Council Candidates in District 3 | Question of the Week Five | Aug. 2
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:
How would you build consensus to accomplish your objectives?
District 3 candidates’ answers:
Chad Bruening
Chad Bruening
On a daily basis, I bring many different personalities together and have done so for over 30 years now in my career. On the tough issues — we must look at the black and white and find that grey middle ground that is in the interest, safety, and wellbeing for the current and future citizens of Cape Coral. My objectives are common sense, everyday issues that I feel most citizens want addressed in a positive manner now. Let’s just do the right thing!
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Derrick Donnell
Derrick Donnell
I would first ensure that everyone understood what it is that we are trying to achieve. After researching the objective, I’d present my recommendation. I would listen closely to the information that each council member presents, compile the information, and share back which items I agreed with. I would ask for clarification for any items I did not agree with. It is important to show respect by valuing each person’s point of view. It is extremely rare that all eight Council members would have the exact same solutions to a goal. Therefore, I would seek opportunities to reach a compromise.
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Daniel J. Ludlow
Daniel J. Ludlow
I actually googled this to see what people would expect when the have this question. Here are the answers:
pooling opinions;
listening effectively;
discussing ideas and differences;
not getting all you want; and
coming to an agreement that everyone “can live with.”
I personally would hold a mini town hall after every council meeting, same time, same day on zoom or the library, to discuss with the people what was said and ask them for their input on the issues that where brought up. I need the people’s opinion before I act.
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Deborah Lee McCormick
Deborah Lee McCormick
In order to build consensus to accomplish my goals for the city, every project that has a potential city-wide benefit, but a perceived neighborhood impact, must first receive consultation from the residents of the area that the project may impact. The city went about Jaycee Park all wrong, and this is why it has become such a controversy. In general, I’m not afraid to host as many town halls, community charrettes, and other forms of city-resident interaction as are necessary to ensure citizens are at the forefront of our decisions. I will also motion to reestablish citizen advisory boards to bring back the voice of residents at city hall.