To the editor:

The future of any city nowadays, in my opinion, relies a great deal upon what attention is given to these three things. America as a whole was and continues to be built by local leadership and local initiatives. Our city’s elected leadership, therefore, ought to be best determined by measuring candidates on their individual abilities and competencies for meeting with the most likely challenges of the future.

Does this person examine the facts? Do they really scrutinize all the data surrounding a given issue? Such is the most necessary trait of an effective representative at any level of government. This is because situational awareness in government, knowing what is going on around you, is everything to even begin being able to solve a problem. Cape Coral is rather tedious in how development works and I want a representative that gets how all the levers, gears, and moving parts work together as we continue to grow. Ultimately, the best candidate should be someone who can understand data, practice diligence thorough analysis, and yield results by understanding what tools and resources they have around them to improve our city.

Technology? Does a candidate have a good sense or wherewithal for technology’s place in our world as it is now? Are they capable of seeing a bit into the future and searching out ways that new technologies can save the city, therefore the taxpayer, money or even proactively spare us all from some great inconvenience? The future is technology… no one should doubt that now. Based on this fact, I would insist it is vital that a candidate be as well-versed as possible in the tools and resources available in this the digital age. Technology is used for both good and evil nowadays so I also consider it important to have someone representing our city who is competent enough to determine if a prospective technology or digital service is viable or if it likewise might be lacking in having the ability to live up to its claims. Technology is also the most dominant means by which networks grow now so it is a particularly vital element to communication and transparency.

Sustainable Growth… For goodness’ sake, I always hope for representation that won’t take these words for granted. We are a coastal area, with 400 miles of canals, and our city is as unique as they come, geographically-speaking. Our representation at the city level should mind this well. What I look for here, in elected officials, is that they should both understand and be properly attentive to all of the blatant and obscure details trait to our land use, zoning, and development regulations. Furthermore, that they ought to be those who are able to navigate our future towards sustainability WITHOUT unreasonably or unfairly getting in the way of positive growth in the city. The complexities of our city, one of 400 miles of canals that is master-planned/pre-platted, cannot be overstated and we NEED leadership that can solve problems creatively and with clear intent for the future.

Vote for Jessica Cosden. Councilmember Cosden is the only candidate I am voicing support for in this year’s elections for Cape Coral City Council. She checks all of these boxes with her fair, reasonable, deliberate and diligent approach to local government and she has done nothing but steadily demonstrate this throughout her current term in office.

Graham Morris

Cape Coral