Update:

Due to the impending weather and the likelihood of tropical force winds from Hurricane Ian reaching our area sometime during the day Tuesday, the Cape Coral Republican Club has canceled its scheduled Sept. 27 debate meeting.

“We are currently working with our venue, as well as the candidates, to reschedule this event,” club officials said via email.

Details will be shared when available.

Original post:

With social media, websites, mailings, advertising, and campaign coverage by news sources including The Breeze, Cape Coral voters have lots of ways to “meet” the candidates seeking our vote in the upcoming Cape Coral City Council election.

But as committed as we are to giving Cape voters a look at who the candidates are and their positions on the issues, and as diligent as some of the candidates are with mailings and posts, print and web, be it news or campaign-driven, cannot replicate meeting a candidate in person and hearing them speak.

With the first wave of vote-by-mail ballots set to be sent next Thursday, the Nov. 8 General Election is much closer than it appears, especially for the majority of voters who no longer choose to cast their ballot on election day.

There are four Cape Coral City Council seats on the Nov. 8 ballot, which includes runoffs in Districts 1 and 4 and first-time faceoffs in the races for mayor and District 6.

Seeking our vote are Bill Steinke and Carol Culliton in District 1; Jennifer Nelson, the incumbent, and Patty Cummings in District 4; Keith Long, the incumbent, and Wayne Hecht in District 6; and John Gunter, the incumbent, and Tom Shadrach in the mayor’s race.

All registered Cape Coral voters may cast a ballot in each race as all council members are elected citywide.

If you are undecided, pondering a particular seat or just want to meet any or all of the eight, three local organizations will give you that opportunity over the next couple of weeks.

The Cape Coral Republican Club will hold the first event, a City Council and Mayoral debate, on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Palmetto-Pine Country Club. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the debate will start at 6:30.

There is a $5 guest fee and it is by RSVP only due to space constraints. RSVP to capecoralrepublicanclub@gmail.com in advance.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Government Affairs Committee will hold its 2022 Candidates Forum from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3, at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.

The event is free and open to the public with attendees asked to RSVP at 239-549-6900, ext. 300, or online at capecoralchamber.com.

The Breeze Newspapers is a sponsor as are LCEC and Cape Cleaners.

The Lee County Republican Patriots Club will hold a Q&A for the mayor’s race on Oct. 4 at Palmetto-Pine Country Club.

Mayor John Gunter and candidate Tom Shadrach will sit down for a one-on-one question-and-answer session to be moderated by Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman at the event to begin at 6:30 p.m.

The guest fee is $5 at the door with exact amount requested. Attendees are asked to RSVP to Maryrich501@gmail.com.

We thank these organizations for their efforts and we invite you to take part if you are so inclined.

If not, but you still would like more information about the races, candidates and issues on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot, we invite you to check out our ongoing election coverage at capecoralbreeze.com under Election 2022.

Coverage includes race-by-race stories, candidate bios and the answers to all of our issue-related questions of the week.

This is an important election for Cape Coral voters and voters county wide. In addition to the City Council races, voters will elect school board members and decide two referendums.

Cape voters will decide whether to approve an “Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption” that would grant a limited property tax exemption for up to 10 years to qualifying businesses.

Voters countywide will decide whether to replace the School District of Lee County’s school-board appointed superintendent with one who is elected.

There are plenty of ways to make an informed decision.

Please take advantage among the options open to you.

— Breeze editorial