To the editor:

I had to chuckle at the discussions last week concerning the Mooring Field at the Bimini Basin. To highlight the incompetence of our local government, let’s discuss the history of this issue.

In 2018 we had a problem in the basin with derelict and abandoned boats moored there for a long time. The solution was to create a Mooring Field to prevent boats from being left there. This was championed by then council member John Gunter and, with Council approval, the city manager at the time assigned this to Michael Ilczyszyn, then deputy Public Works director.

Fast forward six years and we are still talking about it with plans now to have the “design” done in 2026 (still no plan to have the field complete).

There have been other short-term efforts that have reduced the problem, and a new short-term fix is a new state statute that limits anchoring that is being discussed with Lee County. This simple project has been slow rolled by city leadership, with little oversight by the mayor and council. I highlight this as an example of poor city management and accountability to get things done on budget and schedule.

The voters have made a mandate at the federal level for change and improvements. In Cape Coral the voters have also spoken with the defeat of three incumbent council members and voting in five new council members that promise better leadership, accountability for budgets and schedules and transparency.

Mayor Gunter and City Manager Ilczyszyn also have their hands on the poor performance of the 2018 $60 Million Parks GO bond referendum that promised 11 new parks by the end of 2021. It is now $40 million over budget and most of the parks are not complete. Lots and lots of excuses with no recognition that their leadership is the biggest problem.

Hopefully the new council will instill the need for accountability and performance for costs and schedules.

Tom Shadrach

Cape Coral