We must vigorously oppose John Albion ------

Lehigh Acres Watchdog, Inc.
vigorously opposes

Commissioner John E. Albion
in his misguided pursuit for the Florida House seat, representing Lehigh Acres,

for the following 27 reasons:

1) Albion does not listen to the people, he only listens to the big developers in South Lee County.

2) Because of Albion's recent vote against Sheriff Mike Scott's budget, Lehigh Acres lost, among other things, 20 new Sheriffs' deputies that Lehigh sorely needed.

3) During the past 36 months, 97% of the rezoning cases in our community were approved by Albion without even a question about their impact, making Lehigh the clogged bedroom community that it is today.

4) Because of Albion's misguided votes, Lehigh Acres has lost 85% of its zoned commercial and agricultural lands to high density residential developments during the 14 years he has been in office.

5) Albion will not allow a land swap of county owned lots in Lehigh Acres to help finish Lehigh's Eco Park project, one of the few open spaces left in our community.

6) However, Albion has encouraged the swapping of Lehigh lots for other Lee County projects outside of Lehigh Acres, and he recently voted to spend $16,000,000.00 for only two acres of land on Pine Island.

7) Albion has allowed the proposed, half-billion-dollar CR 951 project to run through a populated area next to I-75, and away from Lehigh Acres; removed Lehigh Acres from the study area, and voted to destroy 74 homes in South Lee County in an eminent domain land grab.

8) Albion closed Lehigh's direct access to the new airport, and he has made no provision for an eastern access to the airport in the future.

9) Albion voted to cram the extension of Del Prado Boulevard down the throats of the residents of North Ft. Myers.

10) Albion has interfered with the Lehigh Acres planning process and meddled with the not-for-profit group - the Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corporation, and runs it with an iron first.

11) Albion killed the Lehigh Acres CRA, taking millions of dollars from our community and diverting the money to South Lee County.

12) Ten years ago Albion voted to widen Lee Blvd (what else could he do?), but since then the county has not started or finished any major road improvements in Lehigh Acres. Why? After all, Lehigh Acres had only 38,000 residents then -- and now has over 63,000 residents – we need more and better roads Now!

13) Thanks to Albion there are No road improvements on Lee County 2020 traffic ways plan, and no money in the budget to widen killer highway State Road 82.

14) Why does Albion and the county administration deny Lehigh Acres residents their rights to the same core level of service as everyone else in Lee County????

15) Albion continually votes to spend Lehigh's impact fees in other communities like Gateway.

16) Albion denied the citizens of Lehigh Acres their rights to vote on their own community plan.

17) Albion is allowing FGUA, Lehigh's utility company, to borrow millions of dollars to fund a huge water and sewer expansion in our town, and then send you the bill in the form of six figure assessments and new taxes.

18) Albion continues to rezone more and more high density residential projects in Lehigh Acres despite the fact that FGUA has no additional capacity, and has resorted to dumping effluent into Lehigh's canals to "handle" the overload.

19) Albion has raised the dollar amount you pay in ad valorem taxes every year that he has been in office.

20) Albion and his family just took a week long luxury trip to Hawaii on "county business," and You paid for it!

21) Albion closed our community library in Downtown Lehigh, and now he wants to close our Senior Center.

22) Albion refuses to build a county annex in Lehigh Acres despite our soaring population and the poor transportation network which denies us access to county offices in Downtown Ft. Myers.

23) Albion and his Lee County attorneys are suing the East County Water Control District to try to weasel out of paying the county's fair share of local taxes, shifting the burden to Lehigh Acres taxpayers.

24) Albion forced the East County Water Control District to pay $350,000 of the Lehigh taxpayer's money to repair roads they had no business owning and maintaining in the first place.

25) Albion supports the expansion of the Gulf Coast Landfill toward the intersection of Lee Boulevard and State Road 82.

26) Albion screwed up the once-in-lifetime opportunity for the government to purchase the Babcock Ranch, and he is now supported by its new owners.

27) Albion refuses to support the South Florida Water Management District's Lake Labelle project which would divert floodwaters from Lehigh Acres and the Caloosahatchee River.

John Albion once said, "I don't live in Lehigh Acres, and I Never will," but he is supposed to represent us, and NEVER has.

The fact is he is moving (carpet bagging) from his home in District 72 (South Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs and San Carlos Park) to our District 73 (but not to Lehigh Acres).

Why?

Why is he moving to run for State Representative?

Why is he leaving a job that pays $78,000 for one that only pays $26,000?

Is it because his wife works for millionaire Realtor Frank D'Allessandro?

Is it because he is backed by Sid Kitson, Al Hoffman and the biggest developers in Lee County?

Is it because he knows he'll make a fortune for himself and his backers?

Why doesn't Commissioner John Albion listen to the people from his District????

Isn't that his job???

Does Albion have a new agenda for Lehigh Acres???

Or is it the same good ole boy game that has denied Lehigh a place at the table for decades???

Isn't 14 years enough time for the people of Lehigh Acres to be fed up with Albion's lack of attention and leadership?

Click here to see the latest news on "Lehigh's" Missing Commissioner.

Write and tell Albion that there's a lot more to running for State Representative than just the urge to travel.

Aloha!

Albion's record -----------

October 16, 2000 Development big donor to Albion Two-thirds of commissioner's re-election campaign funds came from the industry By LEE MELSEK The News-Press Lee County Commissioner John Albion's re-election treasury bulges with money from developers, lawyers and lobbyists who regularly seek his votes on multimillion-dollar development projects. A search by The News-Press of Albion's election finance reports shows two-thirds of his campaign money has come from developers

September 2, 2000 Former NAACP head criticizes move By LEE MELSEK The News-Press A promise by Lee County commissioners John Albion on Friday to help extend a major road through Dunbar was labeled an attempt by white politicians to grab 6,000 inner-city black votes in this fall's elections. Frustrated by 10 years of failing to get Palmetto Avenue extended, former Lee County NAACP President Willie Green said the promises by Albion ring hollow

September 1, 2003 Country Oaks residence causes conflict for Albion By DON RUANE Lee County Commissioner John Albion is known for his ability to talk about many subjects, but there's one topic he can't breach in official circles any longer - his own neighborhood. Albion lives in Country Oaks, a subdivision off Three Oaks Parkway. Residents want to change a proposed alignment for widening the parkway.

Albion: Plan can't be put up for public vote January 19, 2005 By Justin St. Clair Commissioner says residents can provide input The group making a community development plan for Lehigh will not be able to put the final plan on the ballot for voters, according to Lee County Commissioner John Albion. The Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corporation voted at its monthly meeting last Wednesday to try to put the plan to voters before submitting it to the county for adoption into the county's comprehensive

September 14, 2005 With Commissioner Albion in the wings -- County Staff takes over the Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corporation -- County will choose planner and do comp plan

Famous Quote by John E. Albion

Quote by John E Alibon ---


"I don't want a five-year Band-Aid," Albion said. "We need a business plan."

Article published Oct 4, 2004 by the Herald Tribune



OP/ED -- By Robert Anderson

I believe that the band-aides that Commissioner Albion was done to Lehigh Acres have not resolved the issues but caused more issues --- And the quote "We need a business plan" no what we need is a Commissioner that truly cares for the citizens of Lehigh and will listen to their needs and wishes to make Lehigh a vital community in Lee County.

Famous Quote by John E. Albion

Quote by John E Alibon ---


A community needs more than high-end housing to be healthy, said Lee County Commissioner John Albion, who compares what's happening in the region's real estate market to an overly rich diet. "If you keep eating banana splits," he said, "you're going to get sick."






Article published Oct 4, 2004 by the Herald Tribune

THE TICKING TIME BOMB !!!!!!

Does Commissioner John Albion think the same way as he's Public Works Director ----- see below -----

"They're facing the same dilemma that anybody else would be because of the growth in Lehigh,"
said Lee County Public Works Director Jim Lavender.

"Everybody knows it's just a ticking time bomb."

1) Albion will not listen to the people
2) Lehigh Acres just lost 20 new Sheriffs officers that Lehigh needed badly
3) In the past 36 months 97% of the rezoning cases were approved by Albion making Lehigh a true bedroom community
4) Lehigh Acres has lost 85% of zoned commercial lands to residential uses since Albion been in office
5) Albion will not allow a land swap to finish Eco Park project with the East County Water Control District.
6) But Albion has allow land swapping of Lehigh lands for other Lee County projects outside of Lehigh
7) Albion has allowed the CR 951 project to be placed in a populated area and voted to possibly destroy 74 million plus dollars homes in South Ft. Myers.
8) Albion has interfered with the Lehigh Acres planning process and the not for profit group Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corporation
9) Albion ten year ago increased the capacity of Lee Blvd but since has not started or finished any major road improvements since then why?? Lehigh Acres had 38,000 then -- now has over 63,000 residents – we need road capacity
10) Why does he and the county denial the Lehigh Acres residents rights to have core services locally????

Taxpayer alert: -----

Taxpayer alert: History reminds us that a political ideology called industrial socialism caught on in some few countries in the 20th Century with unappealing results. The curious financial engine of industrial socialism was this: Heavy industry, super-subsidized by government, could grow both industrialists and government into a powerful team, a phalanx that could rule a country.

Commissioner John Albion lives in a smaller world, Lee County, Florida, where heavy industry doesn't exist. Their political philosophy is called Small-Pond Socialism, whereby county government takes sales tax $, gas tax $, and property tax $ from Joe and Jane taxpayer and uses their money to subsidize the development industry.

Listen to Albion when they speak to motions on the Board of County Commissioners. Especially listen for the word 'infrastructure.' Infrastructure is new and expanded water and sewer systems; its widened roads and new roads; its expanded airports and enlarged landfills...

Consider it this way: like rising tides on oceans raise all boats, subsidization of infrastructure on small ponds raises all taxes

Can you Support John Albion????

As of Today Lehigh Acres Watchdog, Inc can not support

Commissioner John E. Albion
in his pursuit for the Florida House ---
for the following reasons

1) Albion will not listen to the people
2) Lehigh Acres just lost 20 new Sheriffs officers that Lehigh needed badly
3) In the past 36 months 97% of the rezoning cases were approved by Albion making Lehigh a true bedroom community
4) Lehigh Acres has lost 85% of zoned commercial lands to residential uses since Albion been in office
5) Albion will not allow a land swap to finish Eco Park project with the East County Water Control District.
6) But Albion has allow land swapping of Lehigh lands for other Lee County projects outside of Lehigh
7) Albion has allowed the CR 951 project to be placed in a populated area and voted to possibly destroy 74 million plus dollars homes in South Ft. Myers.
8) Albion has interfered with the Lehigh Acres planning process and the not for profit group Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corporation
9) Albion ten year ago increased the capacity of Lee Blvd but since has not started or finished any major road improvements since then why?? Lehigh Acres had 38,000 then -- now has over 63,000 residents – we need road capacity
10) Why does he and the county denial the Lehigh Acres residents rights to have core services locally????

Why doesn't Commissioner John Albion listen to the people from his District????

Isn't it his job???

Does Albion have a new agenda for Lehigh Acres
or is it the same good old boys game???

John E Albion Elections reports 1992-2004

John E Albion Elections reports 2004/ 2000 / 1996/ 1992 ---- Check out the number of Developers who gave money to her campgain vs the developers who got approved for development orders in Lehigh Acres 2002 thru 2005

2004 --
Loyalty Oath - Qualified to Run
Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
Report 5
Report 6
Report 7
Report 8
Report 9
Final Deadline

2000 --
Loyalty Oath - Qualified to Run
Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
Report 5
Report 6
Report 7
Report 8
Report 9
Report 10
Report 11
Final Deadline

1996 --

1992 --

Thanks John --- for helping the sheriff when Lehigh needs the new officers

FORT MYERS — Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott is fighting tonight to put more deputies on the road, but it appears he may not get what he wants. County commissioners have proposed cutting the sheriff's budget by $4 million.

Scott is fighting for his $127 million budget – the largest in the agency's history. Much of it, Scott says, will help put 135 new deputies (which 20 of these new officers would have been for Lehigh Acres) on the road and in courtrooms.

"What I have heard loud and clear from every corner of this county, 'We want more deputies,'" Scott said.

But county commissioners think Scott is asking for too much.

"This current sheriff's budget today, not even talking about the one for next year, is 50 percent of the entire operating budget of lee county. Fifty!" said county commissioner John Albion.

Commissioners plan to cut the budget request by $4 million, capping the increase at 15-percent.

"We figure that we'll have about $40 positions if the cap stays at 15-percent," Scott said.

Albion believes Scott isn't trying hard enough to make the numbers work.

"He's going to have to take it from somewhere else that should be potentially a lower priority. That's management, and that's what he needs to do," Albion said.

"A county growing this fast, internally there are only so many adjustments we can make that will keep up with that kind of growth," Scott said.

"When I look at inflation and population increases, we are probably looking at in the neighborhood of about six and a half, seven percent. He's asking for an increase of 19 percent," Albion said.

If commissioners cut the $4 million from the sheriff's budget, that doesn't mean a savings for the county. County staff is earmarking the money for crime prevention programs.

Scott says he will not appeal the budget, which takes effect October 1st, to the governor.

Why is Aibion ruuning for the house ------

2006 General Election

John Albion (REP) State Representative District 73

ADDRESS: 9758 Country Oaks Drive Fort Myers, FL 33912

PHONE: (239)267-3224
DATE FILED: 08/25/2005
DATE QUALIFIED: METHOD:
STATUS: Active

Campaign Treasurer:
Michael Jenkins
1407 SE 22nd Street
Cape Coral, FL 33912

Breaking News

Can John Albion and the Lee County BOCC come up now with 67 million dollars to buy
the utilities in Lehigh Acres --- To save the citizens of Lehigh Acres from FGUA????
Say THANKS to FGUA for the new high price!!!


"They're facing the same dilemma that anybody else would be because of the growth in Lehigh," said Lee County Public Works Director Jim Lavender. "Everybody knows it's just a ticking time bomb."

Elections Records links and other links ------

John Alibon's Election Records

2004
2000
1996
1992



CAIT
Common Cause Florida
Florida Governmental Utility Authority
Groundwater Resource Study: Lee County
Lehigh Acres Watchdog
Lehigh Acres weblog
Lehigh Civic Association
St. Petersburg Times
Stop FGUA in Florida
Stop FGUA weblog
News Press

John E. Albion

Phone: 335-2225 FAX: 335-2892

Mailing Address:

Box 398, Ft. Myers, Florida 33902-0398

Office Location: Old Lee County Courthouse 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901

E-Mail: dist5@leegov.com

** This is a Community Project ** Disclosure statement ---- Pd. Pol. Adv. of the Lehigh Acres Watchdog P.A.C. Lehigh Acres Watchdog, Inc. ----- registered with State of Florida is a non-for-profit company Lehigh Acres Watchdog P.A.C. ---- registered with the Lee County Elections