Candidate: SONNY HAAS

Sonny (Steve) Haas is a native Floridian. His parents, Carol and Gil Haas, moved from Miami to LaBelle in the 1970′s where Gil was in charge of Protective Services, now known as public safety. Sonny completed his early education in LaBelle. He moved to Lehigh in 1989. Sonny has one son, Logan, and three daughters, Brandy, Gracie, and Ashlie. Sonny’s desire to serve the citizens of Lee County began when he joined the North Fort Myers Fire Control District in 1984. For the next 26 years he honored the pledge to serve and protect the citizens of North Fort Myers. Sonny retired from the fire department in 2009. Sonny is also involved in the roofing business. Haas served as fire commissioner for Lehigh Acres Fire Department from 2002-06, overseeing a $32 million budget. He was responsible for implementing the bidding and construction and subsequent opening of two new fire stations without long-term debt. In fact, \"we gave money back to the taxpayers because it wasn\'t needed and we lowered the millage rate\". Haas served as the liaison between the architects, construction managers and fire commission board. Haas served as chairman during his last year on the board. It defined his approach to public service, Haas said. A term on any board requires hours of studying and work and I\'m ready to go to work.