What about forcing people on marco that have septic systems working properly with no problems into paying $20,000.00 + for something they did not request or need? What about spending another 100 million more that is not needed and that all residents will have to pay back in debt service for many years to come? It is sad that this news paper allows itself to become a political tool for Mr. Farmer to promote sewers on Marco to his personal lot. We want this STRP stopped now until it is needed due to health problems or is requested by residents in any area of Marco that are willing to be assessed for this benefit.

Unbelievable!! Did you read the experts opinion? Mr. Tears says it clear as daylight, pay for sewers now or pay later. We must protect our environment. I can't believe how die-hard some of you people are. Islanders need to bite the bullet now before the state makes us complete the sewers. People are just plain stubborn and foolish.

SmokeyJoe, accept the inevitable and accept the facts. Forget the messenger and read was Mr. Tears is saying. Why would anyone say they would cancel this program knowing that it will cost citizens so much money?
We will have to pay for rate increases, some will have to pay for septic tank repairs and/or replace their septic tank and eventually our Island will have to be sewered at a much higher cost. Why waste all this money? I question how in good conscience four candidates can campaign with a platform of stopping the STRP and misinforming the community with promises that it won’t cost them anything. How can these guys do this?? People, please read the facts and stop these candidates in their tracks. I cannot afford to pay for my sewer assessment but I certainly cannot afford to pay for septic repairs or replacement and then have to pay for sewers.

STOP THE INSANITY!!!!!!!

I URGE NAYLON, HALL, GUIDRY AND BATTE TO COME CLEAN WITH THE FACTS AND STOP INFLUENCING INNOCCENT RESDIENTS INTO THINKING THEY WILL SAVE THEM MONEY.

In the meantime I will be voting fot Trotter, Recker, Gibson and Waldack!

Yo Neylon, are you paying attention to what Clarence Tears is saying. I don't see him saying any of the lies you told the City Council he said at Monday's meeting. Your whole campaign has been one lie after another.

For responsible honest government vote Trotter, Recker, Gibson and Waldack

This really concerns me; what if these guys get into office and try to cancel the STRP. Because they are so hell bent on stopping the STRP at any cost (probably just to prove a point) they will probably entangle the city in scores of fruitless lawsuits against the state. How much more money must we watse before these candidates and their vocal following admit the truth about sewers? It is a reality, Marco Island will be sewered, why fight it any longer? How can we vote for candidates that are lying to us about septic systems? I am convinced that sewers are the environmentally and financially best thing for Marco to do...I don't need any further proof! I DON'T like being lied to!

Nice email compliments of the HATE SLATE. They know they have no facts and they know their candidates are liars. Neylon can only make up data so long before he'll actually have to provide proof!
____________________________________
I can hardly type this I am so angry. First, the Eagle only endorses one of our guys, Batte, then I heard that the other night at the MICA meeting Butch tells everyone he has only been a resident for 3 months, the same day that the other side runs an ad they have lived on Marco for over 50 years! Who is in charge of timing on our side, no one? Ted practically endorses Recker in the paper, someone needs to tell him this a war for the future of our Island and no time to be open-minded. Both papers print Woodward’s stuff about Butch’s facts not really being facts and it has been a week since that letter has been on line and still no rebuttal from our side! The LTE are running 2 to 1 against us, who told Sayre he could go on vacation? What is going on? How tough is it for Butch to take the press out to the leak and get photos of the 170,000 gallons of sewage pouring out? Or do we need to start praying for rain to prove the million gallon figure? I looked thru Butch’s website and can not find any proof or data– get on the ball and update your website!

But what takes the cake was my reading the Eagle article on everyone's position. Only two of is sticking with Bill? He spent hours and months ahead of the election sending out selected articles and creating PR with his Eye on Marco and only half of us can stand by him and his waterway ordinance? We discussed many times that the only way to win this election is to keep the core and expand it to include others – now we are losing the core!

Speaking about that can’t any of you see the trick question regarding the POP amendment? Unbelievable! Now that Moss is gone 100% of us say there is no reason for it? What? Butch, Roger, Joe remember you are all on record supporting Russ and saying that the amendment was not political but really needed. Now you turn on one of all loyal supporters who Colombo got to sign it (further dividing the core) and by rejecting the need for the amendment you are saying in essence it was all just politics to get rid of Moss! If CM gets their hands on your old quotes we are dead, what happened to campaigning as "men of integrity", why are we abandoning that? At least Andy is clear on that account since he never publicly supported POP. But frankly I am sorry that we let Godfrey talk us into him, we should have kept Allen – at least he would have done well in the forums and has some brains.

The only guy looking good this week in the paper is Chuck. This is too important an election to keep messing up – we don’t want Chuck stuck there for two more years alone and looking foolish! We only have a couple of weeks left – I am giving one more week before I pull the signs out of my yard and start telling my friends to do likewise, this is getting too embarrassing – we might only get 30% of the vote the way this campaign is being run. I lost the money I gave Foster for the litigation now it looks like I am going to lose the donation money I gave you guys. Add that to the sewer bill I am going to be stuck with and I am going to have to give up golf and retirement! John & Bryone please forward this on, as when my computer crashed I lost everyone’s email addresses. Thanks, Joe

I am so tired of all of this. How did we get to the point where we have a guy who has been a resident for 3 months think he can be a city councilor. I can't believe the email in the blog above. It shows how desperate and dishonest the Hate Slate is. This is such a disappointing period for Marco Island!

I am voting for Gibson, Recker & Trotter in hopes that they will restore civility. Once the Hate Slate loses they will go away and I think thats what most everyone wants.

I agree 27 Years. These candidates are a disgrace. I just don't get it, how much bonafied evidence do they need to understand that we must complete the STRP progarm on Marco?

These city haters have taken campaign tactics directly from the Goebbels book of propaganda. Look at some facts:

Goebbels founded and became editor of the official National Socialist periodical Der Angriff (The Attack). This is Davies method of operation, the attack, shock and awe! By exploiting mob emotions and by employing all methods of propaganda Davies wants to help the “HATE SLATE” into power. He will do anything in his power and sadly enough, will use ANY tactic (however ruthless) to get his candidates into office and then run Marco Island as a puppeteer, and it is rumored, even as City Manager.

This is your future Marco Island. The negativity of the same people using the same negative rhetoric over and over again will be in power. They will have gotten there, albeit, through the democratic process but as a result of deception and lies propagated by a well-oiled and structured propaganda machine.

Do not fall victim to their lies. Find the facts out for yourself! Their plan to cancel the sewer program is flawed; there are state and federal programs in place to protect the everglades and the surrounding islands. Marco Island sits in the middle of the 10,000 islands and the STRP will be completed. Listen to Clarence Tears; we pay now or will pay a much higher assessment at a later date. Listen to the common sense facts, not the lies that the “Hate Slate” spew.

These candidates are despicable. They all supported the POP petition to oust Bill Moss and now that Moss is gone they distance themselves from POP and Russ Colombo. Great political move. Shame on the whole lot of you, your true colors have showen through.

Great friends you have Russ.

Such hatred. I cannot believe how wound up you CM people are. Do you honestly think that those who read your comments are perauaded by such nastiness? You all are an embrassement to the Island. Really. Amazingly, you don't show up for debates and you call those who oppose you the "hate slate". Wow. Chutzpah.

Putnam, you are a complete mental midget who only lives here part time and complains about everything. If you weren't so uninformed I would have no patience for you at all. You have been the most contemptible person ever to write on these blogs and you have the nerve to call others uncivil. Get back on your medication John! Perhaps you would like me to post some of you previous blogs for all to see. Only you have the distinction of having your vile blogs be the center of a Marco Eagle column. Only you have had the police notified about your unstable and threatening emails to our city council, staff and city legal counsel. Should I go on John?? I could post all of your juvenile material. How about the childish picture of you shooting a pig with a bow and arrow on Sanchez's website, that was mature. Bury you head in the sand John or go back to MN for good…you won’t be missed!

Looks like Beau has checked back in as Soloman. Leroy is next. He has too much hate in him to be confined to just one person. A true representative of CM. What a joke this guy is.

Only by pride cometh contention. . . . Proverbs 13:10

Time to let go of the pride and swallow the fact that you're getting sewers marcoobserver!

If successful, here's how the Batte, Hall, Neylon & Guidry slate plays out...

1. stop the STRP

2. initiate septic system maintenance program

3. many will have to pay to repair and replace their septic systems

4. utility and water rates will rise a minimum of 33%

5. the state mandates sewers on Marco

6. your new council sues the state and resists the mandate

7. case gets throw out of court, judge mandates sewers on Marco

8. Marcoites are forced to complete the STRP at a much higher assessment

9. Marco residents have spent needless money on septic maintenance program

10. Marcoites will spend needless money for next 25 years on increased utility and water rates

11. Marcoites have spent needless money on another failed law suit with state

In the end, your path does nothing but cost everyone money. Accept the facts now and save everyone on Marco money.

Vote for GIBSON, RECKER, TROTTER & WALDACK.

Soloman, propaganda based on false premises or projecting doom and gloom as you are doing is still propaganda. Items 3 through 11 will never happen. What will happen is our citizens will not be burdned with another 130 million dollars in unnessary expenditures. We will not have to tear up another 42 more miles of our neighborhood's streets. Our citizens who have a sewer pipe outside their home may hook up if they want to and those that have safe onsite systems will have the choice to not hook up. Our residents will be able to participate in their government and halt the unnessary spending spree. Our utility rates will not be increased but rolled back! The increase in reuse water production will permit more reuse water to be brought to our neighborhoods allowing our drinking water to be conserved. The City will have a proactive on site monitoring system that will protect our waterways (something we do not have now)and we will have effectively halted growth. Think about it. Only necessary construction, little dust, peace and quite for a change. No more condos threatening to be built in our neighborhoods. A community that can support itself with existing infrastructure. You need to seriously reconsider your priorities and vote for change, vote for Batte, Hall, Neylon and Guidry if you want to give our people the quality of life they deserve. I like my positive view better then your negative view. I think Jerry Gibson had it right, be positive Soloman, think only good thoughts.

Byrone, read the facts. This senario will happen if your guys get elected, stop being so bull-headed. Read the Clarence Tears interview, isn't that proof enough for you and the others. The state will mandate the sewers, why is that so hard to believe? You are gambling with your financial future and that of all islanders and the odds are against you!

Look Byrone, you never have to admit you're wrong on this, just do your homework and do the right thing in the voting booth.

Stay tuned, more proof to come!

Soloman,

Ray, you are truly an interesting fellow.

"How about the childish picture of you shooting a pig with a bow and arrow on Sanchez's website, that was mature."

Please explain the above. I never saw this item, but it sounds funny. Enlighten me.

For Ray's sake, whoever he is, I am not Ray! But I'm glad you think I'm someone else so my anonymity can drive you crazier than you already are!

Ray Beaufort,

It is interesting that you called me on the phone within a very few minutes of my last post and swore at me. I hung up on you as soon as I heard the word "F%%*". I do not need to be abused by you. You are a very disturbed individual. You may call yourself "Soloman", "Beau", "Sailor", "Sailing By", and several other monikers. You are mentally ill...and you are scary. Do not call my home again.

I have NEVER shielded my name. I have written some regrettable memos that I wish I had not, but I have NEVER, EVER written anything that I did not sign. I have NO aliases. I have never had any aliases. I hereby release the Eagle to reveal my identity....any and all identities.

The Eagle will never be able to hide your identity should you continue to threaten me. Do not call my home again.

And we are supposed to believe that the pro-STRP poeple are for civility ? You can quote who you want to but that does not make it senseable to spend another $100,000,000.00 + and dig up the rest of our roads for the next 5 years, all of this when there is no health problem and the residents did not ask for it. It is all to get more money into the utility system to fix the broken lines and sewer plant . Do you think having to pay back debt service [ borrowed money and interest to you] on another $100,000,000.00 is going to reduce our utility rates? If we vote to stop the STRP now we can reduce the rates. Stop slandering anyone who wants to stop this spending now. You vote for your " yes man candidates" and we will vote for civility by electing BATTE, HALL NEYLON and GUIDRY.

Talking about hate, where has Oracle been?

There's a major flaw in Ms. Curle's polemic: Clarence Tears is NOT an expert on wastewater management. He is a director of the South Florida WATER Management District which oversees our WATER supplies. He's also the man who permitted the city to dump polluted water into our canals.

Sewer systems are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and, when they don't do their job, by the Federal EPA. Onsite wastewater treatment systems such as septic are overseen by the Florida Department of Health, and on the Federal level, by the EPA.

Jon Iglehart, Director of the local FDEP office, said at the city workshop that Marco waters are NOT polluted and that the state would never mandate sewers unless onsite treatment was shown to be polluting the environment. Rookery Bay scientist, Dr. Shirley, testified that there is no evidence linking the minuscule fecal levels in Marco waters (5% of the acceptable limit) to the use of septic systems nor can any scientific connection be found between nitrogen in our canals and the use of onsite treatment. He opined that nitrogen was coming from fertilizer runoff.

Mark Hooks of the FDOH is on record that sewers are unlikely to be cost effective on Marco. Bob Freeman, Director of Onsite Wastewater Management for EPA Region IV says that there is NEVER a reason to sewer unless there is scientific evidence that onsite treatment is causing pollution. The Federal EPA, FDEP and FDOH approve managed onsite wastewater treatment as a viable (and often preferred) LONG-TERM method of wastewater treatment. Ms. Curle needs to do some homework before basing her case on a letter from a man who is not responsible for WASTEWATER treatment and has tarnished his reputation by issuing permits to the City that the Federal EPA says he had no authority to issue!

STRP supporters have been unable to cite any scientific data that supports the use of sewers on Marco. When city test data on our waters indicated that septic systems were NOT polluting the environment, councilors supporting the STRP said "it's not the data; it's never been a matter of data" and slashed the water-testing budget!

These councilors would endanger our environment (and have already endangered it) by insisting on sewering a flat sand island. The number of lift stations required is incredible for so small a population. Every lift station, and the wastewater treatment plant itself, endangers the environment in a storm

Marco Island is not the Keys. We are a barrier sand/muck island with a near-perfect geology for septic operation. The Florida Keys are not barrier islands as Ms. Curle implies, but off-shore porous limestone surrounded by coral reefs. Their geology does not favor the use of septic systems and many homes there do not even have septic systems but use illegal cesspools that need to be replaced.

Ed Foster

Health, water officials share facts about Marco sewer program
JOAN COLFER, M.D., JON IGLEHART and CLARENCE TEARS, Special to the Daily News
Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Marco Island Septic Tank Replacement Program questions and answers:

What are the advantages of a centralized sewer system over individual septic tanks?

There are several advantages:

-- A central system provides controlled and monitored disposal of human waste.

-- Advanced wastewater treatment systems are monitored 24 hours a day, problems with them can be quickly addressed and remedied.

-- Instead of thousands of individual systems with the potential for numerous problems, there would be one central system to manage and monitor.

-- The advanced wastewater treatment facility will be able to provide reuse water as an alternative water supply and reduce the city of Marco Island’s potable water demand by 12 percent.

-- Advanced wastewater systems treat effluent to a much higher level than septic tanks do.

-- Central wastewater systems have certified operators who can make adjustments to the treatment process.

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Have government agencies supported the Marco Island Septic Tank Replacement Program?

Yes. The Health Department has always supported the effort to put public sewers on the Island in place of individually maintained septic systems. The state has also provided funding for this project through a revolving credit line. The program has been supported by the South Florida Water Management District/Big Cypress Basin and Basin Board with a $6 million commitment over a five-year period.

- - -

Does the Septic Tank Replacement Program have an impact on Marco Island’s canals and waterways?

Yes, many of Marco Island’s canal networks are located directly adjacent to residential areas with septic systems. Discharge of nutrients, detergents, pharmaceuticals and potentially even fecal bacteria into the groundwater is a concern for water quality and the environment, as well as public health.

How can septic system discharges affect fish populations?

Discharge from septic systems can increase nutrient levels in water. These nutrients are fertilizer for algae bloom outbreaks. When those blooms die off, they use up all the oxygen available for fish, causing fish die-offs. These nutrients are also tied to hazardous algae blooms like red tide. Red tide has been responsible for fish and manatee kills as well as human respiratory ailments.

- - -

Where does the water go after it gets treated at the wastewater treatment plant?

Water gets treated to a very high standard and monitored on a real-time basis. Water that is safe to use for public irrigation gets put into reuse. Water that fails testing gets re-treated. Replacing septic systems could supply over 250 million gallons per year of reuse water to Marco Island. The South Florida Water Management District has strengthened watering restrictions. Areas with reuse water have recently been allowed to continue irrigation where others have not.

Why would I want to pay monthly fees for central sewer when using my septic tank is free?

Your septic tank is not free; it should be inspected and pumped every three years. Fees for pumpouts and inspections range from $250 to over $500.

- - -

Why should I spend thousands of dollars on hooking up to a central sewer system?

If your septic system has not had regular inspections and maintenance, it will probably fail. Replacement fees range from $8,000 to $12,000. These fees can double or triple if you need to replace your drainfield or remove the old system and replace it with a performance-based system.

- - -

My septic system works fine; why should I hook up to a central sewer?

A septic tank works by letting solids sink to the bottom of a large tank and it lets foam and detergents float to the top. Water is released from somewhere in the middle. It goes from there into a series of pipes with holes in them to allow the water through. Water gets further treated by the sand in the drainfield.

Current requirements for septic systems are for two feet of unsaturated soil between the bottom of the drainfield and the groundwater. However, in systems installed prior to 1983, the requirements ranged from only six to 12 inches of separation from the groundwater. Therefore, there is concern septic systems are polluting the groundwater, which eventually discharges into the canals.

- - -

Should we be concerned the Marco sewer system will fail during hurricanes or heavy rains?

No. Sewer systems like Marco’s separate stormwater and wastewater and are much less likely to have bad spill events even in heavy weather than systems with combined flows. Problems can be quickly addressed and cleaned up.

- - -

If the septic tanks are polluting the canals, where is the evidence?

Unfortunately, septic tanks are not the only source of bacteria polluting the canals. Fecal coliform bacteria are generated by a number of animals, as well as humans. In addition, nitrogen comes from not only septic tanks, but also from stormwater runoff. Elevated levels of both of these have been documented in Marco canals.

- - -

JOAN COLFER, M.D. is the director of the Collier County Health Department. JON IGLEHART is the district director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. CLARENCE TEARS is the director of Big Cypress Basin.

Flowerpower, Para, PeterPan, Jc, montel, LeRoy, Soloman and Semper all live in the mind of Ray Beufort. These are his friends. They are people he speaks and writes to when he is all alone. Get help quick before you really go over the deep end. I don't know what you are up to but it sure isn't healthy.