http://www.marconews.com/news/opinion/letters/?partner=RSSmarconews.com Stories: Lettersen-usopinion/lettershttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/17/letter-editor-just-say-no/?partner=RSSThe residents of Marco need the new council to have the courage to “just say no!” No to any expansion of Mackle Park or wants of the fire hosue remodel. Our only priority this year should be the badly needed Smokhouse Bridge, period! Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:16:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-344050-735036opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Just say nomarconews.comletter-editor-just-say-nourn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-344050-735036Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/17/letter-editor-parking-paradise/?partner=RSSReferring to the article “Parking in Paradise” from June 11, the solution to this problem was solved back in 1972 when Herb Savage suggested to Deltona to install five beach parking lots along Collier Boulevard and Seaview Court. Deltona agreed and so county ordinance 76-20 was born. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:14:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-344048-735036opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Parking in Paradisemarconews.comletter-editor-parking-paradiseurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-344048-735036Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/17/letter-editor-thank-you-emergency-personnel/?partner=RSSDear Chief Murphy, Earlier this month when I had an emergency at my home, EMT personnel from your department arrived on the scene promptly and solved the problems efficiently and courteously. I should like to extend my thanks to them and to say how lucky we are to have a cadre of such dedicated and professional people on call, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:02:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-344046-735036opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Thank you emergency personnelmarconews.comletter-editor-thank-you-emergency-personnelurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-344046-735036Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/13/letter-editor-new-smokehouse-bridges-needed-now/?partner=RSSThe Smokehouse Bridges, which are part of our main hurricane evacuation route, have severe sub-surface deterioration in both the bridge deck and approach slabs according to an engineering condition assessment commissioned by the city last year while I was still on council. This in-depth assessment (which was more thorough than the visual inspection conducted by the FDOT) also recommended replacement of the bridges now before being disabled by a hurricane or tropical storm. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343752-735032opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: New Smokehouse bridges needed nowmarconews.comletter-editor-new-smokehouse-bridges-needed-nowurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343752-735032Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/13/letter-editor-smokehouse-bridge---what-meeting-des/?partner=RSSI find it odd that the Smokehouse Bay Bridge project dominates the City Council and the news. As has been reported, the existing bridge has never been found to be unsafe by any government agency, or engineering firm. Yes, it’s been found to ‘not meet current design standards;’ but if we build one of the five bridges currently under consideration, it will also fail to meet current design specifications in a very short period. Many of the houses that we live in and cars that we drive now fail to meet current design spec’s. Just like our computers, as soon as you buy one it’s obsolete. Those specifications, as they should, are updated almost constantly as the governing manufacturing and safety boards increase their knowledge in ways to make things less expensive, safer and more efficient. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:09:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343751-735032opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Smokehouse Bridge - What is meeting design standards?marconews.comletter-editor-smokehouse-bridge---what-meeting-desurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343751-735032Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/13/letter-editor-mipd-offers-thanks/?partner=RSSDear Editor, On behalf of the Marco Island Police Department and its members we would like to recognize and thank Executive Auto, the Marco Island Moose Lodge, the Marco Island Police Foundation and the generous people of our community for the financial support and efforts that have been made to assist the department in acquiring a police motorcycle. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:07:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343750-735032opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: MIPD offers thanksmarconews.comletter-editor-mipd-offers-thanksurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343750-735032Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/13/letter-editor-do-utility-bill-payers-equal-citizen/?partner=RSSWe the People of Marco Island seem satisfied with our City Council’s unanimous approval to conduct a July poll either accepting or rejecting the new $2.2 million Mackle Park Community Center. Using our July utility mailings, the City Council’s poll will thus assess gross community sentiment, according to utility bill-payers, in pursuing this latest contributor to our costly public indebtedness. To be fair, just and evenhanded, however, might we insist that our City Council answer the following essential questions now to make the July poll more valid and meaningful to all taxpayers? Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:06:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343749-735032opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Do utility bill-payers equal citizen taxpayers?marconews.comletter-editor-do-utility-bill-payers-equal-citizenurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343749-735032Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/13/letter-editor-shamefully-silent/?partner=RSSWe are a democracy in a part of the world that sorely needs democratic voices and practices. We have been a strategic ally to the United States ever since the Cold War. However in recent events, our own media has been shamefully silent. Our prime minister has mocked and trivialized our concerns. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343748-735032opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Shamefully silentmarconews.comletter-editor-shamefully-silenturn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-343748-735032Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/jun/03/letter-editor-my-position-smokehouse-bay-bridge/?partner=RSSIn three recent City Council meetings, I’ve made presentations to my colleagues and to the public on the situation surrounding the Smokehouse Bay Bridge. This critical bridge, which serves as an important evacuation conduit in case of emergency, handles up to 25,000 vehicles per day in season. Sadly, the bridge is classified as “functionally obsolete,” which means that it does not meet current design standards: The road lanes and sidewalks aren’t wide enough, and the guardrails are the wrong material, among other issues. Worse, of course, those of us who go over and under the bridge (particularly on our bicycles and in our boats) know that the structure is approaching the end of its life. Portions of the roadway are crumbling at the surface, the seawalls aren’t robust enough for a big storm surge, and signs of deterioration are even more evident from underneath, and from independent inspection by an engineer hired by the city. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:16:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342899-735022opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: My position on the Smokehouse Bay Bridgemarconews.comletter-editor-my-position-smokehouse-bay-bridgeurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342899-735022Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/30/letter-editor-people-have-spoken/?partner=RSSI may not be the brightest bulb in the circuit and my memory is not the best, but didn’t three independant organizations run public input surveys about the proposed new construction of Mackle Park? MICA, MITA, MIPO polled their membership to see if they were in favor of the project. The majority voted no. The people also were told that the project would be put to a referendum to allow the electorate to determine the destiny of the project. What happened to “local control” since we became a city? Why is City Council spending all the time, money, energy and staff time researching the talking (for years) adnauseam about something most voters don’t want. Thu, 30 May 2013 15:33:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342534-735018opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: The people have spokenmarconews.comletter-editor-people-have-spokenurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342534-735018Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/30/letter-editor-thank-you-petricca-honecker-and-batt/?partner=RSSThe full time home owners on Marco Island owe a thank you to council members Petricca, Honecker and Batte. They actually did what what we elected them for; holding the line on unnecessary spending. Thu, 30 May 2013 15:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342532-735018opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Thank you Petricca, Honecker and Battemarconews.comletter-editor-thank-you-petricca-honecker-and-batturn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342532-735018Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/30/letter-editor-honesty-and-integrity/?partner=RSSAll too often we keep hearing the “negatives” about our Island. There are also many positives which should be addressed. There are many realtors working with people who deserve a fair shake. The days of short sales seem to be over, and these realtors are helping good people obtain homes. Thu, 30 May 2013 15:30:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342531-735018opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Honesty and integritymarconews.comletter-editor-honesty-and-integrityurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342531-735018Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/23/letter-editor-thanks-all-piped-piper-painters/?partner=RSSDear Editor; I wish to express thanks to the members and friends of the Marco Island Center for the Arts who volunteered and participated in phase one of the Pied Piper Painting Project, held on Saturday, May 18. After presenting the project to Executive Director Lynn Holley, President Rosemary Wick and the board of directors, the go ahead was unanimously endorsed. The purpose of the project was to give the center a new and exciting look with a facelift that created a more visual affect for the building at no cost. To accomplish the no cost goal, volunteers donated $25 per person to pay for supplies, as well as supply their own tools such as, a paint brush, roller handle, cover and a paint pan. Thu, 23 May 2013 22:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342055-735011opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Thanks to all the Piped Piper paintersmarconews.comletter-editor-thanks-all-piped-piper-paintersurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-342055-735011Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/22/letter-editor-very-public-thank-you/?partner=RSSRecently, my son had a seizure while at home. Rather than relive that event, I want to focus my attention on the outcome. Jacob is doing well. He’ll need to undergo a series of test, etc., and he remains in good cheer! When I arrived on scene coming from work, Jacob was surrounded by several of Marco’s dedicated firemen, police and paramedics. I’ve had the distinction of seeing these folks in action before and never gave enough consideration to publicly thank these men and women. Wed, 22 May 2013 22:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341918-735010opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: A very public thank youmarconews.comletter-editor-very-public-thank-youurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341918-735010Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/22/letter-editor-memorial-day-marco/?partner=RSS The Marco Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold it’s annual memorial day ceremony at Veteran’s Park on May 27. The approximately one hour program will feature music by the Marco Strummers, Wes English, director. Also, the Star Spangled Banner sung by Craig Gruesel, director of the Lutheran Church music department, with audience participation. There will be the usual salute to the armed services, with members of each service standing for recognition as their branch march is played. The Civil Air Patrol will provide a fly-over during the armed services salute. Post Commander Jim Lang will give an address for the occasion, and Marco’s own Kate Smith (Herb Savage) will lead us all in God Bless America. The posting of the colors and retirement of same will be by the VFW color guard along with accompaniment by the Strummers drum corps. People are advised to bring chairs or blankets for their comfort. Lee Henderson will be recognized as the new Commander of the Marco VFW. He is currently Commander of the Marco Island Civil Air Patrol, and his organizational skills will be greatly appreciated. Wed, 22 May 2013 22:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341917-735010opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Memorial Day on Marcomarconews.comletter-editor-memorial-day-marcourn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341917-735010Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/16/letter-editor-choosing-city-manager/?partner=RSSThe city manager and the city attorney are always selected by the current sitting City Council and serve at the pleasure of the current council. Every two years there is an election that often changes the makeup of the council. This change in makeup can and often does cause the city manager and the city attorney positions to be volatile and unstable in nature. Thu, 16 May 2013 18:50:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341307-735004opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Choosing a city managermarconews.comletter-editor-choosing-city-managerurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341307-735004Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/16/letter-editor-sad-note/?partner=RSSIt was 26 years ago that I was invited to sing in Goodland Florida with the “Paradise Jazz band,” lead by Pianist Bob Gideons. He was famous for his theatrics at the keyboard, bouncing up and down and playing that left handed bass, fast and furious. He knew everybody’s favorite song when they came in, with the hope of getting a seat at the piano bar. Thu, 16 May 2013 18:49:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341306-735004opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Sad notemarconews.comletter-editor-sad-noteurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-341306-735004Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/13/letter-ediotr-dynamics-new-mackle-park-community-c/?partner=RSSWhile our City Council winds-up its deliberations over the construction of a new multi-million dollar center at Mackle Park, ‘We the People’ are still waiting to hear what community offerings and dedicated spaces should embellish this new Parks & Recreation Department’s flagship. What comprehensive recreational-sports-leisure-pastime-wellness-education opportunities should our new center offer taxpayers, their guests and paying visitors at Mackle Park and, especially, elsewhere throughout our diverse city? Obviously, the dynamics of Marco Island should deny the request for a behemoth community center confined to a single site. Shouldn’t our City Council now be thinking outside their traditional boxes of staff recommendations and vested interest suggestions from single-minded cronies? Mon, 13 May 2013 18:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-340903-735001opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: The dynamics of the new Mackle Park community centermarconews.comletter-ediotr-dynamics-new-mackle-park-community-curn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-340903-735001Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/08/letter-editor-weigh-new-city-manager/?partner=RSSTo the citizens of Marco Island: Your City Council voted to begin the process of selecting a new city manager by asking search firms to submit proposals for our review. We hope to get many responses and to select a smaller number of search firms to interview in person. An important part of the search firm’s work will be seeking candidates who match the criteria we outline – that is, what kinds of things are we looking for in a candidate. Wed, 08 May 2013 22:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-340500-734996opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Weigh in on new city managermarconews.comletter-editor-weigh-new-city-managerurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-340500-734996Change0Usablehttp://www.marconews.com/news/2013/may/06/letter-editor-fire-rescue-foundation-offers-thanks/?partner=RSSThe Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation would like to thank our sponsors, volunteers and the Island community for their contributions in making our April Pancake Breakfast a huge success. Thank you to Coastal Breeze News, Cocomos, Pyramid AmSan, Marco Eagle and Mutual of Omaha Bank for their support. And a very heart felt thank you to all of our Fire Fighters and EMT’s who assisted that day. Their commitment to our community is why the Foundation was created. Hope to see you all in November. Mon, 06 May 2013 16:52:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-340194-734994opinion/lettersStaff WriterMarco, FLLetter to the Editor: Fire Rescue Foundation offers thanksmarconews.comletter-editor-fire-rescue-foundation-offers-thanksurn:publicid:www.marconews.com:news-Story-340194-734994Change0Usable