Election 2024: Q&A with Fort Myers City Council Ward 2 candidate Chanetta Campbell-Brunson

Amy Bennett Williams, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

Chanetta Campbell-Brunson is one of three women vying for veteran lawman Johnny Streets’ nonpartisan city council seat, after the 17-year incumbent announced he's not seeking reelection. Brunson, 62, is a lifelong Fort Myers resident, entrepreneur, community activist and self-described "daughter of the district." She says she's "extremely passionate about the opportunity to be of service to my city." Her grassroots campaigning has included fish dinners and contributions from lemonade vendors.

In brief: Fort Myers Ward 2

Covering much of the historically Black Dunbar neighborhood, Ward 2 stretches to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and includes the Forum and the area around Top Golf. As of 2020, its population was 14,605 (the whole city's is 97,711) with 47% white and 20% Black.

The ward has faced crime ‒ in 2017, almost two dozen young men known as the Lake Boyz were arrested on racketeering charges ‒ pollution, notably a toxic landfill site, where the city dumped arsenic-tainted sludge for years before cleaning it up in 2019 ‒ and chronic housing shortages, but is suffused with history and community pride, evident at the eight-decade-old Dunbar Easter Parade.

Each councilperson is elected by registered voters in his/her ward to the four-year post, which pays $47,0300 a year: $32,630.00 in salary plus a $14,400 stipend.

How much has Chanetta Campbell-Brunson raised so far?

So far, she's raised $7,519, much of it coming from small cash donations and a GoFundMe campaign.

Who is Chanetta Campbell-Brunson running against in the Fort Myers City Council election?

Campbell-Brunson is running against architect Diana Giraldo and entrepreneur and community activist and Jacquelyn McMiller.

Chanetta Campbell-Brunson is running for Fort Myers City Council in Ward 2.
Chanetta Campbell-Brunson is running for Fort Myers City Council in Ward 2.

Here are Campbell-Brunson's answers to our candidate questionnaire, which have been edited for length and clarity:

Tell us about your family, growing up and early life. What have you done professionally?

Growing up I lived with both parents, Mom and Dad. I had four other siblings. We were taught to be respectful, go to church and education was a must. Both of my parents were very active in the community, serving with youth and charitable organizations and their church. Professionally I'm a military veteran, have worked for the City of Fort Myers Housing Authority, The News-Press, WINK TV,  Southwest Regional Hospital, the U.S. Postal Service, was a front-end manager for Topps Grocery, and Sweetbay, a founder of The Brunson Foundation, and as a clerk for The Lee County School District.

How has your life prepared you to serve on council?

As a child, I saw how life can change, people can change, and your community can change. The good, bad, the ugly,  I've seen it all. Killings. Shootings, drug overdose, you name it. I know first-hand how I can change our ward for the better because I've been there and I've lived in Ward 2 all of my life.

What are your ward’s priorities and if elected, what are three (or more) new initiatives you’ll work on?

  • Traffic and congestion, street lighting and infrastructure.

  • Affordable housing.

  • Restore public safety relations.

  • Establish educational and cultural programs.

What are you proudest of accomplishing?

I bought my first home in Ward 2. I'm widowed with four children: one entrepreneur and three college graduates, I received my doctorate and am a founder of The Brunson Foundation.

What do you want to be sure people know about you?

I'm a Christian. I love my family and I'm involved and active in my community and other organizations in the ward.

Why should people vote for you instead of your opponents?

I am a lifetime resident of over 62 years in Ward 2. I have always been involved in the community and our youth has been one of my top priorities because they are our future. (I have taken) them to the inauguration in 2017, and different colleges throughout the years to show them a better life so that they can believe in themselves and make a difference in their family and community.

‒ Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/Bishopchanettacampbell/

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers City Council: Interview with candidate Chanetta Campbell-Brunson