Laura Carr elected new Bonita Springs city councilor

Laura Carr is the newest Bonita Springs city councilor after winning Tuesday’s local election.

The District 3 councilor beat Rick Steinmeyer, earning 72 percent of the vote. Carr got 491 votes, while 192 people voted for Steinmeyer.

“I’m so excited and really happy,” she said. “I have a house full of neighbors who just showed up and surprised me, and we’re all smiling.”

Carr will serve take up a four-year term. Her first full council meeting should be on April 4.

The local election didn’t draw record crowds — voter turnout was less than 13 percent out of about 5,300 registered voters. Only 105 people voted in person; the rest of the ballots were mailed in.

District 1 Councilor Amy Quaremba and District 5 Councilor Mike Gibson both ran unopposed.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for" Carr, Mayor Peter Simmons said. “She’s worked hard. She’s been involved with the city for a number of years. She’ll be a welcome addition for our City Council. I very much look forward to the continued service with Councilwoman Amy Quaremba and Councilman Mike Gibson.”

Steve Slachta has held the seat for eight years and could not run for re-election because of term limits.

Carr will represent residents from the southwest portion of the city, including Little Hickory Island, homes south of the Imperial River west of U.S. 41 and the region south of Bonita Beach Road west of Imperial Parkway.

Carr is a 20-year resident who lives in Spanish Wells. She is involved in local veterans organizations with her husband, a West Point graduate, as well as the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Carr said she is ready to dive in to the inner workings of the city.

“What I want to do first is get to understand how the council really works,” she said. “I want to meet with staff and get behind the issues in Bonita Springs. I want to be a fully participating member of council.”

Carr said the prior council’s decision to provide a city loan to the Everglades Wonder Gardens Board of Directors spurred her to run for office. The decision didn’t sit well with her, especially after the council decided to take over ownership entirely.

Reducing flooding is a top priority for Carr moving into her new seat, she said. Parts of Bonita Springs suffered severe flooding after Hurricane Irma.

Searching for solutions to traffic congestion, especially to the beach, is a close second. Constructing a parking garage and using shuttles could be an option to reduce traffic, she said.

But she desires to stay on top of the people in District 3 most of all.

“I want to stay in touch, in contact and informed with what my district wants,” she said.