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I would assume the same fools that will be asked to pay for two new bridges they don't need.

"The future of mainland access to Marco Island could come down to a vote by its residents." Good idea, why did it have to come from someone living off the island? Mr. Cann states "total replacement would be more prudent than large-scale repairs". What does he mean by "more prudent". Does he mean that we can get a new two span bridge that will last 100 years for less than the cost of repairing the existing structure to last only 40 addtional years? Or does he mean it would be a bargain to replace it with two new spans today? Does anybody care if this is even necessary? “If the bridge is in good shape, but you want to add capacity to the other end, why would you want to replace something that’s working?” asked Collier County Commission Chairman Tom Henning, a member of the MPO board. Good question. All Planner Brandy Otero could come up with was a response based on projections. Then he makes a declatory statement that utilizing the Goodland Bridge during temporary shutdown of the Jolly Bridge is “not a viable option”. Because it is only rated at a 45. Why is temporary use not viable? Is the Goodland Bridge in danger of falling down? Trucks use it every day. Why do elected officials allow staff to make declartory statements without challenge or explanation?

Marcoite, you have made a very good positive suggestion. The Eagle should investigate this and write an article so that ALL may fully understand what the actual costs may be. This type of reporting would be a great service to our community. I suggest that the reporter be permitted to consult with an accountant to verify the accuracy and methods of calculating deferred costs. We do not want the reporter and the paper to be accused of accepting what the City says without consulting a professional number cruncher, do we? After all, verification of news stories is part of what a newspaper should do. This information would be a tremendous value to all citizens of our city.

"LCEC officials, who hadn’t heard anything from Marco Island leaders about taking over the utility...." Feel blindsided? These back room deals are obviously still going on. Who is acting as the conduit? This idea did not evolve, without prior discussion. Problem is - that discussion did not occur in an open public meeting. Is this what the new Council meant when they said they would be more open with the public? Unlike the majority of our electorate, I voted for change. Don't blame me for what they are about to do to YOU.

This bridge is owned by the State of Florida not Collier County. Has the State of Florida made known it's interest in replacing this birdge? If so, when and why? Why is Collier County interested in it's replacment or expansion? The Cambridge Systematics study does not recommend replacement or expansion at this time. Marco Island is near build-out and unless beach access and beach parking has been improved, little or no increase in traffic should occur. The Jolley Bridge principally serves the municipality of Marco Island, why are ALL county residents being surveyed? Has Marco Island decided to open it's beaches to all county residents? When did the county ask it's residents permission to utilize county funds to pay for this survey? If a new larger four lane bridge is built, how will the increased speed and increased traffic impact flow on the Marco Island side of Collier Blvd.? Is the City planning on removing all the new signal lights it just installed at each intersection? If a larger bridge is built, how many of our homes will have to be torn down to accomodate this project? At what cost? This newspaper has a responsibility to our community to answer these questions.

This bridge is owned by the State of Florida not Collier County. Has the State of Florida made known it's interest in replacing this birdge? If so, when and why? Why is Collier County interested in it's replacment or expansion? The Cambridge Systematics study does not recommend replacement or expansion at this time. Marco Island is near build-out and unless beach access has been improved, little or no increase in traffic should occur. The Jolley Bridge principally serves the municipality of Marco Island, why are ALL county residents being surveyed? Has Marco Island decided to open it's beaches to all county residents? When did the county ask it's residents permission to utilize county funds to pay for this survey? This newspaper has a responsibility to our community to answer these questions.

Loauralbi1, Mr. Columbo was not comparing the people of Marco Island to the citizens of Nazi Germany. That said, your submission was written like a true propagandist. You have just provided us with an excellent example of the point Mr. Columbo made. “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." Guess which historical figure made those observations?

Then you haven't been listening. If you vote for Batte, Hall, Neylon and Guidry and live on a street with a pipe in it - you may elect to stay with your on site system if it is in good shape. Or you may hook up for the same cost that everybody else on the island did, approximately 7,000 dollars. Further they will reduce your utility fees. If you vote for the other guys you will be forced to destroy perfectly good safe systems, hook up to the sewer, pay 20,000 dollars in assessments and monthly service fees. If Recter, Gibson, Waldack and Trotter are elected they will spend an additional 100 million dollars and pay for it on the backs of residents and property owners via increased utility fees. Your choice, your money, your last chance to take control and stop the spending. Vote for Batte, Hall, Neylon and Guidry or pay!

This is simple. Elect Rector, Gibson, Waldack and Troter if you want to pay an assessment of 20,000 dollars and increased utility fees. Vote for Batte, Neylon, Hall and Guidry if you would rather pay an impact fee of 7,000 dollars and decreased utlity fees. It's your money. Give it to a government that believes in spending or keep it to yourself and maybe go on a cruise. As for Neylon's new plans taking years to get approved. So what? Is something happening on Marco Island in the short term John Arceri and his fear mongers have not told us? Probably that if the sewers are not completed he and his big invester friends will loose out on a lot of money building those mixed use condos. It's your money people. Do with it as you like. Time to decide.

jc, how do you know they are not working well or leaking? Because Mr. Tears says so? I need more proof then that. Real science is based on proof positive not comparisons of similar but not exact models or personal opinions based on experience and certianly not on conventional wisdom. We have been lied to by officials in our city and some of these agencies many times in the past. Why should I believe anything they say without actual testing of our waterways or inspections of our septic tanks?

It is really amazing that Monte Lazerus would write such an article. He is the pot calling the kettle black. The only false accusations I have ever read in these blogs come from those who wish to defend the expansion of our utilities, the Celebrate Marco crowd of realtors, investors, cooperate managers and business community. I wonder how much money Monete Lazarus, John Arceri and Craig Woodward have invested in these last remaining commercial sites along the sewer expansion route? Too bad they will have to wait a few more years before they can reap their profits. Vote for Batte, Hall, Guidry and Neylon if you want to halt growth and inhibit these people from making large profits off the backs of our residents.

This editorial arrives at conclusions based on non-existing premises. The good doctor guarded her considered opinion with the thought that septic systems required good maintenance. True enough. As Marco Island officials have only reported two septic failures in two years time, one can easily assume good maintenance is being practiced by those on septic systems. She also states that systems may not have the two-foot separation from the water table. "May not", that is not a scientific statement but one full of guess work. Drainage fields better have more than two feet of clearance because if they don't the homes affected were built at one foot elevations which we know to not be the case because we can purchase flood insurance. Also, that is a requirement of the permitting process. She also states that sewers are managed by professionals. I don't doubt that. But explain to us why sewers are the second largest cause of beach closures in coastal regions? It is further stated that septics do not treat nutrients. True enough, but then again the number one cause of red tide is the nutrients from agriculture, not septic tanks. Now here is the one I like the best: “The impact of the current septic systems being used on an island in close proximity with surface and groundwater sources has caused water quality degradation in and around the island.” What statistical data shows this to be true? When a scientist states a fact, they had better be prepared to back it up. The proof must relate specifically to Marco Island, because the writer refers to the "island". Here is another one: "There is little or no current peer-reviewed, scientific data to support septic systems as viable alternatives within the environmental confines of Southwest Florida’s coastal regions." It can also be said that there is little or no current peerreviewed , scientific data to support the statement that septic systems are causing ANY cantamination of MARCO ISLAND waterways. If there is show it to us. It is clear that the pro-growth supporters like the writer are spreading what amounts to propaganda to advance thier money driven desire to expand infrastructure. They want our island to be full of hotels, timeshares and condos. They have invested a lot of their capital in this island, and they are fighting hard to maintain control so that they may protect those investments. Give our island back to the residents and those who wish to only live here in peace. Vote for change, vote for Batte, Hall, Guidry and Neylon.

Anyone that wants to run for public office should have the common curtesy to respond to the electorate's questions. All of the candidates were invited and all except Recker accepted more then a month before the event. The event was advertised in the newspaper and the format was given to each of them. The newspaper even outlined the format. I think that Trotter, who has missed three of these events has a lot to hide and cannot defend his first term as Councilman. The other two appear to be as arrogant as their sponsors. The people representing those who failed to attend want only to protect their investments on our island. They want growth as Jerry Gibson admitted twice. They need to expand our infrastructure to support more hotels, timeshares and condos. Vote for Batte, Hall, Guidry and Neylon if you want to stop all this spending and building on the island.

More multi-family units where none existed previously. If you had any doubt as to why the STRP is necessary this article is the harbringer of the the mixed-use wave about to hit our community. Soon there will be an announcement about another one on North Barfield. Without the STRP this would not be possible. Thank you John Arceri for your farsightedness. Our community would have stagnated as a small town residential retirement community without you.

So much to address in this article. First of all, any applicant that applies for this job has to know that four candidates will not consider any of them if the current council setz the tone. Second, Bill Moss's selection by the City of Naples was not the result of a search by the Mercer Group. Bill Moss applied for the job on the last possible day and the Mercer Group had already completed it's search. Moss was a spoiler for all the candidates that sought employment via the Mercer Group. Third, Joel's recommendation for to purchase additional property for the plant is consistant with the way Bill Moss used to lead this Council. Joel is now attempting to lead the Council in spending another 1 million dollars for property he had previously assurred the council would not be needed. Fourth, 1 million dollars for this property is way over it's "reality" value. The only buyer for this property for the next two years will be the City of Marco Island. It is a dump adjoining an industrial complex. Fifth, the purpose of forming the "rental committee" was to appease resedential owners who were complaining about property owners not monitoring their rental contracts with real estate agents. So why are there not more of these property owners represented on the committee? Why are there so many real estate personalities being considered? Why is the Chamber of Commerce getting a seat? What in the world does the restaurant association have to do with a property owner that allows two or three families to live under the roof of one single family home? Last but not least, why is Tarik Ayasun, a retread tire salesman sitting on this committee? It is well known throughout Marco Island that Tarik is a strong supporter of growth, real estate and commercial interests on the island. Can't this Council just look at all the faces sitting out in the audience of the Council Chambers and see that their decisions are being questioned? Vote for Change, vote for Batte, Hall, Guidry and Neylon. Vote for to give our city back to the residents and our community.

Semper, you are now speaking to many more than the few Celebrate Marco crowd you run around with. Keep going after the majority like you did in the above post and you will ensure Batte, Hall, Guidry and Neylon win this election. Your own words buttess their positions. The words you use and the points you attempt to make actually work against you. I know it is tough to defend the actions of our prior council, especially since their actions have negatively impacted so many of us. Unless your candidates are willing to put money back in our pockets and roll back utility costs, your defense falls on deaf ears. Sailor, please let us know what office Godfrey Davis is running for? Not that I care, but shouldn't you and the rest of the Celebrate Marco crew be directing your comments to those who you will have to contend with in the very near future?

What about the asbestos mishap? What about the release of hydrogen sulfide gas in our residential areas? What about the pumping of ground water directly into our waterways in violation of State and Federal law? I guess stories concerning public health and our enviornment are not considered "top stories" of any interest to Marco Islanders. As for the upcoming election references, please don't insult our intelligence by implying that this heavily contested election is due only to the controversial sewer. There are many other issues being contested in this election that indicate the electorate seeks fundamental change in the way we are being governed.

And what about the downturn in real estate sales? When did that start and end? Or how about the Miami mortgage violations that may yet implicate some of our most important leaders and volunteers in our community. 15 properties on Marco Island were involved. Not important stories? Or are we somehow trying to avoid embarrassing the commercial side of our community?

So what Councilman Tucker is saying is that; to not take action, may be considered an action in the affirmative? Is that like a hearing impaired suspect's lack of response to a policeman's questions, may be considered a positive response to the commission of a crime? Good grief, lawyers. Also, if this is the way this council chooses to function then why do they keep reviewing and approving new sewer districts? Didn't they give direction to the City Staff two years ago? Shouldn't the City Staff be expected to just run with it, hell with the cost. Why does the Counsel even meet? When is leadership exercised? Mr. Tucker, you clearly are one that avoids individual responsiblity, why do you even bother attending City Council Meetings for that matter?

To the PetePan, Soloman, 27year, Montel and all the rest of John Arceri's propaganda team. You guys just don't get it do you? It's not about the STRP, it's not about the costs imposed upon our citizens, it's not about any of the things you use to try and divert the attention of the voters. What it is about is the three years of arrogant rule, the lies and deciet. The unwillingness to allow our citizens to share in their governance. The making of special assessments without a referendum. The irresponsible utility decsions. The budget shuffels of our revenue. The lack of individual personal accountability, the lack of attention to detail, the inablity to supervise and give direction. The total incompetance of four members of our city Council. Our citizens simply want CHANGE. That's what it is about and that is why we are going to vote for Hall, Batte, Guidry and Neylon. We have had it with your excuses and your special interests and your unbalanced attention to the commercial interests of our community. You can say whatever you like and attack our candidates on a personal level, but you can never defend the four majority members of our council that have brought us to this election. Their actions and behavior is undefensible. So keep slinging your mud, we know what we must do and we will do it.

27- The misinformation is contained in the report. You wouldn't have an interest in the company that prepared this report would you? The people of this city are tired of the lies. The City government has been working this scam for too long and it is time for change. Our citizens are about to shut down your cash cow. Chuck Kiester sits on the Council, you do not. His view of what is going on is far more valid then yours. What John Arceri is doing is promoting electioneering communications. As an Officer of Celebrate Marco he should review that organization's by laws before he continues spending CM's funds for this purpose. The fines imposed by the FEC are greater than those that Councilman Kiester will have to pay for deleting emails on his personal computer at home. The violaitons of law are also greater.

Sounds to me like there are a whole lot more snakes in this bag then the City Attorney thought. But I'll bet he won't give the City a refund.

I just want MICA to be honest about their purpose. If they have decided to be a political agent then they should register as one, for that matter so should Celebrate Marco. I am a full member of MICA. I have never seen the responses to these questions posed by MICA to the candidates. I asked the other candidates and they had not seen them either. The media has not published them. My neighbors who are also full-time voting members of MICA have not seen them. You guys will do anything to win won't you? Cheating, lies and misrepresentations will gain you few votes and change even fewer minds.

One area in which this debate did not follow the first. This one lacked the integrity and fairness of the first. The reporter obviously didn't notice Trotter, Gibson and Waldack reading prepared responses to questions asked by the moderator. She also didn't notice that the moderator would not permit more than two members of the anti-sewer group to ask audience questions, yet he permitted five (5) Celebrate Marco members to read 5 prepared questions addressed only to anti-sewer candidates. However, the most newsworthy item was that Celebrate Marco prepared the majority of their questions based on survey responses to questions posed previously to all the candidates by MICA. MICA claims to be an unbiased civic organization that is non-political. None of these questions and responses were provided to Neylon, Hall, Guidry or Batte prior to the debate. Nor were they published in any media or read by the general membership. Why is that? Did MICA intend to give Celebrate Marco an advantage to it's candidates and not to the others? Looks like it to me. I think it's time to take a hard look at MICA's tax status and it's board of governors. This selective and early release of information for political purposes shows their obvious political bias. Or did Bev Trotter, the wife of Candidate Trotter and an employee of MICA give the responses without appropriate authority to Celebrate Marco? It matters not to me. I will reconsider my membership in MICA next year and I as a full member will vote accordingly to replace the current political stewards serving that organization.

First the Fire Department, then the Recreation Department, followed by the Beutification Department. How much of our budget currently being paid from taxes is going to shift to an assessment? Isn't this the same as simply moving money out from under the CAP so that the City can INCREASE our TAXES simply by calling them assessments? Once they become assessments there is no instrument remaining to hold down spending in these areas. If you believe in the CAP, don't support this effort to undermine it.