“The Maughan campaign has gratefully accepted the MICC’s invitation. I would be derelict in my duties if I failed to point out that we also attempted to deliver a letter to the Benacquisto campaign yesterday requesting a debate, but her office twice refused to accept delivery and even threatened to have the police arrest the couriers. Because of the importance of the water quality issues and the beach closures, loss of tourism business and bad publicity that has followed the blue-green algae blooms both here and on the east coast, many District 27 voters are eager to hear what the candidates plan to do, if elected, about the Lake Okeechobee water releases.”
Matlacha Island, FL. August 20, 2016. The Matlacha Island Chamber of Commerce wants to host a debate between District 27 Florida Senate candidates Lizbeth Benacquisto and Jason Maughan, and has issued invitations to both campaigns for the event.
“Matlacha and Pine Island are surrounded by water,” states Matlacha Island Chamber president Leoma Lovegrove, an internationally-acclaimed artist whose gallery and gardens are a Matlacha landmark. “Tourism and agriculture are our biggest industries, and the quality of our water impacts every resident, property owner and visitor on the islands.”
Lovegrove has offered a centrally-located 5,000-square-foot facility on Stringfellow/Pine Island Road as the venue for the debate, and suggests that one of the anchors at FOX 4 NOW be the moderator and select the questions.
“We hope we’ll hear how each candidate plans to solve our water issues and keeping our tourism dollars coming in,” adds Lovegrove, who promises to work closely with both campaigns to set the day and time, promote the event on social media, hire security for the event and put up signage on the islands and throughout Cape Coral.
For more information, please contact Leoma Lovegrove, Matlacha Island Chamber of Commerce, 239-822-4109.
