Fort Myers City Council selects new city manager

Fort Myers city leaders have selected a new city manager.

The council voted to hire Marty Lawing, former county manager of Guilford County, North Carolina.

Friday is Fort Myers City Manager Saeed Kazemi’s last day after he retired at the request of Mayor Kevin Anderson.

Lawing said he’s ready to hit the ground running.

“I have a lot of energy and passion for local government,” Lawing said. “I believe I could be a good partner and trusted advisor.”

He has already spoken to council members and the mayor about some of the big issues the city is facing, including homelessness and affordable housing.

One of the questions asked of him right before the vote was how he would go about improving internal and external relations. His response: be transparent as possible.

But No. 1 on his list is to learn the city.

“Number one thing is to begin to establish relationships with city council and the staff, management staff of the city, and then venture out to develop relationships with the business community and leaders in various neighborhoods and communities,” he said.

Lawing said Fort Myers is extremely attractive because of the growth the city is seeing.

He hopes to start within the next 30 days once a contract is signed.

While the majority of councilors voted for him, Councilwoman Terolyn Watson did not, saying she believed the city moved too quickly.

“I just think, to my constituents, I owe it to them to get the best possible person that I can run the city. So I think it’s too quick of a process,” Watson said.

Lawing agreed it was a fast process.

“It’s all happened fairly quick,” Lawing said.

But Lawing’s resume is long and Anderson wants him here.

“I just had that level of comfort with Mr. Lawing. And so we’re excited. I’m looking forward to working with them. And I see a lot of great things coming our way,” Anderson said.

Watson will be watching him closely.

“One of my biggest issues is going to be the way he handles the community and policing,” Watson said. “We still haven’t crossed that bridge just yet as the trust from my community.”

Lawing said he’s been told law enforcement is a priority.