By LINDA CHRISTMAN
Lee County Island Reporter
06/11/08

On Tuesday morning, a group of approximately 200 Shell Point Retirement Community residents in Fort Myers gathered to hear Florida State Senator and Congressional candidate Burt Saunders talk during a Town Hall Community Forum in the facility’s church auditorium.

Saunders, a resident of Naples, has spent the last 10 years in the Senate, where he serves as Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee. In addition, he serves as the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.

After being introduced by Shell Point president Peter Dys, the Republican Saunders spoke about several issues including the environment, education, energy efficiency, property taxes and health care.

“I have an opportunity to work on all of the environmental issues as well as the energy issues,” he told the crowd.

Saunders, who will run against Connie Mack this fall with no party affiliation, answered questions from Shell Point residents pertaining to taxes, health care and illegal immigration.

Resident Willie Johnson liked what Saunders had to say.

“He has not promised us the moon or anything like that,” he said. “He has offered us better solutions to our problems, and that’s what we need — an effective lawman in Washington.”

Betty Walsh also came to hear Saunders’ positions on the issues.

“I wanted to be more informed and hear about the tax situation,” she said. “(Saunders) pretty much covered all my concerns and I appreciated what he had to say.”

Dys reported that he was glad the Shell Point residents were able to listen to Saunders.

“There has been so much legislation submitted and acted upon in this recent session that deals with budget issues that have an effect on older people,” he said. “Our residents at Shell Point don’t get hit with the property tax issues so much as the person who owns independent property, but the methods of making up revenue are by various taxes that are put into place. I think it’s extremely important... that our people have to be educated to what the ramifications are.”

Saunders, who prides himself on accessibility, was happy to discuss various topics with his constituents.

“I want to hear from groups like this about what the issues are,” he said. “I think this audience really had an interest in some of the more global problems. They’re obviously very interested in the environment. I think they’re very receptive to some of the things we’ve done here in Florida that have been very positive for the environment. I know Sanibel has benefitted greatly from the Northern Everglades legislation, and hopefully there won’t be any more red algae on the beaches there. The red tide blooms are under control, and a lot of that’s because of the drought and a lot of it’s because we’re cleaning up the water coming into the Caloosahatchee River.”

return to articles