Marathon Weekly 22-0721 by Keys Weekly Newspapers

Brace yourself. It’s mini-season.

1¢

BOATS VS. HOMES

City, state square off in final hearing | P.4

ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL

Forum draws candidates & lively crowd | P.10

BUG HUNTIN’ Know the rules | P.17

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022 NUMBER OF THE WEEK

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

The number of lobsters per person, per day, during lobster mini-season, Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28, in the Florida Keys. Don’t say you’re catching another six lobsters for your wife who’s at the hotel or your father back home in South Carolina.

ON THE COVER Marathon resident Phil Demeo shows off a prized spiny lobster during the 2019 lobster season. If you plan to go hunting for miniseason this week, make sure you know – and follow – the rules. See page 17. CONTRIBUTED

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Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

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CAN BOATS BECOME HOMES? Marathon, BoatWorks, DEO square off in final administrative hearing ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

oes a lack of express prohibition constitute permission? What’s the difference between a “liveaboard” and a “floating structure?” And what can you do with each of them? Definitions and code interpretations consumed the majority of proceedings in a final hearing involving the city of Marathon, BoatWorks Investments LLC and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on July 13 and 14. Heard by administrative law judge Todd P. Resavage, the outcome of the two-day hearing could set a significant precedent for the use of live-aboard vessels recognized as dwelling units when the city of Marathon adopted its 2005 comprehensive plan and 2007 land development regulations (LDRs). DEO’s petition against the city and BoatWorks Investments stems back to Resolution 2021-105, unanimously ap-

proved by the Marathon City Council in January 2022, in which the city allowed a limited number of the 32 live-aboard dwelling units previously recognized at a property to be re-developed as land-based units at the same location – if the live-aboards were subsequently done away with. As Marathon falls within an Area of Critical State Concern, all development agreements within the city – including the BoatWorks plan – are subject to review by DEO unless otherwise specified by a memorandum of understanding between a municipality and the state. Colloquially known as the “BoatWorks project” at the end of Marathon’s 39th Street Gulf, in which 52 units of affordable housing would be paired with up to 20 market-rate units along the waterfront, the development agreement was eventually appealed by DEO, which contended that the decision to redevelop the live-aboard units on land was inconsistent with the principles set forth by Marathon’s comprehensive plan and LDRs. In layman’s terms: a permanent residence on the water should not be used as a basis to build a residence on land, even on the same piece of property. Though the aftermath of the appeal was outside the scope of this particular hearing, DEO eventually issued a notice of violation to the city and

subsequently revoked its long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Marathon when building permits were issued for a limited number of the market rate units as DEO’s appeal of the live-aboard redevelopments was ongoing. Calling DEO regional planning administrators Scott Rogers and Barbara Powell, former Area of Critical State Concern administrator Rebecca Jetton and Marathon Planning Director Brian Shea as witnesses, DEO attorney Linville Atkins argued that pre-existing boats and slips at the property were better classified as floating structures and were thus expressly prohibited from being re-developed on land due to provisions in Marathon’s code. “To allow the conversion of 34 wet slips, or live-aboards, to the upland as a development right circumvents the BPAS process or system, which in turn upsets the staged evacuation plan in place for hurricanes,” said Atkins. “This is a very important issue and … if allowed, will establish a dangerous precedent for not just Marathon but for the Keys.” According to Florida statutes, a floating structure is defined as “a floating entity … which is not primarily used as a means of transportation on water but which serves purposes or provides continued on page 7

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from page 4

CAN BOATS BECOME HOMES? services typically associated with a structure. … Floating structures are expressly excluded from the definition of the term ‘vessel.’” While agreeing that “there is an express prohibition on redeveloping floating structures upland,” BoatWorks attorney Bart Smith and Marathon city attorney Steve Williams contended that the same provision is nowhere to be found for dwelling units classified as live-aboards. “There is nowhere in the comprehensive plan, LDRs, or principles for guiding development that expressly prohibits the redevelopment of live-aboards upland,” said Scott. “Because of this, it implicitly allows that live-aboards, the other type of dwelling units recognized that are waterborne, can be developed upland.” Scott and Williams pointed to multiple previous development orders for the same property rendered to DEO without appeal since 2006, all of which the pair said recognize the existence of 32 live-aboard dwelling units that are already accounted for in hurricane evacuation models. Scott also argued that by redeveloping the live-aboard units upland and connecting them to modern utilities, the new dwelling units would likely prove to be more environmentally friendly than their live-aboard counterparts. Witnesses for the city and BoatWorks included BoatWorks manager Amedeo D’Ascanio, Marathon City Manager George Garrett and Shea. In proceedings largely dominated by definitions and document review, Williams also questioned Powell about an anonymous packet sent by a Marathon citizen to DEO. According to Powell, the packet contained allegations of BPAS mismanagement and permit inconsistencies leveled against Marathon officials. Though both Powell and additional internal DEO emails obtained by Keys Weekly confirmed that the packet was eventually referred to an internal DEO auditor and law enforcement, Powell said the department’s response to the Boatworks development agreement was unaffected by its contents. A meeting between Marathon officials and DEO was originally set for June 20 to attempt to settle the case, but was canceled shortly before the meeting by DEO. Brief settlement talks resumed shortly before the last witness took the stand on July 14, but were ultimately unsuccessful. Video recordings of the hearings are available at https:// cloud.castus.tv/vod/city-of-marathon?page=HOME. Though the hearing concluded in two days instead of three as originally scheduled, a ruling from Resavage is likely more than a month away. With the court transcript set to take a minimum of 21 days, all parties will have 10 days upon receipt of the transcript to submit their proposed final orders detailing their desired outcomes. Upon receipt of these proposed orders, Resavage will have an additional 60 days to deliver a final ruling.

CITY OF MARATHON TAX RATE TO STAY Council agrees to hold the millage rate on ad-valorem taxes at 2.77 mills

n July 12, the Marathon City Council agreed to a proposed tax rate of 2.77 mills, the same as the 2022 rate. The council will have two more budget meetings — on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20, both at 5:05 p.m. at Marathon City Hall — before the tax rate is finalized. Homeowners will pay $277 per $100,000 of the home’s tax assessed value. According to Jennifer Johnson, Marathon finance director, the proposed millage rate is 17.15% higher than the rollback rate, or the rate that would have collected the same amount of funds in 2022 as in 2023. The rate is based on rising property valuations in the city of Marathon, making it possible to collect more in taxes while keeping the rate flat. The proposed millage rate of 2.77 mills will generate almost $9.9 million in revenue in 2023 for the city’s general fund, up from $8.3 million in 2022. The proposed budget includes appropriations for a 9.6% cost of living increase for staff, as well as anticipated employee insurance benefits increases of 15%, three more public works positions and increased costs for consulting services for climate change-type studies. Overall, the FY23 general fund revenues are projected to be about $19.8 million, while the estimated expenditures come in at $17.2 million, for a budget that increases unassigned reserves by about $880,000, and $1.7 million in restricted reserves. The proposed budget would mean the city has $4.2 million in restricted reserves, and $16.3 million in unassigned reserves. The city has been proactively building its unassigned reserves fund since Hurricane Irma demonstrated the need for savings in the event of a natural disaster to pay for day-to-day operations and debris removal. With $16.3 million in reserve, the city estimates it has enough to operate for just short of a year if another storm would interrupt normal business. The city has an annual general fund budget of $37.7 million for 2023. In addition to the ad valorem taxes in the general fund, the city operates on funds it receives for providing services, administrative fees and intergovernmental revenue sharing such as the half-cent sales tax. — Contributed

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

BOCC DISCUSSES FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE, CONSERVATION REPORTS AND RESILIENCY PLANS ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

n one of the quickest commission meetings in recent memory, the majority of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners’ July 20 meeting was spent hearing reports from staff on flood mitigation assistance programs, public programs offered by master gardeners, habitat conservation plans on Big Pine and No Name keys, and amendments to language in the county’s comprehensive plan regarding Adaptation Action Areas (AAAs). A presentation from the county land acquisition and land management department highlighted funds applied for annually by the county through the state of Florida from FEMA to assist in flood mitigation efforts. Focusing on homes with repetitive damage over a 10-year period, the Flood Mitigation Assistance program (FMA) provides funding for property owners who wish to either elevate or reconstruct their properties above the minimum flood elevation – or sell their properties altogether – in pursuit of a more floodresilient community. “Severe repetitive loss” properties, classified as homes with at least two separate National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims exceeding the home’s market value, are eligible for a 100% grant, while “repetitive loss” structures with at least two NFIP claims equaling or exceeding 25% of the structure’s market value are eligible for a 90% grant with a 10% match requirement by the property owner. Land Authority executive director Christine Hurley said that with no repetitive loss structures submitted in Monroe County’s 2021 application for funding, the county has begun sending direct mail to qualifying properties encouraging them to apply. “I can’t emphasize enough how competitive the program is,” said Hurley. “Florida has never really been a player in this arena. … I think it’s very important to note, though, that if you are a property owner in Monroe County that has a repetitive loss structure, you are very likely to become someone who could receive the grant.” The county is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2022 FMA grant, with applications closing around Sept. 15. More details are at https:// www.monroecounty-fl.gov/768/GrantFunding-Flood-Mitigation-Assistanc. Emily Schemper, senior director of planning and environmental re-

LeeAnn McDougall, pictured holding her award, is recognized as Monroe County’s Employee of the Second Quarter for her outstanding work in the county’s facilities maintenance department. KRISTEN LIVENGOOD/Monroe County

sources, later delivered a presentation on the county’s 16th Annual Monitoring Report (AMR), detailing progress in habitat conservation for Key deer and other protected species on Big Pine and No Name keys. Under a 2006 permit issued by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the county is permitted a limited take of endangered species in the area due to development. With a cap set on the total allowable impact from commercial, institutional and residential development over the 20-year life of the permit, the county must mitigate any impacts on protected habitat with three times the value of the impact in acquisition of conservation land. “As of the end of 2021, our impact so far has only been … about 55% of the maximum allowed impact,” said Schemper. “We’ve acquired 99% of the maximum (mitigation land) that we would have to acquire if we got to our full impact. … So we’re in very good shape.” According to Schemper, even if all the permits competing for ROGO allocations in the monitored area were issued, the county would still sit at less than 60% of its allowable impact. The board additionally elected to move forward with a preliminary framework for policy language regarding Adaptation Action Areas within the county. Intended for eventual incorporation into the county’s comprehensive plan, the AAAs would identify areas most vulnerable to coastal flooding and rising sea levels and provide strategies to address such vulnerabilities. The AAAs would allow the county to further prioritize funding for infrastructure needs and adaptation planning. “It seems like a no-brainer to me to adopt these sorts of policies,” said commissioner Holly Raschein. “We’re already doing a lot of this work. I think it just falls right in line with our resilient nature; we’re sort of leading the charge for the state.”

COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS FISCAL YEAR 2023 AT BUDGET WORKSHOP, APPROVE PROPOSED DECREASED MILLAGE RATE

he Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met on July 19 to discuss the proposed $512 million fiscal year 2023 (FY23) budget. The budget includes the Board of County Commissioners, the constitutional officers, like the sheriff's office, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, clerk of court and other appropriations for the Tourist Development Council, capital projects and reserves. Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi and Budget and Finance Director Tina Boan presented the tentative budget with FY23 estimates of residential real estate trends, taxable property values, sales taxes, and state shared revenues, along with fund balance, reserves and general fund. With the proposed budget and countywide average property values, a homesteaded residential property owner with an average appraised assessed taxable value of $469,161 in 2022 will see a $0.66 monthly decrease in their property tax for the FY23 year with the tentative budget. The taxable value is different from the market value. Some of the FY23 budget highlights: • A decrease in the proposed FY23 aggregate millage rate by 4.1 percent, from 3.3748 to 3.2366. Typically, Monroe County has the lowest millage rate in the state. • Reflects a property value increase with a total value of $36.8 billion, another historic high. Property values have doubled in the past 10 years. • Reflects continued investment in roads and bridges, resilience adaptation, facilities, and public safety infrastructure. A number of notable capital projects are funded in whole or in large part with non-local funding. • Funds expanded recreational facilities, including new parks, upgrades and amenities to existing parks, and expanded library services. • Funds higher operational costs like CPI-based increases for vendor contracts, higher cost of fuel, supplies, and materials, higher utility and property insurance costs, and higher personnel costs. • Provides more than $2.1 million in funding for 26 communitybased nonprofit organizations. FY23 budget timeline: The first public hearing of the adoption of the tentative budget and millage rate will be Monday, Sept. 12 at 5:05 p.m. at the Harvey Government Center in Key West. The final public hearing will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 5:05 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. The BOCC adopts the final millage rate and budget at this meeting. Both meetings are hybrid and can be attended in-person or via Zoom. The Monroe County Office of Budget and Finance provides coordination and development of the budget. The award-winning office continues to work with inflation issues, Hurricane Irma and COVID-19 impacts, while providing for the department's daily operations, program enhancements, capital projects, and infrastructure improvements. More information is at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/budgetandfinance. — Contributed

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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FIRST CANDIDATE FORUM GETS FEISTY HOMETOWN EVENT FEATURES NINE RACES

lorida Keys candidates in nine political races fielded questions on July 18 from four local panelists at Hometown’s first election forum. The lively audience included Democrats, Republicans, non-party affiliates — and a cash bar in the lobby of Tennessee Williams Theater. As the event entered its third hour, moderator Todd German repeatedly reprimanded the politically divided audience for booing, cheering aggressively and shouting responses to questions and answers. Those questions came from U.S. 1 Radio news director Joe Moore, Citizen newspaper editor Chris Seymour, Key West business owner Paul Menta and Key West Weekly editor Mandy Miles. Questions were either drafted by the individual panelists or submitted in advance by members of Hometown, a nonpartisan voter education and advocacy group. A video of the event is available at hometownkeywest.com and on its YouTube channel. Below are excerpts from the forum. Additional races are included at keysweekly.com.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 120, REPUBLICANS Incumbent Jim Mooney, Rhonda Rebman Lopez and Robert Scott Allen What would you do to try to fix the wind insurance rate problem we’re facing? Mooney: “The special session on insurance was, at best, interesting. One thing I did debate was trying to get Citizens back in a posture they were put in place for, which was as a last resort. The hardest part in Tallahassee is making people understand that Monroe County is different. We are the leaders in the state with regard to FEMA and wind load, yet many counties are sub, subpar. And those subpar counties are what lead to overall insurance rate escalation, thus impacting all of us.” Rebman Lopez: “Let me tell you what the problem is in Tallahassee. We’re top heavy on trial attorneys that put an R beside their name. We need tort reform. In other states that implemented tort reform, their (insurance) rates went down. … We are a sue-happy state and a judicial hellhole for suing, and whenever we get sued, the costs are passed on to us with our insurance premiums.” Allen: “Everything I can.”

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 120, DEMOCRATS Adam Gentle, Daniel Horton Diaz What would you do to try to fix the wind insurance problem we’re facing? Gentle: I’m sure everyone saw the recent article about $100 million in litigation fees that Citizens Property Insurance pays due to fraud. I would appoint a commission to investigate so our insurance dollars are actually being used to pay for repairs and not to settle fraudulent claims. We have to remove the corruption from the marketplace and bring in new actors by trying something Charlie Crist is proposing by making it so if you want to sell car insurance in Florida, you also have to offer homeowners’ insurance.” Horton-Diaz: “Monroe is a donor county when it comes to insurance. The folks in Tallahassee don’t understand the uniqueness of this community, that our building standards are way higher. I want to build relationships with people on both sides so you can have conversations and communicate the uniqueness of this county. We shouldn’t be paying so much into the system when we don’t claim much back.” What would you do in Tallahassee to help with our housing problem? Horton-Diaz: You have to fight for your place in the budget. When it comes to housing we’re not gonna build our way out of this problem. We have to take a hard look at vacation rentals, AirBnbs. We need to prioritize the people homesteaded in your community and put limits on the amount of homes that can be used for those purposes. We shouldn’t be allowing properties owned by hedge funds or other corporations to be running the same racket when so many families are struggling.” Gentle: “We need to focus on getting more money from the appropriations for the housing issue and I think that’s been a great failure of our current representatives, is leaving money on the table. It’s shocking to me that on July 7 our governor announced a $22 billion surplus in the state of Florida and yet we still have a housing crisis. We need representation that’s going to fight for the dollars we need and deserve.”

SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 1 (KEY WEST) Darren Horan fielded all the questions for the District 1 school board race, as his opponent, Gabrielle Brown, “called yesterday and had an emergency, and it absolutely is an excused absence,” German told the audience. How do you respond to the claim that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ endorsement of local school board candidates politicizes those nonpartisan races? Horan: “I’m a governor-endorsed candidate and I’d say that if it was Andrew Gillum, Nikki Fried or any other governor in office. I’m sure many of you would like the governor to stay out of races, but I’m going to be transparent. I’m endorsed by him. I’m not running as a Republican. I’m not running as a Democrat. I’m running as a nonpartisan. Because I believe, in this age, you need to have someone who represents all people. … I’m a product of Monroe County schools and of this environment, and I’ll continue to be a product of this environment once I sit on that dais.”

SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 5 In the Upper Keys school board race, incumbent Sue Woltanski is a retired pediatrician who has kids in the school system. She faces challenger Alexandria Suarez, a former teacher and current prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office. How will the Parental Rights in Education Bill affect local schools? Woltanski: “I think it’ll depend on how the board responds to it. We do have a diverse number of families, including single parents, families with two moms, grandparents. When a child comes to school they need to feel safe. I fully feel that our teachers will continue to make them feel that way. I think we as a board need to support teachers to let them know we want them to continue to embrace the diversity in our schools.” Suarez: “I stand with Gov. DeSantis on the Parental Rights in Education bill. It calls for transparency in curriculum. It also stands for making sure these gender identity and sexual orientation discussions are not taking place in kindergarten through third grade. We need to focus on academics with our students. … And it helps teachers — good teachers, unbiased teachers — get back to teaching.”

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 5 Incumbent county commissioner Holly Raschein is facing a challenge from repeat candidate Jose Peixoto for the Upper Keys, District 5 seat. On vacation rentals: Raschein: “Much of our vacation rentals are regulated by the state. But when you have a piece of property, and are following all the guidelines, how do you tell someone what they can and can’t do? I don’t know where we land on that, exactly, but I do believe there’s room for much improvement.” Peixoto: “I think communities, not the state, should address their own issues with vacation rentals and other issues. What’s good for Key Largo won’t be good for Key West, or Miami.”

COUNTY JUDGES The Florida Bar strictly limits what judicial candidates can say publicly during their campaign. Candidates Al Kelley and Jason Smith were not allowed to answer questions about the current shortage of prosecuting attorneys in the State Attorney’s Office and how it will affect trials and sentencing. In a polite and respectful exchange, in answer to a question about maintaining peace in a courtroom, both emphasized the importance of treating people with respect, particularly in cases involving mental illness. How many jury cases have you tried to verdict? Kelley: “I’m not a statistical lawyer. I’ve done hundreds of trials in general, but I don’t keep track of how many trials I’ve done. I’ve done a lot of landlord-tenant cases and small claims trials.” Smith: “I’ve tried over 100 jury trials and over 50 felony cases and over 50 drug cases in my first stint at public defender. We need more jury trials, not less. It’s becoming a dying art, but the system loses accountability when we keep pleading out cases. And the key to jury trials is getting jurors from this community.”

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 28TH DISTRICT Democrat Robert Asencio was the only U.S. House candidate in attendance at Monday’s forum. Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez is in Washington, D.C. and conservative candidate KW Miller told German he was “on his way to the Vatican,” German said. Asencio, who served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2018, told the audience, “I seek elected office to break through the B.S. that’s dividing our country.” In answer to a gun control question from Moore, Asencio, a retired police officer who served six years in the military, said, “As a retired police officer who’s been shot at multiple times, I don’t believe open carry laws are the solution. I don’t believe in introducing more firearms to the equation.” But he dismissed the possibility of banning guns as implausible.

SCHOOL TAX SHIFT REFERENDUM The Monroe County School District is asking all Keys voters to approve a tax shift that they have passed every four years for more than a decade. The school district levies an additional half-mill of property tax that can be spent on operational costs, including employee salaries. In exchange, the district reduces by the same amount the tax that can only be used for capital, or construction, projects. There is no net increase in taxes for property owners, but the formula provides more flexible, operational funding for employee salaries. School board chair John Dick reminded the audience that the school district, like all employers, struggles to recruit and retain employees due to the high and increasing cost of living in the Keys.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

LOUD MUSIC FINES & SMOKING AT PARKS New state laws change policy on many matters State legislators sent a number of bills that appropriated funds and set policy to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for approval during the last legislative session in Tallahassee. Of the 269 bills signed by DeSantis, 145 set policy that took effect July 1. Several Keysspecific bills passing through the legislature allocated $51 million for various projects and set guidelines for vessel mooring, specifically in Key West. Other approved bills now change law on a number of issues throughout the state and the Keys. HB 921 - CAMPAIGN FINANCING Passing through the House on March 10 and the Senate on March 4, the bill that became law prohibits contributions from foreign entities for federal and state candidate elections, including contributions to political party committees and contributions for campaign ads. Before the bill became law, Florida imposed no specific restrictions on foreign contributors. But there were limits on contributions to sponsors of initiative petitions and opposing committees during the period of petition circulation. The new state law emulates current federal regulations restricting contributions from foreign entities for elections. SB 1110 - GREASE WASTE REMOVAL Legislation approved by the House and Senate requires haulers to dispose of grease waste at a disposal facility and prevents them from returning grease waste or graywater to a grease interceptor or trap. Fats, oils and grease are usually found in kitchens as ingredients or byproducts of cooking. Improper disposal, usually down kitchen sinks, can cause environmental damage. In a sewer system, fats, oil and grease can solidify and accumulate around the insides of underground sewer pipes, which can lead to blockages, backups, pipe bursts and overflows. The bill requires that upon completion of grease waste disposal, the disposal facility operator and the hauler must have records verifying that fats, oils and greases were properly disposed of. Those who violate the law could face a $2,500 the first time and a $5,000 fine the second time.

HB 105 - SMOKING REGULATIONS Counties and municipalities are allowed to restrict smoking, except for unfiltered cigars, within public beaches or parks. The Florida Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits people from smoking, vaping or using tobacco at indoor workplaces. State law previously preempted the regulation of smoking and did not allow counties or municipalities to regulate smoking. HB 1421 - SCHOOL SAFETY School district boards and charter school governing boards are required to enact plans that reunite families when public K-12 schools are closed or unexpectedly evacuated due to natural or manmade disasters. Law enforcement officers responsible for responding to schools in the event of an assailant emergency are required to participate in active assailant drills. SB 1054 — FINANCIAL LITERACY IN SCHOOLS Students entering their freshman year this coming school year will be required to take a personal financial literacy and management course in order to receive their high school diploma. Before the bill became law, school districts were required to offer a financial literacy course as an elective, but it wasn’t a graduation requirement. Financial literacy instruction includes earning income, buying goods and services, taxes, investing, debt management and credit scores.

PIXABAY/Contributed

FLORIDA STATUTE 316.3045 — LOUD MUSIC IN VEHICLES Effective July 1, drivers playing excessively loud music can be pulled over by law enforcement. Specifically, the law forbids a vehicle from playing music or other sounds that are “plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet or more from the vehicle.” Citations for violating the law could cost motorists between $114 and $116, depending on which Florida county issues the ticket. HB 7065 — FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE A priority of House Speaker Chris Sprowls, the new law provides all fathers with resources and inspiration to enhance their positive involvement in their children. Specifically, the bill aims to strengthen mentorship for at-risk boys and aids noncustodial parents struggling to pay child support. The law also requires Florida’s child welfare system and home visiting programs to increase engagement with and provision of services to fathers.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF I would like to remind everyone two-day lobster mini season is July 27 and 28. Anyone who plans to catch lobster in Monroe County during the two-day season should familiarize themselves with both state law and with local ordinances in the Florida Keys. I want to remind everyone of the following: • Marine thefts commonly happen in the Florida Keys and thieves see mini season as an opportunity to target people who are not careful with their valuables. Make sure you remove electronics, fishing and diving gear from your boat when you’re not on it and store this equipment somewhere secure. • The Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols at boat ramps, bridges and on the water. Anyone caught with illegal lobster will be charged accordingly. All Sheriff’s Office boats will be on patrol, and deputies will be operating a number of personal watercraft donated to the Sheriff’s Office by Riva Motorsports & Marine of the Keys. They donate WaveRunners® each year to be used for law enforcement purposes such as this, as well as for regular patrols of hard to reach shoreline areas and residential canals. • Please drive carefully. Pay attention to those around you, be patient and don’t pass in no-passing zones. Drinking and driving is, of course, illegal; drunk boating is also illegal and our officers will be watching for this dangerous behavior on the water as well as on the roadways of the county.

Download the MCSO App Today!

• Remember: You must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit to harvest spiny lobsters. Make sure to review the rules for the area in which you will be harvesting lobster. Rules and laws vary depending on where you are in the Florida Keys. • A new dedicated website, www.keyslobsterseason.com, includes interactive videos with need-to-know dive and boating safety tips, up-to-date rules, regulations for lobster hunting within the Keys such as daily limits and correct harvesting techniques. It also stresses avoiding prohibited, no-take zones within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary boundaries. Mini-season is a great time for residents and visitors alike and I want to ensure everyone is aware of the law, and behaving in a responsible, and safe, manner.

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

Download the MCSO App Today!

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

‘DRAG QUEEN BINGO’ CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Monthly event is always a sellout hit

n an event that has proven incredibly popular since its inception, Marathon Community Theatre’s “Drag Queen Bingo” hosted “Christmas in July” to another sellout crowd on July 17. Hosted by Marathon’s own drag queen JJ Mills and a cast of MCT regulars since its first event, the bingo nights draw dozens of attendees costumed for the rotating monthly themes. With flowing drinks, a timeless game and plenty of drag queen sass, “Drag Queen Bingo” regularly sells out within minutes or hours of tickets becoming available. And the results speak for themselves – within the last year alone, proceeds from the monthly event have totaled nearly $30,000 for the nonprofit theater. “Drag Queen Bingo has been an outrageously fun event each month for the community and a successful fundraiser for MCT,” said theater president Joanne Zimmerman. “We owe this success to JJ Mills and our dedicated volunteers.” For more information or to find tickets to the next event, visit www. marathontheater.org or call 305743-0994. — Alex Rickert MCT’s anniversary party for ‘Drag Queen Bingo,’ a ‘Christmas in July’ event, saw holiday-garbed bingo players celebrate a year of success with tens of thousands of dollars raised for Marathon Community Theatre. Topping off the night was a well-deserved 60th birthday celebration for host and drag queen extraordinaire JJ Mills. LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

As your County Commissioner, Holly’s priorities include:

Fighting for the Florida Keys

Streamlining local government and focusing on efficiency when serving County residents Planning and implementing resiliency measures to preserve and protect our environment and combat sea level rise and other climate-related threats Addressing workforce housing challenges to promote a robust local economy

www.hollymerrillraschein.com

Vote Holly Merrill Raschein for County Commission on August 23 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Holly Merrill Raschein, Republican, for Monroe County Commission

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

TDC RELEASES VIDEO ON REGULATIONS, SAFETY FOR LOBSTER SEASONS

SCHOOL BUDGET PROPOSES MORE TAXES & SPENDING JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

he Monroe County Tourist Development Council has released a new video to communicate lobster harvest regulations and safety tips in advance of the two-day lobster sport season and traditional lobster harvesting season. The statewide two-day “miniseason” begins at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, and ends at midnight Thursday night, July 28. Regular lobster season begins at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 6, 2022, and continues through March 31, 2023. Part of an extensive TDC-produced public awareness initiative, the 2.5-minute video is at KeysLobsterSeason.com and features Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David Dipre. He explains rules and regulations for lobster hunting within the Keys such as daily limits and correct harvesting techniques, as well as information on protecting the marine environment. The video wraps up with Dipre discussing dive and boating safety tips. The lobster season safety video also can be accessed through the island chain’s FloridaKeysTV YouTube channel. The direct link is youtube.com/watch?v=LYrno9yrz5M. The video and an information brochure are two segments of a lobster season awareness program that includes public service advertisements, digital outdoor advertising, a South Florida radio campaign targeting English- and Spanish-speaking audiences and the dedicated KeysLobsterSeason. com website. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is assisting by publicizing KeysLobsterSeason.com on their portable Dynamic Messaging Signs positioned at points on the Overseas Highway.

FWC Capt. David Dipre outlines rules and regulations for lobster hunting in the Keys. ANDY NEWMAN/Contributed

Keys lodging and other tourism businesses are encouraged to share the KeysLobsterSeason.com web address with guests before their arrival in the Keys. They can also print out a two-page digital version of the brochure, available on the website, and distribute it to guests after they arrive. TDC efforts are part of a multiagency communications strategy by a countywide lobster miniseason task force, started in 2021 by County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron and Marathon Mayor John Bartus. The initiative involves representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Keys municipalities and the tourism industry. Local, state and federal agencies strictly enforce lobster harvest and boating safety regulations in the Keys. — Contributed

onroe County School District’s preliminary 2022-23 budget proposes $20.4 million more in spending for day-to-day operating expenses than the year before. Some school board members wary over the proposed increase suggested less spending and more saving to cover what could come about in the future budget cycle. A tentative, $293-million budget unveiled during a July 19 school board meeting at Coral Shores High School detailed the effects of a spike in property values over the year from $33.6 billion in 2021 to $44.1 billion in 2022. The proposed budget for the school district proposes to levy around $137 million in taxes for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The year before, the school district in its initial budget discussions eyed a tax levy of $117 million. “Historical is what I’m hearing,” said Beverly Anders, director of finance and performance, regarding the property value jump in Monroe County. “I don’t think the county has seen anything like that.” A portion of the tax levy is required under state law in order for the school board to receive some $15 million in state education grants. The remainder of the taxes is proposed solely at the discretion of the school board. A proposed millage rate for the 2022-23 fiscal year is 3.0786, or roughly $307 per $100,000 of assessed value. Per the Save Our Home Amendment, the annual increase in the assessed value of homesteaded properties can only be 3% or the change in the National Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. A taxpayer with a home valued at $500,000 last year with a Homestead Exemption of $25,000 and the maximum allowed increase in assessment (3% or $15,000) will pay $51.41 or 3.3 percent less in school taxes in support of this budget than they did in fiscal year 2021-22. Due to changes in Florida law, the school district will have a referendum on the ballot for the Aug. 23 elections which will combine the 0.500 mills for operational purposes and the 0.0625 mills for safety and security. It will ask the voters to continue this funding for another four years. According to the school district, the funding represents a total of $24.1 million and is critical for the district’s annual operations. If this funding renewal is not approved, it could result in an 18% reduction of the school district’s workforce, which translates to about 220 positions.

“It would be devastating,” Anders said. “It would affect schools and education for students. I hope that people understand that.” On top of operating expenses of $137.46 million, the proposed budget includes $6.92 million for food service, $20.66 million for debt service, $92.83 million for capital projects, $18.69 million for internal service, $8.10 million for Esser funds and $500,000 for trust and agency. Anders said the proposed budget contains budgeted salaries and benefits, which include $1.7 million in teacher raises, and payments to charter schools, $1.7 million. The budget also accounts for increases in contracted services, $1.7 million, as well as high utility costs, $1.7 million. Around $3 million was budgeted for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, which provides students the ability to attend a private school. The scholarship is based on a family’s income. And effective July 1, the McKay Scholarship Program joined the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. It’s designed to offer families of students with disabilities, as young as 3 years of age, access to additional education options. Anders said the proposed budget includes roughly $1.5 million for the fund balance. Board Chair John Dick said he’d like more added to that fund to prepare for next year. “I’d be careful about all this added spending. Less, less, less (spending) and more into fund balance,” he said. Board member Bobby Highsmith said he had trouble over $20-plus million increased taxes year-over-year. “It’s every municipality. … The county and every place in this island chain (are) raising taxes to deal with inflation and cost of living, and it’s a little bit here and there. But it adds up,” he said. Board member Andy Griffiths said the people who will “suck up the big burden” of school taxes are newly-acquired business owners. “And they knew what the taxes were going to be when they closed on the deal,” he said. Anders told the board she’d be back with different budget numbers based on the board’s comments. A public hearing on the tentative budget is set for Tuesday, July 26 at Key West City Hall at 5:05 p.m. Another public hearing will be held Aug. 9 at Marathon High School. TRIM (Truth in Millage) notices will be sent out via mail to taxpayers on Aug. 24. Another public hearing on the budget will be held Aug. 30 at Coral Shores High School. A final budget hearing is set for Sept. 6 at Key West City Hall.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

ajor League Baseball, known as America’s National Pastime, just celebrated its 92nd All Star game. And while the game of baseball has shaped our nation, Americans have become immune to some of the quirky (and dirty) habits that are widely acceptable on the field. But why? Could you imagine your favorite baseball player walking into a restaurant and adjusting his cup every two minutes? Or constantly spitting while in line at the grocery store? So as we hit the midpoint of the baseball season, we decided to explore …

The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections’ Marathon branch is now closed until early voting due to staffing shortages. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

STAFFING SHORTAGES FORCE CLOSURE FOR MARATHON SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

n 2022, staffing shortages are so common that they seem to have become the norm rather than the exception. Simply turn your head and you’ll find a business restricting its hours or services out of simple necessity, unable to fill out its desired payroll. When those same shortages close an elections office four months before a general election, it’s kind of a big deal. Such is the case for Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin, who has lost her three employees at the Marathon branch to moves and retirements and has yet to receive any applicants for the open positions. “I just don’t know what to say,” Griffin told Keys Weekly. “It breaks my heart to close that office, especially at this time of year, but I have done everything I possibly can and I cannot find anybody to work.” The salaried position starts at $43,000 per year and includes paid vacation and sick leave as well as insurance and retirement benefits. Griffin plans to reach out to past poll workers to see if any are interested in working for the office through November’s general election, but recognizes this is only a short-term solution. “I’m not the only one suffering from this, but you would think

someone in Marathon would love to have a county job,” she said. As of now, the Marathon office will remain closed until it becomes an early voting site from Aug. 8-20. Middle Keys voters who wish to register to vote, change their party affiliation, change their addresses or request vote by mail ballots can do so on the Supervisor of Elections’ website at www. keys-elections.org. Though previously handled by Griffin’s office as a courtesy, qualifying candidates for the upcoming Marathon City Council election will now fall on the City of Marathon. Though the office previously functioned as a drop-off site for absentee and vote-by-mail ballots, Griffin said a legal requirement to account for ballots from a “secure ballot intake station” on the Supervisor of Elections’ computer system on a daily basis precludes her from extending the drop-off service while the office is closed. Mail-in ballots may be sent to the Supervisor of Elections’ Key West office at 530 Whitehead Street #101, Key West, FL 33040. Interested parties are urged to contact the Supervisor of Elections at 305-292-3416. Among other basic requirements in customer service, computer knowledge and communication skills, applicants must be able to pass a Florida Department of Law Enforcement background check.

STRANGE & OUTDATED THINGS YOU CAN DO IN BASEBALL, BUT NOT IN PUBLIC 10. Spitting: No other sport condones spitting. And baseball players don’t just spit, they spit a lot. Both the dugouts and fields are littered with grown men’s saliva. 9. Sunflower seed consumption: Sunflower seeds have become synonymous with baseball. In fact, most dugouts are equipped with a cornucopia of sponsored sunflower seeds. 8. Wearing pants in the summertime: OK, golf is guilty of this as well, but outdoors in the summer is not a time for white pants and red dirt. We get that it offers added protection, but day games in 102 degrees should offer a choice of long shorts. 7. Stadium organists: We realize we are offending tradition here, but organ music was introduced to baseball games in 1941, well before Elvis, James Brown, the Rolling Stones or hip hop. But baseball has stuck with the musical choice and even today, many teams have their own stadium organist. Outside of a Southern Baptist church, we can’t think of a place that refuses to progress past your great-grandmother’s favorite music. 6. Umpires: Baseball still uses humans for a job a robot could do much better. Look, if the human brain was faster than a computer, we would be in favor of the human every time. But a strike zone is a strike zone. So why do we still have humans creating a subjective target that could decide titles and careers?

5. No women allowed: Yes, MLB rosters are completely occupied by males, but this doesn’t mean baseball couldn’t explore more female coaches and personnel. Hats off to the San Francisco Giants for hiring Alyssa Nakken, but this is a needed trend that could lead to a larger audience for the sport (we also realize this one applies across the board). 4. Allowing a pitcher to hit a player: Many major league pitchers throw over 100 mph. And when an inside pitch deliberately strikes a batter, it can end a season for a team’s brightest star. No other sport allows a foe to jeopardize another player’s health and safety with such little repercussions. 3. Using signs: Hand signs and signals are one of baseball’s greatest traditions. But recent revelations (Houston Astros) have taught us that deciphering this method isn’t exactly like cracking the Enigma Machine. This will never change, but if a pitcher ever uses an ear piece, it might make things a bit more discreet. 2. Crotch-grabbing: Yes, baseball players wear protective cups. But even so, baseball players “play the corner pocket” with a habitual obsession. Nowhere, outside of rap concerts, is this even mildly accepted. 1. Coaches throwing temper tantrums: Only on a baseball field could a grown man kick dirt, throw a water cooler and maniacally scream into the face of authority … and not be arrested.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

SEVEN MILE BRIDGE’S EARLY DAYS Original structure a collection of four overpasses

he Overseas Highway is a spectacular string of asphalt and concrete and one of North America's most scenic drives. One of the highlights of the drive is crossing the Seven Mile Bridge that connects Marathon with the Lower Keys. While the bridge is an engineering marvel worthy of appreciation, the vantage point and the unobstructed views it provides are the real treasure. There are two Seven Mile Bridges – the railroad bridge and the modern highway bridge. The original Seven Mile Bridge, built to accommodate the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, was a collection of four bridges. The first three spans, Knights Key (6,803 feet), Pigeon Key (5,935 feet), and Moser Channel (13,947 feet), were built using concrete piers reinforced with three-quarter-inch steel rods. Steel girders, weighing more than 40 tons each and measuring 80 feet long, were lowered across the piers to create the foundation on which the railroad tracks were later attached. The fourth section, the Pacet Channel Viaduct (9,035 feet), used a different design – a series of concrete arches to support the tracks – hence its distinction as a viaduct. Like the Jewfish Creek Bridge that brought the train to Key Largo, the Seven Mile Bridge incorporated a swing bridge, into the Moser Channel section to accommodate boat traffic moving between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The bridge required a tender to remain on site to swing it open and close it again when ships needed to pass. The bridge and the rest of Henry Flagler's railroad became temporarily obsolete following the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. The Category 5 hurricane took more than 500 lives. It also destroyed 40 miles of railroad track and ended the run of Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad. As a result of the storm, the right-of-way followed by Flagler's train was sold to the state, and, in

Moser Channel Swing Bridge. FLORIDA KEYS PUBLIC LIBRARIES/Contributed

1937, many of the former railroad bridges were widened to accommodate automobile traffic – including the four spans of the Seven Mile Bridge. The second version of the Overseas Highway used the newly widened Seven Mile Bridge. The bridge, and the new and improved highway, opened to traffic on March 29, 1938 – July 4 marked the highway’s official reopening. In 1981, on March 2, at 12:50 p.m. on a Monday, tragedy struck at the swing bridge. A Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority worker was driving his flatbed truck across the Seven Mile Bridge. The driver was transporting a backhoe as he approached the 253-foot-long section of swing bridge spanning Moser Channel. The bridge tender, Peter Charles Fancher, was sitting in the small wooden office built within the steel girders supporting the bridge. Fancher, 39, was in the middle of a 12-hour shift and looking forward to retiring from his position. The clearance of the bridge was 15 feet and 3 inches. The backhoe secured to the truck exceeded that height, and as the truck approached the swing-bridge section, the backhoe collided with a series of steel girders before striking several large propane tanks. The resulting explosion went off like a bomb and incinerated the wooden office. Fancher, of Big Pine Key, was killed instantly. Not long after the tragedy, the modern Seven Mile Bridge would replace the Flagler-era bridges. Construction on the new and improved automobile bridge began in 1979; it officially opened to traffic on May 24, 1982. Technically, the new Seven Mile Bridge is 35,862 feet long and 1,098 feet short of its seven-mile claim. Because the modern Seven Mile Bridge runs roughly parallel to the old railroad bridge, it gives drivers a view of the old railroad bridges that were previously unseen to passing motorists. The old railroad bridges, still erect after more than 100 years of standing in the sub-tropical elements, are the real engineering marvels.

In 1994, the old railroad bridge played a dramatic role during the filming of the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis thriller “True Lies.” Missiles destroyed the span that once accommodated BRAD the swing bridge at BERTELLI Moser Chanel in the film. The Hollywood is an author, magic trick did not really speaker, and Florhappen. What exploded ida Keys historian. was a replica, an 80-foot His latest book, bridge designed to be a “The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files,” stunt double – kaboom! is a fun blend of Two barges augmented two of his favorite the actual bridge, and subjects — Florida fake debris submerged Keys history and on either side of the the Skunk Ape. gap to demonstrate the result of the explosion. While the Seven Mile Bridge, both old and new, and the brilliant blue water views are the real attraction, a little bit of love must be saved for the Australian pine tree that has been famously growing on the Pacet Channel Bridge in the area of Mile Marker 41. Fred the Tree, as the tree is officially known, is a minor Florida Keys celebrity because it managed to dig its roots into the crumbling remains of the Pacet Channel Viaduct section of the old railroad bridge three or four decades ago and never gave up. Even when you are not in the Keys, you can keep up with Fred the Tree on his official Facebook page – he has more than 17,000 followers. The Florida Keys are special, and the Overseas Highway can be an amazing introduction to the islands. Slow down and enjoy one of the country's most scenic drives, especially when driving over the Seven Mile Bridge, and remember, around Mile Marker 41, to give Fred a friendly wave. The tree is doing everything it can to remind the world that anything is possible.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022 Eric Billips wrote an underwater hunter course for PADI based on what he knows about spearfishing. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

Eric Billips hangs out with his favorite – sharks. CONTRIBUTED

FROM THE SANDBAR TO SHARK WEEK Local dive operator to host new dive TV series and conservation episode from the Keys TIFFANY DUONG tiffany@keysweekly.com

ou could say that Eric Billips was born to dive. He turns 50 in two weeks, and it’s been nearly three decades since he began exploring his underwater world. “It was in my blood,” he told the Keys Weekly. “My dad was diving when I was born – seriously! He was 100 feet down when I came into this world. My mom was pissed.” He traces his lifelong fascination with the blue planet from that moment, to curiously opening his dad’s trunk of dive gear in his childhood and smelling the neoprene, to plastering his room in sharks, to now making a living teaching others how to enjoy the ocean. “I’m a country bumpkin from Michigan, but I figured it out, somehow, some way,” he laughed. As the owner of Islamorada Dive Center and Florida Keys Dive Center and a regular proponent of I.CARE and conservation work in the Florida Keys, Billips is a mainstay in the local dive community. Now, he’s taking his passion and message to new depths – as the host of an upcoming scuba TV show called Destination Dive TV. It’s dive TV with a focus on conservation, Billips said. “You can come to Key Largo, and we’ll show you where it’s cool to dive and where to eat,” he said. “During your surface interval, we’ll tell you the cool places to check out, like the History of Diving Museum.” The program is an iteration of an old dive show called Scuba Nation,

Billips said. He signed on as host, but wanted the new show to have a decidedly environmental angle. “I made the logo, the name and the conservation aspect of it. And, away we go,” he said. He shot some pilot episodes about diving throughout the Keys and pitched the show to the local tourism board. The latter signed on to do five shows throughout the Keys next year. Then, Sandals Resort picked it up. And, just a few weeks ago Shark Week contacted Billips with a new, exciting proposal. They’d seen his pilot and they wanted to do something with Billips in the Keys for Shark Week. “I took them to the sandbar and wined and dined them,” Billips joked. “And, we’re in!” The Shark Week program will revisit the tale of “Big Bull,” a 1,000-pluspound bull shark that was tagged in the Keys in 2012 and the biggest bull shark ever caught in the world. “She was well over 1,000 pounds because the scale on the boat went up to a certain point, but then she buried the needle. So we don’t actually know how much she was, because the scale didn’t go up that high,” Billips said. Big Bull broke previous size records by “hundreds and hundreds” of pounds, Billips said. She was caught on a wreck called the Shrimp Boat, near Tennessee Reef. University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science scientist Neil Hammerschlag led the efforts to weigh, measure and otherwise catalog Big Bull, but he’d already run out of tracking devices. Therefore, Big Bull was released with a tag but not a tracker. She’s not been caught since.

Eric Billips teaches others how to fish using a speargun. CONTRIBUTED

“She’s out there swimming, procreating like a mama,” Billips said. “Her offspring are still being caught up and down the East coast, and some are directly linked to her – as grandma – so that’s not that far down the genetic chain. She’s still out there having fun, so (for Shark Week) we’re going to try to find her.” He doesn’t believe they’ll find Big Bull, but is confident they will find other bull sharks. The spearfisherman also plans to use his new platform to dispel some common fears about sharks. We don’t need to fear sharks, he emphasized. We actually need to protect them. He shares these messages weekly on his Shark Awareness dives at his shops. He adds, “Now, going global with Discovery, we can educate more people who aren’t divers. That’s an exciting thing for me – to be able to teach more people about how cool our underwater world is, and how you gotta see it, embrace it and protect it.” He also will review how bull shark habitats and behaviors are shifting because of climate change. Hammerschlag has found that bull sharks are migrating further north because the water is getting too warm. The waters off the Northeast coast are very rich, so these sharks are gorging themselves and growing huge, he thinks. To test this hypothesis, Discovery will fly Billips and Hammerschlag to Cape Cod to observe the bull shark migrations. “It takes a little bit to get my blood flowing these days,” Billips said. “I’ve done a lot and I’m blessed. And, this has definitely got it. The fact that I can take my passion and share it is pretty awesome.”

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

A least tern bathing in a puddle in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

MAKING THE ROOFTOPS COUNT

here’s a common trope in TV and movies referred to as the Clipboard of Authority, in which a character looking to bamboozle access to someplace they don’t belong grabs a clipboard and a pen, acts in charge, and scams their way in. It’s a nice trope, but it doesn’t alMARK ways work in the real world, even HEDDEN if your clipboard usage is legit. For instance, there was this ... is a photogratime I was doing a Christmas Bird pher, writer, and semi-professional Count up on Big Pine, dutifully birdwatcher. He writing down all my sightings on has lived in Key a clipboard full of data sheets. West for more than 25 years and I was getting back into my car after surveying one of the neighmay no longer be employable in borhoods, about to drive away, the real world. He when someone in a truck came in, is also executive blocked my exit, and started dedirector of the Florida Keys Audu- manding to know which agency of the government I was spying for. I bon Society. suppose I could have just told him what I was doing, but I was annoyed and ornery enough that I just gave him a lot of vague and inconclusive answers, because it’s pretty much impossible to convince the conspiratorially minded of anything (see: recent history) and, also, bite me if you think your paranoia gives you the right to control other people’s access to public space. My friend Ellen Westbrook, who in the summers roams around Key West at least once a week with a clipboard, says people generally leave her alone. Though there was that time she was sitting in her car at a shopping center, occasionally lifting her binoculars, and someone came out of a bar with a hammer in their hand demanding to know if she was a private investigator, and after she said no, she was just counting the least terns nesting on the roof of the building, demanded to know why she didn’t have a badge to do that. (She said, “Pfft, they don’t even give us T-shirts.”) Ellen and I were talking about this, her eyes aiming upward the whole time, while we were standing on the sidewalk across from the Federal Building on Simonton Street. She did, in fact, have a clipboard in hand. She also had a silver clicker, a pen, a pair of binoculars, and a big, floppy hat to survive the heat. Ellen has been volunteering to do surveys of least terns nesting on rooftops for the last seven years, even last summer, when her beloved maroon PT Cruiser died and she spent months waiting for it to be resurrected. (It ultimately was not.)

Ellen Westbrook counting least terns landing on Key West rooftops.

“I was doing all this stuff on my bicycle. I just about melted. It takes about two hours to do the rounds. And I’d get home after those two hours baked, well, broiled,” she said. (She has a sporty new Toyota with some damn fine air-conditioning now.) There was a lot of activity above, a lot of avian chaos, but she didn’t hit the clicker every time a least tern flew over, or every time one took off. She was methodical, patient, only clicking when one landed on the roof. Consistency is key. As their name suggests, least terns are small birds, about 9 inches from tip to tail, with an enthusiastic, oft-given call that sounds like they swallowed a small squeaky toy. They move with such lightness that every time I see one I have to fight off the delusion that their insides are filled not with muscles, bones and organs but with styrofoam. In theory, least terns are beach nesters. But in Florida, as development has made beaches less and less suitable for them over the last century, they changed their ways, adapting instead to nest on manmade tar and gravel roofs. There are a number of such colonies in Key West, though not as many as there used to be. All the data Ellen collects goes into a statewide database run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in order to monitor the health of the species’ population. “Tar and gravel roofs are pretty old. And they’re not gonna make another tar and gravel roof when it fails. They’re going to do something else. But I think this is going to be the last roof standing, because it’s so solid,” Ellen said. Ellen said that once, when she was standing on the sidewalk, one of the security staff came over. She said she was about to explain what she was doing when they invited her

inside to look at the colony through their array of rooftop cameras – rows of birds, just outside of pecking range of each other, sitting on eggs. She said they’d taken a real sense of ownership of the colony. Least tern chicks are precocial, which means they can walk around almost as soon as they’re born. Which means they occasionally walk off the side of a roof. (They are evolved to be hatched on beaches, not cliffs.) The folks at the Key West Wildlife Center, where Ellen also volunteers, have a thing called a “chickaboom” which is basically a small basket on a long pole that they can use to put chicks back when they fall off the roof. She said that at the Federal Building, “They don’t call us when birds fall off, they just bring them back up themselves.” After 15 minutes of standing there, the alarm on Ellen’s phone went off. She totaled things up and said she’d counted 39 birds. “Last week I got 119 at this site. Before that, 145. Two hundred before that,” Ellen said. There hadn’t been any major storms, so it looked like a lot of birds had fledged. The season was winding down. We were starting to walk away when a car pulled up. It was Mike, who was in charge of security across the street. He and Ellen talked for a bit. Ellen said she’d just counted 39 birds. “That’s about what’s up there sitting,” Mike said. But then he added that there were about 20 birds up there sitting on eggs. “That might be a second brood,” Ellen said. The roof was probably going to be active for another six or seven weeks. “A second group is gonna come,” Mike said, then waved and headed off. We went on to Ellen’s next rooftop.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

OUR DOCKS ARE OPEN! Come by Boat, Bike, Foot or Car!

OPEN FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER 11AM – 10PM THANK YOU FOR VOTING S PA R K Y ' S L A N D I N G

BEST HAPPY HOUR 12 YEARS IN A ROW! SATURDAY & SUNDAY Regular Menu Available and BRUNCH items including Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Guava French Toast, Crab Benedict and BOGO Mimosas & Glasses of Sparkling Wine Sat 11am - 4:00pm Sun 11am - 2:30pm

HAPPY HOUR 4-6pm

LIVEIC MUS

NIGHTLY SPECIALS Monday: Closed Tuesday: Jumbo Gumbo Bowls Tacos and Tequila LIVE MUSIC: ROGER JOKELA Wednesday: Wine Time Wednesday ($15-$20 bottles) LIVE MUSIC Thursday: Prime Rib Night LIVE MUSIC: JOHN BARTUS

Sponsored by:

CONGRATS TO ALL OUR BBQ COOKING COMPETITION CONTESTANTS!

BIG Congrats to this year's winners: Brisket: Smoked Cue Best Ribs: Thin Blue Smoke People's Choice: Beer Belly BBQ Best Overall: Smoked Cue

Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers. We couldn't do it without your support

Friday: Abstract Radio LIVE MUSIC: ABSTRACT RADIO Saturday: Mini Brunch BOGO Mimosas & Sparkling Wine LIVE MUSIC: ROGER JOKELA Sunday: FUNDAY BRUNCH, LUNCH & BOGO Mimosas & Sparkling Wine Close @ 2:30pm

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS: • Hammer, Andre, RD, Ronnie, Kiki and Kristina for all their help!

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

Please bri cleaned & ng legal.

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

TERRA MARINE PARK MARATHON, FLORIDA

• Marathon Rotary Club for being our amazing bartenders all weekend • All our BBQ competition teams for a delicious job! • Josh Struyf, Charlie Brown, and their Crew for running the soda booth • Thank you to Patrick & Bill for running the Chamber Food booth!

Village Barber Shop

• Our amazing staff at your Marathon Chamber: Daniel, Erika & Laura • Sandra Lee Photography for the best photo coverage!

Island Life Inspections

Cool Runnings Marine Spa Marathon Pontoon Rental

floridakeysmarathon.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

1 3

AND THE WINNERS ARE… Best Brisket: Smoked Q Inc. Best Ribs: Thin Blue Smoke People’s Choice: Beer Belly BBQ Best Overall: Smoked Q Inc.

8 7

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

1. Pitmasters Tyler Blanton, left, and Chris Still engage in some good-mannered – we think – trash talk. 2. After a day one win in the Best Brisket category, Smoked Q Inc. brought home the coveted Best Overall trophy. 3. Chris Gaskill, left, and Matt Robinson, right, pay homage to a pillar of Marathon culinary science, the ‘Notorious CHF.’ 4. It doesn’t get much better than a brisket that’s been smoking all night. 5. Beer Belly BBQ closes out the weekend as the People’s Choice winner. 6. Matt Pitcher of Thin Blue Smoke claims the Best Ribs title.

Second annual left, Sarah Bartus, Kristina Helms BrewBQ was a 7.andFrom Erika Goodman cool off after two culinary master classexhausting days of work.

weltering summer temperatures could not stop the second annual Florida Keys Brew BQ as it returned to Marathon Community Park on July 16-17. The Keys’ premier celebration of smoked meat did not disappoint, with 24 craft beers available for tasting as attendees devoured more than 7,000 pounds of barbecue over the weekend. This year, the People’s Choice category added a new “flavor” to the amateur competition, which saw 10 pitmasters go headto-head as they prepared their best briskets on Saturday, followed by a rib competition on Sunday. With more than 1,500 public tasting tickets sold, the Marathon Chamber of Commerce answered the public’s calls for an opportunity to sample some of the finest local barbecue recipes in the Keys – and declare their favorites. — Alex Rickert

8. From left, Diane and Keith Douglass, Patti Childress, Cara O’Neill and Isabelle O’Neill are the early bird crew in the beer tent. 9. Smoked ribs. Need we say more? 10. Texas blues band AJ Gaytan & Southern Stampede rock the amphitheater. 11. From left, Hard Bottom Brewing founders Nate Berkebile, Joe Schalk and Steve Pfaller bring ‘Keysie’ brews right from the island of Marathon. 12. Pitmaster Chris Still checks his nearlyfinished product. 13. ‘Barbecue sundaes’ were a hit feature among festival goers. 14. Ribs from Waldo’s Almost Famous BBQ undergo final preparations before judging. Photos by Sandra Lee Photography, Alex Rickert and Jason Koler

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LOCAL AND VETERAN OWNED

SS WRECK & GALLEY GRILL YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLACE TO GO FOR FRIENDLY SERVICE, GREAT FOOD & DRINKS AND A KEYS VIBE.

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Mile Marker 59, Grassy Key (next to the Dolphin Research Center), 305-517-6484 Visit our www.sswreck.com for online ordering and upcoming special events

Tuesday-Sunday 12pm - 8pm Closed on Monday 61 53rd Street, Ocean Marathon 305.414.8626

MARATH

It’s a WIN-WIN!!! Open a Keys Totally FREE CASH BACK Checking Account at our Marathon Branch at 5050 Overseas Hwy. and we’ll give you a $25 account credit!*

KeysFCU.org • 305-294-6622

Locals Helping Locals is the Keys FCU Difference! *Select transactions required for cashback and free ATMs. 15 debit card purchases required with 30 days of account opening to receive account credit. Credit applied within 60 days of proof of eligibility. Restrictions may apply. Offer ends 8/14/22. All offers valid at Marathon branch only. Limited to primary checking accounts only. One offer per member. Cannot be combined with any other offers. NCUA insured.

INFLATION

CAN MAKE YOU SICK! ADVANCED URGENT CARE IS HERE TO HELP! Starting July 4, 2022 until December 31, 2022 Our consultation fee for cash paying patients will be reduced to $99. UrgentCareFloridaKeys.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

WELCOME TO DUCK KEY! FLORIDA KEYS MOST BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOODS FIVE UNIQUE ISLANDS WITH OVER 600 HOMES FIVE STAR RESORT ON THE ISLAND CLUB DUCK KEY COMMUNITY CLUBHOUSE WITH WELLNESS AMENITIES (OPTIONAL MEMBERSHIP) TWO DEEPWATER MARINAS CRYSTAL CLEAR FLOW THRU CANALS GOLF CART FRIENDLY

NEW ON MARKET - DUCK KEY OPEN HOUSE 12-2PM SUN JULY 24

384 E SEAVIEW DRIVE 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath | Pool | Boat Lift $2.995 Million

390 E SEAVIEW DRIVE 4 Bedroom 4 Bath | 2 Boat Lifts | Elevator $2.790 Million

DEEPWATER CANAL - DUCK KEY

NEW ON MARKET - DUCK KEY PRICE REDUCED - HUGE CANAL HOME!

308 E SEAVIEW DRIVE 4 Bedroom 4 Bath | Pool $2.999 Million

120 S INDIES DRIVE 3 Bedroom 3 Bath | 100' Dock | Boat Lift $2.795 Million

392 E SEAVIEW DRIVE 5 Bedroom 5 Bath | 140' Dock | Pool $3.9 million

DUCK KEY OPEN HOUSES 12-2PM SUNDAY JULY 24 LOOK FOR SIGNS!

KRISTEN BRENNER Principal Broker MARGIE CASEY Broker Associate CALL OR TEXT 305.783.3395

DUCK KEY REAL ESTATE CO FLORIDA KEYS REAL ESTATE GROUP VACATION RENTALS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS 11287 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY | MARATHON FLAKEYSREALESTATEGROUP.COM

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

INTRODUCING ISLA BELLA BEACH RESORT'S NEXT PHASE

You've got the Project...

We've got the Material, Quality, and Service

Sophisticated beachside dining with a new menu blending the cuisine of the Pacific Rim with fresh Florida Keys Seafood

Commercial • Residential • Marine

For reservations, please call: (786)-638-8106 1 Knights Key Boulevard, MM 47 Marathon, FL 33050 IslaBellaBeachResort.com

11401 1st Avenue, Gulf, Marathon 305-743-3688 www.marathonlumberandbuildingsupply.com

Earn a scholarship while you work?

Fr Sun Mo OP ida , T nd EN y ue ays DA & -T I Sa hu 1pm LY tu rs -9 rd 11 pm ay am Sweet Savannah’s is awarding Continuing 11a -9 Education Scholarships to HS seniors that are employed m- pm 10 at the time of graduation. Each year that you work, pm your scholarship will grow.

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GREAT HOURLY PAY + TIPS = BIG MONEY Stop by today for an application.

great gifts toys books Bake Shop & Ice cream gluten free treats too! sweetsavannahs.com

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LIS EW

TIN

G N

3 Bed/2.5 Bath. Modern new construction home with 75 ft. dock, 14,000lb. boat lift & panoramic ocean views from rooftop pool. Impact windows & doors. Sold turnkey. $3,300,000.

3 Bed/2 Bath Elevated home on an oversized fully fenced yard. Ample room for boat trailer storage or to park an RV. Room for a pool! Vaulted ceiling living room. All the furnishings included. Newer metal roof. Minutes to everything Islamorada offers! $1,399,999

LIS EW

TIN

G RE

Our mission has always been clear: to offer a luxury real estate experience through our words, actions, and integrity, regardless of a price point. If you are thinking about buying or selling an exceptional residence, contact me. Local knowledge with global exposure. Nothing Compares. 10055 Overseas Highway, Marathon | 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

CED

100 W 63RD ST., OCEAN, MARATHON

101 SANDS LANE, LONG KEY

Two-story Waterfront Duplex with a total of 6 Bed/4 Bath. 75 ft. dock. Hurricane Irma damaged. Fixer upper being sold as is. $1,249,000

Motivated seller! Seller financing available. 3 Bed/3 Bath 2 story home overlooking a very wide canal and views of Zane Grey Creek. The open floor plan with bonus sun porch is perfect for entertaining. Features to appreciate are plenty of covered parking, storage and 80 ft dock. Furniture negotiable. $1,499,000

D RE

e. jcook@oceansir.com

77 COLUMBUS DR., LOWER MATECUMBE

Home is a view that takes your breathe away every time

Listed & Sold 230 Pescayo Avenue Buyer & Seller represented by: Coco Plum Jo Ann Cook Congrats to BOTH sellers & buyers! c. 305.360.7968

TIN

29517 FLYING CLOUD AVE, BIG PINE KEY

SOLD

LIS EW

g C E Din D Uist RE L

New

360 12TH STREET, KEY COLONY BEACH!

1612 JOHNSON STREET, KEY WEST

Private oasis on Key Colony Beach features a 2 story home with a private 1 Bed/1 Bath on the first floor and a spacious main living area on the 2nd floor with 4 Bed/2 Bath. The home is located on 165 ft of water frontage containing a concrete dock and 15K boat lift. Features to appreciate are a 2 car garage, additional covered parking, Tesla charger and more. $3,250,000

Great opportunity to build in the Midtown neighborhood! The existing structure is in very poor condition, it would be ideal to demolish it in order to make way for brand new construction! Convenient location close to everything Key West has to offer including numerous beaches, parks & fishing pier (less than 5 minute bike ride away). $799,000

STEPHANY DUVALL REALTOR®

Direct: 407.256.9614 Office: 305.743.8328

Stephany@IslandBreezeRealty.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

MARATHON COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THE PERFECT CHURCH FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T

WE ARE OPEN DESPITE THE CONSTRUCTION

FAST TRACK

TO FALL! RECEIVE ESSENTIAL INFO & PERSONAL GUIDANCE TO BEGIN YOUR DEGREE IN AUGUST!

UPPER KEYS CENTER Mon. July 25 & Tues. July 26 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. KEY WEST CAMPUS Tues. July 26 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Service 10am in the Fellowship Hall gofundme Marathon United Methodist Church "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

3010 Overseas Highway

305-743-5107

— 1 Samuel 16:7

ESTABLISHED 1972

OHLE & OHLE

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

We are ready to help you find or manage your Oasis. Keys Ocean Vacation Rentals strives to give every customer the true Keys experience; we don’t just book homes, we book vacations of a lifetime. Ranging from large single family homes to cozy condos, we are here to find what you are looking for. Don’t delay, please contact us today!

OUR SERVICES 24/7 CONTACT | ADVERTISEMENT PROPERTY INSPECTIONS | SALES TAX COLLECTION COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS | GUEST CONCIERGE SERVICE MAINTENANCE STAFF | HOUSEKEEPING STAFF

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IN HOUSE SERVICES Our team of cleaning, maintenance, and contractors are always available. CONCIERGE Our guest can book different activitiesthrough us for a one of a-kind trip. 24/7 SERVICE Inspections before and after guests allow us to keep the house in optimal shape.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

Extraordinary reach. Extraordinary results.

SOLD

TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY | LUNCH 11-2:30 | DINNER 5 -10

TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY 4:20 -11

35 Sombrero Boulevard, B5 Marathon, Florida Sombrero Marina Boat Slip Sold for $185,000

Seller represented by: Laurie Keiling c. 305.363.9483 e. lkeiling@oceansir.com

WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY | LUNCH 11- 2:30 | DINNER 5 -10 BRUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11- 2:30

WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY 4:20 - 11

10055 Overseas Highway, Marathon | 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

CHARTER FISHING RETAIL

THIS WEEK’S ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, JULY 21 LUNG 7PM

REPAIR & MORE

FRIDAY, JULY 22 DAN SULLIVAN 3PM POPEYE 8PM SATURDAY, JULY 23 CAT 4 8PM SUNDAY, JULY 24 DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM MONDAY, JULY 25 TONI MANFREDI 3PM SHAWN BROWN 7PM TUESDAY, JULY 26 TACO TUESDAY NOON TIL 10PM TACO & MARGARITA SPECIALS COUNTRY NIGHT JIBSEA COWBOYS 7PM WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 UKULELE 7PM

305.289.0540

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

HAPPY HOUR 4PM - 6PM

LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY MONDAY & TUESDAY CLOSED OCEANSIDE DINING INSIDE DINING (AIR CONDITIONED)

WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY 11AM TO 11PM

(LAST SEATING FOR KITCHEN IS 9:30PM)

401 E OCEAN DRIVE • KEY COLONY BEACH • 305.743.4849 • HAVANAJACKSOCEANSIDE.COM

34 Randy Culmer was the car-moving maestro for Marathon Seawalls & Docks during Travis Pastrana’s Boot Key Bridge jump. CONTRIBUTED

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

RANDY CULMER Marathon Seawalls and Docks

How did you come to Marathon? I was born and raised in Marathon. What would you like to be remembered for? I’d like to be remembered by the quality work I do. What song always gets you on the dance floor? I can’t dance. I’m a gringo. What is your dream vacation? Africa What is the last book you read or TV show you binged? I binge watched Yellowstone again. It’s too good not to.

TACO 6-year-old male Chihuahua mix. Looking for: Someone to build trust with. Turnoffs: Cats. Oh gosh, they’re so scary.

What would you do if you won the lottery? I’d buy a house on the water. God knows you need to win the lottery to do so. What’s one thing that is always on a menu, but you will never try? I’m not a picky person. If it’s on the menu, it’s getting eaten.

Spotlighting the amazing individuals who live and work in the Keys We’ll admit: though Keys Weekly is tasked with reporting the news in the Keys every week, we’ve got a problem. No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of our papers, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to showcase our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue. This week’s Neighbor of the Week is one of the many individuals responsible for Travis Pastrana’s successful Boot Key Bridge jump last week. Operating the crane for Marathon Seawalls and Docks, Randy Culmer was responsible for ferrying Pastrana’s stunt vehicle from Boot Key back to mainland Marathon after each of Travis’ two successful jumps.

What’s one thing most people never knew about you? It’s a small town … people know more about me than I do. Two truths and a lie: My middle name is Eugene, I’m a crane operator, and I love Mondays. (If you guessed that last week’s Neighbor of the Week, Jean Etienne, doesn’t love Amazon as he works his routes for USPS, you guessed right. We gave you a layup on that one.) What’s the best advice you’ve ever received or given (or, is there a piece of advice you think is overrated or wrong?) All advice is good advice. How nervous were you while moving a million-dollar car for the bridge stunt? I mean, my seat in the crane has a tear in it from me clenching so hard. The first lift always sucks, but the second was clockwork.

HERB 2-year-old domestic shorthair. Looking for: A date. I’m all dressed up in my tuxedo and ready for my person. Turnoffs: Wide open spaces; give me a covered spot in a cat tree any day.

TAKE ME HOME Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

ating in the Keys can be a drag, but thankfully there are plenty of animals waiting for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA. Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit. From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. 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. See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

CHESTER 10-year-old domestic shorthair. Looking for: A place to lounge; I’d make a great office cat. Turnoffs: Diets and exercise. Yuck!

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022 SPONSORED BY:

CONSERVATION TIP Sharks play a very important role in our ecosystems. And many species are threatened almost to extinction. We can help. Take part in our weekly Shark Awareness dives and help be a part of the solution. Call either shop for details.

HAMMER TIME Rare shark sighting in the Florida Keys

PLEASANT CONDITIONS GREET DIVERS Divers heading out for a dive underneath the Florida Keys waters had great conditions last week. The winds picked up just a tad on July 17, but it was still good enough to head out for some dives.

ERIC BILLIPS is the owner, captain and instructor at Islamorada Dive Center and Florida Keys Dive Center. He specializes in scuba, rebreather, spearfishing and captaining in the Florida Keys.

BUMPY WATERS EXPECTED This week, conditions are expected to be slightly bumpier out there. They are calling for sustained winds that will produce 2- to 3-foot waves inshore. The smaller vessels may want to sit this week out. HAMMERHEAD SPOTTED As you all know who read this weekly article, I love sharks. They have been a passion of mine since I was a little boy in Michigan. We are constantly diving with nurse sharks, which we love, but any time we get to witness any of the apex predator sharks, like a bull or a hammerhead, it’s an extra special treat. My favorite

Alicia Represented the Buyers of: 26970 Mariposa Road Ramrod Key, FL 33042 Sold for $690,000

JUST SOLD Alicia Lund 305-431-0577 Cell 305-743-7636 Office Alicia@keysrealestate.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

shark to dive with is the great hammerhead. I've traveled all over the Caribbean to dive with these majestic beasts. But on July 16, we didn't have to travel very far at all. In fact we got to hang with one right in our backyard. It's rare to see a hammerhead this time of year so it was an extra special treat. And we happened to have our shop photographer, Tony Timpano, on the dive to capture it.

I.CARE planted corals as part of the PADI Womens Dive Day on Saturday. And we’ll be planting again this Saturday with Key Dives. Remember, locals plant for free.

LIVING TRUSTS TRUSTS -- WILLS • ASSET PROTECTION MEDICAID PLANNING • POWERS OF ATTORNEY

KATHLEEN HENDRICKSON ATTORNEY AT LAW | MASTERS OF LAW IN ESTATE PLANNING 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE

5701 Overseas Hwy #12, Marathon, Florida 33050

305 393 2598 • KEYSTRUSTS@GMAIL.COM

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

SPORTS & MORE WE MAY HAVE WITNESSED THE END OF GREATNESS

KEYS FCU CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN MARATHON

ommunity members, county officials and local dignitaries enjoyed a day of food and celebration with the opening of Keys Federal Credit Union’s state-of-the-art Marathon branch. On July 20, visitors were offered the opportunity to receive promotional gas cards and account credits while munching on food from Irie Island Eats. Some even won a trip in the “Blizzard of Dollars” with a chance to catch as many flying dollar bills as possible. “This has been a multi-year project that we’re glad to finally see completed,” said Keys FCU CEO Maggie Sayer. “Our goal was to provide an updated branch with newer technology right in the heart of town and I think this does that. It’s a bit smaller than the old branch but very efficient and remains serviced by the same friendly faces.” — Alex Rickert Keys FCU celebrates the grand opening of its brand new Marathon branch with a ribbon cutting and day of community celebration. MAGGIE SAYER/Contributed

iger Woods will keep playing ... a veteran sports in the big golf columnist, says tournaments. the only sport I believe the he doesn’t follow strength of his is cricket. That leaves plenty legs will deterof others to fill mine how often his time. he plays. ralphmoro1936 But he will @gmail.com never be the Tiger of old, the Tiger whose drives were so accurate, whose putts were right where he wanted them to be. Last weekend in the Open at St. Andrews’ Old Course, Tiger intended to win the tournament, but he couldn’t even make the cut, which he missed by 10 strokes. After Thursday’s first round, he said he believed he would need to shoot a 64 to make the cut. He shot a 75. His golf last weekend was not that of champions. As he approached the 18th hole on Friday, he crossed the Swilcan Bridge. When Jack Nicklaus crossed the bridge for the last time, he waved goodbye to his adoring fans, acknowledging that it was his final time to play in the Open. Tiger acknowledged the fans by waving his cap. His was not a last-time wave. But the fans’ cheers did elicit tears that he needed to wipe away. I believe he will again have some great rounds. He may win some tournaments, but his greatness is gone. We’ve seen it and it’s gone. He’s 46. Open champion Cameron Smith, the Australian, made so many long putts I lost track. He shot a minus 20 to par, which tied the lowest score in major championship history. Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland started Sunday’s final round tied for the lead and four strokes better than No. 3. Hovland dropped down the line, finishing tied for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood, and McIlroy finished third behind Smith and another Cameron, Cameron Young of the United States. After starting at 16 under, McIlroy parred his way to the end. He birdied holes 5 and 18. Hovland bogied hole 8 and birdied hole 12. Smith, who has improved his game by losing weight and working out, left his mark by birdying the second hole, then running off five straight birdies to start the second nine to

RALPH MORROW

Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews golf course in Scotland is a historic part of The Open championship. CONTRIBUTED

tie McIIroy after 13 and take the lead after 14. The greats in all sports finish in different ways. When his greatness was gone, Nicklaus simply walked away from the sport in 2000 as the greatest golfer of all time. He still is and he didn’t push it. Tiger will push it. Nicklaus is now 82 years old. Jim Brown is the greatest football player of all time, but he walked away too, at the age of 29. Nine seasons were enough. He ruled the NFL for all of those seasons, leading the league in rushing in all but one season. Then he moved to Hollywood and started acting. He’s 86. Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time as a Chicago Bull. But when the Bulls were rebuilding, he moved on to Washington for three seasons, playing for the team first, then becoming its owner. He was 39 years old in his last season and is 59 now. But he wasn’t as good playing for Washington as he was in Chicago. Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, the famed New York Yankees, were both slowed by injuries that eventually resulted in their retirements, but they had played through the injuries and were never as good the last few years as they had been. DiMaggio was 36 when he retired; 84 when he died of lung cancer. Mantle was also 36 when he left baseball and died of liver cancer when he was 63. Babe Ruth ruled the game for 22 years, hitting 714 home runs and winning 94 games pitching during his six years with Boston. He didn’t pitch, he just hit, during his 15 years with New York and a concluding year with the Boston Braves in 1935, when he was 40. He was finished after his Boston year, dying of cancer 13 years later at age 53.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

DELUSIONS BE DAMNED We are smack dab in the middle of a month-long is an astrologer, Sun-Pluto opwanderer, barposition. From tender and our special advocate for position here queer justice. He on Earth, we is a loquacious Gemini with a are locked in cozy Cancer a tug-of-war rising. Find him at between the hearthandheraldclear creativastrology.com ity of the Sun and the shadowy impulsiveness of Pluto from July 4 to Aug. 5. There is a dynamic tension in the air between reason and instinct, between what seems self-evident and present and what bubbles beneath the surface, between what the eye beholds and what lurks in the shadows. This is a great time of year to reassess what we “think” is happening in our lives and to get painfully honest with ourselves about the “actual” paths we are traveling. Use this time to dissolve any personal delusions by getting deeply real. Here are your horoscopes for the Sun-Pluto Opposition. Read for your rising and sun signs.

CHRIS MCNULTY

CANCER June 22 - July 22 You’ve been on a trip of selfawareness and self-reliance for a little while, Cancer, and things may have been getting really coherent for you. There is an Other tugging at you from the shadows, however, and it is time to get explicit about how this person is affecting you. We are all created in our relationships, and there is one relationship that is directing you in powerful ways. It is time to look directly at this dynamic and take the lead so it doesn’t unwittingly lead you. LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 It appears that you’ve been being here now, Leo. Meditating much?

Solitude and reflection have been a big part of your self development lately. Removing yourself from the muck of the world is important for self-knowledge. However, there is a powerful itch nagging at you to get your hands dirty. Do not forget that you are of the world, and there is work to do. Perhaps some volunteering would be a good prescription here. VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Your hopes and dreams are getting boosted by support from the peeps in your life, and you are probably peculiarly aware of these folks right now. A rising tide lifts all ships, and you are climbing in a tide created by your comrades. What is it that YOU are offering, though? Networking is important, but not without your contribution. Get in touch with your creative spark again so that, when the time comes, you can show off on your own merits. LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Your work in the public sphere has been getting clearer and more identified. It has been easier to see your vocation as a person out in the world. How is life at home, though? There is an intensity or a power at home that requires your attention as well. Have you been shirking your home life for your career, or have you been allowing something to fester that needs tending? Take some time to tend to your roots. SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 The mountaintop is in your sights – whether it has to do with your studies, your mind-expanding experiences, traveling abroad or your spiritual practices. Learning new things has been important. There is a powerful call to remember what is familiar,

however. Pay attention to your local neighborhood and what may seem mundane because there are transformative lessons there. Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 You are aware of how your energy is tied up with the energy of those around you – whether it is financial, emotional or material. You are invested in the community that you are part of. Remember, however, that you are responsible for your own well-being. You can not give from an empty cup, and your cup may need a refill. Hey bartender! CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 A significant other is in your sights, whether there is an actual person out there or you are really getting clear on what you are looking for in a partner. In order for partnership to be healthy, however, you need to address your own shadows. What do you need to uncover within yourself in order to proceed in your search for the Other? Now is a great time to peer beneath the surface. AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You work hard, Aquarius, and your hands are calloused from the labor that you put out there. Whether those callouses are physical or metaphorical, you should be proud of the sweat you’ve put in. However, do you work hard so you can’t slow down long enough to sit with your own thoughts in solitude? Take some time to reflect because there is raw power available to you in your meditation. PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Passion, joy, creativity, your unique offerings – these are all in the spotlight for you right now. It

looks like you have been on a roll when it comes to your creative output. It can be easy to put blinders on when you are in the zone, though. Shakespeare is not a genius in a vacuum, so share your brilliance. There is volcanic power awaiting you in your network of support. Don’t be afraid. ARIES March 21 - April 19 Have you been getting really clear on what home means for you? Whether you’ve been tidying your space, moving into a new one, or realizing what “home” means as a concept, the comfort of where you lay your head is center stage. However, there is a whole world outside asking you to be a part of it. Address your fears when it comes to your career because now is a great time to see them for what they are. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 It looks like you have a special appreciation for your local stomping grounds, like you’ve really been noticing how incredible your neighborhood is. Your local grocery store? So cute. Your library? Adorable! Feel this appreciation, but remember that there is a huge world out there. If you’ve been feeling angst about getting out of your comfort zone, figure out what that is. GEMINI May 21 - June 21 Your finances are really getting clear, or at least you are looking at them with a newfound understanding. Focus on your material well-being, but there is a power in investing in other people also. It appears to be an opportune time to address your need for independence and realize that it is OK to commingle your stuff with someone else’s.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

CHRISTMAS LOBSTERS And other lunar idiocy…

ere in the Keys, Christmas comes but twice a year. That’s right, festive fun-lovers: Christmas in July is Friday night, July 22, at the Brass Monkey, and New Year’s is the following Friday, July 29. Isn’t it funny that Christmas and New Year’s always happen around the same time as that other seasonal holiday: lobster mini-season. Perhaps we should call them the Christmas Crustaceans. Well, at least in Marathon, anyway. For those who don’t celebrate Christmas twice a year, you’re missing out on a lot. Stop by the Brass Monkey in Marathon either night and you’ll see it’s like no other holiday party ever. Really. And before we get too far, let’s all say a holiday prayer for our hardworking commercial fishermen. When one considers all the fisherman has to deal with these days, from sport divers, state and federal fisheries management practices, trap poaching and more, it’s a wonder that anyone chooses to be in this business. Our fishermen are truly the salt of the earth (sea?) and deserve our respect and thanks, especially as we enjoy the fruits of their labors. Just think: without fishermen, there would be no Christmas Crustaceans, and that’s not the world in which I want to live! Touching briefly on lobster miniseason, we’re proud to present the condensed Keys Disease Guide to Lobster Mini-Season Etiquette. 1) It is not cool to defend “your hole” with firearms the way some wacko nutjob did several years back. You don’t own the water or the lobster submerged below. 2) It is not cool to take more than the legal limit. Neither is it cool to take shorts. Should you get caught doing either, you could wind up spending the rest of your vacation in Monroe County’s windowless “extended stay” facility. 3) Stupidity on the water could cost you your lobster, your boat or your life. Please don’t be a freaking idiot nutcase. Speaking of freaking idiot nutcases, the ongoing 50th anniversary of the Apollo/Saturn moon landing program has brought out (again) some of the wacko nutcases who actually believe we didn’t really go to the moon. Sure, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but damn! To take the fabricated “evidence” put forward by the Lunar Loonies at face value while ignoring all the real evidence and the efforts – as well as the implicit complicity – of the multiple thousands of people who worked in the Apollo/

Saturn program signifies extreme stupidity and lack of basic cognitive skills. Listen up, nimrods: all your “evidence” has been credibly discredited. We really did go JOHN to the moon. The BARTUS Earth isn’t flat. Find some way to deal is the Mayor of with it, and get on the City of Marawith your ignorant thon. He also is little lives. a musician who This makes the performs around perfect segue to town. For more see johnbartus. our modern-day conspiracy wacko nutbags: the QAnon crazies who actually believe that there is a cabal of Satanic baby-eating pedophiles who operate a global sex trafficking ring and conspire against former President Trump. One of the main traffickers is allegedly former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — she, along with other high-profile Democrats, were supposedly sexually abusing children at a Washington, DC-based pizzeria. This makes just as much sense as Jewish space lasers starting California wildfires, but hey — people believe the stupidest stuff. It is reminiscent of the “Birthers” who actually believed that former President Barack Obama is a foreigner and not a native-born American. The level of stupid there was profound. Here are a couple of things people should have considered then: 1) Obama has a legitimate birth certificate. There’s a copy of the long form certificate recorded with the Hawaii Department of Health that has been there since 1961. 2) Two newspapers in Honolulu recorded the birth announcement of one Barack H. Obama in August 1961. If there was a conspiracy by Obama to forge his citizenship, it would have to have been conceived while he was in the womb by people who believed that this (allegedly) Hawaiian future-baby would one day grow up to be president, and they could control all the factors between his birth and eventual election. Anyway, enjoy your hunt for lobster, try to avoid all mental afflictions, and we’ll see you at the Monkey. Merry Christmas! - Catch John each Monday at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn, and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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Marathon Planning Commission recommends trailer storage approval At its July 20 meeting, the Marathon Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a trailer storage facility along U.S. 1 between 81st and 82nd Streets in Marathon. Requested by Skocean LLC, the development would include three elevated boat trailer storage racks capable of storing 75 trailers along with an elevated office. The racks would rise 27 feet, and the lot would feature silver buttonwoods as a buffer hedge. The commission voted 3-0 to recommend approval of the facility (commission members Mike Cinque and Lynn Landry were absent). The commission also heard a report from city grants coordinator Maria Covelli on the city’s plans to use community development block grant funds to elevate parts of Marathon’s Jesse Hobbs Park to alleviate flooding in the area. The mitigation project will see a new basketball court, parking area and pavilion installed on elevated portions of the park, as well as new sidewalks. The park’s irrigation and drainage will be adjusted to ensure that runoff from the park does not affect surrounding homes, Covelli said. Registration is now open for youth soccer, flag football Registration for the City of Marathon and Marathon Youth Club’s fall soccer and flag football seasons ends on Saturday, July 30. Clinics and practices start in August. Soccer will be on Mondays and Wednesdays with the older age groups playing games on Friday nights. The cost is $50 per child. Start Smart soccer for the little ones will be on Saturdays at a cost of $40 per child. Flag football will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a cost of $50 per child. More information will be announced soon. A dedicated registration night is set for Monday, July 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Marathon Community Park. Families can now pay online during registration. Coaches, referees and concession stand volunteers are needed. For more information, follow Marathon Youth Sports on Facebook or contact marathonyouthclub305@gmail.com. The link to volunteer, register and pay online can be found at: https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/cityofmarathonparksandrec Classes roll on at the Marathon library Friday, July 22: Photography: Use phone and/or camera. Fun learning through easy and creative assignments (Adults/Teens), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Cricut Open Lab, 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Arts and Crafts, 4 p.m.

Saturday, July 23: Easy Yoga (Adults) 10 a.m.; R.E.A.D., Reading Assistance Education Dogs: Tail Waggin' Tutors (Kids),10:30 a.m.; Game Time! 3 p.m. Monday, July 25: 3D Printing Open Lab, 10 a.m.; VR and Robots Open Lab, 3:30 p.m. Last week of summer reading program, bring in reading logs this week. Enter raffle, win prizes. Tuesday, July 26: Fine Art: Feed your inner artist. Sketching, Watercolor and more (Adults/Teens) 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Preschool "Food or Foe?" storytime, 10:30 a.m.; Last week of Summer Reading. All kids, bring in your reading logs to enter raffles. Teen Challenge: looking for teens to get involved with the library advisory group. Raffle for attendees, 4 p.m.; Dungeons & Dragons (adults), 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 27: Cosmic Kids Movement & Yoga Adventures: mindful movement for little ones and their caregivers, 10:30 a.m.; Maker Lab: Let's reuse & repurpose old electronic equipment into art. (Kids) 3:30 p.m.; Dungeons & Dragons (Adults) 5 p.m. Thursday, July 28: All kids, bring in your reading logs to enter raffles! Last week of Summer Reading: Turtle Triage. Turtle Hospital guest teaches us how to care for your very own sea turtle in need (ages 6-12) 10:30 a.m.; Family Games Challenge, 2 to 4 p.m. CFK to host ‘Fast Track to Fall’ personal assistance and incentives The College of the Florida Keys will hold “Fast Track to Fall” events the last week of July to help prospective students quickly get on a path toward their academic and career training goals this fall semester. There will be events at the Key West Campus on Tuesday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and at the Upper Keys Center in Key Largo on Monday, July 25 and Tuesday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. New student applications are due Aug. 7 and classes begin Aug. 19. New students who participate in a Fast Track to Fall session will have their application fee waived, a savings of $30, receive a $100 Kick-Starter Scholarship, and be entered in a gas card raffle. Fast Track to Fall activities will connect future students and their families directly with knowledgeable CFK staff. Attendees will receive essential information about degree and certificate options as well as scholarships, financial aid, and payment plans, and personalized guidance through the application process. Prospective students are encouraged to bring the following items, if readily available, to expedite the admissions process: sealed official transcripts (college and high school), two forms of proof of Florida residency, and official test scores (SAT, ACT, and/or PERT).

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

8 . 1 . 22

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LAYING BRICK SINCE 2005

‘TORTIE’ JOINS TOUR DE TURTLES

SATELLITE TRACKING WILL MONITOR MIGRATION PATTERNS FOLLOWING RELEASE

INSTALLATION DRIVEWAYS, POOL DECKS AND RETAINING WALLS CLEANING AND SEALING

3 1. Tortie is fitted with her satellite tracker at the Turtle Hospital. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau

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2. Turtle Hospital founder Richie Moretti takes a moment to educate young spectators at Tortie’s release. LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

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juvenile green sea turtle rehabilitated at the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital was fitted with a satellitetracking transmitter and released from Sombrero Beach on July 15 to join the 15th annual Tour de Turtles, a marathon-like “race” that follows the long-distance migration of sea turtles over three months. The educational outreach program is organized annually by the Sea Turtle Conservancy to raise awareness about sea turtles and threats to their survival. “Tortie,” named by her rescuers, is swimming to raise awareness about her affliction. She was found Dec. 1, 2021, unable to dive and suffering from fibropapillomatosis — a debilitating tumorcausing disease that develops from a herpes-like virus that affects sea turtle species around the world. After Tortie’s tumors were removed, following multiple surgeries, the turtle’s recovery included broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins and a diet of mixed seafood and greens. Tortie weighed about 25 pounds the morning she was released.

3. Turtle Hospital general manager Bette Zirkelbach, left, and founder Richie Moretti deliver Tortie back to the ocean at Sombrero Beach. LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed “One sea turtle can make a difference, not only going back to the ocean and having baby sea turtles, but the bigger reach is helping people to care about sea turtles and our oceans,” said Bette Zirkelbach, general manager of the Turtle Hospital. Hundreds of spectators broke out in delighted applause when Tortie swam away from Marathon’s Sombrero Beach into the Atlantic Ocean. Online monitoring – at www. TourDeTurtles.org – for Tortie and another 11 hard-shell turtles that have been released begins Aug. 1 and ends on Oct. 31. “In addition to the educational aspect of the Tour de Turtles, we’re also learning about where these turtles are going and then be able to look and see if there are any threats that the turtles face in these areas,” said Dan Evans, senior research biologist with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. — Contributed

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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RED, WHITE AND BLUE CREW The Marathon chapter of the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation got patriotic for its July 7 monthly meeting, with all members decked out in their best red, white and blue garb. The group celebrated its win in the Marathon Rotary Club’s 4th of July parade, with the BPW float taking home the Best Overall title. Top, from left: Mallory Pinto, Liz Dixon, Johnny Darby, Stephanie Zajac (also below, with award), Karen Trujillo, Teresa Lessner, Kiki McIntyre; center, from left, Sandra Bradshaw, Kylie Smith, Cami Holdinga, Bonnie Sanderson, Rachel Keller, Kayla D’Ascanio, Joy Wilson. CONTRIBUTED

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER RESCUES MANATEE FROM MARATHON CANAL Dolphin Research Center’s (DRC) Manatee Rescue Team, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), and Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters rescued a distressed manatee on July 6 from a canal in Marathon. The male, about 9 feet long, was assessed as being underweight and showing a cloudy right eye. The rescue team surrounded it with a long net and pulled it up onto land. After DRC veterinarian Dr. Scott Gearhart performed an on-scene examination, the FWCC made the decision to transport the manatee to SeaWorld in Orlando for further assessment and treatment. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER/Contributed

Panda House Owner Honored for Sheriff’s Office Charity Work On behalf of the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriff Rick Ramsay honored Panda House restaurant owner Qi Z. Guo of Marathon on July 18. Guo is a Gold Donor to the Florida Sheriffs Association. The nonprofit organization is made up of 67 of Florida’s elected sheriffs along with thousands of business leaders and citizens. Its mission is to enhance law enforcement through educational and charitable purposes within the state. More information is at www.flsheriffs.org. MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF/Contributed

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION  CANALS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on August 17, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as may be heard, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, 2nd Floor, Key West, FL 33040, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, will hold a public hearing to consider approval of the following County resolution: The public can also attend the Public Hearing via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”)/Zoom at the following virtual address: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/82370285170 for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed assessments. Monroe County, Florida Canal Restoration Program Annual Rate Resolution A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE CANAL RESTORATION PROGRAM; IMPOSING ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTS FOR PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE CANAL RESTORATION MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT; APPROVING THE NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT ROLL; PROVIDING FOR COLLECTION OF MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The figure below depicts the Assessment Areas within the Canal Restoration Municipal Service Benefit Unit subject to the assessments:

Canal Restoration - #266 Big Pine Key, FL The public hearing is being held for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed assessments and collection of the assessment on the ad valorem tax bills. All affected property owners have the right to appear and provide input at the hearing, and may file written objections with the County Administrator at any time prior to the public meeting or within twenty (20) days following publication of this notice, whichever is greater. The Assessments have been adopted to fund ongoing annual maintenance costs for the canals, including but not limited to cost of electricity to run air curtains, vegetation removal and related services. The assessment for each parcel of property is based upon the number of Tax Parcels in the Assessment Area. A more specific description is set forth in the Initial Assessment Resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on July 17, 2019. Copies of the Initial Assessment Resolution, the plans and specifications for the Maintenance Activities, and the preliminary Assessment Roll are available for inspection at the Monroe County Administrator’s Office, 1100 Simonton St., Suite 2-268, Key West Florida 33040, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The annual assessment rates are: $1,247.95 per Tax Parcel in the Assessment Area The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill, commencing with the tax bill to be mailed in November 2022, as authorized by Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes and in future fiscal years. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the real property which may result in a loss of title. If you have any questions, please contact Rhonda Haag at (305) 453-8774 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pursuant to Section 286.0105, F.S., if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. ADA Assistance: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the County Administrator's office at (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call ‘711.’ To attend the Public Hearing virtually, please click on the zoom webinar link: When: Aug 17, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/82370285170 Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16465189805, 82370285170# or +16699006833, 82370285170# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 823 7028 5170 International numbers available: https://mcbocc.zoom.us/u/k8Rqkd6G2 If a person wishes to comment on a particular item on the public portion of the Agenda, when the webinar monitor and/or the Mayor calls for speakers on the item on which you wish to comment: a) If phoning in: Dial *9 to “raise your hand” to be recognized by the Zoom webinar monitor; b) If watching online: click on/open the live Zoom Webinar link, which link appears in both the published Agenda and Agenda Packet. When prompted, enter your email address and name to join the webinar and then select the “Raised Hand” feature that appears at the bottom of the Zoom webinar screen to be recognized by the webinar monitor. To report problems, please call (305) 872-8831 A person may submit written or other physical evidence on a particular agenda item for consideration at the BOCC meeting to: Lindsey Ballard, via email, to: ballard-lindsey @monroecounty-fl.gov. The documents must be received by 3:00 PM on Monday, August 15, 2022, and must include the submitter’s name, address, phone number, email address, and the agenda item number to which the documents refer. KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida

Publish: July 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Solar Consulting of the Keys located at 371 Stirrup Key Boulevard, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. By: Macintosh Systems Solutions, Inc. Publish: July 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using a Zoom Webinar platform by following the detailed instructions below. The public is strongly encouraged to watch the meeting on Monroe County’s MCTV on Comcast Channel 76, AT&T U-verse Channel 99 or on the County’s web portal @ http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ Citizens/Default.aspx. Simply select the “Watch Live” banner to view the live meeting with live closed-captioning on an integrated page that includes the Agenda and Agenda Backup. If a citizen has a Roku device, they can search for and add “MCTV” to their personal lineup. Monroe County’s “MCTV” is also provided via the Monroe County mobile apps for iOS and Android and through our streaming web portal @ https://monroe-fl.vod.castus.tv/ vod/?live=ch1&nav=live. Citizens can listen to audio-only from their phones by dialing (646) 518-9805 or (669) 900-6833 and, when prompted, enter the Webinar ID 823 7028 5170 followed by the # key. The public can comment during the live Public Hearing either by phoning in or by connecting to the live Zoom webinar link using the following instructions: a) To comment on an item by phone: Dial (646) 518-9805 or (669) 900-6833 and, when prompted, enter the Webinar ID 823 7028 5170 followed by the # key, then *9 to “Raise your Hand” to be recognized by the Zoom webinar host. b) To comment on an item using the live Zoom webinar link: Open this live Zoom webinar link @ https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/82370285170 (that also appears in both the published Agenda and Agenda Packet). When prompted, enter your email address and name to join the webinar. When the Mayor calls for speakers on the item(s) on which you wish to comment, or when the Board is nearing your item(s) as the meeting progresses, select the “Raised Hand” feature that appears at the bottom of the Zoom webinar screen to be recognized by the Zoom webinar host. The Zoom webinar host will request the item # on which you wish to speak and enable your participation when the Mayor calls for public speakers on your item. To report problems with the broadcast or participation in the Zoom webinar, please call (305) 872-8831. Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such hearings or meetings, he will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which

record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 18TH day of July, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: July 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on September 13, 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# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish: July 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: MTH Chiller Replacement 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. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. 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 September 13, 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: MTH Chiller Replacement 9-132022 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 so accommodations for

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: SANDS SLR ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE PILOT PROJECT BIG PINE KEY, 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. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids . The Public Record is available upon request. Bidders must be FDOT prequalified in the types of work specified for the project. The prime bidder must be prequalified in at least one major type of work regardless of the number of major types that are solicited. For any type of work that isn’t met by the prime, the subcontractor must meet the prequalification requirement. The team must be pre-qualified in all types of work needed for the project. The project is federally funded by a Community Development Block (CDBG) Subrecipient Agreement with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), IR026. The awarded contractor (CONTRACTOR) is bound by the terms and conditions of the County’s Subrecipient Agreement with DEO. The CONTRACTOR is required to be familiar with and shall be responsible for complying with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations that in any manner affect the work. The CONTRACTOR agrees to provide reports or information to the County as needed to comply with the County’s obligation to submit reports to DEO on the progress of the work. The Scope of Work consists of construction of a “pump and treat” storm water drainage system, reconstruction and elevation of roadway segments intersecting and including Father Tony Way in the Sands Subdivision of Big Pine Key. The project includes drainage structures, wet wells, pollution treatment device, and a related elevated pump station with a back-up emergency generator, pre-treatment, wet wells, pumps, piping, electrical controls, instrumentation, and injection well(s) for final disposal of treated storm water. The roadway improvements will include utility relocation and adjustment of access drives to homes. The CONTRACTOR will work with the residents on all modifications involving resident access and property.

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE Florida Keys Council of the Arts Notice of Upcoming Meetings The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@ keysarts.com Membership Committee Meeting July 28, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 823 7690 8020 Passcode: 324063 Membership Committee Meeting August 18, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 832 3570 2484 Passcode: 681794 Publish: July 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY RESOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on August 17, 2022, at 1:30 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CONTINUING THE ASSESSMENTS OF WASTEWATER SERVICE TO PROPERTIES IN THE BIG COPPITT, DUCK KEY, STOCK ISLAND, CUDJOE REGIONAL CENTRALIZED INNER AND OUTER ISLAND SERVICE AREAS, EAST/ WEST LONG KEY, NO NAME KEY, MIDDLE/BIG TORCH KEY, AND EXPANDED PARCELS WITHIN THE CUDJOE REGIONAL SERVICE AREA FOR THE 2022 TAX YEAR; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The public can participate in the August 17, 2022, meeting

Meeting Notice Monroe County Land Authority The Monroe County Land Authority Advisory Committee will meet in the Marathon Government Center located at 2798 Overseas Highway, Media Room – 1st floor, Marathon, Florida on July 26, 2022 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The agenda is available online at www.monroecounty-fl.gov or by contacting the Monroe County Land Authority office at 305-295-5180. ADA ASSISTANCE If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in these proceedings, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

Contractors are required to “Target Section 3 Workers”. Section 3 is defined as: Section 3 business concern means: (1) A business concern that meets one of the following criteria: (i) It is at least 51 percent owned by low or very low-income persons; (ii) Over 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business are performed by low- or very low-income persons; or (iii) It is a business at least 25 percent owned by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8-assisted housing. (2) The status of a Section 3 business concern shall not be negatively affected by a prior arrest or conviction of its owner(s) or employees. (3) Nothing in this part shall be construed to require the contracting or subcontracting of a Section 3 business concern. Section 3 business concerns are not exempt from meeting the specifications of the contract. The Prime CONTRACTOR must be prequalified in at least one major type of work regardless of the number of major types that are solicited. For any type of work that isn’t met by the prime, the subcontractor must meet the prequalification requirement. The team must be pre-qualified in all types of work needed for the project. Monroe County Purchasing Department has implemented a new electronic process for reviewing and opening sealed bids. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposal/responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bid be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00 P.M. on September 21, 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: SANDS SLR ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE PILOT PROJECT 09/21/2022 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 so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on September 21, 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# US (New York) +16699006833,, 4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Publish: July 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

31, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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: July 21, 2022. Personal Representative: Alice A. Bradford 8102 Gulf of Mexico Blvd. Marathon, Florida 33050 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: July 21 & 28, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

Joshua W. Hyman 321 Booth Ave. Englewood, New Jersey 07631 Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: July 21 & 28, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

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 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 July 14, 2022. Personal Representative: Anthony Pollock Antich 704 Catherine Street Key West, Florida 33040-3226 Attorney for Personal Representative: Samantha J. Fitzgerald, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 173762 300 S. Pine Island Road Suite 109 Plantation, FL 33324 Telephone: (954) 580.3690 Fax: (888) 663.6471 Email: samantha@ estateandprobatelawyer.com Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

that Petitioner is not liable for any loss, damage, destruction or injury, it may be so finally decreed by this Court; YOU ARE THEREFORE COMMANDED TO CITE ALL PERSONS OR CORPORATIONS in respect to which Petitioner seeks limitation to file respective claims with the Clerk of this Court and to serve on or to mail to the attorneys for Petitioners, Campbell Johnston Clark, LLP, 2600 Douglas Road, Suite 508, Coral Gables, FL 33134, copies thereof on or before the 1st day of August 2022, and citing such claimants to appear and answer the Complaint herein on or before the last named day or within such further time as the Court may grant, and once completed to then make return to the Court together with this Writ. Dated at, Florida on this 1st day of July, 2022. Angela E. Noble, Clerk United States District Court Southern District of Florida By: Mary Etienne Deputy Clerk Publish: July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-62-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF JERRY W. BRADFORD Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Jerry W. Bradford, deceased, whose date of death was May

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-132-K DIVISION: LOWER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT T. SMITH Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Robert T. Smith, deceased, whose date of death was February 21, 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 names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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: July 21, 2022. Personal Representative:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2022-CP-76-P IN RE: ESTATE OF RICHARD G. BECKMANN Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of RICHARD G. BECKMANN, deceased, whose date of death was May 1, 2022, 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 names and addresses of the personal representatives and the 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE 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 first publication of this notice is: July 21, 2022. Co-Personal Representative: MICHAEL J. BECKMANN 3920 N Hwy. A1A, 401 Hutchinson Island, FL 34949 Co-Personal Representive: BARBARA BACKHUS 155 N Granja St. Clewiston, FL 33440 Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives: URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ. Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com Florida Bar No. 382035 Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036 Telephone: 305-664-5065 Publish: July 21 & 28, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-000194-K IN RE: ESTATE OF PATRICIA POLLOCK ANTICH, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Patricia Pollock Antich, deceased, whose date of death was February 15, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street,

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION IN ADMIRALTY CASE NO.: 22-cv-10027-KMM IN THE MATTER OF: THE COMPLAINT OF KEY WEST JETSKI, INC. AS OWNER OF THE YAMAHA PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (HULL ID# YAMA0735A121) ITS ENGINES, TACKLE, APPURTENANCES, EQUIPMENT, ETC. IN A CAUSE FOR EXONTERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, Petitioner. MONITION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: THE MARSHALL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA: WHEREAS, a Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, on the 18th day of April, 2022 by the Petitioners, KEY WEST JETSKI, INC., as owners of a Yamaha Pleasure Watercraft bearing the Hull Identification Number YAMA0735A121, have filed a Complaint pursuant to Title 46, United States Code, Sections 30501-30502, claiming the right to Exoneration From or Limitation of Liability for all claims allegedly resulting from an accident which occurred on or about January 5, 2022 in the navigable waterways of Key West, Florida, as more fully set forth in the Complaint. For those reasons and causes set forth in the Complaint, Petitioners pray for the issuance of a Monition and Injunction, and that all persons or corporations claiming for any and all loss, damage, injury or destruction caused by or resulting from the incident set forth in the Complaint be cited to appear and file their respective claims with the Clerk of this Court, and to make due process thereof and citing them to file their answers to the Complaint and all proceedings to be had, and if it shall appear

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-DR-156-K DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: RONALD J. RIDGE, Petitioner/Husband, and, TIFFANY ANN RIDGE, Respondent/Wife. AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: TIFFANY ANN RIDGE Respondent/Wife LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 311 JOHNSON ROAD, LOT 79 SUGARLOAF KEY, FLORIDA 33042 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 the Petitioner/Husband, RONALD J. RIDGE, through his counsel of record Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq., The Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A., whose address is 3130 Northside Drive, Key West, Florida 33040 on or before August 8, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on the Petitioner/ Husband or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE 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 address(es) 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: June 30, 2022 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall Deputy Clerk Publish: July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2020-CC-271-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit B12, Week 13, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 24TH day of May 2022. Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE CAROL JEAN ASKEW REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST, DATED APRIL 22, 2006, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2020-CC-271-K (COUNT I; UNIT B12, WEEK 13) WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27th day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2021-CC-313-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 524, Week 28, Sunset Harbor Resort, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof as recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”). Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 16th day of May, 2022. Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff, vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES,

LEGAL NOTICES PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST ELAINE JOANNE SHEA AKA ELAINE J. SHEA, DECEASED, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2021-CC-313-K, Count III; Unit 524, Week 28. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 17TH day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2022-CC-24-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5614, Week 22, Odd Year Biennial Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs. RODOLFO JIMENEZ, ALONDA JIMENEZ, WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2022-CC-24-K (COUNT I; UNIT 5614, WEEK 22) WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 26th day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2021-CC-313-K AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 124, Week 39, Sunset Harbor Resort, a Condominium

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof as recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”). Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 11th day of May, 2022. Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff, vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST ELAINE JOANNE SHEA AKA ELAINE J. SHEA, DECEASED, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2021-CC-313-K, Count III; Unit 124, Week 39. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 17TH day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”). Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 16th day of May, 2022. Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff, vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST ELAINE JOANNE SHEA AKA ELAINE J. SHEA, DECEASED, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2021-CC-313-K, Count IV; Unit 232, Week 23. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 17TH day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

I, II entered in a case pending in said Court, the 24TH day of June 2022 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs. JOHN A. JOHNSON, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2022-CC-26-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 5th day of July, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder at the Old Courthouse Steps: 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL Sale Date: August 31st, 2022 Sale Time: 10:00am Dated this 6th day of June 2022 KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: July 14, 21 & 28 and August 4, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2021-CC-306-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit D14, Week 41, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 24TH day of May 2022. Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST CHESTER THOMAS MCCREARY, DECEASED, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2021-CC-306-K (COUNT I; UNIT D14, WEEK 41) WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27th day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2021-CC-313-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 232, Week 23, Sunset Harbor Resort, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof as recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2021-CC-313-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 131, Week 23, Sunset Harbor Resort, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof as recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”). Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 16th day of May, 2022. Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff, vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST ELAINE JOANNE SHEA AKA ELAINE J. SHEA, DECEASED, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2021-CC-313-K, Count V; Unit 131, Week 23. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 17TH day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2021-CC-331-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5332, Week 47, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FOR-PROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST RONALD LEE SHEETS, DECEASED, ET.AL. Defendant And the Docket Number of which is 44-2021-CC-331-K (COUNT III; UNIT 5332, WEEK 47) WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 27th day of May, 2022. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Riza Hall As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Publish: July 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 44-2022-CC-26-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of August, 2022 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5714, Week 44, Odd Year Biennial Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S)

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2022-25 Notice is hereby given that JOHN & RAEANN BERGE holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate Number: 2018/1218 Alt Key No: 1453668 Date of Issuance: June 1, 2018 RE: 00370500-000000 Description of Property: CRAINS SUBD OF GRASSY KEY PB 1-51 PT SECS 24-25-26 TWP 65S R 33E LOT 3 SQR 33 G56-473 OR466-731 OR1600-2271D/C OR2048-1374/76 OR2128-81Q/C Name in which assessed: PATTON SEAN ALLEN All of said property being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida. Unless such certificate or certificates shall be redeemed according to law the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder at the Old Courthouse Steps: 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL Sale Date: August 31st, 2022 Sale Time: 10:00am Dated this 6th day of June 2022 KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Aneta Jodkowska, Deputy Clerk Publish: July 14, 21 & 28 and August 4, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED 2022-26 Notice is hereby given that CITRUS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LLC CITRUS CAPITAL HOLLDINGS FBO SEC PTY holder of the following Certificate(s) has filed said Tax Certificate(s) for a Tax Deed to be issued thereon. The Certificate Number and year of issuance, the description of property, and Name in which it is assessed are as follows: Certificate Number: 2019/388 Alt Key No: 1142832 Date of Issuance: June 1, 2019 RE: 00113160-000100 Description of Property: 21 66 29 LITTLE TORCH KEY PT GOVT LOT 2 OR-635-423 OR8471316/1321 OR884-2218/2219C/T OR898-697 OR1304-2106/07/ TR OR1441-1781 OR1549-234 OR2169-593/94C/T OR2357773/74C OR2357-773/74C OR2412-1813/1814C OR26141340/41 OR2701-2342/43 OR2701-2344/45 OR27581542/43 Name in which assessed: ON THE ROAD LLC All of said property being in

AUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS! Junk or Used. Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483 AUTOS FOR SALE

2005 Honda Civic LX color: Gold. Located in Big Pine Key. New alternator, battery, brakes, radiator & A/C $4,000 OBO 336-894-8126 PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY! BOATS FOR SALE

2008 Triumph 19.5' 140hp Suzuki 200 hours, bimini top, electronics, covers, no rips on cushions, live well, trolling motor, push pole, life jackets, and trailer. Well maintained. Located in Marathon. $15,400 Call 305-393-3439 SOLD IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!! PLACE YOUR BOAT FOR SALE AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY! BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-7430844 TODAY! COMMERCIAL

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT

Warehouse space for rent in Marathon. 1000 sq. ft. on 1st floor & 500 sq ft. on 2nd floor 1500 sq. ft total. Call 305-481-7557 PLACE YOUR COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305743-0844 TODAY! EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted: Two Conchs Bait and Tackle in Marathon- competitive wages and working 3040 hrs a week. Contact George 305-289-0199 Shell World Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, Part and Full time opportunities available, some weekend and evening hours. Opportunities for advancement, great benefits, competitive salary and flexible hours. Please stop by and fill out an application, drop off resume or Fax to 305-852-9639. Marathon Auto Air looking for Counter Help - full-time. Pay based on experience. Apply in person at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305-289-9884 Hiring excavator operators, deckhands, & boat operators in Key Largo. 40/hrs per week MondayFriday. 305-440-3304 Pancho's Fuel Dock in Marathon is looking for a part-time cashier Thu/Fri/Sat. Please call 305-743-2281. CDL Drivers needed. Must have a clean record & drug free. We are offering competitive wages. Please apply in person at Discount Rock & Sand, 10500 Aviation Blvd, Unit 2, Marathon.

URGENTE  NECESITAMOS ASISTENTES DE SALUD HHA EN EL ÁREA DE KEY LARGO

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Part-time Marina C u s t o d i a n / Maintenance and Marina Tech/Pump Out Captain. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

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

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, 10am-7pm 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 404-2193359 and ask for Dave. Boat rental company in Marathon needs a mechanic. Boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006 Also hiring a boat cleaner call 305-481-7006. 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 Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work! Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@ g m a i l . c o m Property Manager, fulltime, Key Colony Beach, Sea Isle Condo 1101 West Ocean Drive, Salary 65K-70K, resume to HardingThomasL@ aol.com, or call 734-476-0531 HIRED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!! PLACE YOUR HELP WANTED AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305743-0844 TODAY!

Key West Art Center & Gallery is looking for part time sales associate, one to three days per week, for our busy, colorful gallery located in Old Town. Hourly wage starts at $14/hr. Gallery is open 10 am to 5 pm daily. Contact Nancy at nhenning@ bellsouth.net 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 305743-0844 TODAY!

URGENTE  NECESITAMOS ASISTENTES DE SALUD HHA EN EL ÁREA DE KEY LARGO Debe poder hablar Español. Tiempo completo disponible. Buscando asistentes de salud en el hogar compasivos y para brindar servicios de atención personal a los pacientes en sus hogares en las áreas de Cayo Largo (Key Largo). Lamar o mandar texto a: 786- 488-8806 / 786 -234-0786

NOW HIRING KELLY ELECTRIC in Marathon is looking for an experienced Electrician who wants to become a Master Electrician & more. Call or text 305-743-6098 or email: kelly6098@aol.com 305-743-6098 Kelly6098@aol.com

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

305.743.0844

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

Lic # EC 525

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

KML supports research and academic programs conducted by universities/colleges throughout Florida, the US, and internationally. Duties include greeting scientists, faculty, and students; preparing invoices and correspondence; data entry; courier and delivery services; assist with scheduling and group arrivals. To apply for this opening visit: Access Careers@USF and search for Administrative Specialist, Job ID 31352.

PLACE YOUR HOBBIES /COLLECTIBLES AD here for only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY! HOUSING FOR RENT

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR “C” LOCATION: DUCK KEY

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s WASTEWATER DIVISION IS GROWING, and we need a WWTP OPERATOR 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: Duck Key. Salary Range: $52,645.98 - $84,011.20. Apply online at www.fkaa.com/employment

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST - FULL TIME WITH BENEFITS. 40hrs per week at the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML), Layton, Florida.

EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

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

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

HOUSING FOR RENT

Available for 1 person 2 1/2 rooms + 8' X 22' screened porch. All utilities incl. wifi, satellite TV, washer/ dryer. 2nd house from ocean.Off-street parking.Private & quiet. MM 96 Key Largo. $1,850/month F/L/S 305-853-3779 Large Studio Bedroom Suite in Conch House in Marathon - Funrnished. $1,600/month includes utilities for 1 person. Second person additional $$ for utiilities. F/L/S No Pets. 305-610-8002 3 BR/2 BA home for rent in the Middle Keys. 75' premium dock. $3,500/ month + utilities. F/L/S 786-229-0228 1 BR/1 BA Efficiency for rent in Marathon. 3-4 months lease. Own entrance. 2 parking spots. $1,350/ mo. 305-417-0346 PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY! RV SITE FOR RENT

RV Site For Rent in Marathon. Full Hookup. Very quiet, gated property. Dock available. No pets. $1600/mo.- 6 month minimum. 305-610-8002 Lot for Rent - Key By the Sea Park in Marathon. $950.00/ month yearly only. 305-849-0507 RENTED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!! PLACE YOUR RV SITE FOR RENT AD here for only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY!

GENERAL SURGEON BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA INC. in Miami, FL and Tavernier, FL seeks a General Surgeon to follow established surgical techniques during operations. - Examine patients to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk; - Operate on patients; - Analyze patient’s medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and exam results to verify operation’s necessity and to determine best procedure; - Prescribe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures; - Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions and provide treatments. -

Must have a Medical Degree (US or foreign equivalent); 1 yr. exp. as a General Surgeon; State of Florida MD License; DEA License; Board Certified in Surgery.

Employment requires 50% of time to be spent at Baptist Hospital of Miami in Miami, FL and 50% of time to be spent at Mariner’s Hospital in Tavernier, FL. Employer requires pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check (including a criminal background check). Resumes to Yussi Medina at YussiM@baptisthealth.net

Started as a Teller

RESIDENTIAL INSPECTOR/ ASST. BUILDING OFFICIAL REPORTS TO: Building Official HOURS: 7:00am to 4:00pm or as set by Building Official MAJOR FUNTIONS: Building Inspector must have the physical, and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities, and duties of the job illustrated. The job description herein provides for the range of duties to be performed for this position. It is not intended to reflect all duties that are required within this position. JOB DESRIPTION: A Building Inspector performs construction inspections on development projects, in accordance with relevant state and local codes, standards, approved plans, and manufacturer specifications and requirements. An Inspector plays an important role in ensuring that approved development is safe and meets the standards set forth in the Florida Building Code and the City of Key Colony Beach. DUTIES: • Performs daily requested inspections and re-inspections, if necessary, in accordance with Florida Building Code, and City of Key Colony Beach Codes and Regulations. • Prepares written lists of violations and departures from approved plans and/or manufacturer specifications/requirements. • Posts Stop Work Orders as directed, or when necessary for unpermitted or illegal work. • Enters inspection results and comments in a timely manner into City approved permitting system. • Assists Building Official in daily operations of the Building Department • Performs Safety Inspections on all rental properties (Fire Safety Inspector 1 License required within the 1st year of employment) • Assists Building Official with input on yearly budget for Building Department. • Prepares and Assists Code Enforcement Officer with monthly reports or code cases to be heard by Code Board. • Office duties including scanning and filing of all permits. • Obtains and Coordinates information as requested by City Manager and Commissioners for meeting presentations. • Completes all additional duties as they are assigned. EDUCATION/SKILLS:

Growth Opportunities Plus Great Beneﬁts!

Yani Garcia AVP/Branch Manager

Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance Paid Time Oﬀ Starting at 25 days per year Paid Time Oﬀ for Volunteering

• Knowledge of construction codes, standards, and ordinances both State and City of Key Colony Beach. • Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques used in the building construction industry. • Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with owners and contractors. • Ability to perform job effectively and efficiently during times of high volume construction activity. • Knowledge or ability to learn specialized software related to electronic permitting, plans review, and inspections. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of an accredited high school or possess and acceptable equivalency diploma and have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the building construction profession or trades. Must have a valid drivers license at time of employment.

Tuition Reimbursement Competitive Salaries 401K Employer Match

Must have a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Building Inspectors license or the ability to obtain a Provisional License within 120 days of employment. Must have or be able to obtain within one (1) year a Florida Fire Safety Inspector 1 license.

Quarterly Cash Proﬁt Sharing Great Hours

SALARY RANGE: $68,000 - $78,000 DOQ

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!

Apply Online at KeysBank.com/Careers

Submit resume and completed online application to: City of Key Colony Beach City Hall, Attn: City Administrator 600 West Ocean Drive, PO Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Or email to: cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net Application form: https://keycolonybeach.net/apply-for-a-job Equal Opportunity Employer

Member FDIC

EOE-M/F/V/D

Equal Housing Lender

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 Keys Energy Services, in Key West, is accepting applications for the following position in its Fleets & Facilities Section:

KEY COLONY BEACH CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HOME HEALTH AIDES HHA

Department Administration

NEEDED IN ISLAMORADA AND MARATHON

Salary $52,000.00 - $55,000.00 Benefits include Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance; Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays; and Retirement (employee only). Job Description The Code Enforcement Officer conducts inspections and investigates complaints for compliance with City codes and ordinances, including the inspection of short term (vacation) rentals, and enforcement of short term (vacation) rental codes and ordinances. The Officer seeks to obtain compliance with City codes through citations or warning notices while assuring due process to violators. The position is required to prepare letter and written documentation necessary to take violators to hearing for enforcement action and to provide testimony before the Code Enforcement Adjustment and Appeals Board. This position reports directly to the City Administrator. Work is performed under general supervision which requires initiative, independent judgment, and organizational skills. The Code Enforcement Officer must deal effectively with the public, property owners and contractors to obtain compliance. Job Responsibilities • Administers and enforces the City’s short term (vacation) rental ordinances and actively manages the City’s program to register, inspect and monitor short term (vacation) rentals within the City. • Investigates complaints regarding code violations pertaining to building, housing, zoning, tree, sign, and other City codes by conducting field investigations and property research. • Regularly attends and provides testimony before the Code Enforcement, Adjustments and Appeals Board or Special Magistrate regarding code violations. • Provides violators of City codes with citations or notice of violation and gives the violator due process to comply with City codes. • Routinely patrols designated area for potential code violations, including violations of the short-term rental ordinances, overgrown lot and untagged or inoperable vehicle, and all other applicable local civil laws and submits weekly inspection reports to the City Administrator. • Maintains records regarding code violations via a computer-aided tracking system, and documents files until compliance is obtained or a lien is imposed. • Prepares letters for notice of violation and notice of hearing, clearly identifying code violations and appropriate corrective action. • Conducts follow-up inspections to previously identified code violations to ensure that code compliance is maintained. • Assists with permitting and inspection to the degree certification is necessary and obtained from the CITY of KCB. • Maintains vehicles and equipment used in the code enforcement process in good working order. • Nights, weekends, and holiday work will be required, floating 40 hours per week. Typical day 2 hours office 6 hours on the road. • Performs other related duties as assigned. Education, Training and Experience High school diploma required. Experience using computer software and applications. Good written and verbal communication skills, and excellent public relations skills are a necessity. Two years’ experience performing public contact work and demonstrating written, verbal, computer and organization skills is required. Driver's License Requirement Valid Florida Driver's License Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to effectively communicate and exchange information with others. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and crouching throughout the day in varying climate conditions. The employee must frequently lift or move items up to 40 pounds. Submit resume and completed online application to: City of Key Colony Beach City Hall 600 West Ocean Drive PO Box 510141 Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Attn: City Administrator Or email to: cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net Application form: www.keycolonybeach.net; see “I Want To” then “Apply for a Job”.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Full Time / Part Time available Must be able to speak Spanish! Seeking compassionate care givers (HHA-Home Health Aides) to provide personal care services to patients in their homes. Tiempo completo y tiempos medio disponible Se necesita empleados para asistir a personas mayores en sus hogares en las áreas de Islamorada y Marathon. Debe poder hablar español Tel: 786-488-8806

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $16.00/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.

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

AUTO DIESEL VEHICLE TECHNICIAN Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $27.17/hr. - $30.43/hr. For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com. KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace. Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

HIRING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/ CONTRACT ADMIN (will train) Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruct.com Or call: 305-852-3002

NOW HIRING: Hosts Waitstaff Bartenders Bar Backs Bussers Line Cooks Dishwashers

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

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

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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

OPEN POSITIONS

PART TIME / FULL TIME OPPORTUNITIES W/FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES

AT BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL - Environmental Tech, $2,000 Bonus - Line Cook - Medical Technologist, Lab-Admin, $15,000 Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, $9,000 Bonus - Physical Therapist, $5,000 Bonus - Registered Nurse, Surgery MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - ED Team Coordinator - First Cook, $5,000 Bonus - Floor Technician, $5,000 Bonus - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, $9,000 Bonus - Security Officer

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

BELL/VALET Front Desk Agent Reservations Agent HOUSEKEEPING Public Area and Room Attendant F&B Cook Dishwasher Food Runner/Busser SPA TERRE AT OCEAN KEY Licensed Massage Therapist Licensed Nail Technician MANAGEMENT OPENINGS Front Office Manager Sous Chef F&B Manager WE ARE EXCITED TO OFFER REDUCED-COST EMPLOYEE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN OLD TOWN! 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.

THEME: ANNUAL TRADITIONS The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! KEY LARGO

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

KEY WEST

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

MARATHON

Peer Support Specialist/BHT (FT) Care Coordinator Behavioral Health Therapist, PT/FT (Child, Adult) RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) Advocate (PT) Driver (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. Verdant 5. Vietnamese neighbor 8. “Before” prefix 11. Curved molding 12. *It rings at midnight on Christmas Eve at church 13. Yarn store unit 15. Relating to armpit 16. Criminal’s surprise 17. Nephew’s sister 18. *4th of July spectacle 20. 1952 Olympics host 21. 1,000 kilograms 22. Meat sauce 23. Vacation location 26. French painter of “La Danse” fame 30. Menu words (2 words) 31. Lean 34. Wine valley 35. Impertinent 37. *Annual Assumption tradition blesses it 38. #2 Down, pl. 39. Highest volcano in Europe 40. Puppies 42. Bit of binary code 43. Dean’s official residence 45. Small stream 47. Wine quality 48. Bilbo Baggins’ land 50. Windsor family’s sport 52. *Popular New Year’s libation 56. Stored by bees 57. ____-de-camp 58. “On the ____” by Jack Kerouac 59. Make laugh 60. Tear 61. Tibetan priest 62. Woolen cap 63. Banned insecticide 64. Big Bang’s original matter

DOWN 1. Bakery serving 2. Tangelo 3. Scorch 4. Regarding this point 5. “Live and ____” 6. Description for twins 7. Auto pioneer 8. Banana remnant 9. Puerto ____ 10. Compass bearing 12. “Jane Eyre” author 13. Pig part 14. *Action under mistletoe 19. Like a damaged apple, possibly 22. Jam container 23. Torn down 24. Fill with optimism 25. Sweating room 26. *Thanksgiving’s main event? 27. Beauty parlor 28. Chiropractor’s concern 29. Painting holder 32. Light gray 33. “Wow!” 36. *Birthday cake decorations 38. Seize the throne 40. Kind of humor 41. Ready 44. Deteriorate 46. Just about 48. Jumped aside 49. Lacked 50. Type of cotton 51. Female gamete 52. *Valentine’s Day tradition 53. *New Year’s resolution weight or savings target 54. One in a roster 55. Red-encased cheese 56. *Graduation flyer

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

DJ TRAE DAE ON THE POOL DECK STARTING AT 1PM

618TDAY SUNDAY FUN

R E T S LOBSEASON MINMI ADNESPASRTY L O O P & 2 H 2 0 2 , BEAC 4 2 LY JU

DRINK SPECIALS

$2 Coors Light • $5 BBC (Banana Baileys Colada) $5 Strawberry Daiquiris • $2 Jello Shots

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

WATCH ALL THE MLB GAMES ON 16 HDTVS

INCLUDING OUR 18’ POOLSIDE HD SCREEN, LARGEST IN THE FLORIDA KEYS!

305.396.7235 • 7 KNIGHTS KEY BOULEVARD • MM 47 (AT THE FOOT OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE, OCEAN) • SUNSETGRILLE7MILEBRIDGE.COM

MARATHON COMMUNITY CINEMA 5101 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON, FL | MARATHONCINEMA.COM 5101 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON, FL | MARATHONCINEMA.COM

11252 5th Avenue Gulf Marathon, Florida Keys

SOLD BY SAM WILLIAMS! #SELLITWITHSAM | 116 CLOSED YTD

WEEKLY SSCHEDULE CHEDULE

NIGHTLY FRI, SAT, SUN & TUES @ 7PM M AATTTIINEEES S EEVERY VERRYY SSAT AATT & SSUN UN @ 22PM PM MATINEES EV SA

In 2021 Sam listed, closed, and helped More families buy and sell in the Middle Keys, than the next top 2 agents combined. #1 Listing AND Selling Agent in Middle Keys 11 years in a row! If you want the most aggressive, most effective agent in your market, call or text .

Sam Williams REALTOR®

Sam - 305.942.6069

Sam.williams@coldwellbanker.com 11050 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

SELLING or buying this is the fastest way to reach me.

www.MidKeysHomes.com

©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. All rights reserved. ®,TM and SM are registered trademarks licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. An equal opportunity company. Equal housing opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated, except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated.

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

Tickets and Ticket Packs are AVAILABLE! BOX OFFICE: 305-743-0994 www.marathontheater.org

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

MAIN-STAGE SHOW 1 MUSICAL, $33/TIX PLUS TAX OCT 27 - NOV 12, 2022

HOLIDAY EVENT $10/TIX PLUS TAX DECEMBER 16 & 17, 2022 MAIN-STAGE SHOW 2 COMEDY, $28/TIX PLUS TAX JANUARY 05 - 21, 2023

FUNDRAISER VARIETY SHOW $45/TIX PLUS TAX FEBRUARY 09, 10 & 11, 2023

MAIN-STAGE SHOW 3 MUSICAL, $33/TIX PLUS TAX MARCH 09 - 25, 2023 MAIN-STAGE SHOW COMEDY, $28/TIX PLUS TAX APR 27 - MAY 13, 2023 COMMUNITY DANCE SHOWCASE $15/TIX PLUS TAX JUNE 2 & 3, 2023

B O O K ,M US IC &L YR IC S BY R IC H A R D O’B RI A N

The MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE will be holding OPEN AUDITIONS for f r our fo October/November 2022 Musical RICHAR DO ’BR IA N’ S

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE'S 2022/23 SEASON

AUGUST 6 & 7 9AM-12PM 1PM-4PM to schedule your audition, or if you have any questions please contact the director at

techmasterz22@aol.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743-0844 Licensed & Insured Contractor # CACO53827

ARTIC TEMP, INC.

Leslie Christensen

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

OWNER

phone 305-743-6881 AmericanCoastalRentals.com Leslie@AmericanCoastalRentals.com 9141 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

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

CARS, TRUCKS, RV'S & BOATS (305) 456-9004 Ä sundrenchedcustoms@gmail.com G @sundrenchedcustoms

Liz Samess Interiors

PROFESSIONAL DETAILING

FREE ESTIMATES!!

WITHOUT THE HASSLE

Broker/Owner 305-209-5166 Alexia@SeafarerRealty.com www.SeafarerRealty.com

SOLAR DONE RIGHT!

Design, Decorating, Drafting, & More…

CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

Liz Samess

KEY LARGO - KEY WEST

Fax: (305) 743-6887

Alexia Mann, GRI

Interior Designer

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. A division of SALT Service, serving The Keys since 1989

(954) 801-7883 Email: interiordesignbyliz@gmail.com CELL:

305-289-1150

Marathon, FL 33050

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

Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734 Florida Electrical Contractor EC13008657

Barbara Sanchez

Tewes ewes Mortgage

Home & Offices Expertly Cleaned Fast Dependable Service

Your local, residential lending expert!

Call 305.495.6000

“We Clean Your Place, Like it Was Our Place”

for a FREE Consultation

Brian Tewes

Excellent References Upon Request

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

305-766-0819 305-924-0179

www.TewesMortgage.com

Sportfishing Adventures

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

info@johnnymaddoxcharters.com

305-481-3259

Nails by Ivis

Manicures • Pedicures Acrylics • Gelish • Facials • Waxing

5177 Overseas Highway

(Between Office Depot & Main Post Office)

Marathon, FL 33050 305-289-1631

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

www.marathonhairandnailsalon.com

Kitchen Cabinets Sales REAL Wood Cabinets at Particle Board Prices

Only $57 Puts Your Business Card Here

Residential Commercial Marine

Automotive Installation Specialist

Todd Gibbins 305-393-1092

Chad Cossairt 305-340-8392

KitchenKorner/Fred's Beds 1333 O/S Hwy, MM 53.5 • 305-743-7277

SALES | INSTALLATION | SERVICE Lic & Ins SP3696

SPECIALIZING IN REMODELS & NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR OVER 20 YEARS

Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm • 6681 Overseas Hwy, Marathon keystilestone@gmail.com • www.keystilestone.com • 305.743.7053

The Weekly Newspapers www.KeysWeekly.com

305-743-0844

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743.0844 MARATHON • KEY COLONY OWNERS

START EARNING

Licensed & Insured #SP33799

ALL KEYS GLASS

305 3902315

WWW.KEYSRENTALSONLINE.COM OFFER YOUR ENJOY EXPERT MAXIMIZE GUESTS A VIP PROPERTY YOUR INCOME EXPERIENCE MAINTENANCE POTENTIAL

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-743-7800

Authorized Dealer

Karen Raspe

Realtor 305-393-9010 karenraspe@bellsouth.net

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

9141 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 www.karenraspe.com

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

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

_social media management _search engine optimization _custom website design

305-998-8953 Insured • Professional • Reliable

overseasmediagroup.com 305.906.0272

Tracy Chacksfield Realtor

CGC1523838 312-350-4601 tracy@thebeautifulkeys.com

9141 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 www.karenraspe.com

Lic No. SP1481

CGC1523838

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

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

Lic#SP-3562

We Do Installations! Licensed & Insured

FREE ESTIMATES U.S.1 & 109th St, Marathon

President

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

REPAIR INSTITUTE

Michelle McBride REALTOR

michellemcbride@keysrealestate.com www.keysrealestate.com

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

SALES

INTERNATIONAL

CONCRETE

513.835.5359

WiLL CAMPBELL - PRESiDENT

Rachellynnes94@gmail.com 305.393.3076

EXPERTS

Proud member of:

289-3019

BUiLDiNG iNSPECTiONS & PLAN REViEW PRiVATE PROViDER

Rachel Sanderson

SPALLING

(Across from Beall’s Outlet)

Will Campbell

Serving Key Largo to Key West

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

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

Michael Kiraly

Mortgage Lender Supervisor NMLS# 675432 MKiraly@My100Bank.com Direct: (305) 942-1756 Office: (305) 676-3019 11400 Overseas Hwy, Suite 214 & 215 Marathon, FL 33050 MY100BANK.COM | Centennial Bank

Milly Cruz

305.363.8869 milly@seafarerrealty.com www.SeafarerRealty.com

9141 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

MARATHON WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

D EF END ING O UR ENVIR O NME NT AND OUR VA LUE S “As a lifelong resident of the Keys, I’m proudly working with Governor DeSantis to preserve our unique environment and our conservative values so that future generations can enjoy our way of life.”

– Jim Mooney

Jim Mooney Is Fighting For the Keys! Protecting Our Water Quality and

Banned CRT and Dangerous Woke

Fully Funded Law Enforcement to

Stopped Companies From

Environment

Keep Us Safe

Ideologies from Schools

Transporting Illegals into Florida

Secured Our Elections from Fraud

RE-ELECT CONSERVATIVE FIGHTER JIM MOONEY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jim Mooney, Republican, for State Representative District 120