Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson on NewsMakers 5-29-11.
Peter Simmons, Bonita City Council candidate, on NewsMakers 12-04-11.
BONITA SPRINGS — Incumbent Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson will keep his title for another four years.
And the Bonita Springs City Council is getting a fresh perspective as Peter Simmons won his seat as District 4 councilman on Tuesday.
“It’s so important to remember that this isn’t about me. It’s about the city of Bonita Springs,” Nelson told the crowd of supporters at the Trianon Hotel in Bonita Springs. “Thank you so much.”
The room of more than 100 family members, friends and supporters filled with cheers and whistles, and hugs were exchanged, as the election results came in.
“Four more years,” the crowd chanted.
Nelson, 56, won 6,328 votes — 64 percent — on his way to a second term as mayor. His opponent, Dave Grothaus, received 3,552 votes — 36 percent. Provisional ballots were pending at press time.
“I’m so proud of the people of Bonita Springs for really being able to think about how well the community has advanced these last four years,” Nelson said moments after the results. “They really understood how difficult it has been and City Council really prevailed.”
Attempts to reach Grothaus on Tuesday night were unsuccessful.
Simmons, 44, started the day huddled with his family at the Hope Lutheran Church voting precinct around 7:15 a.m.
“Win or lose, we did it as a family,” said Simmons, one of four candidates running for one City Council spot.
Slightly more than 12 hours later, Simmons was victorious with 1,360 votes.
Simmons defeated Barbara Barnes-Buchanan, J. Wesley Norris and Roger Brunswick and will be taking a seat on the council representing District 4. The seat is currently held by Councilman John Spear, who did not seek re-election.
Simmons carried 47 percent of the vote, and his vote total was more than double his next closest competitor. Brunswick received 644 votes, Barnes-Buchanan received 499 and Norris received 375.
Among Nelson’s supporters were three Bonita Springs council members, Steve McIntosh, Janet Martin and Spear.
“Ben is a proven leader,” McIntosh said.
Martin called Nelson “the best man for the job.”
“His heart is in the community,” she said. “You cannot ask for anything better than that.”
Bonita Springs residents and Nelson supporters Dale Timple and his wife, Teri Lamaine-Timple, were happy with Tuesday’s results.
“I think it’s the best thing for all of the citizens of Bonita Springs,” said Lamaine-Timple, who had been campaigning for Nelson at a precinct site since 6 a.m.
Nelson supporter, Kathy McGrath, was thrilled about Nelson’s victory.
“I think he has done an excellent job,” McGrath said.
Nelson, who owns Nelson Marine Construction, has been a Bonita Springs resident for most of his life. His win Tuesday marks the first time anyone in Bonita Springs has been elected to four terms in city government.
Before he was elected mayor in 2008, Nelson served as councilman for District 6 for two terms. Before joining council, he served as a director of Bonita Springs Utilities for 10 years — three of those as president.
With a Black Eyed Peas song playing in the background at Backwater Jacks in Bonita Bay, Simmons’ supporters feasted on meatballs, crab cakes, chicken wings and cookies, waiting for the final results.
“I am humbled and honored that the citizens of Bonita Springs thought of me as a small part helping lead them into the future,” Simmons said.
Simmons campaigned as a fiscal conservative, a view he attributes to being a small business owner. In 2003, he began the Simmons Group, a fund-raising and consulting firm.
While he was campaigning, Simmons said he would like to serve as a liaison between council and the Lee County School Board. He said he would like to see a charter high school in the district.
“I believe strongly that education, jobs and the economy go hand-in-hand,” said Simmons, whose two children attend Bonita Springs Charter School. “And businesses would be attracted to a town with the best school district in the area.”
Simmons moved with his wife, Sue Zahn, and children to Bonita Springs in 2009 from Ann Arbor, Mich.
There are 4,535 active registered voters in the city.
Collier County arrests 05-23-2012
Collier County arrests 05-22-2012
Editorial Cartoons: May 23, 2012
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 57
fishguts writes:
Brilliant job Jude. You TAG fella's are pure political maseterminds.
fishguts writes:
"masterminds"
Naplestango writes:
"District 4 runs from the Estero Bay on the west to Interstate 75 on the east."???
Were 5, 2 and 1 eliminated?
Congratulations Ben!
Barabara: I'm disappointed.
Sick writes:
Congrats Maor Nelson. Now keep them small businesses running up there.
And keep doing what you do best.
Good to have you still on board.
BonitaSprings1 writes:
posted at close of polls
7:04 pm January 31, 2012
BonitaSprings1 writes:
Shhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't anyone mention these (issues) until the polls close.
Ben Nelson is a follower, not a leader.
He follows direction of the same old
good 'ol boyz and county officials.
Consider his 12 year track record.
1) A dirty dozen years of cronyism included
free taxpayer money granted to biz owners along Old 41.
2) Spent millions financing road projects
owned by county government.
3) Stalling library issues. Bonita citizens paid
millions more to county than annual cost to operate our library.
4) Library expansion plans remain in limbo
5) $14 million city code violation fines,
penalties and accumulated interest: uncollected.
6) Up to our eyeballs with mall sprawl.
7) Proliferation of billboards spanning both sides
of Route 41 & along Bonita Beach Road, with more in the wings.
8) Repeatedly voted/committed funds toward
wasted millions to run empty buses.
9) The comprehensive planning of the city based
on anitiquated documents handed down from the county.
Example: allows for a Drive-In movie on Rt 41.
It's the 21st century, not 1968.
10) Library expansion plans remain in limbo.
11) The cost of city projects often exceed original projections.
12) Nelson approved every rate increase
of Bonita Springs Utilities, despite the water/sewer
company sitting atop millions
---
Considering Nelson record,
the next 2-4 years promise to be fun, sordid fun
and more funny fun.
Too bad voters passed on
a solid American like Dave Grothaus.
fishguts writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
beneyw writes:
My candidate, Peter Simmons handily won the District 4 City Council seat being vacated by John Spear. To win a seat with 4 candidates running is a testimony to grassroots campaigning, door to door. Nelson may have won re-election but make no mistake about it. This was a loud message to the the professional politicians, change is upon us. Don't take the electorate for granted. Congratulations Peter!!!
Sick writes:
#4 and #10 are duplicates. And are a conflict with # 9.
Libraries? It's the 21st century not 1968.
Bullbat writes:
Congratulations Ben,never a doubt.,,,:-),,,,
sorry that BBB didn't win,also,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
jude1#221154 writes:
Well It looks like Nelson won 17.5 of eligible voters. This was a victory but not a resounding victory for him. It seems that the majority of the electorate was not motivated sufficiently to go out and express their support for him.
Remember 82.5% of eligible voters did NOT vote for Mr. Nelson despite the fact that he is a local 'good ole boy'. This can by no means be interpreted as a mandate. It just means that the majority of the electorate was sufficiently anesthesized into apathy.
Bonita would have been better served had more folks come out to vote.
Jude
BonitaSprings1 writes:
Yellagram for BigStupe.
Had Dave Grothaus campaign been run by TAG,
Nelson would be enroute to Tibet in search of extended stay with monks.
Altenative? An institution prepared to deal with full-fledged nervous breakdown.
HAP writes:
Disgusting, another deep pockets Mayor wins.
What's wrong with you people in both counties electing those that do nothing but back room deals.
Sick writes:
Well they didn't now move away if you don't like it.
fishguts writes:
What are you guys now 0-6? Something like that right?
JohhnyB writes:
"Well It looks like Nelson won 17.5 of eligible voters. This was a victory but not a resounding victory for him. It seems that the majority of the electorate was not motivated sufficiently to go out and express their support for him.
Remember 82.5% of eligible voters did NOT vote for Mr. Nelson despite the fact that he is a local 'good ole boy'. This can by no means be interpreted as a mandate. It just means that the majority of the electorate was sufficiently anesthesized into apathy.
Bonita would have been better served had more folks come out to vote."
Jude
...
Judy, if everyone didn't already know about your lack of brains, they sure know it after this post. Ben received almost twice as many votes as Grotti despite the fact that you and Pure made sure everyone knew Ben is a Democrat and Grotti was an extreme right wing tea party republican. Democrats and Independents had only the mayor contest to vote on except for those in ditrict 4. Republicans had the presidential primary plus their large voter registration advantage. With all those advantages the Democrat slaughtered the Republican. Do you think that perhaps the people of Bonita voted for the best person??? Or as many of my friends say - "Always vote against whomever TAG and Judy are supporting"!!
JohhnyB writes:
Congratulations Ben!!! Bonita loves you!!!
malcolmlandry writes:
This is a major demonstration to Ben Nelson. While I held my nose and voted for him, clearly many did not. Please do the right thing Ben. You definately had the biggest and best signs. They are all over the city. The signmakers won. Listen to your people.
jude1#221154 writes:
Lets make one thing clear: Neither TAG nor Ron nor I ran the opposition campaign. While I did some things on my own to help Mr. Grothaus I was never part of his campaign team.
Had Ron & I been running the campaign Ben would not be sleeping soundly tonight.
Jude
Stella_Blue (Inactive) writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
jude1#221154 writes:
Actually for a newcomer who knew few people here to do so well against an incumbent who was born here is quite an accomplishment.
Dave did many things right and a few wrong.
Had the Republican primary race not cooled down due to Mr. Gingrich's debate losses we could have had 5-6,000 more Republican voters and a very different result.
jude1#221154 writes:
According to many (including reporters came from nowhere to become a contender). That was a remarkable accomplishment.
We will be watching Ben's performance closely and so will all who voted for DG.
If Ben continues with his wanton and reckless
actions on behalf of the developers it will become obvious who and what he really is.
The momentum has a way of continuing on its own.
Ben may help that along by his actions.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
Yes!
Martha_Simons writes:
Campaign Strategy 101
37% of voters respond to negative messaging
63% of voters support candidate with positive messaging
This race is a classic example
Nelson 64%
Grothaus 36%
Lesson 2
Incumbents have the campaign advantage.
Lesson 3
Money isnt everything but have alot
Sick writes:
Did you just reply to yourself?
Ps: Don't worry about the developers they know how to move money. You obviously hate them for that reason.
Don't hate the educated. Just learn from them.
Sick writes:
Can I have some of your money that is not everything to you please?
Especially if you have alot.
TIA. :)
jude1#221154 writes:
I don't hate the developers. I don't hate anybody.
But do not confuse money with education.
Don't also confuse education with developers.
I am confident that as many educated people voted for Mr. Grothaus.
jude1#221154 writes:
NO Martha.
Do not confuse intimidation with support.
While visiting us last year you asked me to stop criticizing you or else - you looked around - there could be many code violations here.
You know what my response to that is.
Many more people in Bonita will gradually throw off the yoke of this oppressive regime.
Given time they will not be intimidated by the likes of you and Mr. N. Most voters in Bonita do not know him for what he really is. Our time will come.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
"There are 4,535 active registered voters in the city."
____________________________________________
Again a shoddy job of reporting by the NDN.
There were about 31,000 registered voters in Bonita as of 3 months ago.
I am not sure what they mean by "active" and how they arrived at that figure. Perhaps the reporter can enlighten us.
Jude
JohhnyB writes:
Judy, you would think that with the election results that you would a. be a gracious loser and support the mayor and our city council or b. slink away and lick your wounds.
It is obvious that you intend to do neither but instead go on making a fool of yourself.
Your phony emails were a new low even for you.
It would be nice if you and Pure (TAG & BS1) would now support our elected government.
beneyw writes:
Martha:
As for "incumbents having the campaign advantage" how about adding 'those with no opposition' as well? Issues are not debated or even discussed in those instances. Personally, I hope every contest has at least 2 candidates. Perhaps 2012 might challenge your supposition about incumbents. I sure hope so!
jude1#221154 writes:
I can not agree more.
Good people do not want to run in an atmosphere of lies and intimidation.
Martha confuses intimidation for support.
Jude
Martha_Simons writes:
LOL Sick
I was talking about campaigns having alot of money.
For instance, I spoke with a gentleman this morning analyzing whose campaign dollars in the district four race got the most bang for the buck.
Barb Barnes Buchanan was the winner there. She spent less on each vote. Brunswick spent the most per vote. Actually, we really wont know exactly until the final campaign reports are filed but thats what it looks like today.
In general, most campaign strategists view money totals as an indicator of support. Its not always the case but it is usually the case. Good messaging and reaching out to the likely voters at the proper time is an art that leads to more victories than defeats. Oh yea, having a good candidate helps. : )
Who remembers the movie with Robert Redford, "The Candidate"?
Which leads to the next topic. Good camapaigners dont always translate into good leaders. Some are natural leaders and others learn along the way and if not re-election looks unlikely.
jude1#221154 writes:
Actually for a newcomer who knew few people here to do so well against an incumbent who was born here is quite an accomplishment.
Dave did many things right and a few wrong.
Had the Republican primary race not cooled down due to Mr. Gingrich's debate losses we could have had 5-6,000 more Republican voters and a very different result.
According to many (including reporters Dave Grothaus came from nowhere to become a contender). That was a remarkable accomplishment.
I will be watching Ben's performance closely and so will all who voted for DG.
If Ben continues with his wanton and reckless
actions on behalf of the developers it will become obvious who and what he really is.
The momentum has a way of continuing on its own.
Ben may help that along by his actions.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
This is especcially true because all of the newspaper editorials (good ole boy influence) as well as the chamber and the major developers were
actively against him. The large outpouring of support Dave received despite all that is an indication that Bonita's city government will not be for sale much longer.
Jude
pitbull writes:
Buritto Safe Haven is Ben Nelson's Motto.Look at old 41 but don't leave the safety of your Car.
Sick writes:
Does this mean you will not be giving me any money?
LOL.
Ps: Good movie.
Pss: Martha is a good honest name. I like it.
Sick writes:
I agree developers are smart thats why they are loaded.
You don't need a Harvard/Yale.... degree to be a loaded developer. Just smart.
alancodi writes:
It's time to put aside our differences and together work toward a better Bonita Springs. One where our friends will want to retire to, and one where our children will want to live.
jude1#221154 writes:
I agree Alan. Always have. I'm afraid the Mr. Nelson does not think he needs any help or advice from non-developers, non-good-ole-boys and ordinary citizens.
He owes the developers who contributed to his campaign and now its payback time.
We will see what he tries to cram thru while we are'nt watching.
Jude
Stella_Blue (Inactive) writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
jude1#221154 writes:
Yes. You don't have to be educated to be a developer. You don't have to be ethical or an environmentalist to be a developer either.
You don't even have to be very smart as long as you know the right people and can play the game.
Stella_Blue (Inactive) writes:
Wow, the NDN sure does coddle jude!
Like I said, Bonita is sick of you and your TAG group, jude.
Take your act somewhere else.
OK NDN. Nice enough?
Suck ups.........
BonitaSprings1 writes:
Anyone care to add or subtract from list below?
Nelson 12 year track record. A partial list
1) A dirty dozen years of cronyism included
free taxpayer money granted to biz owners along Old 41.
2) Spent millions financing road projects
owned by county government.
3) Stalling library issues. Bonita citizens paid
millions more to county than annual cost to operate our library.
4) Library expansion plans remain in limbo
5) $14 million city code violation fines,
penalties and accumulated interest: uncollected.
6) Up to our eyeballs with mall sprawl.
7) Proliferation of billboards spanning both sides
of Route 41 & along Bonita Beach Road, with more in the wings.
8) Repeatedly voted/committed funds toward
wasted millions to run empty buses.
9) The comprehensive planning of the city based
on anitiquated documents handed down from the county.
Example: allows for a Drive-In movie on Rt 41.
It's the 21st century, not 1968.
10) Library expansion plans remain in limbo.
11) The cost of city projects often exceed original projections.
12) Nelson approved every rate increase
of Bonita Springs Utilities, despite the water/sewer
company sitting atop millions of surplus revenue.
BonitaSprings1 writes:
Stella baby,
How come no quibble with the list as presented?
Sick writes:
Bumparoo.
JunkYardDog_1 writes:
Kind of like you coddle Obama? I see you like the word "coddle" now, also.
Maybe it's your lack of tact? I'll leave the 12th grade NHS edumacated comment out of the fray though.
LOL?
JohhnyB writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
jude1#221154 writes:
Actually for a newcomer who knew few people here to do so well against an incumbent who was born here is quite an accomplishment.
Dave did many things right and a few wrong.
Had the Republican primary race not cooled down due to Mr. Gingrich's debate losses we could have had 5-6,000 more Republican voters and a very different result.
According to many (including reporters) Dave Grothaus came from nowhere to become a contender). That was a remarkable accomplishment.
I will be watching Ben's performance closely and so will all who voted for Dave.
If Ben continues with his wanton and reckless
actions on behalf of the developers it will become obvious who and what he really is.
The momentum has a way of continuing on its own.
I expect that Ben may help that along by his actions.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
Lets not get carried away and believe this was some kind of mandate.
For a relative newcomer who has been here 3 years to get this many votes against an incumbent who was born here is nothing short of remarkable.
It looks like Nelson won 17.5 of eligible voters. This was a victory but not a resounding victory. It seems that the majority of the electorate was not motivated sufficiently to go out and express their support for him.
Remember 82.5% of eligible voters did NOT vote for Mr. Nelson despite the fact that he is a local 'good ole boy'. This can by no means be interpreted as a mandate. It just means that the majority of the electorate was sufficiently anesthesized into apathy.
Bonita would have been better served had more folks come out to vote.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
21,000 registered voters did not vote for any mayoral candidate in Bonita.
That is more than 3 times the number of people who supposedly voted for Ben.
I would like to see the official results.
Jude
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