BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:America/New_York X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VEVENT UID:2065@aboveboardchamber.com DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T131500 DTSTAMP:20260630T181532Z URL:https://www.aboveboardchamber.com/events/swfl-regional-property-tax-am endment-forum/ SUMMARY:SWFL Regional Property Tax Amendment Forum DESCRIPTION:The proposed Florida Property Tax Amendment has generated a gre at deal of discussion throughout our state—and with good reason. Questio ns continue to arise about how it could affect homeowners\, businesses\, n onprofit organizations\, local governments\, schools\, public safety\, and the future of our communities.\n\nTo help our community better understand this important issue\, the Above Board Chamber of Florida is bringing tog ether respected leaders with firsthand knowledge and experience to explain the amendment in plain English and answer your questions.\n\nThis is not a political event or a debate.\n\nOur goal is simple: to provide a respect ful\, educational conversation that gives you the facts so you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote in November.\n\nWhether you own a home\, operate a business\, serve on a nonprofit board\, or simply want to better understand an issue that could impact Southwest Florida for yea rs to come\, we encourage you to attend.\n\nModerator:\n\nKaren Hawes\, Fo rmer Lee County Manager\, \n\nKaren served Lee County for 28 years\, inclu ding her tenure as County Manager\, and now owns Hawes Artisan Creations. She specializes in distinctive unique millinery hats\, upscale redesigned denim\, and handcrafted jewelry\, bringing artistic vision and refined cra ftsmanship to every piece.\n\nPanel:\n\nThe Honorable Jeff Kottkamp\, Esq. \n\nJeff Kottkamp is President &\; CEO of Florida TaxWatch and an AV Pr eeminent attorney with degrees from Florida State University and the Unive rsity of Florida. He served as Florida's 17th Lieutenant Governor (2007– 2011)\, overseeing several state agencies\, and as Acting Governor in 2008 . Previously\, he served in the Florida House (2000–2006)\, chairing the Judiciary Appropriations and Judiciary Committees\, and championed lower- tax legislation\, including repeal of the Intangibles Tax. He now chairs t he Florida Historic Capitol Foundation board and lives in Tallahassee with his wife\, Cyndie\, and son\, Jackson.\n\nCommissioner Rick LoCastro\, Co llier County Commissioner\, District 1\n\nCommissioner Rick LoCastro was e lected to represent Collier County District 1 in 2020 and was reelected in 2024. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel\, he served 24 years in leadership positions around the world\, including assignments supporting two U.S. Pr esidents\, NATO\, the Pentagon\, and as a Base Commander at both Eglin Air Force Base and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Following his military career\ , he served as Chief Operating Officer of Physicians Regional Medical Cent er\, held a leadership role with Avow Hospice\, and founded RJL Consulting Team. Commissioner LoCastro brings extensive experience in government\, h ealthcare\, leadership\, and public service.\n\nMayor John Gunter\, City o f Cape Coral\, \n\nMayor John Gunter has proudly called Cape Coral home si nce 2007. He was elected Mayor in 2022 after previously serving as the Dis trict 1 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem. A business owner and President of Gulf Coast Premier Homes\, Inc.\, he studied Criminal Justice and has ded icated his career to public service and community leadership. Mayor Gunter serves on numerous local\, state\, and national organizations\, including the Florida League of Cities\, Florida League of Mayors\, and the U.S. Co nference of Mayors. A four-time recipient of the Home Rule Hero Award\, he is married to Teresa and is the proud father of five children and grandfa ther of six.\n\nHenry County Representive\, To be announced\n\nThis propos ed constitutional amendment is an important issue for every Floridian. If you're unable to attend our forum\, we encourage you to attend another edu cational program in your community. Many outstanding organizations are hos ting similar forums as well. What matters most is that we all take the tim e to learn the facts\, ask questions\, and make informed decisions. An inf ormed community is a stronger community.\n\nWe hope that you can join us\, \n\nJeanne Sweeney\, CEO/Founder\n\nAbove Board Chamber of Florida CATEGORIES:Fort Myers Meeting LOCATION:DoubleTree by Hilton at Bell Tower\, 13051 Bell Tower Dr\, Fort My ers\, FL\, 33907\, United States GEO:26.55136;-81.86832 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=13051 Bell Tower Dr\, Fort Myers\, FL\, 33907\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=DoubleTree b y Hilton at Bell Tower:geo:26.55136,-81.86832 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR