Five candidates are vying to become the next Cape Coral City Council member for District 6 in Southwest Florida's Lee County including Joseph Michael Angrisano.
To better inform voters, they responded to questions by The News-Press covering a variety of topics including growth paying for growth, water supply, traffic, jobs, affordable housing and other issues.
Angrisano, 73, worked more than 20 years as digital marketing director for tech companies.
District 6 includes northwest Cape Coral, but the voting is done citywide for the four-year term. All eligible voters, regardless of party affiliation, will be able to cast their ballots in the non-partisan elections scheduled for Aug. 18.
The two with the highest totals advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Incumbent Keith Long is not seeking reelection.
Cape Coral has a council-manager form of government with seven districts with population sizes that are as equal as possible and follow the center lines of streets or canals. Council members are paid an annual salary of more than $44,000.
With 40 years rooted in Cape Coral, Annette Warren, 48, served as law enforcement officer in U.S. Air Force..
Born in Kentucky, jobs for Jeffrey W. Huddleston, 61, have included firefighter, funeral director and bar owner.
A Realtor and lifelong Lee resident, Liza King, 51, is 20th Judicial Circuit chief deputy court administrator.
Ray Mule, 64, has worked for IBM, Merrill Lynch and other companies, and later served as real estate broker.
Q: Talk about any recent examples — locally or statewide — that you believe either strengthened or weakened public confidence in free speech protections and explain that. How would you respond differently as a city leader?
A: Recent examples of Florida's campus free-speech laws strengthened protections, while overly restrictive decorum rules at Cape Coral City Council meetings have weakened public trust. As Councilmember, I will defend open public comments, work to eliminate the childish "no clapping rule", and guarantee every resident can speak freely — without fear of retaliation or arrest.
Q: When council voted last year on what's now known as mobility fees, it fell short on implementing them at a level to fully cover what's been outlined in future planning to fund billions in needed improvements that come with growth and arriving newcomers. Also expressed by some city leaders, concern from current citizens is they now will subsidize new development and utility expansion, too. What can be done on the shortfall? With new state laws in play, what kind of consensus can you build to get fees on track?
A: Mobility fees must cover growth's true costs — current residents shouldn't subsidize new development. ("Growth pays for Growth") With new state laws, I'll push for full-cost recovery, transparent impact studies, and consensus through public hearings. Shortfalls require prioritizing essential infrastructure over needless spending and holding developers accountable.
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Q: Cape Coral has faced ongoing worries about water supply. What steps should be taken now to address future demand? As growth continues, what investments or policy changes are needed to ensure the city has a sustainable and reliable water supply? How should the city balance development approvals with the availability of water resources and infrastructure capacity?
A: Secure reliable water through conservation, aquifer protection and alternative sources like reclaimed water for irrigation and desalinization. I'll oppose water hungry projects without proven infrastructure capacity and prioritize UEP completion. Water supply security requires data-driven growth limits tied to actual water availability.Q: Residents have expressed frustration with jobs and the difficulty that goes with it on affording homes in Cape Coral. The data shows they have good reason for that, with the city and area near the bottom of America in high-paying professional and STEM-oriented careers. As the city forges on with redevelopment and other economic development opportunities, what is your specific plan to attract and retain higher-wage industries, and when will voters see results? What is your take on affordable housing?
A: Attract higher-wage jobs by cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and marketing Cape Coral as business-friendly. Focus on tech, healthcare, while encouraging small businesses, and skilled trades. For affordability, support workforce housing incentives without subsidies that raise taxes. Results come from consistent pro-growth, smart marketing, and flexible regulation policies. Voters will see progress within 2–3 years.
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Q: Ever increasing traffic congestion continues to affect the quality of life for residents. In a city with more miles of waterways than anywhere else on Earth, talk about, if any, what alternative transportation options, such as passenger ferries and expanded transit connections, you would push or not push to implement, and how quickly would you have what you think is needed up and running? With unknowns on future property taxes as the state looks to chop that needed revenue for cities, how do you fund it?
A: Cape Coral may have 400 miles of canals; however, they are currently not configured for public transportation. Cape Coral's good paying jobs are limited. Most residents rely on automobiles for commuting to work outside the city. Funding for better public transportation must come from growth paying its fair share through impact fees, not raising taxes on existing residents. Any new funding must contain realistic, budget-conscious timelines with no unfunded mandates.
Q: Florida has increasingly limited the authority of local governments and their community's residents in areas such as development regulation, zoning and public policy. That's a big deal if you and council represent the state's 8th largest city population. What authority should be returned to cities like Cape Coral, or are you good with it and explain that? Point to a specific policy where you believe local control is especially important instead of in state hands, and how you would advocate for it as an elected official.
A: Local control should return on zoning and development decisions. State preemption is needed for uniformity, but Cape Coral knows its residents best. I'd advocate for local authority on land use while supporting statewide standards on critical issues like public safety, local zoning and character. I'll advocate for returning more authority on non-statewide issues.Q: What do you see as the biggest mistake or missed opportunity by current city leadership, and how would you pursue it differently?
A: The biggest missed opportunity was not fully funding the UEP on a reasonable timeline that included anticipating cost increases and the necessary funding needed to continue the project without punishing residents. Current unaffordable hook-up fees and assessments will soon exceed fifty thousand dollars per homeowner. I'd prioritize taxpayer dollars on essentials first; that includes regular public opinion polling, transparency and measurable project timelines.Q: Voters have choices in this election. Why should they pick you over someone else in the race?
A: I'm a true grassroots candidate with zero ties to special interests or developers. With proven business experience and a laser focus on fiscal responsibility, I offer resident-first leadership that delivers real results — without the baggage of the current status quo.
Writing In the Know for the USA TODAY Network, Columnist Phil Fernandez ([email protected]) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. Sign up for our free Breaking Ground growth and development newsletter. Subscribe to our News-Press and Naples Daily News apps.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Meet Cape seat 6 hopeful Joseph Michael Angrisano ahead of election