Survey candidates make pitch for 'Mayor'

Vote early. Vote often.

The race is on in Bonita Springs to determine who will serve as the next mayor of Survey, an honorary title bestowed upon the candidate who raises the most cash for the city’s historical society during June by swaying constituents with tongue-in-cheek big talk and promises.

Standing atop a light blue soapbox at the Bonita Springs Historical Society on Saturday, candidates Pete Justis and Ronda Lyles-Lawhon delivered speeches to an audience ready to donate.

With her cousin and campaign manager in the background holding signs that read, “Laugh,” “Applaud” and “She’s serious,” Lyles-Lawhon, owner of The Strand Salon on Old 41 Road, envisioned an Imperial River development with the deep porches and graceful architecture of Old Florida.

Old 41 should be filled with cafes with outside seating, friendly to the state’s newly passed law that allows dogs to dine with their owners, she said. Mounted patrols could keep the corridor safe from crime and a golf-cart only ordinance would guarantee the well-being of pedestrians, she added.

Local real estate agent Justis took a more stoic tack, introducing himself simply and speaking about the need for historic preservation and affordable housing in the city.

Photo by Jeremy Lyverse, Daily News

Jan Bibber-Cook holds up a sign to emphasize a point made by her cousin, Rhonda Lyles-Lawson, who announces her candidacy for Honorary Mayor of Survey, which was sponsored by the Bonita Springs Historical Society at the Society's headquarters on Saturday. Rhonda is running against Pete Justis, both of whom attain votes by raising money, all of which goes to the society. The new mayor will be sworn in during the July 4th parade festivities.

The audience used candidate bios to stir the still, muggy air that gathered just before an afternoon rain shower, but no one complained too much.

These are Florida people.

Lyles-Lawhon, linked to two of Bonita Springs’ oldest families, was born and raised in the city. Justis, a New Jersey native, can trace his family’s presence in Bonita Springs back to 1941, when his great aunt traveled to the city and stayed in the Lyles Hotel.

Don Trew passed through the crowd, a wicker basket in one hand, a cool drink in the other, collecting money that folds and money that jingles after each speech.

Votes are 10 cents apiece. Bonita Springs City Councilwoman Martha Simons, fresh from a campaign of her own, invested in 1,000 of them.

In the audience, Mayor Jay Arend thought some of the promises sounded mighty familiar.

“Some of those are the very same ideas we have,” he said.

Mounted police and golf carts on Old 41 Road?

Maybe not.

“I’ve heard these campaign promises before and they’re hard to keep,” Arend said with a smile.

All jokes aside, Justis said he’s serious about the need for affordable housing in the city, and Lyles-Lawhon thinks the Old 41 Road corridor should keep its historic flavor.

Both are passionate about historic preservation.

The fundraiser itself isn’t a joking matter either.

It raises thousands of dollars for the historical society, event co-chairwoman Nikki Nichols said. The historical society, founded in 1984, began hosting the biennial contest 16 years ago, she said. The title mayor of Survey is a nod to the city’s first name.

The winner will be determined later this month and will be introduced to the city during the Independence Day parade. Youth mayor Joshua Winn also will be “inaugurated” into his second term that day. The eighth-grader is running for the youth post uncontested this year.

Supporters can vote as many times as they like and for both candidates if they wish, Nichols said.

Glancing at his competition Saturday, her long Bonita Springs family line mapped out on a display behind her, Justis speculated Lyles-Lawhon might be a shoo-in.

She’s not taking that for granted, though.

Lyles-Lawhon is planning a June 24 benefit at the estate of Robert Lawhon Jr. A $15 donation from each adult will net more cash for the historic society, and 150 votes for Lyles-Lawhon.