Why I Refuse To Sign The Recall Petition

(By Ed Schoonover) I haven’t been asked to sign the recall petition yet. I doubt that I will be asked to sign and I’ll happily and openly explain why I wouldn’t. 

For some perspective, I was against Seagate. Not because of its height, or even because of its lack of public benefit. I am against Seagate because I believe the town needs more hotel rooms and not necessarily more condos or rentals. The recall claims to not be about the Seagate development. I don’t buy it. I will address each bullet point of the recall and explain below. 

1- John King engaged in private conversations to coordinate with Karen Woodson in soliciting a replacement Town Attorney in violation of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, Chapter 286, Florida Statutes and in violation of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Council Policies and Procedures Manual.

There is simply no evidence for this claim. If there was clear evidence, the petitioners would provide it to the public. It’s important to note that voters and former officials of the town do not determine sunshine violations. That is under the purview of the State Attorney.    

2-John King received unreported gifts of meals from parties who were seeking land use approvals from Town Council in violation of Florida’s Code of Ethics for Public Officers, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes, and in violation of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Council Policies and Procedures Manual.

This one cracks me up. Yes Mr King hasn’t missed many meals. That’s what makes this claim so preposterous. The man grew up on donuts. He can afford his own meals and honestly another one wouldn’t cloud his judgement. 

3-John King violated Section 4.04 of the Town Charter by dictating the removal of multiple Town contract employees.

Okay this is the first use of dictator to come up.  Mr King ran on cleaning up town hall. Now we want him recalled for attempting to do so?  If true?  Please. 

1-Karen Woodson had a private conversation with Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt regarding rebuilding the Lee County Pier destroyed by Hurricane Ian in violation of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, Chapter 286, Florida Statutes.

No. It’s the county’s pier. Even if the conversation took place, not a sunshine violation. That is under the purview of the State Attorney. 

2-Karen Woodson engaged in private conversations to coordinate with John King in soliciting a replacement Town Attorney in violation of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, Chapter 286, Florida Statutes and in violation of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Council Policies and Procedures Manual.

There is no evidence of any private conversation taking place. It’s a baseless claim supported by nothing. If there was evidence, the petitioners would gleefully share it.  They were the change candidates. They got elected. They helped enact change. What a concept. 

#3 – Karen Woodson received unreported gifts of meals and in-kind services from parties who were seeking land use approvals from Town Council in violation of Florida’s Code of Ethics for Public Officers, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes; and in violation of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Council Policies and Procedures Manual.

Although Ms Woodson is not of the same stature of Mr King, I hardly believe she is going hungry. What in tarnation are in-kind services?  No this is a targeted smear. 

In closing I would like to point out the litigious nature of the petition. It was clearly written by a lawyer with an axe to grind. Since I don’t go around throwing allegations of wrongdoing in public forums, I will let you be the judge. 

Ed Schoonover is a Fort Myers Beach resident and voter and can be reached by e-mail at ed.schoonover@jandjholmes.com