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Editorial: 2 newcomers, 2 incumbents best choices for Lee, Collier
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No joke.
No-party-affiliation (NPA) candidates stand to make impacts in Lee County Commission races in the general election on Nov. 4, for which early voting starts on Oct. 20.
All four Republican incumbents in Lee and Collier counties carried the day with this editorial board and the voters on Aug. 26.
But not necessarily now.
Our editorial board recommends:
Lee County District 1
Carla Johnston
Carla Johnston, a former mayor and current City Council member on Sanibel, offers a dynamic package of watchdogging government, public advocacy for environmental protection and encouraging economic diversification.
Johnston, running with no party affiliation, was a key figure in blowing the whistle on congressional earmark abuses at Coconut Road/Interstate 75. She said something smelled funny, then went further — digging up evidence that the $10 million earmark was redirected to that project after passing Congress for I-75 in general in Collier and Lee. That money is now directed toward better uses, perhaps the I-75 interchange at Bonita Beach Road.
Instead of complaining about pollution from Lake Okeechobee fouling the Caloosahatchee River and Gulf of Mexico, she helped lead the regional drive to curtail the abusive dumping.
As a former resident and government official in the Boston area, she knows how university research can be an economic force — and it is time to get serious about that to pump up Southwest Florida. At the same time, she proposes bolstering tourism with money saved from cutting back on consultants and motor pools.
She has given this some thought and has proven she can get things done. Bob Janes, the Republican who has served District 1 for eight years, would be passing the torch to a worthy successor.
■ Also in race: A.J. Boyd, no party affiliation
Lee County District 3
Les Cochran
Les Cochran, a former president of Youngstown State University, has put together a detailed, precise, take-charge platform.
The main plank is a 25 percent property tax cut over the next five years and accelerating road improvements and water-plant expansions.
Cochran, another NPA, from San Carlos Park, says all that will make Lee County more attractive to prospective businesses and home buyers and help boost the economy.
Cochran is one of those vibrant retirees who observes, spots opportunities for improvement and does something about it.
Republican Ray Judah, who seeks re-election, has served this seat reliably for 20 years. He has been good for the county and vice versa.
We believe Cochran, with his energy and fresh outlook, can build upon that.
Lee County District 5
Franklin B. Mann
Republican incumbent Frank Mann faces two quality no-party-affiliation opponents. Still, Mann gets the nod because neither of them offer his institutional knowledge, countywide history and sense of vision on balanced growth management. That is especially the case in the Estero areas, where civic leaders appreciate his go-slow approach to development in the Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource area.
We may not always agree with his political style or substance, as he dragged out the County Manager Don Stilwell matter, but he has earned a fundamental level of trust. We know what we have.
■ Also in race: Steve “Sonny’’ Haas and Dick Kuhn, both NPA.
■ Who can vote in these three commission races? All 296,000 voters in Lee County.
Collier County District 5
Jim Coletta
What was an easy choice in the Republican primary is an easy choice again. Jim Coletta has been an outstanding public servant for the past eight years as the commissioner for Golden Gate Estates, Immokalee and Everglades City. He merits re-election.
As we said in August, he is a friend to business and the underprivileged alike. He champions economic diversification and work-force housing. He beats the drum for better roads and gets results. He leads the fight for better drainage as well as sensible flood maps that save constituents money on their homeowners insurance. He lobbies for impact-fee deferrals for social agencies that ease the costs of services for taxpayers. He has helped guide land-use planning at and around Ave Maria.
He is consistent.
■ Also in race: Russell Kish, Democrat.
■ Who can vote? All 34,000 voters in District 5 only.
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Carla Johnston would be an Excellent Commissioner. Lee County very much needs new blood. She would bring a level of deductive reasoning that has been lacking or at least unapparent with Mr. James.
As for Les Cochran, an academic, a very welcome change. Wouldn't miss the smug, narrow-minded Mr. Judah one bit.
Naples Daily News hit the nail on the head with Frank Mann -- lacking substance. Oh well, let's hope in another four years there will be a viable competitor to fill Mann's seat.
Out with the old, in with the new ... at least in Lee County.
Jim Coletta serves his district well. He seems to reflect the needs and wants of his constituents. He is a hard worker who devotes a full time effort to his district ... something his competitor does not seem to be in a position to do.
I was baffled when Naples Daily News endorsed all three sitting Lee Commissioners back in August. I don't know what events brought about the change of heart, but I have gained new respect.
#1 Posted by intense on October 4, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well its nice to see that no one that works for NDN lives in the estates
#2 Posted by skipperdz on October 4, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stop the WASTE .. change the board majority
Dist-3 Les COCHRAN
http://lescochran.com/
http://vimeo.com/1767307
Dist-1 Carla JOHNSTON
http://carlajohnstoncampaign.com/
#3 Posted by jacktanner on October 5, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Check out Sonny's website at www.sonnyin08.com to find out what Sonny is like. He's into regional fire department consolidation, using a do you want it or do you need it frame of mind, and reducing taxes by increasing efficiency in various department. During his tenure as fire commissioner, he LOWERED THE MILLAGE 2 years in a row. He has experience with budgets, Roberts Rules of Order and how to get along with people.
Please consider him when you go to vote. You'll be glad you did. Fresh new ideas and someone who will listen to your concerns.
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Steve (Sonny) Haas, No Party Affiliation for County Commission District 5
#4 Posted by sonnyin08 on October 5, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone know if this is the same Carla Johnston that actually homesteaded a house in Mass. and a house in Fla. at the SAME time (for 5 or 6 years)? I would think that the Naples Daily Newspaper would at least research something this serious before endorsing someone that preaches the importance of paying "YOUR" taxes (just not HER own)??? That's one way to cut taxes. I was told this can easily be found in the Newspress archives. Shameful!
#5 Posted by honestpolitics on October 5, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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