To the Citizens of Cape Coral,
The City Charter is more than a collection of ordinances. It is the foundation on which our city governs itself, establishes its powers and defines the relationship between the people and those entrusted to serve them.
Recently, the Charter Review Commission was convened. Established by the Charter itself, the commission is charged at least once every six years to review, reflect and recommend changes to the charter. Eight proposed amendments emerged from this process — each intended to strengthen both the structure and the spirit of our local government.
Over many months we listened to testimony from the public, reviewed how the Charter functions in practice, studied the experiences of other cities, and debated the details with care. Our purpose was to determine whether the laws that guide our city still embody the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability that our citizens rightfully expect. Our duty is not to govern but to examine governance itself.
This commission, of which I was the chair, was composed of some of the most thoughtful and dedicated residents I’ve had the honor of serving alongside. They undertook this duty with diligence and humility. These recommendations were not made lightly, nor were they guided by politics or personal interest. They reflect a collective pursuit of what is best for Cape Coral, how to ensure our Charter remains a living document, capable of serving a growing, changing, and increasingly complex community.
And one thing we can all agree on, Cape Coral today is not the Cape Coral of decades past. Our city has grown in population, diversity, and responsibility, and our governing framework must continue to evolve accordingly.
Now, responsibility turns, as it rightly should, to the citizens. Neither the Charter Review Commission nor the City Council can amend the Charter. The Council’s role is to determine which of the Commission’s recommendations it wants to place on the ballot for the people to decide. In the elections ahead, you will be asked to consider the proposed amendments on their own merits and determine whether these measures strengthen the city you call home, and whether they reflect the vision you hold for its future.
The Charter does not belong to City Hall. It belongs to the people of Cape Coral. It is your right, and your responsibility, to guide its course.
In the letters that follow, I will present each of the eight proposed amendments, explaining what each seeks to accomplish, but also the reasoning and principle behind it. It is my hope that through understanding comes trust and unity of purpose.
With respect and devotion to our city’s future.
— Richard Leon is the chair of the Charter Review Commission.
Editor’s note: Mr. Leon plans to send a series of letters to the editor explaining the changes recommended for Cape Coral City Council consideration. This first contribution provides an overview of the process.