To the editor:

I am writing on behalf of the 243 residents of The Pinewood Condominiums in Lehigh Acres. This is an over 55 community. The units are small (800 sq. ft.) and a majority of our residents live on a fixed income.

We are not opposed to the Lehigh Acres Fire Department being granted an assessment in order to operate effectively. We are deeply disturbed by the methodology used to determine this assessment.

Property taxes have traditionally been done based on property values and square footage. The method used for this assessment was to simply apply an across the board tax of $292 to everyone. Since our condos are adjoining, there is no way a firefighter could fight half a fire. If one of our units were in flames, they would use the same amount of water, manpower, etc. as with any other home, but you are charging us double.

Senior citizens, many of them who will be under hardship conditions to pay this, will suffer due to this unfair distribution of assessment. It is simply not fair, not just, and not a good way to make up your shortfall.

Marie Murray

President

Board of Directors

Pinewood Condo Association