To the editor:

Certainly, FEMA’s decision to pull a 25% discount for flood insurance policies from Cape Coral deserved some response from the city. The city’s response helped to inform and guide concerned residents of Cape Coral, like me. (I mean, 25% of a lot of money is a lot of money, non?)

Generally speaking, the mayor’s office would seem a logical place to get such a response on behalf of the city. After all, he presides over the City Council and is uniquely well-positioned to be well-informed on matters pertaining to the city. In fact, mayors are sometimes referred to as primus inter pares (“first among equals.”)

We should keep in mind, however, that the official posture of the city is determined by the City Council acting as a body. The mayor and staff can provide footnotes and explainers, for sure, but the underlying policy is the City Council’s, not theirs.

Comments from the other elected members of the Council will also help to inform and guide us, providing perspective.

The mayor telling them to shut up is counterproductive. Making snarky remarks about them getting TV facetime at 6 p.m. and having “personal agendas” does not move the ball. (To continue the metaphor, the mayor is guilty of “delay of game.”)

Play nice.

Larry Gillis

Cape Coral