Re-elect Rich Blonna

For City Council

Hello,

I’m Councilman Rich Blonna and I am running for re-election for the Marco Island City Council. I am reaching out to you to ask you to  support my candidacy for re-election by either becoming a volunteer or making a financial contribution to my campaign. The maximum contribution is $1,000 but no amount is too small and will help me tremendously towards achieving what I believe to be are the collective goals of Marco Island voters. 

First Term Major Accomplishments:

• Conserved 3 acres of prime upland habitat on Marco Island through Conservation Collier.
• Returned over $5 million in taxes to Marco Island through Conservation Collier.
• Got the US Army Corps of Engineers, The US Coast Guard, and Collier County to develop an ongoing plan to dredge and mark the Big Marco/Capri Pass channel.
• Supported the Assisted Living Facility (ALF) and got the developer to donate a 2-acre waterfront park to the City of Marco island as part of the project.
• Voted for the Tiger Tail Lagoon Restoration Plan.
• Voted for the Marco Island Yacht Club Expansion
• Voted to use the One Cents Sales Tax money to build the new Firehouse, Veteran’s Park, improve Dumford Way, and fund key Stormwater Management projects.

If I am re-elected I will:

• Find new solutions for the three issues of greatest concerns to Marco Islanders, additional parking managing growth and density, and minimizing traffic congestion (2022 Citizen Survey).
• Upgrade of the sewage treatment plant to eliminate nutrient pollution and ensure cleaner reuse water to restore oxygen to the waterways.
• Support for STRP for Goodland and Isles of Capri to improve estuary water quality.
• Work with the County to get the Caxambas Ramp and fuel station back into operation ASAP.
• Work with the City Manager to improve the Portal and customer relations with the City.
• Work with MICA and the City to finish fixing the “glitch list” and to develop a unified approach to managing Deed Restrictions.
• Work with Conservation Collier to preserve even more lots of high conservation value to gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, and other plant and animal species.
• Create a new City of Marco Island-funded Open Space Preservation Fund.
• Hire a Grant Writer or consultant to obtain public and private grant funds for land acquisition.
• Continue to support the needs of our first responders to keep our city safe.
• Support all efforts to increase integrity and openness in city government.
• Explore a Millage Neutral or Flat Tax rate to support our city’s needs.

I love my job as a City Councilor and pride myself on being one of the hardest working City Councilors in recent memory. I am an independent thinker with no hidden agendas. I have supported issues that were not very popular and not supported issues that were. While I represent the people, I also have a responsibility to think independently and go against the majority when it is in the city’s best interest. I am not afraid to do so.

In closing, I would love to serve as your City Councilor for another four years. I will serve with integrity, passion, and commitment. I will do my best to continue to earn your respect even if we disagree on some of the issues. I will do my best to work with my colleagues and the City Manager and be willing to compromise if it moves the city forward in a positive way.

Thanks for the opportunity to continue to serve the good folks of Marco Island,

Councilman Rich Blonna