Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question. In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response. This week’s Question of the Week is:

With Florida’s Sunshine Laws

consensus on issues you bring forward or support?

The 2022 municipal election for Cape Coral City Council features four races — the seats for mayor and Districts 1, 4 and 6. While candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan, citywide races, meaning every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race.

Here are this week’s responses:

MAYOR

• John Gunter, incumbent

Due to Florida Statute elected officials can only have a discussion on a matter they may be voting on in a public meeting. Therefore, during the public meeting the elected official must have all the data, facts, and specific information to make a good informed factual argument on their position to convince his/her colleagues that their position is the correct one. Being prepared for the discussion and having all the necessary information on the topic is key in building the necessary consensus needed for a majority vote on any issue.

Website: votejohngunter.com

• Tom Shadrach

The law allows members to provide recommendations and position points in writing to other members, so long as there is no discussion or reply. I would implement these to improve greater insight and enhance discussions at council meetings. As a member of the Budget Review Committee, I have used this approach with success. The council wastes a lot of time trying to understand members’ positions during a meeting instead of being prepared in advance. We need to understand member positions on topics facing Cape Coral residents before the meetings to spur questions and results. Currently the City Manager meets with council members individually in pre-briefings to interact and provide feedback with him and his team. This gives the City Manager a great advantage to shape the discussion of a topic in a way that suites his position. I have observed this on several occasions. The council needs to guard against this and remember that they are the elected officials and represent the residents of the city.

Website: shadrachformayor.com

DISTRICT 1

• Dr. Carol Rae Culliton

To build a consensus on issues, I will take the time and make the effort to learn all there is about an issue. It is the same way I operated my businesses and managed my investments. Whether it is something like planning the Cardiac Rehab Center, assisting with the animal shelter, choosing items for a food distribution, or any other project, my focus is the same. I research the subject, study the options, look at alternatives and potential objections until I reach a logical conclusion. A conclusion that I am comfortable with and confident it will be successful. This is the same effort I intend to put into the City Council.

Website: CullitonforCapeCoral.com

• Bill Steinke

Certainly, transparency provided by Sunshine Laws is a must. Consensus building must be done between Council Members during discussion in regularly scheduled, public meetings. Being prepared is the key. Research done to establish facts, as well as communicating with citizens and stakeholders prior to those meetings to be prepared with various perspectives and relevant information, should build strength in collaboration and concensus building on the dais.

Website: www.BillSteinke.com

DISTRICT 4

• Patty Cummings

Honoring our Florida sunshine laws I need to be a strong persuasive leader on council to get my views across for my constituents in district 4 and all the citizens in Cape Coral, as well attending important meetings such as, the Lee County MPO which over sees the spending of county and state tax dollars for our roads and bridges. We need to be a unified voice to bring those tax dollars to Cape Coral infrastructure.

Website: www.votepattycummings.com

• Jennifer I. Nelson, incumbent

Knowing the facts and data on both sides to any issue is important when trying to gain consensus. Being able to clearly articulate why you are in support or against an issue could help convince the other members on your board your position. Not being able to meet outside of Sunshine makes it that more crucial to study the issues and anticipate the questions from your other board members and residents. Passion on issues are great but data and facts are even greater.

Website: jenn4capecoral.com

DISTRICT 6

• Wayne Hecht

Working with fellow council members on the dais is a very important part of keeping the city moving forward. In order to abide with Florida’s Sunshine Laws all discussions must be in public. I will have the opportunity to present my case for support or opposition during council meetings, public workshops, and committee of the whole meetings (COW). My support or opposition to a certain issue will be explained and be based upon feedback from the citizens.

Website: waynehecht.com

• Keith Long, incumbent

Florida’s Sunshine laws play an integral role in the core component of government–transparency–by requiring that any discussions between Councilmembers on a matter to be voted upon only be held in a publicly noticed hearing. In practice, this means you have one chance at convincing council in a public hearing on a particular matter. Therefore, the answer on how I will build consensus is by being articulate, analytical and concise in my points before my fellow councilmembers.

My training and experience as an attorney uniquely qualifies me for this environment, and provides me the ability to effectively communicate with others to push forward my position on these topics. Effective communication is, in my opinion, one of the most important requirements to govern and lead effectively on this Council.

Ideas are only as good as your ability to communicate them. I encourage voters to choose wisely who you elect to represent and communicate yours.

Website: https://www.votekeithlong.com