Editorial: Bonita, Marco elections

Our editorial board's endorsements in those races:

BONITA SPRINGS

MAYOR: Jay Arend is a trusted, steady hand from four years of service on the city's inaugural council. As an ally of Paul Pass, who worked hard and well as mayor as is not seeking re-election, Arend knows where the city has been and where it needs to go on roads, public safety and affordable housing.

Also in race: Bob Vandergrift.

CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 2: Alex Grantt has been a cog in city government even before it started; he helped write the city's charter that won voter approval in 1999. He has more than earned the opportunity to serve on the next level, on council, a position he first sought four years ago.

While developers pressure council to bend rules, Grantt's presence will remind council what those rules say and mean in the public interest. If that irritates the rest of council, so be it.

Also in race: Brenda Castillo, Carl Wyles.

Who can vote? All voters in District 2; if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the votes, this race will go to a runoff.

CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 6: Incumbent Ben Nelson personifies today's Bonita — a blend of old and new. He is a fifth-generation Lee Countian with unbridled enthusiasm about the future — if handled properly. He helped lay the foundation and has earned another term to work on downtown redevelopment, sidewalks, code enforcement and public safety.

If all public servants were as humble and down to earth as Nelson, government would have a better name.

Also in race: Bob Ryan

Who can vote? All voters in District 6; the top vote-getter wins outright.

MARCO ISLAND

Four incumbents face four challengers for four-year council seats. We suggest, in alphabetical order as they will appear on the ballot, three incumbents and a challenger:

Heyward Boyce: His civil engineering background and long local tenure make him an ideal candidate. True four years ago, true today. With the island now owning its drinking water system with his help, Boyce is eager to tap reused water for irrigation and assemble a master plan for the newly purchased Glon property.

Terri DiSciullo: She ran two years ago as the young families' link to council, and has made good. She has advanced the city's parks and recreation program with an accent on children. She sets aside Friday afternoons for office hours for citizens to drop in, and they do. In her next term, DiSciullo wants to help the city manager rebuild communications with citizens who feel left out.

Mike Minozzi: Hand a challenge to this busy incumbent, and stand back. Minozzi gets things done. He has championed better roads, bridges, sidewalks and drainage, a city police force and water system, better landscaping, bus service — and all have come to fruition. He has earned respect and cooperation from Collier County officials. Minozzi is the man with the plan.

William Trotter: What an outstanding candidate for today's taxpayer who demands efficiency and value. He has what it takes to run government like a business, starting with measurable goals. Trotter represents a lackadaisical, entrenched establishment's worst nightmare; but if City Hall gives his message a chance, there could be an epiphany of what can be accomplished for the people. Plus, he can do that without destroying what's good about city government.

Also in race: Paula Campasano-Robinson, William Markie, Steve Stefanides, E. Glenn Tucker.

Who can vote? All island voters can vote for up to four council members.

Who wins? As in the city of Naples, the top four vote-getters take office; there are no runoffs.

Election facts

— Marco and Bonita polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9.

— There are 11,419 voters eligible for the non-partisan Marco races; 21,110 voters are eligible for the Bonita nonpartisan races.

— Questions? Marco voters call the Collier County Supervisor of Elections, 774-8450; Bonita voters call the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, 339-6300.