Each week through the General Election, 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. As you review the races, please note that Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan, citywide elections. This means all registered voters can cast a ballot in each race, no matter party affiliation, no matter the district in which they live.

The 16th Question of the Week is: What final message would you like voters in the General Election to take to the polls?

MAYOR’S RACE:

– Joe Coviello: My service as Chairman of the City’s Budget Review Committee provides a unique understanding of improving financial efficiency without compromising city services. Community leaders stated the following on my positions:

PUBLIC SAFETY “I am excited about the future of this vibrant city, and offer my endorsement of Coviello” – Sheriff Mike Scott

SMART GROWTH “We Support Joe Coviello’s candidacy to serve as Mayor” – Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association, Candidate Screening Committee

EFFICIENT POLICY “City Council will dramatically improve under your direction to help benefit working families” – IUPAT President

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY “Coviello Listens. He knows the city budget. He believes in expanded public-private partnerships” – News-Press Endorsement Board

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– Michael D. Hollow: Residents of Cape Coral, now is the time for you to do your part. Now is the time (if you have not already done so) where you need to evaluate which candidates are aligned with your views/visions/morals. The most important thing you can do is VOTE!!!! Don’t let less than 20% of the population determine the foundation for the next 60 years. This process has been very eye opening for me as an individual. I have met some passionate, amazing people Thank you to all of you that took time to ask questions, show support, and are geniuly concerned for Cape Coral. God Bless, talk to you all soon

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DISTRICT 1

– John Gunter: I would first ask each registered voter in our city to actually vote for our future. As voters, we need to carefully look at each candidate, in each race, to determine exactly what that particular candidate will bring to the table. We need to evaluate exactly what that particular candidate has accomplished in their careers, and what they have given to their community. Also, we need to evaluate how much community involvement any candidate has given during their campaign. These factors should give us some sort of measurement of how a candidate will serve our community once elected. We need to vote for the candidate who will be involved in our community, listen to our citizens, and move our city forward in a positive direction. I believe actions of a candidate speak louder than words when making a choice who to vote for. Now it is time for you to determine the future of our city by choosing the best qualified candidates to represent our city!!!!

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– Graham Madison Morris: Vote. Please don’t put it off and don’t you dare think for one second your voice doesn’t matter. Elect those who, like myself, are in this to do the REAL and tedious WORK of a council member. Please don’t give into political platitudes nor any candidate, in any race, that offers only vague ideas for how each might attempt to govern our city. I’m offering you this as a final thought because I care about this community and its future far too much to spend this final opportunity, in this section, addressing the public at-large in a way that simply tries to further sell you on voting for me. Vote like our future depends on it Cape Coral… because it does. Finally, to the Cape Coral Breeze for all the work put into this candidate Q&A, you all have done a great service for the voting public, thank you.

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DISTRICT 4

– Richard Leon (Incumbent): Let us face it, this election has been a wild ride for all of us. Cape Coral elections have always been more of an experience than most but with the current climate of our City, our Nation, sometimes as a millennial I have to sit back and just shake my head. Like millions across this nation, I am worried. Scared even of what our future holds. That in part is why I have chosen to stand up and make a difference. To voice concern where it needs it most. It is OK to be different, it is OK to have a different mindset, but we are not currently doing it with the level of respect that we deserve to give each other. JFK said it best, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” Cape Coral, let us work for the solutions to our future after this election, let us create a sustainable and viable future for the generations to follow.

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– Jennifer I. Nelson: Voting is a very strong tool citizens’ have to influence government. Voting in local elections allows you to have a voice while having a profound effect on shaping the community where you live, work, learn, and play. The decisions made locally can determine a community’s future for generations. My views and platform are based on the principle of sustainability as I will keep the long-term vision in mind on behalf of our residents. Creating a city where our children and grandchildren will want to one day lead, is the entire reason I decided to run. I urge youVOTE LOCAL!

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DISTRICT 5

– James Schneider: I learned something through these months of meeting citizens and business owners while campaigning for this position. I learned that when you speak one on one with people, and show them the facts, they can make a clear choice for their votes. The local social media game is so sad. It could be used for so much good, but there are a few who love nothing more than to try to destroy other people’s character. I am pleased that the opportunity to clear all those questions properly, honestly, authentically, was given to me; while not their intention. The truth will set you free.

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– Dave Stokes: On Election Day I want you to remember my platform and answers throughout this election have consistently reflected keeping your taxes low and keeping you safe to live, work and play in Cape Coral. My wife and I have lived in Cape Coral since 2002 and have seen the housing boom, housing bust and now the revitalization of Cape Coral. I’ve spent over a decade in our community as a Small Business Owner, Volunteer Pop Warner Football Coach, City of Cape Coral Golf Course Advisory Board Member, City of Cape Coral Parks Master Plan Stakeholders Committee Member and involved in many community and charity events in Cape Coral.

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DISTRICT 6

– John Karcher: This is a pivotal election and the results will affect you personally.

Please Vote! Don’t allow 13% of the residents to decide for you.

Decisions being made over the next 4 years will affect our grandchildren.

Have current elected officials done what they promised?

Have they worked together or against each other?

Did their demeanor and behavior reflect positively on our city?

Did their voices reflect your voice?

Did they answer your questions, return you calls, or emails?

Check their money trail and check who is backing them?

Vote for those with recent major business experience and leadership, NOT FOLLOWERS!

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– Rick Williams (Incumbent): We’ve never had a more important election in Cape Coral! Normally only four seats are up for election simultaneously. This year five of eight seats are up for election. That makes the incumbents’ roles especially pivotal. Maturity, positive community relationships, education, and years of collaborative public service experience matter more than ever.

My vote will go to candidates in every race who have a proven record of serving the public’s interests well by exercising common sense and reason, who have demonstrated that they know the value of every dollar and holding the line on taxes and spending, while managing smart growth, balancing dire infrastructure needs, and driving new opportunities for businesses, families, veterans and our incredible youth. Make your vote count on Nov. 7.

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Important dates

– GENERAL, Nov. 7, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* Voter Registration Book Closed, Oct. 10

* Early Voting (General Election), Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1-4

– Lee County Elections Cape Coral Branch Office, 1031 S.E. 9th Place Unit 3

– Cape Coral Library, 921 S.W. 39th Terrace

– Voter registration:

Applications are available online at www.leeelections.com, at all Lee County libraries, and other locations including Cape Coral City Hall at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce at 2051 Cape Coral Parkway, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and all Lee County Supervisor of Elections offices including the one in the Cape at 1031 S.E. 9th Place Unit 3 A full list is available at www.leeelections.com.