Coastal Breeze News

By Frank Recker, Chairman, Marco Island City Council City Council will continue to assess several issues. One matter relates to our utility system and how we should establish rate structures, while another involves the topic of transferring development rights. Recently, our citizen-comprised Utility Advisory Board (UAB) developed several potential options for adjusting the current sewer rate structure. Based on their findings and recommendations, it appeared to be universally accepted that facial inequities existed in sewer rates, and such could be addressed by immediately implementing adjustments to the various user groups. Although Council initially selected a rate structure that would generally ... Read More »

The Friends of Tigertail Beach Inc., is a 501-c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the stewardship of this unique and rich natural area that is Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Spit. This group of dedicated volunteers serves our community through educational outreach programs throughout the year, such as field trips, nature and birding walks and group workshops. During season Friends of Tigertail welcomes the public to our free programs. These programs start at 7:00 p.m. at the United Church of Marco, 320 North Barfield Drive. No reservations required. Our next two programs are: Wednesday, Feb. 16th: “The Gulf, Yesterday, Today and ... Read More »

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By Val Simon “One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a good education…when you listen with your heart, you know when you have a match.” With this kind of wisdom for parents, Mrs. Cathy Callahan opened Marco Island Academy’s parent information night, and with it, the enrollment period for the island’s new charter high school. The February 3rd meeting also introduced Marco Island Academy’s principal, Chris Pellant. Pellant has an extensive background in both traditional and charter school education and administration. Pellant comes from a family of educators and has a Master’s degree in school administration from ... Read More »

The City of Marco Island is opening wide the doors of City Hall for fun for all families. On Saturday, February 26, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., learn how the Marco Island City government provides residents and visitors with police, fire, parks and recreation, utility and public works services. On the first floor, the city’s new kiosk will be displayed and city employees will help visitors on a self-guided tour of the revamped facility. The whole family can enjoy snacks, hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream, and kids will receive junior police badges, fire hats and the opportunity to ... Read More »

By Val Simon The Veterans’ Community Park has a ‘Master Plan’ which was painstakingly designed by a group of about 18 citizens from all areas of life on Marco Island. The committee met for several months, gathering ideas from the general public and working with professionals to develop an architectural plan. The Master Plan was set in stages, so work on the park could be done according to available funds and grants. Once the economy began to change, funds were not readily available to begin work and the community was left with a stark field. A few keen islanders, particularly ... Read More »

On January 23rd the Hideaway Beach Association celebrated a Mortgage Burning Party at their clubhouse. In attendance were more than 400 members, and their guests, to celebrate the occasion. In an era when private clubs are going out of business, or finding themselves in debt, sometimes, heavy debt, it was a refreshing moment when President of the Board of Directors, John Barto lit the flame to extinguish all of Hideaway Beach’s debt. For the past three years the board, General Manager and Department Heads have eliminated all waste and excess spending while at the same time continued maintaining the beautifying ... Read More »

Marco Island’s Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, Post 6370, will hold its Poppy Sale island-wide on Saturday, February 12th. Uniformed Post members will be at the island’s food, drug and hardware stores from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Donations for poppies go to the VFW’s Emergency Relief Fund. The entire proceeds from the sale are used exclusively for Veterans and their families in need. The Veterans of Foreign Wars are chartered by the United States Government and its members can be identified by their uniforms and insignias. We are permitted by the City of Marco Island, and allowed by island retailers ... Read More »

By Donna Fiala Question: How many new inches of water do we receive here on Earth each year? Answer: NONE – yes, we ONLY have the water that has been on this Earth since time began. We are drinking the same water the dinosaurs drank millions of years ago. Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it! Recently I offered tours of the Collier County Water System – 1. Water Treatment Plant and reverse osmosis, and 2. Wastewater Treatment Plant and irrigation quality water (recycled water). The water question was discussed on the first tour. I was delighted to welcome a ... Read More »

If you’re old enough you may remember “Dragnet” on your snowy 16-inch tv screen. Sgt. Joe Friday sailed through Los Angeles stopping every middle aged woman he could find to ask for “just the facts ma’am”. It’s refreshing and educational to stop every so often and look at the facts of any particular question. Our Marco Island first responders – Police and Fire Departments – are appropriate for factual reviews. There’s not really any question that Marco Island receives outstanding service from our first responders. It’s also clear that a matter of minutes, or even seconds, can often make the ... Read More »

Caitlin O’Neill, daughter of Kevin and Tina O’Neill of Branford, Ct. and granddaughter of Paul and Jane Marlowe of Marco, Island, Florida and Andrew O’Neill of New Haven, Ct., was named to the Dean’s list with distinction at Duke University for the Fall 2010 semester. Trinity College recognizes students who, in a program of four or more course credits, have placed in the highest ten percent of its undergraduate class. Caitlin is a member of the Women’s Varsity Crew Team as a novice, a member of Moot Court and the Vice President of the Moot Court Collegiate Conferences. Congratulations to ... Read More »

By Camden Smith Comedy presided over Hideaway Beach’s eighth annual Hideaway Chips Away at Cancer fund raiser. When event founder and auctioneer Bill Dean emerged wearing a snug pink ballerina tutu to begin the auction, the entire crowd roared with laughter. Through all the smiles and sounds of spouses asking their partners to bid on items they really wanted, the serious subject of beating cancer remained a focus. When Dean asked residents at the dinner to stand if they had survived cancer, nearly a dozen rose to their feet. “We lost three great friends last year to cancer,” Dean said. ... Read More »

There are a number of remarkable teenagers on Marco Island. One of the most remarkable is Camille Richie, a junior at Lely High School who was honored by the Sons of the American Revolution on February 3 for her essay on the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). Her essay is noteworthy for a number of significant points, including her emphasis on how JROTC is making her a better citizen and her increased awareness of the importance of teamwork. At Lely she was named the highest ranking Sophomore JROTC student in the history of the school. Camille’s accomplishments, in an ... Read More »

Centennial Bank congratulates Laura Castro, Michelle Rodriguez & Justine Townsend of the Marco Island branch for earning the Centennial Bank Star Teller award. “The Star Teller program sets the bar in regards to the quality of service we wish to see from our employees,” states Teresa Condas, President of Centennial Bank’s Florida Region. “Laura, Michelle & Justine deserve recognition for their dedication and attention to detail.” In appreciation of the challenges tellers have in providing best-in-class customer service, Centennial Bank designed the Star Teller Program, a monthly recognition program that showcases the importance of error-free work. Tellers are rewarded for ... Read More »

By Capt. Carl Kelly On January 29, 2011 according to tradition and in due order 2010 Commodore of the Marco Island Yacht Club (MIYC) M.A. Kline retired office and passed the bridge to Lee Harkness, the 2011 Commodore. The yacht club change of watch program is based on very old naval tradition. But, MIYC sailed new waters and deviated from tradition on several tacks. The retiring 2010 Commodore, M.A. Kline, was the first woman commodore of the club. In 2007 she had become the club’s first woman officer at any level. The retiring 2010 Chairman of the Board, Vicki Bretthauer, ... Read More »

Notwithstanding the current fervor for solar energy in the United States, not much can be accomplished in the next few years under existing law. There’s a very simple explanation. Currently the initial cost of solar energy facilities and equipment is too expensive. In the absence of some form of innovative financing, the projects cannot pay for themselves for decades. The problem is compounded because the United States has no single coherent energy policy at the federal, state or local levels. Almost every effort to develop solar energy projects in the United States is based on a crazy quilt of grants ... Read More »

by Val Simon Florida Comprehensive Assessment Testing (FCAT)Writes and Collier Writes testing will begin March 1st. This is something all teachers, students, parents and faculty prepare for. So, what do the results of the reading, math and science tests mean? Not only do the tests assess the progress the child has made during the year, but scores are used to compare the school and the district to other schools and districts in the state through the rigorous Sunshine State Standards. These scores also weigh in the school’s Annual Yearly Progress report. Recently, TBE offered a Parent Writing Academy called ‘Writing ... Read More »

Sanitasole is pleased to announce a documentary and discussion series with The Alzheimer’s Project and the Alzheimer’s Association.  Catherine Cruikshank, Director of Education for the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, will lead the series. Catherine joined the Alzheimer’s Association in 2004 and directed the Memory Unit in Naples, Florida prior to that.  Catherine is certified to provide Assisted Living Facility level 1 & 2; Skilled Nursing Facility; Hospice; Adult Day Care and Home Health Care Florida State mandated curriculums. Her Doctoral studies in Gerontology focused on Alzheimer’s. In addition to her research and program developments, she has authored a ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus Something like this conversation is taking place every day… Daughter: Great news Dad. I got accepted at the college I want! Dad: Where’s that? And how much? Daughter: It’s that small school in Arizona, and the tuition is only $35,000 a year. Dad: Gulp. Arizona? Will they let you in the state?  They’re very strict on immigrants. Daughter: Dad, we’re Americans. We just live in Puerto Rico. Dad: That’s the problem. They may think you’re an illegal immigrant. Daughter: It’s ok. I checked. All I need is a notarized birth certificate in triplicate, and a letter from ... Read More »