To the editor:

This November, we all need to pay more attention to those running for Mayor and City Council. We need to elect fiscally responsible people who will do what they are elected to do–represent their constituents–not use their position to transform Cape Coral into THEIR vision instead of the visions and wants of many of the taxpayers who end up paying for it.

Four people currently on the council have absolutely no concern about the financial welfare of the taxpayers and if they had their druthers, would tax us at the significantly higher proposed rate. Not a one of them has any qualms about ripping money out of our pockets to make Cape Coral into THEIR vision. Not a one could care less what we want or do not want. Now we have to wonder what those running will do to us. Gratefully the four are not on the ballot.

And rest assured if these four agree to go to the proposed half rollback number, they’ll act like they’re the second coming for “putting aside” what they wanted. Just remember. They were all too eager to steal more of your money for them to spend as they see fit– to the tune of $11 million more than the rollback proceeds at a time when many in this community cannot pay their utility bills, put enough food on the table or put gas in their cars to go to work. Do any of these four care? Hardly.

Then we have their pack leader — the city manager who thinks HIS vision of the city should prevail at any cost. A man who has only been here a couple of years and apparently couldn’t care less about the history of the city, just the demands to change it and ripping money out of taxpayer pockets to pay for it.

From an article in last week’s Cape Coral Breeze (Aug. 26) touting the Cove at 47th, our spend-a-holic city manager apparently thinks investing taxpayer dollars into private developments is a good idea. “A project the city hopes to be a catalyst for more to come in the South Cape…”

Our liberal “my way or the highway” City Manager Hernandez was quoted saying the following “This is the first partnership under the new economic strategy called ‘Cape Competes'”…“we are investors in this project,” Hernandez said. He went on and said “…we’ve got to be partners and financial investors in the project because it’s important to the Cape’s future.” In his opinion.

And since when is “hope” an investment strategy? It’s our money he’s gambling with not his. If this project is such a slam dunk, why do the developers need the city to invest? I understand perhaps offering tax breaks for a few years as an incentive but not as a partner and financial investor. We should never take that risk, especially with taxpayer money. If the project fails for whatever reason, the city will be on the hook. For millions. Is it worth the risk? I think not.

Marie Kavanaugh

Cape Coral