Councilor Joe Rola

E-mail: JRola@marcocitycouncil.com

Term: 2020 - 2024

Councilor Rola was raised in Philadelphia. His formal education consists of a degree in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University with graduate work in Computer Engineering/Science at the University of Pennsylvania. The majority of his 42-year career has been as a Defense Contractor working in the fields of state-of-the-art computer system design and Program Management. His various work assignments required some of the highest Government Security Clearances and Accesses.

Joe and his wife, Barbara, have been blessed with 37 years of married life, 4 children and 10 grandchildren. My wife and I have long been enjoying our retirement here on Marco. Barb and I have been property owners on the island for 20 years and fulltime residents since 2005.

During his time on Marco Island, he has applied his skills to supporting two of Marco Island’s resident advocacy groups, Marco Island Homeowners and Marco Island Property Owners, as one of their original founding members, fulfilling roles of Vice Chairman & Treasurer. He was also the editor and publisher of their Constant Contact e-newsletter.

In November of 2020, he was elected to City Council for a 4-year term. For the 5 years prior to his election to City Council, Joe was a contributing member of our island’s Planning Board. As a Planning Board member, he developed a hands-on familiarity with our island history, our previous Comprehensive Plans, our Land Development Code as well as other sections of the City Charter and City Codes as they apply to the quality of life on our island.

In answer to your question, “Why are you running for City Council?” I would call your attention to two facts. The island is approaching Build Out and we are in the process of updating our Comprehensive Plan, 11 years and counting since the last update in 2009. The island desperately needs resident participation in these processes. As a pre-cursor to the eventual Comprehensive Plan update, he was one of 70 participants in our original Strategic Planning Meeting in May, 2019. he heard your comments, loud and clear. You were asking for control of island density/intensity and more emphasis on the natural beauty of our island paradise, more green space, the completion of Veterans’ Community Park and efforts to stop the impairment of our waterways.

As a counselor, he has no special interests or financial gain to draw from the island other than to foster an appreciation for conserving our island’s natural ambiance and SMALLTOWN CHARACTER, while supporting the best interests of our community. It all begins with the right City Council members who will work diligently to get it right, supported by an animated group of motivated residents.

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