Practical Suggestions for Either Direction

It is not clear to this author whether Marco Island is headed towards a tourist-driven commercial zone or a community where common folk come to raise their family or retire while complimenting a modest tourist economy. Since fanatical commercialization is antithetical both in theory and practice to a community, clearly there is no middle ground. Hence the direction for Marco Island is either big-business based or community based.

The trend does appear to be that we are heading towards the commerce-at-all-cost end (some would argue dead end). However, there are individuals and organizations that are resisting this direction through their constitutionally protected activism. The war is on, and at the minimum, it will be quite interesting to watch.

But to whichever force prevails, there are some steps that we can take now which will support either victor – but which in actuality benefit all of Marco Island.

Whether the zealots of big business realize it or not, they will need middle class folk. These are the people that make up the fine police force, and the fire department, and make up the civil service, and pick up the trash, and fix the electrical and plumbing problems, and soon will be processing the sewage. There are signs everywhere screaming to the all-out-developers to be careful lest they loose the middle class. Ergo, the myriad studies and articles and initiatives for “affordable housing”. Other signs such as high turnover, inability to hire, and middle-class flight are everywhere.

The first suggestion is to realize the signs. Regardless of where you fall on this debate, accept what is occurring.

The second suggestion is more specific. In order to support the middle class – which both directions need – we must take explicit steps to shore up the class base.

On this vein, Marco Island needs a high school. Marco Island should not surrender at the first word from the kakistocracy that rules the county school district by immediately considering only a charter school. More on this issue in a forthcoming article. Demand a high school – it’s the law.

Another specific suggestion is to support the police and fire departments with pay raises. The city council needs to stop hiding behind the “spending cap” boogeyman and take a leadership role and do whatever it takes to use part of that gargantuan surplus to help those that help us by perennially placing at risk that which is priceless.

Another specific suggestion is tax abatements for homestead-exempt properties below a certain appraised value. Forget the “affordable housing” farce – that is socialism at its worse. Substantially reducing taxes on the middle class neither impacts the cash register at the city coffers or is a tax cut for the “rich”.

Another specific suggestion is tax incentives for non-tourist based businesses. And please, not for more restaurants. Light clean industry, non-restaurant service industry and the such employ quite a good number of people. Ecotourism is very hot and it should be governmentally promoted. There is nothing wrong with diversifying the economic support base of a community.

There are many more specific suggestions that can be made – suggestions that should not be offensive to either side – suggestions that imply the benefit of Marco Island as a whole. We need leadership, and just as importantly, we need action – and now. There are many residents that would welcome an opportunity to work on any of the above noted initiatives (this author included) – but in a communal sense.

Let’s see if anyone else wants to move forward.