On Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Lee County Board of Commissioners honored Commissioner Michael Welch, Lehigh Municipal District, for leadership and service to the Lehigh Acres/Eastern Lee County Community during the Irma crisis. PHOTO PROVIDED

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has honored Lehigh Municipal District Commissioner Michael Welch for his leadership and service to the community during Hurricane Irma.

On Sept. 7, 2017, Welch called a joint emergency meeting with the Lee County board and county employees in an effort to execute the district’s plan for hurricane preparedness and recovery. This meeting ultimately led to the formation of a plan that met the community’s infrastructure and human necessities need during the crisis.

Welch, as chairman of the Board, and his colleagues led the Lehigh Acres Municipal District and the community through the disaster. He helped to prepare the district and its storm water structures as well as assisted other governments and agencies. He also formed quick partnerships with various levels of government and community and faith organizations to meet the needs of residents, county officials said.

According to Welch, a longtime resident of Lehigh Acres, his desire to help the community started during his tenure with State Sen. Tom Rossin.

“My experience representing the interest of the people in Lehigh began when I was hired as the aid to Sen. Rossin. At that time he felt strongly about doing the most we could for the residents of Lehigh. He realized the need to improve the connectivity of Lehigh to other parts of Lee County and played an integral role in making Lee Boulevard six lanes,” Welch said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Lee County Board of Commissioners honored Commissioner Michael Welch, Lehigh Municipal District, for leadership and service to the Lehigh Acres/Eastern Lee County Community during the Irma crisis. PHOTO PROVIDED

While working in the Florida Senate, Welch became actively involved with the former East County Water Control District and helped on the senator’s behalf to usher in state funds for the Carlos Waterway project as well as other projects

According to Welch, Lehigh has changed throughout the years and therefore its needs have diversified.

“Along with a quick growth in the population, we are dealing with a demographics of people that are at or below the poverty level,” said Welch.

Welch also pointed to the positive changes currently taking place such as the widening of State Road 82; and a rising interest in light industrial and commercial/retail space in the area.

“This means there will be an increase in local jobs as well as higher pay for those living in Lehigh,” said Welch.

According to Welch, other connectivity efforts between Lehigh and other parts of Lee County are under way.

“This is an exciting time, but there are a few challenges. We are one of the fastest growing areas in Florida. With the being said, the district and other agencies have to take a closer look at the preplanning of Lehigh Acres that took place back in the ’70 s,” said Welch.

In January 2018 the County Board of Commissioners created a board level post overseeing emergency operations for the District and appointed Welch to the position.

“We are continuing to prepare, so we have plans in place in case of future disasters. The district just entered into a mutual-cooperation agreement with the State of Florida. Making sure that our resources are coordinated together to help with emergency responses. We are also working with communication providers to make sure we are up and going both during a storm and in the aftermath,” Welch said.

Other efforts include working with Lee County government to provide training to church volunteers on how to handle a crisis when they occur in the future.