I Cannot Stay Silent

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(By Annie Meehan) As a long-time encourager and believer in the power of people, it breaks my heart to see what’s happening in our beloved Fort Myers Beach. While we are still in the thick of healing from the devastation of Hurricane Ian, a new storm is stirring—and this one is manmade.

Some people are angry. They fear change, question decisions, and cling to what was. I understand that. It’s human. But there is a difference between voicing concern and bullying others into silence. Right now, I’m witnessing bullying directed toward two public servants—John King and Karen Woodson—who stepped up during one of the hardest chapters in our town’s history. This isn’t just disagreement. It’s disrespect. And I won’t stay silent about it.

John and Karen have been navigating the exhausting, emotional, and often thankless work of rebuilding a shattered community. Do I agree with every single decision? Maybe not. But I do believe they are acting with integrity, courage, and care for Fort Myers Beach. Their focus has been on safety, community, and rebuilding something beautiful—not just structurally, but spiritually.

We cannot heal while hurling stones at one another. We cannot grow by tearing others down. Yes, we should glance back—remembering what made our island special—but we must also move forward, open to new chapters, even when the pages look different than we imagined.
I want to live in a town where kindness leads. Where we support our leaders with feedback, not fury. Where we encourage our neighbors with hope, not hostility. And where we use our voices to build up, not break down.
There’s a time for elections and decision-making. That time will come. But a recall rooted in unproven accusations and personal attacks is not the path forward. It’s a costly distraction from the work that truly matters: healing, rebuilding, and restoring the spirit of Fort Myers Beach.
Let’s stand for progress, with compassion. Let’s support our public servants, not scapegoat them. And let’s be the kind of community that others look to as a model of resilience, grace, and yes—kindness.
Because kindness isn’t just a nice idea. It’s a force strong enough to rebuild a town.
Annie Meehan
Fort Myers Beach Resident
Author & Speaker

82 COMMENTS

    • Oh Steve, I never knew Karen before Fort Myers Beach and it’s not very kind of you to tell me to leave because I’m asking you to be kind. Does that seem nice and I love the name Steve I have a brother named Steve. Please play nice.

  2. Power of the people you say. Most were against Seagate during public comments and very few for Seagate. The power of the people spoke and these two did not listen to their constituents. I consider this a Neglect of Duty as well as the Incompetence to listen and act. If leaders cannot listen, they should not be there. I am all for rebuilding the island, just not 17 stories at a time. Even if Seagate is not listed in the recall (it should have been), I prefer these two are gone before they make any more bad decisions.

  4. Come hell or high water they are pushing through a recall under false pretenses. Hard NO, not going to be a part of dishonest garbage. They were voted in and should serve the term unless there is a real provable reason for a recall. Do you really want your name affiliated with dishonest under handed doings?

  5. Annie,
    We don’t know each other and I have only been on owner on the beach for 4 years! Being from Chicago and a former Bldg Tax Inspector, the politicians will never please everyone! 5 sty Bldg set behind Estero Blvd., currently without vegetation, might have had some kind of view of a Sunrise and Sunset but Not much and with Vegetation you will definitely Not have any view. Esp. the further back you are located on Manatee Bay the higher you have to go! Now the majority of people who are bitchin, are folks that really gave a hoot about the Island. If they really give a hoot, why didn’t they put their hat in the ring and run for public office? Is it because they were afraid that they would have to disclose their wealth? Or did they realize that political office is not as glorious as people make it out to be?

    Secondly, as for the politicians, if you run in Florida you need to know that these laws are on the books.
    Everyone loves the politician if they like minded but hates them if they are not.
    A politician needs to step down if they can’t handle the ridicule and bad mouthing. One needs to have thick skin. We as voters, if we take sides, will also be subject to bad mouthing.

    On the subject of re-building the Island, If the Island does start approving this kind of contruction, then the people who own house and condo’s here will see their real estate taxes triple or higher within the next 15yrs

  6. I’m sorry, but just another Minnesota transplant who moved here after Hurricane Ian telling long time residents how they should feel about their island.

    • Absolutely agree. Why do they think they can tell us how to feel. And that our feelings are misguided and wrong for the Island. Very presumptuous at the least.

    • Oh dear, not only did I live there before and I stayed there during and wrote a book about it that won international award please don’t make up rumors and lies about me. You do not know me or my story. All you know is that I’m asking you to be kind. I’m so sorry that you are judging me and making up stories. I wish you peace as we process

  8. To be honest, the only way for the FMB community to heal is for the council to truly listen to residents and property owners which is not happening. Several council members have predetermined votes without listening to what is really being asked. They are also treating project differently based on who is presenting them and not really looking at the merit of what is being offered.
    Residents and property owners feel very disconnected and disrespected by the council members. They are making decisions that will impact this community moving forward for generations based on what developers want not what is best for the community.
    This council members should welcome the a new vote on their tenure if they are truly doing what the residents want.

  9. Problem solved if the recall would be replaced with voting from all the residents of FMB whether or not the residents as a whole want a 17 story buildings by seagate.

    It would be fair to all.

    • Gili, I am not sure anyone really wants or imagined we would need big condos to save our island but we really do. It is not always a matter of want it is a matter of accepting change before your properties and others are worth nothing because too many negative people would rather complain and be part of the problem than accept that we NEED investors, we need to move forward and it does not always matter if you like it or not you must just accept. Trust me I do not like the devastation our island is still in do to complaining and law suits…Heart breaking. Don’t you want FMB to move forward and be beautiful again. None of us planned this, none of us wanted Ian, lets stop complaining and start building, We NEED Hope and a brighter future before no one wants to visit or live on FMB

      • The oft repeated notion that FMB will turn into a ghost town unless this or that is done is straight gaslighting. The population boom in Lee county alone: (1980: 205,266, 1990: 335,113, 2000: 440,888, 2010: 618,754, 2020: 760,822, 2023: 792,692) indicates a decreasing reliance on tourism.

      • You are right we need to be built back that’s 100% but with parameters – because we are a very skinny island this why we had guidelines, guidelines to protect so many of the wishes and concerns of this island. I am definitely up for responsible building. Look at downtown Naples we could be as cute as them without 17 story buildings. They also have limitations of height. Margaritaville respected our island wishes and guidelines and look how beautiful it is !

      • Annie Meehan
        Please explain to us all how buildngs beyond the 3 or 4
        story limits in that award winning, popular and fiercely defended comp plan are neccessary because of Ian and future storms. Don’t simply echo the development industry peddlers, explain how hurricanes demand 8, 12, 17 story condos and hotels? And why its defenders should stop defending it or exercising their right to address grievances with their government.
        Can’t wait to hear that logic.

      • What is your expertise in determining the beach needs huge condos for survival? Are your talking points coming from members of the town council or are you the Chief Operation Officer of FMB? I’d like an answer to why you believe the town needs buildings 200 feet above the comp plan to survive.

    • The recall, at least on its face, has nothing to do with Seagate; it merely alleges vague ethical violations which do not have to be substantiated.

      Decisions such as Seagate are not one of the seven enumerated statutory bases for recalls.

      Comments such as yours illustrate the recall has nothing to do with the alleged ethical violations but instead has Seagate and/or personal animus as its motivator. Even if the recall were to be successful, it doesn’t magically void the Seagate decision.

      If you’re so displeased over Seagate, did you donate to the group raising $100k in funds to pursue the Writ of Cert action, or do you prefer the ease of signing a pointless petition that does nothing beyond casting aspersions on the integrity of two councilors?

  11. Well said!
    I started counting floors on the condos on the south end, 8-11 seems to be the largest and even at 4 floors your view of the actual sunset is gone.
    Every complex has its hours of being shaded.
    I’m not for 17 floors but that particular piece of property and having the building set back off the road should merit some height variance.

    • totally, my condo building is 16 stories high. We live on an island walking distance to see a sunset on the beach every night we choose. It makes me so sad the entitled, Some will never see the ocean and yet some complain if they can’t see it sitting in their home ; (

      • Yes, you bought in a condo. Myself and neighbors bought in a single family neighborhood with only a few two story houses and no condos for blocks. We were reassured when TC unanimously affirmed the comp plan, and shocked and angered when Seagate was approved. Sure cant see the ocean anywhere around here.

  12. Never cared for messages like this. There always seems to be a underlying suggestion of acceptance in them, of go with the flow.
    True, you shouldn’t make unsubstantiated allegations or engage in name calling. But neither should you simply accept, back off or support the people in power making the decisions you passionately disagree with.
    Dissent should be encouraged not muted. Never muted.
    On Fort Myers Beach, those homeowners forced into the shadows of 17 story towers or living next door to rat infestations from unattended rubble have every right to be be angry, to dissent
    loudly, to passionately dislike the the actions of the council. And they should not be exected to support the people who did it to them.

  13. Anne’s comment that “Some people are angry. They fear change, question decisions, and cling to what was.” is worn out and overused to describe residents who are simply looking to rebuild Ft Myers Beach according to the comp plan while following building codes etc. The reason for the recall is based on the feeling that some of the council does not have the same vision. Maybe the recall process seems faulty and unfair but how do you remove members who are not representing what is best for the island? Waiting until the elections in a year and a half is too long. A lot of irreversible damage can be done in that time.

    • But that is not why they are recalling them. Read the bullet point list of reasons associated with this recall. Can you support the recall knowing that you are doing so based on feelings and not facts (as mentioned above) If you can, god bless and good luck. I can not support because I know it is based on ignorance of the law/process.

      • I understand the bullet point list of reasons listed. Don’t know if they are true or not. The recall should be factual but it doesn’t seem to be a requirement. I would base my support of the recall on facts as they are presented.
        Your inference that I need god’s blessing and good luck if I did support the recall was insulting.

        • Mary so what your saying is it’s ok, to do things under handed as long as it meets your needs. You are a bully plain and simple.

          • No Brain: I think you should read my comment again. I said I would base my support on facts. And thanks for the juvenile name calling.

  14. Annie- I couldn’t agree more with your well thought out statement. This island seems to have always been adverse to change. Look at the Library’s history. People did not want that built and there was a huge division on the island. Now look at it and how everyone rejoiced that it was reopened.
    I voted for Karen and John because I knew they were pro- build. I expected them to vote yes and sent in messages of my approval.

    • yes Dawn, We need to build and restore the island. Who else is willing to invest 100 million into FMB, We need progress and hope. People get stuck in their pain and the past. I feel sad for them ; (

  15. I think the root issue here is that you have decisions being made that push the town down an irreversible road, that are being made by 5, again, 5, people. To compound the problem is that those 5 people have been making decisions that completely contradict decisions they made the previous week. Just one example is Allers: I approved Seagate because it didn’t increase density. Next week he approves Neptune that doubles density. Or that the decisions before the election completely contradict the decisions after the election. Nobody has the slightest clue of what these 5 people will decide on any given development on any given day. It’s like it’s completely random, which fosters an environment of uncertainty. You have residents, who for many, their single biggest asset is their property. That property value is being subjected to 5 people making continuous contradicting decisions. Yeah, I can see where there’s going to be some unrest.

    Take the people out of it. It’s the process that is absolutely wrong. The process that opens the door to such uncertainty involving peoples financial security.

  16. Amen Annie ! All this childish BS had kept FMB in it’s current condition as a glorified landfill. Adapt and then improve the past!

  17. Thank you Annie. ❤️ our beach community was so kind loveing amazing in the past. I’m one of many owners that can’t afford to return. ..but then maybe a hate filled community is not for me. God please bless guide direct us all. Amen 🙏

  18. Thank you, Annie! We are lucky to have you: a healer who speaks up and reminds us that there’s a better way to communicate our differing opinions.

  21. We clearly need new leadership on the island – the road to hell is paved with good intentions .
    Nothing personal, just the facts – neither King nor Woodson have a vision for FMB (one wants a toll bridge and the other wants to add San Carlos island to FMB) nor the support of the residents of FMB –
    RECALL
    Wishful thinking and wants are poor substitutes for vision, Competence and leadership

      • I’m not cut out for Bureaucratic, political BS.
        There is a reason we get such mediocre people in Govt –
        It sad that the “be kind” “participation trophy” crowd can’t handle opposition or truth-
        Although your response is a little better than the clown whose answer is “shut up”
        All the hate and vitriol come from the same crowd , the virtuous sheeple.

    • But what you don’t like about them isn’t the “stated” purpose/support/evidence for the recall. So what’s that say? And you are ok with supporting an illegal, false, lie just so it fits your narrative? The ignorance is shameful. I may not agree with all the current and past votes made by the council members, but I can not, in good conscience, follow blindly.

    • This is your opinion. Many people do support these individuals and their “vision” as we have witnessed with the many statements contradicting yours and providing support. Why do you feel that you know the direction better than those that oppose your position?

    • Thank you, I know their will always be bullies at every age but I wanted to speak up in Hope and kindness, I so wish we could all be grateful for the investors, and individuals that are willing to pour into FMB.

  23. If people don’t have something positive to say or and Idea to move the community forward, then keep your mouth shut! Ask yourself, “would I be able to do a better job? Or even would I run myself?”

    This divide is happening in almost every beach town destroyed by the two recent hurricanes. Heal and move forward.

    Don Dwyer – Resident of Clearwater Beach FL.

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