Eric Feichthaler

Eric Feichthaler was born in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, and attended Lower Moreland School District schools through 9th grade. In 1987, he moved to Cape Coral, Florida. He graduated from Mariner High School and attended college at the University of Miami, earning his Bachelor's of Arts with honors in Economics with minors in Business Administration and Political Science.{{cite web | title=Eric Feichthaler Biography | url=https://www.capecoralattorney.com/attorney/eric-p-feichthaler/|work=Burandt, Adamski, Feichthaler, and Sanchez Attorneys-at-Law|access-date=Jun 5, 2024}} He then enrolled at Georgetown University Law Center, earning his Juris Doctor in 1997. He later attended NYU to receive his Master of Laws (LL.M) in 2001.

file:Cape Coral Mayor Eric Feichthaler (1384512754).jpg

Feichthaler returned to Cape Coral to practice law. On August 12, 2004, he filed the paperwork needed to run in the Cape Coral mayoral election in April 2005.

He ran for mayor in the April 5, 2005 Cape Coral Elections and defeated incumbent opposing candidate Arnold Kempe, receiving 9,025 votes compared to Kempe's 6,369, or a percentage of 58.63 compared to Kempe's 41.37.{{cite web | author=City of Cape Coral |date=April 5, 2005|url=https://www.lee.vote/Portals/Lee/Containers/history/elhis05/050405/summary.htm | title=Summary Report: Official Municipal Election, Lee County, FL, April 5, 2005|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} Feichthaler was inaugurated on April 11, 2005. Feichthaler was mayor during the real estate bubble of the mid-2000's{{cite news |date= January 22, 2008 |title=Florida finds itself becoming less popular |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22788204|work= NBC|location= |access-date=Jul 15, 2024}} and subsequent recession{{cite book |last=Goodman |first=Peter S. |date=September 15, 2009 |title=Past Due The End of Easy Money and the Renewal of the American Economy |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Past_Due/lKaql6REUrgC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |location= |publisher=Henry Holt and Company |page=190-191 |isbn=9781429918763 |access-date=Jun 19, 2025}}{{cite book |last=Mormino |first=Gary R. |date=May 17, 2022 |title=Dreams in the New Century Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes, and Florida’s Turning Point|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dreams_in_the_New_Century/7YLSEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |location= |publisher=University Press of Florida|page=315 |isbn=9780813072319 |access-date=Jun 19, 2025}} as well as Hurricane Wilma striking Southwest Florida.{{cite news |author= Rita Cosby|date= October 20, 2005 |title=Rita Cosby Live & Direct, October 20, 2005 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna9767999|work= |location= |access-date=Jul 13, 2024}} During his time as mayor, he primarily focused on utilities expansion throughout Cape Coral and greater Lee County.{{cite web |date= March 28, 2008 |title=Bidding open on Southwest 6 and 7 areas of utilities expansion; High level of competition expected |url=https://www.lehighacrescitizen.com/2008/03/28/bidding-open-on-southwest-6-and-7-areas-of-utilities-expansion-high-level-of-competition-expected/|location= |access-date=Jul 14, 2024}}{{cite web |date= November 10, 2008 |title=UEP: Exercise in Futility? |url=https://www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com/2008/11/10/uep-exercise-in-futility/|location= |access-date=Jul 14, 2024}} During the several months of debates surrounding the utilities expansion, Feichthaler supported lowering the costs by $1,500 per assessment.{{cite web |date= September 13, 2008 |title=UEP supporters, opponents clash over assessment costs, methodology|url=https://www.captivasanibel.com/2008/09/13/uep-supporters-opponents-clash-over-assessment-costs-methodology/|location= |access-date=Jul 14, 2024}} Additionally, he supported the creation of the Cape Coral Charter School system, overseeing two elementary schools and a middle school during his tenure in office. He also helped create new city parks, such as Jim Jeffers, Joe Stonis, and Paul Sanborn Parks,{{cite web | author=City of Cape Coral |url=https://www.capecoral.gov/department/parks_and_recreationhome/jim_jeffers_park.php | title=Jim Jeffers Park|access-date=Jun 14, 2025 }} and widened Pine Island Road to 4 lanes and Santa Barbara and Del Prado Boulevards to six lanes. Feichthaler was appointed and served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, when the MPO secured funding from Congress to widen Interstate 75 from four to six lanes in Lee County, as well as State Road 80 (SR80/Palm Beach Road) to the county line{{cite web | date=August 17, 2007 |author=Brad Kane |url=https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/local/345257302.html/ | title=I-75 Blog: One crazy day of transportation|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} Feichthaler made efforts to have the Florida Department of Environmental Protection support the removal or replacement of a lock in the southwest of Cape Coral.{{cite web | date=March 19, 2008 |url=https://www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com/2008/03/19/officials-predict-city-will-pay-for-boat-lock-councilmembers-move-forward-on-discussing-funding-options/ | title=Officials predict city will pay for boat lock; Councilmembers move forward on discussing funding options|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}}{{cite web | date=December 18, 2006 |url=https://myfloridahouse.gov/FileStores/Adhoc/Appropriations/CBIRS/cbirshouse2007/HSEReq900FY0607.htm| title=Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #900 Cape Coral North Spreader Waterway Engineering Study|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} He was a founding board member and served as Chair of the Florida League of Mayors, and served as a member on the board of the Lee County Tourist Development Council{{Cite web|title=Cape Coral Mayor Joins Lee County Tourist Development Council|url=https://www.leegov.com/NSP%20Pages/NewsReleasesArchive/publicresources/news/Newsdetail_T4_R549.html|date=October 10, 2006|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} as well as the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council.{{cite web | date=April 17, 2008|url=https://www.swfrpc.org/wp-content/uploads/Minutes/Council/0408.pdf| title=Minutes of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}}

Feichthaler engaged in initial negotiations with ownership from the Cleveland Indians to relocate their spring training facility from Winter Haven, Florida to Cape Coral{{cite book |last=Fountain |first=Charles |date=February 2, 2009 |title=Under the March Sun The Story of Spring Training |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Under_the_March_Sun/czZnDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |location= |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=213 |isbn=9780199707317 |access-date=Jun 19, 2025}}. The Cape Coral City Council declined to further pursue the opportunity{{cite news |date= November 15, 2008|author=Staff of Cape Coral Breeze|title= 'Thanks for the opportunity to serve'|url=https://www.capecoralbreeze.com/news/local-news/2008/11/15/thanks-for-the-opportunity-to-serve/|work=Cape Coral Breeze |location= |access-date=Jun 4, 2024}}

After resigning as mayor, Feichthaler ran for the District 1 seat of the Lee Board of County Commissioners to give the largest city in Lee County better representation.{{cite web | url=https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/local/cape-coral-mayor-planning-a-bid-for-janes-commission-seat-ep-404290110-345431962.html/ |access-date=Jun 14, 2025|title=Cape Coral mayor plans run for commission}} He ultimately lost the election to incumbent Bob Janes, and returned to the full-time practice of law.{{cite web | url=https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/law-63/ | title=Law| work=Florida Weekly|date=October 27, 2010|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} During this time, he joined the Cape Coral Charter School Foundation{{cite web|url=https://digitalbell-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/A35A302D-5056-907D-8D9A-DFA03423836E.pdf| title=MINUTES OF THE CAPE CORAL CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING| date=April 4, 2017|work=Cape Coral Charter School Authority Governing Board|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} and the Cape Coral Mayor's Scholarship Fund{{cite news |author= |date= February 23, 2010|title=Former Cape mayor seeks judgeship| work=Sanibel Island Reporter|url=https://www.captivasanibel.com/2010/02/23/former-cape-mayor-seeks-judgeship/|access-date= Jun 5, 2024}}. Feichthaler also wrote for independent news sources during this time, mostly regarding regional environmental protection.{{cite web | url=https://news.caloosahatchee.org/docs/Pine_Island_Eagle_091013.htm | title=North Spreader Ecosystem Management Agreement - A win for the environment|work=Caloosa News|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} In 2010, Feichthaler ran for Lee County Judge against incumbent Archie Hayward Jr. Feichthaler lost the election, with Hayward receiving 50.17% of the total vote,{{cite news |author=Staff |date= August 30, 2010 |title= Feichthaler loses judge's race by just 192 votes |url=https://www.lehighacrescitizen.com/2010/08/30/feichthaler-loses-judge-s-race-by-just-192-votes/|work=Lehigh Acres Citizen |location= |access-date=Jun 5, 2024}} triggering an automatic hand recount which Hayward won{{cite news |author= |date= |title= Florida judicial elections, 2010|work=Ballotpedia|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_judicial_elections,_2010 |location= |access-date=Jun 5, 2024}}

Feichthaler continued the practice of law and joined Burandt, Adamski and Feichthaler as named partner in 2010.{{cite web | date=March 12, 2012 |url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2012/mar/12/former-mayor-grabs-new-job/| title=Former mayor grabs new job|work=Business Observer FL|access-date=Jun 14, 2025}} He earned his Board Certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar in 2014.{{cite news |date= September 25, 2014 |title= Business: Office Depot in Bonita Springs closing

|url=https://www.news-press.com/story/money/2014/09/25/business-office-depot-bonita-springs-closing/16181213/|work=News-Press |location= |access-date=Jul 14, 2024}} In 2015, he achieved AV Preeminent ratings in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards, and continues to maintain those ratings as well as his Board Certification as of 2024. Feichthaler has also written a weekly real estate law column for the Cape Coral Daily Breeze for 15 years.{{cite web | date=June 7, 2024 |author=Eric P. Feichthaler|access-date=Jun 14, 2025 |work=Cape Coral Breeze|url=https://www.capecoralbreeze.com/opinion/local-columns/2024/06/07/real-estate-law-surprise-shortage/| title=Real Estate law: Surprise Shortage}}{{cite web | date=June 3, 2024 |author=Eric P. Feichthaler |access-date=Jun 14, 2025 |work=Cape Coral Breeze |url=https://www.capecoralbreeze.com/opinion/local-columns/2024/06/03/real-estate-law-is-establishing-an-llc-a-good-way-to-go/ | title=Real Estate Law: Is establishing an LLC a good way to go?}}{{cite web |date=May 16, 2024 |author=Eric P. Feichthaler |access-date=Jun 14, 2025 |work=Cape Coral Breeze| url=https://www.capecoralbreeze.com/opinion/local-columns/2024/05/16/real-estate-law-personal-circumstances-prevent-seller-from-attending-closing/ | title=Real Estate law: Personal circumstances prevent seller from attending closing}} and the possible closure of the city charter schools.{{cite web | author=Derrick Shaw|date=September 7, 2018|url=https://winknews.com/2018/09/07/oasis-high-school-looking-for-ways-to-keep-the-doors-open/| title=Oasis High School looking for ways to keep the doors open|access-date=Jun 14, 2025|work=WINK News}}

{{Election box begin no party no change | title=2005 Cape Coral Municipal Election Primary results{{Cite web |title=Summary Report, Official Municipal Election (March 1, 2005), Lee County, Florida |website=Lee County Elections |url=https://www.lee.vote/Portals/Lee/Containers/history/elhis05/050301/summary.htm|access-date=Jun 10, 2025}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

|candidate = Eric Feichthaler

|votes = 4,546

|percentage = 37.56

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = Arnold E. Kempe

|votes = 3,835

|percentage = 31.69

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = Gloria Raso Tate

|votes = 2,552

|percentage = 21.09

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = Steve Cristaldi

|votes = 1,169

|percentage = 9.66

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change | title=2005 Cape Coral Municipal Election results{{Cite web |title=Summary Report, Official Municipal Election (April 5, 2005), Lee County, Florida |website=Lee County Elections |url=https://www.lee.vote/Portals/Lee/Containers/history/elhis05/050405/summary.htm|access-date=Jun 10, 2025}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

|candidate = Eric Feichthaler

|votes = 9,025

|percentage = 58.63

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = Arnold E. Kempe

|votes = 6,369

|percentage = 41.37

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=2008 Lee County Commissioner District 1 Primary Election results{{Cite web |title=Summary Report, Official Primary Election, Lee County, Florida |website=Lee County Elections |url=https://www.lee.vote/Portals/Lee/Containers/history/elhis08/080826/el30a.pdf|date=August 26, 2008|access-date=Jun 10, 2025}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Janes

|votes = 19,909

|percentage = 47.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Eric Feichthaler

|votes = 17,303

|percentage = 41.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerard David Jr.

|votes = 4,435

|percentage = 11.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change | title=2010 Lee County Judge Group 4 Election Recount results{{Cite web |title=Summary Report, Official Judicial Election Recount, Lee County, Florida |website=Lee County Elections |url=https://www.lee.vote/Portals/Lee/Containers/history/elhis10/100824r/el30a.pdf|date=August 24, 2010|access-date=Jun 10, 2025}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

|candidate = Archie Hayward

|votes = 34,477

|percentage = 50.17

}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = Eric Feichthaler

|votes = 34,250

|percentage = 49.83

}}

{{Election box end}}

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