Written by A Barrett, Lehigh Acres Gazette Staff Writer
During the latest Lehigh Acres Fire Board meeting hold at Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District Station 104. Board members seemingly mocked and ignored seniors who attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the rise in their rents at Presbyterian Homes due to the fire assessment tax.
As the meeting began one resident Harold “Skip” Graves spoke up asking the board Chairperson Cathy Kruse to speak loader as many of the seniors attending the meeting could not hear them. Kruse replied “I will try to speak louder” and continued saying “it is what it is” speaking to the lack of the board’s ability to use the microphones over the speaking within the building one can only assume.
During the time the public was allowed to speak on the assessment tax matter, Commissioner Matt Smith was observed reading papers and rolling his eyes as seniors spoke. Commissioner David Adams was heard mumbling to himself “Get over it” & “Speak English” amongst other comments that where inaudible.
As resident after resident spoke their concerns to the board, Chairperson Cathy Kruse did her best to show general concern at the plight of the residents, though many residents felt she did so in a condescending matter.
After the residents spoke their peace and departed the meeting, the meeting continued its planned agenda.
As President of Presbyterian Homes and Housing of Florida 19 facilities in Central and Southwest Florida, I would like to thank the Lehigh Acres Gazette for trying to let the public know that your fire and rescue district is trying to extract (Assessment or Tax) $25.00 each month from the 485 residents of the Lehigh Acres Presbyterian Homes. They are all seniors with limited income, mainly social security, and a TOTAL ASSET value of under $34,000.00. This is like getting blood from the stone. Many choose between prescriptions and food on a monthly basis. Yes we do need a lot of attention from the rescue district due to the age of the residents, but the “tax” they are required to pay is for equipment and not the excellent caregivers of the rescue district. Only get some assistance from the Federal government and none from the Presbyterian Church. It is self-sustaining and controlled facility by the Federal Department Of Housing and Urban Development. Please let your Fire and Rescue Commissioners know of your thoughts.
Mr. Wilson – if there is no help from the Presbyterian church, why is it considered tax exempt? I’m confused. I always thought that a church owned or affiliated property that was tax exempt would certainly be there for their people. Maybe the self-sustaining paid administrators could take a reduction in pay and help relieve some of the burden of the residents and not pass 100% of their burden on to the rest of Lehigh Acres residents. Just a thought.