Question of the Week, Week 2: What are the top three planks of your platform?
City Council candidate question of the week
Each week through the primary, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question. In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response. This week’s question: Why are you running for office?
(Cape Coral City Council elections are non-partisan and districtwide, meaning all registered Cape Coral voters may cast a ballot in each race regarding of where they live or party affiliation.)
This week’s question: What are the top three planks of your platform?
* District 2
*MICHAEL S. BOGLIOLE
The top 3 issues are to keep taxes from increasing by marketing a plan to promote job growth by incentives to attract big business and more residents to create revenue.
Secondly, we need to fix our infrastructure by repairing and maintaining our roads and parks.
Thirdly, would be beautify the city by fixing our entrances and center medians by planting of lush tropical foliage; this in turn would attract visitors. It’s important that the city continue to strive to attract business, permanent residents and tourism.
* JOHN CARIOSCIA – Incumbent
The three top planks of my platform are:
To keep the Cape moving forward:
1. By expanding the Office of Economic Development, so to be able to interact with more companies throughout the USA and foreign lands, in order to attract and solicit them to the Cape.
2. By continuing the Utility Expansion Program, so to bring more homes safe, clean water and a gravity sewer system.
This will also help attract small manufacturing, etc. up in our NW and NE vacant land areas, because businesses want and need City water and Sewer systems for their companies.
3. And to continue to provide the best training and equipment for our Fire and Police services, so to continue to keep the Cape safe, as we have, in the past.
* KIRK LAGRASTA
First and foremost, citizens must come first. City Advisory Boards, where citizens are giving of their time and expertise, cannot be ignored.
Second, we need fiscal responsibility. We keep hearing that the city has a revenue problem; I propose instead that the city has a spending problem. The city currently receives millions of dollars which could be used for building parks, upgrading infrastructure, and reducing the tax burden on the citizens; however that money is locked up in bonds for years to come.
Finally, the city needs to create a business-friendly environment. Cutting taxes and regulations will provide businesses with the opportunity to succeed. When business succeeds in the Cape we will have real revenue diversification.
* RICHARD LEE REPASKY
The top three planks of my campaign platform are:
1. Return power to the people on all major tax issues, and require a vote and a majority approval to move forward on any tax increases.
2. Review who gets the contracts for city work, how the contracts are written and the ability of the bidders to perform. Ensure that the city is protected by requiring compliance with the FLSA, EEOC, and OSHA regulations.
3. Establish a golf course and swimming pool for the people to use at a reasonable cost, year round.
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District 3
* CHRIS CAMMAROTA
As a resident of 24 years, who raised my family in this city, I want my city to be an affordable place to live and play.
Providing needed services as efficiently as possible has to be a top priority.
Transparency and accountability in City government should be the norm.
Finally, the city budget has to be controlled. I know I can’t afford government taking more and more money every year. If I can live on a balanced budget, my city can also.
* JEROME “JERRY” DOVIAK
1. Fiscal Discipline and Sustainability
2. Revenue Diversification
3. Smart Growth and Solid Planning
* MARILYN STOUT
My top three concerns are:
1. To settle the LCEC contract to insure citizens are well served. Because of shade meetings, we are not given all the information that Council has available.
2. To eliminate the Public Service Tax which hurts families and those with a modest income. This is 10% to the city (7% PST plus 3% franchise fee) to the General Fund.
3. Support an equal reduction to property tax from Fire Service Assessment fee. When I learned that 30% of property owners pay less than $250 each year (and 8% pay nothing), I felt this is wrong.
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District 7
* TIMOTHY W. BARRIER
First, I am a fiscal conservative. I believe that the citizens of Cape Coral should only be taxed at a level necessary to operate an efficient and effective city government with a well-balanced budget.
Second, I want to see our city grow with prospering businesses and more families. I envision this growth with the continuance of the Utility Expansion Project. With utilities in place, businesses will be able to locate to our city, thereby creating jobs and enticing families to relocate to Cape Coral.
Third, improved citizen safety. This includes the installation of sidewalks and street lights for our pedestrians and children of Cape Coral.
* JESSICA COSDEN
1. Revenue diversification. We need more than one source of revenue, and raising the millage rate is not the answer. I support the FSA and the PST as additional revenue sources as long as we keep good on our promise to reduce millage.
2. Pro-business. Cape Coral is growing. I’ve seen drastic changes since my childhood. We need to manage that growth and encourage the right kind of business. Solid infrastructure (water, sewer, electric, broadband) is vital.
3. Quality of life. Because of our unique history, we’re faced with a unique future. Clean water and environmental preservation will be important issues in this pre-platted city with over 400 miles of waterways.
* SAMUEL J. FISHER
I want to ensure that Cape Coral is sustainable for the future. Specifically my three planks for achieving sustainability are:
– Business: Making sure legislation I pass doesn’t put a burden on new businesses that want to come to Cape Coral. Also, I will work with current businesses here to ensure they are successful in the Cape.
– Infrastructure: Making sure that infrastructure is in place and up to date for the 21st century.
– Revenue Diversification: Continue the revenue diversification model set up by council but ensuring that it is a fiscally responsible, fair and equitable to everyone.