Feathers ruffled at “Flying Monkeys” comment
Some Fort Myers Beach residents took offense to a recent comment made by Vice Mayor Tracey Gore during the May 16 workshop.
Gore referred to town staff as “the flying monkeys” during a discussion about noise levels at night. After the meeting, several residents took to social media to express their dismay at what they saw as a disrespectful and demeaning term.
“It was obviously a metaphor,” Gore said, after the meeting. Gore had compared the noise levels of the north end to that of the sound end, and another council member had called Al Durett, owner of Santini Marina Plaza as the “king of the castle.” Gore said she matched the king comment with the “flying monkeys” reference.
Some of the complaints about this incident may stem from other comments Gore has made in reference to town staff; including wanting to reconsider outsourcing some departments. During a recent meeting, Council Member Anita Cereceda asked Gore to stop bringing up the financial pros and cons of outsourcing, as it was make some town staff fear for losing their jobs.
“My job isn’t to make sure everyone is employed, it’s to make sure residents are well-served,” Gore said. “That’s something staff has to deal with.”