Lee commissioner wannabees form long line

Given Lee County's 14.1% unemployment rate as of January, it's probably no big surprise that no less than 23 county commissioner wannabees have applied to Gov. Charlie Crist for an interim appointment to fill a seat on the commission.

Bob Janes, who died March 10, held the District 1 seat. The district includes Sanibel, Captiva, Cape Coral, and Pine Island. There are two and a half years left in the four-year term, but the appointee would only serve until November, when an election will be held for the seat.

Of the 23 applicants, 20 are men. Lee county commissioners are paid $84,396 a year.