I was told today by neighbors who live nearby, that there meetings on Friday and Monday for a business to use the empty lot by Rose Marina as a holding area for horse drawn carriages.
I’m concerned that in this “off season,” perhaps half of the voices of Marco's property owners will not be available to help assess the merits of this petition.
This island doesn’t have enough room for bicyclists to ride alongside the automobiles, let alone accommodate horse drawn carriages along with automobiles, bikes and pedestrians. I have personally witnessed five accidents this past season with bikers (in the designated bike lane) being cut off, and or hit by cars – one severe enough to call the police. Add in seasonal doubling of traffic to this mix, and I can assure you, it will be a nightmare.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has horse drawn carriages due to their large Amish population. They have their own lane (almost as big as a car lane) and horse-car accidents occur frequently. Manure accumulation on the road, and the smell and mess left behind is unpleasant. We do currently have bicycle “carriage” rentals that can seat up to four adults available for perusing the island, but in Old Marco, even the bike carriages are too big for the bike path, and they have to use the pedestrian sidewalk.
Marco is our paradise, and I am sure we all want to preserve it.
Jean M. Foster
Marco Island
Cool Cruisers Car Club Cruise-In
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 18
marco97 writes:
Jean we lost the Marco most people knew a couple of years after we became a City. It could have went ether way but unfortunately we had very bad leaders.
1Paradiselost writes:
Jean
Most likely your 80 to 100 years old and the last time you saw a horse was while Little Joe on TV's Bonanza was riding one.
Some of the cities that have carriage rides are Boston, New York, Cape May, Charleston, Atlanta and Washington DC. just to mention a few. The size of the roads are no different in those cities then the ones here on Marco. People need to slow down on this island, period!
Why not show some class here. As far as the mess in concern, horses are double bagged while escorting tourists. Look that up on the internet.
This method is much cleaner than your neighborhood dog.
I'm sure the cities fathers would regulate the operation and would not allow what your suggesting.
All kidding aside, please open your closed mind and let others enjoy what your unwilling to accept!
GorgonZola writes:
Free enterprise is somewhat like free speech and free lunch: there isn't any as they always come with a price, and that is usually at great cost to someone else.
I wonder if another purely tourist business is needed, especially one that seems to upset so many permanent residents. 1Paradiselost - no wonder you are lost. Instead of insulting Ms. Jean, allow her to express herself - at least she is polite. You think 'class' is a horse and carriage? On what planet? Horse-drawn carriages are not going to improve traffic by slowing it down - from what we see, slowed-down drivers around here become enraged and make stupid decisions like cutting in and out and passing other cars. There is a trolley bus for tourists if sightseeing is the object. As for transportation from one spot to another in the evening, we can't see anyone calling a carriage - its use would probably be spontaneous. It's not all about traffic, eiher - consider the residents whose homes overlook the proposed staging areas. We have owned horses forever, and as clean as you keep them and their stalls, they still smell like horses and attract horseflies. Horse 'Depends' are not always foolproof. Read all about it in detail on the city's website under the Planning Board - funny, but on the map of the proposed route, it doesn't seem to go by the homes of the owners of this business -- how strange. They may counter that there's nothing of interest to see on their street -- well, as I look at the route, I don't see much of interest anywhere on Marco that warrants a horse-drawn carriage ride. We all know the trusty city fathers have most likely done their homework, but it doesn't seem to have involved asking the residents - their voters and supporters - what they want. Let's face it: how many city councilors these days vote on behalf of anyone but themselves. Perhaps the route should be in circles around Veterans Park. Let's see - horse and carriage, two mini-golf courses - why not a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, drive-in movie, Olympic sized public pool, and a few used car lots -- very classy.
condoseller writes:
I'm all for the horse drawn carriages. How charming! I too believe motorists need to slow down on this island and share the road with bicyclists. The bike lanes are there to provide a specific and safe area for bicyclists to ride. Motorists must learn to respect them.
ratsnake writes:
Everyone wants to transplant to Marco then shut the door so it never changes from the day they got here. Live and let live. And that's nonsense about horse-car accidents in Lancaster. I'm up in that part of PA frequently and I don't see a ton of horse-car accidents ever.
marco826 writes:
Mr. Paradiselost,
Your reply to that Lady whose letter represents her opinions was nothing less than nasty and condescending. Mean actually. "Open your closed mind?" You sir I suggest are an arrogant poster who throws rocks and hides behind his PC for the sake of criticizing anyone who doesn't agree with your point of view. I thought her point of view was reasonable. By the way, the "City Fathers" you refer to are not here to regulate horse operations although many of them want to regulate everything on this Island. I'm for less Government...
MrBreeze writes:
One more attraction to the Marco Carnival experience. How bout some Lions, Tigers and Bears?
GFonda writes:
Well, the Planning Board approved moving the petition for HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES to the City Council; but eliminated the Bald Eagle staging area from the operation. Watching the presentation put on by the owners of the operation, there was some inconsistency as to where the pick-up and drop off points will be. At one point they spoke to being able to pick up a a person's house for a surprise anniversary; then stated that the pick-up and drop off points would be fixed. Also the routes seemed to be fixed, but left uncovered drop-off/pick-ups at the Island Country Club and the Yacht Club. Those two locations are apt to be popular reception sites (or even wedding sites). So there is some question as to whether the whole island could be used by the Company.
Operation on the island would only occur when there are firm reservations; if no reservations, then they wouldn't be doing any staging. What was not addressed is what happens if there are two reservations for the same day but hours apart. Would the horses and carriage return to the staging area to wait? Also, I found insufficient consideration being given to the HORSES. They need WATER periodically if they are used for extensive periods of time.
Just some thoughts.
MarcoBiker writes:
Sigh. Free market gets balanced by community standards. In this case, the community should say "no thanks". Minature golf, great. Expanded community center, great. Improved bicycle paths, great. Horses and carriages, why? This should go on a ballot, not be acted on by the City Council.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"I'm for less Government..."
For to many people on Marco Island is a little bit freedom a loophole has yo be covered by law or ordinances. Marco Island is the capitol of the world of law and order people and security junkies. For every tiny crap they need an ordinance or law paragraph. Intellectually poor people are living here. Before they came it was a paradise. Now it is a regulation destination.
captnjimbo writes:
Works on Mackinac Island (the north end of I-75)...of course there are no cars and everything moves at a snail's pace.
In spite of double bags and clean up crews scraping deposits, there is a reason there are so many fudge shoppes...and the place still stinks and flies are everywhere. Some tourist spend the night but 99% get on a boat and go away...quaint but still a crappy idea.
Is somebody trying to turn my town into a tourist trap? Cut it out already!!!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Your town is a resort destination. What is the big difference?
WizeOlMarco writes:
PS 'Paradise' disappeared in 1965.
happyhorowitz34145 writes:
We already have panthers, bobcats, and now bears!
Along with Reveire as ring master and the council as the circus, we have everything for entertainment on Marco!!!!!!
OldMarcoMan writes:
NOW I understand why they lowered the Speed Limit in some parts of town.
Funny how stuff works on Marco, coincidences like STRPs and 4 lane bridges all over the place????
skulljockey writes:
I've been here a very long time and I think it's a GREAT IDEA!! As a resident I look forward to taking my wife out for a nice dinner then a romantic carriage ride. Besides, with the way most of the tourists drive, the horse will be faster.
marco826 writes:
With all due respect, this is NOT a great idea...sure, taking your wife for a ride is a nice idea. Take her to Manhattan. I predict this whole idea turns out to be a Disaster...
buckeyenut writes:
forget the horses and hook the carriage to the jack-a--'s on marco. I know one right at the end of rose ct.
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