Live updates from Patrick Riley

City Manager Carl Schwing points out that using Vanderbilt Dr. also could be an option, even if it means having to work w/ another county.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/20/2016 2:24:13 PM

That's it folks. Story later.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:25:32 AM

Alan Glazer, former Historic Preservation Board prez, urges council not to spend $28K to rebuild water tower.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:23:14 AM

Resident Carolyn Gallagher says she doesn't know where evacuation routes are. "If somebody told me I need to go I don't know where to go."

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:22:24 AM

#SWFL New council in Bonita Springs, new rules ... twitter.com/patjriley/stat…

by maryann.batlle via twitter retweeted by PatJRiley 4/7/2016 12:16:40 AM

Simmons: "I'm excited to get going. (...) I'm excited to start the budget at zero. And review every item."

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:16:32 AM

Quaremba says she wants to review all the annexation agreements. Vast majority of those are in District 1, her district.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:11:58 AM

Council votes to not award new contracts with some exceptions until new council has looked them over (in 2 weeks). DeWitt, Slachta: nay.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:09:10 AM

Essentially Forbes wants to not award any new contracts until new council has looked over every item in the budget.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:05:46 AM

Forbes says he wants to stall any future project that old council approved in current budget, "where no contract has been signed yet."

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/7/2016 12:03:05 AM

Council unanimously votes to advertise ordinance that would prohibit certain lighting, specifically blinking lights around entrance frames.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 11:24:40 PM

Forbes nominates O'Flinn. Simmons seconds.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:13:24 PM

Now nominations for a deputy mayor: DeWitt nominates Steven Slachta, who declines.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:13:06 PM

Now up, Max Levine, owner of the car wash company that was rejected by the old council. Says he hopes new council "will take a fresh look"

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:12:35 PM

.@RepCurtClawson says he hopes there will be a "more positive tone" going forward.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:07:32 PM

.@RepCurtClawson Thanks previous mayor and councilors for their service. Says new council has "earned it" to be here.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:06:59 PM

.@RepCurtClawson now addresses council, "as a resident" of Bonita, not a state representative.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:04:39 PM

ICYMI: Estero council members vote for a raise for themselves, reports @maryannbatlle naplesnews.com/news/governmen…

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:02:35 PM

Now up, former Councilwoman Martha Simons. Also congratulates new council.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 10:01:47 PM

Steinmeyer gives out his number. "You can call me with any problems." Says he's not under Sunshine law.

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 9:57:17 PM

On to public comment now. First up Rick Steinmeyer, who ran for mayor. Thanks people for their support. "I'm not gonna cut my hair."

by Patrick Riley via twitter 4/6/2016 9:56:30 PM

We have adjourned. Story to come.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:55:24 PM

DeWitt says city was under control for county way too long. Says "smart growth" is needed to pay for infrastructure.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:55:10 PM

DeWitt says he believes in this town. Says his children came back after college to live in Bonita.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:54:14 PM

Quaremba says she has strong academic background, supports open gov't, knows financial prudence and teamwork.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:52:42 PM

Ferreira says he is strong proponent of solar energy, says Florida has plenty of opportunity for it.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:51:47 PM

Ferreira wants to work with BSU to clean up streams and rivers. Is supportive of downtown development.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:50:32 PM

.@MarcDevisse says he is here to bridge gap btwn. retirees, biz owners and families.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:49:42 PM

Closing statements now.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:49:18 PM

Ferreira says he's not that familiar with it, but says hospital situation needs to be improved.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:48:40 PM

.@MarcDevisse says he supports program and thinks it "fits perfectly into vision of Bonita."

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:47:46 PM

Quaremba says there are 2 sides to it. Says she would have to look further into it.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:46:52 PM

DeWitt says he supports it. But says he is not that familiar with local program.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:46:12 PM

14. Q: Are you familiar with local healthy Lee program/Blue Zone program? What's your opinion?

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:45:48 PM

Devisse, though not a gambler, says he also supports it.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:44:50 PM

Ferreira says negatives of increased crime tied to gambling are "bologna." Is in support of expansion.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:44:20 PM

Quaremba says she "supports every aspect of it." Will help locals find jobs.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:43:28 PM

DeWitt says issue has already been voted on but says expansion would be "economic boon" for Bonita. Would help workforce.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:42:42 PM

13. Q: Where do you stand on expanding gambling at dogtrack?

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:42:02 PM

.@MarcDevisse says he loves DeWitt's idea of giving out bonuses for hiring locals.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:41:28 PM

Ferreira says affordable housing is needed to get skilled workers. "You gotta have affordable housing if you're gonna have a good economy."

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:40:36 PM

Quaremba says she doesn't see "any red lights."

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:16:47 PM

8. Q What do you think of city's fiscal mgmt? What would you change?

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:15:55 PM

DeWitt says he wants to curb traffic on East Terry from mine.

by PatJRiley via twitter 2/23/2016 11:15:33 PM