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More Letters

• Letter to the Editor January 9: Wildfire threat
• Letter to the Editor January 9: Don't take away the joy
• Letter to the Editor January 7: Smacks of Impropriety

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Against my better judgment, I feel I had to write a letter and calm the fears of the citizens of Marco Island.

For approximately six years there have been a group of people, mostly musicians, gathering under the Goodland bridge on county property to play music and feed the mosquitoes and sandflies

We call ourselves the non violent, music loving Crab Claw Clan of Bridge Trolls.

Many of us have been in the area most of our lives and are certainly not homeless drug dealers. We may not have the pedigree of councilman Frank Recker, but many of us were here when most people on Marco were shoveling snow.

Unfortunately one of our members who is the dock master of the marina was involved in a physical incident recently. One person was arrested and another sent to the hospital.

I understand why one man, the 220 pound attacker went to the hospital, but why did the dock master who is a 155 pound disabled war veteran go to jail? He called 911 to inform law enforcement he was being attacked. Are we not allowed to defend ourselves?

Charlie Garrett has been dock master for a number of years and has always had a good rapport with law enforcement. He is a single parent with a son in Marco Charter School.

Bridge Trolls have contributed to the security of the marina, not the other way around.

There are certain people on Marco who have had an ax to grind with the owners of the marina for years. From my observations the owners of the marina have bent over backwards and forwards to please the officials of Marco Island. Perhaps it is time to put your pit bull on a shorter leash.

In order to help remove the perceived stigma and blight, we Trolls have decided to unofficially rename the marina “The North Goodland Yacht Club.”

We all hope that Charlie will be allowed to return to his duties as father and dock master.

Thank you.

Steve Thomas, Grand Pooba of Bridge Trolls