This election was being touted as faster growth (Scott) vs. anti-big-building (Greg). In the end, Fort Myers Beach voters decided they were happy with Scott Safford’s performance since he was appointed 9 months ago and now he’ll serve a full 4-year term.
As expected both Mayor Dan Allers and Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt received more votes than Town Councilman Scott Safford and challenger Greg Scasny. Allers pulled in 2,008 votes while Atterholt racked up 1,921 votes. Safford secured a full 4-year term with 1,233 votes. Scasny came in with 1,115 votes.
Scasny’s was not afraid to say that he was not in favor of the bigger developments being proposed after Hurricane Ian. During our last Town Council debate he made it clear he would have voted no for Seagate and others that are about to come before the LPA and Town Council. That message was not enough to get him the votes to win.
The campaign was somewhat interrupted when Hurricane Milton came through town last month. After the storm all 4 candidates decided not to pepper the community with campaign signs as the town worked through cleaning up another big mess left behind from a storm.
According to the Lee County Elections office 3,002 of 3,351 eligible Fort Myers Beach voters went to the polls. That’s nearly 90% of the eligible voters. Each voter could vote for three candidates for Town Council in addition to the national and state-wide candidates. That does not mean every Fort Myers Beach voter participated in the local race and when you analyze the final voting numbers it’s clear that not every beach voter that went to the polls voted for 3 beach candidates.
Town Council seats are for 4 years. Council members are allowed to serve two consecutive terms before they must sit out for at least one year before running again. Council members John King and Karen Woodson were both elected in November of 2022.
Wow, awesome turn out. Be proud FMB,
I voted for Dan and Greg only. The other 2 feel they are above the rules in place on FMB.
With that, residence of FMB can’t complain when all these large developments get approved. They had a chance to vote for change and didn’t.
Not sure why we even have an LPA or why anyone would serve on a board that apparently serves no purpose since the council doesn’t listen to them.
Agree 100%.
FMB. Be proud 90% is an unreal number for voter turnout. That is what community involvement is all about. Everyone who voted should know that almost every neighbor cared enough to also vote.
Employees told me someone stole the mooring fields enforcement boat this week
due to lack of oversight from upper management