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Voters in Collier County District 5 will choose between Republican incumbent Jim Coletta and political newcomer Democrat Russell Kish, Nov. 4.

Since taking office in 2002, Coletta’s focus has been on health care, transportation infrastructure, FEMA flood maps, mosquito control, affordable housing, and red tide.

The Golden Gate Estates resident has chaired the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council’s legislative and transportation sub-committees and its red tide committee. Coletta has served on a number of boards, including the MPO Advisory Council Governing Board and the Regional Advisory Committee on Trauma Care and is a member of the SW Florida Expressway Authority, past chairman of the Golden Gate Master Plan Committee and a graduate of Leadership Collier.

A local business owner from 1987-2001, Coletta has been an active volunteer in many community organizations, including the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association, Golden Gate Area Civic Association, Collier Rotary Club and Immokalee Development Services. He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

During a 30-year career in retail pharmacy, Kish managed a number of drug stores and says he gained experience in all aspects of business, including budget planning, personnel and inventory control for $12 million worth of merchandise. He considers his work in retail pharmacy to be a community service. According to Kish, a manager has to help the public every day.

The Port of the Islands resident has lived in Collier County for 10 years and is currently employed as a staff pharmacist for Naples Community Hospital. He holds a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Northeastern University, served as general contractor in the construction of his custom home and has coached Little League baseball.

Q What are the greatest challenges facing District 5?

Coletta: “The greatest challenges have changed quite a bit from four years ago, when our major concern was roads. Our challenges affect the whole county, though. The number-one challenge is what’s happening with abandoned and foreclosed homes. This is of great concern to businesses, the sheriff’s office and the entire community.

“When you look to government for solutions, you probably won’t get the result you want. I’m happy to say there are good things taking place outside of government to deal with this issue. There is a collaborative effort between HOME (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone), the Immokalee Empowerment Alliance and Habitat for Humanity to get HUD SHIP dollars to buy and fix up some of these houses, make them habitable and provide affordable financing. So far, they’ve purchased about 30 homes.

“The commission has directed staff to partner with the sheriff’s office and non-profits to help turn derelict homes around so they don’t degrade their neighborhoods. There’s a whole organization under Kathleen Passidomo providing outreach to advise people of the best way to interact with their bank and deal with the legal issues in the foreclosure process.

“That’s a part of the larger issue of what can be done to preserve and foster our economy. I’m proud to say we’ve come up incentives for businesses to stay or relocate here, such as Arthrex, a medical device manufacturing company that could have moved out of the country. They have 300 new jobs coming online.

“In the last three years, we’ve seen our income stream cut by $80 million and laid off 20 percent of our employees. We’ve maintained our essential services and so far, our parks and other programs are holding fairly well.

“The next step is to get individuals involved. We need to grow our volunteer programs to maintain the level of service. Even the sheriff’s office has fully accredited deputies who work for no pay at all in their spare time, because they enjoy doing it.”

Kish: “The greatest challenge for District 5 will be to ensure proper growth to allow for development. We need to keep as much farmland as possible, but still spur economic growth. I don’t know the specifics of how you do that with mitigation and credits. I think that will be a monumental job, but I’ll learn all the details when I get in office. All the factions will have to work together to get the proper result.

“Fiscal responsibility is also a challenge. There has to be more fiscal responsibility for the whole county. We can’t be taking on more debt. The county’s capital expenses have to be reviewed and controlled.”

Q Where has Collier County failed District 5, and how can those issues be fixed?

Coletta: “I know it’s a sore subject, but the county has generally failed throughout the community in what we do to provide social services for people in need. We’re way behind, usually about 66th or 67th in the state. In the past, we’ve only done what was mandated by the state and federal government and we get around that in small, meaningful ways, like the Mike Davis Clinic in Golden Gate. Thank God for private agencies.

“The county has never spent anything for affordable housing. I’d like to see that change. We did come up with deferral of impact fees for affordable housing.”

Kish: “On a service level, the county may have failed District 5 in supplying recreational outlets, the same way they have in other parts of the county. We still haven’t got a place to ride ATVs. They’ve got a big water park over in North Naples and (a pool) in Golden Gate. Residents in areas like Orangetree need recreational opportunities like other parts of the county, as well as convenient shopping centers with a major grocery and a clothing store, like Target or Beall’s. I know people won’t want to see these things in their backyards, but we need to build them into the Estates area for the greater good.”

Q Why are you the best candidate for District 5 County Commissioner?

Coletta: “That’s the reason we hold elections. You have to run on your record. I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished and the issues I’ve solved in District 5, with the aid of a large number of people.

“I’ve been involved in this community for more than 20 years. I founded a newspaper, served on nine boards and was member of the Chamber of Commerce before I ran for commissioner. And, since I’ve been in office, I’ve established five new civic associations, because I like to empower people to help themselves.

“On Nov. 4, the people with have to make a decision. That’s when the rubber meets the road.”

Kish: “Everything I’ve ever done is based on common sense. I can’t tell you how much my opponent has voted to spend on studies for things like tolls and housing.

“I’m a tightwad. I don’t believe in spending money on studies like this – unless we have to do so to get money from the state or whatever – when we have enough smart people here who can figure out what to do.

“I ask a lot of questions until things make sense to me. I won’t vote to spend anything until I fully understand the transfer of funds and who is getting the panther credits and things like that.

“I’m more fiscally responsible than anyone else running for this office, and there is only one. Coletta has spent $64,000 on this campaign, if you look at the treasurer’s report; I’ve spent $500 to qualify and that’s it. Sometimes, he has to make decisions based on who gave him money; I don’t.”