Guest commentary: Continuing to build stronger and more resilient community, while preserving Sanibel’s values
Dear Sanibelians,
I am deeply honored to have been re-elected to the Sanibel City Council and entrusted with the role of mayor. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Richard Johnson and Holly Smith, who both served as mayor with exceptional dedication and skill. I can only aspire to match the high standards they set.
Our city is fortunate to have an outstanding city manager and a dedicated staff who ensure the smooth operation of our community. As mayor, I am committed to supporting their efforts by focusing on the following priorities:
– Assisting our citizens and businesses in rebuilding and becoming more resilient, while steadfastly preserving our cherished small-town values and nature sanctuary identity.
– Enhancing the resilience of our city’s infrastructure and that of our utility partners.
– Improving the effectiveness of stormwater distribution systems, including addressing concerns in Tradewinds.
Above all, I believe that one of the most important responsibilities of any elected official is to serve as a listening board for the ideas, concerns, and suggestions of our residents. Your voices are vital to shaping the future of our community.
A great way to engage is by attending our monthly council meetings. I invite you to join us at our next meeting on May 6 at 9 a.m. at BIG ARTS. While the agenda is still being finalized as I write this, we anticipate the following topics:
– A presentation about property tax issues by Lee County’s elected property tax appraiser, Matt Caldwell
– A presentation from Island Water Association Executive Director Diana Wilson
– Council’s consideration of final approval of pending ordinances related to island recovery
– A status report about the Shared Use Path, including updates about the ranger program and path safety education campaign
Once completed, the agendas for meetings are posted on the city’s website. I encourage you to visit www.mysanibel.com, subscribe to our email list, and follow the City of Sanibel on Facebook to stay informed about all the important developments happening in our community.
Thank you for your trust and support. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient community, while preserving the values that make our island a truly remarkable place to call home.
Mike Miller is mayor of the city of Sanibel. For more information, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/.