Round 2 of the recall signature process is complete. Unless a judge intervenes, Fort Myers Beach will have a recall election for Town Council members John King and Karen Woodson. It will be set by a judge and must take place between 30 and 60 days from today, according to Florida statute.
King and Woodson have confirmed to Beach Talk Radio they have no plans to resign. If they did resign the three remaining Town Council members would appoint new members and the recall process would end. Both seats are up for election in 2026.
In round two of the process, 505 names were needed to trigger the election. The recall committee, led by former Town Council member Bill Veach and former Mayor Ray Murphy, gathered 610 signatures of which 564 were verified for Woodson and 561 of 609 collected were verified for King.
It’s unclear when candidates can submit their intent to run with the Lee County Supervisor of Elections. This is unchartered territory. According to the Lee County Elections Office, as far as they know, there has NEVER been a recall election in Lee County.
What we do know is when the ballot comes out, voters have to vote on whether to recall King and Woodson first. If the majority votes yes, the top 2 vote getters fill those seats. If the majority votes no, King and Woodson keep their seats.
After residents vote on whether to recall King and Woodson, a list of candidates will be on the ballot. There will be two ballots, one to recall King and one to recall Woodson. Fort Myers Beach taxpayers are covering the cost of the election.
Keep in mind, King has filed a lawsuit against Veach and Woodson has filed a lawsuit against Murphy. King and Woodson say the recall is based on lies and they want it tossed. Veach says proof of the allegations are not needed, as long as they within the statute, which they do. The recallers are accusing King and Woodson of violating the Sunshine law and accepting gifts from developers with business before the council.
Everyone on the island knows the recall is all about their Seagate vote.
The attorney for King and Woodson, Morgan Bentley, says he’s hopeful that with the election now on the radar the judge calls for a speedy trial. Veach and Murphy have filed to have the lawsuits dismissed.
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If the claims made by the publisher and Seagate being the reason for the recall, it should be very clear the majority of residents do not approve this type of development. Maybe it’s time the council takes note.