North Fort Myers Chamber names new honorary mayor
North Fort Myers has a new honorary mayor – Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Jarrod Cantrell.
Cantrell’s inauguration was official at the chamber’s Honorary Mayor Gala on Friday, Feb. 6. The ceremony included the deputy being sworn in by both retired Lee County Sheriff’s Department’s official Morgan Bowden, who filled in for Sheriff Mike Scott, and he was given a key to the city by Fort Myers
“The event raised over $5,000 for the chamber’s scholarship fund,” said Chamber President John Gardner.
Gardner thanked all of the candidates that ran for the office, including educator Richard Dunmire, band master Ronnie Morgan, general manager for BJ’s Wholesale Club Cindy Newmaster and Jim Wells, owner of Vertical Point Technologies.
More monies came in from an extensive Chinese auction, which included numerous items. Two of the most sought items were a signed photo of young movie star Robert Thomas Pattison of the hit movie “Twilight,” and a deluxe Sky Suite package for Miracle Baseball.
The emcee of the event was Fox 4 Morning Blend Host Tracey Edwards, who was a lively host.
“I’m very excited to be here,” she said, and kept attendees laughing with her sense of humor. Of her show, she said, “We’re now at 8 a.m. with my co-host Bill Wood, known as “Wild Bill,” so anyone that wants to have a ‘wild morning’ can have one with the Morning Blend.”
“It was a festive room and a lively group,” said Chamber Executive Director Dina Porter. “New and old chamber members showed up to support the fund-raiser, and we were happy to have them.”
The event was held at the Dolphin Room of the Shell Factory & Nature Park, with hosts Pamela J. Cronin and Tom Cronin Sr. Tom was the out-going Honorary Mayor, the second in this third year of the event. The first was Tom Hoolihan of Tommy Hoolihan Real Estate and Lifestyle Center.
Mayor Humphrey said he was pleased to be part of the event.
“North Fort Myers is an important area to our area,” he said. He also commented on President Barack Obama’s upcoming trip to Fort Myers, where he would play host to the president. “It speaks volumes, him planning on coming here. I, for one, am looking forward to greeting him and explaining our challenges.”
The new chamber offices are located at 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, Unit 10. It welcomes business owners, representatives and the general public to visit the offices.
For information, call the chamber at 997-9111.