FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Booch DeMarchi, Lee County Public Resources
               (239) 335-2481

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION PROGRAM CELEBRATES 100TH CLASS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 21, 2004) - Lee County's 15-year-old government information course - LeeGROWS - will celebrate the graduation of its 100th class Thursday (April 22) with a ceremony in the Lee County Commission Chambers in downtown Fort Myers.

The ceremony and reception will be from 1:50 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the chambers, 2120 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers. Commissioners and County Administrators will participate, including a question and answer session and presentation of certificates to the class.

LeeGROWS stands for Lee Government Resource & Orientation Workshop Series and is intended to familiarize residents with the workings of county government - including what services it provides - and the role constitutional officers play. The course is run by the county's Public Resources Division.

Since its inception in 1988, more than 3,400 residents have completed the free, five-week course. Classes meet each Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. where they hear presentations from county departments and constitutional officers, and tour county government facilities.

Tours include the Waste-to-Energy Facility and recycling center, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Lee County Sports Complex, Olga Water Treatment Plant, Emergency Operations Center, Medical Examiner, Southwest Florida International Airport, Animal Control, Lee County Jail, County Courthouse, Road Sign Production Shop and 9-1-1 Dispatch Center.

They also hear presentations from the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, State Attorney's Office, Tax Collector's Office, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser and Public Defender, among others.

The program received a National Association of Counties Achievement Award in 1989 as an "innovative and effective program to communicate with the general public."

Today there are about 40 participants per class and there is a waiting list of anywhere from 500 to 900 people. LeeGROWS has never advertised the program. Publicity for the program has always been by word-of-mouth and referrals from previous participants.