Every year at this time the Fort Myers Beach Town Council has to “reorganize.” That means picking a new Mayor and Vice Mayor. On Monday at 9AM, the new Town Council will choose their new Mayor and Vice Mayor, and both John King and John McLean will say their goodbyes.
Dan Allers has been the Mayor for the last 4 years and is likely to be nominated again on Monday. Whether or not he has three votes to keep the gavel is the big question. Allers said on our last Sunday show that he would like to continue as Mayor with one of his main goals being getting an $11.9 million state bridge loan forgiven. That loan would have to be paid back by 2033. Newly elected council member Anita Cereceda is also expected to be nominated. In all likelihood Tom Brady, also newly elected, will be the deciding vote.
Scott Safford has been the Vice Mayor for the past year and represents Fort Myers Beach on the Tourist Development Council. He’s hoping to stay on as Vice Mayor and will likely nominate Allers.
The new council will also have to decide who represents the beach on the Florda League of Cities, the Southwest Florida League of Cities, both of which require some out-of-town traveling, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. John King has been representing the beach on all three of those organizations.
The recently elected council members will be sworn in at the Monday meeting. They will also need to start accepting applications for the Local Planning Agency. With Cereceda being elected, her seat on the LPA now needs to be filled. At this week’s LPA meeting, Jane Plummer announced that John McLean is not interested in going back to the LPA. He was on the LPA before being appointed to the Town Council to fill Jim Atterholt’s seat.
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The Frankie and Jeff investigation make it crystal clear that Town decision-making justify a change in leadership and a genuinely independent review.
The newly elected Council members have an opportunity to demonstrate that accountability and transparency take priority over preserving the existing leadership structure. Fort Myers Beach deserves that fresh start.
Our Town is at a crossroads. I believe Anita has the experience and independence needed to restore confidence in our local government and bring accountability and meaningful reform.
Anita Cereceda is the only candidate that has LPA experience and also being the previous first FMB Town Mayor, and also again the Mayor of FMB for the second time. She is a proven honest, trustworthy candidate that has the reputation for being the “voice of the people of Fort Myers Beach. Vote Anita.
Actually, Vice Mayor Scott Safford has more than several years under his belt as a member of the LPA prior to his tenure on the Council, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the LDC and Comp Plan. Anita’s history on this island is well-documented, and deservedly so. But Dan has worked tirelessly in the past several years to establish solid relationships with officials on both the County and State levels. When it comes to appearing before State officials seeking forgiveness for the Town’s outstanding loans, gun to my head, I’d have to say in all honesty I’d want Dan on that dais speaking for us.
What’s swon in??
If spending millions of government funds for food and healthcare to needy children is socialism so to is forgiving millions in government loans to a needy town.
You cannot excuse one from the other.
This is one of the most important decisions the new Town Council will make. Fort Myers Beach needs a fresh start.
Former Community Development Director Frankie Kropacek worked closely with Mayor Dan Allers and the Town’s existing leadership on matters that now require independent review. After four years under the same mayor—and following recent personnel terminations, an outside investigation, and unresolved concerns involving Town administration, permitting, enforcement, and transparency—I believe new leadership is necessary.
I support Anita Cereceda for mayor. She received the most votes in the election, has prior experience as mayor, and has promised direct and transparent leadership. Tom Brady and Rebecca Link should carefully consider whether continuing the present leadership reflects what voters expected when they elected a new Council majority.
It is about restoring public confidence, ensuring independent oversight, and giving residents and business owners confidence that Town decisions will be made openly, consistently, and fairly.
Thank you!!!
Exactly what island residents are thinking or need to say, too.