CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral’s mayor-elect Rick Erickson and the newly elected city council are stepping into their roles amid significant changes, including the abrupt firing of city manager Michael Ilczyszyn without cause during the outgoing council’s final meeting.
“I’m not waiting to the 18th. I want to continue working on things I have been working on before and see what we can do to help out the community, because this is my community too,” Erickson said.
Erickson and the new council will be sworn in on Nov. 19 at Cape Coral City Hall.
City of Cape Coral
Cape Coral City Council Appoints Maureen Buice Interim City Manager
Maureen Buice is currently serving as interim city manager following the decision by outgoing Mayor John Gunter and the previous council to terminate Ilczyszyn’s contract.
Councilmember-elect Annette Warren of District 6 said she hopes the new council and mayor can rebuild trust with residents.
“I really want to work with our residents. We’re going to have a lot of challenges coming up. I want to be very transparent with those challenges,” Warren said.
Warren also shared her perspective on the firing, stating she does not believe an investigation is necessary.
“It was very obvious that it had been talked about whether or not a Sunshine Law was violated,” Warren said. “I just think we should move forward. I don’t think we really need to investigate it. That’s more time wasted, more money spent. Let’s just get started.”
Re-elected councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra, however, called for a thorough review of the decision.
“I believe this decision warrants a thorough, independent review — including whether any coordination occurred outside the public meeting and whether Florida’s Sunshine Law was fully complied with,” Nelson-Lastra said in a statement.
Councilmember-elect Dave Newton also emphasized the importance of careful investigation and decision-making.
“As a retired police officer, I understand the importance of investigating issues, asking questions, doing my homework, and looking at all sides before making decisions,” Newton said in a statement.
With outgoing Mayor Gunter and Councilman Steinke leaving their seats, new council members Dave Newton and Annette Warren will face a city government undergoing significant changes, including the search for a permanent city manager.
Councilmembers said they hope residents will give the new council a chance and hold them accountable as they work to address the city’s challenges.
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