
Goodland Community Center today; A snazzy paint job and new roof jazzed up the old firehouse. Photos By Barry Gwinn
By Barry Gwinn
In 1992, having finally moved into a building it could call its own, the Goodland Civic Association (GCA) found itself embroiled in another situation. The results of this would later inure to the benefit of Goodland, but not without some bumps along the way. Since 1957, all of Marco Island had been governed by Collier County. (It had previously been incorporated as Collier City.) By 1990, the population had grown to such an extent, that a group was attempting to form their own government as the City of Marco Island. Goodland at this time was still a sleepy village on the margins of the island. The Goodlanders were happy with the county’s administration and for whatever reason, were suspicious of being ruled by a Marco Island city government, with a population dwarfing their own. In 1990 and again in 1993, incorporation was put up to all island voters. It failed badly both times with over 58% of voters opposed to incorporation. It was found that Goodland voters were solidly against it. This was confirmed when the sponsoring group appeared before the GCA. “They came down and asked us if we wanted to be a part of the city,” Vicki Wood recalls, “We told them in no uncertain terms that we didn’t.” Thereafter, as part of a concerted campaign to get incorporation passed on a third try, the group figured out a way to exclude Goodland from the vote. As Ed Fullmer, a past president of the GCA put it “They gerrymandered us

Goodlanders enjoy a potluck supper before every Town Meeting. Richard Welsh and Jan Bergantz serve them up.
During the 90s, the GCA grew and prospered. As the members began to meet in the new Community Center, good will and camaraderie were in evidence. By 2000, the membership had grown to over 300. The community center was bursting at the seams on meeting nights. The GCA became galvanized when a new threat arose. “A Canadian corporation wanted to build multiple high rise condominiums (Dolphin Cove at Goodland) at Palm Point (where Goodland Boat Park is now),” recalled Connie Fullmer, then secretary, “We opposed it on the grounds that it was congestive and out of character for our village. It ended up in the Florida Supreme Court which ruled in our favor.” In the face of corporate money and opposed by the best property lawyer in Collier County, the GCA launched a massive campaign involving the whole community. Much of the GCA’s legal work was done by members. GCA board officers, Connie Fullmer and Pam Stop, did most of the heavy lifting. After many meetings and impassioned presentations, the county was won over and refused to issue building permits. In a related concurrent campaign, the GCA also won unanimous county approval of the Goodland Overlay, which among other things prohibited buildings

Proposed high rise condominiums were fought by the GCA tooth and nail, until killed by the Florida Supreme Court.
During this time of unity, the GCA hosted numerous well-attended social events and fundraisers. Linda Van Meter fondly remembers the spaghetti dinners put on for the membership. Potluck suppers became a regular feature and the hall was gradually fixed up with a downstairs restroom and kitchen plumbing to accommodate all this. Then, in July 2002, the bottom fell out.
Just days before it happened, the GCA learned that the city and county were about to sign another interlocal agreement which would turn Goodland Road completely over to the city. Frantic efforts to avert this were unsuccessful – due in no

Goodland Road at an early morning spring tide, January 2016. The GCA is battling to get the county to take back ownership and raise the road to prevent frequent flooding.
In March 2008, I became secretary of the GCA. Thereafter I had a front row seat and the privilege of chronicling the amazing turn around and reversal of fortunes for the GCA. The GCA began its phoenix-like rise from the ashes in February 2009, when a trio of visionary and active presidents began leading the GCA, helping to restore it to prominence and popularity in Goodland. Mike Barbush was elected president

Past GCA President Mike Barbush shows some love for Commissioner Fiala as Nancy Simmons looks on.
It takes money, a lot of money, to keep the Community Center up and running. Our members work hard at it. Our funds mostly come from annual membership dues, our two pancake breakfasts, raffles,

Most recent GCA presidents (from left) Mike Barbush, Joanie Fuller and Greg Bello led the GCA back to prominence and popularity.
The Goodland Civic Association and Goodland Preservation Coalition, staffed by ex-GCA officers, have been instrumental in safeguarding our way of life and the character of our town. The GCA has been a constant focal point for the town and the site of many battles on Goodland’s behalf. From interviews of those who were here and a review of archives (Only archives from the year 2000 are extant) it is obvious to me that the GCA was influential in bringing about all of the accomplishments listed above. It has been my privilege to join the ranks of those who have gone before, who have labored to make Goodland a better place.
Barry was a practicing attorney before he worked as a Special Agent of the FBI for 31 years. Barry worked for several government agencies another ten years before retiring to Goodland in 2006. Barry is presently the Secretary of the Goodland Civic Association
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