To The Editor:

In last week’s Lehigh Acres Citizen, Frank Lohlein the self appointed, self anointed leader of CAIT was again attacking the East County Water Control District Board of Commissioners for a possible purchase of a new administrative headquarters, constriction of much needed infrastructure projects, and the rebuilding of the maintenance facility.

For the past three and half years the district board of commissioners has been working toward a resolution in regards to an administrative office, infrastructure projects and the maintenance facility.

More than a decade ago the district had to abandon its administrative offices because of health related issues caused by a mold infestation.

For several years the district leased office space and held meetings throughout the community until a permanent solution could be approved.

For close to a decade the district has since resided in two double wide trailers. These structures were to be a temporary replacement until a new office complex was secured. Unfortunately the temporary has become a permanent fixture of the district. ?In early 2007 I was appointed by the board to review the current and future needs of the district in regards to accommodating the district’s staff administrative and field employees.

A board of citizens was selected and after several months of fact finding, the committee reported its findings. The committee was made up of builders, engineers, and lay leaders from the community. ?The view of the committee after review over 10 different sites recommended that the district build at its present location.

Within a year of that recommendation the economy stalled and the board chose to expand the scope to look at fixed buildings rather than build to save money.?

With prices declining the board felt it was an opportune time to buy rather than build thus saving the district raters hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

It was brought to the district’s attention that less than two miles away near the community ball fields the I & E Building on Williams was for sale.

The building which was built in 2006 and meets hurricane standards was for sale. The district has negotiated a selling price of $750,000 down from the original asking price of close to $1,000,000.

At the August 30 special board meeting the district voted to move forward once again in drafting language for approval to lease then purchase the I & E building. Once the documents are signed the district will move out its current offices to make room for the cite work that must take place before the building of the maintenance facility.

While Mr. Lohelin looks to the November election for change, I look to the future of the district with each vote I make. My focus as it has always been is what is best for the district and the citizens who reside in it.? Over the last decade the district has rebuilt close to 70 water control structures but with the infrastructure built 40 years ago more will be failing. The district has an aggressive monitoring, and rebuilding program in place.

As with anything that was built 40 years ago the district is showing its age. The district’s office, maintenance facility and water control structure is part of the district 20-year plan to rebuild the district. ?So while others criticize from afar, I will be at each meeting voting to rebuild the district one project at a time.? Commissioner Desmond Barrett

East County Water Control District Board of Commissioners

Lehigh Acres