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ajm3s writes:

in response to wwaldack:

ajm3s

The foundations do provide many benefits for the specific city programs as they do contribute to the support of the community and the Parks and Recreation Foundation is raising money. There is valid reasoning in replacing the current recreation building and that will be a responsibility that will need to be addressed either now or in the future. It is in need of a major overhaul and is currently functionally obsolescent as it can not meet the desires of the community.

The bad economy makes this a good time to take a serious look at the project in so much as suppliers are offering low prices and contractors are in need of work. The hiring of Marco Island contractors could make it more desirable.

The questions that still remain are:
1. Is this the right time?
2. Is the project to large?
3. Is this the best price?
4. Would we be better off spending money monies to repair the old?
5. etc.

I remember Mr. Murphy’s position in regards to shell driveways as not so much in opposition to shell driveways but in providing safety to his personnel without increasing the need for additional personnel and needing a hard tired gurney with larger wheels. Ambulance gurneys are for the most part standard small soft wheeled gurneys not suitable for the natural, "soft" shell driveway. Larger wheeled gurneys may also be difficul to lock down in a standard ambulance. Putting additional Fire/Rescue personnel on site ties up valuable equipment from other responses and creates additional expenses.

Also Chief Murphy is certainly one of the most respected Fire Chiefs because of his extensive knowledge of the Fire/Rescue Service. Chief Murphy certainly does do everything possible to insure the safety of his men.

If you are a recently retired Fire Chief, you would understand the importance protecting the health and safety of your men. One of the first things a Fireman learns or should learn is personal safety, because if you are injured you will create problems in helping others.

Wayne Waldack

Enjoying this conversation, because it allows readers to engage in a detailed discussion and make decisions for themselves of our positions.

Now, because everything is cheap, is the rationale for building today, fails to recognize the city's existing appetite for debt.

I can understand your dismissal of debt, but I sense from your position that you have disregarded the consequences of excessive debt. In both private and public arenas, the result of excessive debt actually lead to limit one's choices including choices that may be deemed necessary down the road.

What Marco Island has failed to recognize is that Collier County has made severe cuts while this island feels strongly in pursuing goals that are out of date and not reduce spending significantly-as evidenced by Marco Island now rising to and comprising 14% of the city/county property tax bill.

Coupled with the rising costs associated with water and sewer. Nice management!

And to your comment, on Mr. Murphy, if you had any sense of safety, no Fire Chief would engage in private property issues especially when public venues present the same situation, i.e. golf courses, beach, open fields. But again, you clearly are not a Fire Chief, because Mr. Murphy's responsibility are primarily to provide and maintain the proper equipment and personnel to meet the conditions on Marco Island and the surrounding area for mutual aid capabilities. Your failure to understand the nuttiness on this island as it applies to Fire and Safety positions recently presented amaze me. I can only believe that politics cloud your perception of this issue as well as others.

It was a pathetic example of serving the interests of the island, when public venues are not held to the same standards that were requested of private property as they relate to handling a gurney.

Love the dialog, it is very enlightening. And with regard to another safety issue, Mr. Murphy et. al negotiated a new mutual aid agreement that now has assistance that is further away by three minutes, because he could not efficiently manage an existing mutual aid with Isle of Capri. Nice work? Did not Mr. Murphy want to open Station 51 because of long response times just a few months ago on a non-mutual aid matter? And now negotiates a mutual aid agreement that runs counter to his sensitivity on an island response time matter. So it begs the question, does response time matter? In one case, it does and in another it doesn't. Truly a safety leader that has lost his way, and the folks accept this as excellent fire and safety management.

Actions rather the words will guide my evaluation of Marco Island leaders. And in all honesty, you and Mr. Murphy rise to the top in terms of scaring the hell out of me.

Recommendation: Switch Fire Chiefs between Marco Island and Isle of Capri.

God help us all.

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