We uncovered illegal sales out on the water near Fort Myers Beach. We were sent photos from the weekend of a pontoon boat with advertisements on the sides for paddle boat sales.According to a town ordinance, mobile vendors are illegal.
We uncovered illegal sales out on the water near Fort Myers Beach. We were sent photos from the weekend of a pontoon boat with advertisements on the sides for paddle boat sales.
According to a town ordinance, mobile vendors are illegal.
Fort Myers Beach mayor told us this week is one of the busiest weeks of the entire year so it is no wonder businesses want to cash in and try to make a buck.
The photos given us show the rules were broken over the weekend.
"I personally don&apos;t think there is anything wrong with it.," said Adrianna Wallace of Fort Myers. If he&apos;s getting more customers than the other guys than obviously what he&apos;s doing is working and he should be free to make his own money."
The problem is what is being done is illegal.
"The town prohibits mobile vendors, clearly if you&apos;re on a boat selling something its mobile," said Anita Cerecita, Mayor, Fort Myers Beach.
We asked, "so this is or is not illegal?"
The mayor responded, "I think it is illegal."
We showed the photos we received from this past weekend&apos;s activities.
"This is someone who sees a golden opportunity to make money off of Fort Myers Beach."
We tracked down the boat owner over the phone who said he recently started a mobile business as a part-time hobby and he said he also has a county license.
The town&apos;s mobile vendor ordinance has been in place for nearly two decades. It is the first time the mayor got a call for something like this. She thinks it is because of how busy the beach has been recently.
"With that come the sharks-- ooh there&apos;s money to be made. It&apos;s a little unnerving when you are operating your business in the confines of the law and someone comes and is not."
Others say that is just business. We were unable to confirm the boat owner&apos;s license status because he refused to give us his last name.
The boat has not returned. If it is spotted again, code enforcement would be the ones to investigate.