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More History of Marco Island

• Marco Island museum leaders to learn from County museum director
• Living history: Old timers reflect on pre-1960s Marco
• 30 years ago today: October 1, 2008

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The eleventh meeting of the Marco Island Incorporation Study Committee was stormy. The purpose of the meeting was to have a work session to draft the committee’s report, due in September. Chairman Jane Paulus tried to guide her committee through two different drafts, but it was slow going. Committee members Evans and Elbert Tripp found little to their satisfaction in Leigh Plummer’s five-page report. Plummer, president of the Marco Island Civic Association, did not accept several statements in Ira Evans’ report. They differed on whether Marco was getting enough from the county for what taxpayers paid. Tripp’s report said no and Plummer’s said yes. Plummer said it was not time for incorporation. “If the county continues to pay attention to the island needs, it may never come,” Plummer said. Tripp said, “We are paying 65 percent more than we are getting in services of the sheriff’s department. Of the 12 to 15 miles of accepted roads on the island, a considerable amount is in bad condition and very little repairs have been done.”

Islanders answered the Eagle’s question of the week, “What do you feel is the single largest issue facing island residents today?” Dan McLinden said the island needs “higher grades at Tommie Barfield Elementary or a middle school.” John McGrath said, “Development of Marco is the biggest issue. The development work would go quicker if people would realize it was inevitable.” Bob Abbott said, “I don’t feel there are any major problems here. We could use some road work and improved drainage, but those aren’t major problems.” Paul Carville said, “I don’t think we have any major problems. If you see how it is in the rest of the world, then you would realize it’s fat city here.”

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating Marco Island’s first robbery, which occurred Aug. 3 when the Cablevision office was held up. Bonnie Norman of Marco Island, a clerk in the Cablevision office, was counting the day’s receipts when a lone man, tall, slim and in his late 20s, said he wished to order a cable hookup, then demanded the money on her desk. He fled with $401, warning Mrs. Norman not to call the police. She called the police 10 minutes later. The suspect did not show a weapon.