A recall campaign is underway to oust Town Council members John King and Karen Woodson from the Fort Myers Beach Town Council. The recall committee has 29 days to collect 337 signatures of registered voters to keep the process alive.
If those signatures are verified by the Lee County Board of Elections, King and Woodson have 5 days to either resign or issue a statement of defense. If they decide to defend themselves, the recall committee will be sent what’s called a recall petition and defense. The recall committee then has 60 days to collect 15% of the registered voters on Fort Myers Beach to keep the process alive. All signatures will be made public.
If the Lee County Board of Elections determines that either the 10% signature collection or the 15% signature collection are invalid the process ends.
According to Florida State Statute 100.361, there are 7 grounds for a recall:
1. Malfeasance;
2. Misfeasance;
3. Neglect of duty;
4. Drunkenness;
5. Incompetence;
6. Permanent inability to perform official duties; and
7. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude.
The interesting part about a recall is that the allegations used in a petition do not have to be proven. As long as a judge determines what’s being alleged falls under the 7 items above, the recall can proceed. A judge does not determine whether the allegations are truthful. The stature leaves that up to the voters. When pressed to share the evidence of their allegations last night Veach said he wasn’t willing to provide it, nor will he ever have to, according to the state statute on recalls.
Councilman John King sent us the following statement: “The recall petitions have nothing to do with the unfounded allegations that have been levied against me. Instead, they are merely a sad, desperate, last-ditch effort to change the outcome of the vote on the Seagate development and halt the rebuilding efforts underway on the island. A small, disgruntled faction of our community will stop at nothing to get their way, even if it means tarnishing the reputations of a hard-working, highly dedicated council members.This action will have additional consequences, creating a negative perception of Fort Myers Beach and discouraging the development we so badly need to maintain our economic viability and independence as a town.”
The recall committee is being led by former Town Councilman Bill Veach who resigned from his seat over a year ago when it appeared the state would require elected officials to reveal more of their personal financial information. Veach told Beach Talk Radio Monday night that he’s being helped by former Mayor Ray Murphy, who lost his re-election bid to King over 2 years ago and Steve Johnson, the former Chair of the MERTF committee who was not re-appointed to the committee and has been highly critical of this Town Council during public comment. Veach said there are others helping but did not mention any other specific names.
Council members must have served at least 1/4 of their term (1 of 4 years) before they can be recalled. Vice mayor Jim Atterholt, who also voted yes on Seagate is not eligible to be recalled. He was re-elected in November of 2024. Veach would not say if Atterholt would have been targeted if he was eligible.
Here are the two recall petitions being circulated by the recall committee:
If everything is validated a special election will be called and paid for by Fort Myers Beach residents. It also appears both King and Woodson would be eligible for attorney fees paid for by the taxpayers because these allegations are being made regarding actions alleged while in their official capacity as council members.
If there is a recall a list of potential candidates would be listed under the following two items on the ballots:
“ (name of person) should be removed from office.”
“ (name of person) should not be removed from office.”
If a majority of voters vote to remove King and Woodson they cannot run again for 2 years and the top two vote getters win those seats. If the majority votes to allow them to keep their seats, the recall fails. If at any point either King or Woodson resign, the Town Council would use their normal process to fill the open seat.
The entire process could take up to about a year to complete. Both King and Woodson’s seats are up for election in November of 2026.
Monday night we interviewed Veach about the recall and asked him about the evidence they have for a recall. Watch the interview HERE or HERE.
Voters vote. Winners win. Losers recall?? Let the voted in leaders do their job.
I am a resident but haven’t decided whether I support the recall yet.
I have to chuckle though on the fact that some are upset that if the process gets to an election, it will cost the town $25-30k. Think about the way this council spends OUR money. That’s a drop in the bucket. I’m just saying……
I’m surprised to see so many emphatic and demeaning comments against the recall. This Council is on a “development at any price” path. As an Island resident and homeowner I’m sick of it. Where do I sign?
Perhaps it’s because the reasons in the petition are vague allegations of unethical behavior. Decisions such as Seagate are not in the petition.
Tarnishing reputations with unsupported claims over petitioners’ unhappiness with council decisions is an abuse of the recall process.
How do you know that the claims are unsupported? Oh, I forgot you know everything!!!
Oh FFS.
If you watched the BTR interview, Mr. Veach refused to be specific – and at least one of the reasons alleged in the petition dates back YEARS. If he were truly concerned, why didn’t he raise it then?
But you’re not interested in facts or reality; engaging in juvenile attacks and insults is your reason to get out of bed each day.
I did, and am an attorney. I would have given him the same advice. I don’t jump to conclusions either way, but you are a know-it-all who has nothing better to do than to denigrate others making comments. And, I am a full time property owning resident, are you?
Tarnished reputations is a risk with any elected position. It goes with the territory as they say. And almost always, self induced.
YES ! Witch hunting ??
As a property owner of 26 years, but not a resident, I wish I could vote a big fat NO on this recall. What a joke.
The “””leaders”””as commented earlier are NOT Leaders, by any stretch …
do not hear their constituents -or-, probably- DO NOT CARE and most likely have their own agenda, as made very evident given their actions !!!
They were voted by the constituents and I get that many don’t like what they stand for, but this recall has NOTHING to do with that and is being done with no real evidence of what they are going after them for. How would you like to be taken down and destroyed with no just cause?
Did not vote for either King or Woodson when they initially ran, the sooner they are gone the better in my opinion. They did not listen to the MAJORITY of their constituents making public comment prior to the Seagate vote. Shame on them. Again, hope they are both gone sooner rather than later.
Agree 1000%
But that isn’t why they are being recalled? Duh. So you are ok with unjust accusations as long as it destroys someone?
Their inability to listen to their constituents shows their incompetence to lead. That alone will be my reason for signing the petition. Councilman Safford listened to his constituents after hearing from them. King and Woodson should have invested in a good pair of hearing aids.
A vote you disagree with is not a valid reason to pursue a recall. During the BTR interview Veach claimed that vote was not the reason.
Mr Veach… why not set the example to your “old” constituents, fellow residents and neighbors by taking the time to rebuild your home? Put your money where your mouth is and participate in cleaning up and rebuilding this island. And start with your property. I did my part, now it’s your turn.
Time to review his Temporary Placement Permit. It’s been at least 2 years.
Well said. The orange garage with RV after this long isn’t improving the island. Amazed people want to sign without any real evidence in the specified allegations. Seems dishonest and sleazy since it’s really all about Seagate. The pier item is ridiculous. Town doesn’t own the pier and has nothing to do with or any power over the Lee county pier project.
I am very disappointed to hear of this recall based on statements that don’t have to be proven truthful. Sounds like a bunch of assumptions just to TRY and get rid of people who have different opinions from them. I am nor a resident of FMB, but am a former owner of a Beach business, and would not sign this even if I was. Show proof if you want anyone to believe you!! More damage done to the Beach when not needed.
Stop wasting everyone’s time and money! We need progress-not recalls and lawsuits by a small group who defy any kind of rebuilding other than what suits their vision.
Bob, First, I don’t support the recall, so don’t lump me into that group. Second, no one is “defying any kind of rebuilding”. MOST of the people that are against Seagate are against the multiple 17 story towers they want to build, not the development itself. MOST of the people that are against Moss’s Arches are against the additional density in a residential area not the development itself. If these developers would just stick to code, they could have started their building process by now and we would have seen some progress by now. Don’t blame the lack of progress on us, blame those developers that want the sky instead of sticking to code. The Whale stuck to code and look at them, The Beach Bar stuck to code and look at them. Just stick to code and they can start their progress.
Well said, Carol.
I agree with your comments regarding the rebuilding. I also feel the Seagate vote sets a precedent for every development to ask for more than what is allowed and to hope they can get away with it.
Finally Carol, I agree with you!
Sounds to me like the Comp Plan should be revisited and revised. We are never going to return to the way things were 25 years ago. Delaying action on these development plans is only going to further delay the rebuild of the island. We have to allow our leaders to negotiate with the developers in order to move forward. There is no “Plan” that is set in stone that I’m aware of – even the U.S. Constitution can be amended.
Bunch of old men that are butt hurt cause they were POS and got beat. Losers trying to convince other losers they where right and save face unfortunately they’ll go to the grave as losers it is what it is 🤷🤷🤷
Amen. To that one. Murphy and Veach both poor losers. I like to emphasize poor and losers. As they are both.
Topical reaction from the left. Recall, indict, impeach. National politics down to the local level. Way to go Veach and Murphy.
You have knowledge the recall is being led by the “Left”? Sounds more like righties saying the election was rigged and it’s all fake news.
Oh Kurt we have a safe room for you to cuddle in
Thanks Jason! Let me know when you are finished using it!
Perfect response. Took the words right out of my mouth. Thanks.
BTR should not give a platform to these self serving imbeciles in opposition to the majority, costing us significant $$ and holding up progress…it’s a never ending saga on FMB!
Whay would you advocate for one sided reporting? Geeze.
This is such nonsense and sad for the island. This is a “sour grapes” mentality.
Both Woodson and king are above board, they just didn’t like how they voted.
Here’s a view from the outside looking in. So the people that basically got hosted from the town council and control of Fort Myers Beach are now looking for reasons to get rid of people that they don’t like that replaced them. Talking to one person about a project is not against the law Because you still have to vote about it at the public meetings. This recalls do nothing but give people the perception of Fort Myers Beach being some hokey Little town.
If Veach wanted to give up his seat that’s his pereogative. As a consequence he loses the influence as a memeber of council. He can’t have it back by unsubstantiated claims of misdeeds. More importantly this town needs to move forward, the comp plan has been followed and Seagate should be built.
Dave, I’m copying my comments from above: First, I don’t support the recall, so don’t lump me into that group. Second, no one is “defying any kind of rebuilding”. MOST of the people that are against Seagate are against the multiple 17 story towers they want to build, not the development itself. MOST of the people that are against Moss’s Arches are against the additional density in a residential area not the development itself. If these developers would just stick to code, they could have started their building process by now and we would have seen some progress by now. Don’t blame the lack of progress on us, blame those developers that want the sky instead of sticking to code. The Whale stuck to code and look at them, The Beach Bar stuck to code and look at them. Just stick to code and they can start their progress.
The code includes “public benefit” subjective carve outs. The council was convinced there was enough public benefit to warrant two 17 story towers. Comp plan followed.
John King and Karen Woodson are two very honorable and ethical individuals. These are unfounded and unproven accusations. It has been said politics is a “very dirty game” and apparently Fort Myers Beach and it’s selfless counselors cannot escape being tarnished by those wishing to spew falsehoods in order to achieve their gain.
Shame on this loser mob. They will fail miserably. Especially Veach the coward who won’t disclose his financial. What does he have to hide?