CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- One city's loss, another city's gain?
The Cape Coral City Coucil added a discussion on ZombiCon to their agenda for Monday's meeting after one Council member said he'd welcome the event to the city.
Members said they've been flooded with calls and emails from residents asking if ZombiCon is coming to the Cape.
"We haven't even talked about this. It's just a couple of quotes in the newspapers, and all the sudden ZombiCon was coming to Cape Coral," Councilman Jim Burch said. "I get emails that say 'What are you guys thinking?' and I keep saying back 'I'm not thinking anything because I haven't entertained any thought here,'" he continued.
His thoughts seemed to be echoed by most of the council.
"The first I'd heard about this was the news media, and I think that immediately brings up a process issue within our ranks," Councilman Rick Williams said.
Fox 4 spoke with Councilman Richard Leon, who says he would support ZombiCon coming to Cape Coral.
His announcement came the day after Fort Myers City Council voted to stop the event downtown, during which one man was shot and killed and five others were injured.
ZombiCon organizers haven't contacted the city about hosting the event yet, but some Council members know where they stand.
"I will not support this event," Councilman Joun Carioscia said.
The Cape Coral Police Chief Bart Connolly took to the floor pointing out concerns like parking, traffic, security, and logistics.
"They had talked about moving it out of the area of Fort Myers because it was so large before the shooting occurred. The shooting was the straw that broke the camel's back, if you will," he said.
Councilman Leon, who proposed the event moving to Cape Coral, said since the organizers haven't approached the city about holding ZombiCon yet, the discussion was premature.
"To be limited before a discussion evens starts from a private vendor is quite frankly government at its worst," he said.
Mayor Marnie Sawicki said Leon has himself to thank for that.
"It's important that this council be made aware of it before one of us goes to the media to suggest we are open for business," she said.
Ultimately the council ended the discussion without any resolve or vote, leaving the fate of ZombiCon unclear.
Councilman Leon did say he'd like to see a more family friendly event and even proposed it being held during daylight hours.
Other Council members seemed to be on board with that idea, but did say that event wouldn't really be considered ZombiCon, but a new event.
