Capri Update: Communication is key to a better community

In a community as small as this one, it is of utmost importance that people keep in touch with one another and with what is happening in their neighborhood. This is one of the reasons I have agreed to write this column. The Citizen is a very popular paper here on the Isles of Capri. I feel that if this is the only thing some read, at least they will be informed as to what is going on in their community.

The major communication is word-of-mouth here, but there are several more formal means by which Islanders can keep abreast of things.

General Association meetings are held monthly (until recently) by the Isles of Capri Civic Association (IOCCA). At its May meeting, the board announced that the June meeting be the last one for this season and meetings will resume in October. That is unless something critical emerges that would prompt a meeting prior to October. Poor attendance during the summer months of July, August and September prompted their decision. All meetings are open to the public.

The Civic Association also has a website, where matters of interest and announcements of events are posted. This may be accessed at www.capricivicassoc.com. The webmaster, Kirk Colvin, is also the new president of IOCCA.

The Association has as its major communication a newsletter it calls The Island Voice. This publication provides a monthly update of the happenings, board decisions, news, and events on Capri. It contains special notifications of date-sensitive issues and responsibilities.

It also recognizes the accomplishments of community members who are diligent in their efforts to keep Capri a place where we all want to live, work, and play.

Until this date, The Island Voice has been distributed in a "pony express" fashion by a team of hard-working volunteers who go door to door, October through May. They also place it in strategic locations at various businesses, where residents and visitors may pick it up.

Beginning in June, The Island Voice will be mailed, but to association members only. Those who live in the condos such as Tarpon Village, Marco Towers, La Peninsula, and Twin Dolphins can still receive copies at their mailbox/bulletin board areas. Copies will also be placed in the local real estate offices, restaurants, and in the Capri Community Center foyer for easy pick-up. Those members who leave a forwarding address will receive their copies in the mail throughout the year.

All residents, members and non-members will receive a bulk-mailing for the months from November through February as these are the peak months in which more of our residents are here for the season.

The funding for this mailing comes from local ads placed in the publication by Capri business owners. Chuck Walton, former president of the Association and owner of Chuck's Island Plumbing said, "Each time the paper comes out, I get a new group of customers. This is very inexpensive advertising!" Locals here use it as a quick reference when they need work of any sort done. "We like to keep our business on the Island as much as we can," is the most frequent statement heard in this regard.

The bottom line is that whatever it takes, it is our civic responsibility to keep our residents informed and use the vehicles provided for us to do just that. Uninformed decisions are dangerous.

Team decision-making is effective only when we stay abreast of the issues and communicate.