http://www.marconews.com/news/opinion/?partner=RSSmarconews.com Stories: Island Viewsen-usopinionhttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/10/guest-commentary-january-2012-mls-statistics-good/?partner=RSSMLS statistics, released by the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors for Marco Island only properties, continue to show a very active market. According to Gerry Rosenblum, President of the association, 2012 is off to a busy start. Sales continue to remain strong and are stimulated by the fact that the 30 Year Mortgage recently dipped below four percent. Overall, buyer confidence seems to be steadily increasing as the stock market is rising. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-300149-734543opinion/lettersBy Gerry Rosenblum, 2012 President, Marco Island Area Association of RealtorsMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: January 2012 MLS statistics good news for Marco Islandmarconews.comguest-commentary-january-2012-mls-statistics-goodurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-300149-734543Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/06/letter-editor-good-ole-days-medical-care/?partner=RSSAs a full time resident/condo owner on Marco Island, I experienced a somewhat disturbing situation this past week. I was initially pleased that my medical insurance carrier through Broward County Schools, gave me two doctors’ names on Marco that have been recently approved as “in network.” I have been going to Naples over the past seven years for my medical and dental needs. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299632-734539opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: The good ole days of medical caremarconews.comletter-editor-good-ole-days-medical-careurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299632-734539Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/03/letter-editor-city-council-forums-real-teachable-m/?partner=RSSKudos to our City Council for its inaugural venture into a live Town Hall Forum at its regular meeting of Jan. 23 (re: Marco Eagle, “Fairness and Communication”, Cheryl Ferrara, Jan. 27). For We the People of Marco Island, is there, finally, a hint of genuine democratic representation and broad constituency considerations slowly permeating our elected representatives’ official behaviors and public decision-making processes? I doubt it as found in this Town Hall Forum. Neither surprise nor deviation appeared in attendance as our Councilors confronted citizen inquiries and comments with their less-than-impressive and time-worn locutions and declamations. Such public persona scripts seemingly comprise the solemn “modus operandi” we have witnessed by the majority of our City Council members since 1997’s cityhood. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299483-734536opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: City Council forums, real teachable moments marconews.comletter-editor-city-council-forums-real-teachable-murn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299483-734536Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/03/letter-editor-over-bridge/?partner=RSSWhen we built our home on the dream location her back in 1978, we became accustomed to heading up to the big box hardware and garden places in Naples for things not available on Marco. During the past months we have had occasions to use local merchants for these things and we are very pleased. The service, attitude ... outstanding. The variety of items stocked is substantial. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:07:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299481-734536opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Over the bridgemarconews.comletter-editor-over-bridgeurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299481-734536Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/03/letter-teh-editor-mangroves-theres-still-time-list/?partner=RSSThe Naples Daily News editorial column headline said “It’s better to protect than have to restore,” referring to the mangrove restoration project near Marco Island. This statement really makes sense. For two years I begged to have the existing tide leveling culverts, in the same area they want to install new culverts, cleaned and opened by the entities responsible for this maintenance. Another woman, Connie Fulmer from Goodland, did the same more than 10 years before me. No one would listen, take action or even admit that they exist to this day. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299480-734536opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Mangroves; there’s still time to listenmarconews.comletter-teh-editor-mangroves-theres-still-time-listurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299480-734536Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/03/letter-editor-way-forward-how-grassroots-selection/?partner=RSSAny substantive, worthwhile change takes hard work and common vision. But the way forward is pretty simple: a citizen-run, candidate selection process built on the 3 principles of voter education and involvement, accountability, and removing special-interest money from the process. Using these, we can restore citizen control to a non-responsive government. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:04:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299478-734536opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: A way forward: How a grassroots selection process here on Marco Island can work?marconews.comletter-editor-way-forward-how-grassroots-selectionurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299478-734536Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/03/letter-editor-not-special-interest-group/?partner=RSSAt the Town Hall meeting Monday, Jan 23, all of the current City Councilors were invited by Bruce Novark to participate in this grassroots process called GOooh. This is a process that invites each of them and every voter to fill out a Citizen Candidate Selection questionnaire, engage in dialogue with the voters on the important issues facing our community and then compete for re-election with other qualified candidates. Amazingly, City Council Chairman Gibson said that he feels the GOooh process is just another special interest. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299477-734536opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Not a special interest groupmarconews.comletter-editor-not-special-interest-groupurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-299477-734536Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/23/letter-editor-response-proposal-require-homeowners/?partner=RSSI am shocked and outraged that the city would even consider a plan that forces property owners to remove the “drainage rock” from their swales when the State of Florida along with many other state governments across the country continue to recommend using eco-friendly xeriscaping. There is a large amount of material on the benefits of eco-friendly xeriscaping available online – too many to include in this letter. When I built my home 22 years ago I was encouraged to xeriscape, in fact, at a much higher cost to me at the time. What is xeriscaping and why use it? Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298257-734525opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: In response to proposal to require homeowners to remove rock in swalesmarconews.comletter-editor-response-proposal-require-homeownersurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298257-734525Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/23/letter-editor-not-interested-living-next-mini-golf/?partner=RSSDo we have a comprehensive plan addressing recreational activities on private property? Well, I am probably the only pimple on an otherwise pretty face, but I believe that miniature golf courses on Marco Island near residential property (line of sight) will be an eyesore and nuisance. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298256-734525opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Not interested in living next to mini-golf complexmarconews.comletter-editor-not-interested-living-next-mini-golfurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298256-734525Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/19/letter-editor-grandfather-swales/?partner=RSSMost of the home’s that have rock swale’s were put in a long time ago. At that time it was very exceptable. My swale was done long before I purchased my home. Rock does not float so how could it clog drain’s or pollute the water way’s. In 13 year’s I have never had to replace it. If that is the case are we going to have to replace all the French drain’s also? Fossil rock is the same stone that is used in the French drains on Marco. Please reconsider. Grand fathering would be the way to go with new construction being required to cover there swale’s. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:02:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298013-734521opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Grandfather swales inmarconews.comletter-editor-grandfather-swalesurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298013-734521Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/19/letter-editor-i-history-motion-and-30-years-ago/?partner=RSSIn the latest ‘History In Motion’ article we were asked if we remembered when “23 Front Street was The Greenhouse or Alan’s Hideaway?” Well, does anyone remember farther back when it was The Scotsman’s Pub restaurant? There are still some long time residents around who once worked at the restaurant. The building at the time was shared with Mysels Furniture. I’ve heard it was a pizza place before that. Also, my father once had a real estate business on the upper floor of the Saran building, circa the ‘70’s and moved it to the building next door which is now Island Print Shop and Copy Center. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:01:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298012-734521opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: I like ‘History In Motion’ and the ‘30 Years Ago’marconews.comletter-editor-i-history-motion-and-30-years-agourn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298012-734521Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/19/letter-editor-dear-friends-naples-st-patricks-day/?partner=RSSThe Naples St. Patrick Foundation, the non-profit charitable organization responsible for presenting the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade each year, is accepting nominations for the 2012 Parade Grand Marshal. The 34th Annual Parade will be held on March 17 at 11 a.m. in Old Naples. This is the first time that the parade committee has sought public nominations for the Grand Marshal position. We’re looking for a real contributor to the Collier County Community. Someone that deserves the honor based on their actions, leadership, or volunteerism. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298011-734521opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Dear Friends of the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parademarconews.comletter-editor-dear-friends-naples-st-patricks-dayurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-298011-734521Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/13/letter-editor-not-swale-idea/?partner=RSS Dear Council: I just read an article advising that the Marco Island City Council might require that all swales have ground cover rather than stone. As I understand the article, the cost of the transformation ($1,500-$1,800) plus monthly water maintenance, will be borne by the property owner. This measure will severely impact property owners, like us, because we currently have a stone covered swale (which affords us with occasional, helpful overflow parking). Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297502-734515opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Not a ‘swale’ ideamarconews.comletter-editor-not-swale-ideaurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297502-734515Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/13/letter-editor-questions/?partner=RSS When a citizen takes his or her time to come and wait to speak at a community forum should they receive a response or at minimum the courtesy of direction? Why do certain subjects get discussed at length and while others are treated like a lepers when they ask a question of their elected leaders? We have spent over $120,000 in consulting fees for the Utility Board and counsel review of our rate structure. Why not charge every condo and homeowner the same debt and maintenance fee and then charge everyone the same for every gallon used? This is fair to all and prevents a war between our citizens. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297501-734515opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Questionsmarconews.comletter-editor-questionsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297501-734515Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/jan/13/letter-editor-artfelt-thanks/?partner=RSSIt was a late Friday night, outside the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island, when artist Tara O’Neill wearily loaded her van for a two-day art festival. Believing every last painting, bin and box was securely stored, she headed home for a few hours of shut-eye before rising for a pre-dawn departure to set-up. The next morning, with the rising sun, a horrible reality dawned: over half of her latest collection of floral miniatures had been left curbside the night before. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:09:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297500-734515opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Artfelt thanksmarconews.comletter-editor-artfelt-thanksurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-297500-734515Change0Usable