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Hangman

 

LOCAL BREAKING NEWS

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Paige Kreegel could face a reprimand, censure or removal.

 

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Car strikes power pole, plunges into canal

watchdog photo's

 

 

Renters urged to vote Jan. 29

Some questions for Rep. Kreegel

Legislative aide accused of improper use of state equipment

From paintballs to bullets - neighbors worried

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Learn the TRUTH about Rep Kreegel's aide Barry Millman

Read the staff report

 

House examines legislator's tactics

 

For more than two years, state Rep. Paige Kreegel has pursued a libel lawsuit he says he hopes will derail dirty politics. But as he gears up to run for re-election, not only has he done some negative campaigning of his own, he did it with state resources.

 

Water treatment plant security breach

Lee County, Fla. - WINK News Now uncovered a major security breach at the FGUA Waste Water Treatment Plant in Lehigh Acres. A gate was left wide open for days, violating Homeland Security rules.

 

Racial graffiti sprayed on Lehigh signs

Link to story

 

State Road 82 widening

www.sr82pde.com
 

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Deputy Chief of Support Services of the LAFD

Admits on camera that the new fire stations are Taj Mahals!!

click here to see video

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4am Shooting in Lehigh Acres

Click here to read story

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Admiral Lehigh's back nine sold for $2.35 million
Lehigh Resort Club to reopen course in September

Click here to read story

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Crist, Publix announce free antibiotics program

Click here to read story

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Bloated reserves cheat tax payers
 

Click here to read story

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Lehigh taxing district flush with cash
Street lighting district reserves nearly 53 percent of total budget
Click here to read the story

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Term on advisory panel cut short
Hartman, wife can’t both serve on panel

Click here to read story

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Lehigh streetlights get revamp
Decorative poles show 5-year wear

Click here to read story

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Lee County to take down paid ads on Light poles on Homestead
Lehigh groups vow to fight for their banners

Click here to read the story

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You may have money in an unclaimed account; check it out

Lehigh Acres residents may be among thousands of Floridians who are owed money being held by the State of Florida. Nearly $1 billion worth of unclaimed accounts have been reported in Tallahassee with more than $36.7 million of which belong to residents in Southwest Florida.

You may have money waiting for you to claim. Among those on the list in the state are Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Former Gov. Jeb Bush.

To find out if there’s money in your name being held, go to: http://www.fltreasurehunt.org

There are 114,000 unclaimed accounts valued at $17.8 million for Lee County residents.

 

YouTube video probe concludes no wrongdoing

An informal probe by the Lehigh Acres Fire Dept. into a YouTube video on the Internet has concluded there is no finding of any wrongdoing by local firefighters, if indeed they are firefighters or employees of the fire district. That’s the word today from Patrick Comer, a spokesman for the fire department.

An e-mail had been sent to community activist Robert Anderson and to various news outlets over the weekend claiming there was “immoral and unethical conduct” by two Lehigh Acres firefighters on the video. YouTube is a public site where people can upload videos. The video showed two couples at the side of a pool on a cruise ship.

Comer said that anytime someone is accused of something, an informal inquiry is made. He said he would not identify the two men in the video because of privacy matters.

Comer said the department’s attorneys reviewed the video and that it was their determination “so far from what they’ve seen at this point, that no laws were violated in this video, even if these people worked for the department.”                    

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You can make up your mind now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9GxRoVSCNw

Email your opinion to watchdog@lehighacreswatchdog.com

 

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Lehigh Acres Fire department investigating YouTube video


The Lehigh Acres Fire Department has launched an internal investigation after NBC2 uncovered a video on YouTube showing a man simulating sex acts in a public place.

 

No water at East Lee County High or Fire Station 5

Click here to read the story

Wink news story click here

The current no water issue is the lack of communication between each other including governmental agencies, LAFD wants this , School board needs this  and FGUA wants that …….. and then they leave the citizens out to dry …. Come on agencies get your acts together

If the documents FGUA needs are not signed in time the East Lee County High School and Fire Station #5 will not open on time.  Where are the 900 + students going to go and is the safely of Lehigh Acres be effected if the station#5  is not opened on time.  And for Station #4 on Sunshine, I personally told the LAFD Board over 18 months ago they need to get their act together, now at the 11th hour and still NO water or water line to service the fire suppression for the fire house.  Why?

Where’s the leadership on these boards that effect Lehigh Acres and where is communication that is so desperately needed?

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Microtel Hotel breaks ground in Lehigh Acres

Click here to see photo's

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Request a $10 check be mailed to YOU.

Limit one payment per property. Subject to change without notice.

Lee Soil & Water Conservation District...
offers to distribute excess funds from the District bank account
direct to property owners who have
personal responsibility for soil & water conservation.
Nobody cares for your property more than you.

double-click the CHECK button at
http://LeeSoilAndWaterConservationDistrict.com  

Please distribute this message to any Lee County property owner.
Short forms can be downloaded from the CHECK web-page.

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Open Board Member Position with the LACPC

If interested in applying for a Board position at the next meeting, August 8th, 6:30 p.m., at Veterans Park, please send a note or resume to web@lehighacresplanning.com  or 516 Lake Avenue, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 by August 1, 2007.

 

Should illegal's be sent back home?

To the Editor,

I am sick and tired to hear about the immigration bill and the debate in Washington. Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL) does not support the act. I am pleased that at least our representative in Congress is standing for true Americans. I say send back all the illegals home to their country.

It seems the majority of them have entered this country illegally, either swimming the Rio Grande, or climbing through the border fence. Then they protest in the streets demanding for more rights.

What about the rights of true Americans?

There should be tighter rules such as making English the official language of America. Illegals should follow the proper visa regulations, and then be made to become citizens. It’s time for Americans to lock their doors and throw the bums out.

I know how it feels to dream to come to America. I followed the proper rules, and waiting for approval of a visa, and became a citizen of America, as soon as legally possible.

I speak the language; I write the language and I have been an active part of making my community better. These other bums, come here and live off the system, not becoming productive citizens, but taking of our health care system, welfare system, and not paying taxes.

The question I ask everyone is: Do you think if we go to Mexico we would get free health care, free schooling, free food stamps. The answer is no. They would throw us in jail and kick us out of the country..,

I say it’s time to take care of real americans. We spend so much money on helping illegals why we have real Americans who are hungry and living on the streets.

It’s time for Americans to take care of Americans

Paulette G. Hunt

Editor comment -Ms. Hunt is the Grandmother of Desmond Barrett Supervisor of ECWCD

PLEASE EMAIL YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT TO WATCHDOG@LEHIGHACRESWATCHDOG.COM

Response ----

You are talking about true americans?? true american were the indian all the rest came from somewhere else or not?

First inmigrant came legally ? oh yeah  sure they came to kill indians and take their lands if they were found people like you may be you where not sitting whatever you are ... have a nice day!

From O.C.

 

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Read WRT's VISION of Lehigh Acres

The draft “Vision” and summary of community forum input prepared by

Wallace Roberts and Todd LLC (WRT) is now available!

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Come Support The Fountains at the next LPA Hearing –

CHANGE OF DATE July 23rd, 2007 at 8:30 a.m.
Lee County Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Ft. Myers, FL 33901

and

County Commission Meeting– August 30th, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
Lee County Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Ft. Myers, FL 33901

Click here for information about the Fountains

 

Waterman Development is looking to have that area re-zoned on Homestead Rd Their proposal includes appx. 300,000 square feet reserved for commercial development and 756 residential units

Come to the zoning hearing 9 am at second floor 1500 Monroe St Ft Myers

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Fort Myers Planning Board recommends approval of Lee Blvd. wastewater treatment plant

A handful of Lehigh Acres residents raised a stink about being a dumping ground for a planned sewage treatment plant Wednesday afternoon.

During a Fort Myers Planning Board meeting, Lehigh residents expressed deep concerns about the environmental and residential impacts a wastewater facility built on a former garbage dump would have at 5600 Lee Blvd.

John Miller, a resident who lives four blocks from the proposed facility said he was worried about the smell, the impacts a potential smell could have on nearby property values and if building a wastewater facility on top of a former landfill could be a catastrophic nightmare in the event of a hurricane.

Read the rest of the story here

 www.eastfmwatercampus.com

 

READ THE LEE SHERIFF'S 2007 BUDGET

How do this effect Lehigh Acres ... Join the forum and discuss this issues

 

Saturday's Schooner Wharf 8K race through the historic Old Town section of Key West Lehigh Acres’ own Vicki Culver, come in second in her age group …. Congrats  Vicki

 

The Lehigh Acres Watchdog PAC learned by a county source that Steven “Sonny” Haas so-called “town hall”-style meeting at the East County library on June 6th at 7:00 p.m. where Sonny Haas, candidate for Lee County Commissioner, District 5, will discuss his platform and answer any questions.

Was canceled by Lee County because they do not allow candidates to use publicly owned facilities for political gain.   

 

About 120 residents showed up to a town hall meeting in Lehigh Acres on Tuesday night to discuss property taxes and insurance rates with State Sen. Dave Aronberg, State Rep. Nick Thompson and State Rep. Paige Kreegel.

State Sen. Mike Bennett, who was scheduled for the meeting, didn't attend because he was under the weather due to illness. Legislators will meet in Tallahassee for a special legislative session set to start June 12 to discuss property taxes only.

"In about two weeks, we are going to do something about your taxes," said Kreegel.  Aronberg said discussions about tax reform have taken a long time, but legislators want to make sure it is done right in this special session.

"We have to do it right the first time because the repercussions of doing it wrong would be overwhelming," Aronberg said.

Residents also asked many question about insurance concerns, including better government supervision of insurance companies that raise rates.

"There is really nothing that we are going to do to make your insurance drop like a rock," Kreegel said.

"There is no magic formula here," said the State Lawmakers. "We need to harden our structures and build better structures for the future."

Kreegel said, Citizens can go to http://www.mysafefloridahome.com , the mission of this website is to help Floridians learn how to harden their homes to better protect themselves and their fa

 

6/6/2007 7:00 PM Sonny Haas to speak/answer questions at East County Library  (CANCELED)

6/12/2007 5:00 PM 6/12 5:00 p.m. - BCC public hearing re. proposal for 2 entry/exit points req'd for Lehigh developers

6/13/2007 6:30 PM I-75 Toll Lane Concept Veterans Park Recreation Facilities, 55 Homestead Rd

6/13/2007 6:30 PM LACPC Monthly Board Meeting

6/14/2007 Flag Day

6/20/2007 6:30 PM FGUA UAC Meeting

6/21/2007 7:30 PM LAFD Board Meeting

6/25/2007 6:30 PM ECWCD Board Meeting

6/26/2007 5:00 PM 6/26 5:00 p.m. - Final PUBLIC HEARING re. proposal for 2 access points req'd for Lehigh developers

7/4/2007 Independence Day

 

The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is soliciting public input on improvements to county roads!   

At this time, the MPO is especially interested in identifying traffic problems in Lee County that might be alleviated using relatively low-cost or "quick fix" improvements within existing rights of way – things like traffic signal re-timing or synchronization, the construction or extension of turn lanes or other minor intersection improvements, the designation of reversible lanes or one-way streets, changes in road signing or striping, encouraging employers to stagger their business hours, or providing incentives to increase car pooling or the use of buses, bicycles or less congested routes – that  could improve the operation and safety of the existing transportation system without resorting to major construction projects such as adding travel lanes or building new roads, bridges or overpasses.

Do you have any suggestions for possible solutions?

Before filling out the online form to report an issue, please check the document(s) at  http://www.mpo-swfl.org/mpootherissues.shtml to ensure you are not reporting something that is being worked on or already reported by another citizen.

Then, provide your input at: http://www.mpo-swfl.org/mporeportcongestion.shtml .

Another chance for our voices to be heard … Please take advantage of it!

If anyone is interested, Commissioner Mann of District 5 has an opening on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee.  Click the link 'read more' below for further information...

 read more ...

 

 

Fort Myers-Cape Coral RegularMidPremiumDiesel  
    Current$3.136$3.397$3.460$2.947
    Yesterday$3.113$3.373$3.435$2.959
    Month Ago$2.953$3.199$3.258$2.978
    Year Ago$2.930$3.174$3.233$2.948
 

Highest Recorded Price:

Regular Unl. $3.136 5/21/2007
Dsl. $3.362 10/10/2005

 

 

 

It is with pride that I am asking you to print, sign, and mail this petition for a citizen's initiative in order to provide "Portability of the Save Our Homes Assessment Cap."

It is our hope that the legislature will add Portability to the January Special Session agenda then adopt and send to the ballot this language so that we can provide portability to our homesteaders in Florida.

We are convinced, with the combined 239 years of experience of the 15 elected appraisers on our Board, that we have written this petition to benefit both government and our homesteaders and which can be best administered by our and all the 67 appraisers offices in Florida.

"Who knows this issue better than Florida's Property Appraisers."

We are incorporated as a non-profit issue-oriented corporation for the sole purpose of gathering the necessary signatures to have this issue on the ballot in the next general election in Florida.

Please place this initiative on the ballot; then you and we will be able to go home feeling the satisfaction of a job well done.

Respectfully requested,
Kenneth M. Wilkinson, President
Save Our Homes / Portability, Inc.

 

Lehigh Acres Watchdog Inc has learned that there are more than 400 people or companies in Lehigh Acres that have property is being held by the Bureau of unclaimed property, such as from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings.

Unclaimed property also includes tangible property such as jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles, from safe deposit boxes.

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, holds unclaimed accounts valued at more than $1 billion currently.

If you have ever lived in Florida, there’s a chance they are holding unclaimed property for you.

To check your name or your company’s name at http://www.fltreasurehunt.org.

We tested this site and didn't find any significant problems with www.lehighacreswatchdog.com  

 

 

Lee County emergency dispatchers are receiving numerous calls from nervous residents worried about the “smell of smoke” outside, according to Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue.

As a result, firefighters are being dispatched to investigate, Lehigh fire spokesman Patrick Comer said in a morning statement.

Residents should be aware that as long as wildfires continue to burn or smolder in parts of Lee County and weather conditions don’t blow the smoke out of populated areas, the smell of smoke may continue for some time.

Generally, if there is a wildfire nearby, a resident will likely be able to also see a column of smoke.

Of course, anytime anyone senses a real threat of fire they are encouraged to call 9-1-1, Comer said. Firefighters will continue to investigate every call.

 

Cookie-cutter commercial development …. "All we have are strip malls," Conover said. "I'd like to see an architect show some imagination and develop a plaza or square with a little bit of charm."link to story

Want do you think …. Join the community forum today

 

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency Thursday as more wildfires — blazing across parched Florida — ignited overnight.
 

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Firefighters are battling a brush fire in Lehigh Acres Florida that consumed almost 900 acres and claimed two homes, officials said Monday.

The blaze burning east of Fort Myers was about 60 percent contained by midday Monday, Lehigh Acres Fire Department spokesman Patrick Comer said.

No other homes were in immediate danger, but firefighters were wary because of variable winds Monday, Comer said. About 125 firefighters from nine departments were on scene today.

The cause of the blaze, which started Sunday afternoon, is under investigation, he said.

 

FHP raid house in Lehigh …..

Florida Highway Patrol troopers raided a Lee County marijuana grow house Thursday evening, seizing 51 mature pot plants. Troopers became aware of the cultivation operation at 1510 Moore Avenue in Lehigh Acres. When investigators rolled up on the home, they saw the stench of growing marijuana plants was overwhelming near the south part of the house. The also heard a constant humming noise coming from the inside of the home, even though the air conditioner wasn't running. All that was enough to get a search warrant for the home, and when troopers went in they say they found the entire south portion of the house had been converted into a marijuana cultivation operation, with lights, transformers, capacitors, fans, water-cooled air conditioners, CO2 distributors, timers and converted electricity. Investigators say the pot seized has a street value of $120,000. Troopers are continuing their investigation and say they plan to make an arrest very soon.

Lehigh man charged in girlfriend's death

A 19-year-old man is in jail today on homicide charges after a young woman said to be his girlfriend was found dead, wrapped in a blanket inside the closet of his Lehigh Acres home.

One deputy said “Oh my God,” upon discovering the woman’s body, partially covered in a bedspread comforter and a garbage bag, according to a Lee County Sheriff’s report.

 

Utility system should be priority
 

Currently, the legislators are in Tallahassee for the 2007 Legislative Session. They are considering many important issues including property insurance, property taxes and transportation.

They are not considering any legislation involving the utility system in Lehigh Acres.

The utility system is owned by FGUA (a government entity), administered by Government Services Group (a non-government entity) and the utility itself is operated by Severn Trent (a non-governmental entity). FGUA's main governmental function is to buy private utilities and sell them to local government. Recently, they sold their systems in Citrus County and in the Orlando area to local government. FGUA still owns the Lehigh and Golden Gate (Collier County) systems. Some Lee County Commissioners and staff have expressed an interest in purchasing and operating the Lehigh utility system.

Our water and sewer plants are undersized, the infrastructure needs to be better maintained and we need to make sure that the thousands of septic tanks are not polluting our groundwater. Did you know that the Lehigh Wastewater plant has been discharging treated effluent into our canal system for at least three summers? FGUA is making improvements, but their intent is to not be here for the long-term. Our utility system needs attention and is in limbo.

East County has been visionary in anticipating Lehigh's water and sewer needs. We tried to study the feasibility of purchasing the system in 2001, but we could not get the legislation passed to give the district the ability to spend $15,000 for a study. In 2007 we again asked the legislature to give East County the power to purchase and operate the utility system. Our bill did not make it this year because of confusion about Lee County's potential intent to buy the system and a lack of time to provide the necessary information the legislators and state offices.

The district is organizing its resources and information in the spring of 2007 to make sure that the community, legislators, state offices and the media are all in the know. They need to understand the county's real intent and the willingness of the community to move forward on the purchase of FGUA's utility system here in Lehigh Acres.

It is important that the community voice its opinion on the issues in upcoming East County public hearings, Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corporation meetings, town hall meetings and any forums. We need local control to do what is best for our community and the environment.

— David E. Lindsay is the director of the East County Water Control District.

 

Editorial …..  

We would like to thank all the citizens and Local Fire Fighters that confirmed our Presidents good standing with the Florida Freelance Writers Assoc.  

 

Lehigh firefighter dies at age 49    Firefighter Paul J. Dube, 49, of Lehigh Acres, passed away Tuesday, March 27, after a long battle with cancer. Dube worked for the fire dept for 23 years

Dube started with the Lehigh Fire Department in 1984. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Susan, and his two children Mark and Aimee.

A casual viewing for will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Christ Community Church, 4050 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. A service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31.

He will be given full firefighter honors at his funeral.

 

Watering Law in effect ……..  

If your home’s address ends in an odd number, you can water on Wednesday and Saturday. If it ends with an even number, you can water on Thursday and Sunday.

 

Lehigh Acres Fire .........Lee County remain so dry that Lee County has extended the burn ban for another week.

The fire that scorched 270 acres and damaged several homes on Monday in Lehigh Acres is now 100 percent contained.

Officials made that announcement at a briefing on Tuesday morning Firefighters say the fire was man-made. Lee County Sheriff's Office lead investigator on the blaze started at 618 Thompson Avenue, but authorities still don't know what exactly sparked the fire.

 

Officials with the Lee County School District have issued a statement for families living in the east zone of Lehigh Acres who may have been affected by the brushfire.

Any family displaced due to evacuation or damage caused by the brush fire should try to contact their child's school to alert administrators.

Any family whose child's bus stop has been affected and is not operational should contact Pupil Transportation at 239-334-0211 and select the EAST ZONE option. (Press 1 when prompted)

Information will be provided on what the nearest working bus stop is for the family to use until further notice.

Families who cannot contact Pupil Transportation but can get their child to an operational bus stop in their area can do so - even if the operational stop is not for their child's school. The child will be taken to the school the bus is going to, and then the student will be "shuttled" to their home school.

Any student who is affected by the brush fire and cannot make it to school will be granted an excused absence.

 

Lehigh Acres Watchdog, Inc is pleased to announce there President Robert J Anderson is a member of      

 

 

So one taxing district paying, another taxing district so a third district gets the water line basically for free. 

The East County Water Control District is approving the placement of a 1.3-mile-long water line on its property to provide water to a Lehigh fire station, but with certain conditions.

During a meeting Monday, fire Chief Don Adams and fire board attorney Richard Pringle of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District asked the water district board to allow them to place the water line in the water district’s right of way on Sunshine Boulevard.

The line, which is expected to cost more than $400,000, will connect to the Florida Governmental Utility Authority’s water line on Lee Boulevard and service Fire Station No. 4 that’s being built on Sunshine Boulevard and 16th Street Southwest.

But Lehigh Acres Fire Department must pay ECWCD $81,335.00 dollars in fees before any pipe is put in the ground. This is your tax dollars at work.

The water district’s four conditions for allowing the water line on its right-of-way are that no hydrants are placed in the water district’s right of way, that the fire district specify the location of all jack and bores — underground cylindrical tunnels for wiring and utilities — in the area, that the fire district show the specific location of the water line 20 feet east of Sunshine’s road right-of-way, and that the permit be issued after two sets of plans are submitted to water district staff showing the changes.

But when it’s all over LAFD will pay close to half of million dollars and FGUA will own the pipe, is that fair for the taxpayers of Lehigh Acres

 

 One of Lehigh Acres' oldest golf courses is set to close down

One of Lehigh Acres' oldest golf courses is set to close down. Right now, plans are in the works to develop the Admiral Lehigh Golf Club and Resort. But people who live near the course aren't pleased with the plans and they have made their grievances known.

The golf course is scheduled to close in the next couple of weeks. But there's a difference in opinion as to what should be done with the land.

NBC-2 Video link

 

Lehigh Fire Training

February 22, 2007

By Althea Paul

Plans to deliberately set three homes on fire are sparking concerns in Lehigh Acres.

Three abandoned homes along Dania Street in Lehigh Acres may soon be burned to the ground. It's all part of a training exercise the Lehigh Acres Fire Department is planning.

"I feel it's too dry and it shouldn't be done in a neighborhood," said resident, Nancy Wallace.

Some residents are scared the fires may get out of control and spread to nearby homes. Robert Anderson, president of Lehigh Acres Watchdog Inc., is so concerned he started passing out a petition for residents to sign.

"Training is an important part of the fire department and I absolutely believe that, but to do live fire exercises in a truly residential area, that is wrong," said Anderson.

Officials with the Lehigh Acres Fire Department say they're still in the process of planning the exercise, which is important to their fire fighters. If it moves forward, officials don't believe dry conditions or the location will threaten any homes.

They also say plenty of trained fire personnel will be on hand. Still, some residents don't want any fires on their street.

"There was a central burn yesterday that got out of control and last winter when I was here the same thing happened in parts of Fort Myers," said Wallace.

According to Anderson, no one from the fire department has talked to residents about the exercise.

Fire officials say they will talk to residents, however, Anderson and others are hoping the petition will keep the burn at bay.

Residents were also concerned about who will clear up the burned structures after the exercise. Officials with the fire department say the contractor will be responsible for that and should do it nearly immediately.

From Wink-TV Ft Myers Florida

 

From Lehigh Acres Citizen ---Feb 21st 2007

Sees problems with incorporation

To the Editor,

This is a comment on the letter to the editor from Patricia Whitehall which was in The Lehigh Acres Citizen on Feb. 7 concerning Bo Turbeville.

Mr. Turbeville had a column on the same page about holiday banners. The survey in the paper said 12 cents per year would be charged to taxpayers if the street lighting district takes over putting up banners. In Mr. Turbeville’s column, he suggested 12.5 cents for taxpayers.

When he gets the deal going, let’s see what the real cost is then. When I read his guest column, it is amazing the benefits the banners will bring to Lehigh Acres.

As president of the Chamber of Commerce and president of the Lehigh Acres Planning Corp., how does he like the sound of “Mayor Bo.”

He no doubt will tell you he would not favor increasing your taxes if Lehigh was to incorporate into a city.

I have seen Cape Coral, Sanibel, Bonita incorporate and the shock the people got when the real cost of city government came in their tax bills.

Look around Lehigh and you will see the ones that want a city and have an eye on a taxpayer’s job to go along with their present positions.

As I see the news on TV and read about city problems in the newspapers, I wonder why smart people in Lehigh would try to promote something that is going to cost a lot of money to operate when they know the truth will come out later and that they will have a lot of people mad at them.

I say taxes, insurance and other living costs are high enough now. Let’s don’t get sucked into more rising costs.

William H. Floyd

Lehigh Acres
 

 

 

PLEASE HELP MISSING: BRYAN DOS SANTOS GOMES


 
 

 

Some serious questions for fire chief

The local media has reported that Fire Chief Don Adams of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District asked fire commissioners to consider planning for more ambulances, rescue trucks and support for next year's budget. The current 2006/2007 year's budget is $36.2 million.

"It is critical, even though I understand the taxpayers' concern with the budget, that as we grow we move forward to adding more units and fire trucks in the area," Adams said.

Growth is leading to higher call volume. Assistant Chief Jeff Haugh said there were 30 more calls made to the department this November compared to November of 2005.

Are these 30 more calls a day or a month?  Please explain Assistant Chief Jeff Haugh? So if there is one more call a day, so Assistant Chief Jeff Haugh just hired 16 more staff and cut the working hours form 52 hours a week to 48 hours a week and given each firefighter a pay day off every three weeks.

Hire more, cut hours and still a staff issues - what type of management is the fire department running?

Adams has said that in a given hour of the day recently there were not enough ambulances and trucks to service all the emergencies and there were no fire engines to cover Lehigh, which they had to begin to call for mutual aid from nearby fire departments and the county, Adams said, and was reported in The Lehigh Acres Citizen.

Click Here to see the pictures

Please, we have mutual aid agreements with all the districts, but according to the 2006/2007 Budget Chief Adams we have the following vehicles:

Six Fire Engines 200 / 210 / 220 / 230 / 240 / 250

Six Ambulances 110 / 120 / 130 / 160 / 170 / 180

One Aerial Platform 310

Four Brush Trucks 400 / 410 / 430 / 450

One Tanker 710

One Special Tanker 707

Ten Staff Vehicles 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 9 / 31 / 35

Two Inspector Vehicles 32 / 33 and Two Maintenance Trucks 510 / 520

And according to the 2006/2007 Budget the fire dept will purchase

One new engine for $500,000 + plus added Advanced Life Support equipment.

One Quint (ladder truck) for $600,000 + must likely will be a million dollars.

Two Ambulances for $250,000 + each, plus added advanced life support equipment.

Trades person vehicle for $35,000 and an assistant chief staff vehicle for $35,000.

How about doing the following instead?

One advance life support engine to replace engine 200 or 240 and then sell 200 or 240 and fix the other one we keep.

One Advance Life Support Ambulance

One advance life support fast attack rescue Unit - This unit can do everything a engine and ambulance can do excerpt for transport. In fact every fire department from Sarasota County to Naples except for Fort Myers Beach uses this type of vehicle. I wonder why because it works and it does get through traffic so much quicker and save lives.

Also the fire department needs to convert Vehicle 35, which is a van to a maintenance vehicle for the trades person and fix Special Tanker 707’s upper turret and retrofit this unit with newer class of foam suppression.

Why do we need to spend, spend, spend your taxpayer’s dollars; why can’t we start thinking out side of the box and resolve the maintenance issues?

We already have 33 vehicles and budgeted to buy six more this year. When is the hemorrhaging of our tax dollars going to stop?


Do The Right Thing Award given to Lehigh boy

Eliv Vila-Gonzalez, 13, the son of Jorge Vila of Lehigh Acres and a seven grade student at Varsity Lakes Middle School, is among the December recipients of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “Do The Right Thing Award” program.

“We all have the option each day to be positive or negative,” Program Director John McGraw said at the beginning of the program.

“Our world has so many challenges and so many hurting people that it needs more and more positive people to bring comfort, calm, understanding, help and healing. Our first winner is a positive person who we all can learn from.”

 

Time for the politics to stop, says Julie Barrett

 


It has been a few weeks since the citizens of Lehigh Acres went to the polls to elect their local leaders. On November 7, I was honored to be selected the new commissioner on the Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue District. 

For months people asked who is the real Julie Barrett and what does she stand for? Over the next four years, each of you, along with the rest of the public and the fire department, will fully come to understand the vision I have as a board member.

My leadership style will not be “shy and timid” as the papers have tried to define me. 

Landfill expansion meets legal barrier
 

Commissioners are at odds over whether the controversial expansion of a Lee County landfill is even legal. Florida law and a county ordinance appear to prohibit approving vertical expansion of Gulf Coast Landfill, Commissioner Frank Mann said.
"Both of these ordinances, now brought to light, provide great credibility to the neighboring residents' claims that they expected the landfill to max out at 100 feet," Mann said in an e-mail chastising county attorney David Owen for just now telling commissioners after months of debate. "How did we get this far into this discussion without the benefit of this information?" Mann asked. "Unless I receive very convincing explanations to this set of circumstances, it is my intention to move for indefinite postponement of all matters relating to increasing the height of the landfill."

 

Kreegel staff member at library 4th Thursdays


A staff member of State Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, will be in Lehigh Acres every fourth Thursday to answer questions and listen to concerns from residents. The representative from Paige Kreegel's office will be available from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road.The representative can answer questions about what happened during the last legislative session and discuss any comments or problems. For more information, call Cynthia Beckett at (941) 575-5820.

 
Lee fire consolidation not worth it

Consolidating Lee County's independent fire districts into one mega agency would cost taxpayers more money without providing better service, says a former local fire district commissioner. "The overwhelming majority of Lee County communities enjoy some of the best fire protection in the state ... at a cost that is lower and better than what is paid elsewhere," Brian R. Juntikka said.
 

School board to discuss proposed pay increase

 Members of the Lee County School Board could see their pay increase to $38,326 based on a recommendation by the Florida School Boards Assn. The board will discuss the proposal at the Dec. 5 school board meeting. FSBA makes salary suggestions to every school board in Florida, using a formula based on student enrollment, the cost of living, and other factors. Lee County is the only district in the state whose school board members, rather than legislature, set their own salary.
 

Crowd shares joy at Lehigh tree lighting


Christmas songs resounded through the night Friday as about 175 people awaited the arrival of Santa Claus to the Lehigh Regional Medical Center's Eighth Annual Tree Lighting. Click here to see pictures
 

Gathering in '56 started it all


Fifty years ago a church began in a small building on the corner of Leeland Heights Boulevard and Homestead Road the corner known as confusion corner. It was 1956 and Lehigh Acres was bare, with a population of less than 1,000 people. There were few houses and traffic wasn't an issue.
 

What and why is there a Lehigh Acres Watchdog Website?


The Lehigh Acres Watchdog is a community education resource and news service published every Saturday night. The website covers the international, national, state and Southwest Florida political issues affecting Lehigh Acres, Florida. Extra news and other items of interest are published during the week. Major news events may appear minutes after happening. We will be adding other features in the months to come such as a community calendar, community forums, opinion column and a classified shopping section.
 

Fire board reorganizes; Hemingway is elected chairman; Berndt is co-chairman


The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District has a new board. Ralph Hemingway, who won a seat in the election, was chosen as the boards new chairman. Jeff Berndt was chosen as the new vice chairman. Joel Guzman remains the treasurer and newly elected Julie Barrett is the board’s new secretary.

If you have a news story or idea contact us -- email us at news@lehighacreswatchdog.com

Notice to Lehigh Acres FGUA customers Temporary Modifications of Disinfection Treatment Procedures


FGUA will temporarily change the disinfection process for the Lehigh Acres potable (drinking water) water supply. From December 7 through December 21, 2006, FGUA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines). This conversion to chlorine (which is a stronger disinfectant) from chloramines (which is a longer-lasting disinfectant) allows FGUA to perform a water distribution system purge as recommended by the Department of Environmental Protection for water utilities using chloramines as their primary disinfectant. We will start the process at 6:00 AM on the assigned day. This temporary change in disinfectant does not cause adverse health effects. However, during the period, customers may experience a slight increase in the taste and odor of chlorine. Customers on dialysis who use a proportioning machine to prepare dialysis are advised to contact their physician to obtain the appropriate steps to accommodate the change in water disinfection. Customers who have fish tanks or aquatic species are advised to contact a professional aquarist to avoid any problems associated with chlorine. Customers are asked to call FGUA at 239-368-1615 with any questions concerning this temporary change in disinfectants www.fgua.com

 

Lee seeks first grants for landfill biofuel   Stoneybrook frustrated with nearby industrial site's smell

Lee County will apply for $2.3 million in federal grants to turn used restaurant grease and oil into biodiesel fuel for county vehicles, and rotting landfill gases into energy.
County commissioners' decision Tuesday comes amid complaints from Gateway residents about the proposed expansion of the Gulf Coast Landfill near Gateway. That's one of the landfills where methane gases would be harnessed and a small biodiesel plant built. For more information go to www.dumpthedump.info

 

Riverdale teacher loses boxing match via majority decision  Jason Gant falls to opponent in Combat on the Caloosa IV

Riverdale High School teacher and boxer Jason Gant lost by majority decision Tuesday night in the Combat on the Caloosa IV at Harborside Event Center. Gant had a lot of support from family, friends and students. What he didnĂ’t get was a favorable call from the judges. In a widely booed decision, two judges ruled in favor of Sarasotas Chris Nugin over Gant in the four-round bout.

House to vote next week on Gulf drilling

A vast area in the Gulf of Mexico could be opened to new oil drilling operations now that outgoing House leaders have agreed to vote next week on a Senate-passed energy bill.
The decision announced Friday to bring the Senate bill to the floor broke a weeks-long stalemate between the House and Senate, which had passed very different energy bills.
Gulf Coast lawmakers and energy industry representatives welcomed the breakthrough.

 

DCF secretary steps down Hadi's resignation doesn't cite legal battles


Florida's top child welfare official abruptly announced her retirement Friday, a day after a Pinellas judge fined her $80,000 for not moving mentally ill jail inmates to hospitals. Lucy Hadi, secretary of the Department of Children and Families and a 30-year veteran of state government, did not mention the legal confrontation in a letter to Gov. Jeb Bush, saying only that "it is time for me to do my advocacy from a different place. "In an interview, Hadi said her decision was prompted by "an accumulation of things," not just the court action. "I never wanted to be the punch drunk boxer in the ring not knowing when it was time to leave," said Hadi, 60. "You just know when it's time."

 

Florida panthers threatened as development overtakes habitat

FLORIDA PANTHER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Fla. Biologist Larry Richardson waxes philosophical about the Florida panther, equating its protection to the overall need to maintain nature in one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Among the most endangered species on the planet, the Florida panther may soon become a novelty seen only in captivity. The big cats once roamed by the thousands throughout the Southeastern U.S., but as development encroaches on their only remaining habitat in southwest Florida, extinction may be certain. It's the last of the puma population east of the Mississippi River. "The way we're building, we're going to push the panthers out. They're going to lose. My big concern is the panther will become a zoo relic," said Richardson, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Protect your home from wildfires

The people who manage Florida’s forests can tell you how to protect your home from a wildfire. What they're trying to find out, as another dry season approaches, is how much residents in fire-prone areas in Lee County know about protecting their homes. Their other question is how best to get that information to homeowners. To try to answer those questions, the state Division of Forestry has put a survey on its Web site and is distributing copies at fire stations and at East County Regional Library and Veterans Park Recreation Center in Lehigh Acres. Gerry LaCavera works for the forestry division and tries to find ways to moderate the impact of wildfires. He said the division hopes to find new ways to get information to residents, especially in Lehigh Acres neighborhoods damaged by brush fires that erupted on April 29.