MELISSA BILL President Rick Anglickis talks about the various committees.

Details about a new group that has been formed to look into the feasibility of incorporation were presented at last week’s monthly meeting of the Lehigh Acres Community Council.

At the July 17 meeting, President Rick Anglickis explained that Incorporate Lehigh Inc. is the new name of the organization formed to head up the local incorporation efforts. The corporation has been approved by the state and is waiting on its EIN – or Employer Identification Number – he added.

Incorporate Lehigh also recently held its first official meeting.

According to Anglickis, the council can now assume a more supportive role in the process with a dedicated group in place. Members of several committees will conduct studies as part of the efforts.

“From here on out, Joan Cunningham will meet with each committee chair and then report to the community council on the progress of each committee and where things stand,” he said.

MELISSA BILL A group of citizens attend the July 17 meeting of the Lehigh Acres Community Council to ask questions about incorporation.

The elected officers are: Joan Cunningham, president; Damon Shelor, vice president; Bob Saul, treasurer; Diane Turrill, secretary; Mohamed Yasin, director; and Rick Anglickis, director.

During the meeting, residents were on hand to ask questions and voice their opinions about the possibility of incorporation. Some of the main concerns were potential tax increases and if the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will continue to serve Lehigh or if it will be a city police department.

“We are encouraging citizens who have concerns to join the various committees and learn first-hand about areas of interest, such as taxes,” Anglickis said.

According to officials, the board for Incorporate Lehigh met on July 11. Names for the committees were established at the meeting, with the following individuals named as chairs to a few of them:

– Feasibility Study: Rick Anglickis

– Boundary Study: Damon Shelor

– Community Outreach: Joan Cunningham

– Political Campaign: Steve Hunt, at no cost

Bob Saul was named a committee member, according to officials.

The council is still looking for people to chair the following committees:

– Special Taxing District

– City Services

– LA-MSID

– Fundraising Committee

Those interested can contact Cunningham at 239-938-4900.

Also at the council meeting, Secretary Diane Turrill announced that the first fundraiser to benefit the incorporation efforts will be held on Aug. 19 at 5 p.m. at Lehigh Bowland, at 1244 Business Way.

She explained that the event is a bowling tournament.

“The cost is $20 per person,” Turrill said. “Our goal is to raise about $2,000 to pay for the feasibility study.”

Other topics discussed at the meeting included the upcoming elections for council members in September, as well as an increase in funding for the local Community Safety Program. According to officials, the program has already paid for the installation of numerous street lights in Lehigh.

“This additional money allows us to provide street lighting to other areas that really need it,” Yasin, vice president of the council, said.

The next council meeting is Aug. 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office East District substation, at 1301 Homestead Road N.

For more on the incorporation efforts, visit online at: www.lehighacrescommunitycouncil.com/.