FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Rich Blonna Announces His Re-Election Candidacy
City Councilman Rich Blonna announces that he is running for re-election for the Marco Island City Council in the November 2024 Election
Marco Island Florida:
In discussing why he is running for office Councilman Blonna stated: “ Serving as your City Councilman for the past four years has been an honor and a joy. I truly love my job and work hard at it. I put in about 20 hours a week preparing for meetings, doing background research, and writing on issues that I want to bring before the people and the City Council. I read every attachment on every item on every agenda for every meeting that I attend. I refuse to be unprepared for meetings and would be embarrassed to show up if I was not prepared. I pride myself on being one of the hardest working City Councilors.
Among my accomplishments of the last four years are:
- 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.
While I feel that this City Council has accomplished a lot we still have a lot of unfinished business. If I am re-elected to a second term 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 full-time Grant Writer to obtain public and private grant funds for land acquisition.
- Continue to support Police and Fire/Rescue Department needs to keep our city safe.
- Support all efforts to increase integrity and openness in city government.
- Not let “holding the line on taxes” by insisting on a roll-back tax rate needlessly destroy Marco Island (we can afford paradise)
For more information check out my campaign website Campaign Website and to set up an interview please contact the candidate via email richblonna@gmail.com or by telephone (908) 334 2543 (cell phone).
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