With less than 90 days before the Nov. 4 election the Lehigh Acres Fire Commissioners have asked Chief John Wayne to hire a local PR / Marketing firm to help the department get information out to the public about the proposed fire assessment fee which will be on the ballot. And use your tax money to fund it.
Some of that misinformation, Wayne said, is about which properties in Lehigh Acres would be exempt if the assessment fee passes.
The boards’ attorney refuses to close the door and end this discussion on exemptions for churches why?
Richard Pringle, the board’s attorney, said the board under the law could discuss future exemptions, but could not pass any types of resolutions saying what they would be, not until the measure has passed in November.
Chief John Wayne last week said the department has applied for a third Safer grand from FEMA and he had received word that the application had been accepted. Wayne said he hoped the department would receive a third Safer grant or layoffs of firefighters would occur.
The next meeting is August 26 at 5 p.m. at the fire station on 16th St. and Sunshine Blvd.
Hello:
Where the $25,000 mount come from? Do not see it referenced or attributed in the story.
Coming from reserves, they have already spent over $54,000 on consultants and attorney’s on the tax assessment — that real tax payer dollars
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
Where did you get these numbers from? I am only asking because your articles seem to be lacking basic investigative journalism. Is it wrong to hire a consulting firm? They would not be in business if they did not perform a valuable service.
Where did you get these numbers from? FIRE BOARD MEETING AND THE RECORD MINUTES
Is it wrong to hire a consulting firm? NO BUT IT COULD MORALLY AND ETHICALLY WRONG TO USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO HARM TAXPAYERS.
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
Harm taxpayers? Isn’t this helping taxpayers? Providing an excellent level of service that Lehigh Acres Fire Department provides. Closing two stations and turning over ambulance service to Lee County is going to harm the taxpayers. And it may kill some too. The fire department is in the business of saving lives and property and in that business seconds count. The fire department has long response times with 3 ambulances. Lee county said they could provide 1.5. That is going to harm taxpayers. 3 fire engines with the amount of fires that are in Lehigh Acres? That is going to harm the taxpayers. The brain starts to die 6 minutes without oxygen. How long do you want to wait for an ambulance when you have your heart attack?
The problem is, over the last 5-6 years the property values have decreased so the taxable value and tax revenue has also decreased. Let me give you an example of a typical property in Lehigh acres. 3112 19th Street W
Lehigh Acres, FL. 33971
I got this info right off of the tax collectors website and I gave you the address so you can verify my facts. Anyways, this property had a taxable value of $181860 in 2007 and paid $3,243 in taxes. 2008 was $125,310 and paid $2,557, 2009 was $70,860 and paid $1,449, 2010 was $48,774 and paid $1,095. Last year, 2013 this property paid $952 in taxes. That is why the fire department is having trouble. The sacrifices that these men and women make to save you and protect your property day and night, weekends, and holidays. Giving up time with their own families to protect you. And you cry over a $200 assessment? The property owner in the above example is saving over $2,000 in taxes after the assessment is applied. I think this is a small price to pay for the level of service and dedication that these people provide.
The poor and middle class in Lehigh Acres will pay the bulk of the increase is this fair and equitable?
Will the churches and not for profits have to pay also ….. there is “No legal” document exempting them.
Closing two stations and turning over ambulance service to Lee County is the boards choice—- this does not have to happen but the board refuses to listen to the people in Lehigh Acres.
Lee county said they could provide 1.5. which is a wrong number it was 2 24/7 and one 12 hours which was the quote five years ago.
Quote “We are aware of the assessment for Lehigh Fire that is going on the Nov. 4 ballot. We are working to develop a plan, should that ballot measure fail. The county will work with Lehigh Acres Fire and Rescue to ensure there is continuous EMS coverage for the residence of Lehigh Acres. Lee County is responsible to ensure EMS coverage is provided throughout the county.” said Scott Tuttle, Deputy Director Public Safety and EMS Chief for Lee County EMS
Please note per Lee County policy EMS have to meet standard call times period if Lee EMS takes over most likely they will have to place units in Lehigh Acres to meet those call times.
Maybe you need to read this article http://thelehighacresgazette.com/news/breakdown-of-the-calls-from-each-fire-station-in-lehigh-acres about call numbers each station
Simple fact fire department is in trouble because the current and former boards will not listen to the people of Lehigh Acres. Board know that the downfall was coming and did not react appropriately instead they added more men and more officers.
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
I would like to find out where the tax savings of $2000 comes from.Assessments are not tax deductible.
What tax savings?
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
The one Mr Jones stated in his comment
When did the fire commission apply for the third safer grant? I was on the FEMA web site and they haven’t announced a new SAFER grant available. Your article references a statement that the attorney, Richard Pringle, said, the board under the law could discuss… However, it is not in quotations and doesn’t really make a lot of sense. So, did the attorney actually say it, or is the author of this article paraphrasing? Could you please elaborate on this because it is very hard to understand as it is written?
Chief Wayne did announce that the third Safer grant was applied for. And for Pringles comments call the department and listen to the recorded meeting minutes.
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
With all do respect sir, I believe Chief Wayne said, the department filed for an extension of the SAFER grant. This is so the department can use the left over funds beyond the time limit of the current SAFER grant. This would post pone layoffs and extend the “CURRENT” SAFER grant through March sometime. That is a HUGE difference in the facts you reported in your article.
As for what the attorney said, you tell me to call the department and listen to the minutes. Well if that is your response, why would i need to read your rag? As a reporter sir, you should try to keep your emotions out of the story and only report the facts. If you can’t get the facts correct you should respectfully, Shut Down!!”
I have been a resident of Lehigh Acres for over 15 years and enjoy the service our Fire Department provides. I understand these are very lean times and i think the Fire administration is doing the best job possible. You should get all the facts and report on them as facts. When you try to twist a story to cater to your personal agenda it leaves you looking ignorant.
Yes the second SAFER grant is a “continuation” not an extension due to funds left in the account. But it does expire on March 30, 2015. Layoffs will happen on April 1, 2015 even if the assessment is passed.
FACTS are the facts and emotions are emotions and this fire assessment a very emotional for more then 91.08% of the residential property and their owners because if this assessment passes the poor and middle class in Lehigh Acres will pay the bulk of the increase.
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
I have another question. Did you get permission from John Hart Gazette to use their stock photo you used in this article? http://www.johnhartrealestate.com/blog/2012/11/colony-capital-reaches-deep-into-their-pockets/ It may be copy written. You didn’t steal it did you?
The Lehigh Acres Gazette owns over 250,000 “stock” photos just because another website uses the so called photo does not mean other site actually owns the photo, they may own the use of the photo.
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
Dear Editor,
Last night i left some comments and questions on this article and expected them to be answered this morning. However, I find that my questions have been removed. Are they to hard for you to answer? I was only asking questions about the article that YOU wrote. What happened?
Thanks. Frank
No one removed your questions. All comments most by approved on the Lehigh Acres Gazette though our Web Team.
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
Looks like we have a Fire Commissioner Board that do not care about the residents of Lehigh. Need the board be reminded that the residents “elected them” and they should listen It seems like some of the Commissioners forget that the Fire Department Employees has been hired by the residents.
So far, it is apparent that the fire Commissioners are being run by the Employees of the District.