Many readers have asked for a simple run-down of where the eight City Council candidates stand on the island’s big issues.

In the interest of making you, the voter, as informed as possible, we asked the candidates to answer 10 yes/no questions we thought were some of the biggest on the island.

Knowing that some things require a little elaboration, we allowed the candidates to expand their answers to just two questions of their choosing.

1. Do you support completion of the city’s sewering program?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: Yes

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: Yes, considering the costs associated with stopping that would be paid through increased sewer and water rates and the likelihood it would be mandated at some point in the future.

Bill Trotter: Yes

Wayne Waldack: Yes

2. If the program were stopped, would you require homes with access to sewer lines to connect anyway?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: Yes

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon No, they would not be required to hook up, that would be voluntary.

Frank Recker: Yes

Bill Trotter: Yes

Wayne Waldack: Yes

3. Would you support attempts to expose the position of city manager to a referendum, in effect removing him or her if a majority of voters feel that he or she has done an unsatisfactory job?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: No

Andrew Guidry: No, A new, strong City Council will have the responsibility of guiding the city manager.

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: No

Bill Trotter: No

Wayne Waldack: No

4. Would you support continued defense in court of the city’s waterways ordinance, which was declared unconstitutional by a district judge in November?

Joe Batte: Yes, City ordinances must be defended if challenged. However, future ordinances must conform to state and federal law and receive thorough legal review prior to passing.

Jerry Gibson: No

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon If the city loses this appeal, I would end it here. If the city wins the appeal, and the defendant moves it to the supreme court, I would have to think long and hard about continuing.

Frank Recker: No

Bill Trotter: I initially supported this to uphold our ordinance. However, if it appears that success is unlikely, I will vote not to continue.

Wayne Waldack: No

5. Do you support the possible doubling of Florida homestead exemptions?

Joe Batte: Yes

Jerry Gibson: Yes

Andrew Guidry: Yes

Roger Hall Yes

Butch Neylon Yes

Frank Recker: Yes

Bill Trotter: Yes

Wayne Waldack: Yes

6. Would you support, under any circumstances, a toll on the Jolley Bridge?

Joe Batte: No, Spending has been out of control with no attention to real needs of the people, like repairing infrastructure. Creating new assessments is not the answer.

Jerry Gibson: No

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: No

Bill Trotter: No

Wayne Waldack: No

7. Do you believe city spending over the last two years has been reasonable?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: Yes

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No, In the two years I have been going to council and budget meetings I have never seen any effort to curtail spending for any project.

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: Yes

Bill Trotter: Yes

Wayne Waldack: Yes, exceptional and necessary health and safety infrastructure needed to be completed because of 30 years of neglect that some homeowners seem unaware of.

8. Would you support a special assessment for fire services?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: Yes, As long as there is no increase to taxes

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No, This is another attempt to circumvent the CAP and raise our effective taxes 10 percent. It creates a new unregulated tax burden on our citizens.

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: Yes, provided it is offset by a tax reduction.

Bill Trotter: Yes, Provided it does not result in an overall increase in taxes. This is an important step to help prevent cuts in our essential services.

Wayne Waldack: Yes, by referendum only.

9. Should the city do away with its police force?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: No

Andrew Guidry: No

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: No

Bill Trotter: No

Wayne Waldack: No

10. Should the city consider un-incorporating?

Joe Batte: No

Jerry Gibson: No

Andrew Guidry: No, But if this tax and spend council is not replaced by the voters, Marco City may run out of funds.

Roger Hall No

Butch Neylon No

Frank Recker: No

Bill Trotter: No

Wayne Waldack: No

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