This Lehigh Acres Community Make A Difference Day event is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2012. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to purchase new pool equipment such as life vests and deck furniture to enhance the swim experience at the Lehigh Acres Community Pool.  The event will take place at the Kiwanis Thrift Store located at 15 Homestead Rd. Lehigh Acres.

Fire Chief Don Adams

The Lehigh Acres Fire Control District is discussing future internet usage guidelines after an employee was accused of looking at inappropriate websites.

Two months ago during the June 2012 Lehigh Acres Fire Board meeting, a question was raised whether the chief was visiting inappropriate websites.

Chief Adams said he’s never looked at anything inappropriate.

During the August 29, 2012 LAFD monthly board meeting, in the board’s discussion they would not talk in specific details about any person or any inappropriate website because Adams had already ordered an internal investigation pertaining to this matter.

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Week one of the regular 2012-13 High School football season begins Friday night

Lehigh Senior High is on the road playing against Fort Myers High.

East Lee County High will be playing at home against Dunbar High.

Riverdale High will be playing at home against Lely High. Riverdale is also hosting alumni night before and during the game.

All the High School games begin at 7:30 PM.

Send your football photos to news@lehighacresgazette.com

Robert Lambert will be dealing with snakes near his home a little longer. The fire department decided to table a decision until they hear from their insurance company.

Lambert says for the past year and a half, rattlesnakes have been slithering around his home – mostly in the wooded lot next door from a lot that the Lehigh Acres Fire Department owns.

Lambert took his concerns to the Lehigh acres fire department last month, hoping they could help find a solution before someone gets hurt.

The fire department planned to decide on a solution – clear the land, hire a trapper or put up signs. (more…)

According to Lee County Staff, the Lee County Online Town Hall is a fun way to submit your great ideas, help others improve their great ideas, and ultimately determine the best ideas for your community.

Denise Scott, Website Content Coordinator said, too often great community ideas are lost because residents don’t know how or don’t feel comfortable getting involved. Lee County Town Hall empowers people to improve their community, all from the convenience of their own home.

Scott goes on to say, community activism and involvement are attributes of sustainable communities. Lee County Town Hall allows you to be involved from the comfort of your own home via the internet. Hopefully, this site motivates residents to take an idea and implement the idea on their own. This kind of informal action is the goal of the application and often the easiest form of community action to implement.

Visit us at www.leecountytownhall.com

Members of the Lehigh Acres Community Council cut the Ribbon on the New Lee Tran Bus that services Lehigh Acres

The Lehigh Community Council recognized LeeTran (Lee County Transit) on Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Lee County Sheriff’s Bravo District office on Homestead Road.

The Council and LeeTran celebrated the 25,000th ride on the new Lehigh circulator bus route since it began service on January 12 of this year. At that time, LeeTran improved service to Lehigh by dedicating two vehicles to Route 110 between Edison Mall and Homestead Plaza, and a third vehicle to circulate within the community on new Route 515.

By adding the third vehicle and splitting the route into two pieces, LeeTran was able to reduce the time between buses and make better connections with other routes at Edison Mall.

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EBUS-TBNA bronchoscope

Lehigh Regional recently acquired the Endo Bronchial Ultra Sound (EBUS).  The EBUS-TBNA system makes biopsies of the lungs, lymph nodes and respiratory tract safer, more accurate, less invasive and less costly than alternative methods.

Lehigh Regional is the only hospital in SW Florida with this EBUS technology. The closest facilities with this technology and physician expertise are in Miami and Tampa.

“For anyone with symptoms or a diagnosis of lung disease, or respiratory tract problems, the EBUS is an excellent diagnostic and exploratory tool. Bronchoscopy, with the ultrasound component, allows for direct visualization and the physician can sample and biopsy as needed.” Said Tom Campo, Cardio Pulmonary Department Director. “ We are so excited to be able to offer this advanced technology to Lehigh Acres and SW Florida. Our physicians are really happy with the opportunity to provide their patients with this safer, less invasive and less costly option not previously available in this area.”

Submitted by LRMC

To the Editor:

Ruth Anglickis

I think it’s very sad that the negative attacking of Ray Judah with misinformation resulted in his 24-year career being ended.

The negative attacking cost thousands and thousands of dollars led by several political action groups (I call them political hacks) and a misinformed public.

Ray Judah has done more for the county, as has the board, by lowering taxes, finding ways to boost the economy, contributing to environmental infrastructure issues, and has always helped to contribute to Lehigh Acres.

We will miss him. My husband and I personally wish him and his family peace and much success with future horizons. He made a huge difference in the welfare of Lee County and should be applauded for his contributions.

Shame on Lee County voters for allowing this to happen and not checking out the truth behind the negative attacks, before they voted.

Ruth Anglickis

Karen McKenzie President of the ABWA

Karen McKenzie, the president of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) in Lehigh Acres would like to see more business and professional women in Lehigh to become active members. In fact, that is one of her goals as she takes over the reins of leadership of the group which has around 20 members today.

We want to attract younger women who are professionals in the community. We want to introduce them to our organization, which fosters good relations between business people in the community. The ABWA also helps in the community and hands out scholarships to deserving Lehigh seniors each year.

“Not only younger women, but we are also asking women who have been in the business atmosphere, working in local firms, to give us a chance to show how we can all work together to promote Lehigh business and join our professional network,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie said the ABWA meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Bistro Rudy’s restaurant at The Village on Taylor Lane for a dinner meeting. Cost of the dinner is $15 and must be called in as a RSVP to Marilyn Waline at 368-4222. The event begins at 6 p.m. with networking and dinner followed by the monthly meeting. (more…)

Exclusive to the LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE

by: Dick Allen, Political Analyst, of Chicago, IL

With the banging of the gavel promptly at 2 PM Tuesday afternoon the 40th Republican National Convention was REALLY called to order!

I found myself surrounded by more than 1500 credentialed news media people from all over the world! Television, radio, newspapers of all kinds, and here I was consulting for an online newspaper called the LEHIGH ACRES GAZETTE, wherever and whatever that was. Well, I found out that Mitt Romney had actually already visited this small community In Southwest Florida during the foreclosure crisis. I say small, however the publisher told me Lehigh had 85,000 residents, and last month The Gazette was viewed nearly one million times! So, being impressed, I took the assignment. A Chicago political analyst coming to Florida to cover the National Republican Convention, I simply couldn’t pass this up!

First, some convention facts. Florida has hosted the RNC three times in the past with the most recent being 1972 in Miami Beach. It’s expected that more than 50,000 people will participate before the convention is over with delegates attending from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 5 U.S. territories. The Tampa Bay Times Forum can seat 20,000 people, there will be 4411 delegates, and as I mentioned earlier 15,000 credentialed Media Representatives will be roaming all over.

And now for the Gazette’s readers my first installment:

The afternoon session was filled with a large number of great one-liners from people I hardly have ever heard about. This made me really anticipate the evening session with speakers that I knew something about. Sharon Day, Co-Chair RNC Called November’s election “The most important election of our Country’s lifetime!” A unique perspective indeed. I Missed Who said that Obama had never made a payroll, made a budget, ran a company, or even seen the inside of a lemonade stand. I’ll watch the TV replays for this one as it brought the house down! The theme of this session Was We Build It. Speaker after speaker built on this theme. We can do better was repeated hundreds of times. “Our only HOPE is to CHANGE” said the U.S. Rep.from SC Tim Scott, while he dedicated a song to our President as he sang to the delegates “Hit the road Jack. Don’t you come back no more, no more, no more”. (more…)

Robert C. Schaefer, age 91, passed away peacefully at Lehigh Regional Medical Center in Lehigh Acres, FL. Robert was born July 27, 1920 in Detroit MI, son of John and Annie Schaefer. He served in the USAF as a sergeant in the South Pacific during WWII. He was employed at Michigan Bell for 42 years until his retirement.

Robert was preceded in death by 4 sisters; Viola Bagnasco, Margaret Corlett, Geneive Eckenrode, and Dorothy Schaefer who was a sister of Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Robert C. Schaefer Jr., and Christopher S. Schaefer.

Robert married Lavonne Ion Howell on June 20th 1987. Robert and LaVonne spent their time together residing between Michigan and Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lavonne Schaefer, 5 step children; Robin (Bill) Roberts of Davie, FL, Cindy Earhart of Flint, MI, John Howell of Green Bay WI, Timothy (Joanne) Howell of Cheboygan, MI, and David (Kris) Howell of Cheboygan, MI; 14 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Alva Fire and Rescue, 2660 Styles Rd., Alva, FL 33920.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is providing the information listed below in continuing efforts to increase traffic safety awareness and education, plus to emphasize the importance of obeying traffic laws to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and death on Lee County roads.

On Thursday, August 30, 2012, the Traffic Unit will target at least one of the following three locations for enforcement: (more…)