Sound and fury in Cape Coral

Why would anyone want to relocate a business to Cape Coral?

If a recent city council meeting punctuated by shouts, insults and recriminations is any indication, business owners might want to think twice about locating there.

Union-backed candidates who recently won election to the city council gave City Manager Gary King the boot in a raucous meeting. King, a former banking executive, had brought business sense back to the city's management and was working hard to improve the Cape Coral's image to attract new private-sector jobs.

Granted, King had none of the finesse of a smooth politician, and he often snapped at his critics. But he took a hard line with the unions to get Cape Coral's fiscal house in order, an unpleasant but necessary task.

Unfortunately, that cost him his job. Worse, King's firing did nothing to help the city's image as a good place to do business.