With Collier Commissioner Donna Fiala not seeking reelection, three vie for District 1 seat

For the first time in two decades, East Naples, Marco Island, the Isles of Capri, Goodland and surrounding communities will have a new Collier County commissioner.

With longtime Commissioner Donna Fiala deciding not to run for another four-year term to represent District 1, Republicans Jacob Winge and William Douglass and Democrat John Jenkins are vying for her seat in next year's election.

For Fiala, next year will mark 20 years on the board. She said it's time for someone new to take over. 

"I think that I did all I can do at this point...," she said. "I think maybe it's time."

More than a year ahead of the primary election on Aug. 18, 2020, the three newcomers have already filed papers to run for Fiala's seat.

The first to join the race was Jenkins in March.

The businessman and Riverwood Estates resident said his priorities include the environment, affordable workforce housing and the county's public transit system. 

One of his proposals would be to ban single-use plastics in the county, said Jenkins, 54. The area can't afford to have any more dead dolphins wash ashore, he said.

"The time to do something is now," Jenkins said.

Jenkins, who has served as the vice chairman of the county's Public Transit Advisory Committee for the past two-and-a-half years, also wants to improve the county's public transportation system, including extending the hours buses run.

"We have a public transportation system that is just above horse and buggy," he said.

Jenkins has been operating Auto Nanny, Inc., which provides car care and airport valet services for absentee homeowners in Southwest Florida, for 22 years.

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Last month, Douglass, a former firefighter, jumped in the race. He retired two years ago as a lieutenant, following 30 years with the then-East Naples fire department and later the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District. 

As a firefighter, Douglass, 57, said he put "a lot of heart and soul in the community," keeping "a calm, cool level head," working with people and being able to think outside the box and solve problems and issues.

Now, he wants to serve the community again. This time as a commissioner.

"I feel I can be a solid asset to replace (Fiala)," Douglass said.

Douglass is the president of the Lely Country Club Property Owners Association and was involved with the Naples Jaycees for 10 years. 

To Winge, his leadership and experience will set him apart from his opponents. He currently serves as the president for both the East Naples Civic Association and the East Naples Kiwanis.

"We do really need a fighter in our community," he said.

The current and past commissions have kicked the can down the road on important issues, said Winge, 26.

"I think we need a different style of leadership," he said.

Winge served on the county's Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Board and the Growth Management Oversight Committee. He currently sits on Collier's infrastructure surtax citizen oversight committee, which vets projects funded with a sales tax increase passed by voters last year.

Winge said he wants to focus on effective long-term planning for the county, conservation and spreading affordable housing beyond East Naples.

"We can't continue to put everything in East Naples," he said.

Winge works for a property management firm at Sandalwood Village where he does public relations and marketing. He unsuccessfully ran for the District 1 seat on the Collier County School Board in 2014, a race won by Kelly Lichter. 

To Fiala, whoever takes her place should try to find out what the community's needs are and listen to constituents. 

"People's voices so often are not heard," she said. "And they should be."

Connect with the reporter at patrick.riley@naplesnews.com or on Twitter @PatJRiley.

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