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To quote Mr. Sacher (which will happen a lot during the campaign) "the vision and direction of Marco Island's future – tourist attraction or stay true to the Mackle Brothers/Deltona vision." Well, to be fair to all concerned, Mr. Sacher quickly forgets about what the Mackle Brothers desired and envisioned for Tract K, which was, and still is, for this property to be a school. In addition, the vision of Deltona (Mackle Brothers) was for the Island to have a great deal of tourism to form the basis of an economy and tax base for Marco Island. I suggest Mr. Sacher call Deltona in Miami and speak to the current President of Deltona (who was with them in the early days) as I have. In fact, if one reviews the original Master Plans and all the Deed Restrictions and original zoning, one would see much more density and development than is allowed today. And then let's talk about the STRP and what Deltona envisioned. At the time of their Bankruptcy, Deltona (Mackle Brothers) had applications in with the State to extend sewers to all the homes they had built and were going to build on Marco Island. Their vision was to have all the houses on Marco connected to sewers. In fact, it was part of their negotiation with the State prior to their permits being issued (Septic Tanks came about only due to Collier County allowing them in order to build up a tax base for the County by permitting homes). We also cannot forget about the rollback of density and the recent Marco Island Master Plan submitted to the State. In addition, Veteran's Park was scheduled to be a permitted high rise Hotel and 35,000 feet of Commercial space, all a part of the "vision" of the Mackle Brothers, per their zoning. Every time Mr. Sacher wants to talk about the Mackle Brothers vision for Marco Island, we can all ask him about what he wants to do with Tract K. After all, the Eagles will soon migrate to another location, as they always do.
You just can't have it both ways, Larry.
Ed Issler

You are absolutely correct. Obama did engage in 2 days of Peace Talks as a CANDIDATE. I repeat, a CANDIDATE. Who did he think he was at the time. He had no business engaging in any talks. He was representing nobody, not even Illinois at the time. It was an insult to the American people and to the Administration at the time.
Believe me, if you are a supporter of our troops and our Allies, there can be no bigger insult and embartassment than Barack Obama. We are fortunate that the House of Representatives has a Conservative Majority or our Defense Budget would be Welfare by now.
When Romney becomes President (we can only hope and vote) is when it is APPROPRIATE for him to start a rhetoric with all these Countries. Not like Barack Obama who used those visits and our troops as a Campaign tool and to manipulate short sighted voters.
It looks like it worked on you !!!!
Ed Issler

Seasonala: I encourage you to take YOURSELF up on your own challenge. You can start with the City of Venice, Florida. It is the closest in size, population, services, etc to Marco Island.
I have reviewed their past budgets, City Payrolls, Utility reports and I encourage you to do the same.
Please blog after you have done this and let us all know the results !!
Ed Issler

Great News !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Chief and Capt Baer have been very responsive to issues that I have brought before them and consistency breeds improvements and efficiencies.
Good Luck Chief !!
Ed Issler

The issue is on the Ballot. So vote no to the Tax. I am voting no.

The fact is that it is on the Ballot. That is a good thing. If the majority wants it, so be it.

At least we all get to express our opinion and decide the issue via our vote !!!

That is never a bad thing !!!
Ed Issler

Larry: My sincerest apologies for not having the time or patience to watch the entire Campaign video that the Eagle has posted on their website about your comments regarding the 24 hour clininc to be voted on by Marco Island voters.

Having watched only 5 minutes of the video, I would ask (hypothetically) if this was a paid campaign ad. I will check with the Eagle on that soon.

But without watching the entire video, my only comment, and you may, in fact, have said this in the video, is that ANYTHING or any SUBJECT that is voted upon by the voters on Marco Island is a GOOD THING !!!

Giving the voters a chance to express their opinion by Ballot can never be a bad thing, no matter the tax or subject matter of the vote. I am certain that Fay Biles would most certainly agree, irrespective of the fact that she is President of MITA !!! If not, that would be a very selfish position.

The fact that it is coming before the voters, who are NOT stupid or uninformed (as many bloggers feel is the case) means that your opinion on the subject is your opinion only and has no value to each and every voter.

If this is what you said in your 30+ minute video, then congratulations. Someday, I hope to be able to watch the entire video.

Ed Issler

I am sooooooooooooo excited. The more that the FEW of you continue to "blame" a few individuals for our great Island's future and Council, the less you will realize that you share a minority opinion about the direction that the MAJORITY of Islanders want to see.

A 66% to 33% election can hardly be attributed to a few individuals or even a TOPIC (STRP). The more new citizens we acquire as residents, the more the pendulum swings towards the 66% and higher number.

Yes, we are no longer what we used to be. Good, bad, or indifferent, you 10-20 bloggers will not make a difference, as I will not make a difference. The voters, as a group, decide. And they do not seem to agree with you.

This forum is meant as a place for an exchange of ideas and philosophies. I guess out of frustration, there are some of you that want to make statements that are personal, rather than on topic. That does nothing to help your "cause" or opinion, and just goes to show how weak your argument or position really is.

Try to put it all into perspective. The personal stuff does not get to me, I cannot speak for anyone else. It actually energizes me and keeps me going, as I realize just how weak your position is ( as you have nothing else to support your points) for our future.

Ed Issler

Give it up man. If I had the desire, I could take the time and present your numbers in an entirely different way to come up with entirely different conclusions. And that is without neven validating the accuracy of your numbers, which I am cedrtain are not on the money.

For someone who never wanted us to be a City in the first place, you sure have a lot to say.

Ed Issler

Somebody needs to check the Master Plan for Veteran's Park. There is a beautiful multi-purpose Theatre planned. The building would rival Sugden Theatre in Naples. If so much money is available, we should work together to make the future be now.
Ed Issler

There are so many elements that go into the establishment of the varuious rates, and Mr. Pettricia would have us believe that it is a cut and dry issue. Most condos on Marco are using non-potable, reclaimed wastewater for irrigation. Do not know how that impacts the irrigation usage referenced early in the LTE. Most rates are based on cost of service and capacity calculations. It costs the same to "deliver" 15,000 gallons as it does 5,000 gallons (this is delivery, not capacity charges). The difference obviously is the cost of product. How much of the rate is based on capacity of the plants and the infrastructure ?? If the 5,000 gallon user all of a sudden uses 15,000 gallons, the ability to deliver that demand must exist both in the Treatment Plant and in the pipelines. That capacity determination is based on avaerages and historical data, not on zero or "low" water usage. The capacity of a Plant or Plants is a major factor in the development of Capital and Maintenance costs. These costs are amortized by a Base Charge and in the cost of the water.
I certainly do not know how the numbers crunch, but it would appear that neither does the author.
As is always the case, numbers can be made to argue both sides and can be expressed to support any position. This is certainly exemplified in the LTE above.
When I worked for the largest water supplier in the World, we had a discounted rate for Groundwater Replenishment. We found agencies that were buying water at this rate, pumping it into the ground, and immediately pumping it out and selling it to their customers at normal rates. Everyone else suffered higher rates as a result. They were able to demonstrate the numbers by manipulation as was done above. Obviously, when this practice was discovered, it was stopped. The point is that it is difficult to establish "perfect rates" that work for everyone.
In situations such as this, there is never a 100% "equitable" or "fair" solution. We can only expect our representatives to do the best they can and it appears that this was done in this case.
Can the rates be changed or adjusted based on actual revenue ?? Certainly, and they probably will be as we see actual numbers over a period of time.
Ed Issler

There is nothing flawed in a rate table that takes into account cost of service. LCEC does the same.
And if someone thinks that Hotels on the Island should pay the same rate as a condo or homeowner, that is absurd. There is a curve that illustrates cost versus use and it confirms the City's rates.
But it is always good to hear from those few that always chime in with the same opinions, as do I.
Ed Issler

What should concern the bloggers above is that 557 people turned out of which probably 500 were registered voters. So, a clear demonstration that those voters on Marco Island that vote the majority are still enthusiastic about expressing their sense of Community. Something many of the bloggers do not care about.
A great sign as to fighting those who want to bring an end to Cityhood and to those that want to take Marco Island back into the retirement community that is was never destined to be (at least according to Deltona and their Master Plan).
Ed Issler

Somebody needs to teach our City workers how to dig a hole, pour cement, place a 6" sleeve, vertically in the cement, get 4' long pipe with caps, weld rings on top and bottom (for locks and chain)) and string chain to make an area that nobody can park in.
The cement is below grade level to not interfere with lawn mowers. They could even use this technique to eliminate all the crime scene tape at Veteran's Park that looks like a ghetto area with a murder scene.
The pipes can be removed by unlocking the lock that holds it in place. You could even paint the cap yellow to have it stand out.
This is not rocket science. It would take a couple of days and could be paid for by revenues from other sources like Farmer's Market or Beach revenues. Maybe the County would pay for it.
Ed Issler

Steve: You know I respect you and appreciate ALL that you do for our City as an individual. I think you should run for Council !!! And I will tell you personally what I have written herein when I see you around Veteran's Park later today.
It is just that I have a hard time accepting the premises in your LTE (I actually agree with them), when you are the main organizer of an event this weekend that will bring over 60,000 off Island visitors to Veterans Park. All the inconveniences and blocked access to homes and negative effect to quality of life will occur this weekend to all Islanders due to the Seafoof Festival. Especially to our residential area.
You can't have it both ways, Steve.
I suggest giving up on the Seafood Festival as it will have a positive impact on the swale parking issue in your area over the long run.
The less "Day Visitors" we encourage to come here, the better off we all are.
Ed Issler

Seawaller: Interesting point you bring up. I am curious to know the charge per Kilowatt Hour to a master metered Condo versus the charge to individual condo and home meters. Do you happen to know if there is a difference ???

I will check and get back with you. I really do not know the answwer, but you bring up a good question
Ed Issler

Hopefully they start with all the Crime Scene tape that litters Town Center and Veteran's Park. Since when did Crime Scene Tape become a landscaping tool.
Ed Issler

We are a 20 square mile Island and we all have the same concerns. If we cannot settle the water rate issue, then shame on us.

The solution is NOT taking a large segment of our residents and voters (Condo Owners) and limiting their representation to 1 or 2 Council members.
The idea has no merit and makes no sense. Why change ?? The majority is happy and satisfied, as is continuously proven by election.
Ed Issler

Larry: I suggest you read the blogs that were made before each of the last 5 elections (10 years). As you can see above, you may have 20 votes. Do not be lured into a false sense of security. It has been continuously proven that the comments above do NOT reflect the opinions and votes of the majority of the voters.
And if you think the last two elections were about the STRP, you are vastly muistaken. You need to read up on that also. Many other issues were debated and discussed.
I wish you luck, but the debate between condos and homeowners will not get anyone elected to City Council.
Ed Issler

There is a lot of difference between Middle School and High School. In my opinion, the MIA students will be robbed of a true High School experience.

It will take some years, but it will make for a good study to deyrrmine the social impact of MIA graduated students when they finally leave the Island, leave their parents and go off to College.

At least Lely parents have the opportunity to ne involved and assist in the social acclamation of their High School childten. The "Stepford MIA students" will be so out of touch on a College campus and College environment, socially, that many could experience issues.

We can all hope for the best and wish them all a great experience. As I say, years from now, it will make for interesting results.

When the school was contemplated to ne on the Island, many people shared their experiences on this subject.

My comments are based more on my personal High School growth than any expert knowledge.

Ed Issler

Thanks for the update !!!
Ed Issler

Klaus and others: I can only state that the same blogs were taking place before the last election. If you think that the STRP was the issue in the last election, then I encourage you to stick to that belief. There is a comment above that states that the incumbents will not get re-elected. I beg for you to stick to that belief.
I assure all of you that the majority of voters do not blog here, do not attend MITA meetings, do not attend Council meetings, but they will vote. And if you think you represent the majority, then please, please hold on to that belief all the way to the voting booth. That inlcudes you, Klaus, or whoever you are.
We will all work hard for what we believe to be best for Marco Island's future. But the same small group of people, over and over again (even with GOOOOOH), will not change what most of us want.
Ed Issler

It must be getting close to an election, as Sayre is once again using that term, We The People. I must compliment Sayre as he at least did not use the term Majority in his diatribe. But we can all agree that the election is a time for ALL OF US (All 13,000 plus) to express our opinion and vision as to what direction we want to see for the future of Marco Island.
There will be many choices and many candidates. Let us all hope that their vision for Marco Island matches yours, as a voter.
Just make certain to get out and VOTE!!!

In the last 2 elections, Sayre's "We The People" consisted of approximately 2,000 voters versus the real "We The People" that consisted of over 5-6,000 voters. However the election turns out, let us just make certain that everyone votes.
Ed Issler

The process of free market enterprise will sort this out over a very short time (a season and summer or two). This concept will fold up soon enough, guaranteed. I only hope that the City requires a deposit or some PERSONAL guarantees (due to Bankruptcy potential) from the
owners to clean up the property after they go out of business !!
In the event that these businesses survive, more power to them. We just need to make certain that the lighting, appearance and noise are minimized for the neighborhood.
Ed Issler

Who wrote this ??

Ed Issler

All of you, I guess, expect the papers to explain it all for you. The last principal resigned partly because an Art Teacher that he recruited for the school was not paid the salary that the teacher was promised.
If all the meetings and issues were made Public, we would know how the School was being run or mis-managed.
When and where can we find the Public documents about revenue and expenses and salaries, etc. Or, is it time to bring these issues back to the School Board.
Ed issler