Editor’s Note: The following letter from Rep. Paige Kreegel is addressed to the people of Lehigh Acres. He touches on the issues of the East County Water Control District whose board is contemplating borrowing millions of dollar for expansion of its office facilities and other projects. Kreegel makes it clear that the people have a right to take this issue to referendum before any borrowing can occur. The ECWCD meets this Monday night at its office on E. Construction Lane off of Lee Blvd. One of the main topics of the night will be whether to borrow millions of dollars and the possibility of beginning negotiations with owners of certain buildings in Lehigh. A large crowd is expected calling themselves the Tea Bag Express, who will there to express their opinions against borrowing the money and having taxes risen on the people of Lehigh. They are expected to arrive at the meeting on a tour bus owned by Steve Baker. The following is the letter presented to The Citizen this weekend:

Having A Say In Your Future

By Rep. Paige Kreegel

It has been my privilege to represent Lehigh Acres in the Florida House of Representatives for six years as your state representative. During this time Lehigh Acres has experienced both the challenges of growth and the challenges of a deep recession. Throughout Florida and our country, communities such as Lehigh Acres are experiencing severe distress.

Over these years we in the Legislature have strived to make government and its services work effectively for you.

Yet even today, many levels of government still haven’t gotten the message that “the well is dry” and the tax paying citizens are having trouble keeping their jobs, their homes and putting food on the table for their children. If any wisdom has come from these troubling times, it is the knowledge that government must be held accountable for every penny it spends.

East County Water Control District is now looking at further indebting the people of Lehigh Acres with a $7.5 million bond issue, payable over 30 years, that will ultimately cost more than $15 million. Many feel that this burden on the taxpayers is premature and reckless at this time. District management and some commissioners of the District are supporting a multi-million dollar works project along with the purchase of a $1 million headquarters.

Why now? Why capital improvements when thousands of taxpayers in Lehigh are loosing their homes?

Now, in the midst of the worst recession since the 1930s the authorities of the district want to place a huge burden on the taxpayers. The Doomsday scenarios from the District are unconvincing. In addition it is interesting that while so many levels of government in Florida were cutting budgets and making sacrifices, the East County Water Control District actually raised taxes by 17% for this current fiscal year.

The people need to be heard. Governing bodies must consider the dire circumstances so many in Lehigh Acres and in the East County Water Control District Service Area face in this deep recession. The Florida Legislature has some oversight on East County Water Control District.

In 2008, I along with the rest of the Lee County Legislative Delegation withdrew a bill (HB 1425) from further consideration, that would have allowed for the vast expansion of powers for East County Water Control District.

This action was done because our requirement for a REFERENDUM by the people serviced by the East County Water Control District had not been met.

In keeping with Florida’s long tradition on going to the people before expansion of government authority and for big ticket spending programs, the District should let the taxpayers of the District to be allowed to vote in REFERENDUM regarding the spending of $7.5 million, as it will ultimately cost the taxpayers over $15 millions payable over 30 years. This REFERENDUM should be held in the November 2010 General Election.

Beyond the present issue regarding this spending program, there needs to be a thorough examination on how much the District borrows from banks and federal and state loan programs. Out of respect for the taxpayers of the District, the Florida Legislature stands ready to provide the guidance that is in the best interest of the people of Lehigh Acres and the District.

Remember, the money that funds the District is your money, and the bank loans and bond issues put the community in debt for years to come. You deserve say on how your money is being spent. You deserve a say in your future.

Kreegel is a member of the Florida House of Representatives, District 72, and represents much of Lehigh Acres.