Jim Coletta - Re-election Campaign for Collier County Board of Commissioners, District 5

NDN: Back to work for you

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:49:00 -0400

Now that another campaign season has come to an end, it is time to pick up the pieces and to put away the rhetoric and bury the animosity of personal political agendas.

Let’s give a moment of thanks to all of the candidates who put their lives on hold as they pursued public office. While some candidates were winners and others were losers, we all won, in that our leaders were chosen by a public process that is democracy in its greatest form.

Personally, I am glad to see this election cycle come to an end. Now I can get back to devoting 100 percent of my time to my job as your county commissioner.

For those who voted for me or supported my campaign for re-election, thank you for your trust. For those of you who supported my worthy opponent, I will strive extra hard in coming years to meet your needs and expectations.

Together we will face great challenges in the coming years, but within those challenges will come opportunities to build a better, more friendly government.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve you.

Thank you.

— Jim Coletta, Golden Gate Estates, Collier County Commissioner, District 5

Coletta keeps his District 5 County Commission seat

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:12:00 -0400

NAPLES — Incumbent Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta kept a firm hold on his seat in District 5.

Of the 36,312 registered voters in the district, a large majority of them chose to retain Coletta, a Republican, over challenger Russell Kish, a Democrat.

With all 94 precincts reporting, the unofficial totals gave Coletta 11,817 votes, or 64.2 percent, and Kish 6,589 votes, or 35.8 percent.

(...)

Coletta was overwhelmed with well-wishers Tuesday night.

“I feel great. Very relieved that this is over. I’ve been on the campaign trail almost two years," Coletta said. “I’m so appreciative of all who helped and voted for me, but now I have to work to win the trust of that 33 percent who didn’t vote for me."

(...)

Coletta is best for all parties

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:56:00 -0400

Dear Editor:

Re: District 5 Commission Seat. Don’t be held hostage by your political party -- don’t just blindly go to the polls and vote party lines. You need to study the candidates as to what experience they have and what they can offer the position.

Where would we be if we all voted party line and our candidates have no experience at all? Where would we be if that candidate is going to make the office he’s running for a second or third job? District 5 is one of the largest in the state -- very widespread and diversified. We really need a commissioner who will be there for us 100 percentwhen the need arises, not someone we will have to go looking for at another job site and not someone running for office just to see if he can win. We need a full-time commissioner in this job.

We have incumbent Jim Coletta, who gave years of public service long before he ran for office eight years ago. We have seen our district prosper and grow under his stewardship. Commissioner Coletta works for everyone in the district: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, voters and non-voters. He is here for us 100 percent during good times and bad.

District 5 needs Jim Coletta during these uncertain times. He is a man of experience we can trust. Vote for the future of our district, vote for Jim Coletta.

Bill Monetta, Golden Gate Estates

On The Mark

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:51:00 -0400

"County Commissioner Dist. 5: Jim Coletta. There is no better definition of a true servant of the people than Jim Coletta, and his open-door attitude to everyone is a great asset to us all."

Read online

Letters To Editors: The complete commissioner

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:43:00 -0400

Editor, Daily News:

Will you be choosing a candidate on party affiliation or will you be choosing a candidate on experience and qualifications?

I first met Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta on Collier Boulevard and Pine Ridge Road eight years ago. He was out on the street with his family waving at the passing cars; he was running for the District 5 commission seat.

I asked hubby to turn around; I wanted to know what this guy stood for before I would consider voting for him. Coletta answered some strong questions, then said he had his background biography written and he would drop it off at my home. He did just that.

I read through this very thick volume, listing many years of community service. With each page I became more impressed. He had been working for the betterment of the community as a whole, not just District 5, and he had been working for everyone, not just a segment of the population.

[More]

Naples Daily News: Endorses Jim Coletta For General Election November 4th

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:34:00 -0400

What was an easy choice in the Republican primary is an easy choice again. Jim Coletta has been an outstanding public servant for the past eight years as the commissioner for Golden Gate Estates, Immokalee and Everglades City. He merits re-election.

As we said in August, he is a friend to business and the underprivileged alike. He champions economic diversification and work-force housing. He beats the drum for better roads and gets results. He leads the fight for better drainage as well as sensible flood maps that save constituents money on their homeowners insurance. He lobbies for impact-fee deferrals for social agencies that ease the costs of services for taxpayers. He has helped guide land-use planning at and around Ave Maria.

He is consistent.

NDN: All on the table

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:56:00 -0400

Editor, Daily News:

The outcome of the Aug. 26 primary election was for me a directional sign as to where we need to go for the next four years.

For those of you who voted for me, thank you for your support and confidence in my ability as the District 5 commissioner. And for those of you who did not vote for me, I pledge to work even harder in the coming years to meet your needs; and I am inviting you to join our campaign team as we prepare for the general election on Nov. 4.

A special thanks to my wife of 42 years, Mary Ann, who has assisted me through four campaigns. I ask for her patience for another several weeks.

On Nov. 5, I will close down campaign headquarters and Mary Ann will get her dining room table back.

Thanks to the 250-plus campaign workers and our many contributors who have enabled me to get our message out to the public.

Thanks also to Roberto Alonso, who proved to be a worthy opponent, for stepping forward to run. For a newbie in the world of political campaigning, he did well and I am looking forward to developing a working relationship/friendship with him.

Jim Coletta, Golden Gate Estates

NDN: Coletta Wins Commissioner Race Almost 2 to 1

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:48:00 -0400

"Republicans in eastern and southern Collier County selected incumbent commissioner Jim Coletta by a margin of nearly 2 to 1.

Coletta will now face Democrat Russel Kish in the Nov. 4 general election.

With 100 percent of the votes unofficially reported by Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards, Coletta received 2,193 votes, or 65.54 percent, compared to challenger Roberto “Bob" Alonso, who received 1,153 votes or 34.46 percent.

“Oh my god," Coletta said, when first told of the voting trend. “Oh my god."

“I’m so relieved that I got that voter confidence. Mr. Alonso put on a great campaign. He brought together a large element. I give him a lot of credit," Coletta said. “I’m going to work very hard to win over (those who voted for Alonso) and I want, very much, to bring Mr. Alonso more into (the fold.) Get him involved in advisory boards and committees."

Read the complete articles online

NDN's recommendations for Primary Elections

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:46:00 -0400

Read all recommendations online on Naples Daily News's web site.

COUNTY COMMISSIONS

Collier District 5, GOP nomination

Coletta

It’s an easy choice in the Republican primary for the only Collier board seat up for voter review this year. Jim Coletta has been an outstanding public servant for the past eight years for the sprawling district that includes Golden Gate Estates, Immokalee and Everglades City. He is a friend to business and the underprivileged. He beats the drum for better roads, and gets results. He leads the fight for better drainage as well as sensible flood insurance maps that save constituents money.

(...)

Photo: Naples Daily News

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Letter to the Editor: Five for me ? and you?

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:05:00 -0400

Editor, Daily News:

Thank you all who are candidates for elected positions; you understand the need.

Thank you all who have or will vote; you keep democracy alive.

Please also remind your friends and neighbors to vote; this is an important local election and will likely be the only chance you have to voice concerns about some of Collier County’s leaders for some time to come.

There are some difficult choices to be made, others are easy. I made mine and am sharing them with you: Jim Coletta, Collier County commissioner, District 5; Kathy Smith, public defender; Joe Paterno, School Board, District 4; Kevin Rambosk, sheriff; and Kathy Curatolo, School Board, District 2.

It doesn’t matter whether you agree with me, but it does matter that you vote.

Bob Murray, East Naples

Letter to the Editor: Man for the mission

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:02:00 -0400

Editor, Daily News:

I have been on the Tourist Development Council (TDC) for over four years and served under Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta last year when he was chairman.

Jim was good in directing the TDC on its mission of managing over $14 million in annual bed-tax receipts. He did his homework in discussing the issues and agenda items and was fair and accommodating.

Although I cannot vote for Jim because I live in another district, I urge his re-election.

Murray H. Hendel, Naples

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John Barlow: Coletta - The Real Deal

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:02:00 -0400

Jim Coletta is the real deal. Located in one of Collier's fastest growing districts Jim has lead the way in making sure growth is properly done and there is balance to growth. There is much more to do. Roads are and will be a continuing need as this district grows. Providing concurrent water, sewer and roads facilities will be an ongoing requirement for this district. Safety and Emergency medical service will be a continuing need. Keeping taxes low and rooting out bureaucratic waste will be a continuing need. As we go through this rough economic patch due to over expansion and inappropriate lending practices now is the time to vote for Jim. He has a proven record of accomplishment. He has shown he can work with the other Commissioners and prevail for his constituents. Now is the time to reelect Jim...he has and will continue to lead the way in District 5. Let's overwhelmingly vote for Jim in the August primary and November election.

John Barlow, Member of Collier County Productivity Committee and Affordable Housing Advocate

Read also: NDN: Barlow has a plan to make the best of down housing market

Collier Citizen: On The Mark: Coletta is clear choice for District 5

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:09:00 -0400

August 13, 2008 by Mark Strain.

In less than two weeks, voters in District 5 will be asked to choose between two candidates running for the office of county commissioner. As everyone in the district knows, the incumbent is Jim Coletta, who has served his district with dedication and untiring enthusiasm. There may be reasons to seek changes for many other elected offices on the primary ballot, but considering a change from Commissioner Coletta is unwarranted for many reasons.

For decades, the focus of Collier County has been on developing the infrastructure to make the lives of citizens in the high-value coastal area as comfortable as possible. Prior administrations clearly outlined needs for constant improvements to the “coastal area of Collier" using tax resources, many times acquired from not only that area, but the eastern part of the county, as well. In the past, the western portion of the county saw its hoped-for improvements become reality one after another, while District 5 and other inland areas experienced one delay after another in realizing the same conveniences.

That all changed when Jim Coletta became District 5’s elected official to the Board of Commissioners. Rather than see more improvement derailed in our area, Jim has insisted on prioritizing budget needs for improvements within the District. During his time in office, we have benefitted from vast improvements to our road system, our parks and libraries; changes that balance development with environmental concerns for our rural farm lands and the realization that Immokalee is becoming the agricultural and industrial hub of this county, along with all the business incentives and job creation benefits that will bring.

[More]

Letter to the Editor: Rescued and grateful

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:16:00 -0400

Editor, Daily News:

Thank you, Collier County, for preventing “big government," also known as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from imposing flood insurance on Golden Gate Estates homeowners.

County Manager Jim Mudd and Development Services Administrator Joe Schmitt, along with county engineers Stan Chrzanowski and Robert Wiley, have done a great job of staying on top of this issue. Commissioner Jim Coletta was also personally involved, traveling to Atlanta and meeting with FEMA. I do not mean to single out Coletta, as the entire county board supported resolutions in opposition to FEMA’s misguided studies and conclusions.

FEMA proposed in 2000 to change the flood zone for Golden Gate Estates from D to A. Flood zone D means “undetermined" and flood insurance is available but not required. Flood zone A means there is a 1 percent annual chance of flooding and therefore flood insurance is mandatory if you have a mortgage.

A house with a replacement cost of $100,000 would expect a premium of about $1,000 per year. Therefore, if every home (and guest home) were required to purchase flood insurance every year, the annual cost to Estates residents could easily top $50 million. “Thank you" to them all.

The cost of living is high enough without having to pay the federal government another $1,000 to $2,000 per year for something we do not need.

David Farmer, Golden Gate Estates

Citizens of Collier County Endorse Jim Coletta

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:50:00 -0400

Anne Goodnight, David Lawrence Center, former Collier County Commissioner
"I’ve been a Collier County resident for 53 years and I was a County Commissioner myself in the eighties and early nineties. I’m supporting Jim Coletta, and I ask you to support him, as well. Jim has been the best commissioner Collier County has seen in many years"

Dick Rice, Executive Director, Immokalee Chamber of Commerce
"I’m extremely proud to endorse Jim Coletta for re-election. He’s done an outstanding job, not only for Immokalee, but for all of Eastern Collier County. He’s always there leading the way. Jim’s open to any suggestion and he’ll answer any question. He is just the kind of person we need to represent us."

Doug Rankin, Vice-Chair, Republican Executive Committee
"I support Jim Coletta, because he has worked to improve Golden Gate Estates and Collier County for over twenty years. These last eight years, he has been doing great things as a commissioner. He helps everybody regardless of their income or potential. We should reelect him."

Fred Thomas, Community Activist, former Executive Director, Collier County Housing Authority
"If we want to continue our positive growth in Immokalee, we need Jim Coletta back in office for another term. He’s a good family man and a supporter of programs for the less fortunate. Jim has done an outstanding job representing us. If all the commissioners followed his lead, we could make the county one we could really be proud of"

John Norman, Aid for State Representative David Riviera
"I have known Jim Coletta for many, many years and I’ve watched his career on the County Commission for the last eight. I have seen great progress in Immokalee, in the Golden Gate, the Estates, and in the County overall under his leadership. This man has been a devoted civic leader in Collier County and we need to keep him in office. "

John Lawson, Executive Director, One By One Leadership Foundation
"I’m endorsing Jim Coletta for County Commissioner. I’ve worked with him in the Leadership Collier group and in Rotary. He has a great heart and is always out there helping someone less fortunate.The first time I met him, he was volunteering to help some people with mental disabilities. He is the right person for the job and he’s a person you should know. I hope you will support him, too."

Karen Acquard, Community Civic Leader
"I have known Jim Coletta for over 14 years. Before he was ever County Commissioner, he took on FEMA and Mosquito Control. He’s why we don't have high insurance and we don't have mosquitoes. He’s also the reason we’re not in gridlock on Immokalee Road. He has done great things for us and we need to keep him in office"

Lauren Liefer, Executive Director, Physicians Led Access Network (PLAN)
"No one cares more about the residents of Collier County than Commissioner Coletta….He helped PLAN bring health care to low income, uninsured adults. He’s always there for the small guy as well as the big guy"

Linda Hartman, President, Homeowner Association of Golden Gate Estates
"I have been active in the Golden Gate estates for over 24 years. There is no one that I know who has done more for Collier County and District 5 than our commissioner, Jim Coletta. Please vote for him."

Mario Diaz-Balart, US Congressman District 25
"I will never forget walking with Jim in Immokalee after Hurricane Wilma. Residents told me how Jim knocked on doors the night the hurricane hit, asking people to evacuate so no one would get hurt. That's the kind of commitment, passion, and integrity Jim has. That's why I support Jim Coletta for County Commissioner."

Paul Midney, RN,Collier Health, Member of Collier County Planning Commission
"I am a registered nurse here at the Collier Health Center and I’ve known Jim Coletta for over twenty years. I can tell you so many good things Jim has done for health care, for roads, for community development, and for people who just have problems. He works to make sure our government is there to help." "

Robert Grassi, Member of Rotary Club, Supervisor at Immokalee Disposal
""I work and live in Immokalee and I consider Jim Coletta a good friend. He has been really supportive of the Lake Trafford Restoration, fought for mosquito control, and helped start the CRA in Immokalee. I encourage you to vote for him." "