Some Fort Myers Beach residents want the town’s local government to shut down and Lee County to take control of the island.
The movement comes just three weeks after Hurricane Ian destroyed Fort Myers Beach. A group of islanders are calling on the county to take control of the island which is now governed by a mayor and town council.
Residents backing the effort are citing mismanagement of the town’s recovery efforts and concerns about the town’s ability to financially support the rebuilding efforts.
“I just think that it’s time to go back to the county,” said Tracey Gore, a former Fort Myers Beach Mayor. “Not being able to go to our properties, keeping our contractors off.”
It’s just the tip of the iceberg for Gore.
“The way it’s being managed, I don’t know how much money the town has left to pay for all this cleanup,” Gore said
The former mayor now wants no one to be the mayor of the seven-mile-long island. This was the case before the town was officially incorporated in 1995. Prior to then, Lee County governed the area, which is what she wants to see happen again.
I think the residence are correct let this go back to the county. Sometimes ppl wanting power is the biggest issue! Sad! Let the county take it back I’ve for the sake of the residence !