No retirement for Reitmann

Michael Reitmann, the man who led the home building association in Lee County for 27 years, has come out of retirement to lead the organization that's been beset by staff resignations.

Reitmann returns as a government-affairs consultant to the Lee Building Industry Association after two top executives resigned recently. Florida Rep. Dane Eagle recently resigned as the association's development director after Tallahassee police charged him with driving intoxicated. Shortly thereafter, the association's executive vice president, Heather Mazurkiewicz, also resigned.

Reitmann led the building-industry association for 27 years before he retired in May 2013. The former executive was skilled at persuading county officials to lower taxes on new construction. So-called “impact fees” were slashed as government officials realized the economic impact of construction in Lee County.

The association says Reitmann's responsibilities will include working with state and local government officials on behalf of the 350 members. As such, he'll watch to make sure county officials don't jack up fees and taxes as the economy recovers.