2008 Marco Island City Council



Pro-sewer candidates win Marco City Council election

The first cork popped at 8:15 p.m. at the party for the four pro-sewer City Council candidates on Marco Island. Supporter Pat Neale came out to the crowd at the Shoppes of Olde Marco and shouted, "We are done and we have won!" once over 90 percent of the vote totals in Collier County were counted. Those results, which turned out to be the final numbers, ended a surprisingly early night and gave a landslide victory and record turnout for the four candidates -- incumbent Bill Trotter, Jerry Gibson, Frank Recker and Wayne Waldack -- who have vowed to continue the seven-year program that will replace all remaining island septic tanks with sewers. Full story »


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Profiles of Marco Island City Council candidates

Dropped out of race


Joe Batte

Joe Batte, 66, has been a resident for eight years. He has two sons and five grandchildren. His wife, Anne, suggested that he run for the council two years ago when three seats were available. "I certainly support him now," she said. During the 2006 election, Batte said he would not accept contributions and spent approximately $350 out-of-pocket. He received more than 2,000 votes, but didn't win a seat.



Jerry Gibson

Jerry Gibson, 60, says he considered running two years ago, but decided against it when he felt enough well-qualified candidates had stepped forward. This time around, he says, while the field is full of respectable opponents, he simply felt that the race was missing a candidate with more extensive experience as a resident.



Andrew Guidry

Dr. Andrew Guidry's announcement coincides with his release of the results of a two-month-long study examining island residents who say their health has been adversely affected by hydrogen sulfide. "I feel like something has to change," he said. "We have to fix this. From a personal nature I'm seeing so many of my own patients being affected by this."



Roger Hall

Roger Hall, 66, lives full time on Marco Island. He and his wife, Linda, have been married for 39 years and have three grown children. He founded Hallmark Properties Inc., a California property management and development company, in 1975. "The reason why I'm announcing now is that I have run into a lot of people that are leaving Marco Island because they are so discouraged," he said.



Francis "Butch" Neylon

They have lived on Marco Island since 2001. Butch Neylon said an important item he can bring to the table as a City Council member is his expertise and experience in construction and utility systems.



Frank Recker

What may set Frank Recker apart in the minds of voters is his stance on sewers, which he says are a foregone conclusion on the island. However, his main agenda item is to foster better understanding between political opponents and bring them together, an issue which he believes is foremost on the island.



Bill Trotter

Bill Trotter, 64, has served on the council for nearly four years. When he was elected, he was one of eight candidates competing for four seats, all of which were held by incumbent candidates. Trotter was the only newcomer elected to the council, joining re-elected councilors Terri DiSciullo, Mike Minozzi and Glenn Tucker.



Wayne Waldack

Wayne Waldack, 68, has one grown daughter, Theresa, and six grandchildren. His first wife, Phyllis, passed away in 1981, as did his son, Robert, in 2005. He is currently unmarried. Waldack's first forays onto Marco were during the 1960s, when his parents bought a lot and built a house here, moving in permanently in 1972. He moved to the island full-time in 1995 to care for his elderly mother.

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