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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021
ON THE COVER
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com
66.6%
According to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by a dog food company, two in three Americans admit they’ve cooked a special meal for their dog — especially on their dog’s birthday (44%), after coming home from a long trip (22%), or on their adoption anniversary (18%).
Brittany Mobley, an FWC officer, demonstrates the proper way to measure a Florida spiny lobster in the Florida Keys. For more information about the Lobster sport season, see page 10. FRAZIER NIVENS/Florida Keys News Bureau
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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.
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News Deadline
Tuesday Noon
Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.
PICK TWO
Luis Gonzalez
Greg Coldiron
Lynny Del Gazio
Trevor Wofsey
Gonzalez, Thompson, Wofsey and Coldiron declare candidacy SARA MATTHIS
sara@keysweekly.com
U
p until last week, it didn’t look like it was going to be much of a horse race. Only incumbent Mayor Luis Gonzalez and newcomer Lynny Del Gazio (nee Thompson) had declared their candidacy for a seat on the Marathon City Council for the November election. Then, late last week, Trevor Wofsey and Greg Coldiron filed papers with the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections, too. Marathon Council elections are at-large, meaning that regardless of the number of candidates, the top vote getters are elected to two open seats in November. Coldiron said he’s running because he thinks “Marathon could be the best small town in Florida. We’re almost there.” His top three concerns are the city’s building, code and planning departments. “Our building department is completely broken until we give them the tools, the software. If the software we have is the problem, throw it in the trash and start over even if it costs $60,000, $70,000 or $80,000. As far as code enforcement, I’m sure they are understaffed and this needs to be addressed.”
Coldiron gives the city high marks for its parks and recreation department, the service of City Manager George Garrett, and the community itself. “We have such a great community and I truly believe that most of the city council has the best interests at heart and is trying to make our city a better place for all of us. It’s my turn to serve. Leadership matters,” Coldiron said. Coldiron has been a longtime visitor and property owner in the Keys, and a full time resident since 1999. Previously, he said he organized very large events for a national brand and had business holdings to support the business running from a trucking terminal to ownership of an ice company. Coldiron was previously married to former Marathon Councilwoman, and current Monroe County Mayor, Michelle Coldiron. Wofsey has lived in the Keys for 21 years, the last nine in Marathon and works for the U.S. Post Office. “We have a great community; a lot of people step up and go above and beyond. I just wish there was more of it,” Wofsey said, adding that he wants to spend city money on projects for locals. “We’re getting taxed for the sewers and the hospital, but I hear the city nickel and diming the rest of us. We sure as hell can afford a pool; we need to give something back to the people,” Wofsey said. Wofsey also said the city needs to do more to encourage affordable and workforce housing that is truly affordable. “We can’t rely on the public bus to bring employees down here. I am a 21year union member, proud and strong. There are people putting in 50 or 60 hours a week to make it down here. We need to take care of the people that we rely on daily to run our community,” he said. As previously reported in the Keys Weekly, Del Gazio has lived in Marathon since 1971, with a brief interruption when she lived in New England. She graduated from Marathon High School and has a long and varied career in hospitality and real estate. In addition to growth, Del Gazio said her top issues are vacation rentals and preserving the Keys’ unique environment. continued on the next page
