MICA: Members speak out about the survey

As I’m sure you have read or heard, the results of MICA’s annual membership survey were recently released. Before I go further, I should let you know board members went to great pains to ensure that questions were not leading or eliciting of a particular response. As topics come up throughout the year, they are added to a list and come spring, the survey is compiled from the suggestions on the list.

This year there were three lines on the bottom of the survey for comments. Now you may wonder what kind of comments our members might write. I thought I would devote this column to some very special comments. A number of comments addressed the survey itself and included: Keep up the surveys; I like that you send out this form — it gives everyone a chance to have some input; good survey — no leading questions; and this is a comprehensive survey-well done!

Then there were the comments about the civic association in general, such as: I thank MICA for its attention to our common well-being; keep up the good work and many thanks to all of the directors — much appreciate your time and effort; I support a strong MICA; MICA must maintain its vigilance; and I personally love being a member of MICA and Residents’ Beach - I love Marco Island and will never move! There were also many, many comments reflecting the sentiment that MICA does a fine job and our members feel they are well represented.

Because at MICA we all are so proud of Residents’ Beach, I think one of our favorites was: “Our Resident’s Beach is the most impressive facility I’ve ever seen on any Florida beach in over 50 years of visiting Florida. Anyone not satisfied with this needs to go somewhere else!” There were so many complimentary comments about the Residents’ Beach, and the pride that our members have shines through brightly. We thank you and take it as a nod in the right direction, and it gives our board and staff encouragement to continue on with what we’ve been doing!

There were comments about our city in general. One that bears more thought was “the Marco Island Civic Association and community-based organizations have served the residents of Marco well for years without the use of tax dollars — city government should have the attitude to work with all and not control all.” Of course, our city government cannot operate without funds, but cooperation among the citizens, community organizations, our government representatives and city staff can only make for a better environment for all of us.

Municipalization of the electric utility was a hot button, and in their comments our members overwhelmingly stated that Lee County Electric does an outstanding job for us and basically, don’t mess with success. Based upon the actual numbers of the survey responses themselves: 6.1 percent in favor of expending further funds investigating electric municipalization, 82.7 percent opposed to it, and 11.2 percent undecided. Based upon the comments received, it is transparently clear that a great percentage of members do not want any further steps taken in this regard.

As you may guess, in these stressful economic times, a great number of comments regarding the City of Marco Island had to do with spending and projects. Yes, our residents are pleased to be living on our beautiful island, but their savings and retirement funds have taken major blows and a sentiment expressed over and over by so many was “cut back on spending and stretch your dollars as we have had to do at home.”

Overall, the residents of Marco Island love where they live and want to continue to call this island “home.”

If you’d like further information about the MICA membership survey results, please call the MICA office at 642-7778.