marconews.com Accounts

"Her decision was based on the doctors she trusts but I disagree with it." How can S. Cohen have any fact based opinion; she never met, treated or analyzed any part of A. Jolie. S. Cohen's primary career is internet promotion. Shame on NDN to call this news.

2themoon writes:
The parallels between this city govt and the Obama administration is uncanny. Coverups, misinfomation, pass the buck, tax and spend, intimidate opponents...just uncanny..

What are we doing here folks?

Listening to conservative radio. Perhaps.

The solution is for the business owners to provide their own off-street parking by reorganizing their existing parking, buy another property for parking, or moving the business to a property large enough to support the level of business they want to operate. The City's role should be to enforce the existing laws, not rearrange the laws/rules and streetscape to match a business owner's desire. Along Bald Eagle including Old Marco are other commercial properties including vacant land for sale. There is no role for the City to fix this private business issue.

In addition to the Smokehouse Bay-Esplanade canal bridge I thought the new bridge proposal was to include a new Collier Blvd bridge for the waterway/canal near Bluebonnet Ct and Amazon Ct (Copperfield Waterway)?

Marco Island community's center is the crescent beach.

Any 'force' to change the way the businesses use the public street sides will have to be collectively by the residents by demanding City rules be enforced. Business owners will have incentive if their customers are getting ticketed for parking. But remember, some of these customers are also residents. One of the condo associations has already expressed to the City that the business parking is out of balance. I don't know if the business owners percieve a problem exists. I know from observation Snook Inn saw a need for more parking and somehow secured additional spaces along Bald Eagle near the dive shop. Anyone know the history of how these spaces were secured?

There is a commercial property for sale at the intersection of Bald Eagle and Palm, east side. Been listed for last couple of years. Small building could easily be removed, most of the site is gravel and driveway. The local commercial property owners and businesses likely do not feel it is their responsibility to provide parking commensurate with their business levels; and why should they? The City leaves the impression the City will eventually provide the parking. It is in the City/Citizens best interest to have a healthy business sector, however the business investment costs should be by the businesses, not the public-at-large. And, the public space should not be converted to a narrow business use. It is an interesting conundrum because a lot of the business customers are residents with their guests from other parts of the island.

ajm3s, thanks for the interpretation, Marco Island's crossroad is not Bald Eagle & Collier Blvd, it is Growth & Resident Lifestyle. There are imperfect examples of places that adapt to growth without losing their closeness; Carmel CA, Mackinac Island MI, Teluride CO, Falmouth MA. A common thread to all these places, high levels of involvement by local residents and business. Marco Island has the potential to grow and still be the original residential-centric vision.

By your reasoning, a business that grows out of its space should expect the City to provide it with expansion area? Come on; the parking is the responsibility of the businesses, not the City. As I noted, the businesses have options. If a business can't individually afford to rent/buy additional property, multiple businesses could form a partnership and work together to get the added space. Maybe the City is included in the partnership, however the investments and costs associated with the new parking should be assessed to the businesses, not the City at-large. Parking projects, such as needed for Old Marco, is too narrow, not a public purpose.

P.S. "Board members agreed that all facets of the midtown plan needed to be reviewed including the benefits and obligations of using CRA funds. However, they felt it was prudent to continue their conversation before public scrutiny."

How about including the public in 'their conversation'?

"Caxamabas Pass, one of the county’s busiest boat ramps, will have its operations outsourced to a private vendor. The change should provide better service for customers, Williams said."

Anyone know why this is necessary?

"I believe we witnessed that last night when a mass of citizens gave testimony to their elected representatives requesting a vote on a resolution. And the elected representatives simply cast a vote, so the citizens can now have a voice cast forward to the state legislature."

Your 'mass of citizens' is only some. Citizens cast forward their voice to the state legislature by citizens directly contacting their state representative. Your corporate approach to representative government doesn't appeal to me.

State representatives.

Representative Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senator Garrett Richter
Suite 304
3299 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34112-5746
Phone: (239) 417-6200

In a democracy, county-state-federal governments are supposed to be guided by the constituents they represent (people), not guided by other governments (such as a City). If person(s) want to have a government express their interest then they should appeal directly to that government, i.e. attend county-state-federal government meetings. As a Marco Island resident I do not want my City giving any advise to the county, state or federal governments. Will the City say 'a percent of Marco Island residents seek nullification of federal gun regulations (that haven't even been specified or passed)? Shame to the Marco Island residents for wasting the City government's time and money on this matter.

The reason for asking the Marco Island government to take a public position on the 2nd Amendment is? Paranoid Marco Islanders on display. What example you set for future generations? Try speking with your neighbors, fellow Americans. Waving your blue steel bravado means nothing.

What about the 'rule of law'?

The news story indicates the issue of MICA's legal standing regarding building projects has already been legally tested and MICA won (through the appelate level; State Supreme Court would follow). Investors beware.

PS I agree, the parking in Old Marco is out of control, this year's twist, restaruant employees using the street swale to park their vehicles.

"...The condominium is located at the point where the Marco River meets the entrance to Collier Bay. In 2012, emergency dredging of the pass changed currents and the velocity of water entering and leaving the pass...."

The pass is the point for much of the tidal water flowing in-out of Collier Bay plus Marco Island's north side canals. During incoming tides the water flow can be strong, sweeping vessels toward the condo docks and seawall. Plus, is a 'no wake zone'. Inattentive boating or equipment malfunction = trouble at this location.

Why is this guy still employed by Marco Island? August?..is this a retold story?

"...Councilman Chuck Kiester made a motion to approve the boat, but after discussion, the councilors determined, with the help of City "...Attorney Burt Saunders, that by simply taking no action, they would allow the previous decision to stand, allowing the boat to move forward..."

First act for the new representation, sidestep taking any accountability. Wow.

May be overpopulation of catfish...this past summer, fishing the Marco River channels was like shooting catfish in a barrel, for June and July was the only bottom fish caught.

I'm told, but do not have direct knowledge, that a Marco homeowner was electocuted making dock electric repairs. Others may be able to explain. In the last year I pulled a permit to redeck a dock, despite no electric work involved, not so much as a fastener, had to have electric inspected. Per permit. One motivation for the City permiting is the link to the County tax assessor which will capture the added value resulting from the improvement. 'Mr. Fixit' circumvents this taxable link. Welcome to the System.

For the past 129 years the Florida Constitution has included a statement opposing the State sending money to religious organizations. This year you get to remove that part of the State Constitution. This march to State theocracy is ironic in light of the US effort to unwind Middle East theocracy. Try something novel; think about it. When common purpose no longer exists there is no reason for 'United' anyone. As a population we are getting there.

Corporations and businesses take advantage of legal deductions to reduce their taxes. People take advantage of legal grants and subsidies for food and education. What's the difference? None. PS, the education system is a free training system for coprorations and businesses.

The conventions have become a coronation...this should concern all Americans that care about the democracy. Conventions were supposed to be a process by which the people's voice could be heard, where a delegate's nomination could be paused or changed. So, today's party's change the rules to effectively remove this part of the process (this is why the Ron Paul supoorters are vocally angry). A television platform to stage wives and other selected supporters IS NOT WHAT THE CONVENTIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FOR. Not expecting much different from the DNC convention. Pay attention to the party platforms, that is what you will get after the lights are out and the last of the 15,000+/- 'news persons' leave to move on to the next flavor of the moment. A very sad period for democracy.

The only paycheck Representative Paul Ryan ever received in his working career is from a government agency.

"We had a lot of fun with it," said Adams. The new look will be "contemporary, modern – forever young," ...

In other words, like every other generic plastisized McDonalds found along every highway, at any strip mall, anywhere USA. It's all about $$$.