Survey mayor's race a contest of dollar bills

Lofty campaign promises and fundraising integrity have no place in one of Bonita Springs’ longest running elections.

This weekend, candidates for the honorary position of Mayor of Survey will literally get on their soapbox and solicit campaign contributions and votes from those in the community.

The elections, held every two years by the Bonita Springs Historical Society, will feature a rally and ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the historical society’s home, 27412 S. Riverside Drive.

Survey was the original name for the Bonita Springs area when it was settled.

This year’s Mayor of Survey candidates are real estate agent Peter Justus and businesswoman Ronda Lyles Lawhon. Justus has lived in Bonita Springs since moving from New Jersey 15 years ago. Lyles Lawhon grew up in the area.

Justus said he ran for the position to help raise money for the historical society in a unique way.

On Saturday, they’ll jump atop a soapbox and give their platforms and promises, most of which traditionally have been far-fetched pipe dreams, said event co-chair Nikki Nichols.

One of Justus’ campaign initiatives? Affordable housing for all. Lyles Lawhon’s plan calls for having golf carts replace gas-guzzling, air-polluting cars on Bonita’s roads.

Votes are obtained through fundraising, Nichols said. Each dime the candidates raise is worth one vote. Past winners have raised between $1,200 and $3,200 for the historical society. The winner gets little more than recognition and a chance to represent the organization in the annual Fourth of July parade, Nichols said. This year’s winner will be announced the last week of June, when all fundraising must end.

Incumbent Survey Mayor Rick Steinmeyer said he will not seek re-election. This will be only the second time since 1996 that he has not run.

That won’t stop him from partaking in Saturday’s festivities, however. Steinmeyer said he wants to be around to support the historical society and help raise money. Oh, and he supports Lyles Lawhon.

“Both the Lyles and Lawhons have been around for a long time,” Steinmeyer said. “The other guy is from Jersey.”