Every Friday in our newsletter until the Friday before election day, we include a feature called “Weekly Question With Your Candidates.” Fort Myers Beach voters will fill three open seats in November. There are four candidates.
This week we asked the candidates their thoughts on the two employees Town Manager Will McKannay fired this week. Here’s the full question sent to the candidates: Are you happy with the way the town manager has handled this investigation? Has the town been transparent enough about it with the community? Should it have taken a year to get to the point where they were suspended (with pay)?
TOM BRADY
Because this investigation involves state and federal grants, I support the decision to bring in independent outside auditors.
Based on the information publicly available, I would have sought to resolve the employment questions more quickly. Once credible concerns were identified through internal audit, my approach would have been to address them directly with the employees, give them an opportunity to respond, and take prompt action supported by the evidence. In my view, unnecessarily prolonged paid leave is a disservice to the employees involved, their coworkers, and taxpayers.
I am concerned about the length of this process. The Town initially estimated approximately four weeks for the investigation, while acknowledging that additional information could require more time. Residents deserve an updated timeline and an explanation of what remains unfinished—whether that is establishing the facts, assessing the financial consequences, or developing corrective recommendations.
Now that the employees have been dismissed, I want a fuller public accounting of the decisions and their basis. The Town should release all information legally available now, publish the final findings promptly when complete, and explain the specific legal basis for anything withheld.
Residents deserve to know whether grant funds were lost or placed at risk, whether management oversight and internal controls were adequate, and what changes will protect public money going forward.
ANITA CERECEDA
I wasn’t privy to what went into the town manager’s decisions about these two employees, so I’ll answer from the perspective of how I would handle this in my own business, I would never enter into a contract without knowing the expenditure or budget. To not have a “not to exceed” number relative to the “investigation” is poorly thought out. As for transparency, if you’re going to talk about it, tell the whole story, otherwise it leaves the door open for speculation and criticism.
As for the timeline and paid leave, I believe the best way to handle an issue is to hit it head on. Although government works differently than the private sector, folks have been frustrated with the process, the leave, the lack of immediate action, and the lack of transparency, which has unfortunately opened the door to more criticism. None of that is good for the community.
REBECCA LINK
I’ve had to let friends go more than once in my career. These decisions are always difficult and weigh on your heart. But I’m not someone who pulls a Band-Aid off slowly. I believe in addressing difficult situations promptly and thoughtfully, because prolonged uncertainty takes a toll on everyone involved.
In both the corporate world and my own business, I have moved much more quickly to resolve personnel matters. My inclination would have been to do the same here unless legal counsel advised otherwise. I also recognize there may be differences between public and private employment that affect how these situations are handled.
As a council member, I have guardrails I must respect. Managing Town staff is the town manager’s responsibility. I cannot direct him to discipline or terminate an employee. That does not prevent me from asking questions about the process, the cost, or the impact on Town operations.
Will shared his general reasons with me, but not specific details or the advice he received. I don’t have enough information to say whether this needed to take as long as it did. I do want a clearer explanation of the timeline, the investigation’s costs and what remains to be done. I believe the community deserves those answers, too.
I’m also concerned about the strain this has placed on our remaining staff. They’ve had to take on additional responsibilities, potentially outside their usual roles and expertise, while keeping up with their own work. Their time, workload, and well-being matter to me, too. My focus now is on getting answers, filling the positions, and making sure our staff have the support they need to get our Town back to full strength.
ED SCHOONOVER
I believe the town manager followed the facts and has/is conducting an investigation following all legal processes and protecting the towns interests at all times. The biggest concern I have is the possibility of the town losing grant money that paid for very specific improvements to much needed areas of the town. My hope is that the process will be a learning experience for the town and its management so that grant management and procurement is handled much better in the future.
Our previous questions:
QUESTION #1 – HIGHER FEES
QUESTION #2 – THE BAY OAKS POOL
QUESTION #3 – AMENDMENT 3
QUESTION #4 – THE BEACH SCHOOL
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