Upper Keys Weekly 22-0721

Less than a month before school starts, students.

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MEET THE CANDIDATES

Heated village council contests | P. 6

DIVE OPERATOR HITS TV Seeking the big bull | P. 29

FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS ’Canes football brings coach Holly back | P. 22

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UPPER KEYS 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

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

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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

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Coral Shores High School incoming head football coach Ed Holly works with backs and receivers during summer practice on July 18. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

BOCC DISCUSSES FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE, CONSERVATION REPORTS AND RESILIENCY PLANS

Editor

Jim McCarthy jim@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

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

Sept. 15. More details are at https:// www.monroecounty-fl.gov/768/GrantFunding-Flood-Mitigation-Assistanc.

Emily Schemper, senior director of planning and environmental resources, 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.”

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

SCHOOL BUDGET PROPOSES MORE TAXES & SPENDING JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

M

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.

VILLAGE BUDGET PROPOSES TAX HIKE Skyrocketing property values to bring more revenue to Islamorada JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

W

ith budget season nearing, the Islamorada Village Council established a preliminary millage rate of 3.000 for the 2022-23 fiscal year at its July 14 meeting at Founders Park Community Center.

Skyrocketing property values in the village could mean more tax revenue. But high costs for fuel and materials could mean more village expenses. The dais will convene for two budget workshops next month to hash out the details. The council will also have new Village Manager Ted Yates, who starts Aug. 1.

A proposed millage rate of 3.000, unanimously approved by council members, represents a 17.88% increase above the rolled-back rate of 2.5449. The rolled-back rate produces the same amount of tax dollars from the previous year, which saw the taxable value in the village at $4.2 billion.

This year, property values increased by $800 million to around $5 billion.

Last year, the council approved a $17.9-million spending plan with a millage rate of 3.000. The rate represents tax collections of $300 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. In the 2021-22 budget, a 3.000 millage rate brought $12.3 million in tax revenue. Keeping that rate for the coming budget year would bring roughly $15 million to the village.

“Setting a higher rate provides the village council with some latitude in determining its final rate for adoption,” states a staff analysis provided to the dais.

Maria Bassett, finance director and acting village manager, said the millage rate of 3.000 is established for discussion purposes only and has no budget impact on residents and property owners or on village operations at this time. Discussions surrounding the budget by the council during workshops in August will lead to a finalized millage rate and budget for adoption.

The five members making up the dais all agreed a millage rate of 3.000 was a good place to start.

“It’s not advantageous for us to try and go from lower rate to higher rate, if during the budget process we think or decide that we do need the high rate,” Councilman David Webb said.

Islamorada Village Council established a preliminary millage rate of 3.000 for the 2022-23 budget during a recent meeting.

PIXABAY/Contributed

Budget workshops are set for Aug. 8 and Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center. Budget hearings are set for Sept. 8 and Sept.

19 at 5:30 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center.

Village council members approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for police services beginning Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2023 for $2.6 million. It’s a 10% increase from the year before, and it’s due to personnel costs and benefits and new vehicles patrolling the community.

The dais also approved an amendment to its agreement with the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority for reimbursement of credit card fees incurred by Islamorada wastewater customers.

In March 2022, FKAA contacted the village to request an amendment to the 2015 Agreement whereby the village would reimburse FKAA for credit card fees incurred for Islamorada wastewater customers. FKAA explained that it did not want to pass the fees on to the customers using credit and debit cards for payment.

FKAA currently processes 4,986 wastewater customer bills for the village at a cost of $1.45 per bill each month. The total monthly payment to FKAA for billing services is approximately $7,300. Review of billing detail indicates that FKAA is currently paying about $7,200 in credit card fees. The village’s payment to FKAA for billing services would double each month starting Oct. 1.

FKAA would continue to bill the village customers on behalf of the village, collect village wastewater charges and transfer to the village the wastewater charges collected.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

12 ENTER THE RACE FOR COUNCIL Incumbents and first-timers vy for a spot to turn the village around

SEAT 2

SEAT 1 SUE MILLER Age: 78 Years living in Islamorada: 41 Profession: retired, was real estate broker in Islamorada for 20 years, computer programmer in the 1960s and 1970s.

I chose to move to Islamorada and raise my two sons here because of my love of the water, the environment, the small-town environment. I have watched as the involvement of residents in government decision-making has declined to disappointing levels.

Are residents afraid to speak up or are they just ignored? The people need to have a louder voice in the decisions impacting lives and the future of the village. I will work to provide more opportunity for residents to be heard.

Residents and the existing businesses are the heart and soul of Islamorada.

Yet they often have needs and expectations that are not being met. We need to do everything we can to foster community engagement and transparency, build trust and accountability.

I have been a community advocate for decades, attending village council meetings regularly, participating in village committees. I believe I can be a voice for the residents and small businesses. For 20 years I owned a small business in Islamorada and understand the struggles. I research the issues, I know and understand the village Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Regulations. My motivation is simple – I think we all need to work together to create a plan to make Islamorada the best it can be.

QUESTIONS: This November, all five seats on the village dais are up for grabs. Enter 12 candidates ready to take on some tough tasks facing the village. The Keys Weekly asked each the following questions: What led you to run for Islamorada Village Council?

What can you bring to the dais, if elected?

Answers as submitted

PETE BACHELER Age: 74 Years living in Islamorada: 37 Profession: Private land use planner.

I was a private land use planner in the village for over 35 years. I was chairman of the village Land Planning Agency for over five years so the next step was to run for council.

My first year on council I was the vice mayor and this year the mayor.

I’ve chaired over 50 village council hearings which brings a wealth of knowledge in “how the village does things” to the council. More importantly, I’ve met and talked to a lot of residents in person or on the phone.

Communication is the key to business success as well as the success of the village.

ANGEL BORDEN Age: 60 years Years living in Islamorada: February 2011. Returned permanently to Islamorada and here full time for 12 years (originally left the USA 30 years ago).

Profession: Businesswoman providing company administration and also owner of a kayak rental company.

My personal tolerance level of frustration has exploded with the ongoing issues neglected for over five and 10 years. The lack of transparency by every single council to resolve these problems coupled with numerous residents over several years saying, “why don’t you run?” It is time for a change.

Frustration with the amounts of money spent on studies/projects with waiver of competitive bids. $55,000 for what to do with the Fills and at the last village meeting it came out “we can do nothing without asking DOT permission.” We have qualified employees and volunteer committees that could have performed this “survey” and saved $55,000.

Transparency and accountability in the actions by the council and the employees of the Village. It is obvious due to many recent events proper HR policies were “forgotten” or “ignored” allowing improper sexual contact behind closed doors; employees’ rights to a safe workplace were ignored. It is reprehensible that this conduct was not addressed in previous years or at the very least by our last short-term manager as due to his failure to act the workplace became extremely toxic and several highly qualified employees resigned. At 60 years young I bring over 30 years of accounting, property management experience including condo complexes of over 70 units as manager and board member. I have been responsible for preparing for multiple hurricanes and the resulting disaster recovery of Hurricane Ivan in the Cayman Islands that included human resources management of over 80 employees, each of which was held to a code of conduct.

MARK GREGG Age: 63 Years living in Islamorada: 35 Profession: Real estate attorney (semiretired).

I have loved serving the people of Islamorada as an attorney since I started practicing law here in 1987, and as a councilman when I was first elected to the village council in 2000. Islamorada has many threats, challenges and opportunities that I have been focused on since incorporation in 1997, and I would like to continue working to improve Islamorada’s economy and quality of life, and to protect our community character and fragile natural environment.

Leadership experience, knowledge of the community and professionalism.

I was honored to serve as an Islamorada village councilman from 2000 to 2004, including a year as mayor and a year as vice mayor. I also served as a member of the Islamorada Land Planning Agency, including a year as chairman and a year as vice chairman, and as a member of the Islamorada Achievable Housing Advisory Committee. I practiced real estate and business law full-time in Islamorada for nearly 20 years, I was active in the Upper Keys Rotary Club for 17 years, and for 4 years I taught business law at the Florida Keys Community College (now known as the College of the Florida Keys). In 1998, I built the first 3 affordable housing units permitted by the village.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

SEATS IN ISLAMORADA

SEAT 3 MARY BARLEY Age: 76 Years living in Islamorada: Resident since 1998, have been visiting Keys since 1970s.

Profession: Retired.

Interestingly, a number of people approached me to consider running. I had recently stepped down as chairman of The Everglades Trust, therefore I have time to devote to other issues and my community is important to me.

I live here year-round and will make a difference.

I am knowledgeable about government having spent the last 30 years driving Everglades and Florida Bay restoration. I have experience moving lobbyists, government agencies, bureaucrats, citizens, elected officials, to do the right thing. The current council does not respect each other, and meetings last until late at night. I know how to facilitate a productive debate and get to a resolution quickly and efficiently. More importantly, I excel in ensuring projects and policy are implemented correctly.

ELIZABETH JOLIN Age: Over 50 Years living in Islamorada: 25 Profession: Captain with Bay and Reef Company and real estate agent with Island Equity Real Estate.

For the past 25 years of living in Islamorada I have intentionally avoided village politics since nothing can spoil neighborhood friendships faster than political differences. However, after several controversial village council and village staff decisions which have abruptly changed the town, I realized that my rights to complain are limited by my own limitations of willingness to engage. It is urgent for us to design the future of Islamorada in this way: 1) Control growth, understanding the connection between our neighborhoods, our environment and the economy; 2) Establish legitimate pathways to civic engagement where the voice of citizens is heard just as loudly as the voice of the council and developers; and 3) Envision a future of Islamorada that ensures worthy, middle-wage employment, peaceful neighborhoods, thriving coral reefs, ample bonefish, healthy seagrass, and crystal clear water. This foundation will ensure a bright and desirable future for our residents as well as our tourists.

I function with integrity and a commitment to fairness. By consistently making decisions based on input from the community and these principles, my qualifications are sound.

SEAT 4 BUDDY PINDER Age: 65 Years living in Islamorada: Most of my life.

Profession: Underground utilities contractor.

I have enjoyed serving the community of Islamorada. Islamorada is the place where I grew up, and where I raised my children, and where my grandchildren are being raised. I love this community and the people in it who are dedicated to preserving the unique characteristics of our small island village; that is, the fishing capital of the world. My hope is to continue fostering unity and harmony in our village, and to be sensitive to the needs of all residents and businesses. Our focus should be making decisions that benefit all of us, and not so myopic that we lose sight that we are a diverse community. A community of people who choose to live on our little group of islands and also deserve a representative who will actively listen and find thoughtful and considerate solutions.

I bring the experience of being a councilman for almost two years, and the experience of being on the board of directors for the Florida League of Mayors. While we are navigating challenging issues such as the pedestrian bridge, management of the Fills, and the permitting issues revolving around 2023, I believe we need people on the ground who will actually read legislation and understand the implications of the statutes and laws being crafted, and work toward sensible solutions.

HENRY ROSENTHAL Age: Did not respond Years living in Islamorada: 57 Profession: Former owner of Green Turtle Inn, Whale Harbor, Marker 88, former owner of Green Turtle Cab Company and entertainer of 37 years.

The encouragement of the people.

Obviously, I enjoy what I am doing. I’ve been successful on many occasions, which found the rest of the board going along with my proposals. I have a few things on my plate. Everyone says we want to extend terms from the 2 years to 4 because everyone has things they want to do. My position is where are you on these projects now? And I took on the project of pulling the plug on the walkover bridge even though the Florida Department of Transportation had holes in the ground. With the help of other board members that got done. The second thing I listed was Christmas decorations. I was successful this past year and I plugged into the budget $50,000 for Christmas. That's a big number. It turned out very well.

When it came time to reup the $50,000 I didn’t have to say a word. Another councilman said let’s do $100,000. One of the things I’m working on right now is the bus stops to redo them to be more consistent with the environment and look of Islamorada. And that’s in the works. And the other thing people are not aware of that I’m working on is removal of plastic bags out of grocery stores and balloons to protect water and our fisheries. I’m undertaking that as a project as well. These are things I'll talk about publicly.

You’re going with someone with common sense. It takes time to have common sense. If age has anything to do with it, I should be at a pretty good level. I have lived it. I’ve been successful and I also had failure. But you can’t have success without having a few failures.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

12 ENTER THE RACE FOR COUNCIL SEATS IN ISLAMORADA Incumbents and first-timers vy for a spot to turn the village around

SEAT 4 CASEY WATKINS Age: 40 Years living in Islamorada: 4 Profession: Managing Partner with Starbucks.

Running for village council is important to me because personally, I am fulfilled when being helpful and productive in our unique community as I continue to live and grow in Islamorada. My love for the Keys is rooted in my childhood, as I spent much of my free time down here with my best friend and his family. Islamorada residents have proven our resiliency multiple times in the last few years as we worked tirelessly to rebuild after Irma and focused our efforts on ensuring everyone's safety and economic success during the pandemic. However, the established village is young and has experienced growing pains. There are measurable and attainable opportunities for creating positive change, while safely maintaining Islamorada's integrity and special attributes. I am excited to help build and become part of the team leading Islamorada in sustaining our incredible ecosystem we have been entrusted to protect, and guiding us forward in our long term mission, developing open communication and transparency between neighbors and governing officials. We need true ambassadors of Islamorada to be accountable as role models who take time to ensure each member of this community has a voice. We must begin developing the next generation of local leaders. While top directives are delivered by the village manager’s office, there are clear needs that I'll diligently continue to follow through to completion.

Winning the election will provide an incredible opportunity to further my service within the community I genuinely love. Gathering to celebrate events championed by our neighbors should be met with genuine excitement for everyone's success. It is sad to witness division when we are all part of a tightly knitted community with great history.

SEAT 5

QUESTIONS: What led you to throw your name in the hat for Islamorada Village Council?

What can you bring to the dais, if elected?

Answers as submitted

DAVID WEBB Age: 70 Years living in Islamorada: 9 Profession: Retired FedEx Capt.

I have always believed it is a civic responsibility to contribute to the community in which you live. As a first term councilman, I have experienced a very steep learning curve and believe I am now in an even better position to help address the significant challenges our community will face in the next few years.

I have served as an elected official for over 20 years, as chairman of the pilots’ association at FedEx, on the Port Antigua POA and now the village council. I am unencumbered as a member of the village council as I am retired and have no business or investment interests in our community. This provides me with the ability to approach all decisions I make on behalf of our community with a single objective: What’s the right thing to do for the most folks. Period.

TOM RAFANELLO Age: 74 Years living in Islamorada: 13 Profession: Retired drug enforcement special agent in charge (1972-2005).

My family and I have been Islamorada residents for 13 years. We have two children attending Plantation Key School. Having served in Congress (1994-96) as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s chief congressional liaison, I have followed the political landscape, both nationally and locally, for decades. In Islamorada, our village council seems to have forgotten that they serve the residents. The voice of the residents should be their priority.

Unfortunately, it is not. I do not believe in criticizing from the sidelines. It is too easy, with no sacrifice involved. I want to step up and do something to solve problems and represent the will of the residents. It would be a change for the better, and I know we can do better. I want to help make our village what it was incorporated to be – the jewel of the Florida Keys.

I bring 20 years of executive management experience. I ran statewide investigative operations in Arizona and Florida as the DEA’s special agent in charge. I also served as chief of worldwide operations, with responsibility for 10,000 employees in 70 countries and 110 domestic offices. The budget exceeded $250 million. I have the leadership, competence and skill set that the village council requires if we are to achieve the priorities identified by residents. I know how to problem-solve in a timely manner, how to execute budgets, and, most importantly, how to listen to residents. I never lost sight of who I served. I want to bring these skills to the Islamorada Village Council, as it cries out for an infusion of leadership, competence and accountability.

The residents of Islamorada deserve nothing less. The needs of our residents, children and seniors, should be monitored and met.

SHARON MAHONEY Age: 65 Years living in Islamorada: 50 years Profession: Owner Enchanted Florist.

I think the main reason for my entering is the way our community has changed. What was once a small "everyone knew each other” community has now joined the rest of the world. In some ways the change happened fast, without the people living here having a chance to think about what was and will be our future. I have been lucky to have spent my childhood here growing up in the perfect beautiful Florida Keys.

Moving back home in the early ’90s after college really opened my eyes to the change. Watching the hammock being cleared, small "mom and pop" businesses leaving, big money moving in has been both sad and eye opening.

I have listened to lifelong friends and newcomers begging to understand how this got away from us. ... I want to try and keep what I have known and loved my whole life for the younger generations to have the memories I hold. My father always said "If you are not willing to help solve the problem then you are part of the problem.” I try and live by that. I think that is what really made my decision.

I think I can bring a fresh set of eyes to the table. I am blessed to have everything I need, no motive to gain anything from sitting on council. I have a very successful business for 26 years now. It started as a (nonprofit) cat rescue, which has 21 years of giving back to this community. I run two very large charity fishing tournaments every year; that goes totally to the community. I know how to run a business and I know how to make tough decisions and work with people, and I know what it is like to care about my fellow residents and what we need to protect and change that has to happen. We need to stop the division and learn to listen and work together. Everyone sitting on the council needs to be totally transparent.

9

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

Assisted by fellow Eagle Scout candidates and volunteers, Simon Gutierrez prepares to mix cement to support the beams of the message board. CONTRIBUTED

Islamorada Director of Public Works Andrew Engelmeyer levels a wooden beam as Simon Gutierrez drills into a temporary support. CONTRIBUTED

KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com

Eagle Scout project benefits Islamorada nature preserve

‘FLAGSHIP ACCOMPLISHMENT’

N

ewly poured concrete anchors the wooden beams supporting an empty, unassuming glass display case. This recently installed message board welcomes guests to the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve in Islamorada.

"I wanted to add something here,” said 17-year-old Simon Gutierrez. “I thought of a bulletin board to spread information."

Gutierrez is a Coral Shores High School incoming senior and a Boy Scout. This message board is his final project required to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.

"It's like the flagship accomplishment of any Scout," said friend and fellow Eagle Scout candidate, Keegan Wittke. For his Eagle Scout project, Wittke built a large enclosure for the Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary.

The Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve is home to the non-

Simon Gutierrez and his parents, Veronica and Luis Gutierrez, stand next to Simon's newly installed message board at the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve at Mile Marker 81. KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/Keys Weekly

profit Florida Bay Forever. Executive Director Jeff Baumgartner is excited to put Gutierrez's project to good use.

"Looking forward to getting some good information on that board and to bringing some folks in to learn about Florida Bay," said Baumgartner.

Gutierrez joined the Cub Scouts when he was 6 and became a Boy Scout in the fifth grade. He has dedicated 11 years to the program.

Becoming an Eagle Scout has required persistence, and for this last challenge, a lot of jumping through hoops.

"It's not just about building something. It's about submitting a plan, getting sponsorship, meeting people face-to-face, building the project and then writing up a final report," said Gutierrez.

"We had to sit down and talk about what size he wanted to do, what materials he needed," added his father, Luis Gutierrez.

As the plan to build the message display case took shape on paper, Gutierrez then had to secure support from the community to make his idea a reality.

"I made my project plan which included the supply section and tool section and that's where I got donations from Forest Tek and funds from Forest Tek," said Gutierrez.

Forest Tek Lumber generously offered up supplies. Many others in the community donated time and expertise. Islamorada Village public works director Andrew Engelmeyer provided the technical know-how.

Gutierrez's co-worker at Island Grill, Josh Welch, heard about the Eagle Scout project while Gutierrez was working at the restaurant as a busboy.

"I saw him doing his paperwork and I told him I grew up in the Boy Scouts, my brother's an Eagle Scout; if he ever needed financial support I could get it for him," said Welch.

Gutierrez's mother, Veronica, owns Veronica's Art and Glass Studio in Tavernier. She donated the glass case for the message board. She says her son has always been a self-motivator.

"This year he has been involved in so much that I couldn't keep up with him," said Veronica with a laugh.

Besides working on his Eagle Scout project and working at Island Grill, Gutierrez is on the Coral Shores High School track team, setting two school records last year. He is also busy looking into colleges; he hopes to study finance in the future.

Gutierrez still needs to write a final report about this experience before he can become an Eagle Scout.

As he put the finishing touches on the message display case, Gutierrez shared his sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

"It's satisfaction,” he said. “I'm glad it actually worked out."

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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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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13

UPPER KEYS 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.

14

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

TDC RELEASES VIDEO ON REGULATIONS, SAFETY FOR LOBSTER SEASONS

Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina at Founders Park.

LOCAL BOAT RAMPS CLOSED DURING LOBSTER SPORT SEASON

Boat ramp at Founders Park remains open JIM McCARTHY

T

jim@keysweekly.com

wo public boat ramps in residential neighborhoods in Islamorada will be closed off throughout the two-day lobster mini-season.

Per a press release by the village of Islamorada, the ramps at East Ridge Road and Blackwood Drive will be blocked off to boat launching beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26.

The two ramps, which don’t have any boat trailer parking, will remain closed until 8 a.m. on Friday, July 27. Lobster mini-season kicks off at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27 and ends at midnight on Thursday, July 28.

Barriers will be placed to close the ramps to boats, but they will remain open to kayaks and paddleboards.

Boat ramp closures began in 2021 to halt activity at the small, neighborhood ramps. Islamorada village council members ordered the closures during the busy weekends, like the Fourth of July and lobster sport season, to minimize negative impacts to village residents.

Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina at Founders Park will be open to those looking to launch their boat. The ramp opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.

Non-resident fees are $20 each way ($40 round trip.) When the trailer parking lot is full, restrictions will apply.

The Blackwood boat ramp. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

The East Ridge boat ramp.

Islamorada also encourages visitors to use private marina facilities.

The water access point at Indian Key remains closed.

In Islamorada, no snorkeling or diving is allowed within 300 feet of improved residential or commercial shoreline, or any man-made or private canal or public and private marinas.

This rule applies during the three days preceding lobster mini-season, Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 and the first five days of regular lobster season.

T

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

15

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

Loralea Carrera and Jerry Wilkinson in the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center. KEYS HISTORY & DISCOVERY CENTER/ Contributed

‘HISTORY IN THE MAKING’ Lecture welcomes historian Jerry Wilkinson and Loralea Carrera

BURMESE PYTHON WITH 100-PLUS EGGS DISCOVERED AT BIG CYPRESS

T

he Florida Keys History & Discovery Center is hosting a lecture showcasing Loralea Carrera’s Then & Now Favorites and the Jerry Wilkinson documentary, “Adventures in History” on Wednesday, July 27 beginning at 6 p.m.

A question-and-answer session by both Carrera and Wilkinson will follow, as well as a book signing for the historic Keys Lighthouse Book. This is the KHDC’s second lecture durings its summer series.

Wilkinson serves as president of Upper Keys Historical Preservation Society.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for networking and cash bar; the lecture begins at 6 p.m. The lecture is at the Keys History & Discovery Center and Islander Resort Conference Center, MM 82. Lectures are free for members and $10 for nonmembers. Secure your seat with an advance registration at 305-922-2237 or https:// buytickets.at/floridakeyshistorydiscoverycenter/712399.

— Contributed

Two female Burmese pythons, hatchlings and more than 100 eggs – hatched and unhatched – were recently discovered

by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation and a contractor in Big Cypress National Preserve. Officer Matthew Rubenstein was on routine patrol just before midnight on July 11 when he saw a python contractor, Alex McDuffie, bag a hatchling python in the preserve. Rubeinstein checked the contractor’s permits and could see that the python was a fresh hatchling. The two searched the area for more when they discovered 18 more live hatchlings. Further search found two nests with 23 unhatched eggs and 74 recently hatched eggs. A 10-foot female python, 18 hatchlings and 23 unhatched python eggs were removed from the preserve for the Big Cypress Python research program. Another female python removed from a nest measured 17 feet and 6 inches. FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION/Contributed

BRIEFLY Common phone scam reported in the Keys Multiple residents called the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office last week to report scammers calling them, claiming to be associated with Monroe County law enforcement.

In each instance, the residents did the right thing by hanging up and calling the sheriff’s office for verification.

The scam is common nationally: A criminal will call you posing as a deputy with the sheriff’s office and claim you have warrants, unpaid traffic tickets, missed jury duty or some other madeup offense. They will then instruct you to pay them over the phone to resolve the fake issue. Often they will ask the intended victim to pay with storebought gift cards — a sure sign you’re getting scammed.

The criminals use phone numbers and often will use real officials’ names during the scams. Some residents have previously reported getting calls from someone posing as Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

Residents should never give personal, monetary or gift card information to anyone over the phone, in a text, or an email — to anyone regardless of who they claim to be — without first checking with that person, utility, business, or government agency.

Anyone with information about any crimes should contact the Sheriff's Office at 305-292-7000. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-471-8477.

If a tip leads to an arrest in the case, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips may also be submitted online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.com or via a text message using the smartphone app called P3 Phone.

Tips can also be submitted via social media such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the @CrimeStoppers305 hashtag.

Florida's $4.27-per-gallon gas lowest since May Florida gas prices dropped another 15 cents last week. The state average is now on a 5-week streak of declines, falling a total of 62 cents per gallon.

On July 17, the average price for gasoline was $4.27 per gallon. This time last year, the price was $3 a gallon. On average it costs $64 to fill an average-sized 15-gallon tank of gas.

That's $9 less than what drivers paid when gas prices hit their peak of $4.89 in mid-June.

"For the first time in a couple months, drivers in some Florida cities are beginning to find pump prices below $4 a gallon," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Oil prices suffered significant drops last week, clearing the way for additional discounts at the pump.

Although global supplies remain an ongoing concern, the EIA reported a steep drop in domestic gasoline demand.”

16

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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

T

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.

17

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LAW GROUP OPENS NEW OFFICE IN KEY LARGO

Attorney Michelle Kane of the Florida Keys Law Group, center, mingles with guests during a ribbon-cutting event for her new office located above West Marine in the Pink Plaza at MM 103 in Key Largo on July 15. Florida Keys Law Group is dedicated to helping people find the right solution by offering a variety of dispute resolution services, including mediation and arbitration. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

WELCOME TO THE SQUAD Three new firefighters join Monroe County Fire Rescue

T

he Monroe County Board of County Commissioners welcomed three new firefighter/ EMTs to Monroe County Fire Rescue at the board’s July 20 meeting.

Family and friends joined the commissioners and fire rescue staff at a badge pinning and oath presentation.

“The hard work they put in makes my job easier,” said Monroe County Training Battalion Chief Charlie Mather. He said to the new hires, “The challenges placed before you to get into fire service were not small; never lose sight of the passion you had to get here nor let go of the compassion and empathy you need for the lives you will impact.”

The three new hires include: • Lisandro Gonzalez, firefighter/ EMT, of Hialeah, went to Coral Springs Fire Academy for his fire certification and Miami Dade College for his EMT certification. He realized he wanted to become a firefighter after calling 911 for his grandfather, who needed emergency care.

• Luis Garcia, firefighter/EMT, graduated from South Miami High School and received a bachelor’s degree in special education and his fire and Paramedic certifications from Miami Dade College. After teaching for a few years, he decided to change his career path and fell in love with fire service.

He is excited to serve the community with one common goal, to serve and protect.

• Robert Ruiz, firefighter/EMT, attended Braddock Senior High in Westchester and received his fire certification at Broward Fire Academy and his EMT from Miami Dade College.

He recently finished his paramedic certification course at the American Medical Academy. He enjoys learning about emergency medicine and looks forward to making a difference in someone’s life.

— Contributed

19

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

1

2

A sneak preview inside the new Italian Food Company

G

3

A TASTE OF ITALY COMES TO ISLAMORADA 4

5

uests stopping by the new Italian Food Company in Islamorada enjoyed delectable cocktails and menu items as part of a special preview on July 15. Owners Tony and Isis Wright welcomed locals to a new Italian restaurant that, on the inside, comes to life with scenes from Italy. With plenty of pasta and other Italian dishes came wine and some dancing. The new restaurant, located at the former Bentley’s restaurant, offers indoor dining, two unique sitdown bars and an expanded menu. Isis said they’re planning to keep the core menu from their Key Largo location inside their new restaurant, but they want to add some seafood dishes. Isis said the new restaurant will open Tuesday, July 26.

— Weekly staff report

1. On your Toes Dance Studio co-director and instructor Stephanie Zlokie and fishing Captain Skip Bradeen dance together during a soft opening for the Italian Food Company.

2. Chef Raffele Rosati prepares the signature cheese wheel pasta — the Cacio E Pepe.

3. Tillman Meury and Tony Wright’s mom, Maria Wright, speak to guests.

6

7

4. Tony Wright, at far left, owner of the Italian Food Company, gazes at his restaurant during the soft opening.

5. The new Italian Food Company restaurant is located at the former Bentley’s restaurant in Islamorada.

6. Tony and Isis Wright, owners of the Italian Food Company, pose together with a bottle of limoncell.

7. The 8.8-ounce Mozzarella Di Bufala is flown in weekly.

— Photos by Doug Finger

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20

UPPER KEYS 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

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.

Proud supporters of conservation efforts across the beautiful Florida Keys

21

UPPER KEYS 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!

22

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

‘HE'S BEYOND RESPECTED, HE'S REVERED’ Hurricanes welcome back football coach Ed Holly KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com

T

he sun is setting, but the temperature on the gridiron is still downright sweltering. Offseason conditioning – focusing on running, throwing and weightlifting – is in full gear for Coral Shores High School football players.

But this season brings a significant change to the team roster, and it's at the very top.

"It sure is nice to be back on the Canes' sideline,” said Ed Holly, newly named Hurricanes head coach.

If the name sounds familiar, it should. Holly coached the Canes from 2011-2015 and left for an opportunity to coach college football at East Mississippi Community College. A year later, Holly accepted the top coaching position at Palmetto Bay's Westminster Christian School, where he remained for five years.

But his heart and his home were in the Keys.

"We've always been a part of the community, but now I get a chance to lead the football program," said Holly.

"He's beyond respected, he's revered," said Rich Russell, Coral Shores athletic director.

For Russell, bringing Holly back to Coral Shores required nothing short of a Hail Mary.

"We tried multiple times to get him back down here and finally something broke, a position at the school, and it was ideal for him," said Russell.

"He took a reduction in salary and so forth to come here but he lives in the Keys and wants his kids to attend Coral Shores and graduate from Coral Shores."

Besides being the head football coach, Holly will take on a teaching and

a quasi-administrative role at school.

After 33 years as athletic director and a total of 44 years at the school, Russell says he plans to retire after this school year.

"This is my last year. My hope and my vision moving forward would be that he will become the athletic director starting next year," said Russell.

"That's just my own personal vision. I don't make those calls, obviously."

Coach Holly and his wife, Holly Holly (yes, that is her real name) have four children. Their daughter graduated from Coral Shores in 2021 and was Ms. Coral Shores. Their youngest son is a seventh grader at Plantation

Key School. Their two middle sons attended Westminster when Holly was head coach. They commuted from Key Largo to Palmetto Bay every day.

"The drive was challenging. But I was never late. I never broke down, and I was always on time for five and a half years," said Holly with a smile.

Both of his older sons will attend Coral Shores this year and will play on the team. One is a sophomore and the other is a senior.

When Holly left Coral Shores six years ago, offensive coordinator Alphonso Bryant, along with defensive coordinator Herbert James, assumed the head coaching position.

Russell says both will now be assistant coaches and are thrilled to have Holly back at the helm.

"Alphonso jokingly said, ‘I've just been holding this position until we could all get together again,’" said Russell.

Holly says his coaching staff is not complete. He still plans to bring in more coaches, including former defensive coordinator Jack Neidbalski.

"He's got to clear it with his bosses but we're hoping to bring Jack back so we will have not one, but two defensive coordinators," said Holly.

The CSHS booster club is looking forward to a great season with Holly.

The boosters raise money to support the team to help purchase essentials like new helmets and uniforms.

Six years after leaving Coral Shores High School, head coach Ed Holly returns to lead the football program. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

23

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

"He calls us the mom mafia. The moms get it done. If you need something done, you've got to have the moms involved," said Christi Allen Franchini, booster club president.

"He's all about family and he's all about the team's energy and when we are working together as a unified unit, you're just that much more capable," she added.

The Canes’ new head coach describes the booster club as "phenomenal".

Holly's optimism is contagious.

With the first toss of the coin only weeks away, excitement for a new season under the old-slash-new head coach is building.

The countdown clock is ticking for the Hurricanes; the first game of the season against Coral Park kicks off at home on Aug. 19.

"We've got a great staff; our future is bright. I can't wait to get into our schedule. We play really, really good teams this year," said Holly.

BEAT THE HEAT! DURING OUR “The drive was challenging. But I was never late. I never broke down, and I was always on time for five and a half years.”

— coach Ed Holly

Coral Shores High School 2022 Varsity Football Fall Schedule Date

Time

Opponent

Location

Aug 19

7 p.m.

Coral Park

Home

Aug 26

7 p.m.

Felix Varela

Home

Sept 2

7 p.m.

Palmer Trinity

Home

Sept 9

7 p.m.

Palm Glades

Home

Sept 16

3:30 p.m.

Sunset

Away

Sept 23

7 p.m.

Everglades Prep

Home

Sept 30

7 p.m.

Ransom Everglades

Home

Oct 7

7 p.m.

Marathon

Home

Oct 14

7 p.m.

Bridge Prep

Home

Oct 21

Bye

Bye Week

Bye

Week 10 – Oct 28

TBD

Conference Playoffs

TBD

Week 11- Nov 4

TBD

Conference Finals

TBD

SALE

20%-50% OFF OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY! TO BENEFIT RESEARCH FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS

200 Morada Way Islamorada, FL 33036 (305) 664-2002

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10a-4p

24

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

BRIDGING GAPS BETWEEN PEOPLE & PLACES COW KEY BRIDGE TO BE RENAMED FOR CHERYL CATES ON JULY 26

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

I

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.

The bridge over Cow Key Channel, between Key West and neighboring Stock Island, will be renamed in memory of Cheryl Cates on Tuesday, July 26. Photo courtesy of WLRN Public Radio & Television

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

T

he bridge that connects Key West and neighboring Stock Island will be renamed on Tuesday, July 26 for Cheryl Cates, who worked tirelessly to bridge gaps among all Florida Keys families and communities.

“Cheryl H. Cates elegantly built bridges between people and organizations to achieve community goals. She championed the cause of improving the lives of children, and worked for decades to enhance the quality of life for all in the City of Key West,” states the proposal to rename the bridge, which was submitted to the state for approval by Key West businessmen Peter Batty and Jim Gilleran. Batty will speak at the dedication ceremony, along with members of the Cates family.

Cheryl Cates lost her battle with COVID in December 2020 shortly after her husband and high school sweetheart Craig Cates was reelected to the Monroe County commission — after he served nine years as Key West’s mayor.

A new sign will mark the Cheryl Cates Memorial Bridge over Cow Key Channel, Craig Cates said recently. The name of the channel beneath the bridge will not change.

“It’s an incredible honor to Cheryl and our family to have her recognized for everything she has done for the community she loved so much,” Craig Cates said. “We

Cheryl Cates

are so grateful, and Cheryl would always say how much she enjoyed ‘connecting the dots and building bridges’ between people who need help and people

who can help.”

Cheryl Cates moved to Key West when she was 2 and married Craig Cates in September 1971. One was rarely seen without the other. They raised three daughters, Tammy, Nicole and Crystal, and cherished four grandchildren, Taylor, Riley, Trevor and Andrew. Cheryl and Craig owned several businesses in Key West, including Cates Automotive and Napa Auto Parts. Cheryl was also a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Knight Gardner Realty.

“Her vibrant presence lit up any room she entered. Cheryl was a fierce champion and advocate for those in need on her beloved island.

She was involved in many organizations and spearheaded numerous fundraisers for people and causes.

Her benevolence and compassion were infectious, and she used her influence and connections to make her island home a better place,” states a tribute to Cheryl Cates published upon her passing.

25

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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

NATIONAL SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE LAUNCHES Call or text 988 to reach Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

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

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

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

A

s of July 16, 988 is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect with mental health professionals with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,” states a press release from the Federal Communications Commission.

Too many people experience suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need. There are urgent mental health realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across our country. In 2020 alone, the U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes — and for people aged 10 to 34, suicide is a leading cause of death, states the FCC. There is hope. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day. These centers are supported by local and state sources as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect to mental health professionals with the Lifeline network.

Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline, which serves the nation’s veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.

For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

— Contributed

Opened in March 2022, Sandbar Books is the only bookstore in the Upper Keys and employs five locals. Shoppers will find the latest bestsellers, books written by local authors, books featuring the Keys as the setting, as well as thousands of titles in a variety of genres. An extensive children's section includes books, games and toys for the youngest of book lovers. Gift cards are also available. Shoppers can expect personal service and care to ensure they obtain their next great book or perfect gift.

“When you step through our doors, we strive to delight all of your senses.

Smell the unique scent of newly printed books, touch the pages, stand back and browse while relaxing music plays in the background,” said Owner Becky Washam. “Grab a cup of complimentary coffee or tea. Get a suggestion from a friendly bookseller. Walk out with something fantastic!”

Sandbar Books hosts several book clubs, book signings and other fun events.

“We offer high-quality goods unique to our area,” Washam said. “No need to wait a week for your next read. No need to give yet another gift card at the next birthday party your child attends. We are here to take care of all of that for you with immediate gratification.”

91272 Overseas Highway, Tavernier Towne (between post office and theater) 786-640-1401 info@Sandbarbookstore.com

WWW.SANDBARBOOKS.COM LEGENDARY KEY LARGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & FLORIDA KEYS VISITOR CENTER info@keylargochamber.org 106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

WWW.KEYLARGOCHAMBER.ORG

26

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

‘KING OF COOL’ CELEBRATION UPCOMING Joey Naples with Nicole Navarro, of Pawsitive Beginnings Inc., and Coral.

CONTRIBUTED

Remembering a legendary radio personality

H

i friends! Reef the fox here with this week’s “Reef’s Report.”

So I am shocked that I didn’t get an influx of emails asking how I was doing with the announcement of a new baby fox coming to live with us. I guess you all think I’m going to be just fine?

We will see, I guess. Mom goes to central Florida on Aug. 11 to meet the transporter from Save A Fox corporation. Little Kai gets to fly on a plane from MinREEF nesota to Florida. Pretty lucky little guy, huh? If you THE FOX missed the story on our newest member of the fox family, visit last week’s column at keysweekly.com.

Reef is a red fox Let’s get back to some fun events happening that was saved from a fur farm. around town, shall we? On Thursday, July 21, from 6 He now lives in to 9 p.m. in Islamorada, the Morada Way Art Walk is Key Largo with happening. Enjoy a relaxing evening perusing local his human, Nicole fine art, imbibing local craft beer and wine, listening Navarro. to music and seeing your favorite people.

Then on Sunday, July 24, starting at 2 p.m. at the OceanView Inn and Sports Pub will be the celebration of life for our friend, Joey Naples. I never got to meet Joey but my little sister, Coral. did. Joey was a friend to all here in the Florida Keys and was a great advocate for all animals. He regularly had shelter and rescue organizations on air to talk about events and fundraisers. Joey was definitely the “King of Cool.”

Naples rocked the Upper Keys with Clear Channel Media and then with the Florida Keys Media family, which he’d been with since 2014. Before that, the transplant from West Palm Beach served as senior director for an NBC television station for 25 years.

Naples loved his life and loved his role here in the Keys. From his onair show, “Joey in the Midday,” to his remote broadcasts at the OceanView Pub and the Sandbar at Whale Harbor, Naples was just a friend to everyone he met.

My mom, Nicole, had this to say about Joey: “Throughout the years, Joey Naples was always a friend to me and an even bigger friend to the animals in our community. Anytime I needed to get the word out about an event, animals needing adoption, or most recently last year, bringing Coral to introduce her to his Sun 103 listeners, he said, ‘Come on down.’”

Please head on down this Sunday and go have some fun; it’s what Joey would have wanted, I have no doubt.

That’s all for this week. Until next time, Reef, over and out.

N

NALA

ala is a beautiful 5-year-old fox terrier. Nala weighs 9 pounds and she is the sweetest and most affectionate little love bug. She is great with all people, children and other dogs. She hasn’t really been around cats, but would probably adjust and be good with them too. She is very well behaved and well trained, crate trained and leash trained. Nala was found several months ago with a broken leg. She was so good-natured and let her rescuers handle her with the broken bone, and it never slowed her down. The bone was repaired, but we don’t know how long she was walking on it broken. If you are looking for a sweet companion who loves to sit on your lap and cuddle, you need to meet sweet Nala. She is fully vaccinated, spayed and ready for her “furever” home. If you would like to make this girl a part of your family, please complete an application at www.mprescues.org/adoption-application or give a call at 305-4531315 and say you want to meet Nala. Or perhaps make a donation to help with her care.

SAVE THE DATE Thursday, July 21 • Morada Way Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. at Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Islamorada.

Friday, July 22 • Celebrate the Ocean art workshop with Yvette Cortera and Mariela Estevez at 2 p.m. at Key Largo library.

Saturday, July 23 • I.CARE dive and transplant coral at 8:30 at Key Dives, Islamorada.

• Key Dives, Islamorada Dive Center and Florida Keys Dive Center present “Jaws on the Water” to benefit I.CARE at 6 p.m. at Islamorada Dive Center.

Sunday, July 24 • Paint & Sip at 11:30 a.m. at Gardenia Bistro, MM 88.7, bayside, Islamorada.

• Celebration of Life for Joey Naples at 2 p.m. at OceanView Inn & Sports Pub, Islamorada.

Wednesday, July 27 • Just Older Youth (JOY) Center classes from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for a complete schedule.

• “History in the Making” lecture at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) at Keys History & Discovery Center, Islamorada.

Friday, July 29 • The movie “Luca” (PG) with popcorn from 2 to 4 p.m. at Key Largo library.

Saturday, July 30 • Paint with artist Pasta Pantaleo to benefit Good Health Clinic at 6 p.m. at 835 Largo Road, Key Largo. Sign up by calling 786-236-8158 or emailing yvette4BigKahuna@gmail.com.

Monday, Aug. 1-5 • iCan Swim Adaptive Swim Camp for children 3 and up with disabilities at Founders Park, Islamorada. Sign up by calling 305-394-1459 or emailing tana.carson@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 9 • REEF’s Fish & Friends lecture welcomes Sarah Fangman, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary superintendent, at 6:15 p.m. at REEF at MM 98.3, median, Key Largo.

27

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022 MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

FIRST CANDIDATE FORUM GETS FEISTY HOMETOWN EVENT FEATURES SEVERAL RACES

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

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 this 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.”

28

UPPER KEYS 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

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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”.

29

UPPER KEYS 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

Y

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.”

30

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

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32

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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

33

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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 B11, Week 40, Beach House Condominium, 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 VI; UNIT B11, WEEK 40) 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

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

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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.

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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!!!

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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

34

UPPER KEYS 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

35

UPPER KEYS 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

36

UPPER KEYS 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

37

UPPER KEYS 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

38

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.363.2957 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

305-998-8953 Insured • Professional • Reliable

Licensed & Insured #SP33799

Lic No. SP1481

ALL KEYS GLASS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

Authorized Dealer

305-743-7800

When It Rains It Pours!

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

CGC1523838 305-292-2666 305-743-0506 305-852-5356 rainsavergutters@gmail.com

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

Key West

MARATHON

KEY LARGO

BEST SERVICE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS CGC1523838

PRICES LESS THAN MARINAS MENTION AD FOR

10% DISCOUNT REC90 ETHANOL-FREE GAS OFF-ROAD DIESEL

_social media management _search engine optimization _custom website design

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

SPALLING EXPERTS

Proud member of:

INTERNATIONAL

CONCRETE REPAIR INSTITUTE

overseasmediagroup.com 305.906.0272

Tewes ewes Mortgage

Your local, residential lending expert!

Call 305.495.6000 for a FREE Consultation

98970 Overseas Highway, Key Largo 305-453-7855 Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m.-12 noon; 1-4 p.m.

Pick up available. No drop offs.

Only $57 Puts Your Business Card Here

Brian Tewes

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

www.TewesMortgage.com

Sportfishing Adventures

QUALITY ELECTRIC BIKE RENTALS IN THE UPPER KEYS

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

info@johnnymaddoxcharters.com

305-481-3259

305-434-5501

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

FREE DELIVERY! WWW.KEYSELECTRICBIKE.COM

SOLAR DONE RIGHT! CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

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

305-289-1150

Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734 Florida Electrical Contractor EC13008657

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

The Weekly Newspapers www.KeysWeekly.com

305-743-0844

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

39

GOING ON NOW! 40

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 21, 2022

AT ROYAL FURNITURE

2,000,000

$

inventory clearance

$AVE 10% -

75% Storewide

shop now for best selection! www.RoyalFurnitureAndDesign.com

KEY LARGO

MARATHON

KEY WEST

305-451-5700

305-743-4397

305-295-6400

MM 99 Median

MM 50 Oceanside

Searstown by Publix