Bonita Springs is growing.
As a result, the Bonita Springs City Council is starting the process of drawing new district maps, which is required by law.
Bonita Springs' population grew about 34 percent — from 32,797 to 43,914 residents — between 2000 and 2010, according to the 2010 Census.
Of the city's six districts, District 6 grew the most, Bonita Springs City Manager Carl Schwing said. Most of District 6 is south of Bonita Beach Road and east of Old 41 Road, but some portions are north of Bonita Beach Road.
Residents who live on the edge of a district could see a change to their district boundaries.
"I think there will be some changes that will be required," Schwing said.
During Wednesday's City Council meeting, City Attorney Audrey Vance presented a redistricting resolution that would provide guidelines for council members to follow while redrawing the city's boundaries. City Council unanimously approved the resolution.
No new maps were presented on Wednesday. City officials plan to draft and present three or four proposed maps to council members early next week.
The new district boundary map would need to include about 7,300 residents per district in order to be balanced.
"The goal is to be as close as we can in equalizing the districts as much as we can," Schwing said.
City Council will need to pass an ordinance for the new redistricting map. There will be opportunities for public input along the way.
The new map has to be submitted to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office by the end of March, Schwing said.
"So, we do not have a lot of time," he told council members.
District 5 Councilwoman Martha Simons said the map should follow natural geographic boundaries.
"If we could just keep it simple, that would be great," she said.
Deb Harrop, a Bonita Springs resident, supported Simons comments about geographic boundaries.
Harrop, who lives south of the Imperial River and in the current District 4, votes in a different district than her neighbor's across the street, she said.
"I do feel that the issues facing District 4 are different than the issues facing District 5," she said.
District 6 Councilman Bill Lonkart, who represents several gated communities, said he is not concerned about his district boundaries changing when the new map is drawn.
"I will not be losing in District 6 because of the potential of growth," said Lonkart, who lives in the Worthington Country Club community.
District 2 and District 5 are the two smallest city districts, Lonkart said.
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Comments » 10
Sick writes:
Good job. Don't let it get messed up like Collier did. "District 5"...
Naplestango writes:
"I do feel that the issues facing District 4 are different than the issues facing District 5," she said.
You got me on that one...Don't all 7 vote on everything?
What diference does it make if you're in a different district?
Martha_Simons writes:
Naples TAngo you are right but it does make a difference for the citizens and who they choose for city council to represent them. That rep. should be more knowledgeable of the details of their neighborhood issues as well as an advocate, help them get services and answers to their questions.
jude1#221154 writes:
Question: when will Mayor Nelson have a "Town Hall" where the free people of Bonita can ask impromptu questions?
Answer: When hell freezes over.
Ditto for Martha Simons and Janet Martin.
repthedems writes:
Poor Jude - just never gets it right. If he was paying attention he would know that Mayor Nelson is hosting a live chat online tomorrow. And I believe that every Council Meeting offers public comment... why not show up and ask your questions there?
With all of Judes total disregard to email disclosures (remember the illegal spoofing incident?), emailing without acquiring permission, is it any wonder Jude was fired from the Communications Advisory Board. Sounds like the Council got it right when they got rid of him.
jude1#221154 writes:
Repthedems is lying and obfuscating as usual.
Live web chat is not open public discussion. It is one to one so Mr. Nelson can get away with not answering questions if he so chooses.
As to council meeting comment that is even more false and misleading. You can not ask questions during council "comments" and you certainly do not get answers.
As to the CAB that is the most stupid statement yet. You can not "fire" a volunteer because he or she is not working for you but himself and the greater good (of the city). It is only the corrupt "good ole boys" that think they can fire volunteers because they thing they are "doing you a favor" by letting you volunteer for a board in THEIR city. Rep sounds awfully (and I mean awfully) like Martha or Ben.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
Corrected type.
Balderdash and Simple Lies
___________________________
Repthedems is lying and obfuscating as usual.
Live web chat is not open public discussion. It is one to one so Mr. Nelson can get away with not answering questions if he so chooses.
As to council meeting comment that is even more false and misleading. You can not ask questions during council "comments" and you certainly do not get answers.
As to the CAB that is the most stupid statement yet. You can not "fire" a volunteer because he or she is not working for you but himself and the greater good (of the city). It is only the corrupt "good ole boys" that think they can fire volunteers because they thing they are "doing you a favor" by letting you volunteer for a board in THEIR city. Rep sounds awfully (and I mean awfully) like Martha or Ben.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
really corrected this time.
Balderdash and Simple Lies
___________________________
Repthedems is lying and obfuscating as usual.
Live web chat is not open public discussion. It is one to one so Mr. Nelson can get away with not answering questions if he so chooses.
As to council meeting comment that is even more false and misleading. You can not ask questions during council "comments" and you certainly do not get answers.
As to the CAB that is the most stupid statement yet. You can not "fire" a volunteer because he or she is not working for you but himself and the greater good (of the city). It is only the corrupt "good ole boys" that think they can fire volunteers because they think they are "doing you a favor" by letting you volunteer for a board in THEIR city. Rep sounds awfully (and I mean awfully) like Martha or Ben.
Jude
jude1#221154 writes:
One does not require permission to email.
The federal law standard is "opt out" not "opt in".
Just one more ignorant statement from repthedems.
Also, there was no email "spoofing".
This is one more facile lie by repthedems.
I used a domain that I own (Bonitanews.net).
I sent out about 7 mass emails.
I used another one (Naplesnews.net) mistakenly and unintentionally and did that only once.
Given the truth or obfuscation and lies
it looks like repthedems (sounds like Martha to me) usually chooses the latter.
Cheers,
Jude
repthedems writes:
"There was no email spoofing"... "I used another one (Naplesnews.net) mistakenly and unintentionally and did that only once" Jude
Really Jude? There was no spoofing and then you admit to spoofing. And if it was a mistake and unintentional, I stand by my comment that you are not qualified to sit on a Communications Advisory Board. Quite a mistake for a know-it-all.
Hide behind the "opt-in" vs. "opt-put" rule... your tactics show your lack of integrity and professionalism.
Let's see how many times it takes for you to get your response to this post right... you just keep reinforcing why you were fired, and I do mean fired... from your volunteer job.
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