Get to Know Marco City Council Candidates

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Posted Wednesday, September 25, 2024 8:00 pm

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By Steve Stefanides

Last week we had the privilege to meet with the six members of the public who are seeking to obtain seats on the Marco Island City Council. As you are probably aware, there a four seats up for election this coming November. Those seats belong to you, they don’t belong to anyone else, regardless of incumbency or not. The Coastal Breeze News asked each of those individuals a set of questions that were only provided to them the morning we met, and we videotaped their responses. I was given the privilege to hostthe event, and we appreciated each of the six candidates’ responses and the time they spent with us.

We hope you enjoy this format and learn more about each candidate. These videos have been posted to our website – www.coastalbreezenews.com.

Each candidate was asked the following questions:

1. What are the top three issues residents are facing and what steps would you take to address them?

2. How would you propose the City adjust the budget process to increase resident input and ensure we can afford necessary services and projects?

3. Are the City Advisory Committees effective as designed? What are your suggestions?

4. How can the City more effectively communicate with residents?

5. What can be done to assist Code Enforcement to be more effective?

6. The Environment is an economic driver on the island. What plans would you enact to address these environmental issues:

a. As of September 2024, the disorientation of sea turtle hatchlings is higher on Marco Island than any other location in the county per Collier County reporting. What will you do to turn this number around?

b. Would you endorse the City buying its own conservation lots to protect burrowing owls and gopher tortoises?

c. Water quality has always been a concern for residents. Recently, the City opted to test quarterly instead of monthly. Do you believe this testing schedule is adequate? Should the public be notified if bacteria levels indicate a non-healthy swimming environment?

7.) The explosion of new building on the island has created a hodgepodge of architectural styles. Do you believe there should be an approval process (such as an architectural review board) on the type of structures being built?

You can also view these on YouTube at the following links:

Dr. Rich Blonna  https://youtu.be/1k34OXMBelU?si=UNT_3zOROCDHayCh

Tamara Goehler  https://youtu.be/avhNpXvP-DA?si=MRDt6VIshoj3CyHv

Stephen Gray  https://youtu.be/Tv4arLzLn-M?si=daVGI05OJH1Ui2vO

Deb Henry  https://youtu.be/6dAnp8L0wbg?si=AYtSMqpRQxKsoR8O

Becky Irwin  https://youtu.be/EQT_9f_hm_0?si=AzwHG-RSyFo7fFs9

Bonita Schwan  https://youtu.be/TBSp0gEb19c?si=QWi9op6O3pKQWhUj

The Marco Island Civic Association has also received written responses to a series of questions they asked the candidates.In addition,they are assisting in sponsoring a public candidate forum with the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce and the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors, which will be held on October 9th as part of a public forum to be held in City Council Chambers beginning at 5:00 PM.

Be an educated voter, study the questions and those seeking office and their purposes for running. I love to walk up to my voting precinct and see those fellow citizens exercising their rights to do so. Be an important part of our democracy and vote.

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