Doug,

Thank you for your service to CARES, Inc. and the community for these past months.

Ed Foster

Dear Mr. Enman: I am saddened to read about your resignation. While I certainly do not agree with some of the group's tactics or beliefs, our Democracy always has room for different opinions.

I must admit that I am more saddened and disappointed as to your quote and the actual reason for your resignation. “I would not want to see a newspaper headline saying that the city has won again because the chairman of CARES has hooked up to the sewer system,”

The theory behind that quote is where I feel you, Ed, Butch, Russ have disconnected with the process. For you see, the City is you, me, Ed, Butch and 15,000 others. Our Democracy is working as is CARES within that framework. The legal system is also working and has determined that the lawsuits that you have filed, and were certainly within your right to file, had no basis.

Your quote creates a thought that the City, CARES and you are separate entities, and that is not the case. There is no reason in the political arena that you could not continue your leadership of CARES and still be connected to the sewers. I will bet that there are many members of CARES that are already connected to sewers.

Your 2,000 or more are part of a larger concept and group called the electorate of Marco Island. A City Coucil was voted in and is voting 5-3 (now) in favor of the project that you oppose. By connecting to sewers, which you are legally obligated to do, or suffer consequences and/or liens, does not diminish your voice or ability to express opposing opinions.

You do not have to agree with the legal system, the environmentalists, the FDEP, the City Council or anyone. But ultimately, the way this great Country was built, you do have to acquiesce to the majority. And until the next election, the majority and legal system have spoken.

Please reconsider your decision.
Ed Issler

Correction as I do not type well at all, voting 5-2, NOT 5-3

Thank you for your service to your City and community. Few of us have given of themselves as you and your brave wife have. Thank you for being on the side of the angels, you will be missed.

Mr. Issler,

You are correct that many CARES supporters are already connected to the central sewer system and support CARES because they oppose the way the City has chosen to promote the STRP and/or because they realize that central sewer systems are dangerous on a low-lying barrier island such as ours. CARES supporters are convinced that expansion of the central sewer system should not be undertaken without concrete evidence that our onsite systems are polluting the environment and/or endangering the public health. I have stated more than once that I would be in strong supporter of central sewers if the City could produce the technical evidence of serious problems on Marco Island albeit I would fight vigorously to move the sewer plant itself off-island. It doesn't belong where it is! To date, the City has presented no such evidence and has halved the water-testing budget which might produce it.

I also agree with you that Doug Enman did not have to resign because he was hooking up to the central sewer system. However, perception is everything in what passes for our democracy and I agree with Doug that headlines in the paper about the CARES chairman hooking up to the system would likely damage all the good work he has done. So, I respect his decision to resign.

Should the City pursue its announced policy of seeking legal fees from CARES, Inc. and thereby seek to bankrupt the corporation, I suggest that the best solution is for a new group to spring up and solicit the financial support required to carry forth this fight. Opposition to the STRP will not disappear. Although I would not agree to lead a new organization, I would certainly support it and work for it to the best of my ability. The best course of events is for the City to assure its citizens that it will not attempt to bankrupt an incorporated political committee simply because supporters of that organization oppose a City policy. With that guarantee, I would encourage all CARES supporters to renew their financial contributions to CARES and I would encourage the CARES Board to select their next leader.

Ed Foster

Mr. Nuts,

If John Arceri told you that you need a radical prostatectomy, would you seek a second opinion or just try to find the cheapest doctor?

Why not join a few people for a hot dog this Saturday? You'll meet a lot of nice people and maybe learn something.

Ed Foster

The City is quite justified to seek legal fees from CARES and by all means should do so. Why should taxpayers shoulder the expense when we've followed the democratic process, allowing our elected councilmen to make decisions on our behalf. The majority of us (remember, majority rules) were not filing lawsuits to overturn their decisions.
Here's an opportunity for MITA to step forward and throw its support behind the City. After all, they're here to protect us taxpayers, aren't they?? I'd hate to think that they're hypocritical....