by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
Sanibel voters will elect three City Council members on Tuesday, March 4, in a regular election. Three incumbents – Laura DeBruce, John Henshaw, and Mike Miller – and a fourth candidate, Lyman “Chip” Welch, are on the ballot.
DeBruce, Miller, and Welch faced a range of questions from moderator Dr. Roger Green of Florida Gulf Coast University on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Sanibel.
Henshaw was absent from the forum due to a previous business commitment but answered all the same questions in a separate “interview” moderated by LWV-Sanibel President Cathie Kozik.
With input from Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation CEO James Evans and Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce President John Lai, the LWV-Sanibel board composed the 13 questions posed to the candidates.
In opening and closing statements, candidates briefly overviewed their background and why they are running for a seat on the City Council.
DeBruce said she is “all in” for her hometown of Sanibel. She grew up all over the world and never had a hometown, which she has found in the island community. She and her husband moved full-time to the island in 2015 and said she wouldn’t change her decision even after Hurricane Ian in 2022 and the storms that followed.
Since moving to the island, DeBruce has been active in the community and owns two small businesses. She has served on numerous boards of organizations and spent the last five years collectively serving as a planning commissioner and a council member.
“I’m asking for your vote as a proven leader,” DeBruce said as she pointed to her experience. She added that she brings questions and a listening ear to the council.
She described herself as diplomatic and an advocate for wildlife and “wild spaces.” She also said her two small businesses’ fate depends on the city’s economic success.
“I understand very well that it is all interconnected – our tourist economy, our visitors, our residents, our wildlife, and our businesses,” she said. “We need these things kept in balance, and I am determined to bring balance and thoughtful leadership to the island.”
Henshaw, whose background is in environmental and occupational health and safety, has been an island resident since 2005 and moved here because of its sanctuary qualities. “I believe in the Sanibel Plan and the principals upon which it stands,” he said.
Henshaw earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and masters of public health degree in both environmental health and occupational health from the University of Michigan. His 45-year career includes almost four years as Secretary of Labor of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), where he gained global experience in environmental stewardship and occupational safety.
He was first elected to the City Council in March 2021. “I am running to add value, to be a part of the democratic process,” Henshaw said. “I want to do my part in making sure (Sanibel) is and remains the sanctuary island we all love and enjoy.”
Miller hails from the Detroit, Mich., area and was the first of his extended family to attend college. He spent four years as a U.S. Air Force pilot, then went to graduate school, which the G.I. bill primarily funded. He earned a master’s degree before entering the workforce and took night classes to obtain his law degree.
He spent a decade-and-a-half, mainly in financial management, as a corporate treasurer or chief financial officer of large multinational companies. When he moved to Sanibel, he practiced law, specializing in guardianship litigation.
Miller has long been active in the community by serving as president of the Sanibel Bike Club and Committee of the Islands and sat on two city committees. He has been a council member for the past four years and is currently the city’s vice mayor.
Miller said serving on the council was a more significant learning curve than expected, and “experience means something.”
“I’m particularly proud of what (council) has done since the storm,” said Miller. “We’ve passed 39 changes to our ordinances and a ton of resolutions largely to simplify the rebuilding process for our residents and businesses.”
“We’ve also achieved $132 million in funding, so I’m anxious to continue this work on behalf of all of you,” he said.
Welch, a retired environmental attorney, wants to represent young families on the island and see that the City Council takes a multi-generational approach to its decision-making.
Welch moved to the island during the pandemic and chose it because of the focus on protecting the environment and its small-town feel. Since moving here, he has served on the Sanibel School PTA, as vice president of the Sanibel School Fund, and as a planning commissioner for two years.
“I’m running to help protect the Sanibel Plan and the environment and to give a voice to young families who are a large and important part of our community,” said Welch, who has a 10-year-old daughter attending The Sanibel School.
“We’ve had some tough times recently, and we need to help our residents, businesses, and lodging recover and rebuild,” he said. “But we need to stay true to the Sanibel Plan and its principles while making some adjustments.”
The 13 questions posed to the candidates underscored the issues facing the community and city, such as traffic, future federal funding, affordable housing, storm recovery and resiliency, the environment, Captiva Island, and fluoride in the water.
The Santiva Chronicle will have more detailed coverage of the questions ahead of the regular election on Tuesday, March 4.
Additionally, on the ballot is a charter amendment to give the council discretion to appoint or not appoint an interim member to a vacant council seat if less than six months remain in a term and to extend the deadline to hold any necessary special election from 150 days to 210 days.
The deadline to register to vote has passed, but the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
We are very lucky to have four well qualified candidates for council with impressive, and relevant, education and work experience. Thank you four for stepping up to volunteer your time to help our community when we need it most.