About John
John's story
John was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. He graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1987 and in 1988 he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, uncles and cousins to join the New York City Police Department. Over much of his 28-year career he served as a detective in the narcotics division and later investigated organized crime groups. In both assignments he would see firsthand how vulnerable citizens were to violence and intimidation and why the rule of law should never be challenged. In 1995 he was transferred to the Manhattan District Attorney’s detective squad. In that role, beside his investigative duties, he was called upon to help prosecutors prepare for trials. In order to be successful, it was necessary to gain the confidence of victims and witnesses so they would testify at trial. He also confidential informants to bolster a case. He was very successful in gaining the trust of residents and at times convinced suspects to provide crucial information about how a crime was committed.
His career took a turn in 2003 when he and other first responders began seeing their colleagues getting sick and dying in alarming numbers. He was asked to run for president of his union in order that he may work with other unions to begin advocating for the victims’ of 9/11 workers and their families. Over the next ten years the group would work with the Governors of New York and New Jersey, Congress and later the President to secure lifetime medical benefits and upgraded pension awards for all workers and volunteers who participated in the rescue and recovery efforts. He also worked on a program which provided counseling to officers who suffered psychological trauma due the work they performed.
In 2010 he went back to school and earned a Masters degree and began teaching criminal justice and police science to help train a new generation of officers. He also was instrumental in creating a leadership program for new supervisor.
In 2017, he retired and moved to Punta Gorda with his wife Suzanne. There he served on the HOA Board for the Burnt Store Lakes Community. In 2022 he and another member of the Board began meeting with residents from 5 other communities to discuss concerns they had over the changing environment of the Burnt Store Area. Within 6 months that group grew to 9 communities and would become known as the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition (bsccfl.org). Shortly after its formation he would be asked to be its chairman. Today the group represents over 11,000 residents from 12 communities on Burnt Store Road from Tamiami Trail to Pine Island Road. The group’s main focus has been on managing growth, protecting the environment and wildlife, upgrading the infrastructure, getting more law enforcement coverage on Burnt Store Rd, and cleaning up Charlotte Harbor. Since the coalition operates within two County’s, Punta Gorda and Cape Coral, it can also focus on larger projects. Some of the most important projects completed were the creation of a wildlife corridor alongside Burnt Store Road which now allows animals to cross under the road as opposed to over it. The road is now patrolled extensively by the Punta Gorda Police, Charlotte County Sheriff and State Troopers. In 2024, after numerous meetings with the Lee County Board of County Commissioner’s to repave the five miles stretch of road that has yet to be widened to County approved $1.6 million dollars to repave and realign the 5 mile stretch of road from the Lee County line to Van Buren Parkway.
The work done by the coalition and the results achieved show how effective residents can be when they organize and demand elected officials address their concerns. As a conservative he believes less government is better and that citizens play a large role in how government functions. District 2 in Charlotte County has been overrun by developers and special interests’ groups now is the time for residents to take back their County.
John announced his intentions to run at a town hall meeting on May 16th and will now actively campaign for the job of County Commissioner for District 2.
His career took a turn in 2003 when he and other first responders began seeing their colleagues getting sick and dying in alarming numbers. He was asked to run for president of his union in order that he may work with other unions to begin advocating for the victims’ of 9/11 workers and their families. Over the next ten years the group would work with the Governors of New York and New Jersey, Congress and later the President to secure lifetime medical benefits and upgraded pension awards for all workers and volunteers who participated in the rescue and recovery efforts. He also worked on a program which provided counseling to officers who suffered psychological trauma due the work they performed.
In 2010 he went back to school and earned a Masters degree and began teaching criminal justice and police science to help train a new generation of officers. He also was instrumental in creating a leadership program for new supervisor.
In 2017, he retired and moved to Punta Gorda with his wife Suzanne. There he served on the HOA Board for the Burnt Store Lakes Community. In 2022 he and another member of the Board began meeting with residents from 5 other communities to discuss concerns they had over the changing environment of the Burnt Store Area. Within 6 months that group grew to 9 communities and would become known as the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition (bsccfl.org). Shortly after its formation he would be asked to be its chairman. Today the group represents over 11,000 residents from 12 communities on Burnt Store Road from Tamiami Trail to Pine Island Road. The group’s main focus has been on managing growth, protecting the environment and wildlife, upgrading the infrastructure, getting more law enforcement coverage on Burnt Store Rd, and cleaning up Charlotte Harbor. Since the coalition operates within two County’s, Punta Gorda and Cape Coral, it can also focus on larger projects. Some of the most important projects completed were the creation of a wildlife corridor alongside Burnt Store Road which now allows animals to cross under the road as opposed to over it. The road is now patrolled extensively by the Punta Gorda Police, Charlotte County Sheriff and State Troopers. In 2024, after numerous meetings with the Lee County Board of County Commissioner’s to repave the five miles stretch of road that has yet to be widened to County approved $1.6 million dollars to repave and realign the 5 mile stretch of road from the Lee County line to Van Buren Parkway.
The work done by the coalition and the results achieved show how effective residents can be when they organize and demand elected officials address their concerns. As a conservative he believes less government is better and that citizens play a large role in how government functions. District 2 in Charlotte County has been overrun by developers and special interests’ groups now is the time for residents to take back their County.
John announced his intentions to run at a town hall meeting on May 16th and will now actively campaign for the job of County Commissioner for District 2.
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