Race is on for title of Mayor of Survey

Hear ye, hear ye, the Bonita Springs Historical Society shall hold its annual ice-cream social and political rally on Saturday for authentic candidates running for the fictional offices of Honorary Mayor and Youth Mayor of the Historic Town of Survey.

Every two years, this political race serves as both a fundraiser for the society and as a way to encourage community awareness of Bonita's heritage.

Whichever candidate raises the most votes, or the most dimes since one vote equals 10 cents, will be announced as the new Mayor of Survey right before the city's Fourth of July parade. After riding in the parade, the new officials will be inaugurated into office.

According to Nikki Nichols, of the Historical Society, the honorary and youth mayors will help "preserve the history of the town and citizens of Survey, to assist the people of the city of Bonita Springs, and to promote the image of the community."

Bill Cooper, legendary for hosting the society's "Walk Bonita" around old downtown while Johnny Cash's song, "I Walk the Line" can be heard, was a former Honorary Mayor.

Other former mayors include local businessman Nabil Youssef; well-known local historian Jane Hogg; and Rick Steinmeyer, the current Honorary Mayor. Steinmeyer campaigned during the past four races, successfully beating his opponents in 2004, according to Nichols.

This year, local Realtor Peter Justis and local business owner Ronda Lyles-Lawhon are competing for the honorary title.

Justis, of Exit-Gulder Real Estate, has lived in Southwest Florida for 15 years, after moving to Florida from Ocean Grove, N.J. According to Justis, Ocean Grove is a "century town" that he lived in for 35 years.

"Everything's a hundred years old," Justis said. "My belief is preserving anything that's possible to preserve."

Once it's gone, it's impossible to bring back, Justis added.

Justis enjoys raising money for the Bonita Springs Historical Society because he feels many of the historic homes in the area should be preserved to provide middle class affordable housing.

Justis's challenger, Lyles-Lawhon, owner of The Strand Hair Salon on Old 41, was born in Bonita Springs and is a member of two "pioneer Bonita families. Lyles-Lawhon is interested in preserving Bonita Springs' past through commissioning artistic renderings of older properties, especially those that are no longer standing, and getting oral accounts of early life in Bonita Springs from older residents.

"Each of our candidates has expressed a real appreciation for the history of Bonita Springs, and a desire to protect what makes our city so special," Nichols said.

Current Youth Mayor Joshua Winn won last year's race against Jessica Rippel. This year, the eighth-grader, whose favorite subjects are art, English, and geography, is running unopposed.

Winners for both Honorary Mayor and Youth Mayor are determined by the amount of money each candidate raises. According to Nichols, candidates can solicit votes in any way they choose, whether receiving financial support from friends and relatives, businesses and organizations, or from hosting their own political fund raisers.

"It's all about buying your politician," Nichols wrote in a press release about the event.

The Ice Cream Social and Political Rally will give community members an opportunity to meet the candidates and hear what each will do if elected to office, and is open to the general public.

"Bring plenty of dimes and vote as many times as you like for your favorite candidate," Nichols said.

The "Soapbox" Ice Cream Social/Political Rally will be held in the garden of the Bonita Springs Historical Society House at 27142 S. Riverside Drive from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10.