William "Oscar" Gamble

As of Monday, three candidates have signed up to become Lehigh Acres’ next honorary mayor.

The three are the incumbent honorary mayor, Marylou Land, Dr. Alaa Dr. El-Gendy, a pulmonologist specializing in sleep disorders, and William “Oscar” Gamble, a physical therapist and director of rehab services and The Wound Care Institute at Lehigh Regional Medical Center. Land is employed by Majestic Golf Club as an events coordinator.

“Our Honorary Mayor Contest is heating up. We have three candidates and the winner will be announced at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 26 at the Lehigh Spring Festival at Veterans Park.

Each of the candidates is asking for contributions and may be planning events like car shows, or other activities to raise money which will help Lehigh Community Services.

“These are wonderful candidates and have a true heart for Lehigh Community Services,” said Rae Nicely, the agency’s executive director.

For three decades, Lehigh Acres has had an honorary mayor to represent the community at events such as ribbon cutting ceremonies, ground breaking ceremonies and other occasions. The person who collects the most money becomes the honorary mayor and the person raising the second highest amount of money becomes the honorary deputy mayor while the third highest fundraiser becomes the honorary city clerk.

All monies that are collected are kept secret and Nicely doesn’t even know who the winner is until it is announced by the treasurer who keeps records of money turned in by the candidates.

“It’s like people buying votes for the mayor,” Nicely laughed. “It’s a fun thing and is a good fundraiser for Lehigh Community Services.”

The demand to help people is greater now than ever before because of the recession. There is high unemployment in Lehigh and Nicely’s agency helps people with financial needs and with food.

Over the years, the honorary mayor contest has raised as much as $5,000 or more.

Nicely noted that the person running for honorary mayor has to apply and pay a small entry fee. They also have to list who they wish the money to go for. Lehigh Community Services gets at least half of the proceeds while other groups may receive the other parts of funds collected.

Some years, all the money raised by a candidate is given to Lehigh Community Services.

In the past, there have been dinners, raffles, golf tournaments and other activities to raise money to win the title.

Incumbent Honorary Mayor Marylou Land said a car show last year raised a lot of money to help her win the title.

“I’ve enjoyed being the honorary mayor and that’s why I am trying to keep the title,” she said.

Land is known throughout Lehigh for her large collection of hats that she wears at public functions.

It’s still not too late to apply for an application to become honorary mayor, but time is running out before the Spring Festival which is held at the end of next month.

In years past, the winner of the honorary mayor title was announced on the first night of the festival. But a few years back, that was changed to give the candidates an opportunity to raise money during the festival, often by selling raffle tickets or just walking the festival grounds at Veterans Park and asking for money and explaining how it helps the community.

Lehigh Acres Community Services is located at 9 Beth Stacey Blvd. in Lehigh. The agency is part of Team Rescue and Nicely said her agency can refer those who need help to other groups. Food drives are held throughout the year for Lehigh Community Services and Nicely also plans fundraising events to raise money such as the Celebrity Waiter and Waitress Banquet which also raises a sizeable sum of money for the agency. Lehigh Community Services has a board of directors which oversees the activities of the agency.

“If you want to run for honorary mayor, don’t waste any more time. Call us for an application and start your fundraising events,” Nicely said.