With Brian Bigelow vacating the District 2 seat on the Lee County Board of Commissioners to run for Clerk of Courts, the race to replace him has four Republicans looking to win the Aug. 14 primary for the right to face write-in candidate Neal Moore and independent John W. Sawyer in the Nov. 6 general election.
The candidates are:
CECIL PENDERGRASS
Age: 49
Residence: Fort Myers
Occupation: investments
Pendergrass was born and raised in Fort Myers and spent 25 years on the police force. He said in-fighting and hard feelings have broken the commission.
"There are still the same problems with bickering and unprofessional behavior," Pendergrass said. "I have high expectations of our officials. We can't pick and choose who we treat well. We have to respect opinions and not hold grudges."
Pendergrass is displeased with the commission dipping into reserves to balance the budget.
"I don't like the way Lee County spends money. We need fiscal responsibility and to balance the budget by cutting spending," Pendergrass said. "We need a plan and direction."
Pendergrass said tourism is vital but the best way to grow the Lee County economy is through real jobs in - not baseball.
"We have to create jobs locally and get businesses that come here to get workers here," Pendergrass said. "We have properties here that need to be filled. A strong economy brings up property values."
DOUG ST. CERNY
Age: 65
Residence: Fort Myers
Occupation: retired
St. Cerny was a District 2 commissioner from 1990 to 2006 and is on the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees.
He said he was asked to run when Bigelow left.
"I got an outpouring of support and they wanted me to go for it," St. Cerny said. "I bring experience, consistency and can relate with everybody."
St. Cerny said the Lee County Board has become too fractured to be effective. He said he can help bring it together.
"Most important is that we come to a situation with the intent to work together, come to a consensus and have civility between the members," St. Cerny said.
St. Cerny said he will do the bidding of his constituents.
"I never ran for office with an agenda. The citizens set the agenda and the goal is to do what the people expect you to do," St. Cerny said. "The people need help now. We've been through six years of hard times. There's a lack of jobs and we need to be creative in getting them."
DON STILL WELL
Age: 73
Residence: Fort Myers
Occupation: semi-retired
Stilwell, who has 16 years experience as a Lee County manager, said he's running because he is frustrated by the way the commissioner balanced the budget by spending reserves.
"I never thought of being commissioner, but we're having challenges with spending money," Stilwell said. "Over the last three years, Lee County has spent tens of millions more than budgeted and they're taking the reserves to balance the budget."
Even worse, Stilwell said, the county isn't providing better service than before.
"We're diluting services but not making cuts. You can't live off your savings accounts," Stilwell said. "Until you get your financial house in order, you can't do other things."
Stilwell wants transparency, more jobs and a continued high quality of life in Lee County while spending within its means.
"This is my home. I don't want to leave debts to my kids and grandkids," Stilwell said. "It will take a long time for revenues to increase. We need to create jobs and the only way to do it is by investing in the county."
WARREN WRIGHT
Age: 46
Residence: Fort Myers
Occupation: pharmaceutical sales
Wright, former Fort Myers City Council member and now a Lee County Tourist Development Council member, said the commission is spending too much money and getting a poor return on its investment.
"We make $40 million a year on baseball while fishing brings in almost $600 million. It's a poor choice of how we spend our tax dollars," Wright said. "Why are we building baseball palaces when we need to tackle the budget and spending?"
Wright said the county has to bring in jobs, and he believes transportation is the answer.
"I have a clear vision for Lee County. The economy is in transformation. We can't go back to old ways," Wright said. "We have no plan to broaden the economic base and change our infrastructure."
Wright said the commission spends too much and urban areas need more attention.
"We promoted the suburbs for 20 years and it spread our resources thin. We failed to take care of our old roads," Wright said. "We need fiscal responsibility and I want a spread sheet identifying our reserves. I want staff held accountable."
