Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2006

Letter: Greed is the issue

It saddens me to think that our elected officials have not listened to their constituency.

The city has mailed its glossy propaganda pamphlet to all taxpayers to convince them that septic replacement is correct for Marco. The only ones who will benefit from the septic replacement program are the city and the developers. The city will collect additional tax dollars from all of us, and the developers wish to greatly increase the density of our island.

If zoning ordinances are passed, we will have high-rise condos over all the commercial property presently on Marco.

Collier Boulevard will look like the Grand Canyon.

The sewer issue is not about the high cost or septic tank replacement, but about the greed of our developers in cahoots with the city. The developers will use our tax dollars to increase the density of the island.

We must take our island back and get involved now to stop this sewer project from going forward. We need to look at the impact that such development will have on our small island. We need to have an environmental impact study done if we are to protect our health and the wildlife we have all around us.

— Frances Enman / Marco Island

Letter: Septic system users must speak up

The burden of the proposed expansion of the Marco sewer system is falling entirely on the homeowners who are served by septic systems.

Original sewer users had to pay a connection fee, but the assets were purchased by all of us. A legal challenge should be made against any plan that limits responsibility for payment to septic system users.

A reported bacteria hot spot was near the wastewater treatment plant. Did plant failure cause the problem and does it require repair? The logic for charging septic users for expansion justifies charging the costs for repair to those presently using the plant.

Nancy Richie, the city's environmental technician, provided our Waterways Advisory Committee monthly waterways bacteria counts. She never showed tests above state standards, and only once did she advise that there was an elevated test (below state standards), most likely the calling card left by a manatee or dolphin.

City Manager Bill Moss began this snowball because we needed more nonpotable water.

When that did not catch on, he decided that the red-herring bacteria should be tried. It is time to stop him.

Public Works Director Rony Joel reportedly has said the project cannot be stopped because the city has committed $16 million. If Marco has outstanding contracts without cancellation language, he and council members authorizing such contracts should be immediately investigated. Do we not have standard limits of authority language in our cities by laws?

— W. Gail Day / Marco Island

Letter: It doesn't 'ad' up

While reading the classified section of the Naples Daily News on Jan. 1, I came across an ad that was a request for a bid.

It was for the Marco Island Tigertail sewer district. On the bottom there was a small notation, Jan. 1 to 8. It seemed odd to me that the ad ran on a Sunday, especially a holiday.

The next two days it did not appear again, so I went to the newspaper office. I asked if the ad was supposed to run from the 1st through 8th, and was told no, only those two dates. The next week, Jan. 8, there was another request for a bid for Marco Island, for Collier Boulevard streetlight design and installation. Again there was the small notation Jan. 8 to 15, two days also.

I would imagine that if the city really wanted to procure the best prices for the city, the ads would run for longer periods of time, not only two Sundays.

Or, on the other hand, have the contractors already been chosen, and this method meets the barest, basic, minimal legal requirements?

Just wondering.

— Tom Dawber / Marco Island

Letter: 'Markup Island'

My favorite letter to the editor was the fantastic poem by Pat Maguire that ran Feb. 1. I had several copies made to give to friends.

On the subject of sewers: They have worked fine for hundreds of years when maintained properly. And they are not costly.

I am against the sewer project mostly because of the outrageous cost it will impose on property owners. Not all Marco Island residents are wealthy.

Why should each home be assessed $25,000 or perhaps more when they start ringing up the cash register?

I lived in Hallandale for 38 years before moving to Marco Island. We had sewers installed when I lived there for $2,500.

No other cost was imposed.

When Marco purchased Florida Water Services Corp. several years ago, it acquired all the old and rusty pipes that deliver the water to homes. All these pipes will need to be replaced when the sewers are installed. Perhaps the cost will be imposed on the homeowners, making the project of great expense. This is not fair.

I am for keeping septic tanks with periodical inspections to make sure they are properly maintained. This will avoid tearing up the streets, traffic jams and the outrageous cost of the sewers. It is way out of proportion.

Most people are against the sewers project because of the high cost. And if you can't pay up front, an interest tariff will be applied. People have called Marco Island a paradise. I think it is more like paradise lost. Another name for the island is "Markup Island."

— Frances Aruta/ Marco Island

Letter: Top doc

We have been part-time residents of Marco Island for three years, and we had not required any help from Marco medical personnel until our recent monthlong stay.

My husband and I required medical attention with ongoing foot and neck problems and sought referrals for professional assistance. These referrals took us to the patient and caring treatments given by Dr. Patrick Layton at Island Family Chiropractic on Collier Boulevard.

Unfortunately, we needed this assistance during the last week of our stay on Marco. Dr. Layton processed needed X-rays with great speed and spent an extraordinary amount of time treating our needs, even during hours the office normally would have been closed.

We cannot give him enough praise for the consistent concern and care for both of us.

Marco is truly fortunate to have this quality of medical care right here on the island. I do not normally give written testimonials, but felt that service like this deserves to be recognized.

— Lois Steliga / Marco Island