Yeah Rob, with nothing in the till, spending that 13 mil was real difficult. Guess the devil made ya do it!

Hey Jerry! 40 bucks extra on a $25,000 tab makes a real big difference, don't it? Get your head out of the martini shaker.

What's with this wastewater improvement? Wastewater to me says STRP. Wasn't we supposed to get all this extra reuse water from the STRP? Wasn't that Arceri's sales pitch? Didn't we already commit money to that? Now you want more? Boo! Hiss! Fraud!

Nice grammar blackwidow! "Wasn't we" ??? You from the Bayou like the Diaper Doctor??

balckwidow you anonymous coward; it is obvious you have never seen the city budget or a grammar book. If you did know anything about the city budget you wouldn't make such ridiculous statements. The city is in good financial shape, unlike you, I took the time to read the budget, you on the other hand just believe the garbage you heard from Hall and Neylon who made up fantasy numbers and created city debt for their failed campaigns. Why is it none of you idiots ever have the guts to print your name and say these kind of idiotic statements to Popoff or Gibson face to face?? You don't have the guts that's why. No real facts and no guts, just too much time on your hands…LOSER!

"customers in previous districts had to pay nothing because staging was performed entirely on city-owned property"; another example of Rony Joel telling untruths. Was the property on a corner lot on North Barfield used for a massive dirt pile "city-owned property"? I saw private property used as staging areas in each district in which the STRP has had work. Why does this paper not even make an attempt to verify statements made by City employees? Rony is always telling untruths and never gets reprimended or corrected. This relationship between the Eagle and the City Staff is unhealthy.

Mr. Burger,

I'm not very fond of spiders but I think blackwidow has a point (despite her bad grammar). Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the city run through its cash reserves and have to borrow $20 million from BofA to keep the STRP on track? A year or so ago, we had 30 to 50 million in reserves; now I believe we're down to 3 million. When the city issues the STRP revenue bonds, it presumably will replenish the pot but meanwhile we are in debt to the bank because we've spent our rainy-day funds. (Not a bad analogy as the hurricane season approaches!)

I think it's fair to question why we're spending 13 million we don't have. Where's that 13 million coming from? General revenues? Another bond issue? The water rate structure? Is everyone expected to pay for these "wastewater improvements" after we've just committed 138 million to do the STRP one of whose objectives was to increase the amount of reuse water? Or will only those who benefit from cheap reuse water pay the wastewater portion of the 13 million? For that matter, why are any reuse-water users getting a free ride on the STRP? These are valid questions. Perhaps you could enlighten me with valid answers.

When I attempted to ask similar questions of the council regarding the tiered water-rate structure and the STRP, I was pilloried by people like you and even by some councilors. Plenty of people stood up at council meetings and asked questions; we didn't get sensible answers!

And to set the record straight, with the exception of yourself and Ed Issler, I can't think of a single pro-city blogger who has identified himself/herself by name. They're more likely to be "avenging" something or other. On the other hand, Messers Hall, Neylon, Batte, Putnam, myself, Ms. Glaub and other bloggers opposed to some city policies always signed our blogs. When it comes to identifying yourself, anti-city bloggers have been much more forthcoming than pro-city bloggers.

Ed Foster

P.S. I also think blackwidow's question to Mr. Gibson is valid. Wouldn't you gladly spend $40 extra on your $25,000 STRP bill to keep Veterans Park a Park for two years? His comment that he would oppose using the park as a staging area if it cost each new STRP victim $35 but would reconsider if it cost $75 is absurd. We paid $10 million for this park that the city turned into a toxic waste dump. Wouldn't you pay $40 extra to keep it clean?

Fossil - you should check your facts before you go on a rant of criticism and condemnation. Mr Joel's statement was in reference to the construction of lift stations. These staging areas have never been on private property. The staging area you refer to was for the construction of the sewer lines in that district. Yes that was on private property. Another case of taking a kernel of truth and distorting that truth with misinformation. I think the Eagle reported an accurate statement by Mr Joel. If anyone is to be reprimanded it is you.

Ed, the Celebrate Marco crowd is not into facts, they're into healing the city(and making a few $$$ in the process) .
Did you know Wayne Waldack is a city councillor?!

Gernblanstone,

Yes, I know. He also declared bankruptcy a few years back, has never held a "real" job as far as I can tell (unless you call taking care of mommy and selling refrigerators the kind of jobs that qualify one for city council) and claims a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from a college that doesn't offer a course in Aeronautical Engineering! Exactly the kind of guy we need handling our money on the council. Such is Marco! What can I say? He still got elected. I wonder how many people who voted the Arceri Party Line knew who they were voting for.

Now watch me get called names for simply repeating what is a matter of public record.
Ed Foster

luvmarisl: You are wrong. A lift station well was dug and the station was constructed on North Barfield. The dirt was stored on that private site and one other on Hummingbird. I know that is so because I watched it happen. I watched every evening as the site was closed down, filled up and dug up again each morning. The dirt was carted back and forth morning and night. As for my checking my sources, that's not my job. I read a newspaper article and that article along with my personal observations are the only facts I as a reader require. I do not work for the Eagle or the City. You sir or madam are an enabler that cares not if a reporter is lazy or not! As for Rony Joel, he needs some accountability not encouragment. You are the one that needs to check the facts and carefully consider the sources you receive them from. Sometimes your own eyes do tell you the truth.

Boy oh Boy. Fossil is a real HATER. Hates Dogs, Hates Joel, Hates everything.
Hey heres and idea Fossil,,,,,,,MOVE!

Happyhardon,..the problem is you and the rest of your thug gang, Celebrate Marco...Chamber of Commerce... Marco Xmas style...etc... believe you are in the right because you tricked a few hundred or so condo owners into believing the STRP was the right thing for Marco. I'll tell you what(after QE pays out you guys in.. what do they call it,,? consultations fees??..)You have done unlimited harm to this paradise.!
I hope your nightmares catch up with your conscience.

Ed, we're gonna have to get together for another subway sandwich soon.

happyonmarco: You are wrong. I do not hate dogs nor do I hate Rony Joel. I simply believe that pet owners should be responsible for their pets and that public employees should be held accountable for their actions and what they say. Does your suggestion for me to move imply that you would like all Marco Island residents that are good responsible citizens expecting good honest stewardship from their public employees, all move too? Or just me because I dared to point this out?

Foster, are you even a Marco Island resident?? Is your life that empty where you still feel the need to poke your obnoxious arrogant nose into our business? No one cares and no one listens to your pitiful misinformed rants.

Gernblanstone,

Any time, but this time let's have it at a Subway that doesn't use "agressive" corrosive water to make its soda.

Regards,

Ed Foster