LPA member and Charter Commission Chairman Jim Dunlap has decided not to apply for Jim Atterholt’s open seat on the Fort Myers Beach Town Council. Dunlap and Tom Brady spoke at public comment Monday to voice their interest in the seat.
After announcing his interest Monday, The Fort Myers Beach recall crowd immediately began their attack on Dunlap on social media. They tried to discredit Dunlap by claiming he was not a Fort Myers Beach resident because he had a homesteaded property in Estero which he’s owned for over 12 years.
Dunlap and his wife bought their home on Fort Myers Beach over 4 years ago. Like so many residents of the beach, Dunlap’s home on Egret Street was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian. And, like so many residents of Fort Myers Beach, the home could not be lived in. Dunlap lived off the island while repairs were made to his beach home. Then, Helene hit, Milton hit and the renovations had to begin all over again. All the while, being on the beach virtually every day and attending to his volunteer responsibilities on the island.
Fort Myers Beach Town attorney Nancy Stuperich confirmed to Dunlap that he was 100% eligible for a Town Council position. Here’s why he’s pulling his name from consideration.
So, if he is eligible, why is he withdrawing his name? “My decision not to pursue this opportunity was evident to me, as it quickly became clear, what these same individuals did to John King and Karen Woodson over the past 6 months, they are now attempting to do to me. The reality is that what has occurred already to me personally, at this early stage in the process, proves that they will never ever be able to satisfy their appetite for creating mistrust and character assassinations, regardless of the individual’s qualifications, past contributions or ability to significantly assist our community in its daily struggle to recover. Given everything our town has endured, continued division, personal attacks and pitting neighbor against neighbor, is not helping, nor constructive to our overall efforts. I will not have my interest in contributing to our community at a more significant level put the town in a position to have to go through that again.”
The pressure is on this Town Council to appoint Tom Brady. They’ve been receiving dozens of e-mails to make the appointment after Brady came in second place during the recall of Karen Woodson and John King. Former Council member Bill Veach even told the council he would drop his appeal of King’s recall if the council appointed Brady. King called that attempted blackmail.
As of Thursday morning nobody has officially filed the paperwork for the Atterholt seat. Once applications are in they will be turned over to the town council to review. The council will then vote on who they want to fill the seat at the town council meeting on February 17th. Three votes are needed to win the seat. Whoever is chosen will take the seat immediately. The appointment would be for 10 months, until the November election, starting February 17th. Then, that seat will be on the November election for a 4-year term along with the John King seat and Rebecca Link seat.
Sorry, but this sounds so far from the tranquil Island vibe. My condo was badly damaged in Ian (had it since 2000, and almost finished. Listening to all this bickering I feel blessed to have the people that ran our rebuild. This is harsh, but after reading all this I’m glad I’m not a resident. I feel sorry for the residents of Fort Myers Beach. Patience and kindness are a virtue. This Island needs a blessing.
A head spinning commentary with many good points brought forward by all. In my opinion, we are quickly approaching toxicity…the “FMB Strong” community cohesiveness has “sunsetted”. The future of FMB seems to be approaching an obstructive toxicity with Beach Talk radio fanning the flames offering biased commentaries. For instance Ed, the less then journalistic comment on Jan 9, 6:13am “your group is out for blood and will continue to do anything to discredit Jim”. Really “blood”? Your informative journalistic approach after the hurricane (much appreciated) is now in the MSNBC camp. Help, we are in desperate need of a competitive unbiased “radio station” that can report info not emotionally charged opinions, How about some informed clarity on candidate eligibility, an interview, or a researched piece from the lawyer, Lee county election Board, etc. Let’s work hard for the future election. Afterall Ed, we are wasting time on contesting the last “election-recall” (a national pastime). The people voted for their council representation and we are digressing into “Russian interference”, mail in ballots, or underground funding. LETS MOVE FORWARD. Bring on the FMB strong!!
The Recallers attack anyone who dares to disagree with their point of view but karma will always balance the score.
The ultimate FAFO response would be for John, Karen, or Jim to lead the charge for going back to Lee county. There are plenty of islanders tired of this nonsense and it might be a closer vote than the recallers want to admit.
Why would any experienced, qualified, well-spoken, class-act of a human being decide to run for election to this Island’s town council? Why on earth would they subject themselves to the dishonest attacks, personal assaults, harassment, cheap shots, ridicule and abuse that has become prevalent from the small group of vicious FMB recall hyenas?
Fair play would be for their chosen candidates to be treated in the same fashion. Turnabout is fair play except for the fact that the sane crowd won’t lower themselves to the same level as the hyenas.
Now THAT’S divisive Steve. The very definition of it. I didn’t see anyone calling you a hyena but judging from this post it probably would fit.
Close the comments. There is no need for any further input.
Lee has spoken and as always tells those of us who actually live here what we should think, say, and do.
Lee so badly wants to be relevant. Poor Lee.
I’m with Chris, Lee, and PG.
According to Ed, “They tried to discredit Dunlap by claiming he was not a Fort Myers Beach resident because he had a homesteaded property in Estero which he’s owned for over 12 years.” Well, in Florida you DO have to live where your Homestead is. It’s not just a way to reduce taxes on the most expensive home you own. Lots of people come to FMB every day but they don’t live here. Lots of people own property on FMB but they don’t live here. Perhaps Ms. Stuperich could clarify the eligibilty requirements. Maybe the language of the pertinent Town ordinance needs to be reviewed.
I take exception to the continuing representation of the voters who supported the recall as “a small group of haters”. 63% of those who cared enough to vote felt the recall had merit. That’s not a small group, and a vote is an expression of belief, not hate. I hope the powers-that-be will start to take the voters’ message to heart.
I’ve never besmerched all of the recallers. In fact I said multiple times on my show I thought the recall would be 70%. There is genuine anger over Seagate, a 17-story building which I also could not believe was approved. However, the recall was made up of lies, not Seagate. And a small group of haters went right after Jim about his home and of course we all know deep down it was really because he voted for Seagate. There is a small group of haters on the beach who will do anything to get their way – and the truth is meaningless.
I will 100% admit I am no fan of Jim Dunlap political views. Most likely a great guy, and I appreciate his honesty that he is 100% supporter of London Bay 15 stories. I am 100% opposed to London Bay and I live on Bahia Via right on canal and right next to London Bay. His appointment to the Town Board would make him and King 100% in London Bay proposal and they would both vote for whatever London Bay wants. We as a divided island with the vast majority of Island opposed to Towers above what TPI has can’t afford to have two of 5 board members as unapologetic supporters for large Towers. TPI, the Millers, Gulfside Twelve (right next door to London Bay) have all figured out how to build post Ian structures without the need for 15 story towers.
63% of the half who cared to vote would be 31% overall. The recall told us that about 1/3 of all registered voters really don’t like seagate.
51%, the MAJORITY, didn’t care enough about seagate to take the time and vote.
The real majority is a silent majority.
Lee is on point. I’d really like to know what the rules are, and for a definitive explanation from our Town attorney. I think we all need to know what’s what as to voting eligibility. It’s not a bad question.
I think they should appoint Karen Woodson but hey I only pay property taxes, no homestead, no home, and taking forever to get paperwork through the town.
Wish this article provided a bit more detail regarding the town attorney’s decision on eligibility. Specifically, is residency being defined by property ownership and payment of utilities?
We own a home in FMB and pay property taxes, water, and electric there, but we currently live off-island in Lee County. Our off-island home is where we have filed our property tax exemption. Although we intend to move back to our FMB home, we assumed we were not eligible to vote in FMB because our exemption is filed elsewhere.
We would welcome the opportunity to vote in FMB elections. Based on the town’s definition of residency, does this mean we are eligible?
You can change your voting registration to FMB and then on Jan 1(you have until March to send in the card) you must change your homestead exemption address. If not, you are in violation. It is really quite simple.
That’s not my understanding based on the eligibility decision by the town attorney. Hoping the town can provide more clarity on this.
I am sorry for Jim, a nice, decent man. This group of islanders causing all these issues are disrespectful and threatening to a level I’ve never seen. It is so bad for our island. Would you trust any of them to be in power after all these lies?
What did the attorney base her opinion on? Unless the state issued some kind of waiver because of the hurricanes you can’t declare homestead residence in one town and register to vote in another town. How did that happen?
I’d sure like to know how she arrived at this opinion. Anything in writing? What am I missing? I’d like her to explain.
As for the recall, the process followed state law. King’s petition was flawed under the law and rejected and is undervappeal as the law also allows. The division is certainly not uncommon in politics. What makes people think it shouldn’t happen on FMB? Why should everyone be expected to think alike? Doesn’t happen. And shouldn’t. Not even in paradise.
Typical FMB welcome wagon. Sad thing… there is a very small, but distinct group of islanders who hate anyone who moves to the island. Good thing… the good residents outweigh the haters.
Nice spin, Ed. Jim changed his voter registration in mid 2024. He had until March 2025 to change his homestead designation which must match voter registration address, according to FL statutes.
I’m not spinning anything Chris. The attorney said he was eligible so it turns out you were wrong all along. But there’s no doubt your group is out for blood and will continue to do anything to discredit Jim. Are you an attorney or do you just play one on Facebook?
I never said that he was ineligible. I pointed out that homestead and voter registration had to match under FL law and his did not. You do not need to be a lawyer to be able to read and comprehend.
Right. And you accuse me of spinning.
The spin was only addressing voter eligibility and not the entire story. I realize that it is your page and you can do what you like but ignoring the issue of conflicting homestead and voting addresses is misleading.