Welcome to Cape Coral, Mr. Brunett

Dana Brunett moved from upstate New York to become economic development director for the city of Cape Coral barely two months ago, but politicians have already made his job that much harder by booting his boss.

In that time, union-backed candidates shifted the balance of power on the city council and promptly fired pro-business City Manager Gary King without cause. This doesn't help the city's image, already tarnished by the foreclosure crisis and an impenetrable bureaucracy.

King was scheduled to speak to a group of real estate executives in Fort Myers recently, but Brunett spoke in his place after he was fired. “Thanks for letting me pinch hit,” Brunett told them.