http://www.marconews.com/news/opinion/columns/?partner=RSSmarconews.com Stories: Guest Columnsen-usopinion/columnshttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/apr/01/essay-pelican-population-and-growth-alarms-experts/?partner=RSS"The pelicans in the Marco area are getting bigger,” related Chief Ornithologist Derek Berger from the Everglades National Seashore Foundation. “The population of the native Brown Pelicans is increasing and so is the size of the individual birds.” The Brown Pelican for several years was on the endanger spices list but not any longer. Whether it is the extremely warm winter, the nutrient runoffs from golf course fertilizers or the exploding growth of the indigenous fish population, which have also been affected by the overly warm waters and added nutrients, the mystery of the growing number of birds and the individual bird sizes is truly alarming. capttom@marcoislandtoday.com (TOM WILLIAMS)Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:38:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-305104-734594opinion/columnists/allTOM WILLIAMSMarco Island, FLESSAY: Pelican population and growth alarms expertsmarconews.comessay-pelican-population-and-growth-alarms-expertsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-305104-734594Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/mar/26/guest-commentary-lets-get-real-facts-our-citizens/?partner=RSSA reporter asked me why I wanted to be Chairman of the Marco Island City Council and I replied, “I want to communicate with our citizens.” You deserve to know the real facts on the issues that come before the City Council, not what some group wants you to hear. When you have the real facts you can decide if you want to support the issue or oppose, but you’ll do so being fully informed. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-304517-734588opinion/columnists/allBy Larry Magel, Chairman, Marco Island City CouncilMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: Let’s get the real facts, our citizens deserve itmarconews.comguest-commentary-lets-get-real-facts-our-citizensurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-304517-734588Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/mar/26/guest-commentary-coast-guard-auxiliary-air-semper/?partner=RSSThe next time you are walking along an ocean beach or enjoying the tranquil waters of a large inland river or an expansive lake and see a low flying plane traverse the sky overhead, chances are you are looking at a Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft. Their history goes back to WWII. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:47:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-304489-734588opinion/columnists/allBy CONSTANCE O. IRVINMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: Coast Guard Auxiliary Air is Semper paratus (always ready)marconews.comguest-commentary-coast-guard-auxiliary-air-semperurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-304489-734588Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/mar/16/seymour-dolphin-rescue-tale/?partner=RSSIt took all of about 15 seconds to set the net that captured Seymour, a local dolphin whose entanglement in fishing line had resulted in a life threatening injury. Forty-five minutes earlier, at 11:45 as the Dolphin Explorer turned into Collier Bay a passenger called out a dolphin sighting. The dolphin only had to resurface once for James Liviccari, the naturalist aboard, to confirm that after five hours of searching, Seymour had been found. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-303504-734578opinion/columnists/allBy Kent Morse, Naturalist, 10,000 Island Dolphin ProjectMarco Island, FLSeymour: A dolphin (rescue) talemarconews.comseymour-dolphin-rescue-taleurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-303504-734578Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/mar/16/guest-commentary-february-2012-mls-statistics-marc/?partner=RSSMLS statistics, released by the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors for Marco Island only properties, continue to show a very active market. Here is a recap of what happened in the Marco Island Real Estate market during February 2012. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-303503-734578opinion/columnists/allBy Gerry Rosenblum, 2012 President, MIAAORMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: February 2012 MLS statistics for Marco Island show no let up for demandmarconews.comguest-commentary-february-2012-mls-statistics-marcurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-303503-734578Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2012/feb/20/news-nest-update-paleo-and-calusa/?partner=RSSOnce again, Paleo and Calusa (dubbed last May by Tommy Barfield fifth grade students) have two new eaglets in their nest. The first egg hatched on Jan. 18 and the second on Jan. 21. The Marco Eagle Sanctuary is sporting a new look with the recent installation of a rope barrier, sign and benches. This new natural park setting offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the eagle family. Sitting on park benches, visitors may watch the eagles’ activities in their own serene natural environment. Setting up with telescopes on the sidewalk or viewing through binoculars, visitors have a more close up encounter with the eaglets’ fuzzy little heads as they play “dueling beaks” in the nest under the adult female’s close supervision. The adult male is seen making frequent flights to the nest tree with fish dangling from his talons to feed his family. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-301046-734553opinion/columnists/allLinda J. Turner, director of operations for the Marco Eagle Sanctuary FoundationMarco Island, FLNews From The Nest: An update on Paleo and Calusamarconews.comnews-nest-update-paleo-and-calusaurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-301046-734553Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/23/guest-column-housing-market-statistics-marco-islan/?partner=RSSSeason is here and things are busy! Welcome back to our Northern friends! Statistics for Marco Island only properties, from the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors multiple listing service show high sales activity since the beginning of the year compared with the same time frame last year. Statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 through Nov. 30, 2011, all property types, show an increase of activity and price compared to the same period of time last year, Jan. 1, 2010 through Nov. 30, 2010. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:39:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-296026-734494opinion/columnists/allBy Gerry RosenblumMarco Island, FLGuest Column: Housing market statistics on Marco Island continue yearly upward swingmarconews.comguest-column-housing-market-statistics-marco-islanurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-296026-734494Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/15/guest-commentary-remember-alamo-wall-tribute/?partner=RSSIn June of 1964, Karl F. Perry wrote across his face in my high school yearbook: Remember the Alamo! Then he signed “Karl.” His handwriting was bold and beautiful; perhaps of all my male classmates who signed my yearbook, his showed a stunning display of cursive. That year he was casually seeing a friend of mine who went on to be a doctor. She was bright, one of the top in our senior class; Karl was in my German class, and based on my foreign language abilities and low grades in Mr. Teeter’s class, Karl was most likely much better than me, but I don’t know for sure. In fact, I know nothing else about him, other than Karl died in Vietnam, just shy of his 22nd birthday in April of 1968. So his yearbook inscription was most prophetic. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:09:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-295187-734486opinion/columnists/allBy Lynn M. Holley, Fiddler’s CreekMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: Remember the Alamo! A Wall tributemarconews.comguest-commentary-remember-alamo-wall-tributeurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-295187-734486Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/dec/15/guest-commentary-christmas-island-style-presents-a/?partner=RSSAs December continues to wind down, Marco Islanders continue their celebration of the holidays at Christmas Island Style events and gatherings. This weekend is no exception as islanders prepare for a holiday movie, a remembrance of a local icon, a street parade and a celebration at the oldest church on Marco. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:06:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-295185-734486opinion/columnists/allBy Steve Stefanides, Christmas Island StyleMARCO ISLANDGuest Commentary: Christmas Island Style presents another big weekendmarconews.comguest-commentary-christmas-island-style-presents-aurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-295185-734486Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/nov/22/guest-commentary-where-marco-island-heading/?partner=RSSLet he who is not poorer in real estate valuation than he was five years ago cast the first stone in rebuttal. Marco Island has lost approximately 50 percent of its property value since the last real estate price peak. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294629-734463opinion/columnists/allBy George PercelMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: Where is Marco Island heading?marconews.comguest-commentary-where-marco-island-headingurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-294629-734463Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/oct/27/halloween-story-skeletons-discovered-under-marco-r/?partner=RSSAn ancient burial chamber was found late last Wednesday under the southern end of the new Marco Island Bridge. A routine test piling was drilled and filled with concrete during the construction of the new causeway and after the six month standard test; the piling was removed and revealed the skeletal remains of 13 original Marco inhabitants. Dr. Simon Howell, an anthropologist from the University of Florida was called in to investigate the discovery and immediately organized a press conference. capttom@marcoislandtoday.com (TOM WILLIAMS)Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:32:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-290424-734437opinion/columnists/allTOM WILLIAMSMarco Island, FLA Halloween story: Skeletons discovered under the Marco Rivermarconews.comhalloween-story-skeletons-discovered-under-marco-rurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-290424-734437Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/oct/27/letter-editor-wastewater-and-water-assessments-und/?partner=RSSAt the Monday Council Meeting, held Oct. 17, Community Forum section, I made a presentation concerning the Wastewater and Water Assessments on Undeveloped Properties (vacant lots). I requested that the Agenda Item 2(B) from the Aug. 15, council meeting, which was tabled indefinitely, because it was repugnant to a councilor, be included on a future council meeting agenda for further discussion. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:30:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-290423-734437opinion/columnists/allStaff WriterMarco Island, FLLetter to the Editor: Wastewater and water assessments on undeveloped properties (vacant lots)marconews.comletter-editor-wastewater-and-water-assessments-undurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-290423-734437Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/oct/27/guest-commentary-support-marco-eagle-sanctuary-pol/?partner=RSSWe, the voters of Marco Island have an opportunity to have our voices heard. By voter referendum the citizens can compel that the City abide by our wishes. Our city officials are elected based on promises they make to us while campaigning. Once they are elected, all too often, they see their own “grand design” for how they want Marco Island to be. To our dismay, their campaign promises no longer seem to matter. A group of Marco Islanders have formed the Marco Eagle Sanctuary Political Committee (MES PC) and found a means in which registered voters of Marco Island can be guaranteed that City officials proceed in the manner we desire. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-290422-734437opinion/columnists/allBy Dr. GERALD D. SWIACKI, Chairman of the Marco Eagle Sanctuary PCMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: Support the Marco Eagle Sanctuary Political Committeemarconews.comguest-commentary-support-marco-eagle-sanctuary-polurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-290422-734437Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/oct/17/guest-commentary-mica-surveys-anyone-listening/?partner=RSSThe Marco Island Civic Association has surveyed its membership on an annual basis for at least the past 30 years. Great thought goes into preparing the survey questions. Way back when, some claimed that some of the questions were biased and could have been worded better. It is true that we could all do better at times! To that end, MICA consulted with professors at FGCU and incorporated their suggestions into the survey writing. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:40:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-289536-734427opinion/columnists/allBy Ruth McCann, executive director, Marco Island Civic AssociationMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: MICA surveys; is anyone listeningmarconews.comguest-commentary-mica-surveys-anyone-listeningurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-289536-734427Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/oct/10/guest-commentary-economics-behind-fireworks-decisi/?partner=RSSIn order to make prudent decisions, sometimes you have to look beyond today, sometimes beyond tomorrow, and sometimes, outside of your immediate circle of impact. The last of those is often the hardest to do. On a national level, this seems to be a common hindrance to progress. Let’s not make the same mistake on a local level. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:01:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-288846-734420opinion/columnists/allBy Vip Grover, Marco IslandMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: The economics behind the fireworks decision on Marco Islandmarconews.comguest-commentary-economics-behind-fireworks-decisiurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-288846-734420Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jul/11/true-cost-war-when-johnny-comes-marching-home-agai/?partner=RSSLike many Americans, my emotions were mixed as I listened to President Obama’s speech on June 22. I was pleased that the withdrawal has begun, although the number seems a bit meager. And, like many Americans I too, question the President’s motives for the timing seems questionable; especially since this action could have been taken shortly after inauguration day or immediately following the death of Osama bin Laden. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-281078-734329opinion/columnists/allRoy EatonMarco Island, FLThe true cost of war: When Johnny comes marching home againmarconews.comtrue-cost-war-when-johnny-comes-marching-home-agaiurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-281078-734329Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jun/22/guest-commentary-why-not-referendum-please-let-peo/?partner=RSSThe previous plan of our City Council was for the new Mackle Park Community Building to go to referendum, as reflected in the fiscal year 2011 capital budget (currently posted on the city’s website). Somehow, the sentiment of the majority of our current council seems to have shifted to avoid a referendum by having the City enter into a design-build lease back arrangement. Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:47:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279587-734310opinion/columnists/allBy Donna Kahn, Marco IslandMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: Why not a referendum – Please let the people speakmarconews.comguest-commentary-why-not-referendum-please-let-peourn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-279587-734310Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/jun/02/forum-email-sets-flag-debate-marco-island/?partner=RSSOn Monday, Dave Rice set off a firestorm of email responses after he sent out a photograph showing U.S. flags piled up on the ground, presumably removed so that landscapers could navigate the medians. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:49:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-277816-734290opinion/columnists/allMarco Eagle StaffMARCO ISLANDForum: Email sets off flag debate on Marco Islandmarconews.comforum-email-sets-flag-debate-marco-islandurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-277816-734290Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/may/31/touch-comfort-our-wounded-warriors/?partner=RSSDevastating pain from the wound in his abdomen sent ribbons of searing ache through his body, as this young Marine corporal was lifted gently onto the cot aboard the evacuation C-17 Air Force Medivac plane at Balad Air Base in Iraq. His nurse, an Air Force captain, tended to him with an increased dosage of morphine to ease his pain while an attendant slipped an unusual small soft flannel pillow under his head to make him a little more comfortable. He managed a smile through the pain. Tue, 31 May 2011 15:36:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-277523-734288opinion/columnists/allBy Bill Walsh, submittedMarco Island, FLA touch of comfort for our wounded warriorsmarconews.comtouch-comfort-our-wounded-warriorsurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-277523-734288Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2011/may/17/pending-interest-rate-cycle/?partner=RSSThe private and public sectors of our economy have had a relatively easy ride the last three decades, although it is difficult to imagine when one looks at the current state of our economy: The vast number of unemployed, the rapid increase in the number of homeless and those living in poverty, plunging home prices, the meager increase in our gross national product, the surge in our annual deficits, and the spiraling national debt. Tue, 17 May 2011 17:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-276070-734274opinion/columnists/allBy Roy EatonMarco Island, FLGuest Commentary: The pending interest rate cyclemarconews.compending-interest-rate-cycleurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-276070-734274Change0Usable