Marco City Council Election

Full gallery »Halloween happy time on Marco Island

  • The Ninjas and Star Wars theme favored these children, from left, David, 4 and Jose Morales, 7, Nicole, 7 and Michelle Rodriguez, 5.
  • Madison Taylor, 3, checks out her sucker as part of her Halloween treats.
  • The O'Farrells, left, Mikayla, 2 1/2, Brenna, 9 months and Jake, 5, stepped out for some Halloween treats.
  • These youngsters from Switzerland were on Marco Beach vacationing when they heard about the American custom, trick or treating on Halloween. Mathis, 4, and Nils, 3 1/2, had been told on the beach to hit the Tommie Barfield Elementary area for good treats and lots of kids.
  • A werewolf, Ryan Sullivan, 9, with his Zombie sister, Cassie, 10, as they trick or treat on Halloween.
  • Brenda Bataran chose the new TV show 'Pan Am' for her Halloween costume theme.

Snow White, werewolves, ninjas, witches and a number of not so scary black cats were among the decorative costumes and cute kids celebrating Halloween night on Marco Island on Monday.



Full gallery »Rescued sea turtles released near Marco Island

  • One of 42 rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtles is loaded onto a boat at Calusa Island Marina in Goodland to be released into the wild on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. The endangered sea turtles rescued off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were released at two designated locations near the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. David Albers/Staff
  • Magan Celt, a senior aquarist with Disney's Animal Programs, releases a rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico near Marco Island on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. The endangered sea turtles rescued off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were released at two designated locations near the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Danielle O'Neil, manager of the sea turtle program at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, releases a rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico near Marco Island on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. The endangered sea turtles rescued off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were released at two designated locations near the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. David Albers/Staff
  • A rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtle is released in the Gulf of Mexico near Marco Island on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. The endangered sea turtles rescued off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were released at two designated locations near the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. David Albers/Staff
  • Teryl Nolan, supervisor of the aquarium department at SeaWorld, releases a rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico near Marco Island on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. The endangered sea turtles rescued off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were released at two designated locations near the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. David Albers/Staff
  • One of 42 rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtles is loaded onto a boat at Calusa Island Marina in Goodland to be released into the wild on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. The endangered sea turtles rescued off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida were released at two designated locations near the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. David Albers/Staff


Full gallery »Sea turtles relocated from Mississippi to near Marco Island

  • Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando, releases one of five Kemp's Ridley sea turtles into Gullivan Bay Thursday south of Marco Island. SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - into the the bay. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. 'These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area,' said Conklin. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando, releases one of five Kemp's Ridley sea turtles into Gullivan Bay Thursday south of Marco Island. SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - into the the bay. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. 'These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area,' said Conklin. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - into the waters of Gullivan Bay, south of Marco Island, on Thursday. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. 'These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area,' said Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - into the waters of Gullivan Bay, south of Marco Island. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. 'These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area,' said Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - into the waters of Gullivan Bay, south of Marco Island. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. 'These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area,' said Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando. Lexey Swall/Staff
  • SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - into the waters of Gullivan Bay, south of Marco Island. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. 'These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area,' said Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando. Lexey Swall/Staff

SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated a total of seven endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles – displaced by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – into the waters of Gullivan Bay, south of Marco Island, on Thursday. The turtles were rehabilitated at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport, Miss., where they were being treated for injuries related to fishing hooks and lines. "These particular sea turtles are very strong, very fiesty. The research indicates Kemp's Ridleys of this size do live in this area," said Dan Conklin, aquarium supervisor at Seaworld Orlando.



Full gallery »Final council meeting for two honors many on Marco

  • Chairman Rob Popoff hugs his mom at his last City Council meeting Monday night after giving her a symbolic key to the city for the patience she taught him.
  • Marco Island attorney and Historical Society President Craig Woodward is given a key to the city by Council Chairman Rob Popoff.
  • Former City Councilwoman Terri DiSciullo is given a key to the city by Marco City Council Chairman Rob Popoff on Monday night.
  • Councilman Ted Forcht and his wife Jennifer Forcht take a trip down memory lane together as they watch a slide show of Forcht's years on council created by City Public Information Coordinator Lisa Douglass. Douglass said Forcht, who served during his last meeting Monday, will be remembered as a gentleman with some of the best tongue-in-cheek quotes.
  • Chairman Rob Popoff, accompanied by his family, watches a slide show of his time serving on city council during his last scheduled meeting on Monday evening.
  • Marco City Council Chairman Rob Popoff honors his mother at the City Council meeting on Monday evening.

The final City Council meeting for Chairman Rob Popoff and Councilman Ted Forcht was a meeting of many proclamations and moments of appreciation to several individuals and organizations on Monday night.



Full gallery »Marco election

  • The canvassing board for the Marco election, consisting of Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala, Collier County Judge Rob Crown and Collier County Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards reviews ballots with questionable signatures Tuesday evening.
  • Marco residents Jay Santiago and Pat Santiago, husband and wife, enjoy watching the election process carry-out at the Supervisor of Elections Office Tuesday night.
  • City Clerk Laura Litzan drops off 47 ballots left at City Hall between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday to Collier County Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards. This will be Marco's last mail-in ballot due to a change in city ordinance to have the election held during the primary election in the future.
  • Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala and Collier County Judge Rob Crown of the canvassing board review a Marco Island ballot to determine if it counts Tuesday night.
  • Larry Magel, right, remains stoic after learning it's been declared a victory for him to take one of the three Marco City Council seats. City Clerk Laura Litzan discusses some information on the recount process with him Tuesday night at the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office.
  • Marco resident Jay Santiago is part of the action Tuesday night as Deputy Supervisor of Elections Tim Durham requests Santiago, one of only a couple audience members who is a non-candidate, help select a playing card out of a bag symbolizing one of three municipal elections to be part of a legally required audit.

It comes down to a recount at the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office Tuesday night after the canvassing board has reviewed about 36 "questionable ballots" and will be reviewing several more on Thursday, they say.



Full gallery »Joe Batte

  • Joe Batte, Marco City Council 2010 candidate at MITA forum Friday, Dec. 11
  • Joe Batte, vice chairman of Marco's Ad Hoc Forensic Audit Committee, discusses his perception of City Council's support for the committee-recommended auditing firm, James Moore, and strongly suggests City Manager Steve Thompson reconsider his position about keeping former Finance Director Bill Harrison on-site during the forensic audit of the Collier Boulevard project which Harrison oversaw. Kelly Farrell/ Staff
  • Marco Islander Joe Batte cherishes this family heirloom, a 1948 Buick Roadmaster, originally owned by Batte's father.
  • Marco Islander Anne Batte sits in the driver's seat of her 1969 Ford Mustang convertible. Batte and her husband Joe take the car to church on Sundays, out of season, when they can 'take two parking spaces.'
  • Joe Batte (far right) listens as a resident poses a question.
  • Joe Batte tosses a bottle from the grass to his wife Anne as they took part in Collier Coastal Cleanup on Saturday along Tigertail Beach.

Marco City Council candidate Joe Batte is among four men vying for three open council seats in the 2010 election. This is the third election attempt for Batte.



Full gallery »Chuck Kiester

  • Chuck and Jane Kiester with dozens of supporters at the Bombay Club on Marco Island, after realizing his nine vote margin of victory will necessitate a recount Thursday.
  • Chuck Kiester contemplates the numbers from election headquarters, showing him with a razor-thin nine vote margin over Ted Forcht, fellow council incumbent. Only one of them will be a member of the next city council.
  • Chuck and Judy Kiester display a campaign banner for the last time as the vote count shows him locked in a virtual dead heat for the third and last available council seat.
  • Incumbent councilman and candidate for re-election Chuck Kiester, second from right, talks with supporters at what they hope is a victory party Tuesday while waiting for election returns. Marvin and Barbara Drummond, left, listen to a comment by VFW post commander Dave Gardner.
  • Councilman Chuck Kiester answers a citizen's question during a forum Thursday at the city council chambers. Kiester is running for re-election in January.
  • Councilman Chuck Kiester looks over the list of proposed amendments at a forum he held Thursday evening in council chambers. His re-election, and several proposed charter amendments, will be on the ballot in January.

City Councilman Chuck Kiester eying re-election in the 2010 Marco City Council election.



Full gallery »Ted Forcht

  • Former Marco Island City Councilman Ted Forcht may be finished serving the city for now, but his career in politics isn't over, he says. At a recent election event, the defeated candidate held Ron Ackley, 1, while at Chef's Express.
  • Marco Island City Council Vice Chairman Frank Recker poses for a picture with Ted Forcht during Forcht’s candidate petition signing party.
  • Councilman Ted Forcht, speaks with voters Friday at the candidates' forum hosted by the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association. Forcht is vying for reelection in 2010.
  • Ted Forcht’s wife Jenny looks on as Don Strong signs a candidate petition form during Forcht’s candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express.
  • Ted Forcht shares a laugh with supporters during his candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express.
  • City Council candidate Ted Forcht talks with longtime friend Ray Beaufort during Forcht’s candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express. Beaufort’s hat is a veteran of four city council elections.

Incumbent Ted Forcht is running for re-election to Marco Island City Council and is among four candidates vying for three open seats. Results are expected Tuesday evening between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.



Full gallery »Marco 2010 City Council candidates

  • Larry Magel
  • City Councilman Chuck Kiester
  • Councilman Ted Forcht, speaks with voters Friday at the candidates' forum hosted by the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association. Forcht is vying for reelection in 2010.
  • Joe Batte of Marco Island City Council

Four Marco 2010 City Council candidates Joe Batte, incumbent Ted Forcht, incumbent Chuck Kiester and Larry Magel are vying for three open council seats.



Full gallery »Marco charter amendment interviews

  • Chairman of the Charter Review Committee, James Riviere, received accolades from City Council for keeping proposed changes to the City Charter, which may make the January 2010 ballot, clear and concise.
  • Marco Island Taxpayers' Association President Fay Biles has no problem asking the tough questions of the council candidates at a forum MITA hosted Friday night at Mackle Park.
  • Amadeo Petricca
  • Phil Lewis
  • Brent Batten
  • Jeff Lytle

Marco Island Taxpayers' Association and James Riviere, former chairman of the charter review committee with members of the Naples Daily News editorial board on the seven amendments to the city charter to go before voters Jan. 2010.



Full gallery »Marco council candidates meet Daily News editorial board

  • Joe Batte, Marco City Council 2010 candidate at MITA forum Friday, Dec. 11
  • Councilman Ted Forcht, speaks with voters Friday at the candidates' forum hosted by the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association. Forcht is vying for reelection in 2010.
  • City Councilman Chuck Kiester
  • Larry Magel
  • Brent Batten
  • Phil Lewis

Marco 2010 City Council Candidates and the Naples Daily News Editorial Board.



Full gallery »Marco city council candidate forum

  • Marco Island Taxpayers' Association President Fay Biles has no problem asking the tough questions of the council candidates at a forum MITA hosted Friday night at Mackle Park.
  • Bill Duncan, Vice President of the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association, introduces the four Marco City Council candidates vying for three open council seats in the 2010 election. Duncan, far right, was the emcee of the forum hosted by MITA at Mackle Park Friday night. The candidates, left to right, are Joe Batte, incumbent Ted Forcht, incumbent Chuck Kiester and Larry Magel.
  • Councilman Ted Forcht, speaks with voters Friday at the candidates' forum hosted by the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association. Forcht is vying for reelection in 2010.
  • Marco Councilman Chuck Kiester, who is vying for reelection in 2010, talks with residents at the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association forum Friday night.
  • Marco council candidate Larry Magel shares his perspective with Islanders Friday at the candidates' forum hosted by the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association Friday night at Mackle Park.
  • Joe Batte, Marco City Council 2010 candidate at MITA forum Friday, Dec. 11

Candidates share their views with Islanders at a council candidate forum hosted by the Marco Island Taxpayers' Association Friday.



Full gallery »Ted Forcht Petition Signing Party

  • City Council candidate Ted Forcht talks with longtime friend Ray Beaufort during Forcht’s candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express. Beaufort’s hat is a veteran of four city council elections.
  • Ted Forcht’s longtime friends James Allen and Merrill provided entertainment during Forcht’s candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express.
  • Freshly made Ted Forcht campaign buttons.
  • Jim Lang signs a candidate petition form during Ted Forcht’s candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express.
  • Former Marco Island City Councilman Ted Forcht may be finished serving the city for now, but his career in politics isn't over, he says. At a recent election event, the defeated candidate held Ron Ackley, 1, while at Chef's Express.
  • City Council candidate Ted Forcht is surrounded by supporters during his candidate petition signing party Monday night at The Chefs’ Express.


Full gallery »Councilman Chuck Kiester's forum

  • Councilman Chuck Kiester answers a citizen's question during a forum Thursday at the city council chambers. Kiester is running for re-election in January.
  • Islander Richard McInnis asks Chuck Kiester a question during Councilman Kiester's forum Thursday evening. McInnis rose again at the end of the meeting to thank Kiester for his service.
  • Councilman Chuck Kiester discusses proposed charter amendments during a forum in council chambers Thursday evening. 'We need meetings such as this so you have a better understanding of what is put before you,' he told the crowd.
  • Councilman Chuck Kiester looks over the list of proposed amendments at a forum he held Thursday evening in council chambers. His re-election, and several proposed charter amendments, will be on the ballot in January.

Councilman Chuck Kiester, running for City Council re-election, holds one of several of his forums with constituents on top city issues Thursday.



Full gallery »Marco City Council candidate Larry Magel hosts first public forum

  • City Council candidate Larry Magel, right talks with John Oberg during Magel's candidate forum Friday night.
  • Al Diaz introduces Larry Magel during Magel’s candidate forum Friday night.
  • Larry Magel
  • Collier County Commission chairman Donna Fiala takes time out of her busy schedule to speak during Marco Island City Council candidate Larry Magel’s candidate forum Friday night.
  • City Council member Chuck Kiester, left talks with Bob Brown, Ad-hoc Utilities committee member during Larry Magel’s City Council candidate forum Friday night.
  • Nancy Brechnitz listens as Marco Island City council candidate Larry Magel answers her question during Magel’s candidate forum Friday night.

Marco City Council candidate Larry Magel hosts first public forum, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009.



Full gallery »Councilman Chuck Kiester's open forum

  • Electric rates and electric takeover by the city takes charge among topics at Councilman Chuck Kiester's forum Wednesday evening. Resident Janet M. O'Connell, left, said she feared rate spikes when LCEC's energy provider becomes FPL in 2010. LCEC's Key Account Executive Tricia Dorn, right, said rates would not increase and LCEC would still be the electric distributor. Kelly Farrell/ Staff
  • Island resident Karen Glaub says she agrees with Councilman Chuck Kiester that Marco needs to have a strong mayor form of government. The idea was mentioned while discussing the review and rewrite of the city's charter at Kiester's open forum Wednesday evening in the Community Room. Kelly Farrell/ Staff
  • Councilman Chuck Kiester leads a forum with residents Wednesday evening, March 25, in the Community Room. Kelly Farrell
  • City Councilman Chuck Kiester's open forum held Wednesday evening in Council Chambers was a crowd pleaser. About 50 attendees clapped and appreciated an extension of their usual four minutes of talking time with Councilors. Residents talked with Kiester about hot city topics such as Tract K, electric takeover, a Marco high school, dogs in the park, a potential mayor position, the forensic audit and septic tank use. Russ Colombo, EAGLE i contributor

Scenes from Marco City Councilman Chuck Kiester's open forum with residents in the Community Room March 25, 2009.



Full gallery »Marco Election 2008: Pro-sewer election party

  • New city councilors Jerry Gibson, Frank Recker and incumbent councilor Bill Trotter rejoice as the election results are confirmed.
  • Well-wisher surround re-elected councilor Bill Trotter as the results begin to show a solid victory for himself, Frank Recker, Jerry Gibson and Wayne Waldack.
  • A sign emerges as the celebrations begin for the winning candidates.
  • Candidates Wayne Waldack and Frank Recker are embraced after hearing 87 of 94 precincts reporting that they are ahead in Pro-sewer vote, at The Chefs' Express Courtyard Cafe in Marco Island.
  • Beverly Trotter cheers for her husband and candidate Bill Trotter after hearing the pro-sewer vote is leading, at The Chefs' Express Courtyard Cafe in Marco Island.
  • Beverly Trotter's reaction to her husband and candidate Bill Trotter's lead in the pro-sewer vote, at The Chefs' Express Courtyard Cafe in Marco Island.


Full gallery »Marco Election 2008: Anti-sewer election party

  • Andrew Guidry shared his election night with his wife Catherine and nearly four-month-old daughter Aubrey. Guidry was not successful in his election to the Marco Island City Council.
  • Roger Hall and wife Linda thank friends and volunteers who helped in his campaign for the Marco Island City Council. Hall was unsuccessful in his bid for a council seat.
  • Supporters of the candidates who opposed the sewer project crowded together to look at election results in the Marco Island City Council election on Tuesday at Konrad's Seafood & Grille Room. The four anti-sewer candidates were defeated.
  • Godfrey Davies, campaign manager for Butch Neylon and council candidate Joe Batte, standing to Davies left, look over early results in the council election on Tuesday. Batte and his anti-sewer running mates were unsuccessful in their efforts to win four council seats.
  • A huge throng lined up on election night at the salad bar at Konrad's Seafood & Grille Room. They were there in support of Joe Batte, Roger Hall, Dr. Andrew Guidry and Butch Neylon who lost their bids for election to the Marco Island City Council.
  • Jim Kennedy became a volunteer master of ceremonies for the election watch at Konrad's Seafood &Grille Room on Tuesday night. Actually, he was trying to direct traffic to the buffet in a restaurant crowded with supporters of candidates Joe Batte, Roger Hall, Butch Neylon and Dr. Andrew Guidry, whom all lost.


Full gallery »Marco Election 2008: At the polls

  • Campaign supporters hand out literature at the Marco Presbyterian Church, Precinct 190, on Tuesday afternoon. Many people stumping outside the polls said a lot of voters appeared to have made up their minds well before walking in to vote, but that didn't deter supporters from turning out in droves to make one last entreaty to voters.
  • Supporters of the four anti-sewer candidates greet cars coming into the parking lot at Marco Presbyterian Church, the polling place for Precinct 190. They said the pace was a steady trickle throughout the afternoon.
  • The flow of voters to polls is a slow trickle Tuesday afternoon on Marco Island. But poll workers say the flow has been steady, and expect turnout to be high, reaffirming predictions by the Collier County Supervisor of Elections office.
  • Candidate Joe Batte greets supporters outside the Marco Presbyterian Church, Precinct 190, on Tuesday afternoon. Batte said he and fellow candidates were up as soon as polls were open this morning, making the rounds to greet voters and drop off bottled water to supporters.
  • A poll deputy measures out 100 feet from the poll entrance at Marco Presbyterian Church, Precinct 190. Poll workers took no chances Tuesday, strictly enforcing the rules barring anyone from campaigning within a certain radius of the ballot box.
  • Incumbent Candidate Bill Trotter chats with a supporter outside the polls at the Marco Lutheran Church Tuesday afternoon. Trotter was the only candidate running for re-election. Councilor Terri DiSciullo declined to run again, and Chair Mike Minozzi and Councilor Glenn Tucker were both term-limited.

Election Day photos from precincts around Marco Island on January 29, 2008.



Full gallery »Campaign parties for Marco City Council candidates

  • Not too far from a table with pamphlets and candidate petitions, City Councilor Bill Trotter mingles with supporters in the entryway to his home. He launched his re-election campaign with a kick-off party Nov. 29, the day before signed petitions were due at City Hall for verification. Trotter is the only incumbent vying for one of four open council seats.
  • City Council candidate Wayne Waldack socializes with residents at an informal meet-and-greet at Nene's Monday night. Waldack organized the event to talk face-to-face with supporters about issues weighing on the January 29 election. Residents will have another opportunity to do that with the whole slate of eight candidates at the Marco Island Taxpayers Association forum Thursday, December 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mackle Park.
  • Marco Island Area Association Board of Realtors Governance Committee Chair Keith Dameron (center, right) shakes City Council candidate Jerry Gibson's hand before presenting him with a check from the association. Board Member Dick Shanahan (center, left) and President-Elect Jim Mashey, (far right) were also present for the formal endorsement of Gibson, a realtor, who they said represents the interests of the island's realtors and its population at large. The association will conduct formal interviews with the other seven candidates Dec. 17 to evaluate who else to endorse, followed by a debate it will co-sponsor with the Chamber of Commerce at 6:30, Dec. 17 at the Marco Island Hilton.
  • City Council Candidate Wayne Waldack talks with supporter Tom Owens Wednesday night, November 28, at a campaign meet and greet. Waldack kicked off his campaign by greeting residents in the parish hall of San Marco Catholic Church, where he answered questions and talked one-on-one with supporters. Many present asked questions about the city's Septic Tank Replacement Program, and urged Waldack to become as knowledgeable as possible about the project so he could provide reliable information to voters during his campaign.
  • City Council Candidate Jerry Gibson addresses his supporters during his campaign kick-off Tuesday night at Vergina. The event coincided with the start of the campaign qualifying period, and many of those present were signing petitions for Gibson's certification as a candidate. He urged the residents present to pass along word of his candidacy to five friends, and said he was heartened by the support he had received so far.
  • Marco Island city council candidate Frank Recker talks with people who attended his campaign kickoff party at the Marco Island Marina Clubhouse on Thursday, Nov. 15.



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