Rick Anglickis

A lot of people in Lehigh Acres have decided it’s time to get the candidates for the upcoming elections to come to Lehigh and answer the tough questions from the people of Lehigh.

It’s time for Lehigh to stand up and make sure future candidates take note of the thousands of voters in Lehigh, supporters of Lehigh First say.

Now that the political season has official started, and the filing date in June has come and passed, they say it is time for Lehigh residents and business leaders to start their efforts in meeting those candidates who will be asking for Lehigh voters’ money and for Lehigh voters’ support.

That’s the word today being put out by the officers of Lehigh Acres First who are urging residents to get out and register first and then become a member of their organization.

The officers of Lehigh Acres First include Rick Anglickis, and Tonda Soisson-Lawson, co-chairmen; Jim Kreger, treasurer and Steve Hunt as program chairman.

Tonda Soisson-Lawson

“During the last election cycle, a small group of us formed a special committee. We saw our members meeting, greeting, and listening to those candidates who want our vote. We spoke to them regarding their thoughts on Lehigh, and what concerned us.

“Last year, our committee of 100 contributors pooled our funds to host several “Meet-n-Greets” and to pay for several endorsement advertisements that ran in our local papers,” said Anglickis.

Adding to the conversation was Tonda Soisson-Lawson, a co-chairman along with Anglickis: “We would intend to continue this trend this season using the same format: get-together socials before or after-hours, meeting candidates, letting them address the group, and then having them answer questions from us as we get to know them, and they get to know us as members of the Lehigh Acres business community.

“I believe candidates will seek our favor even more now than ever before since Eugen Borosch is in Heaven and we may very well be the ‘only game in town.'”

The reference made about Lehigh business leader Borosch, who died last year, concerned the many receptions he held for candidates that he brought to Lehigh, and invited several people in Lehigh to come and meet them, ask them questions and offer support if they so desired. It was Borosch who coined the phrase “Shop Lehigh First.”

Jim Kreger

So it was a natural to call this group “Lehigh Acres First.”

The group kicked off this year’s efforts by hosting a “Meet-n-Greet at the Mirror Lakes Golf Course for Curt Clawson, one of the Republican candidates in the recent special congressional primary.

“We had never met him before so we thought why not. So more than 60 people turned out, ate hot dogs, had beer and soda and listened to him and grilled him for nearly 45 minutes. He surprisingly won the primary against people our group had endorsed in the past, and recently won handily the special election to fill former Rep. Trey Radel’s vacated seat in Congress. So I guess Lehigh Acres First is off to a good start,” Anglickis said.

But the group wants everyone in Lehigh who is interested in their government and how it operates and affects lawmakers’ decisions affecting Lehigh Acres to become a meaningful role in this year’s elections.

As group members claim, it is not a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Tea Party organization.

“We are individuals concerned about our community and who will represent us and as a committee member you will be invited to all of our socials and are entitled to vote on any endorsements that Lehigh Acres First would make.

Plans are underway by Steve Hunt for get-togethers for candidates running in the upcoming election.

“Together with one voice, we can make a huge difference. We will begin our process of meeting candidates. Remember, our effort is not to raise funds for these candidates at this time, but simply to meet them, get to know them, and to introduce them to the major players in Lehigh Acres and that is the residents, the citizens and leaders of Lehigh Acres,” Hunt said.

Jim Kreger is the new treasurer of the group. He is equally as excited about the group.

Anglickis noted that in Fort Myers, business leaders have influenced politicians through their participation in an organization known as Business People United for Political Action (BUPAC). During the political season they meet for breakfast, invite candidates to speak, asking questions and determining which candidates will best serve the community.

“They invite the media, often vote on candidates to support and present them with their ‘”official BUPAC’ endorsements and sometimes a check of support. They get a great deal of news coverage, but more importantly, they get the attention and the ear of the politicians that represent them.

“The time has come for the business community and the leaders and voters of Lehigh Acres to form our own political stick,” both Anglickis and Soisson-Lawson said in agreement.

To put it all in a nutshell, Lehigh First will be a nonpartisan group of Lehigh Acres citizens established to find and assist those individuals who are willing to pledge their support to citizens in this community and who have the best interests of those who call Lehigh home.

Lehigh Acres First will seek out qualified candidates who run for public office. The group may grant support financially and endorse those candidates. The group may also participate in and facilitate discussions of public issues affecting Lehigh Acres citizens, offering assistance by endorsement or through financial support.

The group has formed a “527 federally charted committee,” registering it as “Lehigh Acres First.” The law was created primarily to allow such organizations to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state, or local public office. They also may do the same regarding public issues affecting the citizens of Lehigh.

The officers are urging locals to become members of Lehigh Acres First. One way is through the Committee of 100 with an annual $100 political season contribution for 2014.

There is also another way. To become a sustaining member, a $25 annual political season contribution for 2014 is all that is needed. That includes all privileges except for endorsement voting membership.

You are encouraged to send your name, address, office, home, and cell phone numbers, including your email address and checks made out to Lehigh Acres First to PO Box 111, Lehigh Acres, FL 33970-0111. For more information, you can call 239-369-2113. The organization’s mailing address is: Lehigh Acres First, PO Box 111, Lehigh Acres, FL 33970.

“United and working together, we as Lehigh Acres voters can make things happen for the betterment of Lehigh. We can make a real difference,” Anglickis said.