Key West Weekly 22-0310

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“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” — J.L.

March 10, 2022

HOUSING CRISIS

IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

PART 2 | P. 8

SOUTHERNMOST CITY SUPPORTS UKRAINE KEY WEST CITY HALL SHINES BLUE & YELLOW | P. 6

CONCH BASEBALL OFF TO A STRONG START

SOFTBALL & BASEBALL TEAMS BOTH UNDEFEATED | P. 21

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

FOR 5 # R #1 O P O T S RICE!) P L O A T RM GE A P FF NO O S I 5 $ TH T’S BRING ICKETS! (THA $25 T

One of most popular annual events, the Artist Studio Tours takes you to the neighborhoods of Key West with a carefully curated collection of creative work spaces.

TOUR STOPS Stop #1 - 813 Emma Street John Martini, sculptor Carol Munder, artist

BUY TIX HERE!

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Stop #2 - 614 Dey Street

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Former home of legendary artist Suzie DePoo —now Marlene Koenig & the Dey Street Artists

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Stop #3 - 529 Eaton Street The Peyton Evans Artist Residency program at the historic Carriage Trade

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Stop #4 - 1209 Georgia Street

march 12

Sally Wernicoff, sculptor

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Stop #5 - 1616 Catherine Street Mockingbird Studio— Eric Anfinson, painter

saturday

BUY TIX HERE!

11am-3pm $30, $25 adv.

OLD

TOWN KEY WEST

Sponsored by Gallery on Greene Art & studio from Marlene Koenig

adv. tix at tskw.org / day-of at stops #1 and #5

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

Anchored to your health and our community.

New Services Now Available The state-of-the-art facility is home to the services you need in the heart of the Florida Keys, brought to you by the most trusted healthcare provider in the region. Fishermen’s Community Hospital is proud to now offer the following services to the Middle and Lower Keys communities:

Endoscopy

Oncology

Surgery

Endoscopy A nonsurgical procedure performed to examine a person’s digestive tract, endoscopy services include colonoscopies and upper gastrointestinal endoscopies.

Oncology Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute at Fishermen’s Community Hospital provides services to patients that enhance and expand outpatient cancer care. The oncology suite offers chemotherapy, molecular therapies, targeted therapies, transfusions and hydration services.

Surgery The newly opened operating room is home to a number of surgical procedures including orthopedic, podiatric and urologic.

Other services available include: 24/7 emergency care with on-site helipad, diagnostic imaging, inpatient care, intensive care unit, telestroke services to provide stroke patients with emergency access to board-certified neurologists, outpatient laboratory and rehabilitation.

Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Fishermens.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

NUMBER OF THE WEEK KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5 Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

13.9M

According to a Bloomberg report, Marathon Petroleum Corp. was the top U.S. buyer of Russian crude in 2021 at 13.9 million barrels. Valero bought 13.1 million barrels, while Monroe Energy bought 10.7 million barrels.

On March 9, President Biden announced a ban on imports of Russian oil.

Gas prices are averaging $4.19 and may increase in the days to come.

ON THE COVER The Keys Weekly tackles the Florida Keys housing crisis in a 3-part series. Part 2 explores the causes behind the crisis.

See page 8.

Publisher

Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

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Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

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Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

CRUISE SHIP RULES ARE UNDERWAY

Account Executive

Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Charlotte Twine charlotte@keysweekly.com Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

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Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Circulation Manager

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Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

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Classifieds

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Se habla español

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Some of the first cruise ship passengers to return to Key West, following the COVID-related no-sail order, disembark at the privately controlled Pier B dock. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

MARCH 10 MEETING COULD FINALIZE NEW LAWS MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

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ould this be it? Could a resolution be imminent after nearly two years of Key West’s great cruise ship

debate?

We’ll know at the city commission’s special meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, when officials discuss and decide on a resolution that proposes to “direct the docking of and disembarkation of passengers from cruise ships away from City of Key West-controlled property.”

The proposal on the table is to “direct cruise ship activity away from all public property to the Pier B dock, and ensure that cruise ship activity at the Pier B dock and any private property conforms to state and federal regulations,” according to the resolution on Thursday’s agenda.

In order to avoid running afoul of the state law that preempted Key West’s voter-approved cruise ship reductions and prohibits the restriction of maritime commerce by any Florida port, the resolution further states, “the City of Key West seeks

only to direct cruise ship operations away from public property to the Pier B dock and not to prohibit cruise ship operations or to restrict maritime commerce.”

The proposed resolution is a result of a long, legal mediation with Judge Sandra Taylor that included the city’s attorneys Shawn Smith and Ed Pozzuoli, as well as City Manager Patti McLauchlin, owners of the privately operated Pier B and representatives of the Safer Cleaner Ships committee, which led the charge against large cruise ships starting in mid-2020.

“It is the intent of the city commission that all cruise ships will dock at a designated, non-city controlled pier at the City of Key West, known as Pier B, and that when a cruise ship is docked at Pier B, no cruise ship will dock at a City of Key Westcontrolled property,” the resolution continues. “In the event that a cruise ships docks at a City of Key West- controlled property, it is the intent of the city commission that cruise ships with the capacity to carry 1,300 or more persons (passengers and crew) shall not disembark individuals at any and all City

of Key West-controlled property; and that the number of persons disembarking from cruise ships with the capacity to carry less than 1,300 or more persons (passengers and crew) at any and all City of Key Westcontrolled property shall be limited to a total of not more than 1,500 persons per day.

“Pier B is expressly excluded from any limitation of cruise operations,” the resolution states.

The March 10 agenda also includes a proposed ordinance that would prohibit water pollution by cruise ships and make them responsible for cleanups of any such pollution. The ordinance also would establish a coral reef restoration fund and a water quality testing program, which many have said has been sorely lacking for Key West’s waters.

The final item on Thursday’s agenda is titled “Agreement for Operations of Pier B,” but as of presstime late Wednesday, March 9, no further information had been linked.

The meeting takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 10 at Key West City Hall, 1400 White St. A complete agenda and the resolution and ordinance text are available at cityofkeywest-fl.gov.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

KEY WEST LIGHTS UP IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE CITY HALL GLOWS YELLOW AND BLUE, FLIES UKRAINIAN FLAG

The city of Key West hosts a ceremony on March 3 in support of the people of Ukraine. Blue and yellow lights shine on city hall, where the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag now flies. DORIAN PATTON/City of Key West

Artist Wyland, who specializes in water and marine life paintings, last week rehabbed his Whaling Wall mural at the Key West Historic Seaport. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

MURAL MAKEOVER ARTIST WYLAND RETOUCHES KEY WEST’S WHALING WALL

The blue and yellow Ukrainian flag now flies in front of Key West’s City Hall in support of the people of the nation currently under attack by Russian forces.

Key West City Manager Patti McLauchlin is flanked by Key West police Sgt. Alex Rodriguez and Officer Leo Hernandez during the Ukraine support ceremony.

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he artist known simply as Wyland, who has donated colorful marinethemed murals to local Florida Keys communities, was in Key West last week to do some maintenance work on the “Whaling Wall” mural he painted more than a decade ago at the Key West Historic Seaport.

The mural adorns a giant wall on the exterior of what once

was the popular Waterfront Market, and is now Waterfront Brewery.

On March 2, Wyland addressed a small crowd that had gathered at the mural to watch the artist at work. Following the mural rehabilitation he hosted receptions and painting demonstrations at his Duval Street fine art gallery.

— Mandy Miles

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

COME WORSHIP WITH US

PIECES OF MISSING PLANE FOUND

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Monroe County Sheriff’s Office divers recovered two pieces of the missing airplane last Thursday. U.S. COAST GUARD/Contributed

AGENCIES WILL NOW SHIFT EFFORTS TO RECOVERY MISSION ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

W

hat began as a search and rescue mission has now become a recovery effort in an attempt to locate an aircraft that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico some 17 miles north of Sugarloaf Key. Alexandra Tufo and her boyfriend Thomas Campana took off from Palm Beach on Feb. 27, headed for Key West in Campana’s single engine Vans RV-12 plane.

Unfortunately, the couple never reached their destination.

Upon receiving reports of an overdue aircraft on March 1, the Coast Guard began a joint search for more than 72 hours, collaborating with FWC and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Working with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and the Federal Aviation Administration, Coast Guard crews laid out the most probable search area based on the plane’s last known appearance on radar.

After an air crew located an oily sheen within the search area, MCSO divers eventually recovered

two pieces of the plane on March 3, identifying the tail number of the missing plane on the ocean floor.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Alexandra Tufo and Thomas Campana,” said Commander Lindsey Seniuk, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard District Seven. “This was a challenging case and it made the decision to suspend that much harder after our partners found the debris field. The MCSO divers are the experts in this new phase of the search, and our crews will be ready if our assistance is requested.”

In a statement released on March 4, FWC Captain David Dipre confirmed that search and rescue efforts have been suspended. “The search and rescue has now become a recovery effort for all agencies involved,” said Dipre. “FWC will work to coordinate efforts and provide all assistance needed to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as they conduct their investigation.”

The agencies’ recovery efforts are dependent upon weather conditions, the condition of the aircraft, and the size of the crash site. As of the March 4 statement, FWC hoped to resume recovery efforts on March 8 if conditions were favorable.

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2022 Season

March 13 - Zlatomir Fung

Janáček • Bloch • Weir • Beethoven

at St. Paul’s Church• 4pm $20 at door • all students FREE keywestimpromptu.org

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PART 2

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

FLORIDA KEYS HOUSING CRISIS HOW DID WE GET HERE?

By Alex Rickert, Mandy Miles, Jim McCarthy and Charlotte Twine ousing is the largest single challenge facing Florida Keys residents and has been for decades. With scarce buildable land, strict height restrictions, sky-high property values, second homes that sit empty most of the year and a proliferation of vacation rentals, many full-time workers no longer can afford to live or rent in the island chain, much less buy a home.

Last week, Keys Weekly defined the housing problem. This week, we examine what caused it, and how we got here. A complex blend of contributing factors has turned the Florida Keys’ longtime housing concerns into an undeniable crisis. In hours of conversations with government officials, attorneys, real estate agents, lenders and citizens closely interwoven with the issue, the following factors never failed to surface:

IT STARTS WITH THE STATE Vacation rentals are a common target of finger-pointing for those who claim the Keys community is changing, to the point that calls for changes to local rules that would restrict these rentals are practically background noise.

But in most cases, the power to enact change is blocked at the state level.

State statute 509.032(7)(b) prevents a local law from restricting the use of, prohibiting, or regulating the duration or frequency of vacation rentals. Codes enacted before June 1, 2011 are “grandfathered in.”

But there’s a catch: any changes made to an existing ordinance instantly remove the grandfathering.

Therefore, explained Monroe County attorney Bob Shillinger, counties and cities can’t pass laws to cap or further regulate vacation rental permits. “It’s not in the county’s power,” Shillinger said. “We’re grandfathered since 1997 with an ordinance. If we place a cap on it, we lose our grandfather status.”

“We have to fight every session to keep (our code),” said Islamorada councilman David Webb. “The legislature has made it clear that if the village attempts to modify it in any way, it will be null and void totally.”

Cities aren’t just fighting a losing battle to take back control of their own ordinances. Campaign contributions from the deep pockets of companies like AirBNB and VRBO regularly put municipalities on defense. “There’s almost constantly a bill at the state each year that would eliminate what we’ve got, rather than change it or make it better,” said Marathon city manager George Garrett.

Just one example: although many cities charge a fee of $1,000 or more to register a vacation rental, providing a significant stream of revenue, Senate Bill 512 could strike a blow to the funds. If approved, the bill could prevent local governments from charging more than $50 (if anything) to process an individual application.

In Islamorada, annual licensing fees total $1,325. That’s less than the village Achievable Housing Advisory Committee’s recommendation of $2,500 with an additional fee of $500 for units with more than two bedrooms.

The state bill appears dead, however. Session in Tallahassee concludes on Friday, March 11.

But some changes could be possible without state interference if the city’s or county’s leadership “steps up and gets creative,” said Scott Pridgen, executive director of AH Monroe, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to affordable housing and health

care in Monroe County. AH Monroe has built more than 100 units of affordable housing in Key West and is part of The Lofts of Bahama Village group that’s building more than 100 units of rental and owned homes at the city-owned Truman Waterfront.

“Let’s not make it so easy to make a bunch of money with these properties,” Pridgen said. “It may not be a popular move, but we as a city need to make it more difficult and more expensive, because we simply don’t have the housing inventory to support our workforce. Make the property taxes and licensing fees so high on AirBnBs and vacation rentals that it’s a less attractive option.”

“AirBnB and VRBO have a very powerful lobby in Tallahassee and our hands are tied because code fines are set by the state, ranging from $250 for a one-time violation, up to $5,000 per day per violation. And we can’t even tweak our transient rental law to make it more restrictive, or we risk losing it from the state.”

— Key West Code Compliance Director Jim Young

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

NO BLAME FOR PLAYING THE VACATION RENTAL INVESTMENT GAME

Vacation rental permits issued by Monroe County per calendar year 110 100

It’s no surprise that vacation rentals in an idyllic island chain are a profitable business venture, particularly in the wake of a global pandemic that saw Florida minimize business closures and promote tourism relative to other states. Individuals can’t be faulted for wanting to maximize the return on their investment in a perfectly legal manner.

“A guy can do vacation rentals of his place in Old Town Key West for four months a year and make all the money that he would make for a 12-month lease,” said Sam Holland, who chairs Key West’s planning board and owns the popular Conch House guesthouse.

The same holds true in Marathon.

Imagine a four-bedroom house commanding $5,000 per month in rent.

Contrast that house with one of the few four-bedroom vacation rentals available as of press time during 2022’s lobster mini-season. The price tag for a single week: $12,300.

Governments and real estate agents are aware of the rentals’ proliferation. “One of the very first questions we’re asked as Realtors when people start researching the Key West housing market is, ‘Can I AirBnB this?’ Like the word ‘Xerox,’ AirBnB has become a verb,” said Key West native and Realtor Bascom Grooms, who owns Bascom Grooms Real Estate.

In Key West, the number of transient licenses, which are required for rentals of fewer than 28 days, was capped long before 2011, and the city enacted zoning restrictions that moved short-term rental properties out of residential neighborhoods. No new short-term licenses are being issued, and a property owner must buy an existing transient license, Grooms said, adding that the going rate for a transient license in Key West is about $250,000 to $275,000, but they’re rarely available for sale.

But almost anyone can turn their Key West property into a monthly vacation rental. There’s no cap on those licenses, and no zoning requirements that restrict where they can be located.

The city of Key West charges $21 per unit per year for a non-transient rental license, said Amanda Brady, Key West's licensing director.

109

90 80

91

70

83

60 50 40 30 20 10

40 30

46

49 40

42 27

0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2010 2020 2021 Source: Emily Schemper, Monroe County’s senior director of planning and environmental resources

“It’s not just AirBnB. Unless we start getting creative with our current housing inventory, we can’t build our way out of this. We can’t build enough units fast enough to get out of this problem.”

— Scott Pridgen, executive director of AH Monroe

“Key West has a record low inventory of residential properties on the market. There are only 77 single-family homes, condos and townhomes for sale this week in Key West. We had triple that a year ago, and that was still low. In 2008, we had approximately 1,000 properties on the market because of short sales and foreclosures.”

— Bascom Grooms, owner of Bascom Grooms Real Estate

Mallory Pinto is in a uniquely wellrounded position in the Middle Keys: she serves on Marathon’s planning commission, is a real estate agent for Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty, and manages both short and longterm rental properties. And while she says her customers are evenly split among full-time residents, investors and “countdown” buyers who look to rent a property until they make it their eventual home, she stays conscious of community dynamics when categorizing properties for potential buyers who get “a little crazy” about vacation rentals.

“Our local government cannot limit the number of vacation rentals, but local management companies can choose to not represent those properties as vacation homes and push for long-term leases,” said Pinto. “Part of the sales and property management process down here is education and managing expectations. I take the time to explain why a property wouldn’t be desirable as a vacation rental and that it should stay as long-term housing for our locals. We are turning away homes that don’t fit the vacation rental mold, but also trying to educate those buyers about what the best use of the home is and the dire need for long-term rental properties in our community.”

Marathon planning director Brian Shea said the city has definitely seen an uptick in vacation rentals, but not in the ways that some believe. “It’s not affordable housing being turned into vacation rentals,” he said. “Of the people going through the building permit allocation system, only about 20-25% become vacation rentals. A lot of rentals are built as replacement buildings after something else gets demolished.”

And as building allocations in the Keys rapidly dwindle, cities see the same “swap” over and over again: a potential long-term housing option for working individuals or families is sold or demolished, and either the transferable building right is used in another location or a vacation rental claims the site.

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EMPTY HOMES Marathon Realtor Josh Mothner does believe the vacation rental situation has affected the city’s quality of life, but isn’t as quick to peg it as the main culprit for the affordable housing crisis in the city.

“Other parts of the Keys don’t have vacation rentals, and they still have a problem,” said Mothner. “I think it’s incredibly important to look at the number of second homes that may not be used for months out of the year.

They take up needed housing as well.”

Islamorada resident Jim Doran moved to the Keys from South Florida in the late 1970s. A retired Key Largo School teacher, Doran is vice president of the homeowners association at Venetian Shores in Islamorada. There were only a quarter of the houses that stand today when he arrived several decades ago. Doran said Venetian Shores still has community with people who live year-round, but he’s seeing homes sitting vacant most of the year.

“They might be here for the winter or they might be here for a couple weeks, or they’re rentals,” Doran said.

“But we don’t know the people at all.

Some of the issues we have with them is they don’t have ownership in Venetian Shores.”

Part-time residents and absentee owners have varying degrees of connection to their local Keys communities. Some are involved and care deeply about the same issues as full-time residents, and many of the “countdown” owners Pinto described intend to make the Keys their full-time community eventually, using rentals during parts of the year to pay off mortgages and speed up the relocation process. On the other end, the extent of some owners’ involvement is the cash they throw sight unseen at investment properties.

“The biggest threat in this community is so many second and third homeowners who don’t live here, and only spend a month or two here a year,” said Holland, the Key West planning board chair. “Why wouldn’t they rent the place out monthly the rest of the time? They hire a property management company, or now there’s even virtual innkeeper services that further reduces labor costs. The owners don’t need full-time staff on the property. The people get a key and are on their own. The owner sits back and collects a check every month.”

CITY OF KEY WEST: A CASE STUDY By the numbers:

11,212

Total number of combined single family residential units (SFRs), condos and mobile homes

3,546

7,666

849

2,473

Total number of homestead exemptions

Approximate number of nonHomesteaded (non-primary) residences

Number of licensed, residential transient rentals

Number of licensed monthly vacation rentals

Sources: Monroe County Property Appraiser, City of Key West Licensing Department

“They might be here for the winter or they might be here for a couple weeks, or they’re rentals, but we don’t know the people at all. Some of the issues we have with them is they don’t have ownership in Venetian Shores.”

— Jim Doran, vice president of Venetian Shores Homeowners Association in Islamorada.

“My entire neighborhood on Duncan, just off of White Street, is all vacation rentals now.”

— Cheryl Rollins, Key West homeowner & full-time resident

NOT IN MY BACKYARD (NIMBY) Few would openly oppose affordable housing solutions for the Keys’ workforce. But a tiny island chain has limited land, and when these solutions involve developing areas in some neighborhoods, even many full-time Keys residents change their tune, and workforce housing developments often face fierce opposition.

How often have residents heard some version of the following sentences? “I support affordable housing 100%. But our neighborhood already suffers from (traffic congestion/overcrowding/limited parking). This isn’t the right location for it.”

“I want A recent post more on a Marathon affordable community Facebook page perfectly housing, summarizes the BUT…” “NIMBY” sentiment.

“I want to let everyone know what is going on with properties in Marathon,” the post reads.

“We have an empty double lot by me, and we just got a notice for a variance. … Seems it will be affordable housing, which I am not against, but instead of one unit on each lot, they are going to squeeze in two on each. … So sad they are cramming houses together. Really is ruining the neighborhoods.”

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

“This city could make vacation rentals and enforcement much more tailored to our community needs, which would improve the affordable housing situation, but we’re not allowed to, as a result of Tallahassee.”

— Marathon city attorney Steve Williams

$12,300 The weekly price tag for one of the few remaining 4-bedroom Marathon vacation rentals during lobster mini-season

“We have filed a total of 344 tax warrants and have issued 34 bank freezes. The number of tax warrants and bank freezes issued represents an individual action, whether it is a repeat on the same property or another property.”

— Sam Steele, Monroe County Tax Collector

EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT Finally, not all rental property owners play by the rules. On the contrary, a number of property owners simply view fines for illegal rentals or code violations as a cost of doing business.

And once again, state statutes oppose the efforts of county and city officials.

Under Florida statute 162.09, a firsttime code violation in municipalities with populations less than 50,000 carries a maximum fine of $250 per day, while repeat violations carry a $500 per day price tag and an “irreparable or irreversible” violation can run up to $5,000.

In Marathon, the month of February saw a total of 16 code cases opened across all categories of violations. “The point is that you have to make it painful to break the rules,” said Marathon Realtor Josh Mothner. “Right now, it’s not.”

Larry Fox is a homeowner in Big Pine Key’s Eden Pines neighborhood, where he says illegal rentals are taking over. “There are currently seven Eden Pines homeowners who have been collecting information related to our concern about so many illegal short-term rentals in our immediate vicinity,” he said. “Commissioner Michelle Coldiron referred us to Cynthia McPherson in the county’s code enforcement office and we have provided her with documentation and photographs regarding the known illegal short-term rentals, but we don’t know where or how we can help from this point on. … What can we do from this point to stop this craziness?”

Before an owner can be fined or held accountable for tax penalties for properties not legally registered as vacation rentals, they must be effectively caught in the act. And investigations into unlicensed vacation rentals and AirBnBs, whether rented short-term or monthly, are tricky, time-consuming and costly.

Though proper tax collection is arduous, it remains a top priority for Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele. Steele said his staff does go through vacation rental apps such as VRBO and AirBNB to look for noncompliant properties that have not taken out tax receipt accounts. Once a property is verified as noncompliant, the owner receives a letter from his office. Eventually, enforcement gets tough. “We have filed a total of 344 tax warrants and have issued 34 bank freezes,” Steele said. “The number of tax warrants and bank freezes issued represents an individual action, whether it is a repeat on the same property or another property.”

Code enforcement fines, meanwhile, can accumulate in some areas to tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years as property owners repeatedly violate rental regulations and other codes. For decades, elected officials have allowed violators to pay a fraction of the amount, and in some cases have waived the fines entirely. That trend may be changing, though, as Key West city commissioners earlier this month refused to accept an owner’s offer of $10,000 to clear up $570,000 in code enforcement fines.

(Those fines were for unpermitted construction, not illegal rentals, but the commission’s refusal to accept the offer showed its frustration with meaningless penalties.)

“You have to have a strong deterrent. The real issue is enforcement, and a $500 fine just becomes a cost of doing business,” said Holland. “The money is so big, the fines are no deterrent.”

Next week Keys Weekly looks at potential solutions. See the full series at keysweekly.com.

“The bottom line is there’s no hammer at the end.

Property owners can be fined up to $5,000, say, but they can make that back in a week. We’re going to start ramping up investigations because a lot of AirBnBs are advertising monthly rentals, but actually doing weekly rentals without a transient rental license.”

— Key West Code Compliance Director Jim Young.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

BOAT CARRYING 356 HAITIAN MIGRANTS RUNS AGROUND

A large boat containing 356 Haitian migrants runs aground near Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo on Sunday.

JASON RAFTER/Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation

ALL WHO MADE THE JOURNEY WILL LIKELY BE TRANSPORTED BACK TO HOME COUNTRY JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

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harrowing scene unfolded as 158 Haitian migrants jumped off a grounded boat, swimming to shore roughly 200 yards away from Ocean Reef Club in North Key Largo on March 6. But 198 more remained on the 50-foot boat as various agencies responded to the rescue.

It’s one of the larger migrant landings seen by officials in recent memory. Chief Border Patrol Agent Walter Slosar said via statement that there were no serious injuries or deaths.

“The coordinated and timely response of the U.S. Border Patrol and our federal, state and local partners potentially saved the lives of these migrants,” he said.

Many residents on land inside the gated community in North Key Largo watched as the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP, Florida Fish & Wildlife, Monroe County and Miami-Dade sheriffs, Ocean Reef Fire Rescue and other agencies arrived at what one official called a “chaotic scene.”

“The decks clear as they swim in and then more come up from below and the decks fill again,” said one local resident who videorecorded the grounding.

All 158 Haitian migrants rescued from the water were taken into U.S. Border Patrol custody. They will be interviewed and processed for removal proceedings, CBP said.

An additional 198 migrants who remained onboard the vessel were safely removed from the vessel. They were taken into custody by the U.S. Coast Guard where they remain on a cutter, pending repatriation to Haiti.

"We worked seamlessly with our state and federal partners to safely remove all the persons from this vessel," U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jeffrey Randall said in a statement on March 7. "The Coast Guard and partner agencies are continuously patrolling the Mona Passage, Windward Passage, Caribbean Sea and the approaches to the United States to stop these dangerous and unsafe voyages."

Matt James, commander for U.S. Coast Guard Station Islamorada, handled the water side of the rescue. He said the rescue effort was complicated given the shallow water depth where the boat ran aground.

“The boat was still pretty far off shore. It was a negative tide that night with a strong wind blowing in,” he said.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants received food, water, shelter and basic medical attention. The Coast Guard said migrants attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea can expect to be repatriated, regardless of their nationality.

In a July 2021 article, the Washington Post quoted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: “Allow me to be clear, if you take to the sea, you will not come to the United States.”

The article also states, “Migrants intercepted at sea will be returned on government ships to their homelands unless they establish a ‘well-founded fear of persecution or torture,’ Mayorkas said. In those cases, he said, the migrants will be referred to third countries for resettlement.”

Jason Rafter, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation public information officer, said the migrant boat remains grounded just off Ocean Reef Club.

He said a contractor will be hired to take the fuel and oil off the boat.

“The vessel will stay put for now. Eventually it will become a derelict vessel by the state. It’ll go into the system,” Rafter said. “It’s possible we can come up with a solution. For right now, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Migrant landings in the Florida Keys are rising to the point where it drew a meeting recently between Monroe County Emergency Management and Ocean Reef Community Association officials.

Some 18 agencies from the local, state and federal levels attended to discuss the uptick.

In January, CBP and the Coast Guard responded to a migrant landing on the water near Ocean Reef. A total of 176 migrants were rescued from an overloaded sailboat. The vessel was initially detected by a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew some 25 miles northeast of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas. Sector Key West watchstanders diverted Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark’s crew to the location of the vessel. Ten migrants were reportedly hospitalized. Migrants faced 4- to 6-foot seas and 20-mph winds.

“It is extremely dangerous to navigate the Florida Straits in an unseaworthy vessel, especially off the Florida Keys where the water is extra treacherous with shoals and reefs,” said U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer James Kinney, command duty officer at Sector Key West.

Last December, more than 50 Haitians landed on Card Sound Road in Key Largo. Months before that, 42 Haitian immigrants were found in what was called a “maritime human smuggling” case near Key Biscayne in August.

In Haiti, worker protests erupted in recent weeks, leading to confrontations with police. One protest on Feb. 23 led Haitian police to open fire on demonstrators who were demanding higher wages, according to a report by Reuters. Haiti upped the minimum wage by more than 50% following demonstrations by clothes workers voicing concern over rising living costs.

According to the nonprofit Haiti Partners, 59% of the population lives on less than $2 per day.

The gross national income per capita is $1,730.

The average for Caribbean/Latin American developing countries is $14,098.

The recent assasination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021, a rise in gang violence since June 2021 that’s affected 1.5 million people and a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in August that struck southwest Haiti have exacerbated issues inside the impoverished country. On top of that, the country experienced a direct hit from Tropical Depression Grace in August.

Coast Guard crews in the district covering Florida have rescued 1,152 Haitians since Oct. 1, 2021. It’s on track to surpass the 1,527 Haitian migrants rescued in fiscal year 2021, which spanned Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021.

Agencies assisting with the rescue included: U.S Coast Guard Station Islamorada, Station Miami Beach, Station Marathon and Air Station Miami; U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered, Cutter William Trump and Cutter Venturous; U.S. Border Patrol; Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations; Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; Miami-Dade Fire Rescue; and Biscayne National Park Service.

13

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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16

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

REAL ESTATE ROYALTY

COLDWELL BANKER SCHMITT HOLDS AWARDS GALA

FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

OUR BIG 14TH ANNUAL PARTY!

SPRING SOCIAL

Brian Schmitt, founder of Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate, hosts the company’s March 5 awards gala.

MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Lisa Wiebe is honored as a “rising star” in the Keyswide real estate company

Realtor Teri Hiller of the Mothner/ Hiller Team accepts an award for long-term rentals in 2021.

Realtor Tom McLaughlin accepts an award from Brian Schmitt.

t was a celebration of Florida Keys properties, both sales and rentals, on March 5 at Coldwell Banker Schmitt’s annual awards gala.

Company founder Brian Schmitt congratulated his Keyswide team for earning a collective $40.8 million in commissions in 2021.

“Keyswide, you sold 97% more sellers’ properties than the number-two company, and more than the next two companies combined,” Schmitt told his

agents during a dinner dance at the Marriott Beachside Hotel.

“Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate closed 20.8% of the market, and 24.1% of all the properties sold were your listings. And 13.7% of all your sold listings were double-sided: both buyer and seller.”

Schmitt distributed more than 50 awards to agents from all offices for sales, long-term rentals and vacation rentals.

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I

— Mandy Miles

17

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL

HOMETOWN! HOSTS FIRST CALL FOR CANDIDATES MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

Note: The candidates pictured have officially filed with the elections office and participated in Hometown’s March 7 Call for Candidates. The event also included several incumbent candidates who are thus far running unopposed. For all candidate photos, see keysweekly.com. For a complete list of races and candidates, visit keyselections.org.

A

nd so it begins — election season, that is.

The nonprofit, voteradvocacy group Hometown! hosted its first Call for Candidates on March 8 in Key West. The event invites “anyone who has filed to run for office, and anyone just thinking about running for office” to introduce themselves and address the crowd for two minutes, said Hometown chairman Todd German.

German emphasized to the packed crowd the importance of voter education and involvement in the political process.

“This is as much a community event as a candidate event,” German told US 1 Radio just prior to the popular happyhour gathering that takes place each election season at Salute on the Beach restaurant.

Several incumbents who are not yet facing any challengers spoke at the event, as did candidates — incumbents and newcomers — who are facing opposition in the races for state representative, county judge, school board and county commission.

At the state level, Democrats Adam Gentle and Daniel Horton-Diaz are challenging incumbent Republican Jim Mooney, who participated by phone in the Hometown event.

Key West attorneys Al Kelley and Jason Smith are running for county judge and two school board seats have drawn multiple candidates. In the Upper Keys, Alexandria Suarez is challenging incumbent Sue Woltanski. In Key West, incumbent Bobby Highsmith will not seek reelection. Darren Horan and Gabrielle Brown are running for that seat.

Political newcomer Mickey Jackson of Key West said Monday she is considering a run for mayor to combat the city’s housing crisis, but she had not filed paperwork as of March 8.

German also announced at the event that former Key West city manager Jim Scholl had filed earlier that day to run for the county commission District 3 seat that has been vacant since Eddie Martinez resigned in late 2021. The governor has yet to appoint a replacement to finish Martinez’s term, and Scholl is now officially campaigning for the seat that includes downtown Key West.

German introduced Chris Massicotte as a potential District 3 candidate, but Massicotte has not filed to run, and spoke Monday about an ongoing effort to change Monroe County’s voting laws.

Currently, a county candidate must live in the district they wish to represent, but is elected by all county voters. Massicotte pointed out the difficulties of campaigning throughout the 120-mile island chain. He urged support for a system, such as that of Key West’s city commission elections, in which only the voters in a particular district elect their commission representative.

The contested races (those in which more than one candidate has filed paperwork with the county elections office) represented at Monday’s Hometown event included: State Representative, District 120 Daniel Horton-Diaz Adam Gentle Jim Mooney (incumbent) County Judge, Group 1 Al Kelley Jason Smith School Board, District 5 Alexandria Suarez Sue Woltanski (incumbent) School Board, District 1 (no incumbent) Gabrielle Brown Darren Horan County Commission, District 5 Jose Peixoto Holly Raschein (incumbent)

County Commission, District 3 (no incumbent). Jim Scholl.

State Representative, District 120. Daniel Horton-Diaz (left) and Adam Gentle. Jim Mooney (incumbent - not pictured, partici-

pated by phone)

County Judge, Group 1. Al Kelley (left) and Jason Smith.

School Board, District 5. Alexandria Suarez (left) and Sue Woltanski (incumbent).

School Board, District 1 (no incumbent). Gabrielle Brown (left) and Darren Horan.

County Commission, District 5. Jose Peixoto (left) and Holly Raschein (incumbent). MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

18

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

TONY BALTIMORE & FRIENDS PACK KEY WEST THEATER

C

onch Town Records recording artist Tony Baltimore released his latest single and video, “That Girl’s Got Eyes,” on Feb. 24. He is set to release the complete album and his third solo album “Let’s All Go Insane,” BEN on June 19.

SOLOVE On the evening of Baltimore’s single release, Conch ... is a local radio Town Records presented the personality and music promoter Let’s All Go Insane album who loves to share release concert at the Key his passion for West Theater. The sold-out music. concert showcased other Conch Town Records artists, including Jeff Clark and Turner Harrison.

Although the album is not scheduled to drop until June, a limited 100 copies were available for purchase at the event.

To start the show, all musicians marched into the theater playing the intro to Baltimore’s previous single “Let’s All Go Insane.” The procession through the crowd and onto the stage signaled an exciting show to come.

Clark, who currently lives in New Orleans but was a longtime Key West musician, kicked things off with his positive vibe and a few of his own songs. Backed by an all-star band of local musicians including Hiram Garzaro, Henry Lysy Jr., Tommy Tangie, Marjory Lee, Vince Bergamo and special guest Andy Roberts, Clark and Baltimore together performed a few of each other’s songs.

Baltimore performed “Sunny Afternoons” and “Perfume on the Radio,” both hits from his second studio album “Hear Me In” and the live debut of “All Day,” the first song played from Baltimore’s “Let’s All Go Insane” album. Then, Turner Harrison took the stage with his band HI featuring Garzaro on drums and Mark King on bass. They performed two songs from their much-anticipated album on the Conch Town Records label. Clark performed several of his popular songs including “The Best,” “All That Good” and “The Fire.”

The reception from the hometown crowd was phenomenal. The feeling of community, love and support filled the theater with an unmistakable positivity.

After a short intermission came an acoustic set featuring Clark, Baltimore, Garzaro, Lee and Bergamo. The acoustic set featured “Fly Alone,” another single from Baltimore’s upcoming album.

The full band rejoined Baltimore on stage for “Right Back” and “Define the Blur,” both singles from Baltimore’s debut solo album, “Define the Blur.” They also played “Listen” and “High and Drunk” from Baltimore’s second album, “Hear Me In.”

SAVE THE DATE Through March 31 • “A Wood Show Like No Other” on display at Collections, Key West Gallery on Stock Island, behind the Hogfish Bar & Grill, open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March 3-31 • The Studios of Key West presents “Play Ball!” a multi-artist tribute to baseball featuring more than 100 baseball bats that are painted or sculpted into original artworks.

March 10-13 • Bahama Village Music Program and Keys Kids presents “Music Man Jr.” at the Key West High School Auditorium, 2100 Flagler Ave. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Visit bvmpkw.org for tickets and information.

Saturday, March 12 • Key West Woman’s Club’s annual “Denim to Diamonds” gala, 6 to 9 p.m., 319 Duval St.

Musician Tony Baltimore recently released his latest single and video. NICK DOLL/Contributed

During that final full band set, Baltimore and the band performed “Sit Still” from the upcoming album as well as “Seaside Blues,” co-written with Harrison from the upcoming album.

Baltimore’s mother, who celebrated her birthday earlier in the week, was in attendance.

In a sweet and loving tribute, Baltimore played an acoustic version of the song “Smile,” which was written by the great Charlie Chaplin.

The band joined Baltimore, Clark and Harrison to perform Baltimore’s latest single alongside the debut of the accompanying music video for “That Girl’s Got Eyes.” The video, directed by Harrison, brought the crowd to its feet.

The show ended with Baltimore in a full Sgt. Pepper-like uniform and the band performing the title track to his upcoming album “Let’s All Go Insane” as the video played on stage. The crowd sang, danced and celebrated local music.

The standing ovation continued while the whole band took a curtain call, bowed and exited the stage.

For this music junkie, the show symbolized how fortunate we are to have such talent here in Key West. Baltimore, Clark and Harrison are only a part of an impressive stable of recording artists for Conch Town Records, which also includes Ericson Holt, Bill Blue, Julian McBEN’S LIST Dowell and rumors of 5 GREAT RECORD others in the works.

LABELS This is an exciting time for the local 1. Chess Records music scene here in 2. Stax Records Key West.

3. Epic Records 4. Motown 5. Def Jam

Sunday, March 13 • Yonder Mountain String Band brings bluegrass to Fort East Martello as part of the COAST is Clear Concert Series. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireside Collective band plays at 7 p.m.

Yonder Mountain starts at 8 p.m. Adult general admission $20. Kids under 12 free with paying adult. Visit coastisclearfest.com.

Monday, March 14 • NASA Solar System Ambassador Kevin Gallagher gives an illustrated talk about the new James Webb Space Telescope, 6 p.m. in the Key West library Palm Garden, 700 Fleming St. Wednesday, March 16 • College of the Florida Keys presents a Poetics event, featuring live readings by acclaimed poets, 6 p.m. in the college’s Key West library.

Saturday, March 19 • Shop at Lilly Pulitzer and help A Positive Step of Monroe County. The store will donate 10% of all sales to help fund the program’s summer youth employment program, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 600 Front St., Key West.

• Keys Weekly’s own birding expert Mark Hedden details “Seven Birds You’re Unlikely to See Outside of the Florida Keys,” 1 p.m. at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden on College Road.

• Frank Sinatra tribute artist Tony Sands performs Sinatra’s favorites with a full orchestra, 8 p.m. at Key West Theater.

Sunday, March 20 • Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition offers virtual childbirth class, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register at www.keyshealthystart.org/ educational-classes-registration or call 305293-8424.

19

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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20

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

MILES TO GO

5 LETTERS, 6 GUESSES

A

s economists and consumers await the anticipated spike in gas prices given the United States’ recent sanctions against Russian oil imports, we in Key West are a little more cynical and jaded about high prices at the pump, mainly because we’ve always paid more than most. This week, we bring you…

REASONS KEY WEST DOESN’T FEEL GAS HIKES AT THE PUMP… 10. We already paid recordbreaking numbers for the past century. So this is nothing new.

4. I’ve been drilling my own oil on Rockland Key for the past five years.

9. Some are still too focused on the price of lumber to care about the price of gas (most of them have never bought lumber).

3. I don’t buy gas, because I’m better than you. I thought my Tesla said that for me.

8. My scooter runs on a battery — and over people who dare walk on "my sidewalk."

7. My martini still costs more than five gallons of gas.

6. My $90,000 SUV gets two miles to the gallon.

But I drive it five miles every month.

5. I don’t care how much gas costs in Key West.

Although I vote in Key West, I only live here three weeks out of the year.

2. I make six figures annually on one illegal vacation rental. Why do I give a shit how much gas costs?

1. Look, if a guy in red running shorts can carry a massive American flag around for 30 miles every day, I guess I can walk a little more, too.

I’ve got issues. This whole MANDY Wordle thing is NOT good for my MILES evening producdrops stuff, breaks tivity. But I'm things and falls clearly not alone. down more than The wildly any adult should. popular word She’s married to a saintly — and puzzle is plashandy — fishertered all over man, and has Twitter and been stringing Facebook. Players words together share cryptic, in Key West since 1998. colored grids that show their performance on that day's puzzle, without revealing the solution.

They comment politely on the difficulty of that day's puzzle while boasting quietly, hoping someone notices that they solved it in two or three tries. (If you don't solve it in six tries, you lose.)

This thing has spread faster than the Omicron variant. It's crack for word nerds like me. Ask the New York Times. The crossword behemoth (and news organization) bought the rights to Wordle within months of its introduction.

In the shower the other day, I found myself thinking up new starter and second-guess words with lots of vowels. And I was thrilled to hear this week that an English teacher at Sigsbee Charter School has her students do the puzzle each day.

One official Wordle puzzle is released each day at midnight. But that wasn't enough for some of us dorks who always preferred an essay test to multiple choice in high school.

Once my people try something like this, we go down the rabbit hole.

If we did well on our first attempt, we want a repeat ego boost. And if we screw up the first time, we need to redeem ourselves. We can't possibly wait another 24 hours to try again.

Happily, we didn't have to wait for long. Almost immediately, new websites and apps sprung up, offering repeated and unlimited puzzles, exactly the same as Wordle. I've bookmarked the websites. I've downloaded two apps. I've gotten sucked into these puzzles for far longer than I care to admit. And that's my problem.

For decades I've railed aggressively against video games, social media addicts and screen time. My nephews (now 17 and 20) learned a decade ago not to "get Aunt Mandy started” on how video games are

destroying society. But is my Wordle compulsion any better than others' Fortnite obsession? Is it any more defensible than Stan’s online golf game?

No, it's not. It's the same damn thing. It's a time suck, like the vast majority of our online sessions.

Honestly. The fact that I'm focused on a word puzzle instead of Fortnite means nothing.

But it IS an interesting sociological study of human behavior and rationale.

We nerds smugly tell ourselves we're better than those wasteful gamers.We’re spending time on an intellectual pursuit. We're spelling words, forming words, stimulating our minds, challenging ourselves.

Sure, we just spent 2 ½ hours huddled over our phones, thinking of words that start with G and end in O. But we were DOING something.

We were THINKING. We weren't just shooting enemies on a screen. But we're idiots. Intellectual snobs. We're no better than the basement-dwelling gamers we've scorned for years.

Wait. Sorry. I take that back. Forgive me for painting us all with the same brush. I'M no better. Surely, some Wordlers are content with one puzzle a day. They do the one puzzle, win or lose, and move on with their lives.

For me, and I presume for plenty of others, it's all ego. I get that. I take screenshots of my best scores.

What the hell am I doing? NOBODY CARES. When would my Wordle performance ever matter to anyone, including myself?

Ego is a powerful motivator. Humans have an instinctive need to be accepted by our peers, so when we do something well, we want others to know it.

Do you ever watch Jeopardy alone? It’s no fun. A correct answer means nothing if no one's there to acknowledge it.

It's the same with Wordle. I play again and again and again (while my freshly washed laundry wrinkles on the couch as I tell myself “one more game.”)

And when I solve the puzzle in two tries instead of five or six, I pat myself on the back and take a screenshot. It's ridiculous. Absurd.

Embarrassing.

But at least I'm not alone. So I leave you this week with my starting word — adieu.

21

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

SPORTS & MORE DEXTER BUTLER BUSY IN ATHLETICS, TEACHING AND BEING A FATHER

I

watched from the bleachers as Dexter Butler, one of the great baseball ... a veteran sports Conchs of yesteryear, columnist, says worked with 9-yearthe only sport old Caydon Gonzalez he doesn’t follow is cricket. That at Wickers Field, leaves plenty where the men’s of others to fill softball league plays his time. its games. ralphmoro1936 Throwing from @gmail.com behind a protective screen, Butler first tossed a baseball underhand from a short distance to home plate. Then he backed up a bit, though still not to the softball pitcher’s mound, and threw overhand to his young pupil.

Caydon would hit some into the outfield and swing at others without making contact. “He’s like a lot of kids his age,” Butler said later. “He was overswinging, not seeing the ball.”

Though he’s been playing football since he was 3, this is Caydon’s first year learning baseball, said his mother, Cassie Jackson, who, like me, was watching every move on the field. “He’s also tried basketball,” she said. “But he likes baseball.” He is just one of the young baseball players Butler is teaching.

Butler, 36, graduated from Key West High School in 2004 as a prominent shortstop and remains in the Conch record book for second-most home runs in a game, with 2, right behind Michael Balbuena’s 3; and for most grand slams in a season, with 2. Dexter also played football for Key West and was captain of both teams.

He went to the University of South Florida for four years, then one more at Nova Southeastern, batting around .270.280 at both colleges. Butler earned a Big East Player of the Week accolade when he once batted .600 over four games at USF. He was second team All-Big East as a second baseman.

“Before we had our daughter, it was the funnest time of my life, playing in college,” he maintains.

With his degree from USF in hand, Butler came back to Key West and worked at First State Bank, Wells Fargo and Iberiabank. At the same time, he coached a group of 11- to 12-year-old baseball players. “I loved coaching,” he said. Six years ago, when Steve Vinson at Horace O’Bryant School called, Butler became a sixth-grade and American history teacher.

Teaching history comes easily for Dexter. “My father would have me sit in on his history classes at the high school when I was young and he was teaching

RALPH MORROW

By Ralph Morrow

KEEPING THEIR EYES ON THE BALL CONCH BASEBALL, SOFTBALL STILL UNBEATEN

K

Dexter Butler and his wife, Maria Castillo, hold their young baby, Viviane. CONTRIBUTED

Dexter Butler is still active in several sports.

RALPH MORROW/Keys Weekly

and I came to like it a lot,” he said. He has also been the boys basketball coach at HOB, where he directed some players, including Jerome Osborne, KT Perkins and Cameron Watson, who later played for the high school.

But his biggest news came when he and his wife, Maria Castillo, became parents to Viviane on Oct. 27, 2021.

“She’s starting, almost, to roll over,” said the proud papa of the 4-month old. His wife is a legal assistant for attorney Rick Wunsch.

Butler is still active in sports. “I run with the kids at HOB,” he said. He has played in the adult basketball league.

He took up golf a few years ago. “Every time I play, my goal is to break 100,” he said, a goal he doesn’t always reach.

“I’ve hit 95,” he said, “but I’m usually around 105.” Dexter had said for years that he wouldn’t play men’s softball, but his older brother Devin talked him into it. And there he is – with the Rodriguez Cigars team.

Dexter’s parents are former Key West basketball and tennis coach Bill Butler and Anita Butler. Both are retired, his mother from being a legal secretary at the state attorney’s office. His father suffered a stroke a few years ago and gets great care from his wife and sons.

ey West High’s baseball team extended its unbeaten streak to 4-0 last weekend, defeating Barron Collier twice, 13-4 on March 4, and 4-2 on March 5. This weekend, March 11 and 12, the 7:30 p.m. opponent each night will be Merritt Island.

In last Friday’s game, Preston Herce was the hitting star with a home run, triple, double and walk that drove in seven runs total.

Trevor Zuelch also had three hits, while Noah Burnham, Kai Smith, Anden Rady and Jose Perdigon contributed two hits apiece. Jack Haggard and Wyatt Kuhn contributed a single each.

Jacob Burham pitched five innings, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks. Marlin Takovich finished up the final two innings.

On a rainy Saturday night, both teams scored a run in the first inning. Barron Collier edged ahead with a run in the top of the fifth, but Key West scored a pair in the bottom of the inning and another one in the sixth.

Rady had two hits. Noah Burnham, Smith, Haggard and Herce had a hit apiece.

Lucky Borroso went 4 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run, while Felix Ong finished up, picking up the pitching win.

THE LADY CONCHS softball team also kept its record unblemished at five victories by beating Ferguson, 17-0, in a Friday, March 4 game that was called after four innings and a Saturday doubleheader over John Carroll Catholic, won by Key West, 6-2 and 14-6.

In the smashing of Ferguson, coach Jason Garcia was able to use 15 players, including pitcher Chloe Gilday, who gave up two hits and two walks while striking out six. With two hits apiece were Ty Cervantes, Dharma Murray and Yahaira Williams, who had a home run and drove in six runs. Scarlet Niles, Izabella Perez, Marina Goins, Emily Bracher and Madie Gonzalez each had a hit.

In the first game of the twinbill, the Lady Conchs scored three in the first and never looked back. Williams continued her heavy hitting with three hits, including a triple, and Gonzalez had two hits and three runs batted in. Cervantes, Hernandez and Goins each had a hit.

In the second game, both teams had their hitting shoes on. Williams again had the biggest shoes with two doubles and a single. Goins had a triple and single.

Caroline Smith had a double and single. Perez had two singles. With one hit apiece were Montique Van Straden, Cervantes, Murray, Hernandez, Chloe Knowles, Gonzalez and Bracher. Cervantes, Smith, Williams, Perez and Goins drove in two runs each. Nevaeh Arnold gave up 5 runs (2 earned) in three innings and got the win, while Chloe Gilday stopped the visitors, striking out 10 and allowing no earned runs in the final four innings.

After a game March 9 at Archbishop McCarthy, the Lady Conchs face Marathon at 7 p.m. Friday, March 11 at the Backyard and hit the road for a 3 p.m. Saturday game at Westminster Christian.

22

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

‘GREAT RESIGNATION’ AFFECTS SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD WRESTLES WITH FILLING TEACHER POSITIONS

‘SOMETHING ROTTEN’ HITS WATERFRONT STAGE NEW MUSICAL IS BY MAKERS OF ‘PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT’

Board members Sue Woltanski and Bobby Highsmith, chair John Dick and vice chair Andy Griffiths. CHARLOTTE TWINE/Keys Weekly

CHARLOTTE TWINE charlotte@keysweekly.com

F

or the first time in a Monroe County school board meeting, district staff brought up the "Great Resignation," the nationwide trend of workers in many industries quitting en masse, starting in 2021. And it has hit home in the Keys, with the district unable to fill educator positions in its schools. Staff and board members revealed their struggle to attract viable job candidates and discussed solutions in their March 10 meeting.

Per forbes.com, “The American ‘Big Quit,’ or ‘Great Resignation’ is a postwidespread-vaccination phenomenon that is touching everyone from McDonald’s workers to software engineers. A record 4 million people quit their jobs in April (2021), many of them in lowpaid, inflexible industries like retail. …

The same thing is starting to happen in higher paid jobs.”

“Hundreds of Thousands Quit Jobs in Florida as ‘Great Resignation’ Continues,” screamed a February 2022 headline on nbcmiami.com.

Harry Russell, the district’s executive director of personnel support and instructional leadership, gave a presentation to board members about his and other staff members’ recent attendance at the National Educator Shortage Summit in Orlando, run by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. The summit was attended by administrators from across the country to discuss how to find teachers and other necessary employees. He said that staff from Colorado, Nebraska and Rhode Island schools told him they were having the same problem.

Russell pointed out that since the Great Resignation, the district is struggling to find candidates for all kinds of positions, not just teachers.

“It’s anything involved in educa-

tion,” he said. “It’s bus drivers, substitutes, parapros (paraprofessionals), cafeteria workers. … The job market is changing right in front of our faces.”

Paraprofessionals are employees who assist educators.

As of March 1, Russell noted, the Monroe County School District has 47 openings. The categories with the most unfilled positions at schools up and down the Keys include teachers, with 11 open positions for the 2022-23 school year, and 17 open paraprofessional positions.

He presented several ideas for solutions, a few of which the district already had in place, such as the Grow Our Own initiative. This is an effort by the district to invest in those who are already employed locally or in the schools. Finding potential job candidates who currently have homes in Monroe County is important, Russell explained, because the high cost of living has been a factor in employees resigning.

“It wasn’t unique to us, I can tell you that,” he said, pointing out that an administrator in a tourist destination in Colorado told him of dealing with the same challenges.

One incentive from the Grow Our Own effort is to reimburse candidates up to $5,000 for tuition. Other solutions for placing candidates in open positions include salary increases, paying off student loans, day care support, workforce housing, encouraging students to become teachers and a more aggressive nationwide marketing campaign.

Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford struck a positive note.

“At the beginning of the year we had 150 teacher aides (paraprofessionals),” she said. “And we were trying to encourage them to become teachers.

So throughout the year we only had eight takers. But you go out again, and now this time we have 44. So I think that the program is already building.”

T

he team that brought the musical “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” to the Waterfront stage is back with a new “tour de farce,” the musical “Something Rotten.”

The musical previews March 22 and 23, with a grand opening on Thursday, March 26. Then it plays Tuesdays through Saturdays through April 16.

“Something Rotten” takes place during the Renaissance in England and William Shakespeare (played by Bruce Moore) is a rock star. His works are loved by all except the Bottom brothers, Nick (Brian Robinson, making his Key West debut) and Nigel (Arthur Crocker) who must write a new play to stay ahead of the money lenders they owe.

Enter Nostradamus, who sees into the future and tells Nick they can beat Shakespeare to the punch by writing a musical.

The show is filled with costumes, musical numbers (who doesn’t like a good tap dance) and a hilarious plot line. It is directed by Waterfront artistic director Tom Thayer, with choreography by Carolyn Cooper, design by Michael Boyer, musical direction by Michael Fauss, lighting design by Kim Hanson, costumes designed

by Costume World and stage managed by Trish Manley, “Something Rotten” was written

by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell with music and lyrics

by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick.

The cast includes Canter O’May, last seen in the Waterfront’s “All is Calm,” as Nostradamus; Alexandra Zeto, making her Waterfront debut, as Bea; Sarah Thorn, making her debut, as Portia; Karl Stahl, last seen at the Waterfront in “1776,” as Reverend Jeremiah; Xavier McKnight, fresh off the tour of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” as the Minstrel; John McDonald, Professor Plum in “Clue,” as Shylock; Ross Pipkin, Colonel Mustard in “Clue,” as Lord Clapham; and Chris Homberg, Mathais Maloff, J. Michael Wright, Andrew Theede, Carolyn Cooper, Jillian Todd, Belle Jampol and Barbara Mundy as the ensemble. The orchestra includes Mark Rose, Donna DeForrest, Gary Rivenson, Roberta Jacyshyn, John Sausser and Michael Fauss.

— Contributed

“SOMETHING ROTTEN” Waterfront Playhouse Tuesdays through Saturdays March 26 to April 16 For tickets: waterfrontplayhouse.org or 305-294-5015.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

23

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

‘LET’S GO SURFIN’ NOW, EVERYBODY’S LEARNIN’ HOW...’

THE BEACH BOYS BELT OUT CLASSICS IN KEY WEST

B

efore Jimmy Buffett blew out his fateful flip flop and pioneered the trop rock musical genre, the Beach Boys brought California’s surf and summertime exuberance to music that’s spanned six decades.

Known for their iconic lyrics and harmonies, the Beach Boys took the stage on March 6 at Key West’s Coffee Butler Amphitheater with Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston.

Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally composed of the three teenaged Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis; their cousin Mike Love; and school

friend Al Jardine. They released their first album, “Surfin’ Safari,” in 1961.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked their album “Pet Sounds” No. 2 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and ranked the Beach Boys No. 12 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”

They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and had the Key West crowd on its feet and singing along to familiar and timeless classics such as “California Girls,” “Barbara Ann” and, of course, “Surfin’ Safari.”

— Mandy Miles

The summertime anthems of The Beach Boys fill the air March 6 at Key West’s Coffee Butler Amphitheater. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

26

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022 A painted bunting seen in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

READING MAGAZINES ON THE FRONT PORCH

MARK HEDDEN ... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

I

t was early and we were drinking coffee on the front porch. My wife had the good chair, the one where, if you tilted your head the right way, you could use the post to keep the sun out of your eyes after it came over the treetops. Which was fair, because she was up first, which gave her rights. Also, she made the coffee, as she did most mornings, which gave her even more rights.

Me, I was holding up the New Yorker at a weird angle between all that brightness and my face, reading a story about Bridget Everett, who has a show on HBO and is apparently a very funny person, though approached from the wrong angle I could have been accused of attempted virtue signaling by reading a smarty pants magazine in kind of a showy posture. But really, I was just trying to block the sun.

When I looked up I could see a brown pelican cutting high across the island, his body kind of crooked to the wind. Then came a magnificent frigatebird, who kind of dolphined through a headwind, rising up into a stall, then nose diving to gain back some momentum. It didn’t look like there was any reason for him to do it, other than it was probably kind of fun.

The week before I’d been out in the street, trying to take a decent picture of a chair we’d been given – thanks, PE! – when I’d heard a northern mockingbird singing softly to himself. Which was a first.

Every year at this time, you start hearing the gray catbirds sing softly to themselves as a kind of warmup and practice before they migrate north, but I’d never heard a mockingbird do it. I tend to think of them as birds that go full throttle in everything they do.

A week later, the mockingbird had turned the volume up – not to 11, but to a solid 7. When some rich people in a Cessna Citation flew over, it almost seemed like he was trying to harmonize with the jet noise.

In the tree next to the driveway there was a gray catbird, who was not practicing anything, and certainly not harmonizing. He was just loudly yowling out the same felinesque call over and over again, seemingly to no one in particular. After a while we were both like, yes, we get it, you’re a catbird.

When I finished the story about the comedian I moved on to a long piece about some right-wing provocateur who was vying to take the place of Rush Limbaugh in the American hatescape, but I quit after a couple paragraphs, because how much space do you want to let those people take up in your psyche?

The sun finally rose high enough to reach the edge of the roof and I could read my magazine like a normal human, and my wife got up to get on a Zoom call. I was just starting to read a long piece about a man who’d taught English in China years ago and was following the entrepreneurial careers of some of his students, when I heard it – a buzzy little call I’d been hoping to hear for a long time. I froze.

A couple weeks ago I was talking to the woman and the three little girls who live across the street, and they said something to the effect of how they loved seeing the painted bunting that comes to the feeder we have hanging out front, and I said something to the effect that it was really great they were enjoying it, really great.

Because they are nice people, and it seemed inappropriate for me to go on a spittle-laced rant about why why why were they getting to see painted buntings at my feeder when I had hung the damn thing up yet had not seen them? Children generally don’t need to see adults having temper tantrums.

It’s not like I hadn't seen painted buntings before. I’d spent a couple hours in a friend’s backyard last winter and managed to see them. And I’ve seen them a bunch of times at places like Fort Zach and Indigenous Park. But if you see painted buntings every day of your life, you are still not seeing enough painted buntings.

Male painted buntings are about as technicolor as it gets in North America, a three-pronged blast of color – green blue red.

Joseph’s dreamcoat has nothing on them.

That buzzy little call I heard was a painted bunting. It was coming from low in the seagrape.

It took a few minutes for me to see the bird, partly because it was wary, and partly because I was looking for the wrong colors. It was a female, and while males are all multi-hued vibrance, females are yellow-green overall, better to hide in the foliage and go about their day.

After five minutes of me not moving a muscle she finally leapt up onto the feeder. She stuck her head in, grabbed a seed, spit it out, then stuck her head back in and found a seed she liked better.

I wondered if she saw me as part of the landscape or just something she didn’t need to worry about unless I moved. She stuck her head in a few more times and gulped a few more seeds before a van drove down the street and she flew off.

She came back about 10 minutes later, though, this time with a male painted bunting following a few branches behind her.

She made it back to the feeder and started eating. The male crept closer and closer and, I believe, was also about to jump up on the feeder when the dog came out onto the porch. The dog only wanted to sniff at the leaves of the mint plant, but there’s no way to explain that to buntings, and they took off again.

They didn’t return for the rest of the morning, which was fine.

There’s always tomorrow morning, and the morning after that. And I have a whole stack of magazines to read.

31

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE

BOOK by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell MUSIC by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick CONCEIVED by Karey Kirkpatrick & Wayne Kirkpatrick COSTUMES

DIRECTED by Tom Thayer DESIGNED by Michael Boyer

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CHOREOGRAPHY Carolyn Cooper MUSICAL DIRECTION Michael Fauss STARRING Bruce Moore,* Brian Robinson,* Ross Pipkin Mathias Maloff, Arthur Crocker, Canter O’May Sarah Thorn, Xavier Knight, Ervin Tumm, Karl Stahl Alexandra Zeto, John McDonald, Barbara Mundy Carolyn Cooper, Andrew Theede, Chris Homberg Jillian Todd, Belle Jampol and J. Michael Wright *Appearing by courtesy of Actors Equity Association

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MASKS ARE REQUIRED. Proof of negative COVID-19 test within previous 72 hours required -- waived with VOLUNTARY proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

W

e are about halfway through is an astrologer, Pisces season, and wanderer, barthe sun is shedtender and ding its light on our advocate for queer justice. He joys and ideals as it is a loquacious nestles between the Gemini with a Piscean rulers, Jupicozy Cancer rising. Find him at ter and Neptune. We hearthandherald- can either revel in astrology.com abundance and healing, or fall prey to excess and delusion. The entire gamut of possibilities is available to us when these three cosmic bodies come together.

Here are your horoscopes for the week. Read for your rising and sun signs.

CHRIS McNULTY

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 The Pisces party continues, and it is a wonderful time to let yourself get carried away with daydreaming about how big your life can be. Imagine your ideal self without holding back.

Who would you be if you knew you couldn’t fail? Under this first quarter moon, you might feel conflict between how you envision your life and how you intellectualize your home and family, but you can use the friction to take some decisive action.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 Spring is around the corner and so is your birthday, Aries! Before we cross into Aries season, it is an ideal time for you to be by yourself in deep reflection.

How far have you come since your last birthday and what has this year meant for you?

While you’re considering the year past, your friends and/ or siblings might make it hard for you to find time to yourself.

Practice communicating your boundaries.

JOYS AND IDEALS IN PISCES SEASON TAURUS April 20 - May 20 Things should be ramping up at work for you, maybe in a frustrating way. Too much work and not enough time, or is there added pressure coming from your higher ups? Don’t let the man get you down, Taurus.

There are people in your corner who want you to succeed and are ready and willing to help you blow off some steam. Let loose with your friends and take your mind off the money.

GEMINI May 21 - June 21 Your always-active mind just shifted from travel and adventure to your career, Gemini.

There is a lot of abundance taking place in your work life, but this quarter moon is also reminding you to keep yourself at the center. What actions can you take to make sure that you are in charge of your life and that you are not a minion for the powers that be?

CANCER June 22 - July 22 As a child of the moon, Cancer, the moon cycles affect you more than most. Pay attention to her waxing and waning to better understand your own emotional journey. This quarter moon, you may feel detached when everyone else seems to be enjoying the expanse of life.

This is preparing you to dive deeper into your immediate community in two weeks when the moon is full. Enjoy the stillness for now.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 You might be feeling pretty good about being a support system to those around you in turmoil. Keep it up, Leo. Or perhaps you are the one having difficulty and relying on friends.

At any rate, it is time to find gratitude for the people in your life. The tides turn from time to time, and having one another’s back keeps us resilient.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 A new relationship is either already here or just around the corner. Whether in love or business, this partnership has the promise of joy and restoration, despite a bit of confusion. You may want to keep it hidden for a while, as if you do not want to share the relationship with the world. When the full moon comes around, you will know what is best for yourself.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 There is some fire happening in your creative space, Libra.

Or is it a fire that should be extinguished? Either way, there is energy to tap into when it comes to your own creative outlet. Make music, paint, cover yourself in glitter and run around the neighborhood – whatever feels like self-expression works for you. This quarter moon has you struggling between the chores of daily life and the dream of adventure.

Let the struggle inspire you.

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 Home is particularly magnetic for you right now, Scorpio, and you may want to spend as much time there as possible, even if the energy at home feels a bit tense. Stay home if it feels right, but avoid conflict by immersing yourself in personal pleasures. What can you do to make your home a more enjoyable space? Reorganize, paint, get some new plants, throw out your musty pillows. Use your impulse to stay home wisely.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 This quarter moon is particularly powerful for you, Sag, and it has to do with a pull between love and family. Is there a relationship in your life that is creating some conflict with your loved ones? The actions you take now to create peace between these important parts of your life will set you on course to a career glow-up. Don’t shy away from the discord. Dive in!

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Communication is key right now, Capricorn. Pay attention to how you are communicating with those around you because there is a great opportunity for you to get what you desire if you choose your words correctly. In fact, there is a lot of therapeutic healing available to you when you carefully consider what you are saying and how you are saying it. Language matters.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 It is time to fall deeper in love with yourself, Aquarius, because the cosmic lovers, Mars and Venus, have entered your House of Self. You are probably feeling a push and pull about what to do with yourself and who you want to be, but it is up to you to make this dynamic a dance rather than letting it tear you asunder. Dancing on your own is where it’s at, so learn the steps.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

KAREN NEWFIELD ... a reader and now a writer, has hundreds of book reviews at: www. readingandeating.com. For questions and comments, email karen@newfield. org.

LUCK o' THE IRISH THREE OUTSTANDING NOVELS TO CELEBRATE THAT POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE READING RAINBOW

THE REBOUND

By Catherine Walsh Suddenly single, jobless and homeless, Abby Reynolds finds herself on a plane to Ireland. Having spent her childhood doing everything in her power to leave this tiny village, Abby is on her sister’s doorstep at what once was their childhood home.

Instantly at odds with each other, as usual, she wakes the next morning and is informed that they are having guests for lunch. When the incredibly handsome man who gave her a ride shows up, she is speechless. Standing there is Luke Bailey, the boy next door who most certainly is not a little boy any more. Abby instantly turns all shades of red and is furious that no one mentioned that Luke morphed into a heartthrob. Needing these next few weeks to find a job and get over her ex-boyfriend, Abby works hard to be civil with her sister and ignore the electrical sparks she feels when Luke is around.

This town may not be New York City, and Abby won’t be wearing any fancy corporate suits, but it doesn’t take long to feel at home again. Digging deep to find out what this next chapter has in store brings heartwarming surprises and sisterly love.

Give me a romcom with an Irish brogue and I am swiftly swooning.

A DANCE IN DONEGAL

By Jennifer Deibel Having never traveled outside of Boston, Moira Doherty spent her entire life listening to her mother’s endearing stories of home in Ireland. In the summer of 1920, her mother passes and Moira is left all alone.

Before her death, Moira’s mother applied for her to become the schoolteacher in the small village of Ballyman where she was raised. Terrified of starting over in a faraway land, Moira relies solely on her newfound courage to make the difficult journey. Upon her arrival, Moira discovers an unfamiliar superstitious culture that is not always welcoming to newcomers. As she slowly makes friends and gets settled, an Irishman named Sean comes to thatch the roof of her cottage. With a warm and handsome smile, Sean becomes her greatest supporter as Moira struggles to fit in. When whispers float around town, it can no longer be denied that something in her mother’s history caused her to leave in a hurry. Moira cannot move forward with her own dreams until she uncovers the secrets of the past. This brave young woman leans into her faith to find her true calling. A sweet, thoughtful, simple story bringing every detail of Ireland’s magnificent landscape, food and language to life.

LUCKY LEAP DAY

By Ann Marie Walker When aspiring screenwriter Cara Kennedy arrives in Ireland, her luggage is lost, it’s raining and she is alone after being dumped by her no-good boyfriend. Her Uber driver Finn takes pity on her, giving her a quick tour of the city and the sweater off his back. Not only is he sweet and kind, but his sexy brogue has Cara melting into puddles on the back seat. Cara enjoys some friendly flirting as Finn directs her to the best sites during her trip. Grateful for the break from her demanding job, Cara squeezes in as much as possible. On the last day, Finn is again her tour guide.

Coincidence or fate? Cara will never know, but after too many whiskeys on this lucky Leap Day, she wakes up on a plane heading home with her new husband, Finn.

It is Irish tradition that only on Leap Day do women propose marriage to men.

Panicked and too drunk to remember the details, Cara hurries back for an urgent meeting while introducing Finn to California living. With the luck of the Irish, her handsome hunk gets “discovered” and their worlds turn upside down. This lighthearted romance will have you dreaming of a ticket to Dublin.

37

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

KEY WEST CHAMBER HONORS LOCAL WOMEN MONA CLARK & PATRICIA NEYRA RECEIVE AWARDS

KEYS FCU OFFERS FREE FINANCIAL EDUCATION

ONLINE AND MOBILE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Mona Clark receives the Athena Award from the Key West Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 25.

Patricia Neyra accepts the Key West Chamber’s Appelrouth Award. CONTRIBUTED

he Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce presented two local women with prestigious awards a few days before International Women’s Month started, but the honors are lasting.

The business organization presented the William “Billy” Appelrouth Award and the Athena Award at its inaugural “Roaring 22s” installation & awards dinner on Feb. 25.

The Appelrouth Award is given to an individual who has provided extraordinary service to the Key West Chamber of Commerce. It recognizes a pinnacle of service that goes well above and beyond traditional volunteerism. Appelrouth was a Key West business owner who was dedicated to giving back to his island community.

Patricia Neyra received the honor for her service to the board of directors and chamber committees, and for exceeding all expectations beyond the call of duty, no matter what task is on hand. Neyra strives to honor and represent all ideals of the chamber.

The Athena Award was founded in 1982 and is designed to recognize the achievements of outstanding business and professional women in communities across the country and around the world. By honoring exceptional leaders, the Athena Award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.

The award sculpture depicts Athena, the dynamic goddess of Greek mythology.

The 2022 Athena Award was sponsored by Jack Niles of Niles Sales and Service and was presented to Mona Clark. Clark is a Key West native whose dedicated educational career and commitment to children continues well past her retirement through 22 years of Take Stock in Children mentorship.

Clark also works tirelessly to uplift and empowers the Black community and fellow women through volunteer work and leadership roles.

T

— Contributed

K

eys Federal Credit Union is offering three free and financial education programs that let participants earn real-life rewards.

Banzai, Knowledge of Financial Education (KOFE), and Zogo are available to members and non-members and have financial tools for all ages and education lessons.

Banzai offers interactive courses and activities based on real financial issues with select content available in Spanish. KOFE offers self-paced courses, videos, podcasts, articles, webinars and live certified financial coaches to help you achieve financial success in English and Spanish. Zogo is an English-only gamified mobile app that offers cash rewards for completing bite-sized lessons on intelligently saving, spending and managing money.

“As locals ourselves, we work tirelessly to respond to our community’s needs,” said Maggie Sayer, KEYS FCU president and CEO. “Once we noticed the need for financial education both within our schools and the community, we began offering Banzai and KOFE on our website and Zogo, a mobile app for smartphones.”

To access Keys FCU free financial education programs, visit www.KeysFCU.org or go to your app store to download Zogo with the code KFCU. — Contributed

39

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022 JIM McCARTHY

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will allow the harvest of up to 200 goliath grouper per year, with no more than 50 from Everglades National Park. DAVID GROSS/ Keys Weekly

jim@keysweekly.com

KEYS OFF LIMITS TO GOLIATH GROUPER HARVEST SEASON BEGINNING IN 2023, BUT NOT EVERGLADES

H

arvesting goliath grouper will be allowed in state waters, albeit on a limited, regulated basis, beginning in spring 2023. While the Keys largely remain off limits, goliath grouper harvesting will be permitted at a nearby national park.

And while some are touting the decision to open the fishery, others are hesitant about enacting the change on a protected species in the southeastern U.S. waters.

An abundance of goliath grouper, and more requests to reopen harvest in Florida, prompted state wildlife officials’ consideration of allowing a limited harvest of the fish that’s been protected since 1990. Access to the goliath resource is currently provided through catch-and-release fishing and diving ecotourism opportunities.

That changes beginning next year, however, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s approval on March 3 to allow 200 harvest permit tags for recreational harvest of goliath grouper in state waters.

The season would kick off March 1 and go through May 23 each year.

The Atlantic waters off the Florida Keys remain off limits for harvesting. Per the rule, no harvesting is allowed from Martin County south through the Atlantic coast of the Keys. St. Lucie River and its tributaries and Dry Tortugas Park are also off limits.

Of the 200 goliath groupers permitted for harvesting each year, 50 are allowed to come from the Upper Keys’ backyard — Everglades National Park.

“Staff coordinated with Everglades National Park (ENP) in development of goliath management measures, and ENP was interested in measures that were consistent with ENP’s purpose and fundamental values,” an FWC report states on harvest limits. “This included limiting the number of goliath that could be taken from within ENP.” FWC manages goliath grouper in state waters, while the federal waters are managed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

A giant of the grouper family, the goliath has brown or yellow mottling with small black spots on the head and fins. The giant can reach 800 pounds and over 8 feet in length. The Florida record, per FWC, is a 680-pound goliath grouper caught off Fernandina Beach in 1961.

Goliath grouper were historically found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, on both coasts of Florida and from the Gulf of Mexico down to Brazil and the Caribbean. Young goliath grouper spend five to six years in mangrove habitat. As they grow older, they move to shallow reefs, eventually joining adult populations offshore on artificial and natural reefs. Adults prefer habitats with overhangs, bridges, piers and shipwrecks.

Conservationist and Islamorada resident Xavier Figueredo is the founder of Florida Bay Forever and a catch-and-release sport angler.

“I’m dead set against this opening up. I’d like for the ban to stay in place … though 200 fish statewide is not a huge issue. That’s a nice compromise.”

When asked about the plight of commercial fishermen who possibly compete with goliath grouper for stone crab, Figueredo told the Weekly, “I feel bad for stone crabbers. But I feel maybe the amount of stone crabs taken by groupers is overestimated. … The bigger problem we have is we are overfishing. The population of anglers has exponentially increased.”

Richard Stanczyk is the co-owner of sportfishing marina Bud n Mary’s in Islamorada.

Though he told the Weekly he would like to see the goliath grouper remain protected, he points out that a lot of sportfishermen don’t like goliath grouper as they’ll “lose a yellowtail or snapper because the goliath grouper will engulf it.”

There’s also concern over high methyl mercury levels found in goliath groupers in the Florida waters, per a 2019 study published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin by Chirs Malinowski. The study evaluated mercury concentrations in their tissues, muscle and liver. Mercury concentrations were highest in fish caught off Florida’s Atlantic coast.

“Mercury concentrations in muscle tissue were generally greater near urbanized areas with known mercury sources and environmental conditions appropriate for higher methylation rates,” the study’s abstract reads. “This suggests that management should consider improving the water quality in these areas to reduce the risk of health effects to human consumers and to the fish themselves.”

Through the new rule adopted by FWC, an angler can harvest one goliath grouper per open season. But they need a recreational goliath grouper harvest permit and tag, which would

be issued via a random-draw lottery. The cost to enter the lottery is $10. Floridians awarded a harvest tag must pay a $150 permit fee, while those out of the state who get a tag pay $500.

Goliath grouper over 36 inches in length can’t be harvested, as well as those often seen while diving underneath the waters of the Florida Keys. Harvested goliath would need to measure within a slot limit of 24 to 36 inches total length. A previous draft rule had the slot limit from 20 to 36 inches total length.

“After decades of closure to this fishery, we welcome this opportunity for a highly regulated, limited take of goliath grouper,” FWC Commissioner Robert Spottswood said in a statement, adding that post-harvest data reporting requirements will help guide future management decisions for this species.

An FWC report on the draft rule proposal states that fishery managers, researchers and fishermen are seeing increased goliath grouper numbers in Florida. There were no regulatory measures in place for goliath in state or federal waters prior to 1983. With no regulations, the goliath population experienced a severe decline from the 1950s through the 1980s. The harvest ended in state and federal waters in 1990.

“Goliath is a rebuilding stock that is becoming more abundant in many parts of Florida and is a species that serves an important role in the marine ecosystem,” the FWC report states. “As the abundance of goliath has increased, so has the frequency of interactions and conflicts with fishermen and divers.”

Attempts to quantify the goliath’s growing numbers through a traditional stock assessment were rejected by independent expert reviewers and the federal fishery management councils’ scientific advisors. The FWC’s report states that it’s because of unknowns surrounding the goliath’s life history and uncertainty about maximum age, as well as the absence of long-term data and lack of information about the stock outside the southeastern U.S. Longtime Upper Keys diver Patti Gross said the decision to reopen the harvest was a sad day for the fate of the goliath grouper.

In addition to commission meetings and workshops, the FWC said it has gathered stakeholder comments since 2017. The new rules take effect July 1, 2022, with the first harvest season starting March 1, 2023.

Charlotte Twine contributed to this report.

40

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

John Huling Geiger, Florida wrecker. MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY/Contributed

“Along the Florida Reef” documents Holder’s experiences and observations during the trip. Because of its length, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine published it in serialized form between the March and July 1871 editions.

In the April edition, Holder BRAD not only writes about Geiger but provides an image of his face, BERTELLI too. Holder's story includes etchis an author, ings of the sights and people he speaker, and Florida Keys historian. had seen during his adventure.

In the etching showing what a His latest book, typical wrecker looked like, one “The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files,” simply captioned “A Wrecker of is a fun blend of the Reef” is John H. Geiger. In the two of his favorite subjects — Florida text, Holder described Geiger as “a man of decided character and Keys history and a sort of commodore among his the Skunk Ape. compeers.”

The Geiger family house fell into disrepair in the 1950s but was purchased by the Wolfson family, wired for electricity, and restored to its previous glory. On March 18, 1960, the Wolfsons dedicated the house as a public museum named the Audubon House.

The connection to Audubon is tenuous. Stories suggest he stayed at the house for months during his time in Key West.

That story had two primary problems.

First, Audubon was only in the Keys for five weeks. Second, Geiger built the house nearly two decades after Audubon's stay.

Stories also suggest Audubon was once in Geiger’s garden when he saw the brilliant flowers of the Geiger tree, and that is why Audubon gave the tree its name.

While Geiger built the Audubon House Audubon named Cordia sebestena, with circa 1849, Audubon arrived in the Florida its stunning orange flowers, the Geiger Keys aboard the U.S. Revenue cutter tree in honor of the wrecker. The tree Marion in April 1832. For that handful of has other varieties that produce white weeks when he was in the Keys, he visited flowers and yellow flowers. Geiger is also Indian Key, Key West and the Dry Tortugas. the name of a small island south of Big Audubon was not thrilled with Florida as Coppitt Key. During the Coast Survey cona whole, but he certainly had kind things ducted in 1861, A.D. Bache wrote about to say about the Keys. Upon arriving at the island: “Geiger Key is 2 miles long and the harbor of Indian Key, he wrote that his 1 mile wide. It was in good cultivation in “heart swelled with uncontrollable delight.”

1855, and was inhabited by an industrious In a letter to his wife, Audubon wrote that German, from whom it derived its name.” the island’s “air was darkened by whistling Other sources indicate the island was wings.” named because of the presence of Geiger At Indian Key, Audubon and his team trees on the island. Today the island is stayed at the boarding house of John Egan. home to the Geiger Key Fish Camp, one Egan had only just built the boarding house of the great off-the-beaten-path spots to at the edge of the small island – along the stop for some good food and a nice cold edge and just a little bit over the clear Atlandrink while soaking in some beautiful tic waters. Egan was also more than a host waterfront views. and served Audubon as a pilot and guide John Geiger was also featured in during his short stay on the island.

“Along the Florida Reef,” written by Dr. J.B. Audubon wrote some interesting things Holder. Holder accompanied an expediabout Egan in both his role as host at the tion to the Keys that traveled between boarding house and as his pilot and guide Fort Myers on the west coast and Fort while he was at Indian Key. Those stories, Dallas on the east coast in 1860-1861. Fort however, will have to wait for another day.

Dallas would later blossom into Miami.

WRECKER TURNED WEALTHY MAN

John Geiger left sizeable footprint in the Keys

K

ey West’s Audubon House was built after 1846’s Havana Hurricane ravaged Cuba, destroyed the Sand Key Lighthouse, and threw the double hurricane punch of high winds and tidal surge at Key West.

John Huling Geiger was responsible for the house’s construction. He was one of Key West’s early residents and served as a pilot for Commodore David Porter’s anti-piracy squadron after they arrived in 1823.

Geiger was also one of the most successful Florida wreckers. Eventually, he became one of Key West’s wealthiest residents, who built a home befitting his growing family’s standing in the community in the wake of the Havana Hurricane's destructive forces. The house, located on the corner of Whitehead and Greene streets, was constructed with Dade County pine. The family occupied the home for more than a century.

While Geiger left a sizable footprint on Key West’s history, it was not limited to his success as a wrecker or the dimension of his home’s foundation. John James

41

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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43

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

TAKE ME HOME? FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

T

he Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.

From cats and dogs to Guinea

pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. Check here each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca. org.

Lele is a 4-year-old, female medium mixed breed.

WE ASK; KIDS ANSWER "Children are not a zoo of entertainingly exotic creatures, but an array of mirrors in which the human predicament leaps out at us."

— John Updike

T

he Keys Weekly is proud to feature local middle-school students and their answers to some fun questions in our Kids Weekly segment. Instead of asking about their favorite teacher or school subject, we want to know what superpower they’d most like to have, their favorite YouTube channel and the hardest part about being a kid today.

To have your fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth graders included, please contact Key West Editor Mandy Miles at mandy@keysweekly.com for the questionnaire and directions for photo submissions.

Special thanks to Sigsbee Charter School student Jack Mitchell and teacher Jessica Forsyth for helping us assemble the new Kids Weekly feature.

ROSIE CARR

6th grade Sigsbee Charter School Activities: I play piano. I’ve been taking lessons since I was 5. I'm also a part of this organization called Sea Cadets.

Through that I've gotten scuba certified, boat licensed and flown a small plane (along with a pilot).

Marilyn Bunroe is an adult female American rabbit.

Mittens is a 6-year-old female domestic shorthair.

What superpower would you most like to have? To talk to animals.

If you could make a rule for the whole world to follow, what would it be? If I could make a rule for the whole world to follow I would make it so you're not allowed to abuse animals.

What makes you laugh? My dog when he tries to chase his tail.

Willie is a 7-year-old, male domestic shorthair.

Coco is a 9½ year old female large mixed breed.

When do you think a kid is old enough to have a cell phone? I think a kid’s old enough to have a cell phone when they can pay for it themselves.

What’s your favorite YouTube channel? My favorite YouTube channel is Liam Thompson. He is really funny and makes crazy stuff (like the magic mirror from Shrek).

The hardest part about being a kid is… moving everywhere.

The hardest part about being an adult must be… finding time to have fun and work.

When I grow up, I want to… be a vet and open up my own veterinary clinic.

44

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

HEADDRESS BALL ROCKS ITS MARDI GRAS EDITION

HEAD & SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST

T

wice postponed due to the COVID pandemic, the Key West Business Guild’s Headdress Ball sparkled on Feb. 26 at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater.

Contestants in handmade headdresses competed for prizes in a variety of categories, while top-notch local entertainers donated their time between entries

for eye-popping performances.

The rescheduled event is the guild’s biggest annual fundraiser and due to its timing in late February, was given a Mardi Gras theme.

The ball will return to its usual lineup in the Fantasy Fest schedule this October.

For more information, visit gaykeywestfl.com.

— Mandy Miles

Spring into better hearing this year!

The Key West Business Guild celebrates its long-awaited and twice-postponed Headdress Ball on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Key West Amphitheater. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

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45

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE EC525

I’M GETTING TOO OLD TO BE DOING THIS! Looking for experienced electrician to work towards taking over this well-established business that has been servicing the Middle Keys for the past 42 years!

PLEASE SEND RESUME TO KELLY6098@AOL.COM OR CALL BILL AT 305-743-6098.

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects.

The facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories: Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions Set Forth in the Florida Statute The deadline for receipt of applications is April 27, 2022 and applications must be downloaded from Demandstar (www.monroecountybids.com) For more information please call the TDC Administrative Office at 305-96-1552 and ask to speak with Ammie or Maxine.

NV2A Gulf Keystar, a Joint Venture, is prequalifying interested Vendors/Subcontractors to participate in the procurement process for the Concourse A and Terminal Improvements Program, located at Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida.

The project consists of a new and efficient concourse building connecting to the existing main terminal through an elevated pedestrian bridge. It includes new waiting areas, concessions space, improved baggage claim services and passenger boarding bridges. The landside terminal building will be renovated and improved to accommodate an expanded security checkpoint and support office space. The project is currently in preconstruction, with some selective construction commencing in the second quarter of 2022. Concourse A is scheduled to be in full operation by October 2024 and the rest of the project completed by 2025. Please visit www.nv2agroup.com for additional information.

At this time, we are soliciting interested subcontractors for all construction trades, including but not limited to: Sitework, Underground Utilities, Auger Cast Pile Foundations, Cast in Place Concrete, Precast Concrete, Masonry, Casework and Millwork, Roofing and Insulated Systems, Architectural Metal Panels, Glass and Glazing, Doors and Hardware, Flooring, Acoustical Ceilings, Framing and Drywall, Painting and Coatings, Building Specialties, Hoisting and Conveying Systems, Airport Systems, Passenger Boarding Bridges, Baggage Handling Systems, Mechanical Systems, Plumbing Systems, Electrical Systems, Security and Access Control Systems and Fire Protection Systems.

To participate in the procurement process for all construction trades listed above, subcontractors and vendors must first be prequalified by NV2A Gulf Keystar. Interested parties are to visit: www.nv2agroup.com/prequalify to register as a vendor and complete the Vendor Prequalification Form. Please reference ‘Key West’ on the subject line when returning the Vendor Prequalification Form.

It is anticipated that the procurement process for most construction trades will be completed by the third quarter in 2022. Prequalified subcontractors and vendors will receive an Invitation to Bid with instructions and their respective deadline(s) to submit, as the individual scope packages are finalized. During all procurement process, interested parties will receive equal consideration in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (30 Fed. Reg. 12319, 12935, 3 C.F.R. Part, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339).

46

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of The Voice of Cake located at 58901 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Jaimie Roberts Gearhart Publish: March 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Keys Home Care located at 19552 Aztec Street, Sugarloaf Key, FL 33042 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Florida Keys Natural Products, LLC Publish: March 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of ENA SOUL located at 105 Saguaro Lane, Monroe County in the City of Marathon, Florida 33050, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Marathon, Florida this 9TH day of March, 2022.

By: Flamingo Soul LLC Publish: March 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of The Frozen Tap located at 718 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Doukas Siotkas, Managing Sole Member on behalf of Doukas Properties, LLC, a Florida limited liability company Publish: March 10, 2022 and March 17, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Uva Wine Shoppe

LEGAL NOTICES located at 605-A Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: UVA Wine, LLC, a Florida limited liability company Publish: March 10, 2022 and March 17, 2022.

The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 2:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: CANAL 25 KEY LARGO BACKFILL MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices.

Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecountybids.com. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 2:00P.M., on May 5, 2022. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents.

Your subject line on both emails must read as follows: Canal 25 Key Largo Backfill 05/05/2022 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov.The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 2:00 P.M., on May 5, 2022. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156 (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156 (San Jose)

LEGAL NOTICES Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish: March 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: CANAL 28 KEY LARGO BACKFILL MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www.floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices.

Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecountybids.com. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00P.M., on May 5, 2022. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents.

Your subject line on both emails must read as follows: Canal 28 Key Largo Backfill 05/05/2022 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov.The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on May 5, 2022. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156 (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156 (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish: March 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

Middle Keys Chiropractic, INC located at 5701 Overseas Highway, Suite 11, Marathon, FL 33050, will be closing on February 24, 2022.

Custodian of records will be Sherri Nichols, DC 6943 Gilda Court, Keystone Heights, FL 32656 305-517-6141 Publish: February 24, March 3, 10 & 17, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE The Northern Trust Company, 50 South Lasalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603, intends to apply to the Federal Reserve Board for permission to establish a branch at 31 Ocean Reef Drive, Suite # 102, Key Largo FL 33037. October through April, the branch will be open five days a week from 8:30am to 4:00pm. May through September, the branch will be open two days a week, on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30am to 4:00pm. The Federal Reserve considers a number of factors in deciding whether to approve the application including the record of performance of applicant banks in helping to meet local credit needs.

You are invited to submit comments in writing on this application to Colette A. Fried, Assistant Vice President Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604. The comment period will not end before March 25, 2022, or 15 calendar days after the publication of this notice, whichever is later. The Board’s procedures for processing applications may be found at 12 C.F.R. Part 262. Procedures for processing protested applications may be found at 12 C.F.R. 262.25. If you need information about how to submit your comments or to obtain a copy of the relevant procedures, contact Jeremiah Boyle, Assistant Vice President for Community and Economic Development at (312) 322-6023; to request a copy of an application, contact Colette A. Fried at (312) 322-6846. The Federal Reserve will consider your comments and any request for a public meeting or formal hearing on the application if they are received in writing by the Reserve Bank on or before the last day of the comment period.

Publish: March 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO. 22-CP-000022-P IN RE: ESTATE OF RUTH ANN DRAKE, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS All creditors of the decedent, Ruth Ann Drake, are hereby notified that the formal administration of the Estate of Ruth Ann Drake, Deceased, whose date of death was September 16, 2021, File Number 22-CP-000022-P are pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Florida 33070.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this Notice is served, must file their claims with the Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED 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 the first publication of the foregoing Notice to

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES Creditors is March 10, 2022.

Petitioner: Stephen Drake, Jr., Personal Representative 1001 Monroe Avenue NW, Unit 503 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Attorney for Estate: Christopher S. Furlong, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 89542 Bacon, Bacon & Furlong, P.A. 2959 First Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33713 (727) 327-3935 Publish: March 10 & 17, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NUMBER: 22-CP-000011-M IN RE: ESTATE OF HOWARD L. ANDERSON, JR., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of Howard L. Anderson, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was July 10, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The name and address 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 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: March 10, 2022.

Personal Representative: George Anderson 1106 Shetland Court Lynn Haven, FL 32444 Attorney for Personal Representative: Erin E. LeBlanc, Esq. Florida Bar No. 1019242 Barnes & Thornburg, LLP 4540 PGA Blvd., Suite 208 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Telephone: (312) 214-8835 erin.leblanc@btlaw.com Publish: March 10 & 17, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NUMBER: 22-CP-000021-P IN RE: ESTATE OF EDWIN MICHAEL BURNS, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of Edwin Michael Burns, deceased, whose date of death was December 14, 2020, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The name and address of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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 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: March 10, 2022.

Personal Representatives: Faith Branstetter 70 Holly Boulevard Southampton, NJ 08088 Amelia Burns 526 E. 85th Street New York, NY 10028 Attorney for Personal Representatives: Teresa Abood Hoffman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 871982 Email: teresa@hoffmanpa.com LAW OFFICES OF HOFFMAN & HOFFMAN, P.A. 66 W Flagler Street, Suite 200 Miami, FL 33130 Telephone: 305-372-2877 Facsimile: 305-372-2875 Service of Court Documents: eservice@hoffmanpa.com Publish: March 10 & 17, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

Attorney for Personal Representative: CARA HIGGINS, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 0734241 CARA HIGGINS LAW 604 Whitehead Street Key West, FL 33040 Telephone (305) 294-6030 Facsimile (305) 292-9911 E-Mail: cara@carahigginslaw.com Publish: March 3 & 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2022-CP-51-K JUDGE TIMOTHY J. KOENIG IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ROBERT JOSEPH BILLY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ROBERT JOSEPH BILLY, deceased, whose date of death was January 20, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney is 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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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 March 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: PAUL J. BILLY Petitioner

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-000187-K IN RE: ESTATE OF JUDITH N. REISING, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JUDITH N. REISING, deceased, whose date of death was September 8, 2020 is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. 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 who have 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 the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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) YEAR OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is March 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: CHRISTIAN R. REISING Petitioner c/o Jose Ignacio Leon, P.A. 2600 S. Douglas Road, Suite 502 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSE IGNACIO LEON, ESQ. Jose Ignacio Leon, P.A. 2600 S. Douglas Road, Suite 502 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Office: (305) 384-3386 Email: Jose@fleplaw.com Florida Bar No. 0110385 Publish: March 3 & 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-000144-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LINDA MARINA LOPEZ, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of LINDA MARINA LOPEZ, deceased, whose date of death was August 30, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Hwy., Suite 202, Tavernier, FL 33070. 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

47

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES 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 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 PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this notice is March 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: LAURA MARIA MOYA 119 Harborview Drive Tavernier, FL 33070 Attorney for Personal Representative: STEVEN SILVERMAN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 265081 STEVEN SILVERMAN, P.A. 7740 SW 104TH Street Suite 101 Miami, FL 33156 Tel: (305) 666-6111 Fax: (305) 670-8114 Email: steven@stevensilverman. com Publish: March 3 & 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NUMBER: 22-CP-000017-P IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSEPH S. DROZD, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JOSEPH S. DROZD, deceased, whose date of death was 12 October 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Florida 33070.

The names and addresses of the Co-Personal Representatives and the Co-Personal Representatives’ 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 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: March 3, 2022.

Co-Personal Representatives: Maria Teresa Leiva 1249 Milan Ave. Coral Gables, FL 33134 Schree Toth 248 Atlantic Blvd.

Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives: Tom Woods, Esq. Fla. Bar Number 0525197 116 Porto Salvo Drive

LEGAL NOTICES Islamorada, Florida 33036 Phone: 305.664.2200 tom@tomwoodslaw.com Publish: March 3 & 10, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 22-DR-000035-K Division: Family YENI A. MENDOZA RIVAS, Petitioner, and DOROTHY M. BESWICK, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: DOROTHY M. BESWICK Last Known Address: 4 BETTY ROSE DRIVE, APT. 421, KEY WEST, FL 33040 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on YENI A. MENDOZA RIVAS, whose address is 4 BETTY ROSE DRIVE, APT. 421, KEY WEST, FL 33040, on or before April 11, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.)

Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated this 7TH day of March 2022 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall Deputy Clerk Publish: March 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

CLASSIFIEDS AUTOS WANTED ALL YEARS! Junk or Used.

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

BOATS FOR SALE Inflatable Boat - 8' West Marine RU250, 3.5 hp Mercury 4 stroke (3 hours).

Located in Marathon. Call 8 5 9 - 6 3 0 - 0 5 3 1 SOLD IN LESS THAN 3DAYS!!

Place your Boat For Sale ad here for only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy.

Call 305-743-0844 today!

305.743.0844

BOAT SLIP

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Boat slip available oceanside in Marathon.

Self contained incl. one parking space. $20.00 per foot/month plus water.

F/L/S No pets. 305-6108002

Looking for Office Manager for Condo Association.

Candidate should know Quickbooks, Excel and Word. Position is for 24-32 hours per week. The right candidate has the opportunity for advancement. Salary is negotiable and as an incentive housing can be offered. Please send salary requirements with resume.

Background check will be done. Send resume to Linda Kruszka @ lindakruszka@comcast. net PO Box 522592 Marathon Shores, Fl 33052

pool & employee meals.

Private club & friendly atmosphere.

Varying hours Tuesday-Saturday.

Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview

Serve/Bartend on the ocean!

FT/PT Ocean front private swim club is seeking customer service oriented server/bartender.

Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge.

Open year round, 10am7pm daily. Full time/Part time. Small friendly staff.

Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call April (305) 393-0631.

Charter Captain /Mate - Busy fishing charter business in Marathon looking for experienced fishing Captain/Mate.

Busy boats and location.

Offshore, Inshore, Reef/ Wreck. Also part-time Boat Cleaner needed for afternoons. Send text or call 305-481-3259

Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20-25 hrs. per week, $20 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@aol. com, or call 734-476-0531.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club, is seeking a part time line cook. Perfect second job. Club is open 10am - 7pm daily. Located in Key Colony Beach. Hourly pay commensurate with experience.

Beautiful environment, small friendly staff, open year round. Apply in person, email resume to atpor call 305 393-0631 ask for April.

BOATS WANTED WANTED: Pontoon Boat and Trailer - CHEAP! No engine & no deck required.

305-289-9884

EMPLOYMENT CENTENNIAL BANK IS H I R I N G !

TELLER II MARATHON/KEY WEST. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF P O S I T I O N : Conduct transactions with speed, accuracy and efficiency while meeting or exceeding service quality standards.

Safeguard bank assets assigned to them.

Contribute to the growth of the bank by promoting and cross selling bank products and services.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Equivalent to four years high school or GED, with particular emphasis during high school in office skills, shop skills, or others, plus 12 to 18 months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. To apply, please visit our careers page: www.my100bank. com/careers

Boat rental company in Marathon needs mechanic. Boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006 Kelly Electric in Marathon looking for experienced Journeyman/Electrician.

Please send resume to Kelly6098@aol.com or call Bill at 305-743-6098 The Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a Bartender/Server. $12/ hr + guaranteed tip

The Marathon Yacht Club is looking to hire a FOH Manager. Friendly atmosphere. Private club.

Salary + share in tip pool.

Responsible for managing wait and bar staff, ordering and inventorying bar supplies and serving at times.Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Recreation Specialist/ General Maintenance Tech, Engineering Intern, Public Works Fleet Mechanic, and Marina Customer Service Rep. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR “C”

LOCATION: BIG COPPITT KEY AND DUCK KEY The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s WASTEWATER DIVISION IS GROWING, and we need (2) WWTP OPERATORS WITH A FLORIDA “C” LICENSE OR HIGHER. You will perform skilled/technical work involving the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant. This requires technical knowledge and independent judgment to make treatment process adjustments and perform maintenance on plant equipment, machinery, and related control apparatus in accordance with established standards and procedures. Benefit package is extremely competitive! Location: Big Coppitt Key and Duck Key. Salary Range: $52,645.98 - $84,011.20.

Apply online at www.fkaa.com

EEO, VPE, ADA

Busy Key Largo Dive Center has immediate openings for

BOAT CAPTAINS $1,500 SIGNING BONUS

Experience Required. Paid per trip plus tips & sales commission.

Send resume to resumes@rainbowreef.com

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person).

Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record.

Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com 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@gmail.com Part Time Supervisor/ Housekeeper Position Available Immediately in Key Colony Beach.

Hours may vary depending on need including weekends.

Responsibilities include oversee housekeeping staff, inspecting rooms prior to guest occupancy, making up laundry bags, cleaning rooms, etc.

Physical demands: ability to lift and carry laundry bags ~ 35 lb. **Must have reliable transportation** Please call/text or email to discuss pay and to request application.

Michelle - 952-208-2850 Cheryl 305-505-8747 info@continental innbeachside.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West is hiring a Protective Service Aide. We are seeking the right candidate for a Full-Time Permanent position as Protective Service Aide at the Senior Citizen’s Plaza.

This position requires a 32 to 40 hour work week with alternating shifts. Shift hours are 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., & 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. KWHA Provides Health, Retirement, and Leave benefits for this position. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: Wrightk@ kwha.org or (305)2965621. Applications are available online at www. kwha.org or at our Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040.

EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Fl Keys Diesel Marathon now hiring: Diesel Technician - C o m p e t i t i v e compensation package.

Exp in the marine field preferred but not necessary. Exp w/ Caterpillar and Cummins Marine Engines a plus.

Diesel Mechanic Assistant position available.

Motivated candidate willing to learn a new trade or expand current skills.

Company willing to train.

Qualified applicants please call 305-2892070 or email resume to neil@allkeysdiesel.com . Drug Free and valid Drivers License a must .

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

48

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

EMPLOYMENT NOW HIRING: Sweet Savannah's is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older, Full-time Baker & Part-time Baker's Assistant.

Stop by for an application at 8919 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email: info@ sweetsavannahs.com Marathon FT Admin Assistant for busy CPA Firm. Duties incl clerical, scanning, word processing, entry level bookkeeping, data entry, mail, filing and customer service. Must have strong computer skills, Microsoft Office. Exp with QuickBooks a plus. We are looking for a friendly, reliable team-player. Must be able to pass background check. Health insurance benefits after introductory period. Bishop, Rosasco & Co. Email resume to tara@keyscpa.com.

EOE HIRED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!

PLACE YOUR HELP WANTED AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY!

HOBBIES/COLLECT. PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches.

Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578

FULL TIME OPENING CUS TOMER S ERV I CE RE PRE S ENT A T I V E Coordinate aircraft transactions with customers and the line service technicians Professional customer service skills and the ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and overtime as needed, are required Pay rate $17-$19/hr depending on experience, excellent benefits, and a fun work environment

Contact Will Zimdars will@marathonaviation.com EOE/Drug-free workplace

HAWKS CAY IS HIRING FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS Spa Guest Service Agents • Gift Shop Attendants Uniform Attendant • F&B Receiving Clerks Engineers • Banquet Setup On-Call Banquet Servers • Stewards/Dishwashers Servers • Bartenders • Safety Services Welcome Booth • Drivers AND MORE…

Please apply online at www.hawkscayjobs.com

The Moorings Village is seeking friendly, self motivated, team players for these positions: GUEST SERVICES AND BEACH ATTENDANT Competitive salary and great benefits.

Job types: Full-time & Part-time

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please email your resume to Lindsey@mooringsvillage.com or call the reception office at 305-664-4708

HIRING NOW!

NOW HIRING:

RESERVATIONS AGENT FULL TIME/PART TIME REMOTE WORK AVAILABLE Assist callers/guests with planning and booking of their vacation or stay at the Resort. Provide support via telephone, e-mail, chat and in person, by answering questions and making recommendations. The right candidate will treat the guest with courtesy and respect in a warm, friendly manner at all times; always addressing the guest by name and answering all telephone calls promptly in a courteous manner. Must be computer literate.

www.hawkscayjobs.com Equal Opportunity Employer

Hosts Waitstaff Bartenders Bar Backs Bussers Line Cooks Dishwashers

Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

HOMES FOR SALE Duplex For Sale By Owner. 10822 2nd Avenue, Gulf, Marathon. 2BR/1BA each side. Trade RV or BOAT or CASH. Call 305-481-1316

NOW HIRING!

LOT FOR SALE Lot For Sale By Owner on Duck Key - Trade RV or BOAT or CASH. Call 305-481-1316

OFFICE/COMMERC. SPACE FOR RENT Beautiful Office Space available for rent now on US1 in Tavernier @MM92.

Call 305-394-0530 Place your Office/ Commercial Space For Rent ad here. Only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy.

Call 305-743-0844 today!

YARD SALES PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY!

FULL TIME OPENING L I NE SERV I CE P E RSONNE L Greet and fuel aircraft Prior aviation experience preferred Clean driving record required Pay rate $17-$19/hr depending on experience, excellent benefits, and a fun work environment

Contact Will Zimdars will@marathonaviation.com EOE/Drug-free workplace

FULL-TIME SERVICE TECHNICIAN Will train. Benefits after 90 days.

Starting pay $22/hr.

Apply in person at:

FJ Nugent & Associates, Inc. 935 107th Street, Gulf Marathon, FL 33050 (407) 474-0026

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

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

OCEANFRONT PRIVATE SWIM CLUB IN KEY COLONY BEACH IS SEEKING A KITCHEN MANAGER/COOK FOR OUR BUSY SNACK BAR. The Cabana Club is open 10 am - 7 pm daily.

Must have experience. Responsibilities include but not limited to: ordering, cooking, menu design, good organizational skills and maintain a clean kitchen. Our small efficient kitchen mainly serves lunch items.

Pay commensurate with experience plus benefits. Beautiful environment, small friendly staff, open year round.

TheCabanaClubKeyColonyBeach.com Apply in person, email resume atpCabanaClub@aol.com or call 305-393-0631 and ask for April.

Sweet Savannah’s is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older Fulltime Baker Part-time Baker’s Assistant Email info@sweetsavannahs.com Or apply in person at 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844

Join Our Team!

Teller

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Executive Assistant Customer Service Representative

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $15.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

DUI Evaluator Part-time – Marathon

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for a part time position. DUI evaluator - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree with experience in substance abuse field required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Office located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at (305) 704-0117.

Skilled Maintenance Technician IT Technician

Apply Online at KeysBank.com/Careers

NOW HIRING Full or Part Time Guest Services

Answer phones, take reservations, greet customers with a smile. Cashier responsibilities, must be able to multi task.

Please apply in person at

Aquarium Encounters 11710 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance Tuition Reimbursement

HIRING

Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Time

FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER

401K Employer Match Salaries Starting at $18/hr Fun, Fast-Paced Environment

Location: Upper Keys

Quarterly Cash Profit Sharing Great Hours Member FDIC

KeysBank.com EOE-M/F/V/D

Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruct.com Or call: 305-852-3002

Equal Housing Lender

Department of Environmental Protection

John Pennekamp State Park is hiring for a seasonal OPS Senior Clerk Position for our Entrance Station. This position’s primary function is to provide excellent customer service, give information about the park and collect tolls.

For a detailed job description and to apply, please visit; www; https://jobs.myflorida.com search by location Key Largo FL

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Monroe County School District

Salary $18.00 - $25.80/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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Pigeon Key is seeking dedicated professionals seeking to make a positive impact in their community. Those individuals who wish to work on a uniquely beautiful island , while promoting our cultural history and preserving the natural Keys environment are encouraged to apply.

Competitive wages based on ability and experience. Applicants will be subject to criminal background check and drug screening.

Positions include: Trolley Operator (CDL licensing course provided for qualified applicant) Tour Guides, Sales Associates, Customer Relations Reps, Maintenance, Rental Associates and more.

Application online at pigeonkey.net - under the Staff icon. Or apply in person at the Pigeon Key Gift Shop, 2010 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL. Questions and completed applications can be emailed to pigeonkey@aol.com

OPEN POSITIONS AT BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA TAVERNIER MARINER’S HOSPITAL - Physician Practice RN - Pool Group Exercise Instructor - Scheduling Coordinator - Security Office MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - ED Team Coordinator - Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus - First Cook, $5,000 Bonus - Floor Technician, $5,000 Bonus - Mechanic 3, $5,000 Bonus - Medical Assistant, $3,000 Bonus - Physician Practice Patient Rep, $1,000 Bonus - Phlebotomist, $10,000 Bonus - Pool Physical Therapist

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

Dolphin Research Center is Hiring!

Trainer (Full-Time/Permanent) Seasonal Utility Position (Full-Time) Volunteer Resources Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent) Media & Marketing Staff Member (Full-Time, Permanent)

Education Program Host (Full-Time, Permanent)

IT Technical Specialist (Part Time, Permanent)

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

Guest Services Staff

TEXT “MYTOMTHUMB” TO

242424

(Full-Time/Part-Time, Temporary/Permanent)

Benefits include medical, life & disability insurance, 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick time & holidays.

Full job descriptions available at

www.dolphins.org/career_opportunities

Email cover letter, DRC application & resume to drc-hr@dolphins.org EOE

Apply online at mytomthumb.com/employment

THEME: MARCH MADNESS The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

PART TIME / FULL TIME OPPORTUNITIES W/FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES FRONT OFFICE MANAGER FRONT OFFICE GUEST SERVICES AGENT & BELL/VALET RESERVATIONS AGENT HOUSEKEEPING - ALL POSITIONS SIGN ON BONUS OFFERED! CULINARY SOUS CHEF, PM COOK DISHWASHER F&B SERVERS, RESORT SERVICES BUSSERS/FOOD RUNNERS LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST NAIL TECH ENGINEER/ELECTRICIAN SCAN TO VIEW JOB OPENINGS. APPLY TODAY! APPLY ONLINE AT www.noblehousehotels.com/careers APPLY IN PERSON AT Zero Duval St. Ocean Key Resort and Spa is EOE.

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor, FT (Children) Case Manager, FT (Children)

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist, FT (Children, Adult) Driver PT/per diem Prevention Specialist Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Peer Support Specialist Crisis Counselor Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children ) Motivational Support Specialist Substance Abuse Counselor *Advocate

MARATHON

Peer Support Specialist/BHT (FT) Care Coordinator Housekeeper Behavioral Health Therapist (Children, Adult) RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) Advocate (PT) Driver PT/per diem *Assisted Living Support Worker (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.

COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com (search by zip code) EEOC/DFWP

ACROSS 1. In ill humor 5. Like a ship?

8. Repeating word on South Pacific map 12. Man-eating fairy tail giant 13. Newspaper piece 14. Pertaining to the ear 15. Family group 16. Not the life of the party 17. Andean animal 18. *Like Sunday, the day of announcements 20. Bodily disorders 21. 19th century Robber baron Jay ____ 22. Architect’s software, acr.

23. Articulates 26. Soak up 29. Cuban dance step 30. Auditory canal, e.g.

33. Needlefish, pl.

35. “Star Wars” creator 37. Swindle 38. March edition, e.g.

39. Rest or settle 40. Johnny Cash’s “Get ____” 42. *It never ends this way 43. Another word for acetylene 45. High or hilly land 47. Grazing spot 48. Copying machine 50. ____ code 52. *Those remaining in last weekend (Two words) 56. Gives off 57. Afghanistan’s western neighbor 58. Beginner 59. Send in payment 60. Halfway around links 61. Besides 62. Biz bigwig 63. *D-___ schools only 64. Swedish shag rugs

DOWN 1. ____ Brown and “What’s Up, ____?”

2. Gawk at 3. River in Orenburg, Russia 4. Weasel out 5. Go bad 6. Massacre of the Innocents king 7. “I Dream of Jeannie” star 8. *Last year’s runner-up from Washington 9. Like word of mouth 10. Those born under Aries 11. Chicken ____ ____ king 13. Between 90 and 180 degrees 14. Spy’s cover 19. Crocus bulbs, e.g.

22. *Network 23. *School with most titles 24. Car rack manufacturer 25. Like an implied agreement 26. Your mom’s sister 27. Haile Selassie’s disciple 28. Boston hockey player 31. Heart pain 32. Ken or Barbie, e.g.

34. *Placement 36. *First A in NCAA 38. Motivate 40. Biology class acronym 41. Benevolent 44. Leavening agent 46. Another word for golf club 48. Rice wine 49. Lacking sense 50. NYSE MKT, formerly 51. Frost design on a window 52. Porto____, Italy 53. Like acne-prone skin 54. Bear constellation 55. Fish eggs, pl.

56. Before, archaic

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

HELP WANTED EXPERIENCED DENTAL ASSISTANT P/T OR F/T

MONDAY-FRIDAY BENEFITS & COMPETITIVE PAY CALL THE OFFICE OF HECTOR GUZMAN 305-294-9914 OR EMAIL RESUME DOC@DOCGUZMAN.COM

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

2

Empty bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.

3 Keep food and liquid out.

Recyclables go directly into the cart.

NEED A BAGGSTER?

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

2758 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (in the Overseas Market) • Key West 305.294.9914 • doc@docguzman.com • www.docguzman.com

ROLLOFF CONTAINERS and PORTABLE TOILETS available.

Call us at 305.296.8297.

OPEN TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY! 11AM-4PM

THE LOFT FEATURING NOW CARRYING RETAIL LINE

NEVER FULLY DRESSED!

EXCELLENT CONDITION PRE-LOVED & NEW WOMEN’S CLOTHING PRIVATE PARTIES & PERSONAL SHOPPING | KIRBYSCLOSET.COM

218 WHITEHEAD STREET #4 | KEY WEST | 305.847.9977 PAID PARKING GARAGE NEXT TO OPAL KEY RESORT & MARINA

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @KIRBYSCLOSETKW @FRANKIEKEYWEST

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

LIC# CCC1329991

LIC# CGC032862

BEST CONTRACTOR NOMINATION

VOTED BEST CONTRACTOR 5 YEARS IN A ROW

Second Annual

MIKE GARCIA 305.304.4188 CONCHROOFING@GMAIL.COM WWW.CONCHCONSTRUCTIONANDROOFING.COM

FRESH NEW MENU

&

STOP BEING BUGGED

NEW PATIO DINING

TOUGH ON BUGS - SAFE FOR PETS!

OVER 10 YEARS OF LOCAL EXPERIENCE & TRUST

1405 Duval Street, Key West // 305.295.6550 southernmostbeachresort.com #somolife MF_KWWeeklyAd_1.pdf 1 2/24/21 1:50 PM

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LICENSED & INSURED

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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

BOUTIQUE Key West

Featuring Unique Island Wear For Women & Men, Local Fine Art & Jewelry.

M

Y

Y

Y

(305) 295-7026

Zero Duval Street, Ocean Key Resort

Madda Fella Tropical Menswear

Poupette St Barth Women’s Apparel

Johnny Was Women’s Apparel

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

EDUCATION PERFORMANCE OUTREACH

PHOTO BY BLUEYE IMAGES

FOUNDED IN 2008, DANCE KEY WEST IS A 501C3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. DANCEKEYWEST.ORG

SCAN FOR RESERVATIONS

SCAN FOR DELIVERY

GET YOUR (COLD) BREW ON.

KEY WEST | 313 DUVAL STREET Limited Time Only, until May 31

FARMER-DIRECT | CROP TO CUP | HAND CRAFTED SCAN TO LEARN MORE

#LIVEGREATNESS | HARDROCKCAFE.COM ©2022 Hard Rock International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.

FIND US AT THE PERRY HOTEL 22-HRCSE-01142 - Keys Weekly March Ads_4-9x12-5.indd 7

2/14/2022 12:28:43 PM

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

CGC1523838 LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.453.6928 Licensed & Insured #SP33799

CGC1523838

SPALLING

ALL KEYS GLASS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-743-7800

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

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

Dan Blagriff

Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS# 675375 DBlagriff@My100Bank.com Direct: (305) 304-6085 Office: (305) 676-3146

_social media management _search engine optimization _custom website design

1229 Simonton Street Key West, FL 33040

overseasmediagroup.com 305.906.0272

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

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

305-998-8953

MY100BANK.COM | Centennial Bank

Appliance and Air Conditioning

Sales - Service - Installation 1700 N. Roosevelt Blvd #2, Key West 305-294-0090 • www.kolhages.com

Insured • Professional • Reliable

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

SOLAR DONE RIGHT!

Tewes Mortgage

Your local, residential lending expert!

CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

Call 305.495.6000

When it comes to solar and power storage for your home in the Florida Keys, turn to the Florida Keys Local Experts at SALT Energy.

for a FREE Consultation

Brian Tewes

A division of SALT Service, serving The Keys since 1989

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

305-289-1150

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734 Florida Electrical Contractor EC13008657

www.TewesMortgage.com

Daunte Aguilar

Serving Key Largo to Key West

Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS# 2260640

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

Will Campbell President

DAguilar@My100Bank.com Direct: (305) 676-3107 Office: (305) 587-1598 2514 N Roosevelt Blvd.

Key West, FL 33040

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

MY100BANK.COM | Centennial Bank

Lic No. SP1481

Only $57 Puts Your Business Card Here

When It Rains It Pours!

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

Key West 305-292-2666

MARATHON

305-743-0506

KEY LARGO

305-852-5356

rainsavergutters@gmail.com

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

KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / MARCH 10, 2022

FAMILY, FOOD & FUN

Join us daily 4-6pm for $3 small plates, domestic drafts, wine & liquor!

And don’t miss our Live Music! Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 5-8pm