DR. POLITICS

Peter Bergerson is a professor of public affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University. Before coming to Southwest Florida in 2002, he spent 34 years at Southeast Missouri State University, 17 as the Chair of the Political Science Department. If you have questions or responses to Dr. Politics columns, please contact Peter Bergerson at pbergers@fgcu.edu. Users can find the complete archive of the Dr. Politics columns here.

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How will voters decide on the next mayor of Bonita Springs?

Bonita Springs’ mayoral election is January 29th and early voting is under way.

The voters will ask themselves: “Which candidate has the individual leadership qualities to influence the city council and community to achieve common goals for Bonita Springs?”

Although difficult to define, voters know leadership when they see it.

Will voters endorse the performance of incumbent mayor Jay Arend or move in a new direction and select District 6 Councilman Ben Nelson, or Bob Vandegrift or Mike Fulker? Municipal elections are a laboratory for insights into voter preferences for their leaders.

In Bonita’s council-manager form of government, the mayor is hardly a strong chief executive. The mayor has neither administrative power, nor veto power nor special powers over the budget. The mayor is one of seven council members with mainly ceremonial powers — thus it is leadership the voters will be making a judgment on when they go to the polls.

Bonita’s non-partisan, mayoral election does not mean no politics — just no direct political party activity. Citizens are experiencing a sharply contested election complete with significant fund raising, campaign organizations, phone banks, candidate debates and newspaper endorsements.

Beyond formal powers of the office, leadership involves the informal powers necessary to unite a heterogeneous city of numerous disparate communities including a significant population of ‘snow birds’, residents of gated communities, immigrant enclaves, and a downtown area undergoing a renewal. These voters want a mayor who best reflects them and their vision of Bonita Springs.

Voters look for the candidate’s ideas and ideals. They want a leader whose personal qualities best reflect their image of the city. Voters look for a mayor who is the embodiment of community values. Citizens want to know why the candidates are running for office. Voters want to know what motivates a public official

Campaigns are also about personal leadership styles of the candidates. During the process the voters have been able to observe how the candidates interact with the public and how they would influence individuals and groups once in office. Voters ask themselves: “Does he have the stature to be successful in dealing with other people?”

Leadership is also being a decision-maker and being able to bargain with fellow council members, local leaders and county and regional governments. Voters want Bonita’s fair share of area resources and they will size up the candidate’s ability to be a skillful negotiator. Citizens want to see tangible results from their leaders.

A mayor also exerts his personal power to establish a direction, aligning people and motivating them to accomplish goals. Voters ask themselves: “Is he realistic, and does he have the experience to accomplish his goals?”

Local leadership is also about a comfort factor, a feel good bond with the voters or as some have suggested the “Mr. Rodgers” effect. A leader who is optimistic, positive and with a “can do, will do attitude”.

Leadership includes the qualities we voters wish to emulate. It is intuitive, observable, and believable.

Who do you want to lead Bonita Springs for the next four years?

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Peter Bergerson is a professor of public affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University. If you have questions or responses to Dr. Politics columns, please contact Peter Bergerson at pbergers@fgcu.edu.