There’s a name for it
Some people say the business of politics is dirty, and that it’s always been that way. They say that what we’re experiencing now in our politics is nothing new, and that they just find it amusing.
I do agree that politics is not a profession designed for the naive, well-intentioned deer in the highlights, but one more suited for the self-aggrandizing, street-fighting chameleon. Successful politicians have to be willing to forego what they really feel is right, in exchange for votes. That’s how the system works and that’s how politicians get paid.
I also agree that politics is amusing, not in its current sense of the word, but in its 15th Century meaning of the word, when an “amuser” was someone who deluded or deceived others.
Politics reminds me of a grand masquerade ball, with people swirling in and around large rooms, all pretending to be someone other than who they are. The intrigue lies with never really knowing, until they’re unmasked. When they are, sometimes who we find supports our suppositions, but sometimes we unmask people who completely shock us, because they’re not at all who we expected.
The big problem these days seems to be, that even when we find out who they really are, and it’s not good, we’re still willing to make allowances for them, in order to benefit what we believe is the “greater good.”
It all reminds me of a word I learned some years ago in school and it comes from the study of philosophy. It’s derived from the Greek word, “akratos” and it supposedly meant “without power or strength.”
Today, the word is known as “akrasia” or “acrasia” and it means, “the state of mind in which someone acts against their better judgment through weakness of will.” It’s not a commonly used word, but a word I believe should be used quite often these days, due to its relevance, because honestly, I can’t remember living in acrasia time!
Lance C. McCormack, Marco Island
Marco’s under-funded police pension plan, since 2022
The police pension plan is under funded by $2.6 million. Based on the information I was given, no one has asked to question as to how this was allowed to happen. This council has no idea since they lack the history of Marco Island.
Who knew about the deficit and when? The only people that should have known is the current city manager and Councilor Polumbo. And when did they know about it? The underfunding of the police pension plan began in FY 2022.
It appears that the city manager and the seven councilors are trying to figure out how to Fund the pension shortfall.
It can’t be funded from the $23 million general obligation bond, because that is dedicated funds, if it is approved by the Voters.
I don’t believe it can be funded by ad-valorem taxes due to the spending CAP limitations.
It can’t be funded using the Emergency Fund, since it occurred since FY 2022, and no one knew about it.
Is this something the auditors could have picked up?
My opinion: The budget is the city manager’s responsibility! It is the city manager’s responsibility to present various options on how to fund the police pension plan to 100%; present those options to City Council for their review.
The only solution I can recommend is we stop resurfacing roads and use those funds to fund the police pension plan shortfall.
Amadeo Petricca, Marco Island
Supporting Jason Bailey for City Council
It is without reservation that I am supporting Jason Bailey for Marco Island City Council. I’ve known Jason for over 12 years while living on Marco Island. He built my first home back in 2014 and then another home for me in 2021. My experience working with him was nothing but positive and professional.
Since that time, I’ve had the opportunity to observe Jason in his role as chair of the Marco Island Planning Board, and how he clearly places the community first while simultaneously achieving an analytical-based and pragmatic conclusion when weighing tough decisions. Jason has clearly demonstrated the ability to stay in tune with the residents’ concerns when reviewing matters and issues before the Planning Board.
I’m confident that he will handle his role on City Council in the same manner. In fact, his voting record on the Planning Board speaks for itself. He’s opposed excessive variances, obscure site uses, and questionable site plans that would intrude upon residents’ quality of life. At the same time, he has supported projects by reasonable-minded businessowners whose proposals are consistent with our codes. This type of balanced perspective is what we need.
Lastly, Jason also commands an impressive knowledge of our city’s land development code, comprehensive plan and charter. He certainly won’t require any on-the-job training!
For all of these reasons, I’m pleased to support Jason Bailey to be a Marco Island City Councilor, and I hope you’ll join me.
Edward Dublois, Marco Island
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
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This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Letters to the Editor, July 17
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
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