Berry to seek Henning’s commission seat

Don Berry wants to see confidence restored to Collier County government.

And he thinks he is just the man to bring it back.

Berry, 71, filed paperwork Friday to run as a Republican for the Collier County Commission seat in District 3.

The District 3 seat, which includes Golden Gate city, is currently held by Commissioner Tom Henning, who has filed to seek re-election as a Republican. Bill McDaniel, owner of Big Island Excavating, also is running in the Republican primary.

Berry, a retired certified public accountant, said he would work to guard the health, safety and welfare of his fellow Collier County residents and would “weigh each issue on its merit, not on the proposer.”

Berry said as a commissioner, he would focus on the needs of District 3, but would also plan for the future of Collier County as a whole.

“I think we need a fresh set of eyes to look at the issues,” he said. “There is a lack of respect on the commission. I don’t see the civility.”

Berry, who has served in leadership positions on several boards like the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the United Way, said he is concerned about the county’s debt and that the county is using its general fund dollars to pay off that debt.

Berry, who has been a resident of Collier County since 1963, has been married to Collier County School Board member Barbara Berry for 49 years. The couple have two children, Patrick and Dawn, and six grandchildren.

“I feel I have a lot to offer,” he said.