The Community Council has filed a resolution to challenge the passage of House bill 1225 filed by Representative Matt Caldwell on March 2, 2015. The Councils resolution states: “It has been brought to the attention of the Community Council of Lehigh Acres and its membership that HB 1255 as filed has several misrepresentations, assumptions, flaws and duplication of services provided by others in the community who have not been advised nor consulted on the Bill nor any changes that may occur; and, These misrepresentations, assumptions, flaws, and duplication of services being provided by others are substantial in nature and should have been investigated and resolved by the sponsors of this legislation prior to its filing; and, the impact of this bill, adversely affects not only the residents, but the many builders, developers, and businesses in our community.”
The Lehigh Acres Gazette has tried to reach Representative Matt Caldwell by phone with no response.
Copy of resolution being sent to Tallahassee:
COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF LEHIGH ACRES, INC.
RESOLUTION 03-16-15-01
A Resolution of the Community Council of Lehigh Acres declaring our rejection and unanimous lack of support for house bill 1255 filed on 3/2/15 by Representative Matt Caldwell.
WHEREAS, the community of Lehigh Acres, is home to more than 90,000 residents within its 144 square miles; and,
WHEREAS, this vast area, population and taxpayer base makes up the largest easternmost identifiable area of Lee County, and, is the largest unincorporated defined area in Lee County; and,
WHEREAS, over four decades ago, the residents, businesses and community leaders sought to establish an entity to speak as a unified voice to local, state and national governmental bodies and officials about the concerns of Lehigh Acres residents and taxpayers; and,
WHEREAS, the formation of the Community Council of Lehigh Acres, Inc. was established, and today is made up of twenty-one (21) elected members and twenty (20) permanent member seats; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Council membership, consisting of these forty one (41) member seats, represent a substantial majority of Lehigh Acres residents and taxpayers who have a vested interest in this community; and,
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the Community Council of Lehigh Acres and its membership that HB 1255 as filed has several misrepresentations, assumptions, flaws and duplication of services provided by others in the community who have not been advised nor consulted on the Bill nor any changes that may occur; and,
WHEREAS, These misrepresentations, assumptions, flaws, and duplication of services being provided by others are substantial in nature and should have been investigated and resolved by the sponsors of this legislation prior to its filing; and,
WHEREAS, the impact of this bill, adversely affects not only the residents, but the many builders, developers, and businesses in our community; and,
WHEREAS, the passage of this bill affects all of the ongoing efforts of the residents who have held town hall meetings over the past 18 months and have been quietly working on incorporating our community thus eliminating many of the powers provided for in this bill; and
WHEREAS, any such passage or implementation of this bill would be damaging to the continuing incorporation efforts, and the consolidation efforts that all have already taken place to deal with many intended services and powers included in this bill; and now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Community Council of Lehigh Acres, Inc. strongly recommends that the members of the State of Florida House of Representatives and Senate VOTE No on HB 1255 and that the governor veto any such legislation that may pass, and that the Lee County Commissioners not grant any powers that may be provided by the passage of this bill.
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND DULY ADOPTED
This 16th day of March, 2015.
The Community Council of Lehigh Acres, Inc.