Expect LPA Chair Anita Cereceda to make a statement at the meeting this morning after several Town Council members and two property owners questioned Cereceda’s donation to Protect FMB at Monday’s Town Council meeting.
Anita Cereceda is one of the most respected public servants on Fort Myers Beach. She was part of the group that incorporated the town in the mid 90’s, she’s been the Mayor on multiple occasions, and she’s been a longtime homeowner and business owner on Fort Myers Beach. As chair of the Local Planning Agency she’s leading the discussion on the biggest projects being proposed for the island post Hurricane Ian.
Protect FMB is a group made up of local residents opposed to the Seagate project and they are also concerned about the size of the development projects the town has recently approved and will consider over the next several years. Protect FMB has been extremely vocal in their opposition to Seagate’s Red Coconut redevelopment plans, however, their website also mentions other “active projects of concern.” Two of those projects will be coming before the LPA, The Arches project today and London Bay’s proposal for The Outrigger property in the near future.
All donations to Protect FMB are confidential. The President of the organization Tom Brady said Monday that over $70,000 has been raised in two months with most donations under $500. He said this is not a fringe movement. “We support reasonable, thoughtful development.” Protect FMB is in the process of filing a lawsuit against the town to try to stop the Seagate Red Coconut redevelopment, claiming the town did not follow their Comprehensive Plan by approving the project.
Anita’s donation became known to the community last week when she shared a video of former Town Councilman Bill Veach asking for donations on her personal Facebook page. She added the comment, “I’ve donated…if you are able please do.” Anita is not a member of Protect FMB. That post has stirred some concern amongst a few developers, at least two residents, and several council members. Mayor Dan Allers stated on Beach Talk Radio Sunday that there’s nothing illegal about Anita’s donation however, it’s not something he would do. On Monday he said the optics are bad. Allers voted no on the Seagate project.
Toward the end of the Town Council’s 8-hour marathon meeting Monday, Councilman Scott Safford wanted to hear a legal opinion on Anita’s donation. “I don’t know how anyone can come in (to the LPA) and get a fair shake. I’m really concerned.”
Council member Woodson added. “This is a huge conflict of interest. I don’t know how anyone could say they are unbiased when they have given money to support a lawsuit against the town. I don’t see how they can continue in that role.”
Town Attorney Nancy Stuparich said Anita “has a constitutional right to associate with whoever she wants. But there may be a perception of bias.” Stuparich said Anita did not do anything illegal and the Town Council can not remove her. They can only ask her if she wants to resign. There is no indication whatsoever that Anita would resign from the LPA. Council members said they may show up to the LPA meeting today and speak at public comment.
Fort Myers Beach residents Paula Kiker and Ed Rood, speaking during public comment at the Town Council Monday, questioned whether Anita Cereceda could be impartial in her role as LPA Chair.
Rood said while he doesn’t know about the legality of the donation, “I think everyone would agree it’s unethical, a conflict of interest and problematic legally in the future for the town since she serves on the LPA. Rood asked the Town Council to temporarily relieve her of her duties on the LPA while the town considers all of its legal ramifications.”
Kiker said Anita’s donation was unethical. Kiker said through her many years of service to Fort Myers Beach, Anita has earned the public trust but her actions will cost the island. “If you believe in something, fight for it until the end, but do not serve on an advisory committee that makes recommendations to the Town Council.” Kiker also asked the Town Council to look into removing Anita from the LPA.
The LPA meeting begins at 9AM this morning and we will carry it live on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.
If the money she donated is going to be used to sue the town then that could be a problem. At the end of the day the money the town uses to fight the lawsuit, and possibly pay if they lose, comes from us. So is it a conflict of interest? Absolutely.
**Now if it was going to be used for other stuff, I understand. But knowing it was going to be used to sue us, huge problem. Anyone working for us should always try and protect us. And helping someone sue us is not protecting us. All other good things she has done aside.
Karen Woodson trying to question anyone’s moral compass is a prime example of projection.
Remember when she was on BTR and had this exchange:
(Speaking about the 17 story London Bay plan)
Ed Ryan- “Does it fit within the code now?’
Woodson- “No.”
Ed Ryan- “Do you think this counsel will give them the OK for what you have seen?”
Woodson- “I hope so.”
Is publicly stating your hopes that counsel will vote in a way you know falls out of line with code ethical? Of course not. Karen literally can’t help herself though because she is devoid of a moral compass.
Anita has never solved a problem. She is the problem.
Sure, Jan.
Congratulations! Stupidest statement made to date! MOVE!
What is so unethical about Anita, her donation and fmb rising suing the town?? If you compare this to eddy rood and his lawsuits against the town and yet he is now serving on a strategic advisory committee.
Hello Cliff, first of all, the Town I sued was a different town than the town we have now. Crooked Roger, Lying John, and their hand picked crony’s and some biased council members interested in doing their friends bidding. The voting public finally saw though all these people and voted to save their island and the people mentioned are all gone. I wasn’t actually suing the town, I was suing the corruption within the town. Its a little different.
As far as me serving the MERTF committee, I’m not presiding over meetings that affect the outcomes of projects. I’m not making public statements on social media and making a donation and supporting an organization that is suing the very town that appointed me to my position.
Amen Eddy. You fought a corrupt regime and won. Anita is a remnant of that old school of thought.
Anita Cereceda understands the comp plan better than anyone else within our elected officials. She has done no wrong in donating to a cause she believes in. It seems to me certain members are trying to take the focus off themselves and the projects they approved. Who placed them to do this would be VERY interesting. Maybe the council should take a hard look at the plan and what the community wants and needs.
Maybe if all you hand wringing bead clutching folks get up and out of your arm chair and got on town council you might find out what it is like Any takers??
Woodson is disingenuous and a hypocrite! Hopefully she will be voted out in the next election, unfortunately by then she will have ruined our island.
I highly doubt she will be re-elected after this stint, and how she voted for Seagate. She isn’t working for her constituents, nor the other two that voted for it. I know of only a few other people who have had the best interest of FMB as Anita has. She gives her heart and sole to this island , She is very respected on this island, and will continue to be. A conflict of interest is that one of the Councilmen that sit on FMB and his wife is the President of the Chamber, and are hoteliers! Thank you Anita for all you do for this island and will continue to doWe appreciate you!
Karen is a hypocrite and true definition of the meme. It’s ok for Karen to vote for 17 story buildings as long as they are not in her back yard (unlike rezoning for moss marina project which was).
Anita has upheld the comp plan regardless and if TC wants to burn it to the ground then change the comp plan to meet those standards. Don’t play games Karen.
Absolutely correct!
As a resident I DO NOT WANT Anita removed from this council. She has 10 times the integrity the rest of the towns organizations group members put together.
Absolutely. We stand with Anita 1000%.
The TC routinely approves projects that the LPA has voted against – so why do these TC members want to make an issue of this??? Just to squelch anyone that doesn’t align with their agenda??? Yep, that’s how I read it!!! Pitiful!!
Wake up! These people were elected on this beach. Maybe we will be more informed voters next time.
Very true. Did you see the FB post recently by one of our TC members celebrating his 4 years of being part of the FMB community? How did we vote in a person that has only been here for four years and it is very clear now, has no regard for the history of the island and its residents. Sadly I voted for him because he was against raising the ‘bed’ tax, not realizing that Ian was coming and what his bigger views were. If only I knew then what I know now!!
Why is there a “Comprehensive Plan” if Council is going to vote however they want totally disregarding the Plan ?
Obviously – more to this !!!
What about the mayor having business partnerships with all the resorts. Who’s to say he won’t vote for new resorts so he can get his golf carts and bikes in them to rent to guests for profit then once the resort is built, he will have to recuse himself from any further votes for that resort. That should be illegal. It’s definitely not very ethical!!
What about Frankie, the code enforcement manager speaking in support of the pink Shell during public comments a few months back? He’s part of staff who recommends or denies projects.
It’s funny how the anti development folks were outraged when a developer contributed to a campaign but this is fine. The hypocrisy is off the charts but not surprising.
I fail to see how taking donations from developers equates with contributing money as a citizen to stop such a gross violation of the spirit of the comp plan
Anti development? FMB Strong is not anti development, it’s pro responsible development. There’s a big difference.
My bad, should have said Protect FMB, not FMB Strong.
Anita has supported the conscientious growth of our community and has a perfect right to donate to any cause she chooses. She is not opening herself up to coercion by developers or taking campaign donations from developers.
Our community has a great opportunity to bring back development on our small island in a sensible manner that offers benefits to the residents, but they are missing this great opportunity. The council seems to be blind when it comes to the needs of the residents but overwhelmed by the persuasions of developers to disregard the comp plan or any sensibility of what we really need for a healthy community. Thanks to Anita for caring for us as residents.
Amen Judy
The same exact rule which allowed margaritaville to be built is being used to build seagate. Anita voted yes to build the margaritaville and now she is saying the developers and the town are not following the rules. Not a very consistent argument she is using.
What Margaritaville built compared to what Seagate wants to build doesn’t even compare. Anita was only 1 vote, and it was voted on unanimously by the town council at the time.
Actually, Margaritaville went through an application process and Seagate was approved through a development agreement.
Funny, I didn’t hear the same outrage from these people when Vanesse was on the LPA hawking jobs with the same developers coming to the board and pushing for their approval.
Obviously, this is all about whose ox is being gored.
No problem Anita.
You simply recuse yourself in any future Seagate decisions.
Her service to that island has been honorable and consistent over long years. Woodson and Safford? They aren’t pimples on her cheek.
And also pushing the simplified Development Agreement, that made it easier to get the non-conforming Seagate project past the LPA and Council.
Anita help write the comp plan back in 1995 ,she understands the plan better than anyone , she spoke out against the Seagate project at the public part of town meeting.The project don’t follow the law.
Why would anybody thinks she wouldn’t donate to try and stop this project , which will destroy this small island .
Its pretty easy to follow the comp plan which the Seagate plan didn’t .
thw below is is the reason they approved 17 story condo devepment.
New regulations for Fort Myers Beach could also allow extra height in exchange for public amenities, for instance for providing a view corridor to the water, or a beach access point, or a trolley stop.
The view corridor was required , there already is a beach access point and there already is a trolley stop.
So how did this get 17 story and 255 feet approved when only 3 story and 44 ft is allowed.
Since Keep FMB Looking Like September 29,2022, I mean Protect FMB seems to be the vehicle Anita prefers to move the beach forward, she should focus all her energy on that. Perhaps Seagate should donate to the town to aid in the defense of whatever lawsuit is filed.
Woodson’s meaning of “fair shake” is that Anita votes as Woodson wants.
My post should be referenced to Scott Safford’s comment about “fair shake”.
Anita has supported the Comp Plan and LDC in her LPA role and rulings. A number of Town Council members have made rulings that do not support the Comp Plan and LDC. Why does the Council accuse her of having a conflict of interest?
It has been stated that this is not an ethics violation. Move on – she is a resident with the privilege of free speech. No one could ever say that Anita doesn’t deliberate extensively to determine to her position in keeping with the Comp Plan and the LDC. Those speaking during public comment should state their home town or their affiliation. We’ve had so many who are not/no longer directly affected, stating their opinions which at times are referred to by the TC in their deliberation which I don’t believe should be part of the LPA or TC decision process.
The fundamental question that Protect FMB is trying to answer is whether our Town Council has to follow the rules established in our land development plan Does the plan need to be changed before the 17 story towers can be built. SeaGate wants to know that too. The Town should be figuring this out themselves. All this fuss about some money Anita might have given towards getting an answer is just another brush fire set to distract from all the problems on the beach. The primary one being we aren’t following our own rules. Take a hard look who are fanning the flames.
Accuse your opponent of the illicit activity you are involved with –
Same old pathetic politics in this day and age From Woodson and Safford –
I Fully Support Anita and the Town Comp plan –
Fort Myers Beach leadership = the blind leading the blind.
“ Anita Cereceda is one of the most respected public servants on Fort Myers Beach. She was part of the group that incorporated the town in the mid 90’s, she’s been the Mayor on multiple occasions, and she’s been a longtime homeowner and business owner on Fort Myers Beach. As chair of the Local Planning Agency she’s leading the discussion on the biggest projects being proposed for the island post Hurricane Ian”. THE END. But wait! There’s more – she’s a Humanitarian. She’s an Innovator. She’s an Entrepreneur. For over 30 years she has dedicated her life to the betterment of Fort Myers Beach and continues to do so – every day. And for that, we are grateful.
Janeen, well said. I hate seeing her in this situation. I think all who personally know her, and wish they knew her, have the utmost admiration for her. Anita is always above board and impeccably discerning in all matters.
Anita only has the best interest of FMB. She has the most knowledge of the comp plan and the history of the island. To remove her would be a loss to all of us who live here. The vote on Seagate is behind us. It’s no secret that she voted against it as did other LPA members. She stands by her vote as a private citizen. Did someone publish a list of contributors even though it was perceived that the contributions were anonymous? “Nothing to see here” stated last week in this newsletter, “Well, good luck because the LPA Chair just made a large donation to Islanders FMB legal fund to litigate against the Town for the Seagate development, which indicates she doesn’t believe in the process.” Who in the heck is Nothing to see here? Hiding behind your comments tells me something about you. “Large donation”? Again, Mr. Nothing to see here, what does that mean? Stand up, show us who you are! Anyone can say anything hiding behind a fictitious name. I put no belief in anything you stated.
Jan, I am with you on this. She was not discussing current projects coming before the Town Council and LPA. This is “after” the approval. She has said nothing publicly about Arches. I have no idea what she thinks about that, and I read everything out there about the beach. Sunshine Law? Nothing there to worry about.
I don’t see a conflict as the vote for Seagate is complete and she denied it during voting. The $ to Project FMB is specifically to oppose Seagate.
Read above “and other active projects of concern.”
Specifically, Arches and London Bay.
As far as I have understood, Protect FMB is only collecting money for the lawsuit against Seagate. So it seems pretty clear her donation was for that one specific project. Maybe someone from ProtectFMB can weigh in to confirm here- current donations are solely for the defense of the neighbors who would be directly harmed by the Seagate decision, correct?
Council members are concerned about Anita? She’s one of the only ones that cares about the town’s comp plan and LDC. How about this….let’s not divert our attention to her….let’s keep our attention on the 3 council members who voted against the comp plan….the very plan they voted earlier to support.
Maybe Woodson should take her own advice as stated above. Her opinion shouldn’t even matter after her gross display of disregard for the people of this town.
I totally agree with Eric’s comment! No one can question what Anita has done for the island. The 3 members that voted for the Seagate monstrosity are the ones that should be questioned on why they disregarded the comp plan and seem to care nothing about the residents.
Let also add that we have town council member that took $3k for his recent political campaign from a single developer which will be coming before this council with several project. But you are concerned with a private citizen making a donation to a group trying to hold the council accountable for following the towns own rules.
Let’s also not forget that said Councilman’s wife is the President of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. Wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest for him to vote on ANYTHING commercial related in FMB? You can’t make this stuff up.
Yes it’s a huge conflict of interest that he sits on this Council. He should have to recuse himself from all matters that are commercially related to FMB.
Let’s not forget Allers who is part owner of the golf cart business that Ironically provides services to Diamond Head, Margaritaville,etc. There are 5 council members and he will know how they are voting so if 3 vote yes, he knows he can vote no and look like the good guy but it will still pass so his little golf cart business can still be shoe in and he gets more business. I have no idea how this is even allowed. AND let’s not forget he is not even a home owner. He’s a renter! So he has the power to vote on things that effect the value of our homes and it is no skin off his back.
Exactly! Anita stays!!! Can’t wait til next election. I voted for every TC member and now realize I got it wrong for a few!!!
Truth spoken!
A great leader helps people through tough times and disagreements by being positive and focusing on the future, not by harkening back to times past. While historical perspective is necessary, dwelling on what was 30 years ago is not. Step up or step out to help this island move forward.
Be careful what you wish for.
The key is moving forward responsibly which is what Protect FMB is about.