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Final day to apply for Cape Coral City Council position

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Cape Coral
Credit: WINK

The deadline to apply to fill the District Four seat on the Cape Coral City Council has passed.

The position will replace former city council member Patty Cummings, who faces felony charges related to her run for council and whether she lived within the district.

Cummings is currently suspended from office pending the outcome of her court case. Her court appearance date is Dec. 18.

So far, seven people have applied for the position.

For anyone interested in applying, here are the qualifications:

  • Be a registered elector of the City of Cape Coral.
  • Be a permanent resident of Cape Coral.
  • Be a continuous full-time resident of the city for the entire calendar year immediately preceding qualification for office.
  • Submit a statement of financial interest.
  • An original signed application
  • A copy of your voter’s registration card

According to city appointment rules, the council will review the applications between Dec. 4 through Dec. 8.

WINK News spoke with City Council member Tom Hayden about the application review window and whether that is enough time to choose a representative of the district.

“I know I’ll do my due diligence. I’ll do my research. I’ll probably spend an hour each with these candidates,” said Hayden. “I’ll have all the background information I need to make an informed and intelligent decision. For me, someone that’s used to the interview process, it’ll be plenty of time for me.”

Cape city council will start interviews next week and pick someone at their December 13 meeting.

So far, seven people want the job.

On that list is Jennifer Nelson, who Cummings unseated in 2022.

Nelson said she misses serving the people of District 4.

“I realized that there are a lot of people that really enjoyed my leadership when I was on council. They obviously are concerned about election integrity. They like the fact that I have integrity that I was honest, and I am honest,” Nelson said.

Nelson said, if the council picks her, she will work to repair the trust she feels has been broken by Cummings.

“I think that really hurt us. It hurt the residents so sorry that this happened to us in our district. My hope is that we put processes and structure in place so that we, nobody, no resident in Cape Coral, no district, ever has to go through this again,” she said.

Here is the list of everyone who applied:

  • Jennifer Nelson
  • Richard Carr
  • Robert O’Connor
  • Anthony Rainone
  • Jesus Concepcion- Andres Rodriguez
  • Karen Lee Solgard
  • Robert John Sutter

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