Bill Veach named Citizen of the Year
Bill Veach never thought he’d like Florida.
Eight years ago, he and his wife Randa, just planned to find some investment property. And then they fell in love with Fort Myers Beach.
Veach, who retired from a career in engineering and computer science, started getting involved with committees for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and his leadership has lead to several important accomplishments – and have culminated in being awarded the Citizen of the Year by the Fort Myers Beach Town Council.
At the June 18 meeting, Council Member Anita Cereceda nominated Veach, and her vote was uncontested.
“Bill has been a quiet but active volunteer for the town,” she said.
But her reason for nomination goes behind his volunteerism: he’s spearheaded many of the island’s environmental programs, and reflects those values in his own home and property.
“He walks the walk that he talks,” she said.
When he first moved to town, Veach said his wife, Randa, encouraged him to get involved. He attended the town’s Leadership Conference and learned about the Marine Resources Task Force. He said Michelle Mayher, the town’s clerk, told him he should join. Now, he’s been the chair for five years.
“When I moved here, I didn’t know all the nuances of the beach,” he said. “There’s a lot to learn.”
During his time at the helm, the committee has created and implemented a dune-planting program, developed education for residents and visitors about the beach, and most recently, passed the plastic straw ban to reduce Fort Myers Beach’s plastic pollution. He publishes a monthly column in the Observer highlighting a local environmental issue or program. MRTF is also working on a “green certification” program and a “bring your own bag” campaign that encourages the public to use reusable bags, rather than single-use plastic bags.
Veach doesn’t take a lot of credit – being stewards of the beach isn’t a hard sell in the community that cares about protecting the environment.
“Anything that happens to the beach, people care about. There’s ownership there,” he said.
Now, he and MRTF are working to draft a letter to Publix, asking them to end distribution of plastic bags voluntarily. The town can’t ban plastic bags because of a state statute, but a business can choose to stop using them.
Veach is also a Florida Master Naturalist in Coastal and Wetland Habitats, earning him the certification of an assistant instructor for the Florida Master Naturalist Program.
He’s also a member of the Community Resources Advisory Board (CRAB), a member of the Public Safety Committee, a guide for Mound House kayak tours, and a renesting volunteer for Sanibel’s CROW Clinic, and a frequent volunteer for Chamber of Commerce events.
“It’s an easy town to get involved in,” he said.
When he’s not busy helping the town, Bill and Randa Veach are frequent fliers. Veach has visited more than 130 countries. He jokes that he can say “thank you” in about a dozen languages.
Veach was surprised by the nomination – and joked that he was nominated because he happened to be sitting in the front row when the council was discussing the award.
Now, he will get to lead the Fourth of July Parade for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and his name will be added to the mangrove tree in town hall, designating other noteable town residents.
“I’m visible, but I don’t put myself on Miffie or Ceel’s level,” he said, noting two past Citizen of the Year winners.
Cereceda said his commitment to the town is what made her nominate him.
“He dedicates an enormous amount of time to the town,” she said. “He talks about conservation, environmental protection, and he actually lives that. He has a very strong commitment.”