Coastal Breeze News

Local contractors, subcontractors, and other businesses are deeply concerned about the proposal to shift four Marco Island employees in the Building Services department to the Collier County payroll.  The four employees are Robert Mahar, Bruce Yakola, Gary Konicek and Michael Smithem. The apparent objective is to “share” the time of the staffers.  In view of the strong opposition expressed by the various businesses, the Marco Island City Council scheduled a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 29th at 4:00PM in the Community Room on Bald Eagle Drive.  The public will have an opportunity to be heard on the issue. Read More »

Richard M. Medura of Marco Island, Florida passed away on May 21st, 2012. He was the husband of the late Gertrude C. Medura and the son of the late Mary C. and Melchior D. Medura. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Richard attended the local school system and later moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts where he resided until moving to Marco Island. He attended American International College and graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in Bio-Chemistry. After a stint in the US Marine Corps during the Korean conflict he taught secondary science in West Springfield Massachusetts High School. ... Read More »

If you are a Marco Island contractor or have dealings with the Marco Island Building Services Department, you need to be aware of personnel changes proposed by the City Manager which may have a significant impact on your business. Our understanding is that the plan is to merge the Marco Island Building Services Department with that of Collier County. Our current inspectors will become Collier County employees, work out of the Collier County office, and cover Collier County inspections in addition to Marco Island. As the current Building Services Department works well, we feel it is imperative to become active ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  At a gathering held recently at Stonewall’s restaurant, Paul Meyer announced he was throwing his hat in the ring as a candidate for City Council. In five short years Paul Meyer has become well known around the island. He is a businessman and a family man. He generously volunteers his time as the Chairman of the Parks and Rec Advisory committee; he’s the concessionaire for the Senior Men’s Softball League where he donates all of the proceeds back to Parks and Rec. He is also known to donate his time at the Racquet Center and ... Read More »

Submitted  State Representative Kathleen Passidomo took time from a busy schedule to speak to members of the Marco Island Association of Condominiums at a breakfast meeting in April. The Florida legislature has just wound up a session with several bills affecting condominiums offered by Rep. Passidomo getting through the House of Representatives, but running out of time in the Senate. She said that she intends to reintroduce all or part of those bills in the next legislative session. In summarizing the relevant bills, Rep. Passidomo emphasized the importance of a bill that would accelerate foreclosure procedures. She has worked for ... Read More »

By C. Scott Campbell Physicians Regional Healthcare System has the honor to actively support programs that facilitate the sustainability of our economic development. Though we collectively depend on those who visit each year, it is the permanent residents who ultimately share the responsibility to keep our community relevant for year-round and seasonal residents. With the close proximity of our Collier Boulevard Hospital to Marco, Goodland, Isles of Capri, and vicinity, I have had the opportunity to better understand the medical needs of these communities. As recently reported, we are proud to announce the formal extension of our medical services onto ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe [email protected] The Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Collier County presented its 2012 Stand Up For Justice Educator Award prior to the Annual Meeting of the Federation on Tuesday, May 8. Award presenter, Beth Povlow, of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, was instrumental in establishing the award in 2011 along with Ann Jacobson, Chair of the Community Relations Committee of the Federation. Beth noted. “Considering that all of the high schools and middle schools in the district were eligible, this is the second consecutive year that the prize has been taken by work ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Marco Island Charter Middle School to put on the musical play ‘Cinderella’. The production featured a cast of over 100, including Starz and Starz II students, as well as the entire 6th grade chorus. Karen Raymond, teacher and production manager, created an updated adaptation of the play adding three new songs and picking a great cast. Rehearsals took place after school or on weekends. The behind the scenes effort that goes into each production is phenomenal and each performance at the school is a tribute to the patience and creativity of Mrs. Raymond. Coastal Breeze ... Read More »

Due to media deadlines, this will be the final commentary before the Big Flag Ceremony, to be held on Memorial Day, May 28th at 3 PM sharp. The site will be at the newly installed flag pole, located on the 2nd median on the Marco Island side of the Jolly Bridge.   Some updates and tips for spectators….. • Parking has logistic issues. On a first come, first serve basis, parking is available in the Marco Island Yacht Club. • Optional parking is available on swales on nearby side streets. • Identified spaces are reserved for VIP’s and Marco Island ... Read More »

Monday, May 21, through Sunday, June 3 Deputies will be watching Collier County motorists to make sure everyone is properly buckled up in vehicles when Click It Or Ticket gets under way next week. All vehicles will be a target during the annual nationwide safety belt enforcement campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to increase safety belt use and reduce fatalities on Florida’s roadways. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $113 in Collier County. During Click It Or Ticket CCSO deputies will be conducting various countywide heightened enforcement details and efforts to draw attention to the ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Marco Island Fire Rescue Department’s Division Chief Don Jones continues community education outreach teaching CPR and First Aid to this group of 7th and 8th graders at Marco Island Charter Middle School. Cheryl Toth, Physical Education teacher at the school and an American Heart Association (AHA) Instructor, has arranged for Don to come to the school each year for last 12 years. The goal is to certify the younger students in CPR and first aid and to re-certify the older students. “This is the 12th year in a row the Fire Department has worked with ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Sad to say, it’s true. Just like the old movies have the customary “THE END” shown on the screen at the end. Video Showcase is closing its door just as the large signs say. Beth and Michael Gerhardstein opened Video Showcase on Marco Island 23 years ago. We’ve seen a variety of changes over the years from VHS to DVD and computer games in a variety of formats. Then add Blu-ray, HD and 3D. It may be hard to fight the age of convenient store kiosks, but there was nothing better than a friendly face ... Read More »

Donna Fiala [email protected] Soon you’ll see changes in advertising and promotion from the Convention and Visitors Bureau. For the first time, the Florida and Collier County bureaus will be promoting “Brand USA.” This is a national tourism program to advertise in other countries that come to the United States; countries like England, France, Germany, Sweden, and Brazil. The program is just kicking off now, so it will be interesting to watch as it moves forward, and see what impact it will have in our particular part of Florida. Recently I attended the 10th Annual Tourism Awards held at the Marco ... Read More »

BEYOND THE COAST Tarik Ayasun [email protected] I read a number of international newspapers, magazines and watch and listen to international news every day. It is important to be aware of the international environment because one way or the other all international events affect our day to day lives here in America. We do not live in a vacuum and every decision we make at work or at home needs to take world events into consideration. I follow the speeches given by world leaders, their interactions with other world leaders and make my own mind up about where we are headed as ... Read More »

By Roy Eaton  A commentary submitted May 10th  Inept government, unfettered greed, impaired judgment, deception, and questionable business practices flooded the markets during the past decade with cheap capital which distorted interest rates, hyper inflated property values, and abnormally prolonged our last business cycle. Uncertainty and anxiety continue to destabilize markets as Americans continue to digest and adjust to the implosion in real estate, the volatility in stocks, a crippled economy, and a protracted period of deflation accompanied by intervals of stagflation and inflation in various markets. To compensate for these abnormalities, the Federal Reserve has continued to distort the ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus [email protected] If anyone bothers going to a real bookstore these days, rather than an e-book site, they will be impressed by seeing shelves loaded with “Dummies” books. Are there truly that many dummies in the world? Maybe so, judging by the number of volumes, and also considering my own general ineptitude and lack of understanding about a number of things. Reflecting on the “Dummies” books I’ve come up with a list of topics they could cover for the general benefit of humankind, to say nothing about reaping huge profits for writers and publishers: • “Quantum Physics for ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff City Manager Jim Riviere received high marks from the city council on a performance review by six council members on May 7th. Council member Batte was absent for a compassionate purpose. Chairman Larry Magel said that he rated Mr. Riviere primarily on his financial performance and that “the performance has been excellent. The city ran a significant surplus last year, and city departments bettered their budgets for the past 18 months. The city manager has concentrated on personnel levels and staffing is well under control.” Chairman Magel did ask Mr. Riviere to devote more attention ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] On Thursday, May 10, the YMCA held a farewell party for its Tennis Center Director, Paul Barrus. Over fifty members of the Y gathered on the pavilion to thank Barrus and wish him the best of luck in his new position at Sterling Oaks in Naples. Cindy Love, C.E.O. of the Marco Island YMCA thanked Paul for his services, saying, “I just like who you are. Your ethics and values are amazing. We are going to miss you a bundle and the new organization you are going to is lucky to have you.” Cindy’s sentiments were ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  Marco Island Academy Charter High School has been working hard all year raising funds for the school. As the Academy’s first year is coming to a close, one final fundraising event is in the works. And it’s a big one! “Our year end fundraising event is a Cash Prize Drawing where the winner will get 25% of the money we raise,” explains Jane Watt, Marco Island Academy Chair. The high school is currently selling raffle tickets for $100 apiece. Only a total of 400 tickets will be sold, so odds to win are rather high. Over ... Read More »

By Marilyn Honahan  [email protected]  The members of Newcomers Club of Marco Island were entertained at their May monthly meeting by guest speaker, local attorney and historian, Craig Woodward. Craig, an attorney with Woodward Pires and Lombardo, was introduced by the Newcomers Program Co-Chair, Helen McCullough. He grew up in Old Marco moving here with his family in 1968 and has lived here for 44 years. His father was Marco’s first attorney who began practicing here more than 40 years ago. Craig’s love of history led him to raise $1.1 million to help build Marco Island’s Historical Museum where he was ... Read More »