by A. Barrett (staff writer)
The local wannabe politician Richard Farsi who was attempting to run for the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services District (LAMSD) board has dropped out of the race, do to because of his wife’s illness, according to his statement to the State Elections Office of Sept 29, 2016.
An illness that he and his wife know about before the election cycle even started. Now that is all well and good, as Farsi has ties to a few of the less reputable personalities in Lehigh Acres.
After speaking to the Lee County Elections Office (LCEO) we now know that Farsi cost Lee County Taxpayers $18,006.00 USD to withdraw from the race at this late date.
You may ask why it cost so much, so I will break it down for you. (the following is the cost as reported by LCEO)
Cost of postcard (printing/addressing): $6,600.00 USD
Estimated postage: $11,400.00 USD
25 signs x 10 Early Voting Sites: $2.50 USD
25 signs x 14 Election Day Precincts: $3.50 USD
Total Approximate Cost: $18,006.00
Special Statement from LECO: The initial mass-mail of vote-by-mail ballots has now occurred, therefore, future vote-by-mail ballot requests for LAMSD must include a notice of withdrawal in the vote-by-mail ballot package. This is a moving-target. We do not know how many more voters in LAMSD will request a vote-by-mail ballot and cannot estimate that cost.
Once the initial mass-mail of vote-by-mail ballots has occurred, in accordance with Florida Division of Election guidelines, we are not required to mail a notice to each voter in any district or geographical jurisdiction. However, we must include a notice in any vote-by-mail package request following a candidate’s withdrawal. Again, this is a moving-target and we are unable to estimate the cost until after the election.
Could Farsi be charged with Grand Larceny, Making False Statements to the State Election Board or Election Rigging? It is very unlikely. Farsi knew that he would be unable to complete his run for the LAMSD board, yet he still signed up for it. Are those the actions of an honest person? I think not.
Also will Farsi’s wife be withdrawing from the election also? If he feels her health is so poor that he withdraw, then why not her and how much more will that cost the taxpayers of Lee County?
Farsi’s Farce has cost every taxpayer money and voter hope in a fair election, and there is nothing we can do about it or is there?
____________UPDATE______________
by A. Barrett (staff writer)
We at the Lehigh Acres Gazette have learned that the Lee County Elections Office was $180,000 USD over budget for this year before Farsi’s Farce. LCEO will now have to ask the Lee County Commissioners to help cover the balance of the cost.
His wife had a legitimate medical crisis and the arrogant ignorance and snooty overtone of this article is infuriating.
Then WHY is she still in the race for the Fire Board?