Don’t Fall for the Suckers Bet

The Fort Myers News-Press published an Editorial supporting incorporating the Village of Estero
Estero’s best bet is to incorporate

Here is my Reply –
To the editor:
Subject: Your Ediitorial: “Estero’s best bet is to incorporate” published September 20, 2014

I encourage all registered voters living in Estero to vote against incorporation on November 4, 2014.

Incorporation adds another layer of government to control residential and commercial development, as well as infrastructure. A village can only impose more restrictions. The residents must continue to follow the rules set by their neighborhood associations, Lee County, the State of Florida, and the United States. It allows a small part of the community to impose new taxes, and to pick and choose which developers and schemes will be best for everyone. The Estero Council of Community Leaders has done a good job, using the power of persuasion to guide development of Estero. Now is not the time to give another group the force of government to establish more laws.

Incorporation is not a financial issue. It is strictly an issue about having a solution looking for a problem.

The ECCL hasconcerns about Bonita Springs’ annexation movement. Annexation by Bonita Springs was defeated by the voters. Other than abutters to Bonita Springs, it will take a vote of the registered voters of Estero to approve further annexation.

Some claim Estero is without a central gathering place for people to live, work and shop (what about Coconut Point and Miromar). People chose and continue to choose to live in Estero as is. But now the leaders of Estero want to get into the development business with other people’s money. The News-Press reports they are looking at 100 acres of land near U.S. 41 as a town center. For the average resident of Estero, here is no reason for a village government to attract developers and visitors, or to have a town center.

A new government will hire a city manager to control the day-to-day operations of the city as well as determine city services. People become city managers because it gives them power without any of the risk that developers must take. Voters should be fearful of what a city manager and staff will do all day to justify their jobs. Generally bureaucracies work for their own interest and only incidentally help the people who pay their salaries.

Don’t fall for the suckers bet, vote NO on the incorporation measure.

Ben Bachrach
Chair, Libertarian Party 33928 Caucus
Estero FL