The Lehigh Acres Community Council announced its continued campaign initiatives against approval of Lehigh Acres Municipal District’s Resolution 2018-07, a Signage Referendum to be on the Nov. 6, General Election ballot.

During the council’s Sept. 17 meeting, board members reacted to a recent letter written by State Rep. Matthew Caldwell that was meant to clarify the law authorizing signage powers.

“Rep. Caldwell mentioned in his letter that the referendum on authorizing signage powers did not include regular street sign power, but was only intended for local monuments and signage relevant to Lehigh Acres, but that’s not how it’s spelled out in the actual resolution. It distinctly says it would give the authority of installation, maintenance and control of outdoor signage, monuments and decorative and seasonal banners,” Council President Rick Anglickis said.

According to Anglickis, the council will be running campaigns within the next couple of weeks aimed at educating residents on why the proposed signage referendum is not in their best interest.

“The resolution says more than just power over a few signs. It does not just say a few monuments like reported. They also claim they will not raise taxes in the future to cover the costs to maintain signage. There is whole other side of the story that’s not being covered. We are going out full-force on this issue and plan to get the citizens more information on what this resolution really means for the community,” said Anglickis.

Anglickis said signage is a municipal power.

“Why is there such a rush to get this passed? In a couple of years the citizens of Lehigh Acres can make their choice when becoming a city is more of a possibility,” Anglickis said.

During this month’s meeting the council also featured a guest speaker, Don Urch from the Lehigh Acres Spring Festival committee.

According to Urch, the committee and festival planners are moving away from the current format and shifting back towards a more community related event.

“They plan on making some positive changes to the festival such as the selection of a new carnival company. The plan is to change a few key elements, so it resembles the way it was initially when the festival started back in 1975,” said Anglickis.

The Lehigh Acres Spring Festival has announced that its 2019 event will be themed “We The People” and run March 22 through March 30, 2019.

The council wrapped up its meeting with the installation of its newest member Jane Bell.

The Lehigh Acres Community Council’s meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the LCSO East District substation, at 1301 Homestead Road N.