Speed was the name of the game on Thursday at Tarpon Point.
The Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce hosted “Speed Politics”, putting together city councilmen and citizens in a face-to-face setting.
Much like a speed dating type of event, citizens had 10 minutes of face time with council members to expound their beliefs, ask questions, or simply get some things off their chest.
Ten-year Cape resident Peter Moss said he had three things on his mind when it came time to sit down with council members.
Along with a 1 cent sales tax and median landscaping, Moss said the ongoing city manager saga was in the forefront of his mind.
“I feel the position should be a middle manager between the citizens and the council,” Moss said. “I like the guy that’s already there.”
Between 75 – 100 people attended the event.
Chamber President Mike Qaintance said he didn’t know what to expect when the idea of speed politics first came up.
Overall, though, he said he was pleased with the way things turned out on Thursday.
The whole point of speed politics, he said, was to put people in comfortable situations with council members.
“We usually do traditional meet and greets with elected officials, but we really wanted to do something non-confrontational and comfortable for people and city council,” he said.
Council member Marty McClain said he was fielding a lot of questions about the city manager position and economic development.
Overall, he said he enjoyed the experience and would be willing to do it again.
“This has been very nice,” McClain said.