by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Laura DeBruce, attorney and entrepreneur, was sworn in as Sanibel City Councilmember on April 2, 2024 after being unopposed during the candidate qualifying period. DeBruce replaces Arlene Dillon, who began an interim term on February 6, 2024 following the resignation of Dr. Scott Crater.
DeBruce has owned a home on Sanibel since 2010 and been an island resident since 2015. After graduating from the University of Florida (B.S., Communications) and Boston University Law School, she lived in Europe where she taught university courses, was an associate at Baker & McKenzie, and then Director of Legal Affairs for CME Media Enterprises, launching several television stations throughout post-Communist Europe.
DeBruce co-founded GrandView Castle Entertainment with her husband, Jeff Blackman, distributing motion pictures throughout Eastern Europe and Russia. As a partner in DeBruce Blackman, PLLC, Laura provides legal and consulting advice. She has also produced several documentary films. In 2018, Laura and Jeff co-founded Sanibel Carts, a street legal golf cart rental business on the island. They have a son, Luke Blackman, who currently lives in Atlanta.
DeBruce has served on the Board of Directors for Community Housing and Resources and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. She also served on the Sanibel Planning Commission.
In other Council news, an ordinance that will give City Council greater flexibility in determining interim Council member appointments and any necessary special election following a vacancy will be brought back before Council for consideration at its May meeting.
The ordinance allows such flexibility by using the word “may” rather than “shall” where the instruction states how to choose a successor. For example, rather than “the council shall fill the vacancy on an interim basis,” the language will read “the council may fill the vacancy,” and so forth. The new language will also give Council more time before holding a special election, 210 days compared to 120 days.