schools second to none, will attract new residents and new businesses and make Bonita Springs a prime destination location to live, visit and vacation.

How do you plan to implement that vision:  I would work with the Lee County School Board to help improve academic standards and funding from Tallahassee.  I would hold the line or decrease taxes and the millage rate.  The City Council has done a good job in holding the millage rate at .83 during this economic downturn; however, I would be a strong advocate and press hard to pass balanced budgets with performance measures.  This year, and for the past 5 years we have not passed a balanced budget in Bonita Springs.  We have dipped into the City reserves and we have to turn this around.  We cannot over regulate and hold up permits and necessary approvals for existing businesses if we want to attract new businesses.  The City has recently started expediting the approval and request process, and I will work tirelessly to ensure its success.

What are the most important issues facing Bonita Springs in the next four years:  Over the next four years we should focus on:
-Improving education;
-Expanding and updating the Bonita Springs Library;
-Balancing our budget every year;
-Not raising taxes;
-Attracting new businesses and improving “Consumer Confidence”;
-Working with and monitoring the Bonita Springs/Estero Economic Development Council;
-Extending Shangri-La Rd. to Three Oaks Parkway;
-Paving all remaining unpaved roads in town for citizen and fire and police safety;
-Improving our drainage systems to avoid flooding;
-Working with Bonita Springs’ “untapped talent” of executives, retired businessmen and women, educators, developers, etc…for their input, strategic planning, and utilizing their leadership skills and talents for citizen input to improve our already great city;
What makes you different that the other candidates:  To the best of my knowledge I am the only candidate with school age children.  As such, I have a vested interest in improving our educational system and attracting new families and businesses to Bonita Springs.  I have a vested interest in furthering the feasibility of Bonita Springs having our own high school.  We need to build and improve upon “Bonita’s Bench” for generations to come with young talent so Bonita’s children and grandchildren will stay and not move away in search of education and high paying jobs.  All of us running for the Bonita Springs City Council, District 4 want to do great things for Bonita Springs and its residents.

Do you favor aggressive economic development in the Bonita Springs/Estero geographic area? As a small business owner, I wholeheartedly support and encourage economic development in the area.  I have every faith and confidence that Christine Ross from the Bonita Springs Chamber and her team at the Bonita Springs/Estero Economic Development Council possess the talent and have the resources they need to do great things!  I look forward to hearing about their progress.  Bonita Springs has a wealth of sensitive habitat, ecological, and water issues that we must be sensitive to.  While we move forward, we must also be mindful of preserving our natural resources for future generations.

Do you favor investment/development of the Old 41 corridor?  If so, what are your priorities?  You ask five different people what there their vision is for Old 41 and you will get five different answers; but wouldn’t it be nice to imagine our downtown area in Bonita Springs with our existing beautiful park, City Hall downtown, the sheriff’s office downtown, a few anchor businesses downtown, where restaurants and shops and pedestrian traffic would follow.  The ebb and flow of traffic would draw people naturally to the area.  Think of the Riverwalk in San Antonio or more locally Fifth Avenue in Naples where people stop, shop and spend.  That is my vision for downtown.  I will work with all of those willing to invest along Old 41 to ensure that future generations will enjoy the area and the natural beauty that we have there, while preserving the historical significance and wonderful history of downtown Bonita.

What can be done about The Promenade?  What about the empty Target Store in Bonita Bay Plaza?  I believe that we could ask the landlords to reduce the rents or look at possibly the first six months of rent free on a two year lease to help incubate small businesses, or other creative ways to rent the current space.  We could look at messaging and promotions to “Stop. Shop. Stay. Live. @ Bonita Springs” or other creative messaging and advertising ideas to attract businesses.  We could look at subdividing current space…aggressively going after a few anchor stores and coffee shops like Trader Joe’s, Michael’s Arts and Crafts, Starbuck’s, Panera Bread or other such stores and cyber cafés.  All that can fit in tastefully to the current décor.  This will get more folks coming to and staying for longer periods of time at the Promenade and Target store in Bonita Bay Plaza.  This will also spawn other businesses to follow.

The St. Matthews House issue remains unresolved after several years of consideration.  What is your position on whether or not to go ahead with the program? This has been a widely discussed issue that stirs strong emotions from all ends of the spectrum.  Currently we have over 60 social services in the area.  If I was presented with some strong statistical data I would be more than willing to examine the issue; to date I have not seen any statistically significant data supporting the need for St. Matthews House.

Gated community residents pay additional fees/taxes for sewer lines, roads, police protection etc…is that fair?  Gated communities pay their fair share for services.  By design, gated and planned communities are developed and maintained to be self sufficient.  Residents are aware of these fees, and have grown accustomed to these services.  As long as the fees are managed properly, I believe they are fair.

Should a new Library be constructed or should we expand the present one? I wholeheartedly support expanding the existing library.  The times I have been there it has been very congested.  Commissioner Ray Judah has promised that Lee County has $4 million of Bonita Springs tax payer’s money for the project.  It is my understanding that over the years, Bonita Springs tax payers have donated over $44 million dollars to the Lee County Library System, and as such we are a donor community.  One of the reasons I believe in expanding the existing library is to hold the line on costs, but not sacrifice on computers, study space, meeting space, interactive “hands on” learning machines, periodicals, videos, ipods, ipads, and the numerous other equipment needed to update our library.  There is a lot we need to add.  I believe the commitment and passion is there from the Mayor and the existing council to go get that money and move forward on the library project that will greatly enhance our community.

Thoughts on the Beach Renourishment Project? It is my understanding that there were designated moneys set aside for the beach renourishment project that have since been spent on other programs.  Keeping our beaches beautiful and pristine are essential to our tourism industry, hotel industry, restaurant industry, etc.  Many of our beaches are open to residents and the public and as such, city tax payers are an appropriate means of funding.  Beach property owners pay an elevated amount of taxes for beach use and access. 

What should be done about the unpaved roads in Bonita Springs?  Should the city be involved?  I strongly believe that the unpaved roads should be paved.  I believe there is a consensus that paved roads improve values on homes and businesses, and improve safety for citizens, the fire department, and police department using the roads.  The city should be involved because of the safety issues associated with the current roads.  It is my understanding that our City Manager Carl Schwing is working on a plan to make recommendations, benefits to the citizens, benefits to the City of Bonita Springs, and a plan to amortize funding over 20 years for the 6-7 miles of unpaved roads.

Any other issues that you may want to comment on: I feel it is important for the residents of Bonita Springs to know that I am a small business owner and a family man.  I am President of The Simmons Group, a fundraising and consulting firm that I started in 2003. I know how to create jobs, and it’s my responsibility to sign the front of a paycheck. I understand what it means to pay for my own health insurance, balance my own check book, save money for the future, and how to work with others to make a project come together – and I am disappointed when I see elected officials in partisan gridlock.  I am ready to roll up my sleeves and put these small business skills to work for the citizens of Bonita Springs!  My wife SueZahn and I have two children, Elizabeth, age 10, and Petey, age 9, who attend the Bonita Springs Charter School.
Peter Simmons is a fiscal conservative who supports:
- Lower Taxes -
- A Pro-Business Environment -
- Quality Education, with Accountability -
- Less Government -
- Greater Personal Responsibility -
I was approached by a highly respected town resident to run for the Bonita Springs City Council, and have subsequently garnered the support and encouragement of numerous Bonita Springs residents from a wide spectrum, including Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott.  We are running an aggressive grassroots campaign, and look forward to meeting and listening to the thoughts and ideas of as many people as I possibly can.  If I have not met you already, I look forward to seeing you soon.
For more information, I invite you to visit www.simmonsforbonitasprings.com.  Thank you.