Upper Weekly 20-0924

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

1¢

Pauses “The Social Dilemma” and picks up phone to check Facebook.

BRYANS SAY GOODBYE Couple readies for retirement | P. 17

Corey and Peggy Bryan are set to retire after both serving more than 30 years in the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

VALUES YOU CAN TRUST ADVOCATE FOR RESIDENTS

“I am proud to support Buddy Pinder for Islamorada Village Council, Seat 3.”

PAID BY JOSEPH BUDDY PINDER CANDIDATE FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL SEAT 3

— Rich Russell, lifelong Islamorada resident and 42 year educator

Follow Buddy to learn where he stands on the issues.

VOTEBUDDYPINDER.COM

2

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

THE COMMONSENSE LEADER TO REBUILD THE KEYS’ ECONOMY

JIM MOONEY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

» Represent our interests in Tallahassee » Protect our waters and environment for future generations » Fund and support our public schools and teachers

Elect a leader who will help us get back to work.

VOTE JIM MOONEY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE! ElectJimMooney.com Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jim Mooney, Republican, for State Representative District 120

3

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

CLEANER

4

WILDLIFE

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

5,000

Pacific6 Enterprises and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research say an offshore fish farm could generate 5,000 metric tons of sushi-grade yellowfin each year (or 11 million servings). The open ocean fish farm, located off California, would be the first of its kind in federal waters.

FOR UPDATES, WATCH THE WEB Events related to the coronavirus are changing rapidly as national, state and local governments make decisions aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. For updated information, please see keysweekly.com.

Publisher

Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Eddy’s pregnant wife watched it all happen and told Forcine the same story later, from her own perspective.

She told Forcine that she jumped in the water and pulled him back to the boat.

Publishing Partner

Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor

Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Account Executives

Lesley Aaron lesley@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor

Sara Matthis sara@keysweekly.com

Upper Keys Editor

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Key West Editor

Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Web Editor

Tiffany Duong tiffany@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Office/Circulation Manager Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Design / Web Master

Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

POSTMASTER:

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050

News Deadline

Tuesday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

The editors of the Keys Weekly Newspapers have deemed the photos of the actual shark bite circulating on social media too graphic to print. The attack happened at Sombrero Lighthouse on Sept. 20. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

WAS IT A SHARK ATTACK? SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

Experts say ‘yes,’ but highly unusual

F

irst and foremost, no one wants to blame the victim. Andrew Charles Eddy, 30, sustained a life-threatening injury when he jumped into the water at Sombrero Lighthouse on Sept. 20. No one disputes that. But photos that have appeared on social media — showing what appears to be a smooth cut, rather than a ragged tear to the front of Eddy’s shoulder — have some perplexed. The smooth cut suggests a propeller strike. And, for all the media attention shark bites receive, they are rather rare. Especially if it was a bull shark, at Sombrero, where they are rarely seen.

“The fact that the victim had lacerations on his uninjured arm, where he said he stuck it in the shark’s mouth to try to pry it open, ensures it wasn’t a prop strike. Nobody tries to put their hand in a propeller,” said Dr. Gavin Naylor, director of University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File.

“We have to take this guy at his word.

I don’t know what species was responsible. But it was absolutely large.

The bite was very decisive. I hope this

chap’s arm can be saved.”

FWC’s Capt. David Dipre said he’s seen all the photographs including the ones that show the victim’s back. “It’s absolutely a shark bite. You can see where the shark's teeth made incisions on his back,” said Dipre. Dipre also confirmed that this type of unprovoked shark attack is very rare.

Naylor based his opinion on photos sent to him by the Keys Weekly newspaper and the account of Capt.

Joe Forcine of Marathon Fire Rescue’s critical care division. Forcine rode with Eddy from Sombrero Beach, where the boat landed in haste, to the Trauma Star helicopter hangar that would airlift Eddy out of the Keys to the mainland for treatment. Forcine said if the ambulances hadn’t recently been stocked with a medicine called TXA — an intravenous coagulant used in war trauma situations — he would have bled out.

Forcine said he started asking questions of the victim, Eddy, on the way to the hangar. “I needed to understand the mechanism of the injury in order to treat it,” said Forcine, adding that the man was far too traumatized emotionally and physically to concoct a falsehood on the spot. Forcine said Eddy was face down on the stretcher when he called for Forcine to crouch down so Eddy could look him in the eye and tell Forcine what happened.

“He looked me in the face. He told me it was the scariest thing that has ever happened to him. He was petrified; I could see the fear in him. He certainly convinced me,” Forcine said.

Eddy told Forcine he jumped in the water and immediately saw a gray shape. The shark bit him almost head on by the shoulder and then started to shake and thrash him and turn him upside down. Panicking, he tried to get his other hand in the shark’s mouth.

Forcine added that he confirmed the lacerations (not prop cuts) on the correct hand. “Then the shark just let go,” Forcine said.

Eddy’s pregnant wife watched it all happen and told Forcine the same story later, from her own perspective. She told Forcine that she jumped in the water and pulled him back to the boat.

One of the other family members aboard, possibly a mother or sister, is a trained nurse. The boat proceeded immediately to Sombrero Beach, where it was met by three ambulance teams.

Forcine said Eddy’s scapula (shoulder blade) was broken and the top of the humerus (upper arm bone) was also broken. “The typical horseshoe-shaped shark bite is visible,” but only from an aerial perspective from above Eddy’s head. “The trauma was consistent with the shaking and breaking and a pressure wound.”

Forcine, a recreational diver, said he’s seen a shark approach a spearfisherman in just the same manner, only to be warded off with the tip of a speargun.

“I believe that chap was hit by continued on page 46

5

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

6

MONROE COUNTY

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

A

t the September county commission meeting, officials announced several updates to the temporary mobile pumpout program, including much-needed service in the Upper Keys, Key West and Stock Island.

Mobile vessel pumpout service, which sends a specialized boat to empty sewage from vessel holding tanks so it’s not dumped in the ocean, has been unavailable in the county since July 1, when the county’s contract with the previous service vendor, Pumpouts USA, expired. The commissioners voted in June not to renew that service and instead to seek bids for a new Keyswide mobile vessel sewage pumpout service.

“The purpose of the service is to make it easy for boaters to follow the laws that require no discharge of sewage from boats in federally designated marine sanctuary waters,” county spokeswoman Kristen Livengood has said.

To that end, the county announced two temporary services until a permanent service can be contracted and implemented throughout the county’s waters.

“Everyone knows the vendor we had finished June 30 of this year, and even before this year, we had started talking with the City of Key West to see if they’d temporarily assume mobile pumpout duties around anchorages they currently manage,” said Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley. “They were super receptive to the idea, and it’s well underway.”

The county hired two county pumpout workers to ride along on the City of Key West pumpout boats to help with the expanded free service to boats that have registered with the county in the Key West and Stock Island anchorage areas. It’s been hugely popular, Hurley said.

“When we drafted (the temporary service contract), we had 40 registrants,” Hurley said. “In a week, that’s doubled to 80, and we have an interlocal agreement with them

The City of Key West partnered with Monroe County to provide certain temporary mobile vessel pump-out services for Key West and Stock Island anchorage areas. CITY OF KEY WEST/Contributed

PUMPOUTS IN PLACE County announces temporary partnerships to bridge the gap, keep waters clean

“Everyone knows the vendor we had finished June 30 of this year, and even before this year, we had started talking with the City of Key West to see if they’d temporarily assume mobile pumpout duties around anchorages they currently manage.” ­— Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley

(the City of Key West) in place to continue that service through January.”

An unsolicited proposal from a newly formed company, On the Hook Marine Services, could provide the same free services to anchored vessels in the Upper Keys registered with the county as early as October.

The vendor has already been approved by the county commission at a prior meeting, Hurley said.

“We’re working with the vendor to get them up and running for the Upper Keys, through January 2021,” Hurley told the commissioners.

Hurley noted the importance of the temporary services as a way to provide these critical pumpouts while the county thoroughly vets any proposals received for long-term pumpout services to vessels anchored throughout the Florida Keys.

As currently structured, vendors can opt to service part or all of the county.

Live-aboard boaters in the Wisteria Island, Fleming Key, Seaplane Basin, Cow Key Channel and Boca Chica Basin anchorages who are interested in receiving this free service can register at www.monroecounty-

fl.gov/pumpout or they can fill out a registration form available at the Garrison Bight or Key West Bight marina offices in Key West. More information regarding the Upper Keys service will be available within the next week at www.monroecounty-fl. gov/pumpout.

Sewage discharge is prohibited within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Participation in the Monroe County mobile vessel pumpout service assists anchored boaters comply with the no-discharge regulation and the Monroe County proof of pumpout requirement. Several shoreside pump-out stations are also available throughout Monroe County. A list of available facilities is at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/pumpout.

More information is at the Monroe County Marine Resources Office at 305-289-2505 or hitchins-celia@ monroecounty-fl.gov or in the Key West area, the City of Key West at 305-809-3983 or keywestbightmarina@cityofkeywest-fl.gov.

7

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

COMMERCE CORNER The Nearly New Stores are Back! (with limited hours)

THE NEARLY NEW THRIFT STORE 5800 Overseas Highway, Suite 35 10:00am - 1:00pm | Thursday and Friday New and Gently Used Clothing & Housewares

THE NEARLY NEW FURNITURE STORE 12565 Overseas Highway 10:00am - 2:00pm | Friday and Saturday All your Furniture Needs

We are streaming our Daily Devotions at 8am, Compline at 9pm & Sunday Prayers at 9am on our Facebook page. @stcolumbamarathonfl May the Peace of the Lord be always with you WE OFFER A COMMUNITY OF PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.

St. Columba Episcopal Church 451 West 52nd St, Marathon Fl 305 743-6412 • www.stcolumbamarathon.org

Established in 2018, Blue Native of the Florida Keys defines itself by its daily commitment to core values of exceeding expectations through integrity, quality, and communication. With decades of experience, Blue Native has the capacity and knowledge to manage even the largest of landscapes throughout Monroe County, yet being locally owned and operated gives its clients the personal attention that each relationship and green space deserves.

Blue Native’s Bobby Williamson said the company devotes itself to five key principles: Expertise, dedication, responsiveness, safety and communication.

“Our team of professionals bring experience, training and certifications to each and every functional area of your project. Plus, we have a full-suite of online service forms that provides our customers with 24/7 access to our attentive team members. Simply send questions, comments and concerns when you think of them, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible,” he said.

Address: 155 Toppino Industrial Drive, Key West Phone: 305-872-4050 Website: www.bluenativekeys.com Email: bobby@bluenativekeys.com

8

ELECTION 2020

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

ISLAMORADA CANDIDATE

QUESTION OF THE WEEK CORONAVIRUS AFFECTING REVENUE JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

F

our seats are up for grabs on the Islamorada dais in this year’s election with current council members either running for other offices, terming out or electing not to run for re-election. As a result, some new faces will be seen come November.

Each week, the Upper Keys Weekly will pose a question to each candidate in the race on a village issue. Candidates have the opportunity to respond to the question in 100 words or less. This week, the question focuses on the budget and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (Answers are as submitted by the candidates.) On Sept.

21, village council member unanimously approved a final spending plan and millage rate (see page 21 for details).

QUESTION: With the coronavirus pandemic likely impacting revenues, what specific action would you take to ensure essential services are funded while maintaining a healthy fund balance to deal with unexpected expenses for possible storms?

SEAT 1 PETE BACHELER Hurricane Irma helped us to understand that there should be a set aside, and our council did just that.

The state recommended 25%, but the council felt 35% was a better number for coastal communities. With that budget item, it is far easier to start hurricane clean up and more comfortable to borrow money if we did not have that contingency. Other locations in the Keys did not have that presence of mind and were behind in storm repairs. Islamorada was far ahead. It takes money to borrow money. Sound financial advice, and it needs to stay.

FRANK LAVIN As a result of the pandemic, we are seeing sales taxbased revenue reductions. We have a half-cent sales tax accounted for the general fund and a discretionary sales surtax accounted for the capital projects fund. Should we not have sufficient funds in certain funds, for specific purchases or project costs, transfers from the general fund may be needed. We have in our general fund, as of today $3.4 million. FEMA has also reimbursed our village $6 million. We are still owed approximately $1 million, which is why we have a healthy fund balance and to the due diligence of the Finance Director, Maria Bassett, and her team.

SEAT 2 CHERYL MEADS The village’s account for storm recovery has been replenished by the state and federal governments and we have budgeted for essential services for the coming year. The Governor is well positioned and focused on helping Florida communities when there is a storm. Property values have not decreased and since the current council raises the millage every year, I do not anticipate a shortfall. Further, this budget year’s millage is set and cannot be changed. I do not support tax increases, nor do I expect to have to accommodate for a shortfall that could not otherwise be bridged by trimming fat.

MARK GREGG Islamorada is in very good financial shape and impacts from the pandemic should be manageable. Islamorada is expected to receive $40,000 from the CARES Act funds to cover virus-related expenses near term, and the increase in the discretionary fund balance from 25% to 40% of expenses is designed to handle additional unexpected expenses. I would rely upon the discretionary fund to cover all pandemic expenses not covered by CARES Act or FEMA assistance. As with Hurricane Irma, we could obtain an emergency line of credit to keep our government running, and equipment purchases and capital projects could be postponed.

Continued on page 36

9

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

What Failure looks like: 9/11 ATTACKS

COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE UNITED STATES

2,977 LIVES LOST

and 1,000 more 207,864 LIVES LOST ( dying every day )

VOTE for Truthful, Competent Leaders.

Our lives literally depend on it.

Paid by an individual voter, with no association to any political party or candidate.

10

KEY WEST

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

The United Daughters of the Confederacy built the Bayview Park pavilion in 1924. It was the site of Ku Klux Klan induction ceremonies from the 1920s to the early 1990s. City officials voted recently to rename it the One Human Family pavilion. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

RENAMING, NOT REMOVING, HISTORY Key West officials vote to rename Confederate monument MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

M

onuments and masks dominated much of the Key West City Commission discussion at the Sept. 16 meeting, where officials voted to rename a Confederate park pavilion and add exceptions to the city’s mask rules.

Key West lawmakers last week voted unanimously to rename a pavilion in Bayview Park that was built in 1924 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The pavilion, which sits among other military memorials, will be called the One Human Family pavilion in honor of the city’s official motto, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in October.

“We don’t want to forget our history,” said Commissioner Sam Kaufman, who introduced the renaming proposal that was approved at the Sept. 16 meeting. “We want to remember and learn from it. I think this is a positive thing.”

Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover pointed out that the newly renamed pavilion could become “a new field trip for school kids, because we do have some dark parts of our history that cannot be ignored.”

Longtime Key West resident JT Thompson, who created the city’s One Human Family motto under the mayorship of Jimmy Weekley in 2000, also supports the name change.

“We’re not erasing history with this, but rather making a statement about where we are now,” Thompson said.

When the city’s One Human Family was adopted 20 years ago, Thompson created a website and educational foundation to provide free bumper stickers and bracelets bearing the motto.

More than a million stickers have been distributed worldwide.

“Although people may tell you it’s ‘us versus them,’ there is no ‘them,’” Thompson wrote on

Key West officials on Sept. 16 added exceptions to the city’s mask requirements.

Masks are no longer required for people who are outdoors and not on the premises of a business, or exercising in a gym, as long as social distance is maintained.

KLAUS HAUSMANN/Contributed

the website. “The conclusion is simple, obvious and undeniable. We are all created equal members of One Human Family.”

In other commission news, officials on Sept. 16 rewrote the city’s mask rules to include additional exceptions.

Masks are no longer required when “individuals are outdoors and not on the premises of a business, provided social distancing is maintained at all times,” and they’re not required in gyms during strenuous exercise if distance is maintained. The city previously had allowed couples exchanging wedding vows and being photographed during their wedding to remove their masks, and musicians can go without if they are performing more than 10 feet from the audience and behind a plexiglass partition.

11

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

TO LEARN ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEER AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THE KEYS, VISIT CFFK.ORG

NOW

IS THE TIME TO POWER YOUR BUSINESS WITH BROADWAVE

TWO MONTHS FREE

INTERNET WHEN YOU SWITCH YOUR BUSINESS TO BROADWAVE

R E E T VOLUON F THE WEEK

INTERNET | WIFI | PHONES | CAMERAS

AMY LACHAT LYNCH

CALL OR EMAIL TODAY: 305.767.1467 - INFO@BROADWAVE.COM WWW.BROADWAVE.COM

MONROE COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION

STAY AHEAD OF YOURSELF & YOUR DELIVERIES IM#26 - MC450645 | DOT966624

INTERIOR DESIGNERS! WE CAN ACCEPT, INSPECT, STORE & DELIVER FURNISHINGS AND DECOR. CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS.

305.295.6683 FLORIDA KEYS PROFESSIONAL MOVERS

305.295.6683 | 1.877.344.6683 | WWW.DRNMOVING.COM

Covering All The Keys From Key Largo To Key West Upper Keys Weekly 91760 O/S Hwy, Ste 3 Tavernier, FL 33070 305.363.2957

Marathon Weekly 9709 O/S Hwy Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0844

Key West Weekly 5450 MacDonald Ave, Ste 5 Key West, FL 33040 305.453.6928

SPONSORED

BY CFFK, KEYS WEEKLY, ISLAND RADIO 106.9FM AND OCEAN WELLNESS SPA

12

COMMUNITY NEWS

LAWSUIT: VOTES FOR DECEASED CANDIDATE SHOULD BE COUNTED JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

A

lawsuit filed in the circuit court of Monroe County on Sept. 23 is requesting that the county elections office and the elections supervisor count all votes cast in Islamorada’s seat 4 race between Henry Rosenthal and the late Ken Davis in the November general election.

Filed by Islamorada resident Eric Carlson, the lawsuit seeks declaratory and equitable relief prohibiting “unauthorized election interference within the municipal boundaries of Islamorada…” With the passing of Davis from heart failure and a massive stroke on Sept. 12, Monroe County Elections Supervisor Joyce Griffin told the Weekly that votes cast in the race would not be counted. With ballots already printed, a notice is set to go out notifying voters that Davis passed away and that a vote cast in the race will not change the outcome as the remaining candidate, Rosenthal, is deemed by law to be elected for that race. Mail-in ballots will begin to go out on Thursday, Sept. 24.

The lawsuit states that following the qualifying period ending on Aug. 11, 2020, two candidates, Rosenthal and Davis, qualified to run for council’s seat 4. Despite Davis’ passing, the lawsuit says that neither death, incapacity nor disqualification of a candidate are referenced in Florida statute as instances resulting in creating an unopposed candidate. The lawsuit seeks to prohibit Griffin from mailing, delivering or posting online notices regarding the seat 4 race. It also requests that she count all votes cast.

“In addition, in an interview printed in the Sept. 17, 2020 Keys Weekly, defendant R. Joyce Griffin has flatly stated her intention to completely abrogate her statutory duties as supervisor of elections with respect to the seat ‘4’ election by pronouncing that her office ‘will not be counting the race,’ thereby knowingly disenfranchising all voters who wish to cast a ballot for either candidate for seat 4, all of whom will be irreparably harmed if she fails to do so.”

Griffin told the Weekly on the

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 morning of Sept. 23 that she hadn’t seen the lawsuit and couldn’t comment on the matter. Griffin did say, however, that she heard a lawsuit was possible.

“I had hoped that they would sue prior to vote-by-mails going out,” Griffin said. “You have to remember there’s another candidate, there’s another person to respect in this episode. Now, the vote-by-mail ballots that are going out tomorrow have that little paper in them saying ‘do not cast,’ that this race has already been decided. ... It’s unfortunate that they took so long.”

The lawsuit sought an emergency hearing on Sept. 23. Carlson told the Weekly that he’s waiting on a date and time. Carlson said Ken Davis, vice Griffin is overstepmayor, passed away on Sept. 12. ping in discounting the election by CONTRIBUTED indicating that she wouldn’t count the votes, leading to an automatic win for Rosenthal.

“If you have a supervisor of elections who Henry Rosenthal starts adjusting was deemed the ballots for whatwinner by the ever reason, it’s a elections office slippery slope,” he and Joyce Griffin, said. “This will give elections supervipeople options. If sor, following they want to vote news of Davis’ for the man, they passing. CONTRIBUTED certainly should be allowed to.”

Carlson ran against Davis in the 2018 election.

Davis ultimately won to take the seat. Carlson acknowledged his Eric Carlson filed support for Davis a lawsuit asking in his run for a that the county second term in the elections office 2020 election. and the superviIslamorada’s sor count all votes other four seats cast in Islamoare up for grabs rada’s seat 4 race with current between Henry council members Rosenthal and the late Ken Davis running for other in the November offices, terming general election. out or electing not CONTRIBUTED to run again. The other four races each have two candidates, with Pete Bacheler and Frank Lavin vying for seat 1. Mark Gregg and Cheryl Meads are running for seat 2, while Jenny Bell-Thomson and Joseph “Buddy” Pinder are squaring off in the race for seat 3. Larry Zettwoch and David Webb are running for seat 5.

Hurricane Irma displaced so much sand at Sombrero Beach that the picnic tables were almost buried. The City of Marathon has since restored the beach, and been reimbursed with FEMA funds for the cost. WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

MARATHON RECEIVES $12 MILLION FROM FEMA Funds spent to recover from Hurricane Irma reimbursed SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

W

hen Hurricane Irma rolled through the Middle Keys in 2017, the City of Marathon had saved enough to pay for its “A” and “B” hurricane expenses: debris removal and emergency protective measures. But it took almost every penny and the municipality has been waiting on reimbursement.

Now the city has recouped nearly all of it.

Of about $14 million in expenditures for removing trash heaps and transporting them to the mainland, citywide inspections for electric system safety and other repairs, FEMA, via the state Department of Emergency Management, has repaid all but $1.7 million.

“I have to give credit to two people,” said Marathon City Manager Chuck Lindsey, “our finance director Jennifer Johnson, and the state’s Jared Moskowitz.”

Johnson also praised the Department of Emergency Management’s current administration. “They have been a pleasure to work with,” she said.

As the city receives reimbursement, it is rolling out other repairs. For example, it cost $1.4 million to put Sombrero Beach back together. The state has released the federal share of that project, as well as its own. The city is waiting on about $67,000 to be made whole on that project.

Other projects are still looming, such as repairs to roads and bridges and the city’s wastewater system.

“We still have damages,” said Lindsey. “We need to pay for those repairs and wait to be reimbursed.”

According to the city’s financials, it will cost $3.1 million to make utility repairs and $6.7 million to repair the roads and bridges.

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

PAWS UP TO EVERYONE THAT HAS SUPPORTED THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA 6 YEARS STRAIGHT FOR BEST NON PROFIT!

13

14

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

WE’VE GOT YOU

COVERED

BRAND NEW WIGGINS FORKLIFT ON SITE, RATED FOR 30K LBS

STORE YOUR BOAT WITH US! BEST PRICES IN TOWN! NEW COVERED DRY RACK STORAGE FULL SERVICE MARINA CERTIFIED YAMAHA MECHANIC

WHARF

MARINA 305.240.9739 4681 Overseas Highway, Marathon

• EXPERIENCE • KNOWLEDGE • JUDGMENT

VOTE NOVEMBER 3RD Barrett4StateAttorney.com Paid for and approved by Donald Barrett, Democrat, for State Attorney.

15

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

We will be back from vacation on October 1, 2020.

UPCOMING EVENTS MOVIE ON THE BEACH

(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) 10/4/20 at 7pm

OKTOBERFEST October 22, 23, 24, 2020.

HALLOWEEN BOO BASH 10/31/20

401 E Ocean Drive | Key Colony Beach

Havanajacksoceanside.com KEY COLONY BEACH'S ONE STOP SHOP FOR COFFEE, SANDWICHES, LIQUOR AND GROCERY. Catering and Large Quantity Cases/Kegs upon early request.

Sunday 7am-2pm, Monday Closed, • Tuesday-Saturday 7am-4pm.

glunzoceanbeachhotel.com

351 E Ocean Drive | Key Colony Beach

7pm

MOVIE ON LOCAL’S STAYCATION THE BEACH CONCESSIONS FOR PURCHASE

10” PIZZA - POPCORN HOT DOGS AND CHIPS - ICE CREAM CANDY BARS - SOFT DRINKS BUCKETS OF DOMESTIC BEER BUCKETS OF TRULY

BEACH CHAIRS AND BLANKETS WELCOME! SOCIAL DISTANCING & MASKS REQUIRED NO OUTSIDE FOOD AND DRINKS

FLORIDA KEYS

Sometimes you just need a break, at a place you love to get away from everything.

Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort has everything you need for the perfect staycation, including the perfect rate!

HUGE SAVINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

STANDARD HOTEL ROOMS - $119 ($369 VALUE) DELUXE OCEANFRONT SUITES - $259 ($459 VALUE) OCEANFRONT VILLAS - $500 ($899 VALUE) This special is for permanent Florida Keys Residents only Must show Monroe County I.D. Cannot be combined with other offers

16

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

It’s time to get back to the basics of good recycling 1

2

3 FRESH NEW MENU

Empty bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.

Keep food and liquid out.

NEED A BAGGSTER?

Recyclables go directly into the cart.

&

NEW PATIO DINING

Purchase one from your local hardware stores, then call the 800 number to set up a pickup.

ROLLOFF CONTAINERS and PORTABLE TOILETS available.

Call us at 305.296.8297.

1405 Duval Street, Key West // 305.295.6550 southernmostbeachresort.com #somolife

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

MONROE COUNTY

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

BRYANS CALLING IT A CAREER

30-plus years of service and success for couple JIM McCARTHY

T

jim@keysweekly.com

here’s a special bond between law enforcement and the community in Monroe County. Look no further than Monroe County Sheriff's Capt. Corey Bryan, commanding officer for the village of Islamorada, and his wife, Peggy, who’s also a longtime employee of the sheriff’s office.

The two are usually spreading the holiday cheer every year at the annual Holiday Fest in Islamorada. An active member of the Upper Keys Rotary Club, Corey is also usually out on the all-terrain vehicle connecting with the public during events at Founders Park. He’s also been spotted leading parades, as he did recently with the Coral Shores Class of 2020.

He’s also worked closely with the village on several high-priority safety matters that, more recently, include activity at the Fills and traffic on Old Highway during busy weekends and holidays.

Serving the Keys community for the last 34 years, Bryan looks back fondly on what’s been quite the career as he prepares to retire. And Peggy, too, is calling it a career from her 32 years as a records supervisor for the sheriff’s office in Key Largo and Islamorada. Jan. 4, 2021 will be the last day for the Bryans as they prepare to leave the Keys en route to their cabin home and 10 acres of property in Ocala, where some old friends and sheriff’s deputies also live.

“We always talked about it the last couple years of what we wanted to do,” Corey said. “Spenser, our son, he’s a lieutenant, he’s buying our house. He’s always wanted our place when we were done. So we’re like ‘we have to make a decision here.’ This is a good time to go and get moving on. I got 10 years with the village, short of 7 days. It worked out good.”

Corey said it was Peggy who propelled him into a career in law enforcement. The two were high school sweethearts going back to their days in Colorado. Peggy saw an ad on TV for a reserve officer, and Corey applied.

Corey, pictured left, participates in a community cleanup with fellow sheriff’s deputies. CONTRIBUTED

Corey and Peggy Bryan each served more than 30 years in the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

They’re both retiring and will be moving to their Ocala property. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

Corey Bryan drives families and children through the haunted forest during last year’s Trunk or Treat at Founders Park. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

“I knew he wanted to be a police officer,” Peggy said.

He was hired, worked two shifts and was asked if he wanted to work in the jail, to which Corey said “yes.” After three years, he applied to departments in the Keys, Fort Lauderdale and Kansas. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff William Freeman contacted Corey first. He took the job and was on the road to Florida.

“I always wanted to live in Florida and thought this would be great,” he said. “Then they offered this spot down here and I thought ‘oh my god.’ I was enamored of the whole thing. I thought this was the greatest thing ever. We weren’t shell-shocked by the cost of living because we grew up in Summit County, Colorado, and that’s where everything was expensive because of all the ski areas.”

When they first came down, Peggy waited tables and worked at the old Mariners Hospital. In 1988, a job came open in the sheriff’s office, to which she applied. She’s handled all sorts of records and paperwork in the Upper Keys since. Peggy said the move to the Keys wasn’t easy, since her family resided in Colorado and Kansas.

“I wanted him to pick Kansas,” Peggy said with a laugh.

A week after Corey was offered and accepted the job in the Keys, departments in Fort Lauderdale and Kansas called to offer him a job. His choice was the Keys, however, and it’s been a memorable experience from his days as a patrol officer to a patrol lieutenant and captain. Corey has extensive specialized training courses under his belt, which include drug unit commander training in Virginia and FBI Law Enforcement Development Association classes. He’s worked under five sheriffs.

“The greatest thing about being a police officer, and I talk to Sheriff Rick Ramsay about this, is how continued on page 18

17

18

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

from page 17

BRYANS CALLING IT A CAREER

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

WHO VOTES FOR WHOM? All Keys voters elect all county commissioners

If you live in Key West or the Lower Keys and haven’t been paying a lick of attention to the Upper Keys county commission race, that needs to change. The same goes for Upper Keys residents who haven’t been listening to candidates in the two Lower Keys races.

Every voter in the Florida Keys elects every county commissioner, regardless of where the voter lives, but the candidates must live in the district they wish to represent.

Diane Beruldsen, who lives on Stock Island, has been campaigning for Democrat Annalise Mannix in the District 1 race against incumbent Republican Craig Cates. She’s been knocking on doors from downtown Key West to Sugarloaf and beyond.

“In speaking with people around Key West and Stock Island, I realized how many of them think they’ll only be voting for either Craig or Annalise, but that’s just not the case,” Beruldsen said.

“I imagine many people in Key Largo also think the same thing — that they’ll only be voting for Mike Forster or Jose Peixoto. If people don’t know they’ll be voting for all three county commission seats, they could very well go to the polls, or get their ballot in the mail and see choices and names, but not know who the person is.”

When she puts on her mask and gloves and knocks on doors, Beruldsen introduces herself by saying, “‘You’ll be voting for my county commissioners,’” she said. “And a lot of them, at first, look at me with confusion, especially because it’s different from the Key West city commission races.”

In Key West city commission races, only voters residing in one of the six city districts can vote for that district’s commissioner.

Residents in Islamorada vote for candidates in contested races, of which there’s four this year. In county commission races, all Florida Keys voters elect all county commissioners, regardless of where the voter lives.

To review: In the Nov. 3 general election, Key West voters who live in the city’s downtown District 6 — and only those in District 6 — will elect either incumbent city commissioner Clayton Lopez or challenger Ryan Barnett.

Also on Nov. 3, all voters in the Florida Keys will choose three county commissioners: Incumbent Republican Craig Cates or Democratic challenger Annalise Mannix for District 1; incumbent Democrat Heather Carruthers or Republican challenger Eddie Martinez in District 3 and Republican Mike Forster or non-party-affiliated Jose Peixoto in District 5.

Additional local, state and national races will be on all ballots.

Information about each candidate is available at the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections website at keys-elections.org. The website also includes information about voter registration, polling locations, sample ballots and each candidate’s campaign donations and expenditures.

Additional details about each candidates’ opinions, philosophies and political positions have been discussed at length during three televised forums hosted by Hometown!, a non-partisan organization that aims to educate voters about all candidates and their positions.

At each of the three Hometown forums, candidates answered questions posed by four panelists. Videos of each forum are available at Hometownkeywest.com.

much everybody likes us,” Corey said.

“The sheriff has a great philosophy of being involved in the community and working in the community. That’s just perpetuated down to Peggy, Spenser and myself.”

In Corey’s time as captain, sheriff’s deputies have stayed proactive in the community from active aggressor training with schools and fire rescue.

They’ve also worked with the village to address traffic concerns on the Old Highway. They continue the push to put no-passing zones on the road that many vehicles divert to in order to bypass congested traffic. Bryan has also worked with the village to develop a plan for the Fills in the way of barriers to deal with the activity. Traffic speeds were also reduced to 45 mph.

“That was a key thing because the Fills have become a major issue with everybody,” he said. “We knew it was a priority to get control on that. Village council did a great job to get a plan set up.”

As to what the Bryans will miss the most, Corey said it’s the many friends and people who’ve been good to them.

Corey says he loves working in the village.

“It’s a great, special connection,” he said.

Enjoying the job and her staff, Peggy said, “It was never a dull moment.”

“We’ve had a great 34 years here in the Upper Keys,” she said. “It’s just time to move on.”

Corey and Peggy are especially proud of Spenser and his progression through the sheriff’s office. Corey said they never anticipated he would enter law enforcement back when he was in high school, but he was always around the deputies when they’d come over to the house for barbecues. Today, Spenser serves as the lieutenant of special investigations.

“He’s extremely smart, he understands the job, he’s got a good grasp on law enforcement and understanding people,” Corey said.

So, what’s on tap for the Bryans?

Corey said they’ll be busy gardening on their Ocala property. They also plan to travel in their motorhome to visit family and attend 1800s festivals where they make and sell items for kids.

“Thank you to everybody for making this such a great career for me and a great place to live,” Corey said.

DARE I SAY IT

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

SCHOOL DISTRICT YET TO DECIDE ON COVID-19 REPORTING PROTOCOL

19

CONGRATULATIONS To our BUYERS & SELLERS. We hope you enjoy your new homes.

The details will matter

O

n Sept.

14 — more than a week ago — most students in the Monroe County School District SARA showed up MATTHIS for in-person instruction thinks commuon school nity journalism campuses. All is important, but elementary not serious; likes weird and wonschool students derful children are in atten(she has two). dance Monday Occasionally she through Friday, tortures herself while middle with sprint-distance triathlons, school and high but only if she has school students a good chance of are attending beating her sister. every other day on what’s known as the A/B schedule. A minority have opted to attend virtual school for the first semester.

As of now, the Keys are averaging from one to five new coronavirus cases per day but, typically, health officials say, there’s a two-week lag between what’s known as a “spreader event” — for example, the start of classroom instruction — and the possible spike in reported cases.

Because experts say children can be asymptomatic, interpretation of the data is even more muddled and, frankly, more important.

Monroe County and other communities around the U.S. have braced themselves for this moment. Most agree that inperson instruction will result in a COVID-19 spike. So when, not if, it happens, how will the Keys school district disseminate this information to the public?

“There is an internal communication plan. We are working on the external communication plan, including how to do that legally,” said spokesperson Becky Herrin, hired especially by the school district to handle coronavirus communications. All of the information about positive COVID-19 cases comes to the schools through the Monroe County Health Department.

The details will matter.

Which school has been infected? Which grade level? If the infected student was a middle school or high school student, were they on the A or B schedule? Will it matter, as all teachers deal with both? Will there be a delay between a positive test or suspected spread within a school and the relay of that information to parents, staff or the at-large community? And, what happens next — do schools shut down and instruction revert to virtual? Does that mean two weeks at home, or more?

Other school districts in Florida are using dashboards to communicate information. Yet the Washington Post reported that Governor Ron DeSantis allegedly “ordered some districts to stop releasing school specific coronavirus information, citing privacy issues.” Rebekah Jones, the state’s ousted dashboard administrator for Florida, has created her own school-level coronavirus reporting system. It’s called The Covid Monitor and Jones said the site administrators receive reports and then verify them. The Florida Education Association is also reporting school infections on its website at feaweb.org.

Here’s my hope: that the best minds can come together and decide to be transparent. That’s newspaper-speak for not fudging or delaying or hiding the numbers.

This illness discriminates. It strikes people with underlying conditions and the elderly. This illness is also impartial; it reportedly kills the perfectly healthy on a whim.

People — students, teachers, parents and grandparents, employers — will all approach this from a different perspective. It’s their right and it’s their responsibility to know.

So the most important thing that we need is school coronavirus infections to be reported as distinct from the Keys population as a whole. That information needs to be truthful and timely so we can all do what’s best for ourselves and the people we love.

Karen represented the Sellers of: 141 10th Street, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Karen Raspe, PA | 305.393.9010 | karenraspe@bellsouth.net

Covering All The Keys From Key Largo To Key West Upper Keys Weekly 91760 O/S Hwy, Ste 3 Tavernier, FL 33070 305.363.2957

Marathon Weekly 9709 O/S Hwy Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0844

Key West Weekly 5450 MacDonald Ave, Ste 5 Key West, FL 33040 305.453.6928

MISSING Jeanette Pelletier AKA Jay

If you have any information call (305)289-9884 or (305)394-4660

20

HEALTH

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

DENGUE GOING DOWN

One confirmed case reported in last month

Mosquito control inspectors began handing out refrigerator magnets this week to homeowners up and down the Keys that remind people to take precautionary measures. Pictured from left are Chad Huff, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District public information officer; Tim Morrill, FKMCD Lower Keys inspector; Angela Giaquinto, epidemiologist for the health department; and Dr. Mark Whiteside, medical director for the health department. ALISON KERR/Florida Health Department

“Dump Dengue” magnets like these are being handed to homeowners.

CONTRIBUTED

A

dengue outbreak in the Upper Keys appears to be improving, despite one case recently confirmed by the Florida Health Department.

The case confirmed by the health department on Sept. 17 brings the total infected number to 56 since the outbreak began in mid-June. Health officials say the recent infection was locally acquired. The individual has received medical treatment and is expected to make a full recovery, as have the other 55 cases.

New cases have slowed in recent weeks and the past month. The last confirmed case was a month earlier on Aug. 17. FKMCD is seeing fewer Aedes aegypti mosquitoes being trapped.

The health department’s Division of Disease Control and Health Protection continues to conduct epidemiological studies to determine the origin and extent of these infections. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District continues as normal in and around Key Largo where the outbreak has centered.

“Door to door inspections, enhanced mosquito surveillance, ground and aerial larvicide and adulticide treatments as necessary until the situation stabilizes completely,” said Chad Huff, public information officer with FKMCD. Inspectors have gone door-todoor to treat properties to prevent breeding. In addition, truck and aerial adulticide and larvicide treatments were conducted throughout the areas

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

of concern to reduce the mosquito population, and hand foggers were used in certain areas. Mosquito traps are placed in the area to monitor the Aedes aegypti population. Collected mosquitoes are tested for mosquitoborne diseases.

“The actions taken by the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District and the community prove to be promising.

Recent dengue transmission in the Upper Keys has been limited, with new cases, hopefully, on the decline,” Dr. Mark Whiteside, medical director for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, said last month. “It’s important for residents to continue following basic mosquito bite prevention methods to help end the outbreak.”

Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue can present as a severe flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and pain, fever and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of dengue will appear within 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Beginning this week, Huff said FKMCD inspectors began handing out refrigerator magnets to homeowners up and down the Keys that remind people to take precautionary measures. The magnets are a joint project between the health department and FKMCD. “The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County deserves ample credit for this handy reminder that serves as another valuable tool in this very important fight,” Huff said.

Measures for preventing mosquito-borne disease include intact windows and screens and the use of air conditioning, keeping the area around your residence and business free from containers that collect water, wearing protective clothing, appropriate use of insect repellents after applying sunscreen, regularly spraying outdoor plants such as bromeliads and crotons, and draining all standing water at least once per week.

For more information or to make a service request, contact FKMCD at 305-292-7190. Visit tinyurl.com/mosquitosurveillance for more information about the status of dengue in the Florida Keys.

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

ISLAMORADA

21

VILLAGE APPROVES BUDGET, 3.015 MILLAGE RATE JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

N

o public comment was heard during Islamorada Village Council’s second and final budget hearing on Sept. 21. As a result, council members unanimously approved a spending plan for fiscal year 2020-21.

A millage rate of 3.015 mills was set for the next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. That’s down from the 2019-20 adopted millage rate of 3.2. Taxable value in the village saw an increase of about $2 million from the prior year to $3.9 billion.

Maria Bassett, finance director and interim acting manager, told council members that no changes were made to the budget from their first budget meeting and hearing on Sept. 10. General fund expenditures for the 2020-21 fiscal year total $14,836,450. Around $6.8 million in spending is within public safety, and just over $4.5 million for general government, which is for village administration, finance, code compliance, communications and planning and development services.

The unassigned fund balance is around $6.3 million, and that works out to be roughly 40% of budgeted expenditures. Between the coronavirus pandemic and future storm potentials, council was comfortable with going to the rolled-back rate with more money heading to the fund balance.

Capital project expenditures for the coming fiscal year total $2.6 million. One of the main activities coming out of the capital projects fund is hazard mitigation projects thanks to funding of just over $1 million from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Enterprise fund expenditures total $12.5 million, of which $7.2 million is debt service for wastewater.

Between ad valorem taxes, fees and other service charges, revenues total around $15.7 million. Of that amount, around $11.5 million comes from ad valorem taxes.

Adoption of a fiscal year 2020-21 budget was the last one for council members. Mayor Mike Forster and councilman Jim Mooney are seeking other offices in this year’s November general election. Vice Mayor Deb Gillis is terming out, while councilman Chris Sante isn’t running for re-election.

Two virtual meetings of council are set for Oct. 1 and Oct. 22. After that, a new council enters.

“It’s been a privilege working the last six years with everybody,” Mooney said.

The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District’s Board of Commissioners is soliciting resumes to fill a vacancy on the Board of Commissioners. Resumes must include contact information including telephone number and email address.

The term of office will expire following the 2022 general election. Individuals must be a registered voter, residing within the boundaries of the District consisting of Key Largo, extending from east of Tavernier Creek, up to and including Cross Key. Resumes must be received no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2020. The Board of Commissioners will consider all resumes at a public meeting scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

You are welcome to attend the meeting and to address the Board. You can participate several ways: - GoToMeeting on your computer, enter https://www.gotomeet.me/KLWTDClerk/board-meeting - Phone, dial 1 (866) 899-4679 or 1 (571) 317-3117, Access Code: 605-219-813 - In person, KLWTD administrative office located at 103355 Overseas Highway, Key Largo Resumes may be submitted by mail to the District’s administrative office located at 103355 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, 33037 or by email to clerk@klwtd.com.

For further information, please contact the District Clerk at 305-451-4019 Ext. 210 or via email at Diane.Bockelman@klwtd.com Note that all resumes are considered public records and are available to anyone upon request.

22

COMMUNITY NEWS

CARES ACT PROGRAMS CLOSED TO NEW APPLICANTS

T

wo Monroe County CARES Act programs, the business assistance program and the rental and mortgage assistance program, have closed to applications for funding. Both programs were created with CARES Act funding to help residents and businesses affected by COVID-19.

The CARES business assistance program consisted of a one-time fixed amount grant to qualifying Monroe Countybased small businesses with up to 25 employees.

The program application period opened on Sept. 4 with $1 million to allocate. More than 500 applications were received. The CARES rental and mortgage assistance program consisted of $838,000 to allocate and opened on Aug. 4. More than 250 applications were received.

For both programs, applications already received continue to be processed for funding allocations. Applications received for the business assistance program exceed the funding available, so grants will be made on a first-eligible first-served basis. Additional funding may be made available at a later date.

— Contributed

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi gives ‘thumbs up’ to the addition of proposed canal restoration comprehensive workplan amendments to the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern Work Program during a visit to Tallahassee on Sept. 22.

CONTRIBUTED

PANEL OKs RULES ON CANAL RESTORATION Gastesi attends Tallahassee meeting

M

onroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi represented Monroe County at a Sept. 22 meeting in Tallahassee, where a state commission addressed the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern designation and considered adding a canal restoration component to the comprehensive plans that regulate development in Monroe County, the City of Marathon and the Village of Islamorada.

Monroe County supports the canal restoration addition and worked closely with Florida Department of Economic Opportunity staff to develop the language. The new work program for canal restoration begins in December 2020 and lasts through 2030. The plan includes steps to develop and adopt guidelines for canal selection, restoration design and funding.

The commission approved the rule language and authorized the DEO to file for final adoption after its required publication.

“The Florida Keys economy depends on clean water,” Gastesi said. “Canal restoration projects improve nearshore water quality, habitat for marine life, and quality of life for the county’s residents.”

Gastesi had additional meetings planned while at the state’s capital.

— Contributed

Interior of one of the men's dormitories at KOTS, the City of Key West homeless shelter on Stock Island, photographed September 2019.

JOHN TEETS/Contributed

TAXING DECISIONS

Key West won’t raise taxes; picks new manager for homeless shelter MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

W

ith two unanimous votes at a Sept. 21 meeting, Key West officials decided not to raise property taxes and selected a new management team for the city’s homeless shelter on College Road.

The final approved tax rate for the coming year equates to $2.08 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which will bring in the same amount of property tax revenue as last year despite severe expenses and revenue losses due to COVID-19.

By leaving some positions vacant, providing no pay raises and lowering the amount of emergency reserve funds, the city was able to avoid a tax hike, spokeswoman Alyson Crean said.

Early in the budgeting process, the commission had discussed a 3% tax hike, but serious belt-tightening in all departments dodged that budget bullet.

“Generally, the budget contains enough reserve funding to keep city services operating for 72 to 92 days during an emergency. In the budget that begins Oct. 1, the city has provided 56 days of reserve funding,” Crean said.

Also at the Sept. 21 meeting, officials voted to enter a three-year agreement with Cornerstone Resource Alliance Inc. to manage the homeless shelter. The previous management organization – Southernmost Homeless Assistance League – operated the shelter for several years. In July, the city and SHAL agreed their tenure would conclude at the end of September, Crean said.

Two organizations were vying for the new management contract and a selection committee rated Cornerstone higher.

Adding continuity to the contract, Elicia Pintabona, who has served as executive director of the shelter for several years, will continue in that role with the new company, Crean said.

“This allows me to continue my mission in this community with our clients and staff and the community we serve,” Pintabona told the commission.

She noted that Cornerstone’s seven-person board is a knowledgeable group that includes an attorney, a grant writer and a philanthropist with experience building successful homeless shelters and other forms of affordable housing.

Pintabona told the commissioners she expects to see positive change under Cornerstone as it strives to create a new facility. The new shelter, which has already been designed, will fit in the footprint of the existing shelter on Stock Island under an agreement with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

23

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

OUR DOCKS ARE OPEN! A KEY WEST FAMILY TRADITION IN FINE FOODS SINCE 1926

Come by Boat, Bike, Foot or Car!

OPEN FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK! 11AM – 10PM DAILY VOTED

BEST HAPPY HOUR 11 YEARS IN A ROW! ALSO VOTED

B E S T M A R G A R I TA !

CELEBRATING 93 YEARS! 5 TIME WINNER OF BEST GROCERY STORE DELIVERY AVAILABLE 522 FLEMING STREET 1105 WHITE STREET WWW.FAUSTOS.COM

SATURDAY & SUNDAY Regular Menu Available and BRUNCH items including Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Guava French Toast, Crab Benedict and BOGO Mimosas & Glasses of Champagne 11am - 4pm

SUNDAY NIGHT!

Spaghetti & Meatballs

DAILY SPECIALS

NIGHTLY SPECIALS Monday: BBQ and Brews Tuesday: Jumbo Gumbo Bowls Tacos and Tequila Wednesday: Wine Time Wednesday ($15-$20 bottles) Thursday: Prime Rib Night Saturday: Mini Brunch BOGO Mimosas & Champagne College Football Sunday: FUNDAY BRUNCH, LUNCH & BOGO Mimosas & Champagne Spaghetti & Meatballs Night CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ENTERTAINMENT UPDATES

Happy Hour 4-6pm

ART SHOW & CONTEST

SEPTEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30 KEY WEST TROPICAL FOREST & BOTANICAL GARDEN

5210 College Road Stock Island Thank you to our sponsors:

LIVEIC MUS

We w cook yoilul r catch and lob, sfitsh er.

Please

bri cleaned & ng legal.

www.sparkyslanding.com 305-363-2959 MM 53.5 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida Waterfront Location Adjacent To Fairfield Inn

24

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

DENTAL CARE YOU CAN

Key Largo Dentists, Dr. Travis Bennett and Dr. Sandy Brito are dedicated to quality dental care. At our beautiful offices we offer a wide array of dental procedures including CT scans, implant /gum surgery, implant prosthetics, full mouth restoration, same day in office crowns and bridges, fillings, orthodontics (braces and Invisalign), teeth whitening, smile makeovers and many other services. “No sell dentistry, state of art office with a staff that cares!”

Technology Tutoring 305-699-8201

How to use devices • How to create an account • How to use apps • How to order items • App downloads • Social media marketing • Social media postings • Social media creation • Online shopping • Word processing • Email deletions/unsubscriptions Dr. Travis W. Bennett, D.M.D. Implant and General Dentistry

They are all born stars.

We just help them shine.

COME JOIN US FOR A FREE TRIAL CLASS. SPACES LIMITED | AGES 3 - ADULT

KEY LARGO 102965 Overseas Hwy. | 305.451.2616 Monday thru Friday 9AM-5PM

TAVERNIER 90290 Overseas Hwy. | 305.852.5099 Tuesdays and Thursday 9AM-5PM

www.everyonelovesagentledentist.com

Dr. Sandy M. Brito, D.M.D. Family and General Dentistry

IMPLANT COSMETIC FAMILY DENTISTRY

Marathon - 305.481.0898 www.prodigydancecenter.net

DJ POOLSIDE JAMS ON THE OCEANFRONT POOL DECK STARTING AT 1 PM

AY D N U F Y A D N 523 SU

D N O C E KEYMSERSKICKOFF SUMPOOL PARTY 0 2 0 2 , 7 2 .

SEPT RD

! e e r F s i w e i V e Th and so is Valet Parking for dining patrons!

BY COMNED ENJOYT A T BOAR OCEANF!R! ON OU DOCK

GRILLED ON THE POOL DECK • World Famous Cheeseburgers • Cuban Burgers • Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwiches • Grilled Bratwurst • Chili Cheese Dogs • Blackened Dolphin Sandwiches • BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp • Bacon Wrapped Scallops • Bacon Wrapped Lobster • Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

MARATHON’S NFL HEADQUARTERS! NFL SUNDAY TICKET ON 16 HDTV’S! EVERY SUNDAY ALL SEASON LONG! VOTED BEST SUNSET & BEST WATERFRONT DINING

DRINK SPECIALS • $2 Coors Light Specials • $5 Strawberry Mojitos • $5 Raspberry Daiquiris 305.396.7235 • 7 KNIGHTS KEY BOULEVARD • MM 47 (AT THE FOOT OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE, OCEAN) • SUNSETGRILLE7MILEBRIDGE.COM

BREAKFAST MONDAY–SATURDAY: 7–11AM & SUNDAY: 7–10AM LUNCH MONDAY–SATURDAY: 11:30AM–3PM HAPPY HOUR DAILY: 5:30–6:30PM, ½ OFF ALL ALCOHOL DINNER NIGHTLY: 5:30–9:30PM BRUNCH SUNDAY: 11AM–3PM, For a limited time only, after you join us

for Brunch, we invite you to enjoy unprecedented access to our private pool and beach.

Brunch: 11AM–3PM; Access to Private Pool & Beach for Brunch Guests: 12–6PM.

Scenic • Safe • Socially Distanced Follow us on Facebook @FourMarlins | www.facebook.com/FourMarlins 1435 Simonton St. | reachresort.com | 305 293 6250 | Reservations Recommended Terms and Conditions: For the safety of all guests and team members and in compliance with the City of Key West’s parameters, all dining patrons will be required wear a mask and to have a temperature check prior to being seated.

Social distancing must be maintained. Dine in only. Limited Seating. Not valid for take-out. May not be combined with any other promotion, discount or special offer. Subject to cancellation. Other restrictions may apply. Must be a brunch guest to enjoy access to pool and beach. One pool/beach wristband issued for each paid brunch. Lost wristbands will not be replaced. No coolers, outside food, beverage or beach chairs. Must be 21 or older to consume alcohol.

25

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

We’re OPEN! fully stocked with all-new selections.... ready to go for quick delivery! also featuring custom WINDOW TREATMENTS!

by

FURNITURE • INTERIOR DESIGN WINDOW TREATMENTS • FLOORING KITCHENS & BATHS • PATIO / OUTDOOR

3 KEYS LOCATIONS KEY LARGO

MARATHON

KEY WEST

305-451-5700

305-743-4397

305-295-6400

MM 99 in the Median

MM 50 Oceanside

Next to Publix, Searstown

www.RoyalFurnitureAndDesign.com

Call 305-481-1790 to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation, or stop by one of our 3 locations.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST DENTIST IN 2017, 2018 & 2019.

WE’D LOVE YOUR VOTE AGAIN THIS YEAR! From left to right: Dr. Hector Guzman D.D.S, Dr. David McDonald D.M.D Dr. Natalia Vazquez-Marrero D.M.D and Dr. Oscar Rodriguez D.M.D

Located at 2758 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (in the Overseas Market) • Key West, FL 33040 Phone 305.294.9914 • Fax 305.295.9691 • doc@docguzman.com • www.docguzman.com

26

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

FREE ENTRÉE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY RETURNS OCTOBER 1ST! Disclaimer: Must dine with us on your actual birthday and show valid ID

Daily Happy Hour 5-7 pm FREE Covered Parking Nightly Live Music

Enjoy your choice of over 25 different wines by the glass

Limited Seating Available Reservations Recommended

For Reservations, Call 305.296.8100 Reserve Online at OpenTable.com

BANKRUPTCY | FORECLOSURE REAL ESTATE | WILLS AND TESTAMENTS CIVIL LITIGATION

LOCAL LAWYERS FOR YOUR LEGAL NEEDS We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

FREE CONSULTATION! | HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL

MAYLENE@MAESQ.COM

305.922.2367

207 KEY DEER BLVD | SUITE B13 | BIG PINE KEY

ARLENIS PARDO PEREZ SOPHOMORE The Keys Weekly is proud to partner with Coral Shores faculty and students in choosing “The Student of the Week.” Recipients are chosen on qualifications including academic standing, athletics, outstanding achievements, community involvement, individuality and moral fortitude. We thank our future leaders and CSHS for allowing us to share in a weekly dose of “Hurricane Pride,” and for giving us a glimpse into their world.

What is something most people don’t know about you? I feel like some people don't know this about me, but I came from Cuba when I was 9 years old. It was hard because I left some of my family behind, and when I started school the language barrier was really hard. I had to learn how to speak English to be able to communicate. Thankfully I had amazing teachers who were always there to help me and students that speak Spanish also helped. My parents, who are the best, and are always supporting me through everything, also really helped.

Who is your all-time favorite teacher and why? To me, all my teachers are amazing because they work hard to help us learn and are always eager to help when you need it.

But I have to recognize a very special person to me. She is the computer lab manager and my Take Stock in Children mentor, Linda Signorelli. She has been there for me since day one of being my mentor, and every time I need help with anything she is always there. It’s not just me, she helps everyone.

What does “a good education” mean to you? To me good education is the gateway to success. Without education we can't study any career in life. So my tip to you about education is study and work hard because hard work pays off.

What is something you know now that you didn’t know when you were a freshman? My freshman year I was really informed about high school and how important freshman year is because it is the base of your GPA. One thing that I know now that I didn't know my freshman year is don't take too many AP classes

or play too many sports because it gets really stressful to be able to do everything.

What organizations and activities are you involved with at Coral Shores and why are they important to you? Last year I was involved in Keys Club and Interact. My experiences in those clubs were amazing.

These two clubs in particular are very important to me because you learn a lot from them, and you get volunteer opportunities every week. Clubs, in my opinion, are ways to help the community and help people in need.

What are your plans after high school? My plans after high school are to attend a university and become an orthodontist, which is my dream job. However, the future is not written, so maybe I will change my mind.

What do you hope to be remembered for at CSHS? I hope to be remembered as a kind-hearted person, a hard worker, as a person who doesn't give up, and as a person who was always respectful to the teachers and everyone else.

Will you make the Keys your permanent home? Why or why not?

I probably won't make the Keys my permanent home because after high school I'm going to study at a university, and my family and I will probably move.

What three things would you like to accomplish before your 10year reunion? Three things I would like to accomplish before my 10-year reunion are to graduate from university, get an apartment or home for my family and I and start making my own music.

EVENTS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

ARGH RIGHT!

27

ADVOCATE FOR RESIDENTS

ANNUAL KEY LARGO BOAT PARADE SET FOR DEC. 12

Follow Buddy to learn where he stands on the issues.

VOTEBUDDYPINDER.COM

A boat decorated in lights and holiday cheer makes its way down Blackwater Sound in Key Largo during last year’s Key Largo Boat Parade. CONTRIBUTED

I

n their illuminated boats, pirates are set to invade and entertain spectators from Key Largo’s Blackwater Sound. The 2020 Key Largo Boat Parade returns for another year, and it’s set to bring excitement and shimmering color that’ll light up the nighttime waters.

The Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club is proud to put on the holiday boat parade for the second year in a row. Set for Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., the theme of this year’s parade is Pirates of the Keys. Illuminated boats ranging up to 55 feet, kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats and other vessels will traverse the waters of Blackwater Sound to kickoff this annual holiday tradition.

A committee of energetic Key Largo Sunset Rotarians had a kickoff meeting on Sept. 21. Sponsors and boat participants are currently being sought for this year’s event.

“From the participants who decorate their boats to the spectators on land, the Key Largo Boat Parade is a holiday tradition for many in the Upper Keys,” said Lisa Feliciano, Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club president. “We’re elated to be putting on this spectacular event yet again this year that in turn benefits the community.”

The parade is taking into consideration the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and taking appropriate measures. There will be no in-person pre-captains meeting. Instead, the meeting will be conducted virtually.

The best public viewing locations for the parade include the Marriott Resort, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, The Caribbean Club and Sundowners Restaurant. Venues will be responsible for social distancing and other measures to keep the public safe.

The parade is a fundraiser for the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club Foundation, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to identify and support the needs of the elderly through service projects that create lasting, positive changes in our community. The club received its charter in July 2019 and currently has just over 35 members.

For more information and to stay updated on all the latest developments, visit Key Largo Boat Parade’s Facebook page or keylargoboatparade.com. Those looking to sponsor or participate in the event can call Feliciano at 305-7660643 or Jim McCarthy, presidentelect, at 305-850-8034.

— Contributed

Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club members volunteer their time to judge boats.

Pictured from left are Sharon Kittle-Smith, Jen Cappadona and Christina Boilini.

PAID BY JOSEPH BUDDY PINDER CANDIDATE FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL SEAT 3

I’M SORRY, DID I ROLL MY EYES OUT LOUD?

A SAFE, COMFORTABLE SPACE DESIGNED FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO LOOK THEIR BEST

HAIR | NAILS | FACIALS HAIR EXTENSIONS | MAKEUP EYELASH EXTENSIONS | WAXING MICROBLADING | LASH LIFT Now accepting new clients.

Private appointments available.

www.klsalonandspa.biz @keylargosalonanddayspa Key Largo Salon and Day Spa 103400 Overseas Hwy. Ste 102 | Key Largo

305.451.4343

28

DARE I SAY IT

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

• I will FIGHT to protect our resident’s right of quiet enjoyment of life • PROTECT our sensitive environment that supports our tourist economy • WORK to create more affordable and work force housing

Mark GREGG for Village Council Seat 2 www.mark4council.com Please visit my f page: Mark 4 council

ER K E PP

IC

M o n d ay CLUB

U

PUBL

N

SEPTEMBER MEETING TOPIC:

S

RE

A

Meet us oaotse! the M

Y

Paid for by Mark Gregg for Village Council

SEPT

28 To join via Zoom email UKRC@KeysGOP.com

UKRC Monthly Meeting

“Promises made, promises kept; next steps toward the election�

ISLAMORADA MOOSE LODGE H 5:30 SOCIAL H MEETING AT 6:00 P.M.

 Â?  Â?Â?Â?Â?Â?    ­  €  Â

�  ­ €‚ƒ�„ƒ �……‚„  ­ €‚ƒ�€†„� €…‡

Â

Â? Â?

Â?

RETURNING TO THE GYM

MEASURES IN PLACE KEEP YOU SAFE, WORKING HARD

F

or a while, fitness fanatics like myself were left finding an alternative venue to conduct a workout. The coronavirus pandemic forced many closures, includJIM ing gyms, to keep McCARTHY people away from each other in a bid to serves as editor slow the spread. of the Upper Keys Weekly. A TaverIt especially afnier resident, he fected those who had believes in comtrainers, lifters who munity reporting, needed their barbells giving back and and 45-pound plates life on the waters. and the ones who simply enjoyed the social interaction with fellow gym goers. Many were left going to the park for a run or doing burpees on a field.

Others made use of fitness trails at parks.

While alternative venues suited the bill temporarily, I longed for a return to the bench with dumbbells in hand. Fast forward two-and-a-half months to May 20, and gyms began to open their doors back up.

Some were chomping at the bit and couldn’t wait for the day. Others remained uneasy about a return.

After all, the pandemic didn’t go away. A checkpoint that was established early on was taken down, allowing visitors to come back to the islands. And cases rose exponentially through the summer months.

With all that said, I returned to my gym when it reopened to get back to what’s long been part of my normal routine. I’ve been back to Mariners Wellness Center in Tavernier since May, and I must say, measures are in place to keep you and others safe. And I’m here to explain the measures for those who are still uncertain about getting back in.

First off, like anywhere else, masks must be worn when entering the facility. And just like other places, hand sanitizer stations await you as you proceed to the reception desk for check-in.

Before scanning their membership tag, gym patrons walk up to a screen for a temperature check. It’s unique in that you don’t have someone standing in front of you throwing a radar gun at your forehead.

Instead, one positions their masked face in front of small screen where the temperature is read back.

If the temperature is normal, patrons proceed to the next check-in step by tagging in. And away they go into the gym. But the check-in steps aren’t over just yet.

Upon entering the gym, patrons write their names and the time they entered on a whiteboard. The gym’s currently limiting workouts to an hour, in an effort to limit the number of people inside the gym to 25. If the gym’s full, those looking to enter are placed and spaced in a waiting room until there’s capacity to allow them in.

When getting to your treadmill or bench, you have the option to take off your mask to conduct your workout. But it’s ultimately up to the person. Cardio equipment is staggered so two people aren’t running next to each other. In the weight room, receptionists drill into your head to keep 6 feet away from each other.

From my experiences, those in the gym are conscious and keep their distance when going to machines, returning weights and walking to the water fountain. After all, they not only want to keep themselves safe, but they also desire to see the gym stay open. And they’re also conscientious when it comes to wiping down equipment. In addition, staff go throughout the gym to disinfect during the day.

More than anything, returning to the gym has allowed people to get back to their routines and see friends. As Mariners Wellness Center manager Jennifer Boltz notes, it’s more than a gym for its members.

It’s also a community focused on healthy living. “Members who were missing the gym were not just missing the workouts; they were missing the social interaction,� she said. “We know that people need a safe space for their physical and emotional health. That’s why we have implemented new safety measures.�

Still uneasy about a return to the gym? Ask someone who’s going back about their experiences and what they see. It’s also good to know what time of day they’re going and the number of people they see. Or, reach out to gym staff if you have concerns you’d like to address with staff that’s preventing you from returning. A shoutout goes to all those at Mariners Wellness Center who continue to maintain a healthy, safe environment for all.

29

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

305.664.2692 www.loreleicabanabar.com

THU SEP 24 Webb & Davidson FRI SEP 25 Steve Venini Band Michael Trixx @ Sunset SAT SEP 26 Tuxedo Jesus SUN SEP 27 Webb & Davidson MON SEP 28 The Carousers TUES SEP 29 Ray Jaworski WED SEP 30 Webb & Davidson Michael Trixx @ Sunset

ELECT PETE BACHELER FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL SEAT 1

ALL LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IS FROM 6PM TO 10PM

COMMON SENSE FOR AN UNCOMMON COMMUNITY peteforcouncil.com

Open Daily 11am-10pm

Honor, integrity, community-minded | Thirty-five year resident of Islamorada Six years as chairman of the Village Land Planning Agency (LPA) | Fiscal conservative dedicated to better government | US Navy Submarine Service.

81611 old hwy islamorada mm81.6

Paid for by Pete Bacheler Candidate for Village Council Seat 1

EXERCISE HIGHLIGHT! • THE PRESS DOWN ON THE WUNDA CHAIR CHALLENGES THE STRENGTH OF THE FRONT LINE AND THE STRETCH OF THE BACK LINE. • CAN YOU SEE A "SIT UP" OR A PILATES ROLL-UP FROM THE STANDING POSITION?

THE PILATES METHOD TAKES YOU ALL AROUND THE STUDIO USING MANY DIFFERENT APPARATUS, IN MANY PLANES CHALLENGING YOUR STRENGTH AND STRETCH AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR MENTAL CONTROL.

Locally owned & operated

No upfront cost No out-of-pocket expense Financing Available at 1.99% 25 year gutter-to-gutter warranty Financing Available Engineering Permits • Installation Call today for a consultation and estimate.

1-888-265-1930

simplysolarfl.com GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL CLASS SCHEDULE!

www.pilatesinparadise.net | info@pilatesinparadise.net 305.453.0801 | Locations at Ocean Reef & Tavernier

30

KEY LARGO

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

1

2

FLOODING UNFOLDS

3

SALTWATER INUNDATING ROADS IN KEY LARGO’S STILLWRIGHT POINT

J

ust over 90 days passed before residents at Stillwright Point in Key Largo were able to stand in the middle of roads and streets without water touching their feet in late November 2019. It all stemmed from a king tide that left roads and streets inundated months prior. At times, water on roads exceeded 1-2 feet, and it caused hardship for elderly and handicapped residents. Fast forward to Sept. 19, 2020, and tidal flooding is back inside the community at MM 105, bayside. On Sept. 22, the Keys Weekly hopped in resident Emilie Stewart’s Jeep during late morning, which was low tide, to view the various streets that were under saltwater. “The NWS said that there’s no relief in sight,” Stewart said. During the drive, a Monroe County vehicle was spotted taking measurements. A county commission meeting was held last month to provide input on an application for $21 million in grant funds through the Community Development Block Grant program for general infrastructure to elevate and improve drainage within the Stillwright Point Subdivision, which is comprised of approximately 185 homes. The scope of the project would include reconstructing and elevating 1.5 miles of roadway by up to 1.75 feet or higher in some areas, installing a stormwater collection system, pump station, wet wells, pumps, piping. electrical controls, emergency gerneator and an injector well.

An application has been submitted.

— Weekly staff report

4 5

2. Saltwater fills North Blackwater Lane inside the Stillwright Point community.

3. A biker slowly makes his way through the water on a flooded portion of North Blackwater Lane.

4. A vast portion of North Drive is inundated with saltwater as a result of tidal flooding. Residents in the neighborhood dealt with similar problems for just over 90 days during the fall months last year.

JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly 1. Signs posted to a utility pole read “Salt Water” and “No Wake” on a water-laden Center Lane in Stillwright Point. The signs are posted so vehicles drive slowly, to avoid splashing the saltwater onto other vehicles parked in driveways.

5. A Monroe County truck surveying the flooding travels on North Drive en route to Stillwright Way during the morning of Sept. 22. The vehicle was spotted making several stops along the way to measure the water on the road.

31

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Featuring... KITCHEN & BATH REMODELS

QUARTZ & GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

DESIGN, DEMOLITION & INSTALLATION

KEY LARGO

MARATHON

KEY WEST

305-451-5700

305-743-4397

305-295-6400

MM 99 in the Median

MM 50 Oceanside

FLOORING: TILE/WOOD & LAMINATE/CARPET

Next to Publix, Searstown

www.RoyalFurnitureAndDesign.com

Call 305-481-1790 to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation, or stop by one of our 3 locations.

Stunning design.

Worr y-free installation.

Amazing results!

NOW THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 P In-Store & Online! p TAKE

30 OFF %

Entire stock of regular priced

Anthony’s Resort Wear Now: 28 - 94 3 DAYS ONLY! $

$

19 - 65

$

60 $

80

PLUS!

25 OFF

TAKE

%

OUR IN-STORE SAFETY GUIDELINES To insure the safety of our employees and customers, we are asking everyone to follow these guidelines when in one of our stores: • Practice physical and social distancing • All shoppers will be required to wear a face mask or face covering • We have enhanced our cleaning procedures • We provide daily monitoring of employee temperatures Thanks for your support, The Anthony’s Family

Entire stock of

REGULAR PRICED MERCHANDISE* SALE INCLUDES ALL SPORTSWEAR / DRESSES / SWIMWEAR / ACCESSORIES / PETITES *

EXCLUDES IBKUL SPORTSWEAR

Valid 9/24/20 - 9/26/20 only. Cannot be combined with any other discount.

No adjustments made on previously purchased merchandise.

Key Largo (M.M. 98-1/2) • 305-852-4515 Marathon (M.M. 50) • 305-743-5855

STORE HOURS: MON – SAT 9:30-5:30 • SUN CLOSED

SHOP OUR ONLINE STORE! anthonysfla.com

32

BUSINESS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

HOTEL CHANGES BRAND The new complex of 27 suites is almost finished. They feature full kitchens and ocean views. CONTRIBUTED

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS TO BECOME FAIRFIELD INN SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

B

y the end of September, Marathon’s Holiday Inn Express will officially be a Fairfield Inn & Suites, part of the Marriott flagship. The hotel on the east end of the island has been undergoing big renovations all summer long — new exterior paint, for example, and a new outdoor breakfast area.

“Our team of conscientious and friendly associates look forward to introducing Marathon visitors to the Fairfield Inn & Suites brand,” said general manager Michael Weber. “We are focused on providing a warm welcome and heartfelt service to all our guests.”

Other, bigger improvements are just around the corner.

“The views from our new complex of suites are just amazing,” said Paige Guiliano, the local director of sales. “All 27 suites have ocean views and a kitchen. It’s great for an extended stay or family groups.” The suites are expected to be ready by the beginning of November and are in addition to the 100-plus traditional hotel rooms in the main building.

The new building is fronted by a second pool and a new tiki area.

The existing pool next to Sparky’s Landing restaurant has been refreshed with new patio furniture and inviting hammocks have been added.

Right next to Sparky’s will be another focal point of activity — the water activity concession by Deep Blue Dive, a brand new fitness center, and Market. The Market will have a fishing corner and dive gear for sale, as well as drinks and snacks. Deep Blue Dive will offer Jet Ski tours, kayak and paddleboard rentals, fishing trips and sunset cruises. The fitness center boasts equipment ranging from free weights to elliptical machines. The hotel even has off-site trailer parking for guests who bring their own boats.

Marathon’s Fairfield Inn & Suites is part of OTO Development and its parent company The Johnson Group which currently owns or operates 70 hotels. OTO acquired the Keys property in December 2018.

“We are delighted to unveil the fresh new look and new brand.

When we purchased this property, we had a distinct vision of how we could enhance this incredible location with modern but relaxed design elements, furthering our partnership with Marriott,” said Corry Oakes, CEO of OTO Development.

Top: Renovations on the new Fairfield Inn & Suites includes a new color palette of paint and decor that complements the Keys. Left: The watersports concession offers everything from fishing trips to sunset cruises to paddleboard rentals.

BRIEFLY Bonefish tournament set for this weekend The 61st annual Marathon International Bonefish Tournament is set for Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept.

27. Registration begins on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. at the Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon, followed by the captains’ meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Fishing is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and check-in will be at the country club.

The awards ceremony will be held there as well. More information is available from Barbara Hewlett at 305304-8628 or bnbfishing@comcast.net.

Donations and sponsorships are also sought.

Author Drye to speak at library’s online event Acclaimed journalist and author Willie Drye will speak on a Zoom meeting on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m., to discuss themes in his book "For Sale:American Paradise: How Our Nation Was Sold an Impossible Dream in Florida" with Islamorada library patrons. Those interested in attending this gathering should email cariacharlotte@monroecounty-fl.gov for the Zoom meeting information.

"For Sale" is the winner of a 2016 IPPY Award Silver Medal for Best NonFiction, Southeast Region. Per Amazon, "For Sale" is the story of how "Florida became entwined with Americans' twentieth-century hopes, dreams and expectations" and "is also a tale of mass delusion, real estate collapses, and catastrophic hurricanes." Drye, a longtime reporter from North Carolina, is full of anecdotes about Florida, and Islamorada Library's patrons recently watched his presentation on his book "Storm of the Century" in August.

League of Women voters discuss constitutional amendments The Lower Keys League of Women Voters is hosting a Zoom presentation to discuss Florida’s proposed constitutional amendments with Joan Wallin on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. The discussion is designed to give voters information ahead of the Nov. 3 vote on the proposed amendments.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the league will host another Zoom meeting at 6 p.m. with guest Joyce Griffin, supervisor of elections. Again, the focus will be the upcoming election.

More information is available from Anne Barnett at 305-395-1910 or by email to LowerKeysLWV@gmail.com.

33

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

BEDSIDE TO BEDSIDE CARE PRIVATE MEDICAL FLIGHTS WITH AIR TREK AIR AMBULANCE FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1978!

CUDJOE LOCATION REOPENS OCT. 8TH ISLAMORADA LOCATION REOPENS OCT. 7TH THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. SEE YOU IN OCTOBER!

SUMMER GRATITUDE

50% ALL OFF FOOD & WINE SUMMER HOURS: WED - MON 5PM-9PM | TUESDAY CLOSED

ALL NIGHT LONG! With Local ID - Expires at our discretion.

1029 SOUTHARD ST | 305.294.0230 | CAFESOLE.COM

• Aircraft are set up as flying ICU’s • International and Domestic medical flights • Licensed and Insured • Medical escorts • All aircraft are pet friendly

1-800-MED-JETS (633-5387) WWW.MEDJETS.COM

STOP BEING BUGGED TOUGH ON BUGS - SAFE FOR PETS!

10 YEARS OF LOCAL EXPERIENCE & TRUST RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LICENSED & INSURED

CALL TODAY TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AND PUT THOSE BUGS ON THE MARCH! PAULA BARRY • 305.304.1119 • paulaspestcontrol1@gmail.com

Key West community, we love you!

Thanks for your continued support, we’re here for you!

MUSIC HEALS, AND THE DOCTOR IS IN! Best Bar, Best Late Night Spot and Best Live Music Venue 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019

34

NIGHTLIFE MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 Robert the Doll is said to be one of the world’s most haunted dolls and, according to many visitors, continues his mischievous misdeeds from his museum display case. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Playtime is over HAUNTED DOLL GETS STAR TREATMENT AT NEW KEY WEST EXPERIENCE

R

obert the Doll is a childhood toy with a chilling reputation, and a new tour experience offers an up-close-and-personal encounter with the legendary haunted

Author, historian and ghost hunter David Sloan introduces the legend of Robert the Doll — and establishes a ‘safe word’ in case anything bizarre happens on the haunted tour before taking his guests inside Fort East Martello.

David Sloan, creator of the new Robert the Doll Experience, introduces visitors to the world’s most haunted doll during nightly tours at Fort East Martello, a Civil War-era fort that’s also said to be haunted.

doll.

Thrill-seekers, history buffs and ghost hunters can take their encounter with the world’s most haunted doll to a new level at the Robert the Doll Experience Ghost Tour at Fort East Martello Museum.

The tour represents a new partnership between the non-profit Key West Art & Historical Society and Key West author, ghost hunter, Keys Weekly columnist and Robert the Doll historian, David L. Sloan, who began researching Robert in 1996 and tracking down the truth behind many of its legends. Sloan was the first to identify Robert as a creation of the Steiff Co., maker of plush toys in Germany since 1880.

“This is the only tour in town that includes a personal encounter with Robert the Doll, and people are really loving it,” Sloan said, adding that all participants in the Robert the Doll Experience receive a half-price admission to return during the day and explore the rest of Fort East Martello.

At 116 years old, the 4-foot-tall, straw-stuffed figure is one of Key West’s oldest surviving residents, although he’s never drawn a breath — or has he?

The beloved playmate of Eugene Otto, Robert the Doll arrived in Key West in 1904 when the young Otto was 4 or 5 years old. The doll, which was originally dressed as a clown (as if he wasn’t creepy enough) lived for decades in the Otto family home on Eaton Street, now the Artist House guesthouse.

The Key West Art & Historical Society has cared for the antique doll since 1994, when Myrtle Reuter, who had purchased the Otto family home, donated Robert to the Fort East Martello Museum, claiming the doll was haunted and had locked her in a room in her house.

Similar tales have surrounded the doll since the young Eugene Otto began blaming his best friend, Robert, for childhood mischief and mis-

deeds, and the accusations continued throughout the doll’s history, growing more sinister than schoolboy pranks.

Robert has been blamed for ruining photographs and cameras when museum visitors took his picture without asking permission. The historical society receives countless letters each year from people apologizing to the doll and asking him to lift a curse that seemed to have befallen them since they visited Robert in his glass case at the Fort East Martello.

The Robert the Doll Experience blends history, mystery and paranormal exploration during a one-hour tour through the 1862 East Martello Civil War fortification on South Roosevelt Boulevard. Each experience includes exclusive access to the fort’s brick tunnels; a “Spirit Box” session with Eugene Otto, Robert’s childhood companion; and a 20-minute lockdown with Robert the Doll, where guests can ask Robert questions and discover his fascinating, true history.

Sloan praised KWAHS for its impact on local history, preservation and education.

“The Key West Art & Historical Society has created a vibrant community of people who thrive on the history of our island and the society shares that history in unique and innovative ways,” said Sloan. “Partnering with the society and getting the keys to a haunted Civil War fort is a dream come true for a doll freak like me.”

The Robert the Doll Experience is destination-based at Fort East Martello, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., with tours nightly starting at 8 p.m.

Ninety percent of the experience takes place in the fort’s air-conditioned sections. Free parking is available on site and the fort is easily accessible by foot, bicycle, taxi or rideshare. Experience tickets are $29 online at ghostfort.com.

For additional information, contact Sloan at 305-395-1435.

MLKAR

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

35

Karen

Bill

THIS WEEK’S SPECIALS !!

LIVE IN ONE, RENT THE OTHER Don’t pay rent anymore! 2 bedrooms, 1 bath 900 sq ft unit each side. Convenient to everything. Affordable living or a great investment.

REDUCED $238,000 each.

DUCK KEY CONDO One bedroom, one bath with wonderful open water view with the 3-mile bridge in the background. Quiet and private. Great residence or weekend get-a-way. $330,000

OCEAN & GULF ACCESS Conch house w/2BR, 2BA, 13,000 lb boat lift and 20,000 lb boat lift. Fisherman’s dream, or weekend get-a-way. Just off of Boot Key Harbor $425,000

BOOT KEY HARBOR 2BR/2BA, 1,606 sq ft. New metal roof and appliances.

199 ft of deep water dockage. Quick access to ocean or Gulf. 100 X 100 lot. Panoramic view.

REDUCED $1,280,000 ML589987

CHARITY OF THE MONTH The Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors is hosting a charity donation drive to benefit FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe). FIRM lobbies in Tallahassee to fight unfair wind and flood insurance rates and work on the new FEMA flood map issues. Already, two donors have made $5,000 pledges: First Horizon Bank and Isaksen Insurance. To make a donation, please email the amount to Wayne Carter at ceo@mlkar.com or call 305-743-2485. CONTRIBUTED

Middle Keys Residential Aug 2020 Total Active Key/Island

2019

2020

New Listings %

2019 2020

Number Sold %

2019 2020

Average Sale Price %

2019

2020

%

Residential: 233

233

0

28

43

53

25

45

80

523,824

754,458

44

Key Colony

Marathon

84

71

-15

8

10

25

6

9

50

477,167

620,444

30

Duck Key

56

61

8

4

11

175

0

6

+

0

1,820,333

Conch Key Long Key TOTAL

7

4

-42

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

13

13

0

3

3

0

4

0

-

346,250

0

-

393

382

-3

43

67

56

35

60

71

449,080

1,065,078

137

305-743-2300

Karen Farley-Wilkinson, Bill Wilkinson

Lower Keys Residential Aug 2020 Total Active Key/Island

2019

2020

New Listings %

2019 2020

Number Sold %

2019 2020

Average Sale Price %

2019

2020

%

80

517,962

522,819

0

Residential: Big Pine Key

85

76

-10

9

13

44

10

18

No Name

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Big Torch

5

6

20

0

1

+

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

-

1

0

-

0

0

0

0

0

0

Little Torch

Middle Torch

23

30

30

4

6

50

5

6

20

501,200

527,500

5

Ramrod Key

26

15

-42

6

4

-33

3

2

-33

430,000

740,000

72

Summerland

41

41

0

7

8

14

4

5

25

1,457,195

1,168,200

-19

Cudjoe Key

73

54

-26

6

7

16

8

15

87

647,500

696,547

7

Sugarloaf

40

33

-17

6

6

0

7

11

57

598,400

1,266,091

111

Big Coppitt

31

26

-16

4

7

75

5

5

0

363,000

378,000

4

327

283

-13

43

52

21

42

62

48

645,037

757,022

17

TOTAL SPACER

THIS WEEK’S ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, SEPT 24

TIM DEE & JIM HILL 3PM SATURDAY, SEPT 26

TY THURMAN 7PM

SUNDAY, SEPT 27

DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM MONDAY, SEPT 28

JOHN BARTUS 3PM

TUESDAY, SEPT 29

COUNTRY JAM 7PM

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 30

UKE NIGHT 7PM

S o c ia l d is ta n c in g w it h ta b le s 6’ apar t

ONLY WATERFRONT DIVE BAR IN THE MIDDLE KEYS • COLD BEER, COCKTAILS & INCREDIBLE SPECIALTY DRINKS • DELICIOUS FOOD - TRY OUR FAMOUS CHICKEN POT PIE OR AUTHENTIC STREET TACOS!

OPEN SUN THRU THURSDAY, 11 AM - 11 PM | FRI-SAT 11 AM - MIDNIGHT 35 SOMBRERO BOULEVARD OVERLOOKING BOOT KEY HARBOR

36

ELECTION 2020

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 Continued from page 8

The only locally owned and operated newspaper covering the Upper Keys.

We all work here, live here, volunteer here and our office is in Tavernier!

Our staff is actively involved with: Rotary Club of Key Largo Sunset Upper Keys Rotary Friends of the Key Largo Cultural Center Key Largo Community Preservation Foundation TDC, DAC V We support many community events & organizations like: The Key Largo Bridge Run Light Up Key Largo Marrvelous Pet Rescue Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Habitat For Humanity of the Upper Keys Keys History and Discovery Center History of Diving Museum Autism Society of the Keys Uncorked Food and Wine Festival Key Largo’s Original Music Festival The Good Health Clinic 4th Of July Fireworks Dolphin’s Plus Marine Mammal Responder Coral Reef Restoration Foundation Reef.org Florida Bay Forever FIU Mote Marine Lab Florida Keys Wild Bird Center Every dollar spent stays in Monroe County to employ local writers, editors, account managers, designers, and freelancers. Not to mention the not for profits and civic clubs we support!

91760 O/S Highway, Tavernier • (305) 363-2957

ISLAMORADA CANDIDATE

QUESTION OF THE WEEK SEAT 3 JENNY BELLTHOMSON As of right now, no essential services have been adversely affected by the pandemic. In fact, despite the loss of some tax revenue, village revenues got a boost due to increased property values. This allowed the current council to pass a new budget on Sept. 21 at the rollback rate. The current fund balance is a healthy $15,740.00, which is at 40.22% of expenditures. The recommended unassigned fund balance, based on guidance from the Government Finance Officers Association, is 25–30% of expenditures. Although there may be some expenditures that will necessitate using fund balance monies (wastewater system issues, for one) clearly village leadership has done an excellent job of maintaining our financial stability post-Irma and during the pandemic.

BUDDY PINDER As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic we are having reductions in sales taxbased revenues. To date we have a half-cent sales tax, also a discretionary sales surtax accounted for the capital projects fund. If we don’t have the sufficient funds in certain funds for specific purchases or project costs, we could transfer from the general fund if needed.

There is to date $3.4 million in our general fund. The village of Islamorada has also been reimbursed by FEMA $6 million. The village is still owed roughly $1 million. I believe we have a reasonably healthy fund balance. Having worked with Maria Bassett, finance director, and her staff in the past, during the initial Central Wastewater System installation, I observed persistent due diligence from her & all of her staff members.

SEAT 5 LARRY ZETTWOCH Maintaining essential services is a must. Fiscal responsibility is a commitment. The current council has budgeted admirably. We were better prepared than many communities for the unexpected costs of Hurricane Irma cleanup and are reasonably protected from COVID19-related fiscal impact. As a resident, I attended budget meetings/hearings for the current budget year and 20202021 budget. As your council member, with an eye on the future and commitment to the well-being of our community, I’ll use a common-sense approach to continue solid fiscal planning with an emphasis on maintaining a 40% balance in the general fund for economic and weather-related emergencies.

DAVID WEBB The primary source of revenue for the village budget is residential property taxes.

Village staff are projecting steady revenue for 2021. The village council has set the millage rate at 3.015, the roll back rate, and is targeting 40% for reserves. As is always the case the assumptions for 2021 may not play out as planned and village leaders must always be prepared to deal with reality. There are discretionary projects in the 2021 budget, pedestrian bridge and the Fills for example, that should be reviewed on the merits alone and could provide additional revenue for essential services if needed.

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

FRIENDLY FLORIDA WILDLIFE

Pythons and gators and bears … oh, my!

M

any of us live in Florida because, let’s face it, we’re certainly one of the more interesting states in this here Union. We are the land bridge between the Deep South and the Tropics, the temperate and the humid, the forest and the jungle. We have citrus groves, mangrove swamps, palm trees — we have the friggin’ Everglades, for Pete’s sake! (And just who is this Pete character, anyway?)

A valuable part of all this Florida Great Outdoors is the Fabulous Florida Wildlife! We have critters they have in other states … and we have a lot of critters they don’t have! And it’s all fun and games until someone gets a little too close to the wildlife.

We all remember this past week hearing about the close wildlife encounter right here in the Keys: A 30-year-old snorkeler, Andrew Eddy from Atlanta, was attacked by a 10-foot bull shark while exploring the reef with his family at Sombrero Key Light on Sunday. According to reports, he had just jumped in the water when he was bitten on the shoulder by the shark.

Photos circulating on social media showed how bad Mr. Eddy’s shoulder looked after the attack — he’s lucky the shark didn’t want more. And sharks rarely attack humans, although I’m sure that’s not much consolation to Mr. Eddy. But shark attacks do happen, and Florida is by far the state with the most shark attacks, Hawaii being a distant second.

There was another “shark attack” in Marathon several years ago, and a visitor had to be taken from the waters off Marathon to Fishermen’s Hospital with a nurse shark attached to his chest. It seems that this uneducated visitor thought that the continued harassing of the shark was a really fun underwater activity. The shark thought otherwise and “attached” itself to the gentleman’s chest. Sadly, the shark lost its life as it eventually had to be… um, “removed” from the ignorant visitor.

Florida offers more than just sharks, however! Large reptiles populate the Sunshine State in numbers and variety of species that no other state can touch. Let’s take iguanas, the large lizard that makes a pest out of itself wherever one or more show up.

Pity the poor Amanda Gray, a Southwest Florida woman whose pet iguana named “Igmo” attacked her not once, but twice. According to WPTV, Gray said, “She’s like my baby. She used to sleep in my bra when she was little.”

Sadly, the iguana’s attitude turned toward the Dark Side. Now scars from Igmo’s sharp nails cover Amanda’s arms, and now her face. The most

recent attack sent her to the hospital. “It was a serious facial injury. I started pouring blood all over the place and screaming for help,” JOHN said Gray. She BARTUS did find a new owner for Igmo. is a City of MaraLet’s go thon councilman. He also is a little larger. a musician who The American performs around alligator has town. For more been known to see johnbartus. be aggressive com toward humans, and every year a number of Florida residents and visitors discover this firsthand. Just this year, a 27-year-old woman had been trimming trees near the water in North Fort Myers when a 10-foot alligator ambushed her, sending her to the hospital with injuries to both legs.

And a professional marine life artist out walking his dog was attacked by an alligator over eight feet long, sending him to the hospital with serious leg injuries. But the artist is undaunted: he plans to paint his mental image of the gator with his pearly white teeth sunk deep into the artist’s leg.

Even an apex predator like the alligator isn’t immune from attack.

With the abundance of huge pythons in the Everglades, the stories of snakes eating gators have become common.

In 2018, a professional python trapper found a 10-foot serpent trying to eat a 4-foot alligator. Needless to say, the python trapper freed the gator and went home with a python.

And those pythons can be greedy.

Fifteen years ago, National Park officers in the Everglades came upon a seriously disturbing sight: a 13-foot python that literally exploded while trying to eat a 6-foot alligator. It was just like Mr. Creosote from Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life” — “It’s only wafer thin.” And then boom.

One type of wildlife that Florida shares with other states is the bear.

Bears are notorious for their amusing interactions with humans. And bears love swimming pools. There was the recent viral video of the Massachusetts man sleeping by the pool who was awakened by a bear.

If there is a lesson to all this, it’s this: it’s called wildlife for a reason. Alligators, pythons and iguanas just might not make the best pets. And if you find a bear in your pool, don’t hand him the sunscreen — toss it safely from inside the house.

WE ARE KEYS DISEASE

37

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 15 YEARS UPPER KEYS

DISTRIBUTED KEYSWIDE

TROPICAL LIVING MAGAZINES (over 30 magazines annually)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

THE BEST OF MARATHON THE BUBBAS - Key West People’s Choice

PREFERRED PROGRAM PARTNER OF: MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL / KEYSTOCK OCEANFEST / KEY WEST SEAFOOD FESTIVAL MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS and many more…

A HOMETOWN PAPER YOU CAN BE PROUD TO CALL YOUR OWN Key West 5450 MacDonald Ave, Suite 5 305.453.6928

Marathon 9709 Overseas Highway 305.743.0844

Tavernier 91760 Overseas Highway 305.363.2957

www.keysweekly.com

38

COOL STUFF

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Mainstreaming

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

NOW TRENDING BUY | SMARTPHONE LOCK BOX It looks like a big Tupperware container, but it’s actually a timed lock box for smartphones.

Although it’s primarily designed as a device to force users to digitally detox, it can also be used to dispense rewards sparingly, be it wine or candy. Users set the unlock time and the box will unlock automatically at the specified moment. Available on Amazon for about $40.

10. You can’t name more than two of the nine justices, but you suddenly started working the phrase “Daubert standard” into your social media rants.

9. Until last week, you thought RBG was a backup quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

WATCH | THE SOCIAL DILEMMA This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations. The film delves into the emergence of social media and the damage it’s caused to society. Hearing from former engineers and creators of major social media outlets, the film explores how social media exploits users for financial gain through surveillance capitalism and data mining, and how its design nurtures an addiction. On Netflix.

LISTEN | THE DUTCH HOUSE Ann Patchett’s 2019 novel, “The Dutch House,” tells a dark, modern-day fairy tale about a brother and sister who are exiled from the family home by an evil stepmother after their father dies. The siblings have a strong bond, and go on to lead successful lives, but they must eventually come to terms with their obsession about the past.

The story is expertly narrated by actor Tom Hanks, although his distinctive voice is initially a distraction.

SIGNS YOU SHOULD NOT BE ARGUING ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT VACANCY

8. You have no idea what the Supreme Court does.

7. You think the Judiciary Committee is tainted because that “one woman isn’t even from America.”

6. After a few beers, you still argue that Judge Harry T. Stone is “the greatest symbol of justice of our generation.” (Kudos to you youngsters who know who Judge Harry is without the Google machine).

5. You’ve been known to refer to your private parts as “The Chief Justice.”

4. You couldn’t care less about who is nominated, as long as they finally trade in the black robes for some patterned Louis Vuitton.

3. You’ve been known to refer to your private parts as “The Judicial Branch.” (We can do this one all day.)

2. You’ve “never been a big fan of the Constitution” unless it bolsters your current political diatribe on Facebook.

1. You think the Supreme Court would be cooler if they turned it into a reality television show.

ENVIRONMENT

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

1. REEF Intern Gabby Tejada shows off an invasive lionfish harvested during the 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby. ALYSSA FOGEL/REEF 2. Members of the REEF team pose with lionfish at the contactless fish drop-off station at the REEF campus in Key Largo. STACEY HENDERSON/REEF 3. REEF staff member Madalyn Mussey measures lionfish during the 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby. STACEY HENDERSON/REEF

1

2

GET OFF OUR REEFS!

LIONFISH DERBY HAULS IN RECORD-BREAKING 1,321 INVASIVE FISH IN 11TH ANNUAL EVENT

I

n spite of Tropical Storm Sally’s unexpected appearance over south Florida, 27 teams took to the water for REEF’s 11th annual Upper Keys Lionfish Derby. The teams brought in a total of 1,321 invasive lionfish over the derby weekend – the most fish ever harvested at a REEF Lionfish Derby in the Keys. Teams were permitted to fish anywhere in Florida, from sunrise to sunset on Sept. 11 and Sept.

12. More than $4,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams that brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.

The “Most Lionfish” category included the competitive Apex Predators division, as well as the Reef Defenders division for more casual lionfish hunters. Cash prizes were awarded for first through fifth place in the Apex Predators division. Team Bottle Buddies led the Apex Predators with 295 lionfish. Team Forever Young finished second with 254 lionfish, and team Finn-Atic Fish Co. placed third with 242 lionfish. Fourth place went to team Florida Man with 162 lionfish, and team Pain Killer placed fifth with 141 lionfish. In the Reef Defenders division, team Squid INK won first place with 51 lionfish. Team Totally Working brought in 28 lionfish for second place, and team Pterois Pterror took third place in the division with 17 lionfish.

Competition was extremely close in the largest and smallest lionfish categories. Team Forever Young won first place in the “Largest Lionfish” category with a 410-millimeter lionfish, which is just over 16 inches long. Team Rainbow’s Reef’s second place fish measured 409 mm, and team Lion Kings took third place with a 406-mm fish. The smallest fish of the derby was 60 mm, harvested by team Florida Man. Team Totally Working received second place

with an 85 mm fish, and team Got Fish and Team JBK each brought in an 86 mm fish to tie for third place. Teams Florida Man and Bottle Buddies also caught several tiny, live lionfish to be displayed in an educational exhibit at the REEF Campus. The smallest of three live fish captured was 79 mm.

REEF lionfish derbies educate the public about invasive species, gather important scientific information on lionfish populations, and promote a consumer market for lionfish. 2020 marked the 11th annual REEF Lionfish Derby held in the Upper Florida Keys. Due to COVID-19, this year’s event was adapted to include two contactless lionfish drop-off stations – one at the REEF Campus in Key Largo and the other at Mote Marine Laboratory in Summerland Key. Although the event did not include any public festivities, plenty of photos and live video footage were shared on social media, including a pre-derby lionfish collecting and handling workshop, lionfish scoring, dissections, and even a cooking demo by chef Allen Susser. The awards presentation was also conducted virtually and streamed live.

Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific region, are an invasive species in the Tropical Western Atlantic, and are causing significant negative impacts to native marine life throughout the region. According to Stephanie Green, a University of Alberta researcher, lionfish can result in a 65% to 95% reduction in native fish populations on certain sites. Impacts to valuable commercial fish like grouper and snapper could cause severe ecological and economic damage to countries in the invaded range. Regular removals and public events such as derbies have been found to significantly reduce lionfish populations on a local scale.

3

The 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby was possible thanks to the following sponsors: Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Postcard Inn Resort & Marina, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sharkey’s Sharkbite Grill, and The Weekly Newspapers. Activities occurred within NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary under permit.

Full results from the 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby are at www.REEF.org/2020derby.

The 12th annual Florida Keys-based lionfish derby, the Keys Lionfish Derby and Festival, is scheduled for Sept. 12, 2021, at Postcard Inn Resort and Marina in Islamorada. For more information about REEF lionfish derbies, visit www.REEF.org/lionfish-derbies.

— Contributed

39

40

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

BRIEFLY Sheriff warns of COVID-19 scam The Sheriff’s Office recently received a report from a resident regarding a new phone text scam.

The reporting person received a text from GOV.US that stated CORONAVIOUS ALERT. The text stated the receiving person was recorded leaving their home “on three occasions yesterday.” The text then states the receiving person has been fined $99 and provides a link to a payment website.

This is a scam. Please spread the word.

Residents should know that government agencies (as well as law enforcement agencies and utility companies) will always send you notification of an issue via the mail or in person. Always be alert and aware on the phone. Ask for proof via a letter in the mail. Never give personal information over the phone.

Never make any sort of purchase or monetary transaction with/using gift cards online or via the phone. Gift cards are a giveaway you are being scammed. Residents should never give personal, monetary or gift card information over the phone — to anyone regardless of who they claim to be.

Anyone with information about any crimes should contact the Sheriff's Office at 305-292-7000. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-4718477.

Golf tournament benefits Habitat for Humanity The public is invited to join the first, and hopefully only, sociallydistanced “Quarantine Relief Invitational Golf Tournament” to benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys. It will be held on Friday, Oct. 16 at the Redland Golf and Country Club, 24451 SW 177th Ave in Homestead and sponsored by Centennial Bank, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty, Price Automotive, Shuck n’ Dive Cajun Grill in Whale Harbor, and Upper Keys Marine Construction.

According to Lindsay Fast, executive director of the Upper Keys agency, “We are nearing completion of the 16 units on Windley Key. This golf outing provides a great opportunity for participants to get relief from the COVID-19 quarantine and have fun while contributing to help us finish this huge project.”

The best ball scramble has a shotgun start at noon and includes greens fees with cart, lunch at 11 a.m., door prizes, beverages on the course, and an awards ceremony following play. Prizes will be awarded for

longest drive in the male and female divisions, closest to the pin, and top 3 teams.

Entry fee is $100 per person.

Individual hole sponsorships are also available for $150. Proceeds will benefit the construction fund, meaning all proceeds stay in the Upper Keys for use in building homes for Upper Keys residents in Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada. For more information visit www.habitatupperkeys.org.

Virtual plant clinics set for Monroe County Monroe County Master Gardener volunteers will continue to offer virtual plant clinic options via Zoom addressing residents’ plant, insect and gardening questions. The plant clinics will also include a 15-minute topical discussion at the start of each event. Pre-registration is required.

The next seminar on Tuesday, Sept.

29, covers the benefits of composting.

Plant clinics are from 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom. Pre-registration is required. Please email monroe@ ifas.ufl.edu or call 305-292-4501 to register in advance.

The Master Gardener volunteers are a part of University of Florida/ IFAS/Monroe County Extension Service.

Volunteers needed: 61st annual Home Tours Old Island Restoration Foundation will be providing physically distanced Home Tours this season and volunteers are needed. The number of visitors allowed inside each home will be limited, masks will be required and hand sanitizers will be provided.

The tours are the organization’s largest earned income event and proceeds go toward awarding historic preservation grants, scholarships, providing education programs and the ongoing restoration, repairs and maintenance of Key West’s Oldest House & Garden Museum.

“Obviously we aren’t expecting the large number of people that the tours have attracted in the past, but we will be safely offering them for the 61st consecutive year and we really need the community’s help to keep this tradition going,” said John C. Giuliano, executive director.

“There are many opportunities to get involved, from setting up the welcome stations at each home; working at them; guiding visitors through the houses or helping break down at the end of the tour.”

The dates and times are: Dec. 29-30 and Jan. 15-16 from 2 to 6 p.m.; and Feb. 12-13 and March 12-13

COUNCIL MOURNS LOSS OF DAVIS Village joins challenge against Turkey Point permits JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

A

noticeable void was felt without Islamorada’s vice mayor Ken Davis during the council's Sept. 17 virtual meeting, as several took a moment to share a few words about the man many respected.

Mayor Mike Forster kicked off the meeting by acknowledging the passing of Davis due to a fatal medical episode on Sept. 12. Forster said Davis’ passing is still very surreal as thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Charlotte, and the rest of his family. A moment of silence was shared before the council proceeded with its agenda.

“Our whole council, staff and town mourns such a great loss of one of our larger-than-life superheroes,” Forster said.

Resident Robert Moser, of Lower Matecumbe, said the village should strive to keep the public updated on the master plan for the Fills, something Davis worked hard on with fellow council members to mitigate the issues seen there over the year. In Davis’ honor, Moser said the village should commemorate his efforts with a plaque or sign on the fence the village plans to install or landscaping.

“If we don’t have funds, then we can set up a fund for donations to do something,” Moser said. “I just feel he put such an effort forward, as did other council members, that we should do something of that nature.”

Forster said it’s in the best interest to select a vice mayor in the event of his absence. Deb Gillis was approved to be vice mayor through November.

In other matters, the council approved a motion to join other Keys governments in litigation against Florida Power & Light and Florida Department of Environmental Protection over the pollution permit renewal

of generating units at Turkey Point Nuclear Plant on Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County. Renewal of operating licenses for units three and four at the plant, which are the nuclear pressurized water reactors, would allow an additional 20 years of operation beyond the current licensed operation periods.

Last December, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved FPL’s application for an additional 20 years of operation. It’s the first time NRC has issued renewed licenses authorizing reactor operation from 60 to 80 years. Recently, DEP issued a notice of intent to issue the permit unless a petition for an administrative hearing is filed.

In June, Monroe County joined the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association to challenge the permit.

Monroe County and FKAA are retaining the firm of Lewis, Longman & Walker in the matter. Combined, legal costs to the county and the authority could be from $100,000 to $500,000.

Village Attorney Roget Bryan told the council that the suit is trying to get better protections for FKAA’s well fields in Florida City, which supplies drinking water in the Keys. Continued movements of hypersaline water from cooling canals continues to threaten the well fields.

“The county has filed a petition to intervene; this is just asking us to see if we have any common ground and synergy in fighting this effort,” Bryan said.

Supporting the motion, Gillis said the water source is important to the Keys.

“We need to be paying attention to what they (Turkey Point) are doing,” she said.

Forster said it’s been an ongoing issue, and pressure must be applied.

A motion was unanimously approved to provide a financial contribution for litigation costs associated with the case of up to $15,000.

41

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

LIC# CCC1329991

LIC# CGC032862

THANK YOU KEY WEST!

Serving Ipswich Whole Bellied Clams & Maine Lobster

VOTED BEST CONTRACTOR 5 YEARS IN A ROW!

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

(305) 294-0102 11:30 AM – 10 PM 629 Duval St, Key West

Second Annual

When you’re on Long Island be sure to visit our new location in Wantagh.

Call ahead for Daily Specials 516-900-1400.

MIKE GARCIA • 305-304-4188 CONCHROOFING@GMAIL.COM WWW.CONCHCONSTRUCTIONANDROOFING.COM

ma

sk

O pe re 11a n D q m a uir -9 ily ed pm by co un

ty

great gifts toys books desserts cakes sweetsavannahs.com

305-743-3131

voted best Key lime Pie in Marathon!

8919 O/s HWY

mm 51.8

42

KEYS SCENES

Bristol Rose on Cudjoe Bay. MICHELLE HOWERTON/Contributed

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

“Stella” the lab mix on one of her many trips to Marvin Key. DANIEL and SUE MOSHIER/Contributed

Oscar enjoying a day at Marvin Key. BRENDA GRAHAM/Contributed

Suerte, my TICO, Keys dog. BRENDA BUSH/Contributed

Buddy the pirate. CHAR HRUSKA/ Contributed Makana of S/V Un’Me of Marathon.

She loves the Florida Keys clean water! JANELL LAWRENCE/Contributed

“Bean” aka “Beaner” is a 13-year-old senior rescue doggy enjoying a sunset cruise in front of the Caribbean Club in Key Largo. SURI FERNANDEZ/ Contributed

A Key West rooster is almost like “everyone’s pet” in the Southernmost City. CARLOS BEALE/Contributed

Love my dogs and they love their home here. TODD CHANDLER/Contributed

Lucky Dog and her good friend Evalina. JIMM SHERRINGTON/Contributed

Our beach dog, Ziggy, in his happy place. RIP 4/2/20. KAREN POWERS/ Contributed

Rico on the White Street Pier. MATTHEW BOUCHER/Contributed

KEYS PETS

W

e’re collecting our favorite shots of the Keys and featuring the photographers in the newspaper and on our social media channels. Our next theme is “PINKtober.” October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we want to support our family and friends battling this horrible disease by showcasing all things PINK. Send us your best interpretation of PINKtober, whatever that means to you.

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

NEXT THEME: PINKTOBER (FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS) Photos, captions and photo credit can be emailed to tiffany@keysweekly.com.

Rules, schmules: All photos must be original work and feature something in the Keys.

Photos can be images that have been published before.

No third party may own or control any materials the photo contains, and the photo must not infringe upon the trademark,

copyright, moral rights, intellectual rights, or rights of privacy of any entity or person.

Any person agrees, by submitting photos, that photos submitted can be used by the Keys Weekly for any and all purposes, including but not limited to advertising, charity work, sales, future editorial, print in the newspapers or online or on social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any other social media platforms as may come about.

43

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

PRICE REDUCED!

La Brisa 205N | Key West La Brisa condo. Fabulous Salt Pond location. Totally private balcony; your very own eco-vacation every day. Nicely updated kitchen and baths. Pool, Spa, Tennis, BBQ & Clubhouse.

Move-in ready; easy to show! $498,000

FEATURED LISTING

3635 Seaside Drive #212 | Key West Looking towards the west, the sunsets will be an everyday sight.

2 bed/2 bath condo with sunset views and split bedroom floor plan.

Covered parking included!

$419,000 DAWN THORNBURGH BROKER ASSOCIATE Office: 305.294.8433 Cell: 305.304.1067 info@kwreal.com

DARLENE THOMAS REALTOR Office: 305.294.8433 Cell: 305.304.1043 darlenekw@aol.com

HAPPRY HOUTURDAY

-SA MONDAPYM-6PM 4

FOOD $5 BAR HE GLASS

BY T $7 WINE ELL LIQUOR $4 W FT BEER $4 DRA ESTIC $3 DOM LES BOTT

5620 MACDONALD AVE KEY WEST | 305.296.4999

44

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Florida Keys Mosquito Control kills millions of mosquito larvae before you get to work in the morning.

To download our treatment notification app or to make a service request go to www.keysmosquito.org or call 305.292.7190.

 �

Â?

­ €‚ƒƒƒ „

„ „ � � �   ­  € ‚ƒ „ƒ… ‚„ † ­  € ‚ƒ ‡„ …

 �

Â?

Â?

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

UNITED AIRLINES RESUMES SERVICE TO KEY WEST FLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO AND NEWARK BEGIN OCT. 1, THEN D.C. SERVICE ON NOV. 6

United Airlines will resume flights from Chicago and Newark to Key West on Oct. 1. CONTRIBUTED

B

eginning Oct. 1, United Airlines will resume daily nonstop service to Key West from Chicago O’Hare and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty international airports, on United Express 70-seat Embraer E170 regional jets.

In addition, beginning Nov. 6 United is to launch new nonstop service five times weekly between Key West and Washington Dulles International Airport — a new market for the Florida Keys with United. Those flights are to operate Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“Key West is a very, very exciting and safe destination within the boundaries of the United States. Our demand is strong,” said Richard Strickland, director of airports for the Florida Keys & Key West.

“We’re anticipating that airline seats for fall into Key West will exceed the number of seats we had in fall 2019.”

Beginning Dec. 17, United will increase its new service to daily flights to Key West from Dulles.

“The Washington, D.C., Beltway region has the potential to increase our visitor numbers in the fall shoulder season, which would be a great boost to our lodging properties and tourism-related businesses,” said Stacey Mitchell, director of the Florida Keys & Key West destination marketing office.

“This new market is likely to become a top draw for visitors from the Northeast, which traditionally is one of our top winter feeder markets,” Mitchell added.

United’s E170 aircraft have seating for 64 main cabin and six first-class passengers.

More information is at eyw. com or 305-809-5200.

— Contributed

REACH OUT SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

A

s we all continue to navigate the pandemic and economic downturn together, more attention is being given to issues of anxiety and depression — whether it’s our own feelings or the feelings of those around us. Deaths by suicide and drug overdose have increased since COVID-19. It makes me think of the many children and adults who can’t just step away from things that overwhelm them — among them the children that Guardian ad Litem serves every day.

The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program represents abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Throughout Florida, we have over 10,000 people who work with our staff and attorneys to support and advocate for these kids whose lives are complicated in so many different ways.

We already know that children who experience trauma like abuse and neglect at a young age are more susceptible to lifetimes of depression, according to medical research.

In fact, children and teens in foster care are two and a half times more likely than other youth to have seriously considered suicide and nearly four times more likely to have tried it. The pandemic has increased separation from their families and friends, and as GALs, we are working hard to try to give them more support.

That’s why I wanted to raise awareness that September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The Guardian ad Litem Program has been proud to work with Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis, who chairs the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, and has been working to bring attention to suicide prevention and mental health generally. The cabinet learned that in Florida, suicide is the eighth-leading cause of death for all ages but the fourthleading cause of death for

ages 5-14 and the third-leading cause of death for ages 15-24.

Knowing how to identify warning signs and how to help children and teens in crisis can save lives and create opportunities to get help for coping with anxiety and depression.

We, as a community, must learn to recognize and help children experiencing trauma from abuse and neglect.

Guardian ad Litems are constantly working to give hope to dependent children, support them, and identify services to keep them healthy and safe. Suicide Prevention Month is a good reminder that everyone can lend a hand to children – and adults – in need.

We can all learn about available resources, like dialing 211 or going online to find out about local resources to help with depression, post-traumatic stress, and thoughts of suicide.

The Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is available 24/7 to assist people at risk of harming themselves and anyone in distress who needs support, prevention, and crisis resources.

Every Floridian can learn something during Suicide Prevention Month, and that something could change a person’s life forever.

To learn more about the Guardian ad Litem Program, or to volunteer, call 866-341-1GAL or visit www.GuardianadLitem. org.

— Alexsa Leto is the Guardian ad Litem circuit director for the 16th Judicial Circuit, Monroe County.

45

46

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

IT WAS A BAD SUNDAY ON THE WATER

WOMAN DIES IN SNORKELING INCIDENT OFF KEY WEST

A

63-year-old Port Orange, Florida woman died Sept. 20 at Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West after she lost consciousness in the water during a snorkeling trip at Rock Key reef.

Kim Ellen Schwinge was on a trip with Key West-based Sebago Watersports when a family member noticed she

was having trouble breathing in the water. Crew members transferred Schwinge to the commercial catamaran and began CPR en route to U.S. Coast Guard Station Key West at about 10:45 a.m.

Waiting paramedics took Schwinge to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Autopsy results are pending.

COAST GUARD HELPS DIVER AND SNORKELER

T

he Coast Guard assisted two divers on Sept. 20 after they became unresponsive in the water off the Florida Keys and needed emergency medical services to go to the hospital.

Sector Key West watchstanders were alerted by the operator of the dive boat Sea Star at about 10:30 a.m. that a 21- year-old diver came to the surface unconscious and not breathing, but became conscious and responsive when brought into the boat. The watchstanders coordinated to have EMS waiting for the Sea Star at John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo

and the woman was transported to Mariners Hospital. She is reported to be responsive and remains in the hospital under observation.

Sector Key West watchstanders received a separate alert from the operator of the Pacific Fury commercial snorkeling vessel. A 61-year-old snorkeler had become unresponsive and the crew was doing CPR about eight miles east of Tavernier Key. A Station Key West rescue crew arrived on scene and transferred the individual and a family member to waiting EMS at the Coast Guard pier. She was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center and

JET SKI TOUR GUIDE DIES ON THE WATER

E

ric Stephen Baldwin, 51, was on a Jet Ski on his way to Snapper’s Restaurant on the oceanside in the Upper Keys when he texted his son asking for help. The Jet Ski tour guide was traveling oceanside near MM 95 on Sept.

20. Two Good Samaritans found the victim in the water, started CPR and took him to shore. Baldwin was transported by Monroe County Fire and Rescue to Mariners Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

from page 4

WAS IT A SHARK ATTACK? a shark,” said Naylor, the director of the International Shark Attack File. “That said, like other diving colleagues have said, this is unusual. It’s atypical. This bite shows an enormous amount of force. Lots of sharks will start with a warning bite; or they bite down and adjust to fit more of the prey in their mouth and there are multiple puncture bites. Certainly, it took a large animal to cause that much force.”

“I’ve been here since 1995 and I am not aware of any unprovoked encounters like this one,” Dipre said. He said he’s seen minor shark injuries that occur when sharks are “fished up” and bite anglers, or divers who see a shark lying on the bottom and attempt to ride it by grabbing the fin.

The International Shark Attack File has only 17 unprovoked shark attacks in Monroe County on file in the past 138 years, dating back to 1882. (Sombrero Lighthouse is slightly older. It was constructed in 1858.)

Ben Daughtry of Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters said he, too, is thankful the shark bite victim survived, and that is the most important part of this tale. He also said that although he doesn’t visit Sombrero Lighthouse often, when he does, the fish swim right up to the boat. He said while it “The activity of is illegal to chum (throw food feeding fish at the overboard) in a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary reef designated SPA (Sanctuary Preservation for swimmers only Area), that doesn’t mean it needs to be stopped doesn’t happen. immediately. And “There is likely feeding people need to be going on based on the fish befined.” havior,” Daughtry said. “That is highly unusual behavior to ­— Wendy Hall of Tilden’s Scuba Center have happened without some other circumstance involved.

And I’m not saying the boat with the victim aboard did it; it could have been someone else or even some other time.”

Daughtry said he spearfishes often. Then, and only then, are the sharks curious or aggressive.

“It typically only happens when I’m swimming with dead fish,” he said.

Wendy Hall of Tilden’s Scuba Center in Marathon says she is following this story closely. In her professional career, she’s made thousands of dive trips to the Sombrero Lighthouse Sanctuary Preservation Area.

“First of all, we are all extremely thankful that the man is alive thanks to the fast thinking and actions and response of local law enforcement and medical professionals,” she said. “But the activity of feeding fish at the reef designated for swimmers only needs to be stopped immediately. And people need to be fined.”

Dipre, the FWC captain, said he is not aware of visitors feeding fish at Sombrero Lighthouse.

“There is no evidence of that and there have been no citations written,” he said.

Finally, Hall said she’s worried about the public’s perceptions of sharks. While it’s not her favorite thing, she has encountered them on deeper dives in other areas of the Keys while spearfishing and never at Sombrero Lighthouse.

“We can’t have over-reacting individuals taking it upon themselves to rid the area of bull sharks,” she said.

47

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

Open 7 Days a Week 5 pm-10 pm Tapas | Cocktails | Live Music 15% Locals Discount Dinner also available at our new waterfront eatery, Chicken Walk www.TavernNTown.com | 305.296.8100 Located at the Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd | Key West

48

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

TIMES ARE CHANGING NEWS HAPPENS FAST

www.keysweekly.com Sign up today for daily email blasts and breaking news.

LOCAL NEWS | LOCALLY OWNED Key West 305-453-6928 | Marathon 305-743-0844 | Tavernier 305-363-2957

49

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

BOATS FOR SALE

EMPLOYMENT

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of LIFE SAFETY PARTNERS, located at P.O. BOX 743, LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ 07849, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: DEBORAH COMERFORD Publish: September 24, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

Items will be sold or otherwise disposed of at this site on OCTOBER 6, 2020 at 9:00AM at the address below, to satisfy owner’s lien in accordance with State Statutes, Sections 83:801 to 83:909. Terms of the sale are cash. No checks will be accepted. All goods are sold in “as is” condition. Tax must be paid or resale numbers furnished. Buyer must provide own lock if needed.

Seller reserves the right to overbid. All items or spaces may not be available on date of sale.

George Sands Storage Solutions, Inc. 90080 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070 Publish: September 24 & October 1, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: September 24, 2020.

Personal Representative: Paul R. Ringemann 5340 SW 63 Court Miami, Florida 33155 Attorney for Personal Representative: RICHARD E. WARNER Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: September 24 & October 1, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

filing a Verified Complaint for Exoneration of Liability [D.E. 1] pursuant to Title 46 U.S.C. Appx. §§ §§3050130512, and the Court’s Order issuing Monition, restraining of suits, and approval of Ad Interim Stipulation of Value [D.E. 5].

Notice is hereby given that a Verified Petition/Complaint in Admiralty [DE-1] was filed on or about April 23, 2020 [DE-1] by Petitioners for exoneration from liability or, in the alternative, limitation of liability, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. §30501 et. seq. (formerly 46 App. U.S.C. §183 et seq.) and Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Admiralty Rule F for any loss, damage, injury or destruction caused by or resulting from an incident regarding the vessel GETAWAY as is more fully described in the Verified Petition/Complaint [DE-1].

The Court has entered an Order [D.E. 5] directing the issuance of this notice, monition, and restraining of suits declaring that all persons having such claims must file their respective claims, as provided in Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty and Maritime Claims, with the Clerk of this Court and serve a copy thereof on counsel for the Petitioners, Frank J. Sioli, Sioli Alexander Pino, 9155 S. Dadeland Blvd, Suite 1600, Miami FL 33156, or through CM/ECF on or before October 30, 2020 as ordered by the Court or be defaulted.

If the Claimant desires to contest either the right to exoneration from or limitation of liability, it shall file and serve on the counsel for Petitioner an answer to the Complaint on or before October 30, 2020, the date set by the Court unless its claim has been included in an answer, so designated, or be defaulted.

Respectfully submitted for publication this 31st day of August 2020.

Sioli Alexander Pino Counsel for Petitioner JOHN CRAMER & JTT SEAFOOD INC.

9155 S. Dadeland Blvd, Suite 1600 Miami FL, 33156 305.428.2470 (O) | 305.428.2471 (F) By: Frank J. Sioli, Esq. Florida Bar No: 009652 FSioli@siolilaw.com Publish: September 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

2001 Grady White 306 Bimini Center Console with two 2008 Yamaha 250hp engines, 4-stroke, 216 hrs. Full length canvas cover.

Has been stored at Shelter Bay Marina in Marathon for 15 years.

Asking $70,000. Call Mike at 713-446-5885

Certified Diesel Mechanic and Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanic needed in Marathon.

Pay depending on experience and is negotiable. Apply in person at Discount Rock & Sand, 10500 Aviation Blvd, Unit 2, Marathon or call 305-743-5680.

2014 Parker, CC-2501 - 300hp Yamaha, 378 hrs. Custom fiberglass T-Top. Taco outriggers.

Original owner, excellent condition. Located in Marathon. $72,000 305481-6889 SOLD IN LESS THAN 6 DAYS!!!

Project Manager/ Coordinator needed in Upper Keys. Must have own transportation.

Some computer experience a plus.

Call 305-852-3002.

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of MOSQUITOS NO MORE, located at P.O. BOX 9720, TAVERNIER, FL 33070, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: MOSQUITO NET INC. Publish: September 24, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of SOMEWHERE SOUTH STAGING, located at 22969 SHARP LANE, SUMMERLAND KEY, FL 33042, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Michelle Bowman, Managing Sold Member on behalf of PINK PINEAPPLE OF KEY WEST, LLC, a Florida limited liability company Publish: September 24 and October 1, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC. STORAGE UNIT 72 – JAMES EWING STORAGE UNIT 90 – ALICE DIGIOVANNI CONTAINER R – DON MULL Upon a cursory inspection, the unit was found to contain: Household Goods Business Property & Records

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 20-CP-57-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY L. RINGEMANN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Mary L. Ringemann, deceased, whose date of death was July 10, 2020, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION IN ADMIRALTY CASE NO.: 4:20-cv-10041JEM IN THE MATTER OF JOHN CRAMER AND JTT SEAFOOD, INC., AS BENEFICIAL OWNER AND OWNER OF THE 34’ FISHING VESSEL GETAWAY BEARING HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER GFYHM068H595, FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, Petitioners.

PETITIONERS’ NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY COMES NOW, JOHN CRAMER and JTT SEAFOOD INC (hereinafter “Petitioners”) as Beneficial Owner and Owner of the 34’ fishing vessel GETAWAY bearing hull identification number GFYHM068H595 (hereinafter “vessel”), by and through its undersigned counsel and pursuant to the provisions of Rule F (4) give notice of

Meeting Notice Monroe County Land Authority The Monroe County Land Authority Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting using Communications Media Technology (CMT) in the form of a conference telephone call on September 30, 2020 at 9:00 AM. Members of the public wishing to access the meeting should call 888-585-9008 and enter access code 177-166-577. The meeting agenda is available online at www.monroecounty-fl.gov.

For additional information or to submit written or other physical evidence for consideration at the meeting, contact Dina Gambuzza via phone at 305-295-5180; via email at gambuzza-dina@monroecounty-fl.gov; or via mail to Monroe County Land Authority, 1200 Truman Avenue, Suite 207, Key West, FL 33040.

ADA ASSISTANCE If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in these proceedings, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711".

AUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS! Junk or Used.

Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483 AUTOS FOR SALE

2008 White Dodge Dakota, 2 door w/ extended cab. 111,000 miles, V6 engine, 3.7 ltr, A/C, cruise, power windows. $1,000.00 Call 305-395-0000 SOLD!!

For Sale: 2016 Ford Transit Connect, 4 door cargo van. Less than 13k miles, Excellent condition, AC, power windows. $18,000 305-481-1463 SOLD!!

Place your Auto For Sale ad here. Only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and Sell Your Car! BOATS FOR SALE

1997 Grady White 209 Escape 21’ center console. New custom T-top, new rub rails.

Brand new electronics and switches. 2 stroke Mercury outboard. $16,000 OBO Located in Marathon.

Call 305-481-1463 Place your Boat For Sale ad here. Only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and Sell Your Boat!

SUDOKU SOLUTION

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted - Big Time Bait & Tackle competitive wages and working 15-25 hrs a week. Contact John 239-209-7682

LPN needed in Marathon. 2 nights per week, 8:30pm5:30am.Private Pay. 631-831-0879 Drummer needed for steady weekend work. See Freddie at The Brass Monkey in Marathon Tue/Thu/ Fri/Sat nights. Must be accomplished and be able to take direction.

Coastal Docks, LLC is hiring. Family owned, licensed & insured marine contractor needs your marine construction skills.

We are looking for career minded laborers with experience in pile driving, deck and dock building, and seawall construction.

Work is highly physical.

Candidates must be hearty and healthy with no drugs or alcohol issues.

Bring your leadership skills and previous construction knowledge to the beautiful Florida Keys.

Stop by the office at 13371 Overseas Highway, Marathon, or give us a call at 305.743.0827.

Full-time laborers needed in Upper Keys.

Must pass background check and have valid driver's license.

Call 305-852-3002 City of Marathon - Job Openings: Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee , Street Maintenance, Temporary Utilities Maintenance Worker and Marina Seasonal Customer Service.

EOE, FULL BENEFITS www.ci.marathon.fl.us Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work!

Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts.

Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@ g m a i l . c o m .

Place your Employment ad here. Only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and get the job filled!

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

50

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 HOBBIES/COLLECT.

HOUSING FOR RENT

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches.

Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578

$ 1 , 8 5 0 / m o n t h plus utilities.

F/L/S. Taking applications.

Call (305) 394-4545 RENTED!!

HOUSING FOR RENT

Cudjoe Key – Long Term, Canal front, 3/2, Furnished, $3,500 month, F/L/S bradbellsouth@ g m a i l . c o m 2BR/2BA Large Apt for rent. 10828 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon.

FOR SALE

Place your Home For Rent ad here. Only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and rent your house!

RV LOTS FOR RENT

Large RV Lot for rent in Marathon. Full hook up. $1000/month plus utilities.

305-204-5601

202 Fish Master 1991 Sports Craft 20ft, 150 hp Yamaha 1996 fresh water w/new Bimini top, trailer rebuilt.

Located in Marathon. $5,850.00 CALL 704-619-1094

Detention Deputy Trainee:

NOW HIRING

Marathon, Big Pine Key & Stock Island Locations

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is accepting Preliminary Applications for the Detention Deputy Trainee Academy tentatively starting November 2020. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will pay for your new career (tuition, books, salary).

Preliminary Applications must be completed and received by October 1, 2020. Starting salary $42,315.00 Apply on line at www.keysso.net or contact Charles Slebodnick at cslebodnick@keysso.net or 305 292-7044. EEO/AAP.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED!

$15 per hour to start FT Employees are eligible to participate in our health, dental, vision, Life Insurance. PTO and Profit Sharing is available to every member of our team (conditions apply).

HOW TO APPLY: Go to mytomthumb.com or call Cleveland (786) 295-5307.

MAINTENANCE MANAGER Punctual, organized and dedicated team player with proven track record for part-time position in all aspects of critical periodic maintenance. Experience in A/C, electrical, general building maintenance and basic housekeeping skills is preferred.

Offering medical, dental, vision, 401K, Aflac, personal time off and paid vacations.

1316 Duval Street open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

With Upscale Casual Dining Experience,

Monroe County School District

READY FOR A CHANGE? A NEW CAREER AWAITS IN AN ESTABLISHED COMPANY.

$50,000 salary plus commission and benefits for qualified candidates.

Send your confidential resume to britt@keysweekly.com.

Salary $17.15 – $24.15/hour Key West, Sugarloaf, Marathon and Upper Keys (4 work locations) No Experience Required, Benefits, CDL Training Provided – work as a Bus Aide while training, Full Time or Flexible, Part Time Hours - 6 to 9 am or 1 or 2 to 5 pm Apply online: www.keysschools.com

CARPENTERS AND LABORERS WANTED A small residential construction company in the middle keys is seeking skilled carpenters and general laborers for full-time work.

If you are willing to work and are looking to develop and grow in the trade, we would love to speak to you. We work on a variety of projects including new builds and renovations.

Work skills include building, installing, repairing and renovations.

Depending on experience, Carpenters can expect $22-$28/hour and Laborers $12- $18/hour.

If interested, please text 305-853-6056 or email acqe4C@gmail.com

WILDLIFE

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 — Weekly staff report

‘CHOMPER’ IS RECUPERATING NICELY TUMOR WAS BIGGER THAN A BASKETBALL

‘Chomper,’ a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle, was rescued off the Middle Keys recently by a young family on vacation.

Chomper was entangled in fishing line and presented with a shockingly large tumor that weighed more than 14 pounds.

CONTRIBUTED

What’s next for Chomper? Postsurgery treatment includes compression bandages, wound care, additional surgery to remove a much smaller tumor from Chomper’s neck, IV fluids, broad spectrum antibiotics, vitamins, pain medication, class 4 laser therapy and lots of TLC. Will Chomper rehabilitate at the Turtle Hospital? Yes. Chomper has a long way to go in recovery. Rehabilitation may take up to 6 months.

T

he Keys Weekly Newspaper reached out to Bette Zirkelbach at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon to check in on “Chomper.” The loggerhead sea turtle was rescued off the Middle Keys recently. She was tangled in fishing line but, more notably, the turtle also had the biggest tumor the rescue group had ever encountered.

What causes tumors like these in loggerheads? We do not yet have confirmed histopathology on the tumors, but most likely fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is commonly found in juvenile green sea turtles in and around developed islands around the world. It is much less common in other sea turtle species, but has been found in all.

Here’s more: Who helped with the rescue?

A young family vacationing in Marathon saw the loggerhead sea turtle in distress, entangled in fishing line and rescued the turtle.

Their two young boys named the turtle “Chomper” because she was so bitey. The family had visited the Turtle Hospital last year and knew who to call for help.

Did the monofilament fishing line cause or exacerbate the tumors? The line was entangled in the tumors. It is possible the irritation/stress from the fishing line exacerbated the tumors.

What is the effect of a tumor that big on a turtle’s chances of survival? The massive tumor on Chomper’s flipper impeded her swimming and was debilitating, taking blood supply away from Chomper’s organs. Chomper’s blood volume was dangerously low when admitted to the Turtle Hospital. Chomper received a blood transfusion post-surgery to improve her chances of survival.

Madea, a non-releasable loggerhead sea turtle living at the Turtle Hospital, was the blood donor.

Could such a large tumor have caused her to get entangled?

Yes, the pedunculated tumors on Chomper were entangled in fishing line.

Are tumors of this type common in turtles in the Keys? Yes, more than 50% of the juvenile green sea turtle population in and around the Florida Keys have fibropapillomatosis. It is much less common in loggerhead sea turtles, but FP is found in all species of sea turtles around the world.

How did the surgery go? The surgery was long and tedious.

It was a challenge for Dr. Terry Norton to save Chomper’s flipper, as it was difficult to differentiate between tumor and flipper. FP tumors are invasive and can grow into the bone. We are cautiously optimistic Chomper’s flipper will recover. Chomper’s blood volume is being monitored daily and she has a compression wrap on her flipper at the surgery site to manage bleeding.

How big of an issue is entanglement for sea turtles, generally, and in the Keys? We have been seeing a higher number than usual of severe entanglement injuries.

We have had three amputation surgeries in the past few months due to fishing gear entanglement.

How big was the tumor? 14.2 pounds! More than 10% of her body weight! The tumor was bigger than a basketball!

What’s the takeaway on Chomper’s story? It’s a compelling reminder to bring all your fishing gear back to shore and, if you are out on the water and see abandoned fishing gear you are able to safely get in the boat, please take the time to do so and bring it to shore and properly dispose of it. You will be helping to keep our marine animals safe!

What should we do if we see a turtle in distress? If you are enjoying the Keys waters and see a sea turtle in distress, please call our 24-hour hotline at 305-4817669 or radio the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.

51

52

ART

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

A SECRET IN THE SHADOW

T

he Florida Keys Sculpture Trail is now complete, beginning and/or ending at Key West’s Truman Waterfront Park, where “Wavehenge” by artists Damon Hamm and Jeff Sundheim was recently installed. The giant sundial sculpture consists of a vertical cresting wave surrounded by benches that match the shape of the shadow as it moves across each day. The sculpture holds a secret: Each solstice and equinox, the shadow and benches align when the time equals the date. The fall equinox occurred on Sept. 22, so the shadow and benches aligned perfectly at 9:22 a.m.

The Florida Keys Sculpture Trail has 12 sculptures in public areas from Islamorada to Key West.

Created by students in the Art Students League of New York’s Model to Monument Program, the pieces once stood along the Hudson River in Manhattan’s Riverside Park South. Key West philanthropists John Padget and the late Jacob Dekker arranged to transport and install the sculptures and donated them to the residents and visitors of Monroe County. A map at keysarts.com lists all the sculpture sites. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

53

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

NOW HIRING

IS HIRING!

RESTAURANT HOST

Advocate (bilingual a plus)

SERVERS BARTENDERS FOOD RUNNER PUBLIC AREA ATTENDANT LAUNDRY ATTENDANT ROOM ATTENDANTS BELLMEN LINE COOK SOUS CHEF BAKER APPLY AT: bungalowskeylargo.com/careers

Bungalows Key Largo is an EOE

KEY LARGO KEY WEST

Case Manager (Forensic) Substance Abuse Counselor Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult) FL LCSW only Engagement Specialist (Suicide Prevention)

MARATHON Crisis Counselor

Care Coordinator Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) Peer Support Specialist Drop In Technician (PT) Research Assistant (2) Driver (CDL preferred) Engagement Specialist (Suicide Prevention) *Assisted Living Direct Care Worker (PT/FT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) *No experience necessary. Will train.

A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Ability to work some evening or weekend shifts a plus.

If you’ve wanted to get into the medical field but don’t have the education, this is the job for you!

Background and drug screen req.

GREAT BENEFITS! Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com EEOC/DFWP

THEME: MOVIE TITLES ACROSS 1. All thumbs 6. *Do this to Shorty 9. Practice in the ring 13. Popular aquarium dweller 14. Fertility clinic stock 15. Dreamy 16. Brightest star in Cygnus 17. Romanian money 18. Athlete’s stage 19. *Ferris Bueller’s time away 21. *He always rings twice 23. G in music 24. Dissenting clique 25. Billy’s Harry to ____’s Sally 28. “Brave New World” drug 30. Lung pouch 35. Crematorium containers 37. X-ray units 39. Humpy ungulate 40. One of oldest cities in China or Welsh girl’s name 41. Torcher’s misdeed 43. “____ a soul” 44. Sudden occurrence of disease 46. Crimson rival 47. Power system 48. “Rock the ____” by The Clash 50. Deal with it 52. Happy Gilmore’s peg 53. Bird’s groomer 55. Tap choice 57. *Dr. Strangelove learned to love it, two words 61. *No country for these guys, two words 64. *One green one in John Wayne flick 65. “Eureka!”

67. Erasable programmable read only memory 69. Woven wall hanging 70. Soldier’s bed 71. “All the world’s a ____” 72. R in RIP 73. It is 74. Boxer turned actor

DOWN 1. It would 2. Pauper’s permanent state 3. Europe’s highest volcano 4. Hunts for food 5. No-noes 6. The Masters’ game 7. *It’s all about her 8. Greyish brown 9. Database command 10. Lord Byron’s composition 11. *King of Siam’s governess 12. *Private that had to be saved 15. a.k.a. tears of Chios 20. Fauna’s partner 22. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo” 24. Eponymous comic strip character 25. *The hills are alive with the sound of it 26. “Fear of Flying” author Jong 27. Annoying tiny biters 29. *There’s something about her 31. Telephoned 32. Bright 33. Eagle’s nest 34. *Bonnie’s partner 36. Give the cold shoulder 38. Musician’s time to shine 42. Kathmandu country 45. Wooden shoes 49. Skirt’s edge 51. First among siblings 54. Olden day calculators 56. Like worthless promise 57. Tow rope alternative 58. At this point 59. Does something wrong 60. “Don’t ____ around the bush” 61. Mares’ meal 62. “-zoic” periods 63. Not happening 66. *Some like it this way 68. *There were three, plus a baby

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE We are now hiring for the following positions:

Immediate opening for a HVAC Service Technician

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers

Upper & Middle Keys.

Great Pay • Paid Holidays • Sick Pay • Medical Insurance • Paid Vacation

Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

171 Hood Ave • MM 91.5 • Tavernier p 305-852-2960 • f 305-852-0656

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Apply in person

54

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743-0844 Licensed & Insured #SP33799

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

SPALLING

ALL KEYS GLASS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-743-7800

Authorized Dealer

Sales & Installation • Tub & Shower Enclosures Safety & Tempered Glass • Mirror & Mirror Walls Plexi-Glass & Lexan

EXPERTS

2728 North Roosevelt Blvd.

Overseas Market Key West

Proud member of:

INTERNATIONAL

CONCRETE REPAIR INSTITUTE

SOLAR DONE RIGHT! CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

305

872-1876

• New Construction • Remodeling • Irrigation

305

NOW HIRING!

Lic## RF11067168

PC 606

Call 305.495.6000 for a FREE Consultation

MARATHON

Brian Tewes

305-743-0506 KEY LARGO 305-852-5356 rainsavergutters@gmail.com

y’s www.KeysSlidingGlassDoorRepair.com And Sliding Glass Door Repair Roller Maintenance Track Maintenance Door Alignment Security Pins Safety Locks Handles

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

www.TewesMortgage.com

www.saltenergy.net www.saltservice.net 2992 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734

Operating Since 2004

PROP DOC

KEY WEST,

New & Used / Sales & Service Propellers, Shafts, Struts, Rudders

Only Laser Scanner in the Keys No Need to Send Your Prop to the Mainland & Waste Valuable Fishing Time Outboard Shafts 305-292-0012 Inboard and Outboard Straightened on Boat 6003 Peninsular Ave. Stock Island-FL Free Propeller Analysis

propdrkw@gmail.com

Licensed & Insured Contractor # CACO53827 Appliance and Air Conditioning

1700 N. Roosevelt Blvd #2, Key West

Insured • Professional • Reliable

305-294-0090 • www.kolhages.com

ARTIC TEMP, INC. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

Residential, Commercial & Marine Ice Machine - Sales - Service Phone: (305) 743-5288

Fax: (305) 743-6887

Will Campbell

Serving Key Largo to Key West

Cell: 305-363-8330 Office: 305-735-4626 will@cecflk.com www.CECFLK.com

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

Sales - Service - Installation

305-998-8953

305-289-1150

• Heavy Equipment • Solar

Your local, residential lending expert!

When It Rains It Pours!

• SINCE 1989 •

296-BLUE

Tewes Mortgage

Need 7” Gutters? We have 6” & 7” Seamless • Copper Specialists

We also service and sell: Marine A/C, Refrigeration, Watermakers, Batteries, Solar Systems, Anything Electrical!

inc.

Sewer Connections

President

Floor & Wall Tiles Porcelain/Planks Marble Carpets Quartz & Granite Countertops

P.E. Lic. No: 79269 5800 Overseas Hwy. Unit 32 Marathon, FL. 33050

Sportfishing Adventures

Dolphin-Tuna-Wahoo-Billfish-Snapper-Grouper-Shark Deep Sea –Off Shore-Reef-Wrecks-Gulf

info@johnnymaddoxcharters.com

305-481-3259

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina Mile Marker 48.5, Marathon End of 35th Street Bayside

Lic#SP-3562

Clear Cut Trees Plus Serving all of the Florida Keys RAS JL WHITE - owner ISA CERTIFIES ARBORIST MI-4398A

786.490.3073 replacm@gmail.com

We Do Installations!

Licensed & Insured

FREE ESTIMATES U.S.1 & 109th St, Marathon (Across from Beall’s Outlet)

289-3019

ENVIRONMENT

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

1

2

PICKING UP PLASTICS WHERE PASCAL LEFT OFF Troop 912 members and parents work to complete project on pollution.

3

4

5

TIFFANY DUONG

I

tiffany@keysweekly.com

n late March, at the start of quarantine, Pascal Weisberger began visiting Harry Harris park with his father, Ariel Poholek, with a pandemic-inspired idea for his science project. The “budding young environmentalist,” as his dad calls him, wanted to compare the effect of a coronavirus shutdown on the amount and types of trash found washed up on the shoreline. Knowing boating was down, he hypothesized that what he found during a closure would be different and possibly identifiable as originating from outside of the Keys.

Weisberger died tragically in May. But his dad and their Boy Scout Troop 912 continue to work on his science project to finish it in his honor.

“Environmental issues were very important to Pascal, but plastic debris was something he took a particular interest in,” Poholek told the Weekly.

“Three years of science fair projects were focused on plastic pollution, and he spoke publicly about it at the Key West City Council meeting to advocate for the elimination of single-use plastics. It’s unusual for a kid his age to care about issues to that level and put himself out there publicly to care like that, but he knew that change can only happen if people decide to take actions.”

Now, Poholek and the scouts roam where Weisberger did, through three different marked sites at Harry Harris Park for plastics, metals, styrofoam,

wood, etc. They sort, weigh and catalog what they find.

Using Weisberger’s initial measurements from before the shutdown, the troop has built on the dataset by going every Friday to the park to take measurements to see how human influence on the environment changes during a pandemic.

Aiden Austin, 15, in particular, felt like he had to continue the project because it was something his friend cared about deeply. Both he and Pascal loved science, and the former wanted to ensure this last experiment could be completed in his friend’s memory.

“I thought that I could accomplish something by doing it for him,” Austin said. “But, in and of itself, it’s very interesting data. It shows the current state of humanity and how we’re affecting the environment. Maybe it can tell us something about how we’re treating our environment because of how our environment is healing while we’re in peril.”

Zack Woltanski and Jordan Lubis, both 14 and fellow scouts, said their reason for taking up the project was simple: “We’re his good friends, and it

is an honor to carry on his legacy.”

Woltanski estimated that they pick up four to five pounds of trash each week. Lubis said they mostly find plastic, which was not surprising. After the collection and sorting, the troop will analyze the data against big timelines in the county, such as the shutdown, roadblocks being removed, boat ramps being closed, etc.

They don’t know yet when they will stop, but do note that it makes them feel closer to their friend.

“It makes me miss him, but I think Pascal would be happy that we’re continuing his project because we’re joking around and being stupid while doing it, like we used to,” a smiling Austin said.

“Messing around, doing the things kids do, having fun with our friends, like kids do. Like he’d want us to.”

Poholek added that anything he does with this group of scouts makes him feel closer to his son because of the mutual affection and respect that they had for Weisberger.

“I know a lot of what drives the scouts who were close to Pascal, and that they always think of him and reflect on what he would think of what we were doing,” Poholek said. “I can’t think of a better way to represent Pascal and what he is in my heart than to still be involved with our troop and carry on with the causes he loved most.”

1. Troop dad Reno Lubis helps with the cleanup efforts at Harry Harris Park. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 2. Members and parents of Boy Scout Troop 912 chose to take over Pascal Weisberger’s science project on the effect of quarantine on plastic pollution washing up on Keys’ shorelines.

3. Pascal Weisberger’s father Ariel Poholek continues to join Troop 912 on weekly cleanups at Harry Harris Park to continue Weisberger’s science project in his memory.

4. Ari Poholek shows the difference between a more degraded plastic bottle (left) and a newer piece of trash (right) to show the effect of the elements on plastics.

5. Three signposts demarcate areas where Pascal Weisberger chose to conduct his science project in Harry Harris Park.

55

56

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 24, 2020