By Naples Daily News
01/05/08

Here's a look at a dozen people in Southwest Florida who could shape the news in 2008.

THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT — He can’t vote but he may decide the 2008 presidential election. He is behind what many voters say is the most important domestic issue of the election: immigration. From those concerned about lax border controls to those looking for reform measures that would include deportation and still others hoping to see the path to citizenship made easier, immigration is shaping up not only to be the most critical, but also the most divisive, campaign issue of 2008. Yet many business owners will say without him, the economy may suffer.

THE PROPERTY OWNER — Relief could be around the corner with a property tax amendment on the Jan. 29 ballot. The proposal would double the homestead exemption to $50,000. It would allow a current home owner with a homestead exemption to transfer the “Save Our Homes” protection of up to $500,000 on a new home. The proposal is expected to save the average homeowner $240. Is that enough? With property taxes skyrocketing the past few years, some northerners with two homes aren’t so sure Florida is an affordable paradise.

COLLIER TEACHERS -- He or she could see a bonus or raise in 2008. After the Collier County School District offered a 1 percent bonus on top of the step increase teachers received this summer, teachers rejected the idea and declared an impasse to contract talks. A special magistrate will meet with both sides later this month to determine who is right and wrong.

KEVIN RAMBOSK -- He’s got the resume to be sheriff, but will voters agree in November? Collier Sheriff Don Hunter announced he won’t seek re-election in 2008 after nearly 20 years in the post. Hunter immediately endorsed Rambosk, the current undersheriff, who has served as a law enforcement officer in Collier for 30 years. Rambosk can expect a fight for the job if candidates Victor Ortino, a private investigator, and local businessman Vincent Angiolillo have a say about it.

THE SEMINOLE INDIANS (CASINO) — They could hit the jackpot with the new gaming agreement with the state. A new casino and hotel is expected to be built in Immokalee. Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has filed suit against the deal. Will Collier County get a new casino out of the gambling deal? With the addition of blackjack and Vegas-style slots, the Tribe already has made plans for renovations in Immokalee.

WILSON BRADSHAW — The new president of Florida Gulf Coast University will have to continue the successful pace of fundraising by his predecessor Bill Merwin to keep up with the university’s rapid rise. And with growth comes pains. Bradshaw will be forced to figure out the gender-equity complaints made by some female coaches while the athletic department plunges into Division I competition. He said he will not make any administration changes until June. Could that include a new athletic director?

JACK ANTARAMIAN — The Naples developer is king of downtown redevelopment. He had a vision in downtown Naples for a now-vacant tract, but will the economy force him to change his views? His company is on schedule to break ground for the Imperial Landing project, heralded as the savior to Old Bonita Springs. But will the current real estate market make him change his mind?

CARL ICAHN — All eyes will be on the corporate guru in 2008 to find out what will become of ailing WCI Communities Inc. After a failed attempt in early 2007, the billionaire investor took control of the Bonita Springs-based developer in September. He’s now chairman of the board. His takeover of struggling WCI caused more than a few Wall Street experts to scratch their heads. One of Icahn’s main strategies in other acquisitions has been to buy a company and sell off underperforming assets.

BILL MOSS -- With 10 years of city manager experience on Marco Island, Naples City Manager Bill Moss knows a lot about controversial issues and outspoken residents. His experience in Naples could be much of the same. He’s only officially been on the job since Jan. 2, but some council members already have taken issue with his contract and management techniques. He also will have to answer questions about how to fix the city’s proposed $8 million reclaimed water system, among other issues.

ERIC FEICHTHALER — The mayor of Cape Coral is trying to make the jump to Lee County commissioner. He first will have to unseat Bob Janes, a Republican with long roots in Southwest Florida. But as voters continue to want change, the 36-year-old lawyer who studied economics at the University of Miami could bring some younger views and swing the power to the largest city in Southwest Florida.

BURT SAUNDERS -- After a long political career in Southwest Florida and in the Legislature, he is determined to run for U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV’s job. Saunders, R-Naples, can’t run for state Senate again because of term limits. So the longtime Republican wants to unseat another Republican -- Mack, of Fort Myers -- by choosing “no party affiliation” to do so.

GARRETT RICHTER -- After just one term in the state House, he will hit the campaign circuit again during the coming year in a bid for the state Senate seat in District 37, which as of now is held by Sen. Burt Saunders. Richter, a longtime Naples businessman, co-founded First National Bank in 1989. District 37 in the Senate spans most of urban Collier and Lee counties.
 

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