Endorsements: Bonita Springs City Council elections

Nelson has the qualities city government needs

Daily News staff

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Mayor

"The mayor of Bonita Springs for the next four years should set the tone. He needs to be someone who is positive, who has a positive influence and a positive outlook. He should be an optimist who will look out for the future of the city. He should be a relationship builder and not someone who tears apart.

He should be someone who loves the city and believes in it. He needs to know the history of the city and he needs to be an ambassador.

These are Ben Nelson’s words. And Nelson should know. He unconditionally loves Bonita Springs. He was raised here since age 4. He’s shown his dedication by serving on the City Council during its first eight years.

Current Mayor Jay Arend certainly has a passion for the city and has served admirably, although he got ahead of the rest of the city with his rushed plans for a downtown social services center. Another mayoral candidate, Michael Fulker, adds a welcome, youthful perspective, but his positives are his negatives. His political inexperience could have been overlooked if he were running for a City Council seat.

But this is the race for mayor.

The mayor will be the one to make tough decisions and lead the city through a budget crunch. He will be the person who will need to broker peace with Estero while being tough with Lee County to get funds for needed roads.

The mayor is the face of the city.

Ben Nelson has all of the qualities to be the next mayor of Bonita Springs."