User profile: MarcoNo1
Joined: Jan. 22, 2007
Comments posted: 29
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Comments by MarcoNo1
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Posted on October 25 at 11:16 a.m.
I know how a septic system is supposed to work. My direct experience in this area says that three feet does not make the effluent drinking water, it is still effluent. As far as getting "out to sea", that is one of the greatest falicies. The ocean is not able to absorb all our mistakes and remain unaffected. That type of thinking is what currently that allows all the big "O" lake water to be flushed, which is believed to be the root cause of many issues, reduced fish stocks and red tide being two.
My beef? Simple. We need a comprehensieve policy that covers ALL waste disposal. Why? For two main reasons.
First, we need to take care of our most important resource on Marco, the water. To do that you need to be able to know what the current status is out there and to control it. Septic or sewer should really make no difference as Port Marco illustrates. The Sanibel situation is another example. They are closing beaches due to one private system not working properly and not being regulated.
The second reason is that the trend is for the water quality standards to increase. The world is finding out that it takes very little to upset the balance in the water and produce a sizeable impact. Therefore the comfort we all have that our systems don't polute must be seen through what the acceptable minimums are. If they change, so can our compliance or non-compliance. It is tougher to control a distributed system like septics, but not impossible. Many communites use this as a resason to go to a central sewer, like Sanibel. But again, it doesn't have to be the only solution. Sadly, we have many people walking around spreading the myth that a septic tank or a sewer is the perfect solution. They all are a compromise, depending on the standards you want to maintain. When conctructed properly, inspected and maintained regularly septics are a reasonable device. But if they are not maintained or regulations change? It seems those on septic reject the idea of regular inspections and anything else for that matter. Why, I don't know.
My point is that to solve our issues and hopefully improve what we have for the future we need to regulate the septics AND deal with the sewer system we have now. A comprehensieve appraoch could actually allow this island to lead in this area not to just reach the minimums, but set an example of how an enlightened appraoch to water quality could work. But it would take real leadership to do so.
But I am afraid in this toxic atmosphere we have set up now, that may prove an impossible dream. After all the excuses and name calling are done, we have a decision to make. What type of island do we want to have and what are we willing to pay to get it? The current council didn't take the challenge and the next appears they don't want to. So, it will likely require a wake up call, like Sanibel is getting, or an outside authority to step in to make the decision for us. Sad really.
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Posted on October 24 at 1:54 p.m.
strike3 - Your position on Issler has been clear....for months. The point is you find out when you check your septic on a regular schedule, like most people should do and the septic industry reccomends. So your logic, while convienient, does not hold water, pun intended. So the story is not non-sense. It illustrates that we don't know the status of all the independant systems on the island and given their age, will become increasingly suspect. Which illustrates the point that to be in compliance any system including tanks or sewers, need to be regularly checked. Remember "trust, but verify" still applies. So if you stand back and settle down a bit there strike 3, ( Did you take your meds?) maybe someone will pay attention to what you say for once. Instead of assuming what you wrote in your last line, as soon as they see your name.
Swearing, ignorance made audible.
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Posted on October 24 at 1:33 p.m.
Sorry BBYrone, just checked the latest on the WINK web site again and the article quotes the Mayor as saying that the cause was the private sewer AND septic systems, you can read the quote on the WINK site, if you care to. But it really doesn't matter as it is an opinion, which like yours, isn't worth much without verification. I guess the Council should issue a release saying they are embarassed by Port Marco. Makes you wonder about how many more are out there. Again, a well regulated and periodically checked system (sewer or septic) is still the best insurance. Perhaps with all the arm waving something that actually can work will arise.
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Posted on October 24 at 10:33 a.m.
Gee "Columbus", still trying to position yourself as a sewer expert? I thought your tenure in that role was finished after I called you on spreading misinformation on the Sanibel issue and you quickly went "radio silent". No such luck I guess. Any comments on the Port Marco fiasco, O' Swami of all things septic? Probably not as the facts don't fit your rhetoric.
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Posted on October 24 at 10:15 a.m.
Lolala, that was the most self serving bit of tripe I have ever seen! I had wondered if any of the anti -sewer crowd would have the guts to post anything after this fiasco. Your rationalizations are a priceless example of twisting facts to fit your own slanted view. "No one noticed", as reason to minimize or ignore a clear violation? You " know the type of soil", do you dig core samples in your spare time? You need to be tarred with the same brush you are so quick to use on anyone who takes even a middle road on the sewer issue. Come on, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Proper regulation and enforecment should apply to either septic or sewer, no exceptions
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Posted on October 23 at 11:56 a.m.
Dear mr Columbus,
Just to get some facts straight, the Sanibel situation is not about the City's central sewers. It is about private systems, including septic, that are not meeting federal and state guidelines. WINK has done several reports on this subject should you care to take the time to check out. Since I know you and your favored four candiates would never knowingly be dishonest, selectivly use facts out of context, or misinform; something else must be at play out of your control. Makes you wonder what would happen if the Sunshine Laws covered the workings of those on the outside of the process too.
Lolala, be careful with your objectivity and definition of "leadership" here. It would be nice to let the man present his qualifications himself and be given more than one article to do so. It is interesting how much fervor just one new face has added to the debate. Could it be that another voice not solidly in the "Anti-STRP' camp is raising the uncomfortable possibility of not getting a four vote majority?
Back to qualifications, if one was to look at the "Gang of Four" (sorry, couldn't resist) candidiates I would suspect you could build just as superficially daming case as Lolala just did with this candidiate.
Sad to say the dominance of the partisans on this message Board doesn't allow for much debate of the issues and facts. Attacking peoples background, credibility, motives, time on the island, etc. is so much faster and easier. What passes for constructive debate has degenerated into a few people shouting at others and agreeing with themselves. Based on that, these Boards can hardly be relied upon to accurately gauge the majority opinion, however unconfortable that may be to some. You may be hearing your own echos and confusing that with a crowd. Let's not forget that 80% of the island is already on the sewer system and they want to be represented too. So the process will unfold, let's just hope we can get beyond the posturing and pontificating and try and raise the bar a little this time around. It has been said many times, you get the type of representation you deserve.
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Posted on October 19 at 2:30 p.m.
Gee Ed, thanks for setting such a high tone by challenging a new candidiates background, qualifications and relevance before any of us mere mortals( those who don't camp out at every council meeting ) the opportunity to hear his views on a variety of subjects. Not just your standards the STRP and Mr. Moss.
It is so much easier with those who are already declared. Whose position to date on most everything can be summed up as "No, what was your question?". You can really get a sense of the opportunity for participative and the potential for enlightned leadership with that appraoch. Hopefully, we will get to probe the other four candidiates as well as this one about what their PLAN is for the future. Assuming they can get beyond the rhetoric around the single issue of the STRP and actually present a cogent case.
For those who haven't already closed their minds and are not inclined to prejudge based on a single issue, perhaps this paper should ask each candidiate to present position papers and/or agree to a moderated debate? So the full electorate can hear everyone out and make up their own minds.
Maybe, just maybe, all the wisdom isn't confined to those we have heard from, ad nauseum, to date.
On Another candidate throws hat into ring for Marco City Council
Posted on October 19 at 8:46 a.m.
Joey, I think you are right about the poop smell, but the rest of you may have the wrong source. That house is located very close to the key in Caxambas that the pelicans have defoliated and destroyed. If the wind is right, that place gets a full dose as do many others along that shore. I am sure that fact didn't show up in the sales brochure!
The biggest issue with this house, which I have been in, is it was a "bridge too far" for a spec. home. It clearly reflects the builders ideas of what a high end house should be. The problem is if you have enough money to afford a house like that, you want to see your ideas refelcted in the design, not someone else's. Don't get me wrong, it is a great place, but people in that bracket are not going to settle. They don't have to. It would not surprise me if they spend a couple million getting it the way they want it. Like 26 yrs said, good try and glad to get out.
On Single family home record sale price again eclipsed on Marco Island
Posted on October 18 at 3:07 p.m.
Only if you go first Joey, only if you go first.
On Single family home record sale price again eclipsed on Marco Island
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Posted on October 25 at 1:40 p.m.
Well srike, sometimes what you don't see can hurt you. But we can only keep pitching and hopefully get some movement. With the Moss lightning rod out of the way and a new council too, maybe that can break the deadlock and get on with addressing the issues instead of litigating and mud slinging.
On Port Marco septic system unearthed — sans drain fields