At least five have announced for town council race
Five people are officially running so far for three open seats on the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council.
The deadline for the submission of signatures to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections to get on the ballot in lieu of the $504 registration fee was Dec. 9 at noon.
However, there is still time to enter the race for those who pay the qualifying fees.
As of Dec. 9, the town had received filings from Dan Allers, James Atterholt, Robert Burandt, Forrest “Butch” Critser and David Drumm opening election accounts, according to Town of Fort Myers Beach Deputy Clerk Amy Baker. Mayor Anita Cereceda said a sixth person has gathered signatures though this could not be confirmed. Burandt said he is not gathering signatures but will be paying the qualifying fees. A complete list of those who have submitted signatures was not available from the office of the Lee County Supervisor of Elections. Those names are expected to be released Wednesday.
The office of the Lee County Supervisor of Elections stated Monday that there was an issue with one candidate’s petition of signatures though they were not yet prepared to release their name as of press time. Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Roger Hernstadt said the town was looking for guidance from the state as of Monday afternoon on the matter and also declined to release that individual’s name while researching the issue. “We are contacting the state to see what the alternatives are,” he said.
Cereceda, councilmembers Bruce Butcher and Joanne Shamp are vacating their seats in March. Cereceda was term-limited, while Butcher and Shamp have announced that they don’t intend to run again.