Lee County Florida District 1
Commissioner Bob Janes 

The Lee County, Florida community is mourning the loss, but celebrating the life and accomplishments of Lee County Commissioner, former Sanibel Mayor and former National Association of Counties and Florida Association of Counties board member Robert P. (Bob) Janes, who died in his home March 10. Janes was a lifelong public servant and champion for the local community.

As a county commissioner, Janes represented the residents of District 1, which includes , Captiva, Upper Captiva, Sanibel, Matlacha, , , Bokeelia and Boca Grande; however, he served the entire community and his impact will be felt county-wide for years to come.

As the son of educators, Janes’ parents taught him about the necessity of public service and the importance of volunteering. He took that lesson seriously and began his career early in life in the United States Army, retiring as a colonel.

He was first elected into public service in the 1960s as a city alderman and then as a commissioner, where he served five years as board chairman. From , he moved to and served as the deputy director of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs, where he worked as liaison between the White House and state governments, counties and cities. Among other issues, he tackled key health care policies. In 1975, he and his family moved to Sanibel.

Janes was a successful businessman in the local community, including a banker and owner of a real estate school, hotel and restaurant. He stayed true to his parents’ example and became a dedicated community volunteer and public servant for . He served as a member of the Sanibel Planning Commission, where he was instrumental in passing stringent building codes on the island to protect our environment.

Janes was elected to the Sanibel City Council and then was elected mayor. In 2000, he was elected to the Lee County Board of and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. As a member of the Lee County Commission, he focused on his lifelong passion of human services and health care issues, serving as the board’s advocate and liaison for mental health and substance abuse issues at local, state and national levels. He was instrumental is the creation of ’s mental health triage center and low demand shelter. He also served as liaison between the board and the Florida Legislature, Public Safety Coordinating Council, Human Services Council, Babcock Ranch, Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Last June, the 5,620 acres of the Babcock Ranch that lie in north Lee County was renamed the Bob Janes Preserve in honor of the active and dedicated role Janes played in negotiating the public purchase and subsequent preservation of this important piece of the local environment.

A memorial fund to collect donations for the Bob Janes Preserve has been established through the Conservation 20/20 Program. Donations may be sent in care of Cathy Olson, Conservation 20/20 Program, . Checks should be made out to “Lee County Board of ,” and “Bob Janes Memorial Fund” should be written in the memo.

Janes is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Lynda Janes, and their three daughters, Susie (Janes) and Colin Flinn, Sandy and Mary.

District 1 Blog

Phone: 533-2224
FAX: 485-2155

Mailing Address:
Box 398, Ft. Myers, Florida 33902-0398

Office Location:
Old Lee County Courthouse
2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901

Cape Coral Office Location:
Lee County Government Center
1039 S. E. 9th Place, 3rd FL, Room 309
Cape Coral, Florida  33990
click here for a map to the Cape Coral Office

E-Mail: dist1@leegov.com

Please note:  Florida has a very broad public records law.  Most written communications to or from County Employees and officials regarding County business are public records available to the public and media upon request.  Your email communication may be subject to public disclosure. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records.  If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.  Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Nan Gonzales, Executive Assistant

Mr. Bob Janes was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and received both a undergraduate and masters degree from the University of Minnesota. Additionally, he received a second masters degree from the University of Southern California. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he served for 2 years in the US Army as a Commissioned Officer. Now, retired from the Army, he is a Colonel in the Reserves.

Much of Mr. Janes' career has been devoted to public service. He has spent almost 25 years in the public sector both as an elected official and an appointed staff member. As an elected official he has been an Alderman with the Minneapolis City Council, Chairman of the Hennepin County (Minneapolis) Board of County Commissioners and most recently the Mayor of the City of Sanibel in Lee County. Mr. Janes, as a appointed official, has served as Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations for the Vice President of the United States in Washington D.C. during the Richard Nixon administration and Assistant Administrator for Extramural Affairs in Washington D.C. As a County Commissioner, he served as the 4th Vice President and Chairman of the Health and Education Committee of the National Association of Counties. He has served as Adjunct Professor in Public Administration at George Mason University in Virginia. Here in Lee County, he has served on the Sanibel Planning Commission, Lee County Private Industry Council, Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Southwest Florida Work Force Development Board.

While living in Lee County, Mr. Janes has owned several businesses.Florida Real Estate Academy, Jolly Roger Motel and Letizias Continental Cuisine. Finally, his private sector experience includes being a Vice President at the Sanibel SunTrust Bank. He is on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Lee County Chapter. Mr. Janes and his wife Lynda, have 3 adult children, Sandra, Mary and Susan.

Mr. Janes Looks forward to the next four years as a Lee County Commissioner. He welcomes the opportunity to work with his fellow Board members to maintain a high quality of life for all the citizens in Lee County.