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Letter to the editor: POP goes

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Three years ago Preserve Our Paradise, (POP), was formed by Marco residents. Like our U.S. Constitution, POP sought to amend Marco’s City Charter through the voter referendum process. A hostile City Council deliberately and repeatedly blocked proposed amendments from reaching the voters.

The results of the recent elections strongly suggest that this “new” council will continue the philosophies of its predecessor, including the use of any means, regardless of legitimacy, to prevent voters from deciding issues it disapproves of. Any proposed charter amendment, then, must first receive the council’s blessing in order for it to reach the voters.

Preserve Our Paradise will not subscribe to this outrageous blackmailing of the right of initiative. Accordingly, a reluctant decision to dissolve POP has been made. Some folks on Marco will celebrate this decision as some sort of “victory.” Attacks on democracy commonly have some celebrants. As Americans, we should be rightfully wary of who they are.

I want to sincerely thank the more than three thousand POP supporters that encouraged and justified POP’s efforts to lawfully and peacefully improve our government. Together, we raised the political awareness of Marco’s residential community significantly. That alone is something to be proud of. Preserve Our Paradise may resume advocating for the residential community when Marco Island government honors constitutional democracy. I’m confident that Marco Islanders will demand it, sooner or later, for our city. A lost battle is not a lost war.

Russ Colombo, Chairman, Preserve Our Paradise, Marco Island

Comments

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Waaaah * sniffle, sniffle *

Posted by themessiah on March 27, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Russ, your gonna need more than 3k in supporters to end the corruption on this island.

Posted by gernblanstone on March 27, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

blabberstone, show me one instance of provable corruption on Marco Island other then that which is in your sick little mind and the last I recall it was just under 1,400 supporters that signed POP’s petition, twice and that does not equate to 3,000 supporters.

It is ironic that it is morons such as yourself that helped keep Hall, Neylon, Batte and Guidry away from any leadership roll on Marco Island.

Keep up the good work blabberstone.

Posted by veridicus on March 28, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Russ your more full of it than the Sewer Plant. The new Council has already stated they want to review the Charter.
You had one agenda and one agenda only. You just wanted to get rid of Bill Moss and after he left on his own you could care less about POP or the many people who believed in you and supported you.
Next time you or any of your self-serving friends come around wanting my signature you can 'go POP yours'

Posted by OldMarcoMan on March 28, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

POP goes the "sore loser, sour grapes, city council wannabe" Columbo the Weasel!

You are correct Russ, many of us hope this is the last we hear of you and your "imaginary" 3000 supporters. All exaggeration aside you may have had 30 die hard supporters along with 1500 who just signed what you put in front of them!

Posted by Leroy on March 28, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Russ,

If you keep track of such things, you know that I did not sign either of your petitions. Nonetheless, I respect and admire your willingness to put yourself on the front line in fighting for your beliefs. Those who do are the true leaders of our nation. Those who cower, whine and name-call are no more than pimples on the rump of a flea.

Your warning that "Some folks on Marco will celebrate this decision as some sort of “victory.” Attacks on democracy commonly have some celebrants. As Americans, we should be rightfully wary of who they are" is well taken.

"Charter revision" to these people does not mean "greater transparency and accountability." It means obfuscation and the removal of the cap.

You have earned the right to leave the field with your head held high. Enjoy life with your incredibly lovely wife who, it is apparent to me, is a constant source of support. She deserves you more than turkeys, golf bums, bartenders and bankrupts.

Ed Foster

Posted by EdFoster on March 29, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Columbo, you tried to use the system to change it for the better. That is commendable. Hopefully, our new Council will find it in themselves to change our City Charter for the better. It was obviously written by someone with a sense of humor and a taste for mischief. As written the charter does not protect the cap nor does it protect our citizens from corrupt leadership. The proof of this statement may be found in the transcripts of our last council, the unhappiness of a third of our residents and the flawed contracts of our City. I trust this Council and honestly believe that they will perform better then the last one did. Although this council has only been in office for two short meetings, they have shown a much greater interest in thier responsibilities then we have witnessed during the last three years.

Posted by Fossil on March 31, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Foster you are a hopeless joke.

Posted by Montel on April 1, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And you Monte are an a-s. Now, does that make us even? Do you feel good with your pathetic comment. Grow up! You're old enough. Or haven't you graduated from kindergarten yet!

Ed Foster

Posted by EdFoster on April 1, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ed,

No point calling Monte Lazarus an a-s even if he is one. You had it right to start with. He's nothing more than a pimple on the rump of a flea.

Posted by blackwidow on April 2, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Boy you guys have a lot of hate built up. You lost. Why don’t you do like the rest of your crew and keep your mouth shut. Ed - I did not think I could have any less respect for you. However, with each post you make you prove me wrong. You sir stirred up a hornets nest on this Island. The good people rose up and voted the correct way (The best way for the continued wellbeing of our island). You should just pick up your ball and bat and leave our island. You are not wanted here. I am sure the good old boys in North Carolina will be more than willing to have you up there telling them how to do things. I am sure they will be interested in your opinion. I mean how in the world have they managed to get by so many years without you.

Posted by MarcoAvenger on April 2, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MarcoAvenger: What was it that the above three posters lost? It seems they still have the negative uncivil posts of five of your identities to contend with. By the way, who made you and whatever you call yourself today, the decider of who gets to stay and who must leave this community? You need to get a life and stop trying to be so many people. Exhibiting multiple personalities is a sign ofa fundamental mental derangement characterized by defective or lost contact with reality. Time to get some help.

Posted by Lolala on April 4, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lolala - Your guys are the ones who start posting the negative post. Then you want to belittle anyone who comes on to disagree with them. You are and your ilk are the ones who need to get a life and step out of your dark rooms thinking the sky is falling. By the way I only have one screen name I use on these boards. But why should you care about the truth. You have not cared about it in the past so why start now. You give me way too much credit if you think I have the ability to determine who stays on our island and who goes. Old Ed made many comments about leaving the island. I was just wishing him well in his new life and giving him some advice on how to interact with the locals in NC. I can compile a list of people I think should leave the island. However, I do not have the ability to make it happen. You are giving me more credit that I deserve. I am sorry if posting my thoughts on this board threaten you so much. You should learn to communicate with people a little better. It is a big world out there and we all have to live in it.

Posted by MarcoAvenger on April 4, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)



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