Video courtesy of NBC-2.com by Ty Russell, Reporter
“Bad propaganda,” Barrett said.
The advertisements are meant to inform voters about the proposed Lehigh Acres fire assessment fee. But some believe they’re using scare tactics and bordering on the illegal.
“It’s atrocious spending of taxpayer money,” Barrett said.
“This propaganda campaign lead by Fire Chief John Wayne (Gotti) and the head of the Five Families (the LAFC&RD Commissioners) is at best mob style protection scam, and at worse it is a death threat to every resident and taxpayer in Lehigh Acres.” said Barrett
Barrett continued by stating “What is your life worth?, that statement if said by anyone other than the Teflon Chief and the Capofamiglia of the LAFC&RD they would likely be in jail.”
Barrett also there is a website with REAL facts about this at www.gettherealfactslehigh.com/realfacts
The Florida Attorney General’s Office confirms they are reviewing complaints about the advertisements. They received the first one Monday morning and are expecting more to roll in this week.
“My husband is disabled and a retired service member. We are on a fixed income,” Debra Cunningham said.
Cunningham says she can’t afford the fee. She’s also worried non-profits like the VFW will not be exempt from it – even though fire leaders say they will be.
If voters approve it in November, they’ll pay $292 a year for fire and EMS. It’s a big difference from what Barrett is paying now.
“Presently I pay $57 and change,” Barrett said.
If it fails, the fire chief says he’ll only have $8 million to work with each year. He’ll be forced to layoff half the department and that will double the response times to 14 minutes for Lee County’s largest fire district measured in square miles.
“Take care of our firefighters, take care of our community and get your hands out of our wallet,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham doesn’t want the tax dollars going to the flyers either. But fire leaders say they are legal and it’s the only way to inform voters about what’s going on before the election.
Slight amendment to the above article. Property owners will pay a flat fee, institutions (non-profits) will be charged $.52 a square foot. That would equate to approximately $1200 ANNUALLY for the VFW, and we’re a small organization. Also, if you are currently exempt from ad valorum taxes, you WILL NOT be exempt from this assessment.