EDITOR’S NOTE: The following opinion was submitted by the Progressive Club of the Islands. The Santiva Chronicle publishes opinions and letters on topics that are important to Sanibel and Captiva. They may be submitted via e-mail at news@santivachronicle.com.
The Progressive Club of the Islands has endorsed three candidates for the Sanibel City Council in the regular election on March 4, 2025.
The PCI Board of Directors endorsed (listed alphabetically) Laura DeBruce, Mike Miller, and Lyman “Chip” Welch.
DeBruce, a current member of the City Council, believes the top three issues facing Sanibel include resiliency, particularly the city’s infrastructure; recovery for residents and small businesses; and protecting Sanibel’s natural environment.
Before joining the City Council in 2024, DeBruce was a member of the Sanibel Planning Commission and previously served on the Board of Community and Housing Resources and the San-Cap Conservation Foundation.
DeBruce and her husband have owned a home on Sanibel since 2010 and have been residents since 2015. They also own two small businesses on the island. DeBruce graduated from the University of Florida and Boston University Law School.
Miller, who currently serves as Vice Mayor, believes the top three issues facing Sanibel include rebuilding – “while keeping the faith of our community” – repairing and improving city infrastructure, and improving the management of stormwater distribution.
He has been active in many Sanibel community organizations, including serving as president of the Committee of the Islands (COTI) and the Sanibel Bicycle Club. He was also appointed to the City Budget Advisory Committee (2005-2006) and served on the City Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee as Vice-Chair (2009-2013).
Lyman “Chip” Welch, who relocated to Sanibel with his family from Chicago in 2021, believes the top three issues facing Sanibel include recovery of the island by ensuring residents can rebuild and businesses and lodging can reopen; protecting the principles of the Sanibel Plan while updating it to make the island more resilient; maintaining the community and family-friendly nature of the island.
In Sanibel, Welch is currently a member of the Planning Commission. He also serves as Vice President of the Sanibel School Fund and Corresponding Secretary of the Sanibel School PTA.
Previously, Welch worked at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, where he focused on safeguarding water quality for future generations. He graduated from Colgate University and Northwestern University School of Law.
Each of the PCI-endorsed candidates is committed to the Sanibel Plan.
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