Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Commissioner Joel Guzman has resigned his seat of the 5-member board of commissioners.

He tended his resignation to Commission Chairman Jeffrey Berndt in a brief letter dated Feb. 1.

The letter was as follows:

“With this letter I would like to inform the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District that I will be resigning effective immediately as Commisioner of Seat 3 of the aforementioned District.”

A copy was also sent to Fire Chief Don Adams. The chief said it was unexpected and did not know why Guzman had resigned.

The letter of resignation was released to the press shortly after 9 a.m. today.

Messages have been left on Guzman’s home phone answering machine for a comment, but he had not returned calls.

Berndt said the resignation announcement will be put on the agenda when the fire board meets in regular session again on Feb. 18 meeting. He will also not be at the upcoming workshop on Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park Community Center to hear a presentation of how the financially strapped district may come up with special assessments to help keep the District afloat. The Feb. 18 meeting is at 4 p.m. and is at the Veterans Park Community Center.

The four remaining fire commissioners will select someone to fill the vacated seat.

Chief Adams released the following memo to employees of the Fire District today. It included a copy of Guzman’s resignation letter.

“All Personnel,

“Blocked and copied” below is the resignation letter of Commissioner Guzman. He can always look back with pride and satisfaction for the years he has served the community of Lehigh Acres. There has been hundreds of occasions when his guidance has helped the Fire Board in making intelligent decisions for the District and its members. He will certainly be missed, and I extend him every good wish for health, happiness, and satisfaction in the years ahead.

Donald R. Adams Sr.”