By Richard Luthmann
A community renowned for its picturesque beaches and laid-back attitude, Fort Myers Beach is at a crossroads. The town strives to rebuild post-Hurricane Ian, and the effort has been phenomenal.
Bar and restaurants have re-opened. Locals and tourists flock to the sandy shores to soak up the sun. Margaritaville Beach Resort recently had its grand opening, with the ribbon cutting on its beachside Fins Up! Beach Club is happening this week. There is plenty of hope and velocity, a scant fifteen months after total devastation.
But this effort is overshadowed by a critical safety concern: the return of registered sex offender Robert McDuffie Moore to the contracting scene and questions about the ability of his supervisor, 74-year-old Donald L. Brinson, to actively monitor him.
Robert McDuffie Moore places his registered sex offender address and phone number on permits filed in Lee County.Photo byRichard Luthmann / Sun Bay Paper
This investigative report queries whether Fort Myers Beach’s recovery is also measured by vigilance for the safety of residents and tourists alike. The choices made by Fort Myers Beach and Lee County officials will not only shape the town’s immediate future. Still, they will also set a precedent for balancing critical safety concerns against the pressing need to return to business after a powerful disaster.