To The Editor:

As a Lehigh resident, I am very happy to see a candidate running for the East County Water Control District that will finally give the citizens of Lehigh a voice on this little known taxing entity board.

That candidate is Mike Bonacolta. For the citizens of Lehigh who are unfamiliar with Mike, let me give a brief introduction. Mike is a lifelong resident of this community. Mike’s parents moved here when Mike was four years old. Mike grew up here, went to public schools here and currently attending Florida Gulf Coast University.

Mike has been very active in this community and his overarching concern is the future of Lehigh. Foremost among his concerns, is how our hard earned tax dollars are being spent by little know governmental taxing entities – especially the East Water Control District.

We need Mike on this board as the community “watchdog.” For too long, the current board has been riddled with conflict of interests and a conspicuous absence of any semblance of competitive bidding. Contracts are often times awarded based on familiarity rather than professional competence and competitive pricing.

Mike will work to institute a competitive contract bidding process, thereby maximizing the use of our tax dollars.

The current board structure also is replete with conflict of interest among its members. I am reminded of an instance in which a prominent board member would be compensated for appraising a piece of property the same board had intended to purchase for expansion of the district services.

Such blatant internal conflicts only makes a mockery of our tax dollars. Mike will work to eliminate these types of shenanigans.

Please vote for Mike on Nov.2. He will be our watchdog.

Norm Scott

Lehigh Acres