To the editor:

Since moving to Cape Coral in 2002 my wife and teenage children have greatly enjoyed living in Cape Coral. I have been affiliated with the Cape Coral Junior Football Association as an Assistant Football Coach as well as using my firefighter/paramedic knowledge when someone was injured. When I initiated and ran a cancer benefit during 2007 the response from the people of Cape Coral wanting to help was overwhelming.

In the last couple of years, I have seen many of the restaurants and shops here in Cape Coral close up and thousands of residents move away. An overwhelming majority of the news about Cape Coral is negative and not conducive to new business, tourism and new residents thinking about moving here. I have witnessed a lack of positive leadership in Cape Coral, unwilling to try and bring new business and new ideas. This is why in May 2011 I declared my candidacy for City of Cape Coral Council District 7.

Since declaring my candidacy, I have received a lot of support from small businesses and residents and my positive message is being received well. Cape Coral’s makeup being 8 percent commercial and 92 percent residential is putting too much of a tax burden on our residents. If elected I promise to have an open door policy, answer all emails and phone calls promptly and always treat businesses and residents with respect. I respectfully ask for your Vote on Sept. 13 for City of Cape Coral District 7 so that we can Move Cape Coral Forward.

Dave Stokes

Candidate for City of Cape Coral Councilman District 7