Letter to the Editor: Dark Days on Marco Island

The Dark Clouds of collusion, deception and corrupt politics promises to make the current council the most ineffective in Marco Island history. The hiring of Marco Administrator Niblock by Former Council President Honig and current President Grifoni without properly vetting him is not the first sign of amateur management. Their documented efforts to intimidate a sexual assault from pursuing charges against the City Administrator is behind their efforts to obstruct justice and prevent a major lawsuit by diverting and subverting public opinion.

As many return North, it is the attendance of year-long residents at council meeting that will bring about the required changes in our municipal government that protects employees and job candidates from acts of sexual aggression by it leaders.

We also must refocus our ineffective council on the pressing issues of a depleted budget, potential for major tax increases, and a failing infrastructure.

If the Council Meeting of Monday 5/7/2018 is any indication their efforts to deflect criticism by manipulating meeting commentary by other councilors and residents may well succeed. As resident after resident spoke about the need to the council leadership to resign, Council President Grifoni used his position to have non-residents offer commentary supporting himself and Councilman Honig immediately following any resident who offered criticism of the council’s efforts. Commentary from the President of the Marco Patriots lobbied for the council leadership, yet she is not a resident of Marco. Most of the Marco Academy speakers recognized by President Grifoni were Naples residents. I for one wonder if all these organizations’ membership feel as their speakers? I wonder if support for their organizations will suffer as a result?

The other members of the Marco Council who have been silent need to make their positions known. Where is Victor Rios who was so eager to seek ethics charges in the past? Where is Charlette Roman the lone women on the council in her support for victims of sexual assault?

All residents of Marco should be demanding the resignation of Council President Grifoni and Councilman Honig, and if that does not occur shortly, a recall of both council members should be on the upcoming ballot.

Robert Nace

Marco Island