Lee County residents debated with lawmakers for several hours Thursday over how many commissioners should represent the growing county.
They also discussed whether or not voters should get to vote for every commissioner or just the one representing their district.
“We don’t need more politicians. We need people to get to work now and do their job,” said Lee Commission member Cecil Pendergrass.
The debate over remaking local government took place during a public meeting on the campus of Florida Southwestern State College during Lee County’s annual delegation meeting ahead of the legislative session.
Lee County's state lawmakers gave a thumbs up to allowing voters to approve how many commissioners they should have and just who they should represent voters.
Resident Robert Valento told lawmakers the constitution guarantees county commissioners and the charter review board decide local issues.
Valento was among those opposed to creating another county commission seat and allowing single member districts.
“All this is doing is giving me more control over who is representing my interest,” said county resident James Kennedy.
Currently, the county has five commission members, and each represents a district, but they’re voted on by everyone in the county.
Republican state Rep. Mike Giallombardo of Cape Coral wants to change that.
“What I proposed is simple single member districts. That means each county commissioner is voted on by a district they represent, similar to the Florida House and Congress,” Giallombardo said.
However, some top Lee County Republicans, including Republican State Committeewoman Tara Jenner, oppose his plan.
“It was expected, but I'm very disappointed,” Jenner said.
“I feel very betrayed that our legislators will not listen to the grassroots,” said longtime Republican Doris Cortese.
Fondly referred to as the godmother of Lee County Politics, Cortese pointed out that her Trump Club opposed the plan.
“The Trump Club that I'm president of voted 51 to 1 against this,” Cortese said.
However, on Thursday, lawmakers voted five to one in support of Giallombarod’s bill to allow voters to decide. Only state Rep. Jenna Persons opposed it.
Sen. Kathleen Passidomo supported letting voters decide but issued a warning.
“I'm going to support it today but don't forget I get the last word because it has to come to the Senate,” Passidomo told the group.
She said those who are not in favor of it have an opportunity to express it. They can campaign against it. People who are for it can campaign for it.
Perhaps the most important thing to know is that local lawmakers still must get the local bill through the state House and Senate in order to ultimately take it before voters to decide.