NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION IDEAS

I really don’t like the word resolution; it always seemed a bit too firm and strict. You must resolve to FIX this; you MUST make this better. That to me is a recipe to fail. How about just some New Year’s ideas for 2026? This past week, I was thinking about all the things we talked about in 2025, ideas on how to make our lives and other people’s lives safer, healthier, and just some things to make things run smoother. So, what were some of the ideas we had in 2025 and what is important for us to consider in 2026? First on my list, like always, is become a sheepdog; learn how to save a life. Take a class, learn how to perform CPR, learn how an AED works, and learn some simple first aid lifesaving skills. Stopping the bleed, recognizing a stroke, saving someone from choking, really the list goes on and on. And it’s so easy to do. The Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron, whose training center is in the 1100 block of N. Collier, conducts CPR/AED First Aid classes almost every month. The Marco Island Area Association of Realtors, whose office is located at 140 Waterways Drive off Bald Eagle, also puts on CPR/AED First Aid classes for the public. And of course, our fantastic Marco Island Fire Department also puts on classes AND has NARCAN to hand out to the public. And speaking of classes, if you own a boat, consider taking some boating classes to make you a better and more informed boater. Both the Sail and Power Squadron and the Marco Island Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose training center is at 903 Collier Ct at the Caxambas boat ramp, puts on several classes on boating instruction and safety. My favorite one is “Suddenly in Command.” Imagine being out on the water and becoming disabled. Does anyone else on your boat know how to run your boat? Work the VHF radio? Know where the first aid kit even is? Give it some thought.

Kathie and I have lived on Marco Island for over 30 years; this is our town, a great small town, and it’s your town too. Get involved. I have been involved with our Rotary clubs here on Marco for years. There are two clubs, a morning meeting club and a noontime club. Both clubs, along with having great social connections, do many community projects, both local, national, and international. This January 31st, both clubs will be working together with Habitat for Humanity on a home building project, along with the Flags for Heroes you will see at the corner of San Marco and Sandhill St, hundreds of flags to salute the heroes in our lives. Marco also has a Kiwanis Club, a Lions Club, and if you’re a veteran, we have a VFW. Do you like golfing, travel and going to the Barbara B Mann? Check out the Marco Men’s Club. They golf on Mondays and Fridays and do many other things for men and women. Like the beach? Join MICA and get to the beach. Join the Marco Island Historical Society. There is a Marco Island Woman’s Club, too. The opportunities to get involved are limitless. There are so many ways to get involved in your community for 2026, so get out there and JOIN! And on the subject of getting involved, how about we give those people who do step up and become involved in our city government a break and some respect. I have been on the Waterways committee and am on the City’s planning board, so I can speak from experience in saying no one volunteers their time to commit to helping with the city government for national attention, a plaque on a wall, or better job offers. Our city counselors and board members have stepped up to try and keep our wonderful city great. We may from time to time disagree with what they say and how they vote, but some simple, polite decorum in our communications would be worth considering. Positive input and communication can go a long way in making your point.

So, personal improvement for 2026… how about how we drive? I know we all have funny and maybe not-so-funny stories we can share. Increased traffic and vehicles on the road all over Marco and Naples are a real concern at times and the construction, although badly needed at Collier and Barfield, is not helping. BUT let’s consider where we are living. Really, is life so fast here that we can’t just show a little calmness and courtesy? In my Situational Awareness presentation, I will talk about driving and not becoming a statistic. Here are some points to consider.

• Stay in the right lane until you need to pass or turn left, DON'T BE A TRIGGER! Let any aggressive drivers pass you by; it’s not your job to be a running roadblock.
• Now is the time to be polite. It's not the grand prix; you’re not going to win anything by being first over the line. You might be right BUT is it really worth it?
• Give the guy in front room. Yes, someone will cut in. Let them (see #2 above).
• Ignore the universal hand signal, horn honking, and “the look.” Don’t respond in kind.
• If you feel threatened call 911, pull into a public area. Stay in your car and honk the horn (A LOT) to get attention.
• Did I mention GET OUT OF THE LEFT LANE!

And there are other modes of transportation like golf carts and now E-bikes. Okay, we all get it; golf carts have as much right to be on the road as cars and trucks. And frankly, both golf carts and E-bikes like scooters look cool and fun to drive. But remember, not everyone on the island is on vacation. If you get the opportunity, maybe pull over occasionally to let the traffic behind you pass; it would be a nice touch. And drivers, our roadways are marked 25 MPH, 30 MPH, and 35 MPH. Is it going to kill us to do 30 MPH for the six blocks before we turn off, traveling behind a golf cart scooter, or an E-bike? Relax. And here’s an idea I have mentioned and still do. Set a daily goal. It's fun seeing how many drivers you let back out of a parking place, let go ahead of you, and wave to let them turn left and into traffic on any given day. It might be fun to just be friendly, and occasionally, the look of wonder on the other driver’s face is priceless.

Bicycles - I ride one all over the island, and I might not be as fast as I once was, but 15-18 MPH is the norm for me, and many bike riders are moving faster than that. Bike riders are subject to the same rules as drivers. One big point: ride with traffic, never against the traffic direction. If there is a bike lane, please use it, and single-file is just smart. Vehicle drivers need to know that if there is no bike lane, then the roadway is now a multi-use lane. And realize bike riders are constantly dodging debris from broken glass to dropped landscaping, so a move into the driving lane and back is just trying not to lose a tire or your upright position. Bikers, our island has wonderful multi-use sidewalks, but that 12 MPH rule is there for a very good reason. Any cyclists riding at speed should be in a bike lane or traffic lane or risk a collision with cars in driveways, intersections, and other people using the sidewalks. And cyclists BE VISIBLE! And wear a helmet.

The truth is, if you want to take some idea and make it a New Year’s resolution, then I say resolve to get out there in 2026 and get involved. We are so lucky to live where we do, don’t just sit there, JOIN IN! And oh yes, please, as a personal favor, get out of that left lane