The Lehigh Acres Community Council executive committee has how decided to allow Local Bill # 1255 to go through.
We received the following email from the Community Council:
At our last Council meeting, we voted on sending a Resolution to Matt Caldwell regarding Bill #1255. Unfortunately, someone leaked the Resolution to Matt Caldwell before we had the opportunity to fine-tune it. This started a discussion that let us know this bill was already in Tallahassee and it was being voted on. Rick Anglickis happened to be in Tallahassee and he decided to share the Resolution with Garrett Richter who shared it with the Senate. (Editor’s note: According to Richter’s office the bill was shared with the Senator but was not shared with the Senate.)
Rick then ran in to Matt Caldwell and discussed the bill with him directly. (Editor’s note: This is not true Rep. Matt Caldwell was in Lehigh Acres when Rick Anglickis was in Tallahassee.) On March 27th, the Executive Board was able to have a conference call with Matt Caldwell & Rick A. discussing what our options are with the Bill.
The Community Council discussed items that we wanted in or out of the Bill with Matt Caldwell. Changes can still be made to the bill after its approval by amendment. We thought it would be easier to take something out, as opposed to putting something in. We decided that it was in the best interest of the Community to leave the Bill as is with the exception of making the Bill effective in 2016 and requesting that the “planning” portion of the bill remain with the Architectural & Zoning Review Board.
This decision was made at an emergency Executive Board meeting on 3/31. Time was of the essence. Also, just as a side note, it appeared that this Bill was going to be pushed thru the Legislation with or without our comments. We also feel that we have made our point with Matt Caldwell. The Council is a powerful source that needs to be included in future efforts. We will not stand by quietly.
Editor’s Note: The letter sent to Rep. Matt Caldwell (Click Here) do not mention that the Community Council is requesting the “planning” portion of the bill remain with the Architectural & Zoning Review Board. So there is still confusion between the Leadership of the Community Council and Rep Matt Caldwell.
In a phone interview: The current President of the Community Council Mohamad Yasin had high praises for Rick Anglickis in the part he played in this bill.
According to Rick Anglickis: He is extremely disappointed in the Executive Board because Caldwell would have agreed to postpone must of the bill until November 2018.
During phone interview with Caldwell on April 3, Caldwell stated all changes in power with the county or other agencies must be mutually agreed to. Caldwell also stated he looks forward in working with the Community Council.
One of the powers is that the new “ECWCD” could get after November 2016 is the power to buy the water and sewer from FGUA if the Lee County mutually agrees to it. These would turn the power of the system in elected body in Lehigh Acres instead of multicounty meeting places that FGUA currently uses.