Jim Coletta
JimColetta@colliergov.net
District 5
Current Issues
A member of the Golden Gate community, Jim Coletta moved to Naples in 1984 from upstate New York. He served in the Military from 1963-1969 as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Elmira, N.Y., and attended Corning Community College in Corning, N.Y. He married his wife, Mary Ann, in 1965 and together they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
He has been an active volunteer and member in community organizations, including Immokalee Development Services, the Golden Gate Business Association, the AARP, and the Golden Gate Rotary Club. From 1987 to 2001 he was the owner/manager of Golden Gate Rent-All and Sales.
Since taking office in 2000, Jim Coletta’s focus has been on healthcare, transportation infrastructure, FEMA flood maps, mosquito control, affordable housing, and red tide. He is a strong advocate for more public lands and more beach and boating access. In 2002 he served as the chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council’s (RPC) Legislative Sub-Committee. Commissioner Coletta was the ‘04-‘05 chair of RPC’S Transportation Sub-Committee, and was elected by the council to the position of Secretary in 2006. Commissioner Coletta was the Co-Chair of the Red Tide Committee in ‘03-‘04. He serves on many other boards, including the MPO Advisory Council Governing Board and the Regional Advisory Committee on Trauma Care. He is a member of the Southwest Florida Expressway Authority for ‘06-‘08.
Commissioner Coletta is also a strong supporter of SCORE, The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and Collier County which have partnered to form a Small Business Survival Task Force, to offer personalized guidance and advice. County Commissioner Jim Coletta, a successful business owner for over 32 years, said, "Often, the survival or demise of a business is directly related to the professional advice they receive." Chamber President and CEO Michael V. Reagen stated that, "Now, more than ever, our local businesses need assistance to survive in these challenging times." And Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, who has actively supported the concept of a business help squad, is extremely positive about the partnership. "In my 37 years of small business experience, I have never seen a time where so many have been affected."
In 2002 he was elected as Commissioner for District 5 and ran unopposed in 2004 for re-election. He served as vice-chairman to the Board of County Commissioners and liaison to the Board on the County Government Productivity Committee in 2001 and 2006. He was chairman of the Board and the Tourist Development Council in 2002.
Evelyn Prieto, Executive Aide
e-mail: evelynprieto@colliergov.net