| ‘Hendry boy’ runs for Lee office By Patty Brant Printed in the Caloosa Belle Lehigh resident Steve “Sonny” Haas is running for Lee County Commissioner District 5- Frank Mann’s seat. Why is that important to Hendry County residents? Because, Sonny said, the two counties have a lot in common – a lot of shared issues that require the combined attention of both. Lee County also has the money to make things happen. A 1982 LaBelle High School graduate, Sonny grew up in LaBelle. His family, including parents Gil and Carol Haas, still live here. Candidly, Sonny explains that, historically, Lee not a friend to Hendry. That makes no sense to him since Hendry and western Lee have so many shared issues – growth, public services, traffic, solid waste – as well as a similar background. Sonny has a varied background himself. He served four years on the Lehigh Fire Commission and worked for years in the construction industry. He worked in agriculture – running Murphy Grove hay operation as a young man. He has been in construction - roofing for 18 years, and has been with the North Fort Myers Fire Dept. for 25 years, with the rank of Engineer. All this means he has experience in two of the area’s most important industries and in public safety as well. He said he brings another plus to the table – he already knows all the Hendry commissioners. In the area of public safety, he feels Lee County can be of assistance to Hendry. Lehigh Acres has one of the best-equipped EMS units in the state, and that could be of benefit to Hendry through sharing improved training and logistics, he believes. Mr. Haas said Lee County has just under a $1 billion annual budget plus $1.6 billion in unencumbered funds accrued from impact fees and other sources for capital improvements. That, in turn, accumulates $8 million a month in interest. He believes that Lee County could extend financial help to Hendry to the benefit of both in important infrastructure. Hendry is in need of a new bridge across the Caloosahatchee, close to the Lee-Hendry line. That bridge will serve Lee residents as well as Hendry’s and bind the counties together. As partners, Hendry and Lee, along with the Legislature, could share the costs, one third each. Lee County could basically just write a check to get things rolling. There is even a precedent in the works: Lee wants to buy marshland in Glades County to the tune of $10 million to filter destructive nutrients from river water before they get to the gulf. Pro smart growth, Sonny believes support is critical on both sides of the county line – and he can push from the west to help that happen. He is aware that progress may step on a couple toes, but feels that the needs of the few are outweighed by the needs of the many. He understands that residents in western Hendry and eastern Lee have varying ideas of how much development they want – some want less, some more; residents on both sides need services. For instance, he said Alva also needs a “proper tax base” to support an ambulance service. His view is to develop nice areas, creating a proper tax base to support necessary services on both sides of the county line. As a Lee County commissioner he believes he could help increase the number of jobs in the area and improve housing. He wants to push for a VA hospital in eastern Lee – a valuable facility for the entire area. SR 80 needs to be commercial, he said, and zoning can be phased in. Without long term jobs no town has a future - “It’s time to regroup development-wise, he said, “I can help the people here.” The Lee County Republican Primary will be next August 26. There are three candidates: Haas, Shawn Seliger and incumbent Frank Mann. There will be no run off – the winner will be the next Lee County Commissioner for District 5. Working toward becoming that commissioner, Sonny Haas is reaching out to Hendry County residents to become partners in issues affecting both Hendry and Lee. Look for fundraisers both in LaBelle and Immokalee. As a commissioner, he plans to have a second office in Lehigh – close to his constituents on the west side of the county. Sonny said he has no interest in career politics. He wants to serve a couple terms – hopefully help turn the county and the economy around - then see if he wants to stay on or move on. He believes Lee and the entire area needs a young, energetic, effective commissioner – county commission boards do a lot of work that most people don’t realize. He also believes it would “be significant for a Hendry guy to be a Lee commissioner.” Sonny and his wife Tracy have two children ages 14 and 11. They live in Lehigh Acres. Political advertisement paid for and approved by Steve (Sonny) Haas, No Party Affiliation for County Commission, District 5 |
