The U.S. Census is seeking both workers and co-operation among citizens counted.

The Lehigh Acres Community Council held its monthly meeting on Jan 6. During the meeting 2nd Vice-president, Mohammed Yasin brought attention to the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census and its importance, especially, here in Lehigh Acres.

“They conduct the U.S. Census every 10 years, and it helps identify the needs of each area — its income, jobs, housing costs and resources. It does not require a Social Security number, which is a big misconception,” Yasin said. “What it does is measure America. I’m asking that everyone take part in this census. It’s really important.”

Yasin also mentioned that the U.S. Census was currently recruiting thousands of paid census takers. Students, seniors and anyone interested can apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs

Yasin then gave an update on Lee County’s roads and grounds budget and the street lighting budget.

“The Lee County Commissioners recently approved a roads budget for Lehigh of $2.5 million. It’s for the resurfacing of the roads. If you know of any roads that are damaged, please call Lee County or call us and we will let them know,” Yasin stressed. “The street lighting budget was approved for this year. If you’ve noticed both FPL and LCEC have worked to complete all the bus stops. They are working quite a bit in these areas and you definitely can’t complain about the brightness.”

Yasin also mentioned that Lee County Parks and Recreation will be working on next year’s budget and it’s a good time for residents to make requests for the addition of programs or amenities for Veterans Park.

Council President Chuck Edwards announced during the evening that the council will reopen an old agenda item that was discussed and voted on by the council in 2016.

According to Edwards, in 2016, the previous council administration had denied sending a resolution in favor of backyard chickens in Lehigh to Lee County commissioners.

“The council had passed a resolution in favor of backyard chickens in Lehigh, but the previous administration wrote a letter and sent the letter down to the commissioners saying we did not,” Edwards said.

“We filled this room numerous times and we filled the Lee County Commissioners room numerous times over this. I was on TV seven times over this. We are going to start talking about backyard chickens in Lehigh again,” he said.

Edwards selected a committee to work on a new plan and to draw up a resolution to send into the county next month.

“I would like to duplicate what other cities are doing; so many chickens per so much land. That’s how Miami does it. You have a quarter acre, you can have four chickens. Half an acre, eight chickens, no roosters and they have to be maintained and stay in your yard,” Edwards said.

Council member Vanessa Quimette also spoke up to clarify that chickens do not need a rooster in order to lay eggs.

Under the 1st Vice-president’s report, Tyler Woodby spoke briefly about the Bus Stop Challenge.

“The benches are a big help but the students are still not sitting on the benches and standing in the middle of the roads. The point of this challenge is to get parents involved, retirees involved, and do more to get the community together. We need people who are willing to sit at the bus stops with these kids,” Woodby said.

Council member Vanessa Quimette agreed and suggested that it be a multi-prong approach, including providing education on bus stop safety.

Woodby also gave an update on a scheduled litter clean-up day hosted by the council that’s set for Saturday, Feb. 1.

Next month the council’s featured guest speaker will be Lee County City Manager Roger Desjarlais.

The Lehigh Acres Community Council’s meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the LCSO East District substation, at 1301 Homestead Road N.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/LehighAcresCommunityCouncil/