marconews.com Accounts

Ed, correction to the statute above, it's 100.3065 not 100.0365, sorry.

Issler, why are you attempting to pick a fight with Ed Foster, you are out classed and way over your head, and yes he is a registered voter.

Hey Ed, charter sections 5.05 your quoting refers to the date and when we vote by mail ballot; Non Presidential years we vote by mail ballot. Presidential primary years we go to the polls or ask for an absentee ballot. If the state changes the Presidential primary date we vote by mail unless the city decides, voluntarily, to change the date to the Pres. primary . There is no mandate to change the date and the only thing that is strange is your interpretation. State law gives the city the option to change the date to January or any date even November if it chooses by amending the charter by ordinance. as to section 5.05 (3)state law also gives the city the authority to change the term of office, or not. Remember most state and federal officials are elected in November and are not sworn in until January. So there is nothing sinister about leaving the term of office alone

The charter also say's; "Section 3.02. Terms.
(1) The term of office shall be four years and no member shall serve more than two full consecutive terms." Does that mean that the two councilors whose term should be up, because of term limits, get to run again because they did not serve "two full consecutive terms." Changing the election date may not be as easy as you might think.

You want the date changed, be careful what you ask for, you may just get it and you may not like it.

Mr. Putnam, if you’re going to quote me please do so accurately. If you will note I said in “PART” misinformation, ect. I never used the word “malcontents” and I never said “all the problems”. Yes I go to many council meetings and yes I do read and much of what I read, see and hear from both sides I do not like very much.

As to, “how do you answer the questions in the "Earnmarco" and "Marcocares" websites or the various blogs?” That is a conundrum. There is so much half information on these sites I would not know where to begin. Plus, every time a question is answered with facts you people don’t like the answer and the comedians on the blogs spin it or poke fun at the messenger. You folks don’t want answers, you want agreement with your answers. Tell me something factual and you will get mine and many others attention.

Mr. Putum, I have no bone in this dog fight, the sewers come I pay they don’t come I don’t pay and I don’t much care when they come, I’m last and locked into the 2006 price. I do however wish you and most of your group good luck in this fight but would wish you would do it honestly, responsibly and with dignity, let the dam system work. Stop the BS wait another ten months until March and then change the council, if you can.

Sorry, Hawke1 I never said that, not even close. I simply stated what the Fl Statute and the Attorney General's opinion states in very plain language, read it, it's the law and the council did make this law.

Using your logic why do you think that those running for election might then feel deprived of their right to the electoral process and those having their duly elected term of office reduced would not feel deprived. Unfortunately this is not simply about money, it's about early elections and for that reason I and others do not support any change at this time.

As to the Governor and all the rest getting involved if this did happen, I think not, this opinion was given in regards to a question to change the election from March to November for the City of Lauderdale Lakes in 2003 and the signature at the bottom of the opinion none other then our own sitting Governor Charlie Crist.

I agree with 15yearsmarco (now there's a switch). The voters in this country are lazy and use the excuse why vote, one vote won,t make a difference this is one reason why we in this country get such low turnouts. Mail in ballots are a far more effective way to get the vote out, from the comfort of your home and take your time. Also this is a primary election many people don't vote in primaries some wish not to declare their political affilation. I'll take a mail in ballot over a hike to the polls any day.

Ed Issler, you post and logic is very difficult to understand and your numbers are incorrect. The population of Marco Island is about 16,000 full time residents and there are approximately 14,000 registered voters I make that to be just over 80% of the population that is registered to vote.

Using your rational; 20% x 16,000 population = 8,000 full time residents x 80%=6,400 registered voters. The county disagrees with your numbers. They say that there are almost 14,000 registered voters and last election 6,443 of them voted.

I would surly like to know just where you are getting your numbers from.

I think I’m going with the county on this one Ed.

Strike3, you want numbers, here are the hard numbers about the last election direct from the board of elections. At the time of the last elections there were 13,207 registered voters. There were 6,443 registered voters that cast ballot’s or just under 50% of the registered voters and by voter standards that’s a pretty respectable turn out. What is interesting about these numbers is that combined the two top hard core anti STRP candidates did not get 50% of the vote, 2,976 for Ted Forcht and 2,838 for Chuck Kiester.

Now some will say Popoff lied to us and said he was against sewers. We all know he never said he was against the STRP, he did say he wanted to see it more equitable and wanted to slow it down but against it, he just never said he was against the STRP and as the number two voter getter he garnered 2,944 votes while Mr. Joe Batte who was strongly against sewers came in a not to close fifth with 2,655, behind Steve Stefanides who was for the STRP and received 2,714 votes.

So, what do these numbers tell me about the next election. It tells me that, looking at some of the anti-sewer one issue candidates that have said they would run for the council, you guy’s are in deep do do.

Islandvisitor, thank you, I could not have said it better.

You lolala, are unreal. Someone has told you that there is a pot of money in City Hall filled with cash “just laying around”… “for the exclusive use of the City Manager” and you blindly believe this with no other evidence other then the undocumented statement of someone who knows almost as little as you. Along comes someone and asks, for the purpose of information, what you call the account this money is in and you say “what does it matter what you call it? The money obviously was just laying around.” Read the dam budget that is of course assuming you can read a budget. My question was rhetorical, there is no such account or “pot” and the money is defiantly not just lying around city hall it is coming from the General Fund as Councilor DiSciullo stated it was.

The problem as I see it is that when someone presents factual accounts regarding our city you and your group dismisses them with a duh! Why? Because your too dam lazy to find out the correct information before shooting off your mouth and you come back with fairytales. A little less rhetoric and more actual facts will go a long way towards informing all.

Mr. Foster, you are correct this is what these blogs should be for and I thank you for the civil dialogue.

I’m still confused, which dosen't take much these days. Just where in the budget are these “unallocated reserves”, I checked the budget and can’t find them and I don’t recall anyone using the term “unallocated reserves”. As to the words “cash pool” you are mistaken, it was the CM that said “cash pool” and I took that to mean whatever cash the city had on hand from all accounts and being held in the General Fund. As I said before it was Councilor DiSciullo that said the money was coming from the “General Fund” and there is defiantly a difference. The “General Fund” is the chief operating fund of the city. When Chuck Kiester said 30 million dollars I think he meant the amount in the “General Fund” because that is about what was in the “General Fund” at that time and I don’t believe Mr. Kiester or anyone said the city had a 30 million dollar “surplus”. To accumulate that much of a surplus for a city this small (200% of our operating budget) would be ludicrous. If I am wrong please tell me what they call this account you keep referring to.
(Note: the budget for this period can be found on the city web page)

Since you did not address my enquiry regarding where in the charter it say’s, “The City Charter provides only one method of transferring funds from one account to another and that is by an ordinance subject to the people's demand for a referendum.” , I must assume that this statement made by you is incorrect.

As to Section 3.08 of the Charter, I believe, lacking hard evidence, otherwise, the Council and the CM did just what Section 3.08 of the City Charter allowed for. Further, nowhere in Section 3.08 does it say that any such transfer of funds must be done by resolution or ordinance. The resolution you refer to refers to enterprise funds and perhaps that had to be done by resolution as was done.

Mr. Foster, I still fail to grasp your point or why you are bring this up again. No one listened before because, while it was somewhat creative, it had no merit. The city acted properly and the result was the city saved money. When the Supreme Court renders its decision bonds will be sold quickly and the “General Fund” will be replenished and the line of credit will be paid down.

I think we should move on to the future. These are old arguements that will take you nowhere.

I received a rebate back from Citizens in April it was not for 30% it was for about 14% of the premium I sent them. I thought it should have been for more, but I suppose anything is better then nothing from those bloodsuckers who have the only game in town.

Srtike3, I really don’t understand your point. But if you are attempting to compare values your off base. According to county records, the 2006 taxable value of property in Naples is 102.4 billion an increase over last year of 25.5 %. The taxable value of property on Marco Island is 15 billion an increase over last year of 31.8%. Now considering that Naples has a population of about 21,000 and Marco has a population of about 16,000 and Marco Island being about 35% smaller then Naples, with 38% being water, I’d say values are fine here on Marco Island and most importantly our city taxes, mill rate and dollar amount paid, have actually gone down for the past several years. But with the county their portion of the taxes for the past several years, with the exception of last year, has gone up.

Check it out, I did, the facts don't lie. Look at the breakdown on your own tax bill.

Be careful what you ask for, you may not like what you get.

strike3, if there is a green slime out there as you say and it is from sewers it is not from Marco Island. We dump nothing what so ever into the Gulf of Mexico. All sewerage is treated to reuse standards. What is not sent back for irrigation use or stored is sent down a class 1 deep injection well. Naples on the other hand has on occasion dumped into Naples Bay, I believe they have been recently fined by DEP for this. Pick on them for awhile. Why are you always bum rapping Marco Island.

Don't worry so much Councilor it’s not good for your health. Very shortly the decision will come down from the wise men in Tallahassee, and the bonds will be sold.

Also, I understand that the first sewer bills will be going out, to all in the first two districts very shortly and the cash will be rolling in. So if you haven't tied in yet I would advise you do so. There are only about 35 or 40 in the first two districts that haven't tied in. Unfortunately, if you don't tie in you can expect a knock on your door from code enforcement and as I understand it the penalties are rather harsh.

Happy34145, thank you for your comments, What would be even more of a breath of fresh air would be folks not attacking the truth or the messenger because some don't like the truth. Untrue statements are made or questions are asked and either they are not commented on or the messenger is attacted because they don't like the truth the messager brings. I have seen this many times and it is a sign of close mindedness.

For instance; I said that POP screwed up, the Charter clearly say’s "A minimum of five (5) electors may commence initiative or referendum proceedings", not 3. This is not open to debate its in the Charter its the law. The next bloger comes back and labels me a fraud and a total f@%king moron. I did not voice an opinion on the substance of the POP petition thats for the voters to decide. Nor did I write the charter. (I do believe if memory serves me correctly that some of the Friends of Marco did have a hand in writing the charter.) Would you rather some disgruntled citizen challange the petition because POP did not follow the charter/law, because they will and they surely win. I believe POP has followed the correct procedures this time and although I will not be a signer, if the council rejects it this time for anything less then a charter/law not being followed, I will standing right beside fighting for POP's right to petition

My point is if you don't like what you should know the answers to be, don't ask the question. I can be as arrogant or as reasonable as the next person.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.

Barfieldfly, would you please tell me where you found the information that the average life of a septic system is 60 to 80 years. I have always been under the impression that it was 20 to 30 years. I think you may have your numbers reversed.

You mention sewage spills; let’s talk about that for a moment. The city acquired the water/waste water facility shortly after the referendum which was held December 9, 2003. According to http://earnmarco.com/ since the city has owned the waste facility there have been four spills since January 29 2004 to present, a period of 3 and 1/2 years, 75, 50, a possible 1,500 gallon and 200 gallon spill respectively, totaling 325 actual spills and one possiable 1,500 spill and one unknown possible SPILL, whatever that means.

I know that the author of earnmarco.com says that this is not a complete list, but until I see others this is a complete list

In the period from June 21, 2003 to November 11, 2003, a period of just over 5 months under the guidance of Florida Water services their were 4 spills totaling 6,000 gallons. 1,200, 300, 2800 and 1,500 gallons respectively.

I'd say that the city jumped right in and started taking care of business. I have as of late not heard of any spills, do you have any evidence that there were.

I am not saying that even a 1 gallon spill is expectable, I,m saying that with repairing a beatup sewer system the city's track record is not all that bad. I know, I've heard it before we bought a pig in a poke. But, if FWS had continued the way they were going we would be flushing into our canals, or fighting with some city in the Panhandle to repair our worn out system.

As to where the septic leaks are recorded, that's easy. What few that have been reported are recorded at the building department, however some are not reported. The tanks are pumped and cleaned, a little chemical is added and it’s good for another year, maybe.

strike3, I partialy agree with you, but Sanibel's problems are not from Sanibel's sewers, most of the problems come from up river past Ft. Myers (there was a sewer spill from Ft. Myers in 2006 that the health department said never made it to Sanibel) where there are no sewers and as you pointed out the seepage (not dumping) of pesticides and fertilizers. into the Caloosahatchee River. Unfortunatly Sanibel is at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River and becomes a catch all for everything that flows down the river.

Maintenance is the key word, but with most it will not happen which is directly related to the problems many coastal communities have. If you look into the technology the city is presently using and improving on you will find it is state of the art, expensive but the best. You cannot convience me that sewers are not best for the future of the environment if properly maintained, how we as a community pay for them is another question. Here on Marc Island we can't even get past the first issue, the need to protect the future.

Yo strike3, looks like I struck a nerve and I consider that an accomplishment and coming from you, I'll take it as a compliment. But why so vile. Chill out your gonna bust a vessel.

Its in the charter stupid. That is the law stupid. I did not make the law stupid. If the law was not followed and POP was successful POP'S victory could be challenged and would be overtuned in court stupid. Any other stupid statements you care to address.

I don't know what planet you come from but here we are obliged to follow the law or suffer the consequences of our actions. Its simple, POP did not follow the charter, which is our basic law, may not be fair, but its the law that was passed by the majority of the voters when we became a city. Have you ever read our City Charter? I think not.

Hey Neylon, I have an idea. If you do in fact possess these documents as you say they do why don't you just post them on one of your many anti city your web sites for the world to see. Or is this just more Neylon BS.

Ok Lolala, lets just take a look at your experienced and knowledgeable leaders. A little research will tell you that Mr. Neylon is nothing more then a Master electrician and not an engineer in the field of wastewater treatment plants. Godfrey Davies was a former Marco Island police officer that couldn't hack it. Ed Foster himself has said that he has no experience in the wastewater industry, he preaches what he reads and preaches it as if it were the gospel. Dough Enman is a Real Estate salesperson and Roger Hall is nothing more then a frustrated troublemaker with expeirence in nothing. Now, compare your leaders with city staff. Get a life dummy!!

As to the recall, what recall? Are you speaking of the court cases that the city keeps swatting away like fly's because they have no merit and the environmental violations you speak of are only in your little minds, show me one finding against the city. As to the FBI investigation, I hear its a fizzle.

Tell me pray tell, just where are all these experienced and knowledgeable citizens you say are capable of making these decisions.

You and your group of malcontents are nothing more then sheep following people you know nothing about.

Mr. Waldack,

It is quite obvious to me who the author of plan C is, it reeks of Mr. Neylon who authored other similar plans in the past

Mr. Neylon brought similar plans to the attention of the CM and members of the city council long ago and they were all rejected for legal statutory reasons that Mr. Neylon and Mrs. Enman and other malcontents, including the President of MITA, Fay Biles, are fully aware of but refuse to accept.

As to plan D, I believe it has little or no merit at all. Forgeting about the legal statutory issue that is also a problem with plan D, one of its other flaws are it fails to address who is going to pay for the installation of the pipe in front of the newly sewered homes.

As to why it is being brought forward again. I would say it is to perpetuate the myth that Mrs Enman and perhaps Mr. Neylon knows more then staff, the council and the city bond council and to further divide this island. Its just more propaganda.

Mrs. Enman’s commentary was posted online Monday May 11th and judging by the comments on the commentary (none) there does not appear to be much interest in either plan C or D.

Likewise strike3. It is a dam shame that all must suffer for the greed of a few owners and Realtors who flaunt the existing law. Renters should be screened and come with references not just with money. I believe that 30 days is fair but it also should come with higher fines and increasing amounts for repeat violations.

strike3 it means just what it say's and those facts came from the DEP. You may read into them what you will. I take them to mean that it is evident that more and more of the communities in the state are going to sewers and I am happy to say I live in one of those communities.

Unfortunately I will be in the very last area to be sewered but if a large storm does hit, which I pray it does not, I will get to see that it does work. But if it does not work I won't be laughing at you, I'll be standing right beside you helping you shovel even though I think you are a moron.