FEBRUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER
Posted by Greg Folley 5sc on February 08, 2021
FROM THE DESK OF VICE CHAIR GREG FOLLEY Friends & Supporters, Welcome to the month of February on sunny Marco Island! Here’s your update on the progress of your Marco Island City Council: Vaccine Incident Resolved The Council recently learned of an incident involving a breach of trust on the part of our Chief of Police Tracy Frazzano and Fire Chief Chris Byrne. City Manager McNees immediately conducted a thorough investigation. Chief Frazzano and Chief Byrne fully cooperated and were remorseful about their conduct. At the conclusion of the investigation, City Manager McNees announced both chiefs would be suspended for a period of 30 days without pay, beginning February 8. Council Chairman Jared Grifoni expressed thanks to our City Manager for his prompt actions. Hopefully, each chief will regain the trust of our community and the departments they lead. Related press releasescan be found on the City of Marco Island website, as well as statements from Chief Frazzano and Chief Byrne. PUD for Senior Living Center The most significant item on the agenda dealt with a rezoning request to create a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for a new senior living facility. This facility would include an urgent care and public park at 40 South Heathwood Drive. Numerous citizens spoke in favor of and against the proposal. Many noted the clear need for such a facility on the island, given the only alternative exists far off the island. After much discussion, it was clear numerous issues remained unresolved. This included concerns with density, a commitment from NCH to proceed with a new urgent care center, ownership, maintenance, and park design. There was also the matter of “unified control” of the PUD itself, as required by the City’s Development Code. The Council voted 6-1 to move forward while awaiting additional information from city staff, NCH, and the petitioner. The Council will consider this matter further only when those issues are satisfactorily addressed. Special Comments on Equity Orders During the Council comment period, I took a few moments to address the recent executive orders issued by President Biden. His orders on “equity” specifically forsake Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision that all God’s children be judged by the content of their character rather than by the color of their skin. During my legal career, I handled dozens of civil rights cases. I understand the noble purpose of our civil rights laws. Biden’s orders contradict the 14th Amendment. They also violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a whole host of laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It remains to be seen what mandates will come from Washington. I commit to raise the alarm if I learn of any potential mandate that would require us to deviate from our once widely cherished and fully American ideals. Please view my full comments here. The Council will meet again on February 22. Thank you for your loyal support! Please like and follow my Facebook page for the latest updates. Take care and God bless! Sincerely, Greg S. Folley 940 Cape Marco Dr, Unit 2006 Marco Island, FL 34145