Peterman seeks reelection to Punta Gorda City Council

First term member ran unopposed in first election

ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH Staff Writer

PUNTA GORDA — Donna Peterman isn’t finished with her work in District 1 on the Punta Gorda City Council.

Peterman ran unopposed two years ago. Now Jeannine Polk is vying for the seat.

Peterman was chief communications officer of the PNC Financial Services Group before retiring and moving to Punta Gorda in 2016. Peterman wants to see new developments in the downtown district.

She said while everyone didn’t agree with the land development regulations, they were vetted for years. She believes new regulations will lead to changes for some blighted sections of downtown that will help the city.

She also speaks up for the historic district, noting the city’s OK of a local Register of Historic Places with the new land development regulations.

“(The rules) enhanced protections from demolition and sets forth the powers and duties of the City’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board,” she said.

She wanted to see dinghy docks regulated. She said some residents living near Charlotte Harbor dealt with bad behavior by some boat dwellers for years.

It is not her only concern about water.

“We need a study on flooding in the downtown district,” she said. “I wanted to see the study get done so we know what options are available to fix the issue … We know it floods, but there may be something more we can do to deal with this issue.”

Helping the city’s own workers is important as well. She said it was imperative to adopt a new employee benefit and salary package to attract and retain employees.

“This will make Punta Gorda’s total compensation more competitive with the surrounding areas,” she said.

Peterman will serve on the new board being established by the YMCA of Southwest Florida as part of the agreement of the Cooper Street Recreation Center.

She said she will listen to the needs of the community and work with others on the board.

Peterman was the president of the Visual Arts Center; founder and president of the Punta Gorda Civic Association; chair of the city’s Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Advisory Board; a board member of Punta Gorda Symphony; Punta Gorda YMCA; Punta Gorda Historical Society; and police chief ’s Citizens Advisory Council.

“It’s important to give back to the community,” she said.

Email: elaine.allen@yoursun.com

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