Florida: Fort Myers Beach councilmembers are approved for reimbusement

The Fort Myers Town Council has agreed (as provided for by Florida law) to reimburse Fort Myers Beach Councilmembers John King and Karen Woodson over a recall effort. The recall is over claims of unreported gifts for land use approvals from a developer (seemingly a meal), a debate over who would replace a town attorney and violation of the Sunshine laws. Fort Myers has a malfeasance standard, so a judge will probably weigh in here. 

Former councilmembers Ray Murphy and Bill Veach are leading the effort and have hit the first hurdle of 10% of signatures. Petitioners would need 25% of voters (which seems like between 700-800) within 60 days.  

Note that Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt is quotes as saying that the recall process "encourages slander, defamation and innuendo and those being recalled are guilty until proven innocents."