Written by Debbie Cunningham a resident, taxpayer, veteran and voter
I want you to really look at the Flag in this picture, and try to figure out where it was last seen flying. Are you thinking Iraq, Afghanistan, or some other battlefield? Try Lehigh Acres Fire Station #104. Yes, I said Lehigh Acres Fire Station #104. And this flag was left flying for almost a month.
While the members of our Fire Board were spending $25,000 for a PR Agency to push their agenda on the “Special Assessment”, they couldn’t be bothered to replace that flag. It took an ordinary citizen, me, to get it done. The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4174 spent $35.00 of their money to replace the flag.
That $35.00 would have bought $210.00 worth of food for Lehigh Acres hungry from the Harry Chapin Food Bank; or some extra socks and other clothing for less fortunate children in Lehigh Elementary School. Might have even been enough to put gas in a parent’s car so that they could go look for work they desperately need. Mysteriously, the Administration found a way to replace it first on September 11, 2014. And the Firefighters thought it was the flag we told them that we were bringing. We went ahead and presented the flag to B shift of Fire Station #104, which they gratefully accepted. And unlike the administration, we recovered the damaged flag so that we can properly dispose of it. And it’s not the first time. Lehigh Acres Fire Station #102 on Homestead Road had their flag replaced last year by the members of VFW Post 4174. That’s right, the VFW. We paid for the flag and donated it to the Fire Station because we were told there was no money in the budget for a new flag. Really? Couldn’t afford $35.00 for a new flag, but the board can afford $25,000 for a PR Group?
And now you, the Fire Board, want to place this “Special Assessment” on not only the struggling homeowners of Lehigh Acres, but the non-profit organizations as well. The Fire District is “For Profit” business, but continues to cry about having no money.
We support this community freely and don’t ask for anything. We collect food for the food banks and homeless in Lehigh Acres. We promote scholarship programs for the children in Lehigh Acres so that they may have a better future; we are here when anyone, not just the veteran, but anyone in Lehigh Acres, needs a helping hand. But we can’t afford your “Special Assessment”. And since you have the money to hire a PR group to spread your propaganda, maybe next time one of the non-profits need to raise money for a much needed repair to their building, or to purchase extra food for the hungry, you can step up.
Every penny that a non-profit collects goes right back to the community. It doesn’t go into any else’s pocket. Most of the non-profits are struggling just to keep the doors open and maintain the ability to help our community. Maybe $.52 per square foot doesn’t sound like a whole lot of money to you, but even our small VFW building, would be charged over $1000.00 YEARLY for the Fire Board to continue their spend thrift ways. Can you imagine how much we could accomplish for the community with that $1000.00?
Perhaps the concerned citizens of Lehigh Acres need to look at the qualifications of all the board members in November. Especially since none of them have ever run a business, let alone answer a life threatening call on a fire truck or an ambulance. And instead of taking Firefighters off the job, you could trim you administrative staff. Perhaps hiring Fire Fighters from within the community would be beneficial. Maybe the Board should leave their gilded tower and get out there and see the REAL Lehigh Acres.
Hope this reaches you. My 9year old son Bo James wants to host a BBQ ( hot dogs, chips and drinks ) for some homeless in a park on October 18th. Could you please give me maybe a place were we could go and do this. He is collecting funds now. My number is 239-565-3223 thank you so much. And if ever a flag needs to be purchased we would love to help out. I also volunteer at New Life Food Bank where we attend church. God Bless you!
Damn straight, government bureaucracy is rampant and self-serving, this just proves it. I would be VERY interested to know if any of the Board members have friends or relatives working for that PR group too, as the back-scratching is sickening. Happens WAY too often, and data about such things is scarce and loosely gathered, if gathered at all. Problems are #1, people don’t get out there and vote, and #2, have no clue about the true differences in candidates. Easily accessible information solutions are desperately needed for all realms of politics and government. But the entrenched interests will never supply or encourage solutions, they would lose profit. So how can the public respond and do what they need to do besides vote? Voting is not enough.
nathan u make a comment on this blog and yet i dont think u have been to any meeting either like the rest of lehigh…
Before you open your moth and say something you should get the facts . The fire department would have no problem replacing the tattered flag had it been brought to their attention . also not all not for profit moneys go to what it needs to go to many not for profits have overhead expenses you have no idea about and further more many of your fire commissioners’ have more experience and education than you even know some have ,FEMA , and have been Firefighter’s as well as paramedic’s and hasmat and arson experience so I suggest you STOP RUNNING YOUR MOUTH BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. DID YOU ask what the commissioners ‘qualifications are. I know for a fact that one commissioner has over 100 hours of additional training on emergency management. and disaster prepared ness what do you have ZIP nothing so do not talk unless you have the facts because YOU DO NOT KNOW I am sick and tired of the blant lies I see on the page every day
So this is how you attack a honorably discharged 28 year Army Veteran. You should be ashamed of yourself R Avery!!!
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team
Mr. Avery, I am very much aware of overhead expenses that non profits incur. I also know that the Fir Department was not to blame for the flag not replaced in a timely manner. They did their part. It’s the administration I have a problem with. You said 1 commissioner had received over 1000 hours of training, but there are 5 commissioners on the board. As far as my own training, I think 28 years in the Army speaks for itself, because I was not an office person. I am trained as a combat medic, a rifleman, and a few other things. May I suggest, that if you are upset, that you run for a seat on the Fire Board. They could obviously use your insight.
I guess the fire dept.never looks at the flag…sad. I had to call them a few years back about the same problem
Apparently the District Fire Adm are too busy running around advertising SCARE TACTICS to voters instead of paying attention to any flag. Perhaps they will pay attention to this.
They have allegedly violated US Federal Law Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq)which states(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. reference http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8
Debbie Cunningham…………..I look forward to meeting you some day to thank you for your service to our great nation. Disrespect to our flag is disrespect too all of our military men and woman jeopardizing their lives so the common citizen may live and work in a safe and secure nation. If elected in November, I shall attempt to bring back dignity and fiscal responsibility back to the Fire Board.
Political message paid for and approved by Matt Smith, for Lehigh Acres Fire & Rescue FIRE COMMISSION/SEAT 5
Exactly how MANY
( if any)
of the employees of the Lehigh Acres Fire and Emergency Departments actually will be paying this “SPECIAL ASSESSMENT”?????????
M.DAIGLER
23 out of 120 employees will subject to the Special assessment 97 live outside the fire district
Lehigh Acres Gazette Web Team