Saturday, May 30, 2009

Bertolini files to seek re-election for Cape Coral council seat

By Brian Liberatore • bliberatore@news-press.com • May 30, 2009

Cape Coral Councilwoman Dolores Bertolini said she needs at least one more term to finish what she started.

The first-term councilwoman took the first step Friday toward her re-election in November, filing with the City Clerk to run for a second four-year term in District 4.

"I have accomplished a lot," Bertolini said. "But there are several things I'd like to see through completion."

Bertolini, 75, has taken the lead on negotiations with developers looking to build a world-class swim facility in north Cape Coral and is pushing to turn over the defunct The Golf Club in the southeast to public hands. She helped write new codes that set higher architectural design standards on new construction and is working on similar codes to govern the city's landscaping.

No one has announced intentions to run against Bertolini. The deadline is July 6.

Scott Hertz, an area builder and active member of the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association, worked with Bertolini on the new design standards.

"She's been very reasonable," Hertz said. "She does what she says. I think that's very important, and I have a lot of respect for that."

Bertolini, a New York City native, has lived in Cape Coral since 1986.

She served on dozens of volunteer boards and organizations in the city before her 2005 run.

With the city facing a $33 million shortfall in next year's operating budget, City Council is facing decisions about cutting services or raising taxes which could affect the November election.

"You have to first determine what's best for the entire city and you have to forget about what's politically expedient," Bertolini said.