His knowledge of health issues as a member of the Lee Memorial board should also help in the community's association with the system and its health care facility in Estero. This property, south of the Estero River, is half of the 62-acre land the Village purchased in 2019, known as the Estero on the River Trails project. 206 were here. Six hours of interviews with Estero village councilors and with notable community leadersform this oral history of how Esteros incorporation came to be and what the future might hold. The Village Council lacks diversity. With all that ahead, here are our endorsements: Brown, 69, has been involved in the formation of the city as a Belle Lago representative to the ECCL. Related:After U.S. Capitol riot, voter changes in party affiliation surge in Lee, Collier, More coverage:Initial plans for a pre-K to eighth-grade school in Estero reviewed by Lee school board. Community Development Village of Estero - Community Development 239.221.5036 Phone 239.319.2817 Inspections Main Number Building, Permitting, Inspections, Code Enforcement, Planning, Zoning, and Environmental Services Hours of Operation: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle 1st Floor Estero, FL 33928 239.319.2235 Fax Email: commdev@estero-fl.gov* Steve Fontz - Building Official - 239 . No election took place because all three candidates ran unopposed in their districts. It had now achieved what we wanted it to do., Howard Levitan: We knew now we had to really start to figure it out. Candidates need to supply their Candidate Petition Form by December 14, 2022. Our endorsements: The village of Estero council. Estero Life Magazine uniquely brings the people, places, and events together for our readers to give them a full appreciation of the beauty, excitement and variety of activities that combine to create ourLifestyle. Jim Wilson was also one of the original council members serving for eight years, representing District 7. It involved public meetings and petitions. A proven leader in Estero you can count on. Bill Ribble was a founding member of the Village Council in 2015, serving for six years. He was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in Miami. As long as it is done publicly, we encourage the communication for the betterment of all the cities. He has been involved with many professional and community organizations throughout his career. He said work will resume in May after eagle nesting season. ", Don Eslick: It will be very interesting to see whats going to happen with the Estero on the River property. To buy land and maintain it is very expensive. Errington, the current District 4 councilor, defeated Patty Whitehead, a member of Estero's . Estero residents are finding the lifestyle theyve always wanted, surrounded by good friends, fun, and of course, the sun! Although this race has been embroiled in controversy over Wilson's residency and voting rights, we believe either candidate will serve in the best interests of the community, stressing the need for responsible government, community interaction, investigating revenue streams to strengthen the budget, and using the ECCL's transition plan as a guide to orchestrating further growth within the city. Although the oldest of the council candidates at 77, we like that he wants to involve FGCU students in development of the city, as well as the university televising council meetings. A little more than 30 years ago, Estero was an unincorporated community in Lee County with a population just over 3,000. Estero would become the sixth Lee County municipality and the first incorporation in the county in 15 years. Also in the race is Randall Brodersen, 67, who has a wealth of city government experience, working 24 years for the public works department in Punta Gorda. We built these big reserves. That will be a statement of how nice it can be.. VILLAGE OF ESTERO COUNCIL 5 Candidates: 2: George Zalucki (NON) 20470 Black Tree Ln Estero, FL 33928 Email: info@georgeforestero.com, sharonzalucki@sbcglobal.net Phone: 239-319-0961: Sharon Zalucki 20470 Black Tree Lane Estero, FL 33928 Email: sharonzalucki@sbcglobal.net Phone: 239-319-0961: Elected: 4/25/2022: 121810694: VILLAGE OF ESTERO . District 7: Jim Wilson and Walter Zalisko. The move brought the Pelican Landing-owned Coconut Point Marina and 121 acres of vacant land into Bonita Springs. All the candidates want a town center that is community friendly, encouraging the right kind of commercial growth. We have a village that has governed with the government lite philosophy. Jim Boesch: A municipality has to support people of all ages. Learn how your comment data is processed. Always involved in the community, Fiesel was a member of the Carmel (IN) Mayors Street Tree committee, which led to the citys designation as a Street Tree City. We encourage them to get the necessary training and to understand what an open, transparent government is. We didnt. He oversaw construction of a new racquet center and clubhouse facility, and he is a member of the Board of Supervisors for the River Ridge Community Development District. Click on a meeting to access Agendas, Transcripts and Item Specific Video Clips of meetings as they More:Five stories to watch in Estero in 2020, More:Estero to assume ownership of Happehatchee Center, a Corkscrew Road eco-spiritual retreat. Here are major moments from Estero's first years as a village. My priorities are moving the village forward with Williams Road, she began. Village Council election coming in March: candidates need to file paperwork soon, Communications Specialist Marilyn Edwards. He has extensive business experience, holding executive positions at several corporations. Growth and development is likely to continue across the community. We have to have a reason for people to come here. Joanne Ribble has lived in Estero since 2007 and has been active on the Estero Design Review Committee (prior to Village incorporation) and the Pelican Landing Unit Owners Committee. A development order was approved July 11 by the Estero Planning, Zoning and Design board for a 20-acre mixed-use planned development on the southwest corner of Via Coconut Point and Corkscrew Road. Joanne is also a member of the Estero Forever Foundation. We dont have that yet. Once they did that, I automatically felt the time had come that we must incorporate to try to protect the real estate, the properties that were in Estero., Howard Levitan, Estero councilor and former vice-chairman of the ECCL: Basically, we said, Here is what the advantages are home rule, preserve and enhance building standards, use revenue locally, community centered government, control future growth, and protect Esteros quality of life., Katy Errington, Estero councilor: I wasnt involved in the ECCL, I just thought it was a good idea, especially after the Hyatt Regency (Coconut Point Resort & Spa)in 2014 became part of Bonita Springs. A foundation has been poured through a comprehensive feasibility study, a freshly written city charter and transition plan. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions| Community Rules, 2022 Estero Life Magazine. Five years later, Estero has gone a long way to establish itself among the cities in Lee County. We know he has concerns over traffic problems along Corkscrew Road and has made his views known to Lee commissioners to a point where relationship mending may be necessary. He also enjoys golf, cycling and pickleball. My biggest thing is listening to the community members and trying to do what is best for the community, Fayhee said. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. He wants to make Estero "a crown jewel" for Southwest Florida. His primary areas of focus included Estero Bay, the former Weeks Fish Camp property and the development of Village Hall. My priority is to complete the septic to sewer project that runs along the Estero River, McLain began. Positive relationships, especially with Bonita Springs where there has been tension over annexation, is important to fitting into the developmental fabric of Southwest Florida. It required a state bill and a local referendum. She is a proven environmentalist, earning a professional horticultural certificate. George Zalucki is past chair of Florida Forever so the environment is high on his list. The purchase price was $24.5 million, and it required Estero to take on a $20 million loan. He and his wife, Susan, have been full-time residents of Stoneybrook of Estero since 2008 and have a daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters who reside in the Village of Estero. Boesch served as the liaison for several organizations including the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization, serving as vice chair and chairperson; the Estero Forever Foundation, supporting the community foundation and fundraising; and the Estero Council of Community Leaders. Gary Israel, 63, and Adam Waszkowski, 43, also are entered in the race. Wilson said voting in Illinois was a mistake and Lee Supervisor of Elections Sharon Harrington found no reason to disqualify him from the election. One of our things is to embrace nature, Zalucki said. All rights reserved. Fiesel has lived in Estero since 2001 and has been active in his community of Pelican Sound, serving as president of the neighborhood association and chair of the communitys Architectural Review Committee. Sanibel is the only other municipal government in Lee County to follow that election cycle. Outgoing Mayor Katy Errington was one of the original council members for the Village of Estero, beginning on March 17, 2015, and serving eight years. Gary Israel for Village of Estero Council District 5 A proven leader in Estero you can count on. Now the hard work starts. Mayor Nick Batos told the Naples Daily News. Start now. "I have given back to Estero thousands of hours," she said. Village of Estero. The rezoning . We ask Estero's leaders to be mindful of what they have been preaching on the campaign trail and what they said to The News-Press Editorial Board. Village of Estero, FL - 239.221.5036 Comm. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Estero councilors and village staff say they want to see much of the land used for conservation and potential recreation opportunities. No election took place because all three candidates ran unopposed in their districts. The mayor also pointed to the 20 acres by Williams Road that the village recently purchased as a focal point for his time on the council. Moving forward, will take leaders willing to carry on that vision but also listening to the wants and needs of its residents. McLain has been a resident of Estero since 2010 and resides in Belle Lago. Errington, 72, has served as district governor for the southwest Ohio Rotary and was Estero's 2011-12 Rotarian of the Year for her work in organizing dental treatment for area children. We like that he wants to be fiscally conservative and build budget reserves at about $3 million annually for the each of the first five years. He served on the board of directors of the Estero Historical Society and was vice chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. His work included numerous hospitals and educational facilities as well as the Hoosier Dome, the Indianapolis Convention Center and the Lucas Oil Stadium, current home of the Indianapolis Colts. Estero Village Council unanimously approved Wednesday the first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 45.6-acre parcel from mixed-use planned development to Estero planned development. Jon McLain has served on the Village Council since June 2017, by appointment, and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023. Larry Fiesel is a candidate for the Estero City Council, District 2, in the March 2, 2021 election. Office: VILLAGE OF ESTERO COUNCIL-1 Back Print Export All List All Contributions and Expenditures Show only financial reports (Hides bio) Available reports. The Village is asking residents from these districts to consider becoming a candidate for a four-year term Council position. Meetings are Estero Mayor! A retired lawyer, Levitan was a leader in the effort to incorporate Estero in 2014 and the Villages first Vice Mayor. Fort Myers shooting investigation underway near Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. We had the transition committee that the ECCL had formed, which really helped, too, to lay the groundwork for them going ahead., Over the last five years, Estero has taken steps to plan for future growth in the city. Katy Errington: I couldnt believe I was an elected official. He is president of his local neighborhood association and has served as Chair of the clubs Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The Rodrigues-sponsored incorporation bill passed the Florida house and senate in April 2014. He was a key member of the team which oversaw major construction projects at Pelican Sound in 2018-2019, including a new Racquet Center and an award winning Clubhouse facility. He holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Florida International University. Theres something special about Estero; once youre here, youre home. The Estero Council of Community Leaders, known as the ECCL, called a meeting to address the pursuit of creating a city. Israel is a strong Estero advocate, longtime Rotary member and publisher of Estero Lifestyle magazine. Zalucki earned a bachelors degree in public safety and leadership from Sienna Heights University and served 27 years as a firefighter and Professional Emergency Manager (PEM), retiring as a fire chief in 2013 before relocating from Michigan to the Village of Estero. She earned her associates degree from Illinois Central College and attended the University of Illinois (Chicago). Estero is a village in Lee County, Florida, United States.As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,939. We believe Brown wants to listen to the wants and needs of the community through the voices of all residents, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. A year-and-a-half of community organizing brought Estero residents to that point. Our hands are tied because the village is only eight years old. After being sworn in for a second term, on April 5, Jon McLain was unanimously selected as the new mayor of Estero. Lopez said his agenda is all about balance. During a short reception, council members spoke of their priorities and goals. He is familiar with Sunshine Laws, and understands the importance of conducting business and decision making in public settings. As a former educator, understanding the needs of a growing student population within the Lee County School District, she was one of the few candidates who stressed the importance of meeting the needs of the district and supported a new high school in Bonita Springs and possible expansion of Estero High. All the candidates want a safe community, building onto an infrastructure that meets traffic needs and provides sidewalks for pedestrians and riding areas for cyclists. Learn how your comment data is processed. I thought that was a good idea. For additional questions, you may contact Village Clerk Carol Sacco at 239-221-5035 or sacco@estero-fl.gov. Finally, Jon talked about the Village Council elections in March 2023, and three of the four candidates are "terming" out. More:Estero is turning five. The Village COuncil webite also includes bios of all seven councilmembers and lists their contact information. He served as liaison to the Bonita Springs City Council, Florida League of Cities and Florida Gulf Coast University, and as alternate to the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Lee County. Improvements proposed are parking, signage, trash enclosure and landscaping. Many functions, such as waste removal and road and landscaping maintenance, are achieved through partnerships with other municipalities and private companies. The Village of Estero became Southwest Floridas ninth municipality. The new council members have been busy trying to see how they can steer the village in the direction residents want. Boeschs vast corporate experience prior to coming to Estero was instrumental in establishing the operations of government lite.. On March 17, 2021, the terms of three Estero Village Council members expired, and three new members were sworn in to serve four-year terms. Copyright 2023 Fort Myers Broadcasting. I am super excited help achieve goals. A lot of them are younger families. He is a board member of the Estero Historical Society and the Greater Estero Virtual Information Center and co-founder of the Gulf Coast Dream Cruise for Charity. Nick Batos, Estero councilorand former chairman of the Estero Council of Community Leaders: The straw that broke the camels back, so to speak, was when the city of Bonita Springs tried to start annexing property that was in Estero. Please do not miss the fun. There was a real desire to protect property values.. Zalucki praised the work of those that came before him. She is familiar with Sunshine laws, as well condo and homeowners association laws. I, Bill Ribble, am a Candidate for the initial Estero Village Council District 1. The Village of Estero requested a land-use change and a rezoning for a 31.5-acre property at the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road on Wednesday. Toggle navigation. We also believe his business background in advertising in Quincy, Ill., for 25 years, as well as his experience with the chamber, Rotary, the Quincy park board and several taxing districts gives him a well-rounded view of how government can mix with communities. This is an important time for the residents of . Joanne Ribble, wife of current Councilor Bill Ribble,will represent District 1. They voted unanimously to approve River Creeks plat plan. Estero avoids state and national races and holds its municipal elections in March on odd-number years. The ECCL was built on a vision mainly that of Nick Batos and Don Eslick. Gary Israel for Estero Country Club is so excited and proud to be a part of this rising area. It cannot just be 32 gated communities where older people live., Bill Ribble: Thats been a challenge. McLain brings extensive business background to the council and enthusiasm for preserving and He previously served 27 years as a councilman in Palatine, Ill., before moving to Estero, where he applied his lifelong experience to establish an efficient and well-run government structure in Estero. Nobody knew who was even going to run (for the council)at that point.. Estero Councilor Katy Errington won a second four-year term on the Estero Village Council Tuesday. Representing District 4, Errington served as both mayor and vice mayor before stepping down on March 20, 2023. An Indiana native, Fiesel graduated from Purdue University with a degree in architectural engineering. That was the amazing thing about what had happened., Don Eslick, former chairman of the ECCL: It went in my judgment pretty smoothly, considering they were brand new. That identity includes some separation from the ECCL. Band Booster Board, and a 35 year member of the Sertoma International club. We know this first year will set the foundation, as decisions are made on how the first year's tax revenue will be spent and saved and what services will be contracted with Lee County and through private companies. We support his enthusiasm for tapping into the the corporate minds and talents of those who live in Estero and involve them on city boards. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Engage Estero is a network of communities and organizations working together to serve as the "Voice of the People" to advocate for positive change. Nick Batos: You work for something for a long time and all of a sudden the day is there. Thats whats made the village what it is today., Ray Rodrigues: Five years later, we still have the Estero citizens paying less in property taxes than if they remained in unincorporated Lee County. The new vice mayor also thanked the council for giving her the position. Errington is a Rotarian of the Year (2012), member of the Estero Historical Society, Florida certified horticultural professional and a church elder. To read more at Gulfshore Business, click here. We like Zalisko's defined approach to Estero's development, wanting a good economic development plan, a fiscally conservative budget, low taxes, protection of open spaces, a vision for a family oriented community. They heard a virtual legal report and they each had a chance to thank the public and their families for giving them this chance to serve on the village council. Estero is turning five. Were happy that were here although its just the beginning. "I want them to share their opinions and views; tell us what they need," she said. Box 398 Fort Myers, Florida 33902-0398 Attention: County Manager Village of Estero Council 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle Estero, Florida 33928 Attention: Village Manager The address to which any notice or demand may be given to either party may be changed in writing. Will that really develop as a town center? It established rules for a village center, a walkable mixed-use downtown in the heart of the village. Copyright 2022 Gary for Estero - All Rights Reserved. Village Council: District 1 - Bill Ribble, Mayor; District 2 - Howard Levitan; District 3 - Jon McLain; District 4 - Katy Errington, Vice Mayor; District 5 - James Boesch; District 6 - Nick Batos; District 7 - Jim Wilson McLain is eager to get some of the 67 acres, that the village owns by the Estero River, open to the public. He was instrumental in expediting the construction of a much-needed traffic signal at the entrance to Grandezza and into Hertz Arena, which has greatly reduced accidents at that location and provided significant benefit to the community. To qualify, a candidate must have lived in the district they wish to represent for a minimum of one . VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, Florida January 20, 20219:30 a.m. Council unanimously voted in favor . The development called Via Coconut will consist of 330 multifamily units, 27,310 square feet of commercial uses and a 1-acre public park on [], Estero Village Council voted unanimously last month to settle a lawsuit with Long Bay Partners LLC, Top-CR Associates LLC and PAC Estero Apartment, allowing the developers to build a four-story apartment complex with 154 units at the northwest corner of Three Oaks Parkway and Coconut Road. The Village is asking residents from these districts to consider becoming a candidate for a four-year term Council position. An Estero resident since 2001, Fiesel has been a leader in the Pelican Sound community where he resides. The overwhelming support of its members kicked off public presentations and a petition drive throughout Estero. George Zalucki ran unopposed and will begin his four-year term beginning March 21, 2023, and ending March 15, 2027. There is a fine balance between keeping green spaces and keeping the developers that are coming in. Choose a Service. The Village of Estero conducts regular Council meetings. The members of the Village Council, Village staff and the citizens of Estero express heartfelt gratitude to council members Errington, Boesch and Wilson for their dedicated service to the Village of Estero, their commitment and passion for helping constituents, and their part in making Estero a crown jewel of Southwest Florida. Zalisko's professional background is in law enforcement, serving 37 years in a variety of roles, including as police chief in Oak Hill and for 29 years as a lieutenant, division commander and under sheriff for various agencies in New Jersey. March 17 th 2015 was a monumental day for Southwest Florida. Waszkowski is one of the younger candidates running and also is the only native Floridian on the ballot. Seven councilmembers represent seven districts within the boundaries of Estero. We are looking to turn that into public opportunities, he said. We created budgets every year, but we didnt spend the money. "The first year will involve a tremendous amount of time to get the village going," he said.
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