Hang on to those mail-in ballots that started arriving in island mailboxes today. You’ll want to hear what the six candidates up for three Sanibel City Council seats have to say at SCCF’s first-ever Candidate Forum on the Environment.

 

On Wednesday evening, Feb. 10, SCCF will livestream the forum at sccf.org as CEO Ryan Orgera, Ph.D., pictured here, moderates a live, socially-distanced panel featuring all six candidates up for election.

 

“A majority of the council seats are on the ballot this year, potentially creating the first major shift in our city’s leadership at one time in many years,” said Orgera. “The City of Sanibel is unique in our region, not just for its natural beauty, but because nature is given equal footing with human residents. That is ensured by city leadership.”

 

With its distinct Comprehensive Land Use Plan and City Charter developed when the City was created in 1974 as a response to the potential for runaway growth, SCCF has been a long-standing partner in protecting the Sanctuary Island.

Not just a typical virtual event, the SCCF livestream production will be directed by former CBS News producer Arlene Dillon, pictured here, who is a long-time Sanibel resident. Dillon’s 25 years of experience in network television news included 12 years covering the White House and producing live special events. 

 

“This election is important not just for Sanibel but for our whole region,” said Dillon, who is volunteering her time and talent. “I’m happy to help produce an engaging program that will inform voters.”

 

The forum is intended to help voters understand where candidates stand on critical issues specific to the environment including: land use, water quality, Everglades restoration, living with wildlife, coastal resilience, and the role of science in policymaking.

 

Candidates will be seated at a safe social distance; no audience will be present. Questions have not been provided in advance, only broad topics. Candidates include Mary Bondurant, Scott Crater, Tim Drobnyk, John Henshaw, Jason Maughan, and Mike Miller.

 

SCCF is strictly non-partisan and will not endorse any candidates. Go to sccf.org to watch live on Feb. 10 at 7pm. If you can’t watch live, the forum will also be recorded and available for viewing at sccf.org anytime before the election. 

 

Mail-in ballots are recommended to be sent through the postal service by Feb. 20 for the March 2 election, according to the Lee County Elections Office. Mail-in ballots can also be dropped off at the main office at 2480 Thompson St. in Fort Myers up to 7pm on March 2, when in-person voting will take place at island precincts.