POI endorsement correction
To the editor:
Progressives of the Islands published its 2026 election endorsements in this newspaper on Oct. 13. Since then, a new development has changed our endorsement in the Captiva Erosion Protection District Seat 1 race.
That nonpartisan race, for a four-year term, is between incumbent John Raburn Dupre Jr. and Margarethe Thye-Miville.
We originally endorsed Dupre because Thye-Miville is married to René Miville, a sitting CEPD commissioner. We believed that a married couple serving together on the five-member board would create serious legal risks for the district. We also believed it would set a precedent for power imbalances that could erode public confidence in its decisions.
On Oct. 21, Miville responded to those concerns in this paper, stating, “I will resign from my position on the board following the election to eliminate any potential concern.” His commitment removes the conflict behind our original endorsement. POI now endorses Thye-Miville, whose record of Captiva community involvement and environmental and infrastructure advocacy is far longer than Dupre’s.
Annette Pacyga
Progressives of the
Islands Chairperson