Cast your ballots for a good cause this weekend
Voters will make their way to the polls on Saturday, Feb. 6, to determine who will serve as the next governor of Pine Island.
On even numbered years, the reigning mayors representing three of the villages on Greater Pine Island face off to earn votes for the esteemed position of governor.
This year’s candidates are, Matlacha Mayor Deb Cole representing Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha and St. James City Mayor Ethel Gilbert representing VFW Post 4353 in St. James City. Luretta Williams-Simms representing Capt’n Con’s Restaurant in Bokeelia has withdrawn her bid for this election. The winner will be determined by fund-raising efforts from each of the candidates and the person raising the most money will be declared the new governor of Pine Island. All proceeds from the election will be donated to the Greater Pine Island Lions Club. For the last several weeks the candidates have been campaigning hard by selling raffle tickets, T-shirts, holding 50/50 drawings and by numerous other activities.
Running on the Green platform, Deb Cole is all about the Matlacha and Pine Island environment. When running for mayor last year Cole stated, “When elected, I will look into providing trolly service in Matlacha to ease up the traffic and to preserve fossil fuel.”
Cole also said that she would encourage islanders to kayak or walk around town instead of driving, hang laundry out to dry and to shower with a friend. On several of these points, Cole feels at though she made a lot of headway.
Of those promises that have not come to fruition, Cole vows to continue her efforts to work toward a greener environment throughout the Greater Pine Island area.
“When I am elected governor, I will wage a campaign to make the island greener, remove all the dead fish from the canals and sprinkle fairy dust all over to ensure warmer weather,” Cole said.
To encourage voters, Cole and her campaign manager have collected dozens of items to be auctioned off on voting day.
“We have made an effort to try to gather some fun and unusual items to raise money for the Lions,” said Cole. “We didn’t want to have just a bunch of stuff, but instead, we wanted to focus on providing our bidders with events they can enjoy.”
Among the auction items will be a dinner with Matlacha author, Bob Macomber at the Tarpon Lodge, a private party for 20 in the backyard of Lovegrove Gallery and Garden, artwork by Mel Meo and Marie Cahill, a gift certificate from Roger Dean Chevrolet which include a full vehicle detailing and tickets to an auto race in Daytona, a kayak tour, a Lowery Conductor Organ, a custom made cast net by Steve Phanco and much more. During voting day music at Bert’s Bar will be provided by the Bombaleros.
Edging out the competition last year in south end of the island, Ethel Gilbert was named mayor of St. James City. She promised her voters that she would “see to it that there is a chicken in every pot and to slow down the pace here on the island.” Gilbert also promised she would insist that the clubs and bars in St. James City would have live music 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and she would keep automakers from producing cars on Pine Island.
“As governor I will strive to see to it that everyone on Pine Island gets and wears a name tag and on the day of the election, I will see to it that everyone who buys a beer will get a free cup,” Gilbert said.
Prior to the election, Gilbert and her aides have been raising money in various ways, including a cake walk, a car wash, a special dinner at the VFW and a donation party hosted by one of her constituents. On election day Gilbert said that in addition to beer sales, she will offer numerous 50/50s as well as a live auction.
“We have already collected a lot of great items for the auction. We have several gift certificates for area businesses, fruit trees and shrubs, artwork, wood crafts and a lot more,” Gilbert said. “We are looking forward to a very successful run and I am very pleased to help the Lions Club.”
According to Gilbert, the live auction will begin at the VFW at noon.
Luretta Williams-Simms is no stranger to the ballot as she has served as both mayor and governor of Bokeelia for several terms. This race however, Williams-Simms will not be available to participate.
“Unfortunately I will not be on Pine Island during the election so I am forced to withdraw my bid for governor this year,” said Williams-Simms. “I would like to extend my best wishes to the two remaining candidates and encourage the community to come out and support the Lions Club and all of the great work they do.”
On election day, the polls will open at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha and the VFW Post 4353 in St. James City at 11 a.m. Ballots can be cast with the purchase of $.25 glasses of beer as well as participating in auctions, raffles, 50/50s and other fund raising activities. The polls will officially close at 5 p.m. when the votes will be tallied and a winner is declared.
The Greater Pine Island Lions Club, a non-profit organization, has been providing community services on the island since 1969. Among those who receive assistance from the Pine Island Lions are residents in need of eye exams and glasses and hearing aides for those who cannot afford them. Other organizations who also benefit from the Lions Club are the Pine Island Scouts, Little League, Museum of the Islands, Friends of the Library, FISH, the Food Pantry Salvation Army Bell Ringers and scholarships for college bound students. The Lions also provide funding to support guide dogs for the blind and hearing impaired and maintain the kiddy park for island tots in St. James City.