Several weeks ago, we informed the cruising community, by way of a posting here on the Net's Floridian pages, and a special "Alert," that the city of Marco Island's appeal of Judge Crown's ruling, declaring their anchoring statutes inconsistent with Florida state law, had been denied. However, it was denied on technical grounds associated with filing some of their papers too late. At the time, there was discussion as to whether the city of Marco Island would dare to spend even more of the local taxpayer's money, an renew their appeal effort.
Well, as you will read below in the message from Captain Herman Diebler (of SAMI – Saling Association of Marco Island), the city had indeed decided to "appeal their appeal." I, and many others, actually consider this good news for the cruising community. If the Florida State Court of Appeals upholds Judge Crowns' ruling, as most lawyers I have spoken with expect, then this ruling will apply statewide, NOT just in Collier County!