By Pam Nicholls, GSAC Board Member
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WHO: There are four candidates running in the primary for the District 4 seat on the Collier County Board of Commissioners. Penny Taylor is campaigning for re-election following two four-year terms as District 4 representative. She is being challenged by former Naples City Councilor Michelle McLeod, retired police officer, Dan Kowal and fashion retailer Daija Hinojosa.
WHAT: At the time of going to press, this is a universal primary as all four candidates are affiliated to the Republican party. Unlike a closed primary, ALL qualified electors may vote, regardless of their party affiliation.
WHEN: The primary takes place on August 23,2022.
WHERE: The 4th District encompasses the area west of I-75 between Pine Ridge Road and US 41 east to Rattlesnake Road and south including the city of Naples.
WHY: The Board of County Commissioners takes action and makes policies that directly affect Naples residents.
HOW: Voters can vote in person on the day or early or request a Vote-by-Mail ballot. Please go to CollierVotes.gov or call (239) 252-VOTE (8683). Voters will need their Florida driver license number or the last four digits of their social security number in order to request their ballot. Ballots will be mailed from July 14-August 15. The deadline for vote by mail ballot requests is August 13.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Daija Hinojosa says she is unapologetic about her convictions and claims to have inspired “the largest freedom movement in Collier County.” She is a staunch supporter of Governor DeSantis and staunch opposer of mask or any other mandate. She comes to the table with a background in business management, believes “citizens should call the shots” and champions water quality, balanced growth and economic diversity.
Tell us why your election would be important to the folks on Gulf Shore?
I am dedicated to bridging the gap between the City and the County. This election is crucial in electing a commissioner who shares the same vision as the people in Gulf Shore and all of Naples. I find that the relationships made with the City Council are just as important as the relationships with residents who live here and contribute to the community. The vision for the City resonates with me and I want to see Naples remain a small town culture with small town charm.
Do you agree that the proposed NCH Heart, Stroke and Vascular Institute belongs in downtown Naples and how would you resolve the zoning issues?
I understand that world class healthcare is very important to the residents in Naples. What has given Naples that small town charm is the restricted building codes. The city took a hard stance that the principle that has kept the small town charm, is the referendum on building heights. Since the city took such a hard stance on this, it’s only fair to hold that standard to everyone. However, based on the city’s jurisdiction within their charter, I would approach the zoning issues by reclassifying the hospital as a public service and put the topic up for a community vote on the ballot. An at large vote would be an opportunity for the whole community to voice their opinion in this matter by an at large vote.
How will you deal with the critical shortage of affordable housing for essential workers in Collier County?
The reality is that the demand is far greater than the product that can be delivered; between premium land value and rising costs in building supplies it’s a challenge to find a solution that not only makes sense financially but that also can be delivered in a timely manner. The ENCDP has great ideas from surveys and workshops for mixed use development along the US 41 E corridor, that I am looking forward to championing as Commissioner. Although this does not solve the desperate need that we have right now, we can at least take this as a lesson learned that we must prioritize our essential personnel because without them, our community will suffer.
What will you do to further the cause of renewable energy in Collier County?
I am open minded and happy to consider any and all energy services to improve our quality of life. As Commissioner, I would collaborate with staff to see what proposals and solutions they could present, along with forming relationships with solar industry experts to see how we could incorporate a greener footprint throughout the community. Not only use up less resources but for those who choose too, would also see a cost benefit. I think that we could also be creative in finding resolve with rising home costs by exploring sustainable manufacturing solutions.
Dan Kowal is a US Army vet who served 28 years as a law enforcement officer, the past 18 years with the County Sherriff’s Department. He says he is heavily invested in the county and its future. He wants to restore “a more conservative” edge to county governance and favors “smaller government.” According to his website he is the “Protector Of Your Rights” and is pro-clean water, pro-second amendment, pro-law enforcement and pro-life.
Tell us why your election would be important to the folks on Gulf Shore?
One of my primary obligations is to the quality of water. I have already reached out to local and state leaders that have been working on these issues. I believe this is extremely important especially to the residences along Gulf shore Boulevard. We can never have a repeat of what happened to us back in 2018.
Do you agree that the proposed NCH Heart, Stroke and Vascular Institute belongs in downtown Naples and how would you resolve the zoning issues?
I believe logistically that the NCH Heart, Stoke and Vascular Institute would be best served at the location they are proposing to build it. Knowing that our average age in the area is 66 years old, it could benefit people and their loved ones. But The county commissioners do not have jurisdiction over the zoning rules, Because it falls in the jurisdiction of the city of Naples.
How will you deal with the critical shortage of affordable housing for essential workers in Collier County?
When I become County Commissioner I plan on working with The Affordable Housing Committee. The Committee was awarded $20,000,000 to take on this very important issue with housing affordability for our essential and service personnel.
What will you do to further the cause of renewable energy in Collier County?
I will look into the possibility of grants that would use solar panels to subsidize electricity to sewage pump stations, traffic light controls, and Street lights. This will also help when we have large areas with power outages like times storm heavy storms and hurricanes conditions.
Michelle McLeod is a third generation Floridian who brings historical perspective to the race. Raised in Fort Myers, she has lived and worked in Naples for more than 25 years pursuing careers in both hotel management and banking. She also served four years on the Naples City Council. Her “on time and underbudget” philosophy is validated in three major city projects completed during her term: the development of Baker Park, the reconstruction of City Dock and the construction of the city’s Emergency Operations Center.
Tell us why your election would be important to the folks on Gulf Shore?
Our county commissioner makes many decisions that affect our neighborhoods and city such as with matters that directly affect our beaches and waterways. Most concerning are decisions that have been made by our current commissioner to direct a portion of beach re-nourishment funding to pay for the Paradise Coast Sports Complex which is currently $67 million over budget. Also concerning is a lack of support from our current commissioner for the Belle Meade project which is intended to significantly restore the health of the Gordon River and Naples Bay. As a 30-year resident of Park Shore, I am intimately familiar with what is important to our area. As a county commissioner, I will make sure our beaches are adequately funded and that the Belle Meade project moves forward.
Do you agree that the proposed NCH Heart, Stroke and Vascular Institute belongs in downtown Naples and how would you resolve the zoning issues?
As an elected official, one of the most important responsibilities you have is to protect the health and safety of the residents you serve. This is first and foremost. Heart disease is the #1 killer in America. Tearing down the Telford building and building a five-story state-of-the-art Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Institute on NCH’s downtown campus is absolutely the right thing to do. This is the time to make an allowance for height… to save lives. When seconds count, these facilities will be a tremendous benefit for all residents in District 4.
How will you deal with the critical shortage of affordable housing for essential workers in Collier County?
I serve on three boards that are addressing housing solutions for our county’s needs. I serve on the Women’s Foundation Board, the Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds, and the Collier County Community Land Trust Board. We are successfully addressing housing needs through a variety of different ways from philanthropic means, public/private partnerships and lobbying for changes to the land development code. I am happy to report that through the land trust board that I serve on, just last month we broke ground on two senior affordable housing communities in Hacienda Lakes and one workforce housing community on Santa Barbara Boulevard. And the work continues!
What will you do to further the cause of renewable energy in Collier County?
There are many benefits to increasing our use of renewable energy. Benefits like minimizing pollution, increasing job opportunities, helping to lessen our reliability on other countries for our energy needs. Though there are its own challenges like with storage and costs, the benefits tend to outweigh the challenges. In Collier County, we are already looking at solar farms and gas (methane) to energy types of programs. As a county commissioner, I will carefully consider these types of programs to advance our use of renewable energy.
Penny Taylor has the most experience of all the candidates, having spent ten years on the Naples City Council (2000-2010) before moving to the Collier Board of County Commissioners in 2014. She currently serves as Chair of Economic Development for the Board of County Commissioners and previously chaired both the Tourist Development Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization. In 2018 she initiated Collier County’s first Arts & Culture Strategic Plan to ensure that we are a hub of cultural activity.
Tell us why your election would be important to the folks on Gulf Shore?
I have been on the BCC for eight years and during that time all City of Naples/Collier County issues have been addressed by my office. My record shows a deep and respectful understanding of the City of Naples issues – for instance, the US Army Corps of Engineers plan that proposes to build resiliency on our beaches. This plan picks winners and losers and pits one neighboring area of our City against the other neighboring area. I wanted to end the County’s involvement with this plan but unfortunately did not have the votes on the Board to support my request.
Do you agree that the proposed NCH Heart, Stroke and Vascular Institute belongs in downtown Naples and how would you resolve the zoning issues?
The NCH Heart, Stroke and Vascular Institute’s location is not within the jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners. It is a City of Naples zoning issue. As a County Commissioner, it is not my place to advocate one way or another on this issue.
How will you deal with the critical shortage of affordable housing for essential workers in Collier County?
The Board of County Commissioners has been addressing this issue for as long as I have been a Commissioner (and before, I am told). This is the most important infrastructure issue that we have. Under my leadership, the County has identified and built affordable housing on County owned property. Unfortunately, established neighborhoods in many areas throughout the County, have objected and continued to object to ‘affordable’ housing being included on sites adjacent to their neighborhoods. I was also able to lead our Board to require a developer, building market rate rental apartments, to include a specific percentage of affordable units within the development – the first success of ‘inclusionary zoning’ within Collier County (the Allura development). I will continue my strong advocacy of this issue.
What will you do to further the cause of renewable energy in Collier County?
Collier County has always been a local leader in renewable energy. Our landfill’s ‘trash’ is powering Waste Management trucks in the field. We have partnered with Florida Power and Light at the Paradise Sports Park as well as the Naples Zoo, where solar panels are providing shade as well as power. I will continue to support renewable energy initiatives throughout our County.
