Roger Hernstadt resigns as Fort Myers Beach town manager

Working to better a community is what Roger Hernstadt, the Fort Myers Beach town manager, discussed in his resignation letter.

Hernstadt said Hurricane Ian negatively impacted much of what he did for the town in his six years, and Hernstadt feels new leadership will help with the area’s future.

On Monday, members of the Fort Myers Beach town council made it clear to themselves and to the people who live there that the resignation of the town manager will not slow down the effort to recover and rebuild.

Fort Myers Beach took quite a punch from the storm, and the locals are focused on getting back up and moving forward; easier said than done.

Sunday night Hernstadt told the council that he would resign.

New Fort Myers Beach Mayor Daniel Allers said he accepted Hernstadt’s resignation.

“He’s a very smart man. He’s very dedicated to our community. He decided it was time to move on,” Allers said.

Hernstadt was hopeful to serve until April of next year, but Monday, the council said no to that and appointed Jim Steele to replace Hernstadt on an interim basis.

“He had filled in for the town previously as an interim town manager quite a few years back. He has the knowledge; he’s been on our audit committee for a long time,” Allers said.

Melody King from Fort Myers Beach, who was at the council meeting, told WINK News she’s worried about the town’s administration.

“What we need to see is composed leadership in the town council, and today was a clear example of how there can be so much confusion and chaos, and it’s brought to our community,” King said.

Allers told WINK News council will have its former town manager in a smaller role until his resignation takes effect next April.