CAPE CORAL, Fla. — After presentations from 11 candidates and some deliberation, Lois Welsh has been appointed to the vacant seat on Cape Coral's city council.
"I'm excited and ready for the challenge," said Welsh.
It happened at the October 21, Cape Coral city council meeting.
Welsh, a local businesswoman begins her term, representing the city's fifth district, immediately. She says this isn't the first time she's thought about taking on the job.
"I considered running back in 1999, but that wasn't my time and that was after I had graduated Leadership Cape Coral. I was very inspired by the services that our city provides behind the scenes that many of us are not aware of," said Welsh.
She adds that one of her biggest goals is to attract more jobs in the following industries. "What compels me these days are STEM: Science, technology, engineering, math. Not only do we need to look at educating in those areas, but we need to look at what industries provide employment in those areas," said Welsh.
Her appointment comes after former city councilman David Stokes stepped down from his post.
She tells Fox 4 she's not entirely sure if she'll seek re-election for the seat when it's time.
"I've been asked that by many people but when I submitted my application that certainly was not on my horizon," said Welsh.
