Written by John E. DeGennaro
Today at Noon I attended State Rep. Curt Clawson’s Hometown meeting in Lehigh Acres attended by about 13 residents and a Senior Class of Evangelical Christian School Students who posed very poignant and thought provoking questions. Rep. Clawson answered in a Philosophical way that young and old alike understood.
Several of us had the opportunity to speak one on one about concerns, passions and in my case, Our Community. I asked how Lehigh Acres can get the necessary funding to become a Metropolis so instead of competing with FM, Bonita, Estero, Sanibel and the like we could become part of the money making machine.
His answer was “I don’t Represent your district” and it puzzled me why he came here. I didn’t vote for him when i lived in the Cape and to me everybody is an ally and as asset so maybe he thought the same. He mirrored what Rep. Matt Caldwell said, when you’re ready, bring forward a plan for review. I didn’t mention the name and I spoke as a resident. There are State and Federal grants that are available for Economic Development.
I said the word Incorporation and the guy next to me went off on a tangent about not wanting MORE Government and “somebody telling him where he can keep his boat”. Uh, hello? There are already County ordinances and that is one strongly enforced, especially in the City of Cape Coral along with trailers being stored in a garage or behind your house out of sight, limits to the number and type of vehicles and you absolutely cannot have your trash or recycle bins seen from the street. Those are just some reasons why the Cape looks manicured and Lehigh looks trashy.
A fellow to my right said he didn’t approve of being taxed and having no voice in the Community. Then a third person said “it always comes down to taxes” and that, my friends is where we come in. People want to blame everything on Taxation and when they’re over taxed and under represented they don’t see it. Now THAT’S ironic. Need I say more?
I will continue to attend meeting that I think are pertinent to our development and to that I’d like to say that my ride Westbound on Lee Blvd from Williams Avenue To Gunnery was inundated with for sale signs and 2 sold signs. Suddenly every square inch is valuable and we aren’t getting the types of establishments this area needs. We certainly don’t need to house more people while they can only spend their tax dollars in FM. I say stop all multi unit housing developments until we’ve filled out with businesses and spending opportunities. I like Perkin’s and China Buffet. I also like BJ’s, Sam’s Club. Outback Steak House, Golden Corral, and Sun Splash. I don’t care what the BOCC thinks, I need Lowe’s and Home Depot. Up North they are no farther than 8 miles apart and where there’s one, there’s the other across the street. Our local True Value built a warehouse and thrived.
I’m concerned about what the BOCC allows in the meantime and I’ll have to Police everything. Right now let’s hold what we have while looking forward.