To The Editor:

I wrote the following letter to the Lee County commissioners after a story appeared in The Citizen in which the owner of a mechanic’s shop was forced to tear down an outside vehicle lift that had been there for years.

“You all know me from having L.A. Social Service Center in Lehigh Acres and from working on the county boards, Nuisance Abatement and Multiculture Affairs.

“As a resident of Lehigh Acres for over 36 years I am very concerned over recent events that occurred with the Code Enforcement Department of Lee County. Frog’s Auto is sub-renting a space from J&W Towing on South Loop Blvd.

“When they first opened the business they went through all the required license and code inspections and were approved for operations. That was six plus yeas ago and since that time they have been a well respected and needed auto repair business in this community.

“As a patron of their business I know you will not be taken advantage of. Many of their loyal customers are elderly or handicapped, the closeness of the business and the affordability of the service is needed.

“The owners of the Frog’s Auto wanted to attend the hearing on the code violation and went there to speak on the business but was told they could not enter as they were sub-leasing from J&W Towing.

“The fate of their business and their lives was not their concern? This is wrong! If the Lee County Code Enforcement Office is going to close every business or cause said business to close part of their services due to outdoor left service, then they better prepare for a war as there are numerous businesses in Lee County with outdoor lifts and who go to the parking lot to check the air in a elderly woman’s tires.

“Again they were given permission to have this business passed all inspections and all the said violations were there at that time. Now for whatever reason they have to shut down part of their business lay off employees and turn away customers.

“With today’s economy the way it is, and let’s not pretend all is well we need small family businesses to succeed. This country and this county was established by the small businessman who owned and operated family owned business for years.

“As our elected officials I am asking you for help! This is a real problem, the business owner was denied his right to be heard and to have a fair hearing, as he was denied the right to be there in person.

“Please I respect all of you and I know you understand the right’s of a small business please help.”

Lisa Goehle

Lehigh Acres

Editor’s Note: The Lehigh Acres Citizen did a story on the incident. The outside vehicle lift was there when Roger Barger opened up his shop six years ago. It had been used before by another mechanic’s business. He was given a permit to operate his business. Barger was told he would be fined more than $200 a day if he didn’t dismantle it by a certain date. The lift was torn down and Barger was told his mechanics can’t work outside the shop. Now Barger says he may have to lay off mechanics because of Code Enforcement requiring him to to tear down the outside lift. And the letter writer is correct inasmuch as Barger was not allowed to speak at the hearing on his own behalf.