Pennington seeking to rejoin City Council ranks

Pennington, 77, announced Nov. 20 that he is running again for the seven-member body, saying that his experience with the city and his leadership abilities make him the man for the job.

"My knowledge of the city and all its workings -- oh, I'll brag a little bit -- it's extensive," Pennington said.Pennington, a retired Navy man and former Department of the Navy civilian worker, first served on the City Council from 1992 to 1996.

Prior to that, he spent much of his time working with the Moorings Property Owners Association, of which he is past president.

He also served as chairman of the Naples Beach Renourishment Committee and helped initiate plans for a $15 million beach-widening program.

Pennington has lived in Naples for 21 years and been politically active for most of that. He said he felt obliged, with spare time on his hands in retirement, to give something back to the community.

He retired after 20 years in the Navy and then spent 15 years working for the Navy Department, ending his career as deputy director of logistics support.

Pennington said the most pressing issues facing the city are how downtown will be redeveloped and how best to protect the city's beaches.

Calling himself a strong advocate for revitalizing the city's declining commercial core, Pennington said he wants to see a vibrant, mixed-use district there that will include residences and businesses that are compatible with the area.

"We are at a critical point in making decisions that will affect Naples' future for generations to come," he said.

As a Naples representative to the Coastal Advisory Committee, Pennington said he has some insight into how best to protect and enhance the city's beaches.

"They are the jewels of our city, and we should not allow them to deteriorate," Pennington said. "Without our wide, pristine beaches, tourists will not come and our economy will suffer greatly."

Pennington and his wife, Betty, have three grown children. They moved to Naples from the Washington, D.C., area after his retirement from the Navy Department in 1982.

John Sorey, chairman of the city's Planning Advisory Board, and political newcomer William Willkomm III also are seeking council seats.

The deadline to file the necessary documents to run in the Feb. 3 city election is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23. The seats are nonpartisan and elected at-large. Terms are for four years.