Married with three children, Pass is an active community participant. A member of such organizations as the Optimist Club of Bonita Springs, the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Bonita Springs Community Redevelopment Agency, of which he was once chairman, Pass understands the pulse of the community. He also volunteers at the Bonita Springs Recreation Center, is a basketball coach and referee, and was Bonita Springs Rotary Citizen of the Year in 2002.

Although his term as mayor expires in 2004, Pass has not yet committed to running again He recently spoke with Gulfshore Business about the unique challenges facing this new city and his outlook for the future.

Gulfshore Business: What benefits and challenges has incorporation brought?

Mayor Paul Pass: We are a high-growth place, and cityhood was a natural step. We now have local control over tax dollars, which has allowed us to enhance the services we provide residents. We've been able to lower the millage rate 13 percent. But at the same time, it's challenging to please everyone. I've lived in Bonita for 20 years and I know a lot of people. They ask me for things and sometimes the answer has to be "no." That's tough because they're people I know and respect and they just want to be involved.

GB: What are some of Bonita's growth-related challenges?

PP: Roads and infrastructure are our main challenges right now. We've worked hard and have been successful in getting money that we wouldn't have been able to get had we not been a city. We're currently six-laning U.S. 41 and working on the Livingston Road/Three Oaks corridor. Bernwood Parkway, connecting Old 41 to U.S. 41, is now open. Drainage projects are also on the list.

GB: Is there a plan in place to preserve the environment as growth continues?

PP: Our comprehensive plan designates a certain percentage of property that needs to be preserved, and we are sticking to that. We're also working to enhance our parks. We have 1,000 feet of river-front property on the Imperial River that we're going to put back into the hands of the public, and we've acquired properties on Old 41 that will be turned into park and recreation areas. We appreciate greenspace and want to preserve what we have and enhance other areas as well.

GB: What is the plan for residential development? Will Bonita Springs be able to provide enough affordable housing for its residents?

PP: We work on affordable housing issues constantly with Lee County. We have budgeted money to build affordable housing areas in the city. Silverado East is already completed and people are living there, located at the end of Bonita Drive. We've been able to acquire Imperial River Court and Bamboo Mobile Village, and we have bankrolled impact fees to revamp these areas for affordable housing needs.

GB: What's in store for commercial development in Bonita? Does the city have a plan?

PP: Commercial development will take care of itself and already has. Bonita Springs has become an attractive area for business to relocate. It's a great spot and allows companies to attract top-notch employees who desire to live in Southwest Florida, where golf courses and beaches surround the area. It's a selling point for them to say they're located in Bonita.

GB: What is your vision for Bonita's future?

PP: Bonita Springs is going to continue to be a very popular place for people to come, to live and to visit. It's located between Lee and Collier counties, so it allows people to get the best of both worlds. Once we get control of the roads, bigger changes will be in store and we'll be able to raise the standard of living even more for our residents. The key is sustained growth over a long period of time.

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VITAL STATISTICS

Name: Paul Pass

Title: Mayor, Bonita Springs

Age: 49

Born: Noblesville, Ind.

Family: Wife, Pam; daughters Alexandra, 14, and Kyla, 12; and son, Mitch, 10.

Career: Estimator at Johnson Brothers Precision Precast, Bonita Springs.

Hobbies: Riding motorcycles, fishing, playing basketball and golf, "Anything I can do with my kids."