Comments by naples_rocket

Written on Community center debate, city audit deficiencies push Marco Island City Council meeting past 9:30 p.m.:

Mr. McGuiness - epitome of Marco islander. Don't spend a dime on anything I don't like, cut all government expenses to zero, but where is my "free" headset, I am ENTITLED to one!!! Love this! I think I'll start watching council meetings again.

Written on Barfield Bridge repair underway:

get rid of this bridge! It's completelly unnecassary

Written on Some Marco Island councilors vexed about Capri fire district decision, plan full airing May 6:

fire department, fire department, fire department, fire department, fire department, fire department

Written on Guest Commentary: By Larry Honig - My city manger evaluation:

in response to marcofriend:

Honig's election is almost identical to another councilor elected a couple of years ago via bullet voting. Tell everyone what they want to hear and then all of a sudden he knows better than all citizens on the island. Unfortunately we have 1-1/2 more years of Mr Bullet Vote and 3-1/2 more years of Mr less than honest or transparent.

We also are stuck with a City Manager who is neither a professional at his job any more than he is a PHD. How disspointing that our new City Council chair is so naive as to think this man is an asset to our City.

why have a professional City Manager when you can have a puppet?

Written on Marco Island Planning Board reviews live-aboard vessels, delays moving ahead with midtown public forums:

in response to WizeOlMarco:

Why does the City seem intent on taking responsibility for providing parking to Marco Island businesses? Businesses have plenty of options, most obvious, purchase a vacant lot (or an improved property and remove the improvements) for their customer parking use. When business operations grow to exceed the capacity of the property (building and associated land area), expand by buying (or lease) adjacent property or relocate to another location. The City should not spend any money creating parking for local businesses (caveat, unless a City/public project eliminates a business parking). In all seasons I support local business and urge everyone do to do. I also support the independence of the City and community at-large.

because it is City of Marco that approved (and still is, if I'm not mistaken) restaurant and other business expansions without requiring for additional parking.
But as we heard last night, City has never been run better.

Written on Letter to the Editor: Understanding the process:

I thought they did one a year or two ago?

Written on Restrooms, restaurants and roadwork confirmed at Commissioner Fiala's Marco Island Town Hall:

couple of new chain restaurants , couple more traffic lanes, more tourist tax dollars to attract even more tourists, new restrooms for day trippers, more and more and EVEN MORE visitors. We should stop wasting hours and hours on +/- 10 bucks on a water bill, guns and develop some REAL goals and visions. Do we want to remain what Deltona envisioned or become yet another tourist trap with chain restaurants, parking garages, miniature golf, horse rides? Collier is already on the way to becoming yet another tourist trap, what should Marco do??

Written on New Planning Board decides to reconsider parking ban near Marco Island's south beach :

in response to FECOYLE:

When the Council first proposed these two access ways they were told this would happen along with a lack of sanitary facilities at both locations but chose to ignore it. These decisions will haunt Marco for years to come

I don't think it's about ignoring the issue, it's about not wanting to spend any Marco taxpayer money. We all know that parking is an issue, but if you provide parking, you will sooner than later have to provide restrooms, trash cans, etc. maintain them. And none of the above is free.

Written on Big Flag update: Dave Rice and fundraising chairman Leo Sutera plan campaign strategy :

not again! Thanks for everything you're doing but progress updates every other day are unnecessary. Thank you!!!

Written on Letter to the Editor: A sign of the times?:

Was it 1st or 2nd hearing?

Written on More than they 'bargained' for – Marco Island Code Enforcement Board hears church thrift store case :

all other things aside, this is an excellent real life example that some things, such as requiring for sufficient parking, cannot be left to "free market". Same situation at Olde Marco.
Hopefully our City will learn a lesson and reinstate that "unnecessary government regulation" - sufficient parking (as defined by professional planners or engineers and not the regulated).

Written on Marco Island City Council candidates – Nine vie for four seats :

what about Duane, ajm3s?

Written on Letter to the Editor: Disappointed visitor:

Please. Like we don't have enough visitors and traffic congestion.

Written on Top Marco Island cop re-ups: Don Hunter to stay on as police chief; Riviere announces two-year contract extension :

in response to seasonala:

Citizens have an opportunity to work towards a change on this island. If they are in vote them out. They hired the city manager. This salary along with some others employed by the city are not warranted. Compare it to other cities the same size. And, now you have a council candidate stating city employees deserve rate increases. Is he serious? Pay attention to what is going on in this city. Your paradise is in jeopardy and only the people can change this.

could you please provide links/data that we could compare. Thank you.

Written on Marco community steps up: Highly customized bike stolen from Marco man :

this is total BS. Take care, Steve!!!

Written on Letter to the Editor: ‘Contractor’s raise the roof’:

this is going to be one interesting summer

Written on Firestorm: Marco Island City Council chambers packed for spur-of-the-moment meeting on inspections :

oh, my. No wonder this Country is in shambles. I honestly have no clue whether transferring inspections to the county would be a good decision or bad. But there is this little thing called DUE PROCESS. Which is a fundamental principle of the democratic government, Mr. Breeze, RayPray et al.

Written on Contractors raise the roof on Marco Island city manager's decision to move building inspectors to Naples :

the issue is not whether this decision is good or bad. The issue is transparency!!!
And to all of you who think that this move is good. You definitely have not dealt with the County!

Written on Marco Island's TBE tennis courts to close for lack of repairs;funding considerations for new community center at Mackle Park heard:

and what's the decrease on the average Marco property tax bill after $10,000 cut? A dime? Yes, we need to cut, but this...

Written on Letter to the Editor: Visitors not welcome:

I wonder if this Mary Robinson from Woodruff, WI is even a real person. Well, she's in the white pages, but I cannot really imagine someone coming in to a new place for a 3 week vacation and managing to be so knowledgeable of local issues and economics. Then going home and bothering to write a letter to the editor. Hey, sounds like Mary Robinson from Woodruff, WI would make a picture perfect full-time Marco Islander she's describing in her letter.

Written on With ‘big flag’ unfurled: First glimpse gives Marco Island committee goose bumps; official raising set for May 28:

in response to Throat_Yogurt:

EVERY TIME I DRIVE OVER THE BRIDGE NOW, I'LL GET TO SEE MY TAX MONEY BLOWING IN THE WIND

maybe if you just cleared your throat and head from all that yogurt and actually read the article, you might find out that all this deal was covered by private donations

Written on Letter to the Editor: Trouble in Paradise:

in response to Johnnymarco49:

Guests are not the issue but renters are the reason the parking rules are in place. Vacation renters have been a problem in the past and continue to...oh ya we aren't suppose to talk about that since the city won't enforce Florida laws.

care to elaborate?

Written on Residents tell Marco Island City Council that South Beach swale parking is causing problems:

there's waaaay too many people in this town. It's not even relaxing anymore. Sad :(

Written on Bike collisions with vehicles on rise on Marco; three bicycle committee members hit:

this town is too big for bicycles. And there is nothing we can do about it.

Written on Letter to the Editor: The need is not there:

in response to WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot:

Marcia,
I'm sorry. The majority of Americans oppose Obamacare. The majority of Americans opposed spending $800 Billion to bail out the banks. The list goes on. When will you and the rest of Americans learn that a majority opinion no longer matters. This is just another instance on a smaller scale of government telling people what is good for them and their community. Now, sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride!......Towards the edge of the cliff!

P.S. It will help if you watch dancing with the stars, cnn, american idol, fox news, jersey shore, etc, etc. It will make the ride much more comfortable. The cliff ahead won't matter so much when you don't need to think about it. Just keep trying to guess what snooky will due next week!

majority option still matters during the election

Written on 2 escape boat fire near Marco Island:

what a tough week for Marco FD. God Bless You Guys!!!

Written on Marco Police investigate death of 34-year-old man:

sad, sad, sad :'(

Written on Marco Island City Council defers utility rate decisions hoping $4.2 million deficit can be explained:

in response to 1Paradiselost:

Time to sell the water/sewer department to professional public utility which is under the control of the state public service commission!

sure... State of Florida knows so much better how to manage business and money

Written on Marco Island property owners question Mackle Park building expansion costs:

in response to Throat_Yogurt:

Gym? Teen center? = YMCA = FREE

YMCA is far from free

Written on Jan. 23 Town Hall will let residents ask for answers from City Council:

it will be the same group with the same concerns just as in any council meeting.

Written on Beach committee hopes beach stewardship patrols improve Marco Island beach etiquette:

maybe they can shew away all those nasty 15-pound seagulls. Scary!

Written on ‘Putting’ golf on Marco Island: Planning Board hears first of two mini-golf proposals:

in response to islandgma:

I have always thought a DQ would be a great addition to Marco. A nice inexpensive ice cream. It's about time Marco starts thinking about the status of the economy and if they truly want more visitors, they need to be more in touch.

huh? Are you suggesting that Marco government should open DQ?

Written on Marco Island Planning Board weighs regulations for temporary real estate signs:

I cannot believe how many people do not understand why Marco Island is such a beautiful place and property values are still pretty high. It's because of those strict regulations. Signs, landscaping, everything!!! Maybe all these people who cannot connect the dots do not cross jolley bridge and see how other places with less regulation look like. I don't know... And this line "well, back home in New Jersey I could do this and that and on Marco I cannot do anything". Really? New Jersey? Not really an example to follow.
Is there any research or one single article in business press available at least remotely showing that "For Sale" signs help sell (million dollar) houses. I doubt that.
And finally, where is MICA on this issue???

Written on PHOTOS: Eddie Griffin delivers funny but controversial set at Marco's Off the Hook comedy club:

And the article with such a strong headline closes with Capt Brien's contacts and upcoming events. I mean, really?

Written on Guest Commentary: MICA surveys; is anyone listening:

here we go again. 'Not listening to the people', 'listening to their small group' crap. There's such thing called elections. People vote and elect representatives to the city council. Or are you suggesting that election process is corrupt? If you don't like someone, elect someone else. Heard about that?!

Written on Letter to the Editor: Not Comcastic:

okay, and my question is "is there anything we can do about it?"

Written on Labor pains: Marco Island not reporting its work force breakdown, feds not reacting:

looks like Marco Eagle is running out of topics to trash Marco government :)

Written on Cuban citizen goes to prison for Golden Gate Estates grow house:

in response to MsConstitutionalist:

It is appalling that you used Cuban citizen in your headline? What does that have anything to do with the crime committed? You racist pig. Is he illegal? no he is not. I dont see you using "white man raped 6 year old lil girl" etc... Anyways, he should be deported once he is foun guilty and he could even serve the sentence over there for all I care. But stop the racism it doesnt help the future of the white race, the very near future new minority.

bleeding hearts like yourself, ma'am, is the reason this Country is going down the toilet.

Written on Shop Talk: Marco’s restaurant scene volatile as always:

also being Born in the USA is a big disadvantage if you are looking for work in one of Marco hotels and restaurants.

Written on Letter to the Editor: Time to pile-on City Council:

what mixed use and 25 MPH speed limit have to do with city's budget?

Written on Is Mesac Damas competent for trial? 2 of 3 doctors say yes:

how much more time, money and internet space are going to be wasted on this piece of scum?

Written on Marco grapples with paying for July 4 fireworks display:

I'm sorry, but there is nothing wrong with feeling entitled to the July 4th fireworks!!! JC, we are not THAT broke!

Written on City Council Budget Sub-Committee: Marco Island ‘facing another difficult year,’ says Magel:

in response to blogsmog:

I was just wondering..if we could magically go back 5 years(and knowing the fiscal condition we are in now), would all those who supported the STRP have a change of mind?

this is the silliest question I've ever heard

Written on FLDOE supports Marco Island Academy:

in response to RayPray:

"Jane...reports that, “This grant will help us reach our goal of offering the highest quality of pizza for our Marco Island high school students."

Does that explains how they got Vandy on board?

also, answering to what Ocram has said.

School lunch is a very big $$$. Collier County school district spends somewhere around $18M a year on school lunch. Collier is a pretty "poor" school district because of all the migrant farm, hotel and restaurant workers and their numerous children. While it does not really apply to Marco that much but we are in the same district with the eastern Collier and it's just one big pot. http://www.collierschools.com/AnnualR...

So... 58 percent of "our" kids are economically needy, meaning that they receive free or reduced price lunch. Free for them, not free for us who pay taxes. But, to what Ocram has said. Yes, No Child Left Behind money is to be used for disadvantaged. And Collier uses NCLB money to feed the disadvantaged by proving them free or reduced price lunch. Furthermore, that $18M is spent on those 58 percent when other 42 percent pay out of their pocket adding more $$$ to that $18M. Well, some bring their own lunch, but many parents, including myself, spend $40/month to purchase lunch.

Now... charter schools do not have to purchase garbage food provided by school district food supplier but can purchase garbage food from their own suppliers, such as Vandy's. Charter middle serves Vandy's pizza once a week. Do the numbers... This little gig must be paying their rent. Add charter high, it will also pay their utilities.

Written on Brent Batten: Unknown restaurateur defends illegal immigration :

RayPray,

comparing today's immigrants (from South) and those of prior-1924 from Europe is absurd.
I do not really care who comes and from where as long as I don't have to pay for it. Unfortunately, I do. ZERO welfare state... Please. This will never happen. Needy won't be denied just because they do not speak English or have "papers". That just wont happen!!!

Written on Brent Batten: Unknown restaurateur defends illegal immigration :

they are this, they are that, they do this, they do that. Blah blah blah.
Is there anything we could possibly do about this besides ranting on the online blogs? I don't think so.
We all know what goes on and what consequences it has. Government's policy on this issue is completely opposite of what majority of the Americans want. But what can we possibly do? This has been going on for so long, people have been frustrated for so long, but nothing changes. Look at our dear Connie Mack. Illegal alien advocate. How can you possibly expect any change?
And all this "lazy and drug addicted American workers" is just BS. I know so many young Americans who used to come and work in Marco restaurants, hotels and country clubs before those places started hiring "internationally". They are neither lazy nor drug addicted and would die to have an opportunity to came back again to Marco for the winter and work here. As long as our borders are open and immigration is left for the free market forces, this will only get worse.

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