Town manager out at Fort Myers Beach, which has new mayor in Hurricane Ian aftermath

Phil Fernandez, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
2

With the new Fort Myers Beach Town Council in place, members quickly moved to make a change in its leadership.

Critical of Town Manager Roger T. Hernstadt's handling of the Hurricane Ian aftermath and other issues, the council suspended him Monday to negotiate a separation agreement by a 3-2 vote.

New Mayor Dan Allers, new Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt and council member Karen Woodson, who was elected last week, supported the measure. Council members Bill Veach and John R. King, who also was elected last week, voted against.

More on Ian recovery: 'Wiped off the face of the earth,' Fort Myers Beach businesses start over post-Ian

Council changes: As FMB recovers from devastating Ian, newcomers slated to join Town Council

Plus: Has pink house in viral surge video been found 2 miles away?

Hernstandt, in the job for more than five years, offered a resignation letter that would have allowed him to stay on in whatever role the town needed him for a transition to new leader. But that was not backed by the majority of the council.

Atterholt then suggested his uncle, Jim Steele, as the interim manager. The council voted 3-1, with Veach opposed and Atterholt recusing himself. Steele, a retired Indianapolis controller, has previously served as interim manager for the town.

Fort Myers Beach town council member Dan Allers
Fort Myers Beach town council member Dan Allers

Steele said he would work for free for a week while the council figures out its next move.

Woodson and King won the seats last week by having more votes than incumbent Ray Murphy.

The other incumbent, Rexann Hosafros, did not run for re-election.

The council Monday chose Allers as its mayor, the role Murphy had, and Atterholt, as its vice-mayor.

Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28 hammered the island, which has a long road to recovery. The council met in temporary quarters set up adjacent to its devastated Town Hall.

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) writes In the Know as part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Ian aftermath: New mayor helps lead ouster of FM Beach town manager