Editorial: Mayor of Survey

Bonita Springs will experience a back to the future journey today as it begins the race to crown the latest Mayor of Survey.

Survey is the original name of Bonita Springs and every two years, a new mayor is crowned.

Just as the official Bonita Springs City Council did not see any of its three incumbents back in office in March's election, Survey's incumbent will not be in office next month. Rick Steinmeyer, who is proud of the mayoral moniker when speaking at council meetings, is not seeking re-election. Either longtime resident and businesswoman Ronda Lyles Lawhon or 15-year resident Peter Justus, a real estate agent, will become the next "mayor."

Each candidate raises funds for the Bonita Springs Historical Society, whose headquarters at the old Liles Hotel at Riverside Park will host today's kickoff rally and ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m.

The winner is the biggest fundraiser. A final tally of donations will come at the end of the month, and the new mayor will represent in the historical society in the city's Fourth of July parade.

While quips are aplenty — such as the mayor already having 20/20 hindsight and foresight on history — the office is as pertinent today and it might have been in another generation. With Bonita Springs at the dawn of a separate historical preservation board, will the Mayor of Survey get a chance to keep things the way they "are"?

Only time ... and history ... will tell.