news@breezenewspapers.com

Seats on the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District’s Board of Commissioners are among the local races on the 2020 General Election ballot.

Candidates running to fill these seats share their views on current topics and discuss platforms and plans if elected to represent voters in the largest unincorporated area in Lee County.

LAFCRD seats up for election this year include seats 1, 3 and 4. Since seat 4 was unopposed, current commissioner Debbie Cunningham will serve another 4-year term. All independent special district offices are non‐partisan and will only appear on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

Candidates are elected by qualified voters who reside within LAFCRD’s district and determined by a popular vote. If elected each board member will serve a 4-year term, 2020-2024.

Candidates for Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District include:

Seat 1

• Melissa Higens Barry, 43

Barry is the activity director at Keystone Place at Four Mile Cove. She was formerly the Activity Director at Lehigh Acres Senior Center, where she supervised 175 plus volunteers and 1000 plus members. She is involved in the community through many organizations, including: Lehigh Community Services – President of the Board of Directors; Lee County Injury Prevention Collision – Director of the Board; Harry Chapin Foodbank – Senior Boxes Coordinator; Lehigh Acres Architectural, Planning, & Zoning Review Board and a member at the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce.

Barry also is the mother to six children and, since moving to Florida, has wanted to help make a difference in the community.

“Since 2018, I’ve attended the board meetings of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District. What I have discovered during those two years is that there are alternatives and better ways to do certain things and handle certain issues. With the backing of my children, family, friends and community stakeholders, who all encouraged me to run, I decided to be a candidate, because I know I can make a difference,” Barry said.

• Cathy Kruse, (incumbent)

Kruse has resided in Lehigh Acres for 32 years and is a 26-year Lee County Elementary School District educator, all 26 years teaching Lehigh Acres students. She was recognized by the State of Florida as a High Impact Teacher, and continues to serve in various leadership roles within the school district.

Kruse has served as a Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Commissioner for the past eight years, the last three as chairwoman. She has made it a priority to expand her knowledge of the fire services by earning the distinction of Certified District Official through the Florida Association of Special District’s, attending the Fort Myers Citizens Fire Academy, taking FEMA National Incident Management System Classes, and visiting Lee County Dispatch to learn first-hand how the 9-1-1 system works.

Kruse feels her years of experience and knowledge of the fire district’s budgeting and financial areas makes her fiscally responsible to meet the needs of Lehigh’s ever-growing community.

According to Kruse, she is honored to serve as a Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Commissioner and if reelected will focus on: providing better EMS and Fire Suppression service response times/planning for future growth; lowering EMS and Fire Suppression service costs to homeowners and continue to build relationships with community, Lee County and State officials.

Seat 3

• Robert Bennett, 62 (incumbent)

Bennett retired from the U.S. Naval Submarine Base Fire Department after 28 years as the Assistant Fire Chief Shift commander. He was responsible for supervising the shift personnel, budgeting, scheduling public education presentations and worked closely with department heads and outside agencies. He is a retired fire chief in his home town of Coventry, RI, where he was an administration officer for a regional hazardous materials team. Bennett also retired from the Rhode Island Air National Guard after 24 years and was the Military Fire Chief with the rank of E-8.

Bennett presently holds Lehigh Acres Fire District’s Commissioner Seat 3 and is the vice chair. He said he is running so he can continue to work with the district management and commissioners to improve fire and rescue services to the citizens of Lehigh Acres. Top issues include: Updating of the stations damaged during the last hurricane; updating of the apparatus and the renewal of an aging fleet; staying within district’s budget and working to build a sixth fire station in the North Sunshine area to enhance fire and emergency services.

• Charles Edwards, 62

Edwards is a Lehigh resident, U.S. Army veteran and in his second term as president of the Lehigh Acres Community Council. He is a semi-retired business owner with years of management experience, working with large budgets; dealing with government contracts and union contract negotiations. He owned and operated a company he began 39 years ago, and has founded numerous businesses over the years. At one company, he oversaw and managed more than 100 employees.

Edwards is married, with six children, and is patiently awaiting on the arrival of his 11th grandchild.

According to Edwards, he is running as a candidate for Lehigh Fire District’s Seat 3, so he can further represent all the residents of Lehigh Acres, not just a select few. His top three issues of concern include: spending, taxes, and employee retention.

• Ron Rankin, 70

Rankin served four years in the US Air Force as assistant Crew Chief on C-130 Aircraft. He is a retired Industrial Mechanic and Lehigh resident. In his previous position at Republic Conduit in Louisville Kentucky, he was a supervisor of 13 workers for Resource Tech. He also is a VFW Trustee and remains civically involved in the following: a Life time Member of VFW 4174; Member of American Legion 323; Member of the Eagles 3938 and a member of the Citizens Climate Lobby.

Rankin’s top concern is the increased taxes of the fire district. His platform goals include: to be a representative of the taxpayers; to vote only for absolutely necessary funds, not wants, and to scrutinize the budget.

“I want to make sure we are getting the best services for our tax dollars,” Rankin said.

Seat 4

• Debbie Cunningham, age 63 (elected unopposed)

Cunningham is a long-time Lehigh resident and is currently Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District’s Seat 4 Commissioner. She retired from the United States Army Reserves in 2009, and previously served 14.5 years in the Army as a truck driver. She finished her enlistment with the 317th MP Battalion, located in Tampa.

During her career Cunningham was the Receiving Lead for a major department store; Battalion Security Officer, Company Operations Officer; Personnel Clerk; Platoon Sergeant and a Squad Leader. Her civic involvement includes: past VFW Auxiliary President at VFW Post 4174; District President at Department of Florida VFW District 13; past 1st year Vice at American Legion Post 336; a member of VFW Post Auxiliary 4174 and American Legion Post 323.

Cunningham is the mother of two sons and has four grandchildren. Her main goal on the board is to see Lehigh Acres prosper and grow, but also ensure the citizens are protected.

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with early voting from Monday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The deadline to request your vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, according to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.

On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Early voting locations include:

• East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres 

• Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres

• Cape Coral – Lee County Library, 921 S.W. 39th Terrace

• Lee County Elections – Cape Coral Branch Office, 1039 S.E. 9th Ave.  

• Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N, Cape Coral

• North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Parkway

• Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Center, 2990 Edison Ave., Fort Myers

• Lee County Elections Center, 13180 S Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers

• Riverside Community Center, 3061 E Riverside Drive, Fort Myers

• Estero Recreation Center, 92000 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero

• Lee County Elections Center – Bonita Springs Branch Office, 25987 S Tamiami Trail #105, Bonita Springs

For more information, visit www.lee.vote.