Candidate: GARY L ISRAEL

Gary’s decision to run stems from his unwavering support of Estero, promoting all that is positive throughout Estero and bringing to light the many unique people, places and events that make the Estero ‘lifestyle’ so attractive. Being still active in the local business community, he feels he is positioned well to understand the needs of business owners and how they relate to the residents and their desire to thrive in an outstanding community such as the Village of Estero. Israel strongly supported the incorporation effort in order for the residents of Estero to be able to maintain control over their own destiny. He believes that the majority of Estero’s residents share common goals of managing the Village’s future growth, protecting our environment while ensuring our current high quality standards. Israel also hopes to add to the dignity of running for political office and setting an example by taking all negativity out of the process. Estero needs to become the model for high voter turn-out and community involvement. He encourages everyone to allow their pride in becoming Florida’s newest municipality as motivation to work together to ensure the Village of Estero becomes the very best it can be. Israel has been a full time resident of Lee County since 1996 and a resident of Estero (Stoneybrook) since 2005. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Estero, served as its President (2002-3) and served as District Governor of District 6960 (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Henry, Glades and De Soto counties) in 2007-08. “Nothing has had more impact on my life/character than my nearly 20 years involved in ROTARY,” says Israel. One of my guiding principles is the Rotary ”Code of Ethics”, The 4 Way Test, particularly the first two points: ‘Of the things we think, say or do, (1) Is it the Truth? And (2) Is it Fair to ALL Concerned’. Israel has also served on the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation Board, and as a member and Chairman of Barbara’s Friends, the Children’s Cancer Fund of Lee Memorial Health System. He is a member of both the Estero and Bonita Springs Chambers of Commerce. Israel spent 10 years in advertising with The News-Press in the Bonita Springs Bureau before launching Estero Lifestyle Magazine in September, 2010.