============================================================ DIGITAL DIGEST � http://www.marconews.com � November 3, 2004 ============================================================ Subscribe to the Naples Daily News: http://web.marconews.com/marco/subscribe.html WHITE HOUSE RACE MAY COME DOWN TO OHIO President Bush and challenger John Kerry sweated out a tension-packed conclusion to the race between a hard-charging Democrat and a Republican incumbent battered by war in Iraq and joblessness at home. Ohio loomed as this year's Florida, the decisive state, with Kerry's options dwindling. Ceding nothing, Kerry dispatched running mate John Edwards to tell supporters in Boston: "We've waited four years for this victory. We can wait one more night." ELECTION DAY QUIET: EARLY VOTING CAPTURES 64 PERCENT OF MARCO PRECINCT In a presidential election year, with a heavy voter turnout expected, Election Day on Marco Island was surprisingly quiet. Thanks to absentee ballots and early voting, precincts on Marco Island, Goodland and Isles of Capri didn't have anything close to the crowds experienced in past years. Jack Patterson, an election official who was involved in early voting at the Marco Island Branch Library and worked the polls at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Nov. 2, was pleased by the results � and a bit astounded. COUNTY WON'T GO TO COURT FOR BEACH ACCESS Jim Ciolino is getting used to hearing the word no. So he really wasn't surprised Oct. 26 when the Collier County Commission voted against paying county attorneys take up his battle for better beach access on Marco. Dampened by undeterred by the commission's 5-0 vote, Ciolino says he'll now ask for help from an attorney who works for the firm that developed Marco Island. BUSINESS OWNERS FACE MORE SIGN REGULATIONS A somewhat leery City Council gave an initial nod to new permitting rules for lighted signs Nov. 1. But members asked the city staff to provide more information on the financial impact the rules will have on local businesses before they'll grant final approval in December. The council voted 6-1 to approve an ordinance that would add illumination and other requirements to the city's existing sign law. CONDO "HOBO" ARRESTED AFTER LIVING IN VACANT MARCO CONDOS He moved in without an invitation; ran up power bills; used residents' credit cards to buy liquor, a DVD player and adult movies; left dirty dishes; and didn't pay a dime for his stay. But then the "condo hobo" got caught � after weeks of pursuit by the Marco Island Police Department. Police say Stewart Gregory Schnieder, 37, of 2653 53rd Terrace S.W. in Golden Gate, has been enjoying a free summer on Marco, where he works as a laborer. Get details on all these stories and more at http://www.marconews.com PERSPECTIVE: EDITORIAL: ELECTION DAY 2004 -- LONG YEAR, LONG NIGHT AND NO MAJOR SURPRISES The road to Tuesday's general election was a long and grueling one for Florida. Starting with municipal elections in February, we later endured "battleground state" status for hurricanes and presidential campaigning. Who knew that come Tuesday getting the results would mean a long and grueling wait for Collier and Lee voters? See more of today�s Perspective stories at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/perspective BUSINESS: WCI REPORTS STRONG QUARTERLY EARNINGS Bonita Springs-based WCI Communities Inc.'s third-quarter earnings were strong, but not what it expected three months ago. Like a number of Floridians, the hurricanes adversely affected the company's profits. Tuesday, the luxury home builder reported a 67.8 percent increase in profits and 63.2 percent increase in earnings per diluted share. See more of today�s Business stories at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/business NEAPOLITAN: AFTERNOON DELIGHT: TAKING TEA IS STEEPED IN HISTORY, AND POPULAR AROUND NAPLES "For the full effect, your little finger has got to be up in the air and you should use the word 'darling' a lot," Kate Okuniewicz jokingly remarks, carefully setting a bone china teapot down alongside a platter of homemade scones, Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves. The ladies giggle before diving in. See more of today�s Neapolitan stories at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/neapolitan
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Click on the link below to be removed from the marconews.com mailing list. http://web.marconews.com/cgi-bin/[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
