Ralph Hemingway announced he will not seek reelection as a member of the Lehigh Acres Fire Board. Photo by MEL TOADVINE

Lehigh Acres Fire Chief Don Adams and members of the board of commissioners are looking forward to the next meeting to be held May 19 to hear if the department will receive any money from the SAFER Grant. Adams said the news looked promising and that a decision will be given in mid May as to which fire companies may receive SAFER money. What the fire department may get is not known, but it could mean enough money to bring back some firefighters who were laid off last August.

But if the department does that, they have to keep the employees on for two years. The SAFER grant comes with strings.

The chief and the board have taken steps to save money during a time of financial stress on the department because of the lack of revenue from ad valorem taxes.

Commissioner Ralph Hemingway announced during the meeting that he was not going to seek another term, ending 10 years of service under two different sessions.

“I can’t take it any more. I do feel that 10 years is enough. It’s time for some new ones to come in and help out,” Hemingway said. He has been been met with obstacles while on the board with the one being that he thought property owners would pay an extra $100 special assessment fee on their tax bill to alleviate the financial problems the department is facing, but his idea went nowhere with the other members of the board. But Hemingway said he would continue to fight for the people until the end of his term.

Fire Chief makes presentation: Michael Pcolar, left, is presented a plaque from Lehigh Fire Chief Don Adams during last week’s monthly fire board meeting. The plaque reads: In recognition of your many years of distinguished and loyal service to Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District - from the community we serve, April 21, 2010. The presentation was made to to Pcolar at the beginning of the meeting. Pcolar has retired. Photo by Mel Toadvine

With Hemingway not running for a board seat, there will be three seats to fill. Joel Guzman resigned from the board a few months ago. So in November, voters will have to fill two seats. The third is occupied by Julia Barrett who is believed not to have made a decision about running for reelection. The other two incumbents not up for election this year are David Adams and Board Chairman Jeff Berndt. Voters will fill Seats 2, 3 and five.

The board and the chief and his staff spent an hour updating a operational manual and it will come back in May for a final vote.

Richard Pringle, the board’s attorney, told the board that a resolution had to be passed regarding a request for the election to be put on the ballot. He reminded anyone who wants to run that they have to qualify by noon on June 18 for the Nov. 2, 2010 election.

Also during the meeting, Terry Dettmar said he was representing Union President Walt Stevens of Local 1826 by suggesting that the department put the third ambulance back in service. The chief had cut one ambulance, closed the Milwaukee station and put two people on a fire truck and two in an ambulance, but has continued to insist that three are needed on an engine.

“We’re doing fine with two people on an engine. We have always been able to do it. Two on an ambulance … add the third ambulance, that’s all I have to say,” he said.

Also during the meeting, Commissioner David Adams asked four men in the audience why they needed financial incentives to retire from the department, which has been an ongoing discussion at meetings.

“If you want to retire, why don’t you just go ahead and retire?” he asked. Why must you have incentives to retire?”