Each week through the Primary, 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 words, about 100, for their response.

This week’s question: Why are you running? What are your top three issues?

District 5 candidates’ answers:

Jason Conzelman

YouTube.com/@Conzelman4Councilman

I’m running for office for my son. I want to make sure that he is able to grow up in the same city I did, as my father did before me. I want him to be able to go to school safely, grow into a caring and honorable person and good citizen. One who is able to afford the cost of living. I want to assure that he has a safe environment around him. For his first time driving to be a memorable occasion, not down a street filled with potholes that are damaging the only car he can afford.

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Joseph Kilraine

KilraineforCape.com

A 20-year resident, my candidacy came after much deliberation & prayer.

We can uplift Cape Coral for everyone starting with those left behind. Sadly, left behind are us residents.

City government can fix what is broken, however trust must be earned. 

It takes principled leaders, not politicians to provide a united future Cape Coral.

1. Stop Stipend Rebuild Trust. (transparency-oversight)

2. Inclusive Leadership Leaving Nobody Behind. 

3. Infrastructure paced growth. Water Sourcing, Traffic Decongestion and Public Safety are critical issues –save Jaycee Park.

Working together to make Cape Coral the city we love & call home. 

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Charlie Pease

VoteCharliePease.com

I’m running because I care deeply about the future of Cape Coral. I believe I represent those who are rooted in the community with young families and will be here for the next 50+ years. We must get things right for future generations.

Top Issues:

(1) Restoration of Trust — Ending the stipend and listening to our residents.

(2 Smart Growth — Infrastructure planning for traffic, water and utilities, as well as reasonable improvements to our parks and conservation of green spaces.

(3) Fiscal Responsibility — Ensuring taxpayer money is used effectively to benefit our community while keeping taxes as low as possible.

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Robert Welsh (Incumbent)

VoteWelsh.com

I am running for council to represent those of us who have lived here over 30 years that have learned through the growth, struggles, and hurricanes what it takes to keep the city moving forward.

My top three issues are completing Go Bond Parks, Improving Infrastructure, and reducing residential property tax burdens by boosting commercial growth.