Voting on now for NFM Honorary Mayor
The North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Honorary Mayor campaign is now on, with candidates calling on supporters and the community to vote for them.
It is $1 a vote or more. “Dollars equal votes, so the more a candidate raises the more votes they have. Proceeds from the event will fund the chamber’s ongoing community programs and services,” said North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Constantine.
You can vote online at the nfmchamber.org website and make a donation of any amount under their name.
“Every year that our chamber promotes NFM Honorary Mayor, our community gains recognition of business leaders who are passionate about our community,” Constantine said. “Past supporters honoring NFM have been Tom Cronin Sr., Tom Hoolihan, Deputy Jarrod Cantrell, John Gardner and Michelle Brisindine.
“As the executive director for our Chamber of Commerce, it is exciting to have our honorary mayors recognized at other SWFL organization venues,” she said. “There is a buzz out there promoting North Fort Myers and it’s not going away.”
Candidates in this unofficial, non-political, honorary and good-natured campaign have the same common goal, which is to bring local residents and Lee County businesses together. All of the candidates have been active in supporting the community throughout Lee County.
“The honorary mayor is an unofficial representative of the North Fort Myers Community of Lee County,” said Constantine. “When acting in this capacity, he/she is expected to act in a manner that would reflect a positive community image and promote pride in North Fort Myers. The honorary mayor will be expected to promote good relationships in Lee County to foster prosperity and good will for NFM business owners and support for our residents.
“Past recipients have collaborated with the NFM Chamber providing Back to School backpacks and supplies to students, college scholarships, North Fort Myers High School educational program and resources at our Chamber Welcome Center for visitors and local residents.”
The candidates and their profiles for NFM Honorary Mayor 2012 include:
– Al Giacalone, Sun Country Real Estate and Homes
Giacalone and his wife Deb moved to North Fort Myers with their four children in 1999, and are now enjoying watching their three grandchildren grow. They have owned several small businesses and are currently Realtors with Sun Country Realty of Florida.
Giacalone knows it is important to be involved in, and give back to the community. He does this through his volunteer work at the NFM Chamber, which includes being on the Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee and through volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He sees this campaign as an opportunity to give back to the community by raising funds for chamber services and the Chamber Foundation.
– Carolyn Graves, general manager of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Graves has a business networking group called Breakfast Networkers. She is a member of Women’s Life and the Palms of Edisonia American Business Women s Association since 1989 and has held positions of president, vice president and treasurer of ABWA and recipient of Women of the Year and Business Associate of the Year. Currently she is on the Board of Directors of NFM Chamber of Commerce.
– Michael Graves, general manager of NFM ICAN Junction Repurpose Store
Graves, the general manager of NFM ICAN Junction Repurpose Store, is a native of Lubbock / Odessa, Texas. A resident of Florida for six years, his background is in operations and management.
He previously was an owner operator for 10 years as a long distance 18-wheel truck driver and eight years in the Navy. He is an outgoing and passionate individual in regards to volunteering and working with the community. Since his residence in Lee County, he has been actively involved with United Way of Lee County as an allocations team member, ICAN, CARES Project, Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral and North Fort Myers, of which he is currently an ambassador and board of director.
“Voting” is going on now at the chamber website or at the Info Center. Voting continues until Jan. 27, 2012. The winner will be announced and presented with the key to North Fort Myers at the Chamber’s Honorary Mayor s Dinner, Saturday, Jan. 28,.
The event will be held at The Shell Factory & Nature Park Dolphin Room at Capt’n Fishbones, North Fort Myers, from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinner tickets are $30 and include live and silent auctions, music and entertainment. Reserve your tickets by calling 997-9111 or going to nfmchamber.org.