Editorial
Transparency ensures accountability, and Lehigh Acres residents have a right to see how every penny of the money they send to their Fire department is spent.
Lehigh Acres residents have the right to scrutinize they budgets, payments, contracts and documents and hold their Fire Department accountable.
“In Florida, transparency is not up to the whim or grace of public officials. Instead, it is an enforceable right,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Fire Chief John Wayne and Fire Board Attorney Richard Pringle were told by the Asst. State Attorney Richard Montecalvo to provide the requested data to us. But know Fire Chief John Wayne still refuses to send the Lehigh Acres Gazette the proper requested data, why? Where is the transparency of the Fire Department? Why are they continually trying to hide the data about the fire assessment?
The Fire Board Commissioners continues to allow Fire Chief John Wayne and Fire Board Attorney Richard Pringle spin their own propaganda to others and State Attorney Office about this request, but refuse to be transparent, why?
If the Chairman of the Board Larry Becker doesn’t understand the law; the chairman can ask the Florida Attorney General for her opinion, the law allows these.
If the Fire Department cannot be transparent, then it’s time for a change of leadership on this board.
Larry Becker, Cathy Kruse and David Adams are all up for re-election in November 2016 and they all voted for the fire tax assessment.