Mary Barley understood early on that saving Florida Bay and the Everglades would be a marathon, not a sprint. She also knew educating our youth would be critical. So, she planned for it. “We must get our young people involved. Once they understand this ecosystem and its importance, they will fight to protect it.”
She was right. And today, the Everglades Foundation has incorporated programs for young people, from kindergarten to college internships, scholarships, and fellowships.
Mary’s favorite, the Everglades K 12 Literacy Program, is making a big impact statewide. Now in its eighth year, the initiative has provided more than 4,500 teachers with free training, curriculum, and materials, and reached more than 150,000 students, in 28 Florida counties, with 51 champion schools, including schools right here in Monroe County.
This is who Mary is. Who she’s always been. Fight for something bigger than yourself, something that isn’t about your personal bank account. Tackle the problems head-on. Learn more. Work with others. Consider the future always. Never give up.
On a local level, Mary Barley has been a long time financial supporter of Coral Shores High School athletics. If you squint, you will see her late husband George named for our football field in the background.
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The combination of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products potentially lost as a result of category 4 Hurricane Ian is valued between $787 million and $1.56 billion, according to University of Florida econo mists. Vegetables and melons suffered the worst losses, $208 million and $394 million, followed by citrus crops, $147 million to $304 million.
Diver JD Reinbott shows off his carved pumpkin during Amoray Dive Resort’s annual pumpkin dive in Key Largo. TIFFANY DU ONG/Keys Weekly File Photo
land development regula tions, not enough affordable hous ing and too much authority given to the village planning director position were among the issues Local Planning Agency members heard during an Oct. 10 meeting at Founders Park Community Center. Some fixes are on the way, but some will likely take some time.
Dan Gulizio, planning director, took to the podium to provide an in-depth presentation to the LPA on everything from the intent behind the area of critical state concern to goals within the village’s comprehensive plan that haven’t been met. Gulizio said when looking at the problems facing Islamo rada, policy and decision-making are often examined and scrutinized. But Gulizio said he looks at a bigger set of problems — primarily a compromised regula tory process.
“That can be compromised by everything from petty politics to narrow-minded interests to simple greed,” he said. “When you’re seeing bad policy and decision-making, if you just focus on that and not the fact that the integrity of the regulatory process is compromised, I think ultimately you don’t get sus tainable change and meaningful change you need.”
Overall, Gulizio said, the village’s land develop ment regulations are complicated administratively. And ironically, he said some parts are over-detailed yet lack some basic standards. In particular, Gulizio said there are too many zoning districts, 29, in a village of roughly 7,000 people. As for the village’s highway commercial district, there are 56 uses and 130 conditional uses.
“That runs the gamut from single-family homes to a car wash and outdoor storage. From a planning standpoint that’s too many uses.”
In addition, less than a third of the village’s zon ing districts provide for a minimum lot requirement. For instance, village commercial districts have no minimum lot area or maximum lot area require ment. Gulizio acknowledged that it’s “poorly drafted code.” Issues such as providing for minimum lot requirements is an easy fix, he said.
“It will be increasingly important as more pres sure is put on the housing stock,” he said. “For every two-bed or one-bed, 1,500-square-foot house we have, there will be pressure already in the coming months and years to take every one of those off the market, transfer the TDR (transfer development rights) to a different lot to build an eight-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot McMansion.”
Gulizio said he’s drafted amendments to address certain matters such as including boat dealerships in tourist development districts. Current language didn’t have boat dealerships as an allowable use. Gu lizio is also addressing home occupations in residen tial neighborhoods. As of today, there’s no restriction on the type of business someone can have at their home. Not only that, outside employees can come in and work, and the business can add displays and storage.
“Those things go beyond what I’ve seen to main tain residential character to a structure,” he said.
Gulizio said he’s also seeking annual inspections of commercial properties by building officials to ensure permits are being pulled for the work being done. And he’s hoping to create a much simpler process for those needing a permit.
Broad authority given to the planning director is another issue Gulizio is looking to address. He said he’s hoping to create a review planning committee that includes village officials and three citizens.
“I think it ought to be considered as we move forward,” Gulizio said.
LPA members were complimentary of Gulizio’s presentation on the issues facing the village. Susan Raffanello said Gulizio got a handle on something that needed to be handled for decades. For Stan Zuba, seeing photos that showed the village be fore the wave of development to today was an eye opener.
“When you look at those pictures, you realize we’re on the cusp. We either do something now or the Keys are no more,” he said.
Tony Hammon said the village faces a two-head ed monster: a crying need for affordable housing and dwindling building permits.
“I don’t know what the future of the Keys is going to look like unless we get a handle on this,” he said. “I’m not sure we’re going to be able to solve these things.”
At the end of September, hundreds of “coral nerds” from around the globe gathered at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo for Reef Futures, the world’s largest coral restoration conference. Braving heavy winds, rain bands – and Hurricane Ian –they showed up with equal energy and force.
Coral reefs are extremely important – envi ronmentally, economically and as a protection against sea-level rise. Reefs cover just 1% to 2% of the sea floor; yet they support over 25% of marine species – one of the many reasons that they’re called the “rainforests of the sea.” Economically, fish and marine animals that live on coral reefs are crucial for many commercial and recreational fisheries, as well as diving and boating tourism industries. This is certainly true here in the Florida Keys. Finally, corals also act as a critical line of defense for our shorelines by dissipating wave energy from hurricanes and big storms.
Unfortunately, corals have been dying the death of a thousand cuts, suffering from poor water quality, runoff, climate change, warm ing and acidifying oceans, over use, and more. Scientists have predicted that most coral reefs will be lost by 2050.
Coral restoration is a relatively new sci ence. Born in the Keys just over a dozen years ago from “backyard experiments” by industry legends like Ken Nedimyer and David Vaughan, it has evolved into major science initiatives – in cluding genetics, spawning in the lab and more.
“This has been awesome. We’ve been at this a long time,” said Nedimyer, about himself and Vaughan. “And to see this many people coming together and all the great ideas is a dream come true. Ten years ago, you couldn’t fill a small room with people, but, today, we oversold this whole thing, and who knows how many people out there are watching and wait ing to be a part of this.”
Reversing the downward trend for cor als was a huge reason that coral restoration developed as a science in the first place. It was also the genesis for the inaugural Reef Futures conference, held in 2018.
“Reef Futures is an incredible opportu nity for those of us in the Florida Keys to have people from all around the world joining us to learn about restoration efforts from all over,” said Sarah Fangman, superintendent of the
“It was obvious we had to do something big because the reef is the lifeline of this commu nity,” said Fangman. “Reef Futures (2018) was the catalyst for bold action. It helped us realize we aren’t out of options, out of ideas, out of things to do.”
After the 2018 conference, the sanctuary gathered some people to create and execute a careful and deliberate plan to answer one question: what does it mean to do more for the Florida Keys? What they came up with is called Mission: Iconic Reefs, and the goal is to restore seven key reef sites throughout the Keys with a great chance to succeed and benefit nearby areas. Their analysis also included a punch list for each site and the cost to complete.
“We’re trying to take things to the next level,” Fangman said. This momentum mir rored that of other conference presenters and attendees within their own work in seas across the globe.
“When we first held this conference, it was just a lot of ideas. Now, we’re hearing how these ideas are implemented and taking on a life of their own,” said Jessica Levy, director of restoration strategy for Coral Restoration Foun dation. “We’re having smart funding conversa tions. They’re tangible. There’s action.”
Jennifer Moore of NOAA Fisheries and a lead on the planning committee for Reef Futures, agreed, saying, “2018 was the first time we held Reef Futures, and the one notable thing we heard coming out of it was that there was an immense feeling of hope. And, that was the catalyst for what we’ve all done for the last several years, and now, we’re showing what we can do with that hope. We’re getting things done, we’re raising a lot more money, we’re getting more boots on the ground – and we’re
actually increasing coral cover, but we need to do so much more.”
Indeed, one of the biggest shifts between the 2022 conference and its 2018 predeces sor was the amount of real-world solutions and funding being discussed. Instead of trying to validate that coral restoration works and is important, now the discussion is how to scale and fund restoration work to the level needed to save the world’s coral.
As the storm passed through, the coral nerds mingled around scientific posters and got excited sharing pictures of their latest coral nursery successes. As the meeting of the minds came to a close, countless attendees and or ganizations recommitted and reaffirmed their desire to continue building on the momentum of the moment.
Scott Winters, co-chair of host organization Coral Restoration Consortium (CRC), summa rized it well: “If we weren’t up for a big chal lenge, we wouldn’t be trying to save coral reefs. But, we’re here for a reason.”
Republicans and Democrats agree on nearly nothing these days, except when it comes to property insurance in Florida. On that topic, politicians — including two who want to represent the Florida Keys in Tallahassee — are unanimous in their opinion: the industry itself is as big a disaster as a hurricane.
Insurance premiums are skyrocketing. The industry is plagued by lawsuits that absorb funding that should be spent on claims to repair homes after a storm.
Both candidates for the Florida House who want to represent the Florida Keys — incumbent Republican Jim Mooney and Democrat Adam Gentle — have repeated their frustrations with Florida’s property insurance industry and its state-run Citizens Property Insurance at multiple candidate forums.
Recently, Shahid Hamid, a finance professor at Florida International University, who directs the Laboratory for Insurance at FIU, wrote an article for The Conversation outlining the problems with Florida’s insurance industry.
The Keys Weekly takes a look at Hamid’s explanation, as well as the local candidates’ positions about needed changes to the industry in Florida.
Hamid wrote on Oct. 5 that Florida’s insurance premiums have nearly doubled in the past five years, yet private insurance companies are still losing money and going out of business.
Why?
“The biggest single reason is the ‘assignment of benefits’ problem, involving contractors after a storm,” Hamid writes. “It’s partly fraud and partly taking advantage of loose regulation and court decisions that have affected insurance companies.
“Contractors will knock on doors and say they can get the homeowner a new roof. The cost of a new roof is maybe $20,000 to $30,000. So, the contractor inspects the roof.
Often, there isn’t really that much damage. The contractor promises to take care of everything if the homeowner assigns over their insurance benefit. The contractors can then claim whatever they want from the insurance company without needing the homeowner’s consent.
“If the insurance company determines the damage wasn’t actually covered, the contractor sues. So insurance companies are stuck either fighting the lawsuit or settling. Either way, it’s costly.”
Homeowners also can decide to sue over the amount of damage an insurer will cover.
Another issue is flood insurance. Remember, windstorm insurance only covers wind damage, not damage caused by storm surge flooding, which has been increasing in recent years. According to Hamid, only about 14% of Florida homeowners pay for flood insurance.
“Some without flood insurance will file damage claims with their property insurance company, arguing that wind caused the problem,” Hamid writes. “How widespread of a problem are these lawsuits? … About 9% of homeowner property claims nationwide are filed in Florida, yet 79% of lawsuits related to property claims are filed in Florida. The legal
cost in 2019 was over $3 billion for insurance companies just fighting these lawsuits, and that’s all going to be passed on to homeowners in higher costs.
“...The state’s regulation is also relatively weak. This may eventually be fixed by the legislature, but that takes time and groups are lobbying against change. It took a long time to pass a law saying the attorney fee has to be capped.”
Florida Keys State Rep. Jim Mooney echoed Hamid’s frustration with the insurance industry and the costly lawsuits during an Oct. 3 candidates forum hosted by Hometown.
“The insurance industry is just an absolute disaster,” Mooney said at the forum. “There’s nobody in Florida that doesn’t recognize that. … The reality is, every bill we’ve passed to make the insurance companies drop rates a bit, has all been brought into litigation. All the bills that passed, bipartisanly, are now in litigation. We stepped on the wrong toes. We stepped on the attorneys’ toes. And until we can figure out how to get past the lawsuits, there is not going to be a quick fix in Tallahassee, there’s not gonna be a quick fix in Washington. We have to take the legalese out of it. And that’s not gonna be an easy task.”
At the same candidate forum earlier this month, Democrat Adam Gentle, an anti-corruption attorney by trade, told the audience, “The first issue is, we don’t have an insurance market anymore … because Citizens, our insurer of last resort, has become the insurer of first resort for many Floridians. And we’ve squeezed the private market so that Citizens is undercutting the market by 50%. We have to reinvigorate our market, introduce competition and make sure Citizens truly is the insurer of last resort.”
Gentle also discussed the problem of lawsuits and corruption in the insurance industry.
“The real problem is corruption. … Corruption in claims. Corruption in rackets between builders and insurance companies. That needs to be investigated. … There are things we need to do to make our system less corrupt and also have a more vigorous market.”
Gentle also pointed out at a July candidates forum “the news about $100 million in litigation fees that Citizens pays due to fraud in our marketplace. As your state representative, I would appoint a commission to investigate that fraud so our insurance dollars are actually used to pay for repairs when there’s a storm and not to settle out fraudulent litigation.”
Plenty of people in Tallahassee and elsewhere throughout Florida seem able to define the problems with Florida’s insurance industry, but few seem able to solve them without lawyers and lawsuits getting in the way. And the catastrophic costs caused by Hurricane Ian aren’t making reform any easier.
Prep volleyball closed out the regular season on Oct. 15, sending each of the three Keys teams into the opening rounds of district playoffs. Key West began its postseason quest against Miami Sunset at home on Oct. 18, with the 10-10 Conchs needing to get past the 8-6 Knights in order to advance. Further up the Keys, Marathon and Coral Shores battled it out for the fourth time this season on Oct. 17, with Coral Shores claiming a 3-0 win in order to advance to the semifinal match on Oct. 19 against Somerset Academy South Homestead. With the loss, Marathon fell to 2-17 on the season.
In the last week of regular season play, Key West beat Hialeah Educational Academy 3-0 on Oct. 13. Coral Shores played two matches, defeating Marathon at their home Senior Night on Oct. 13 before hitting the road the next day and falling to Carrollton School, 3-0.
Marathon played at Redland Golf and Country Club on Oct.
11 against Cutler Bay and Keys Gate. Marathon’s Fisher Coleman-Sayer won the match, edging out teammate Billy Martin by seven strokes. Fellow Fins Ethan Sauders, Aiden Richard and Casey Horvat placed fifth, sixth and seventh in the event.
Summer Haines, Marathon’s lone female golfer in the match, made it count, claiming first place in the event and beating the next golfer by more than 20 strokes.
Key West made the trip to Ocean Reef to play a round against Coral Shores on Oct. 13 at the Hammock course. Key West’s Roco Twyman, Devon Gilday and Andrew Bassett swept the top three spots in the boys matchup. Coral Shores’ Aiden Althouse took fourth place.
Abraham
The Lady ’Canes’ Lana Tiedemann (8)
Coral Shores’ Brooke Mandozzi (14) prepares for a hit against Marathon’s Cassandra Brezil (7).
Marathon’s Malena Rocafort (3) hits the ball over as Coral Shores’ Crystal Gutierrez-Sandoval waits.
Marathon’s Kayesha Christian, left, and Kiki Hewlett, second from left, get vertical to block a hit from Coral Shores’ Addison Morris (20).
The Hurricanes’ Morgan Bailey (22) on the attack.
The girls’ match had similar results, with Conchs at the top of the leaderboard. Claudia Sterling took first place, followed by Savannah Oropeza. Key West’s Kaylee Arsenault and Coral Shores’ Gabby Thomas tied for third.
Prep golf will move into district play beginning Monday, Oct. 24 for Key West and Tuesday, Oct. 25 for Coral Shores and Marathon. The Conchs will play at Grand Palms Golf Course in Pembroke Pines, and the ’Canes and Fins will head to Normandy Shores Golf Club in Miami Beach.
Key West faced what seemed to be
insurmountable odds on Oct. 14 against undefeated Estero High, yet managed to stay within striking distance until the final buzzer. The catalyst in that exciting matchup was running back James Reynolds. At times, Reynolds used his speed to break the corner and gain positive yards. Other times, it was his evasiveness that kept him from going down. And when there was no way around the Estero line, Reynolds lowered his head and plowed through it, carrying anyone foolish enough to keep hanging on with him. The Conchs fed him the ball 25 times in the game, which he turned into 175 yards, one touchdown and a 2-point conversion. Coach Johnny Hughes described him as intelligent – his GPA is north of 4.0 – and hard-working, never skipping a practice or workout. Reynolds is a quiet leader, setting the example by his actions and work ethic, making him the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
— Johnny Hughes, Key West head football coach
“He is a workhorse.”By: Tracy and Sean McDonald
The Key West Conchs knew they would need to bring everything to beat the undefeated Estero Wildcats in their first district game this season on Oct. 14. Estero took an early lead, but a penalty held them to six points on the drive. Key West took little time to tie up the game on a 19yard James Reynolds TD run, then took the lead with a Marco Davila kick.
Estero answered late in the first quarter, reclaiming the lead for a very short time until Kevon Mills tied it up again with 7:05 left in the half. Key West seemed to be in the driver’s seat with less than a minute remaining in the half, but quarterback Adrian Mira suffered a hard hit, fumbling the ball. Estero’s scoop-and-score on the fumble with the ensuing 2-point conversion put the
Wildcats on top 21-13 at the half.
The Wildcats scored again on the opening drive of the second half, extending their lead to two scores. Undaunted, Mills went 49 yards for the Conchs, and a Davila kick brought Key West within eight points, eating up most of the third quarter in the process.
Estero then appeared to put the game away, scoring early in the fourth quarter and taking advantage of a third Conch fumble to go up 42-20.
But Key West wasn’t finished yet. Running back James Reynolds refused to go down, and when the Wildcats wrapped him up, he carried them with him on a 20-yard run that sparked a Key West offensive drive capped off by
a 4-yard Mira TD. Reynolds scored 2 on the conversion, narrowing Estero’s lead to 14.
The Conchs’ defense held strong, and Key West methodically moved the ball from their own 10-yard line and made it a one-score deficit with a 67yard touchdown reception from Mira to Jakari Blackman. Davila’s kick gave the Conchs hope, but with just under two minutes left in the game, time was running out. The Conch defense held strong yet again, and rather than punt and chance a big return, Estero opted to run into their own endzone, adding a safety and 2 points to the Key West scoreboard. The 42-37 loss gives the Conchs a record of 2-4 going into an unanticipated county matchup against Coral Shores on Friday, Oct. 21.
1994 Key West 35-0 Key West makes it to the state playoffs; Conch wide receiver Michael Dean is named to the All-State team.
2000 Key West 48-0 Coral Shores wins Florida Monthly Magazine’s “Best High School Athletic Program” award, the same year Rich Russell retired. Russell now serves as the athletic director at CSHS.
2001 Key West 18-14 Justin Duck, Cody Granger, Jesse Kehoe and Latron Hickson make the All-State cut for the Conchs; Jordan Schiengner and Daniel Biondoletti make it for the ‘Canes.
Marathon and Coral Shores have the oldest and longest-running football rivalry in the Florida Keys, but it is not the only one. On Friday, Oct. 21, Coral Shores and Key West will meet for the 12th time since the mid-1990s. With Key West’s original opponent for the week unable to play, and Coral Shores willing to fill in a bye week, the stars have aligned to renew a rivalry last seen in 2010. The game will be played in Tavernier, giving the ’Canes the home field advantage, but as far as the rivalry goes, the advantage goes to the Conchs. Ahead of the surprise showdown, Keys Weekly took a look back at the island rivalry thus far:
2002 Coral Shores 45-42 Ryan Debenstedt is named to the All-State team for the Hurricanes.
2003 Key West 46-6 Longtime Conch coach Pat Freeman retires.
2004 Key West 63-7 Six Conchs are named to the All-State team including Terrance Moore, Alex Yanovych, Laurence Marius, Daniel Garci, Clinton Storr and Daryl Lewis.
2006 Key West 35-7 Jeff Myers semi-retires as the ’Canes head coach after eight seasons; he takes over again for one year in 2010, the year prior to Ed Holly’s first stint as the ‘Canes head coach.
2007 Key West 15-7 Senior running back and linebacker Ralph Major goes on to win the state championship in wrestling for Key West.
2008 Key West 16-0 Jerry Hughes takes over as head coach for the Conchs.
2009 Key West 28-0 ’Canes go 0-10, Conchs go 6-3
2010 Key West 46-0 Senior Frankie Grizzle-Malgrat holds down the line for the Conchs and later goes on to achieve fame at FSU. Better known as “Red Lightning,” Grizzle-Malgrat earns the name for his striking red hair and blazing speed in his role as the Seminoles’ ball boy and equipment manager.
Georgie Michelotti chews up a big pretend bite of her pumpkin at the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition field trip to the Pumpkin Patch at Burton Memorial United Methodist Church in Tavernier. The Healthy Start Coalition encourages imaginative play at its weekly early childhood development play groups in Tavernier. More information is at www.KeysHealthyStart.org/events. FLORIDA KEYS HEALTHY START/Contributed
Kali Evans grew up in Pleasant Hill, Missouri — the Heartland of America. Her parents still reside there along with her younger sister. Evans first moved to the Florida Keys in 2010 and decided to make Islamorada her permanent home after having her son in 2013.
When you meet Evans, you know she is from the Heartland right away because she meets you with a big smil ing hello. Behind that smile lies one tough cookie.
After Hurricane Katrina, Evans wanted to go help New Orleans recover, but her father convinced her she was too young and inexperienced. She then enrolled in first responder courses at the American Red Cross to be ready for the next time she was needed. While there, she learned of AmeriCorps, a national service pro gram that connects over 70,000 Ameri cans each year in intensive service to meet community needs in education,
the environment, public safety, health and homeland security.
Evans joined AmeriCorps when she was 21, in 2006. The AmeriCorps program she entered was the Coconi no Rural Environment Corps located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Flagstaff was the home base, but her crew would work all over Arizona. They worked in spikes, where the crew would travel to a location, set up camp near the work site, then work long and hard for 10, 10-hour days. They would go back to Flagstaff for six days of rest and then do it all over again.
Evans shared a story about work ing near the Mexican border in the Sonoran Desert. There she helped build barbed-wire fences to keep free range cattle on the American side of the border. “It was so hot and I had to wear protective gear, long pants, long sleeved shirts and a hard hat. There were so many rattlesnakes out there, at first, they give you a short warning rattle burst, you look around to see where they are because you don’t want to get bit,” Evans said.
When Evans began the hard physi cal work, she wanted to quit, but after talking with a friend back home she decided to tough it out. “I came back to base camp every day feeling sweaty,
tired, and exhilarated. I highly rec ommend that if you are someone at a crossroads in life, you join the AmeriCorps.
“It changed me by opening my eyes to the broader nature of life,” Evans said with a Heartland smile. Evans is the new program facilita tor for Just Older Youth Inc. When asked what attracted her to the JOY Center, she said, “I want to give back to my community. Working for Just Older Youth Inc. gives me the op portunity to do that. I have enjoyed meeting the people who come on Wednesdays. I am excited about working within the community to promote the JOY Center and its mis sion.”
She comes to the JOY Center each day smiling, inquisitive and ready to help. Her enthusiasm for the programs at the center is boundless and she has started to look at incorporating more fun, invigorating programs to attract and engage old and new members. The toughness and tenacity she devel oped over the years is just what JOY Inc. and the community need to get the job done.
we continue to invest in our cherished Environment and Natural Wonders, it will pay dividends to our Local Economy and sustain the Quality of Life enjoyed by all of Our Families.
On a Personal Note: Unfortunately, we have seen a number of disparaging and derogatory political advertisements during this election. I have tried my best to "Take the High Road" by refraining from personal attacks and mudslinging. I hope you will consider this when you vote.
The Future of Islamorada belongs to the Next Generation. Preserving and Protecting our delicate Environment today will ensure Prosperity and an enhanced Quality of Life for tomorrow.
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The Weekly asked the candidates: How would you go about addressing the issue of illegal vacation rentals in the village?
Fourteen candidates enter for five hotlycontested Islamorada
Village Council seats this November. With the most candidates seen in the village’s history, the hopefuls consist of incumbents and newcomers, Conchs and longtime residents and men and women of all backgrounds. Now through Election Day, the Upper Keys Weekly will ask the candidates questions on key issues facing the village.
Answers are printed exactly as submitted by candidates, with responses limited to 75 words.
The enforcement effort should be enhanced and communicated broadly so the entire community knows illegal vacation rentals aren’t tolerated. Fines were estab lished by resolution in 2009. Some owners consider the fine the cost of doing business. Fines need to be a true deterrent, perhaps a multiple of advertised weekly rental rate. Some rental rates are as much as $1,000 - $3,000/night! Keep improving monitoring prac tices. Have community volunteers monitor online advertisements to assist code enforcement.
I am confident that the Village Code’s Compliance Officers, the Planning Director and the Village Manager are utilizing all tools available to identify illegal vacation rental activity within the village and to cite them according to the limits of state and local laws. Until the State of Florida supports local government efforts to regulate vocational rentals within their jurisdictions, the village’s efforts are hindered. Through the village’s membership in the Florida League of Cities and through our state lobbyists, i would seek changes in laws that have limited local government home rule authority over vacation rentals in the State of Florida so that full-time resi dents and property owners enjoy an enhanced quality of life.
First, we must be serious about this problem, and I have not seen anything from the village that sug gests we are. Purchasing software doesn’t solve the problem, actions do. Staff must be instructed to search carefully, not just for key words like “weekly” to find the ads that are out there with follow up that nips it in the bud. Monetary punishment can be a detriment to renting illegally, including agents who rent illegal units.
Raise fines. Follow up as to the effectiveness of the company being used. Publish the success rate for stopping the illegal activ ity. Success may be as simple as informing the owner of the law or as complicated as taking them to court. More success rate exposure will help curtail others. Utilize Monroe County and Tax Collectors efforts. Follow up on requiring Airbnb and others to provide cli ent list. Investigate other avenues of identification besides advertise ments.
Triple the fines. Hire 2-4 more officers. Make a spreadsheet of advertised properties and cross reference the list to see who does not have a permit.
Give each officer a list of proper ties to investigate. Serve violators through the legal process, and publish a list of names/ addresses in the local media, then follow the legal process. Use the rev enue from violators to pay for the department. Surpluses can be directed to a new fund that could subsize workforce rents.
Build our influence at the state level to change the statue disal lowing local governments to ban short-term rentals. HOAs have the ability in the language of their contracts to eliminate short term rentals in their associations. Anyone conducting vacation rentals and failing to register with the DBPR, should be fined the maximum allowed for each occur rence.
I would continue improving our current enforcement efforts us ing our newly acquired specialty software that tracks illegal vaca tion rental advertising and create a special code enforcement unit with enhanced investigation tech niques and capabilities to gather better evidence for more success ful prosecutions with increased fines equal to the revenue re ceived by the violators from illegal rental activity. I would also sup port the creation of neighborhood citizen groups to report suspected illegal rentals to a hotline.
The Village recently purchased software to begin to manage this problem but it doesn’t seem to have been utilized to its fullest extent. The Council has to take responsibility for this by requir ing its implementation and then requiring accountability from staff. Illegal rentals take away revenue from the Village, affect traffic pat terns, quality of life, and dimin ish the affordable housing rental pool.
Vacation rentals without proper licenses should be sought out, given red tags then taken to code compliance hearing before the special master and fined. The fine should increase if the homeowner continues to rent. If the property zoning does not allow vacation rentals the fine should be more severe as county/state sales taxes need to be paid.
Adjust value of homes “allowed” to rent. Give amnesty, help illegal homeowners get legal. Writing more tickets is “No Solution.” Help everyone go legal and pay taxes benefiting all the keys. Original rental restrictions protected mo tels and hotels and aren’t needed as “everyone has found the keys.” Home rental licenses dictated by area is confusing, outdated and unfair. This is not Cuba and if you sell your license should not be taken.
It is essential to strengthen the ordinance and to aggressively enforce the law. Having purchased software from RentalScape, for $25,000, the following progress of enforcement is as noted: From March 2021 to February 2022, $51,000 in fines have been issued. From March 2022 to pres ent, $25,000 in fines have been issued. Thanks to the staff.
The illegal vacation rentals is one of our biggest problems. The village paid for a software that was to help the situation… has it?
We need larger fines , we need to look at the number of code enforcement officers we have on this issue, more officers or maybe make it the sole job for one or two. A program where there could be a call in by residents concerned a home is being used as an illegal rental we follow through having it checked out. Finally the fines need to be paid if not paid in a set time the fine goes up.
Code Enforcement knocks on the door of a home owned by resi dents of Miami, two cars in the driveway with Wisconsin plates. Greeted with, “Oh, we’re not rent ing, we’re family.” The approach I have tried to take deals more with the negative impacts of the issue. Lost tax revenue to the County/ State, noise and disruptive activity caused by renters. Islamorada resident’s “Right to quiet enjoy ment of life” has to be aggressively protected.
This is about enforcement, penal ties, and ensuring everyone knows the Village will not tolerate illegal rentals. First, the Village must ac cess its current ability to identify and enforce existing violations. Second, if insufficient, we should retain a third-party vendor that works for a percentage of col lected fines. Finally, the penalties must be increased so that they cannot be viewed as a cost of do ing business that is eclipsed by the rental rates. Strong enforcement works.
The Goddess Garden Party was the theme for the night’s festivities as the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation and awards ceremony at Gardenia’s Bistro inside Island Home Garden Center on Oct. 15. The incom ing board officers are president Craig McBay, president-elect Sara Stanczyk, past president Christina Steele, treasurer Joe Roth and sec retary Adriana Cuomo. Additional members are Isis Wright, Ken Gentes, Rob Stober, James Cordell, Maria Jones, Joel Young and Tammy Vi ergutz. Outgoing board member Shirley Wilson was recognized for her years of service on the board. Richard Engel was named Ambassador of the Year. The prestigious Irving Eyster Award was presented to Chris Trentine. Judy Hull, Islamorada Chamber of Commerce executive director, and her team organized the annual event.
— Keys Weekly staff report
1. From left, Tammy Virguetz, of Centennial Bank; Magda Bates, of Pines & Palms Resort; RJ Simone; and Mary Beth Harris, of Centennial Bank. KEYS WEEKLY PHOTOS
2. Patti Stanley, of Island Villa Vacation Rental Properties, and Charley Medley.
3. From left, Craig McBay, president; Russ Steele, of Ocean Dayz Resort Group; and Christina Steele, past president.
4. Brandi Horton, of Freewheeler Vacation Rentals, and Kara Lundgren, past president.
5. Chris Trentine, left, receives the Irving Easter Award. Also pictured are Rob Stober, chamber board member, and Christina Steele, past presi dent.
6. From left, Shirley Wilson, outgoing board mem bers; Aimee Strough; Sara Stanczyk, presidentelect and Stuart Strough.
7. The Keys Weekly and Overseas Media Group team from the Upper Keys. From left, Carolyn DePaula, account manager, Jill Miranda Baker, business developer officer, and Manuela Carrillo Mobley, sales director.
KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com
Inside the Murray E. Nelson center, the cast and crew of Little Shop of Horrors runs through a dress rehearsal. With opening night Thursday, Oct. 27, this is crunch time.
"We're always ready,” said actor DJ Mills. "We're going to have to be, there's no other option," added cast mate Jordan Griffiths, who plays the evil masochistic dentist.
This latest Key Players production is a comedy rock musical about a hap less flower store worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The show is just in time for Halloween.
"The plant is freakin' awesome and so giant and it took us so much time to make all of them because there's multiple plants, there's not just one, because it grows and grows and grows," said Mills, a man who will be playing a woman on stage.
"We have an amazing cast, ultratalented. It's like I almost don't have to do much because they're able to just pick things up," said musical director Luna Rivera, who also plays one of the lead roles.
The two-act show runs about two hours. Although there are some firsttime thespians, many of the actors started out in kids’ shows and have a long history with the director.
"All of the principal characters have been with me for 10-plus years acting in shows. So I guess this has actually been a couple decades in the making," said show director Michele Zofchak.
Show producer Jonelle Kop said the sheer talent of the cast will blow audiences away.
"The acting and the voices, the voices. Wait till you hear it. You will just go ‘Oh my God,’" she gushed.
One cast member, 17-year-old Jayden Ferrell, is blind. The Coral Shores High School senior delivers a stellar performance.
"He has a phenomenal voice. The cast has been phenomenal with him because they bring him on and they bring him off," said Kop. "He's very spa tially oriented. So once you show him something once or twice he usually gets right on it."
Ferrell said he has wanted to do this musical ever since it was canceled
at his high school. "We were going to do it three years ago but COVID hap pened so we couldn't do it, so I wanted to do it this year."
Behind the scenes, stage manager Charlene Sammis is in charge of the props and making sure the set is ready before the curtain rises. Sammis has been with the Key Players since 2006. She's had roles on stage and off and said that for a show to be a success, everyone needs to be able to think on their feet.
"You don't have to be perfect, but you should be seamless," said Sam mis. "So if you drop a line or if a prop isn't there, you just kind of move on because the audience does not have the script."
Putting a show together is hard work. From building the sets to endless hours of rehearsals, it is an investment of time and energy.
No one from The Key Players is paid. So why do they do it?
"It's just something that I enjoy doing. I think it's just something I take pride in," said 22-year -old Andrew Fleites, who plays the flower store owner, Mr. Mushnik.
"I love the group, just theater peo ple in general, the creativity," added Griffiths, the evil dentist.
“Little Shop of Horrors” will run two weekends at the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center. Per formances take place Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5 at 7 p.m., with a matinee on Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. Adult tickets are $23 (online and at the door). High school or younger student tickets are $10, with proof of age. Adult tickets only are available at three ticket outlets in advance for $20: Key Largo Chocolates at MM 100, Shear Paradise at MM 99.3 and PostNet in Islamorada at MM 88.
For more info/online tickets, visit www.Facebook.com/TheKeyPlayers.
For the month of Octo ber, the Keys Weekly Newspapers are part nering with United Way of Collier and the Keys to remember and honor the life of Mike Forster. A business owner and com munity advocate, Forster led the effort to feed the Florida Keys in the days following Hurricane Irma and through out the COVID pandemic. He served on various boards, including the United Way, and went on mission trips to Uganda to serve the hun dreds of children living in orphanages.
An Islamorada council man and Monroe County commissioner, Forster passed away on Sept. 6, 2021 at the age of 61 fol lowing a battle with COVID. Forster’s good will and gen erosity has inspired many Keys residents to carry on the spirit of giving and kind ness to the island chain and those in need. In continu ing the legacy of Forster, United Way of Collier & the Keys and the Keys Weekly Newspapers are highlight ing some of the folks in the island chain that continue to pay it forward to help their neighbors. The com munity is invited to spend the week leading up to Forster’s birthday, Oct.17-21, to promote good will and generosity through random acts of kindness and sharing to social media and other channels as #BeLikeMike.
Visit UWCollierKeys.org/ BeLikeMike to learn more about the various ways to get involved.
Islamorada Fire Chief, Upper Keys Rotary past president
What inspires you to give back to the community? It’s just the right thing to do. I started with volunteer ing at the fire department, and then as other opportunities arose, I took them. I can do it now and may not be able to later, so I’m paying it for ward while I can. A little blood, sweat and tears never hurt anyone and it’s rewarding to see people a little bit better than when you showed up.
What’s the most enjoyable part about helping your community and neighbors? It’s our community, our friends, family and neighbors Like the song says, “This is my town!” We have to have each other’s backs and help one another. The best part about helping out is seeing our community doing well. Someone very dear to me asks me why I wave and smile at people all the time and I respond it costs me nothing and they just smiled back, maybe they needed that.
What kind of impact did Mike For ster have on your life or your community? If he wasn’t the one directly helping, I always knew if we asked him to help, he would. Whether it was food, silent auction items, find ing a displaced family somewhere to live and feed them, helping first responders, our Bahamian friends, armed services and veterans, what ever the need he would help and all he got was a hug and a smile. Personally, he would help me see some of the bigger pictures and how we are all tied together in one fash ion or another and oftentimes don’t even see the connection.
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “The Crossing Places” by Elly Griffiths
Why: This is the first book in the Ruth Galloway crime fic tion series, which is now up to 14 books. They’re set in Nor folk, England. Ruth is a forensic archaeology professor who works with the police. She’s a smart, practical woman who winds up having a surprisingly complicated love life. The series hits the sweet spot between cozy mysteries and harder-core crime writing – and character is key. Ruth herself, the main detective she works with and the other recurring characters are all inter esting, funny and well-drawn. If you like Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series or Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels, you might like this series.
Where: This is available as a print book from the Monroe County Library system; several other books in the series are also available as audiobooks on CD and/or ebooks.
How: You can request books online by logging in to www. keyslibraries.org and get ebooks and e-audiobooks 24/7 at www. estuff.keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register on line to get one. Questions? info@ keyslibraries.org
Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager
• Stop by MarineLab’s Haunted Lagoon for spooky science, ghoulish games and terrifying treats for the family. Hosted at Key Largo Undersea Park, 51 Shoreland Dr., Key Largo, the event starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Pay $5 to snorkel.
• The 9th annual Key Largo Witches Ride starts at The Catch for terrifyingly delicious cocktails and treats. Registration for the ride begins at 1 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., the witches' ride will make its way to Caribbean Club where there will be live music, raffles, door prizes and a spooky silent auction. Registration is a $25 donation. Remember to dress in witchy attire.
• The 4th annual Trunk or Treat will see treats, a costume contest and more at Founders Park. A fun-for-all-ages event, trunk-or-treaters will grab candy as they go from trunk to trunk. A pumpkin patch will allow for family pictures, a painting station, DJ, dancing and more. Starts at 6 p.m.; free.
• Join the History of Diving Museum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a night of ghoulish fun and treasure treats. This evening event will include trick-or-treat stations, a costume contest with prizes valued up to $200, kid’s activities and a spooky exhibit experience with costumed staff. Admission is a $5 suggested donation.
• Dead men tell no “ales” at this year’s Halloween party at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery at 7 p.m. Round up the crew and party like pirates during the annual Halloween bash. Shiver your timbers on the dance floor and test your wits in the free escape room. Costumes and rideshares encouraged.
• The Key Largo School Parent Teacher Association’s Spooktacular will bring trunks full of treats. Games and refreshments will also be available. Adults and children 3 and under are free. Entry for kids 4-18 is $12 with proceeds benefiting KLS students and staff. Starts at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29
• Amoray Dive Resort's 24th Annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest will see scuba divers participating in a fun-filled buddy challenge to create the most unique Jack O'Lantern underwater. The contest will be held in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Amoray Diver crew will judge the entries. Dive purchase includes a 2 -tank dive trip, a cleaned pumpkin ready for carving, tanks and weights. Cost $135. Check in at 12:30 p.m.
• Captain Slate’s presents Halloween Underwater Costume Contest from 1 to 5 p.m. Best costume wins a two-tank dive. $100 to sign up (includes tank and rental gear). After-party goes from 5 to 7 p.m. $15 for after-party cookout. Call 305451-3020.
• Join MarrVelous Pet Rescues for some trick-or-treat fun for the pets. The event begins at 2 p.m. at MarrVelous Pet Rescues, 68 Silvery Springs Dr., Key Largo. A costume contest begins at 3 p.m. Enjoy food, drinks, raffles and fun. And meet some adoptable pets. Entry is a $10 suggested donation.
• Enjoy raffles, music and games and more during the Underwater Critter Costume Party at Florida Keys Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. A raffle drawing will take place at 8:30 p.m. and a costume party begins at 9 p.m.
• Visit four bars in Islamorada for a chance to win a two-night stay during the “Hallo-Ween” bar crawl. Beginning at 6 p.m., visit Wild & Lime at Pelican Cove, Wild & Lime at La Siesta, Tiki Bar at Postcard Inn and Tiki Bar at Amara Cay Resort. There’s no cover, a free shuttle and live music. The event concludes at 12 a.m.
• Islander Girl Snorkel Tours presents Sandbar pumpkin carving contest from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy treats, drinks, water toys and be sure to wear costumes. $95 per person includes carving kit, goody bag, drinks and snacks. Call 305-712-0032 to sign up.
Inside the Key Largo library sit a vast collection of books, engaging activities and technology services for commu nity members. Nestled in the corner of Tradewinds Plaza, the Keys Weekly recently stopped by the library to learn more about branch manager Christina Teasley and hear some of the new developments the library’s bringing to people of all ages.
My husband Jack and I are both originally from Florida and were excited to return here. Jack was in the Army and retired in 2020. He went to Palau on a work trip, fell in love with scuba and wanted to be a scuba instructor (he now works at Rainbow Reef). Amazingly, I was in Maryland, but the manager at Key Largo retired, so I applied and started in February 2021.
I earned my library science degree from USF and have been a librarian since 2003 and was with the Anne Arundel County library system for seven years.
Some of the differences from where I came from is that it’s a smaller system down here than up north. Kimberly Matthews, the library director, brought great changes to the library system before I started. When I got here, we received some FEMA money (from Hurricane Irma) to repaint the walls and get some new carpet that opened it up.
In addition, we were curbside when I first got here because of Covid-19. So, a lot of people thought the library was closed. In June 2021, we finally reopened full-time to the public.
Libraries are a well-kept secret. People know we have books but don’t often know about all the technology we have. We received an ARPA grant, and we used those funds for laptops. We have a tablet station too. We will have a 24/7 hold locker and a media box which will hold all our DVDs. It’s similar to a Redbox, where you can check out the DVDs.
Also on the way is a library kiosk, a library material vending machine. It will be able to house 235 items and will be located at the Murray Nelson (Government Center) until Rowell’s Park is ready. With the kiosk, you can check out and also return items. We already have one on Stock Island.
Each library has a budget based on population and circulation. I have a re port and can see that a third of the books checked out are adult fiction, children’s books, then nonfiction. Libby is an app through the library system and offers ebooks and audiobooks. These options have grown in popularity.
People can also make purchase suggestions through our website or at the front desk. I have had training in collec tion development and also use Publishers Weekly. New books arrive every Wednes day. All the books start in Key West and are then brought up to Key Largo and the other branches. New books are ordered as far out as I want to. I can pre-order things until next September. We constantly have new things on order and a record on the website so people can place a hold and get it when it comes in.
A big misconception is that people think we don’t get new books. We are order ing things that have not been published yet. Just like a bookstore, Amazon, etc., if we don’t have it, it’s because we didn’t order it, but we can.
The majority of new books are posted on Instagram and Facebook by Naomi Tre vino, our senior library associate. She also posts the events so people are aware.
Most people don’t realize you can check the website to see what we have be fore you come in. They can also place a hold from home with their library card number and PIN, and then we can either email or text them when it comes in. In addition, we have a courier service that can bring the
Top: Branch manager Christina Teasley with children’s story time. CONTRIBUTED
Left: Branch manager Christina Teasley, left, and Medina Roy, Upper Keys Jewish Center and Friends of the Key Largo Library board member, presented the library with copies of “Maus” and “Maus II” after they were banned in Tennessee.
book in from the other branches throughout the week. And other libraries have a service that’s called interlibrary loan, and this is across states.
September was a nationwide initia tive through the Library Card Association of America for new card signup. For fiscal year 2021, 558 new library cards were issued at the Key Largo library. This year we are already on track to beat 2021.
Something new we are working on is having a “library of things.” These would be Items that people can borrow, such as a musical instrument, a baking supply, a tool or something that people would want to use occasionally but don’t need all the time or don’t have space for. I will be reaching out to the community to see what they would like to see in a library of things and also donate. Manatee County has one and some other counties as well.
What do I love about my job? I love working with the public, getting to know everyone in the community and offering events for the community. I was a teacher before being a librarian, so I love the learn ing aspect and helping them find the info they need.
Our goals are customer service-based with the county, the public and outreach. For example, we go to open houses at the schools and read stories at community events such as Light Up Key Largo.
I love walking out of my office and seeing a plethora of people in the library, using the computers, asking for books at the desk, playing mahjong or looking for books and just sitting and reading. My goal is to have a busy library, to know the community appreciates us and we are providing a good service for them.
For further information, check out keyslibraries.org/key-largo and follow on Face book and Instagram @keylargolibrary.
Locals have nominated three establishments to win the Best of Upper Keys’ Best Burger crown — an ‘elevated comfort food’ eatery, a sports bar and a seafood restaurant. The best burger title is up for grabs on Nov. 5.
Since its inception in 2012, M.E.A.T. has made regular appearances on “Best of” lists due to its burgers, including TripAdvisor’s “No. 1 Burger Restaurant in Florida” in 2015, Chowhound’s “The Best Burger in Your State” for Florida in 2016-17 and Thrillist’s “Top 50 States/Top 50 Burgers” for Florida in 2015. M.E.A.T. also appeared on Food Network’s show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2016.
But racking up the kudos would mean noth ing if customers weren’t happy with the burgers, which they are – at least, the customers Keys Weekly saw while visiting the Islamorada restau rant this past Saturday. A couple walked up to co-owner Tom Smith and raved about their meal. “The burger was so good when we ate here on the way down to Key West, we wanted to stop by on the way back,” the man said.
“The Inside-Out Juicy Lucy burger, stuffed with bacon and pimento cheese, is hands-down our most popular burger. It’s our bread and butter. The numbers don’t lie,” said long-time manager Victor Escobar.
“We wanted to create elevated comfort food,” said Smith about his partnership with chef and co-owner George Patti. Discerning diners may want to ask when they see a sign by the register that reads “The Doctor Is In.” This means the “secret menu item” is available: a one-thirdpound burger layered with pepper jack cheese, bacon, crispy onion, two slices of banana and blueberry chipotle jam. Staff only serves the burger when the bananas are ripened just-so and the specially made jam is on hand.
Hobo’s Café has been “offering fresh Florida Keys seafood since 1991,” says its website. However, the restaurant has also become known for serving a burger so legendarily large that if a customer finishes it, they get a bumper sticker: “Get Sloppy at Hobo’s.”
The Sloppy Hobo Burger is even a cause for entertainment within the dining room. One server told Keys Weekly, “We make it a thing. We cheer the kids on and give them a sticker when they finish it.”
Manager Vanessa Leffler said, “One lady – she had to have been 100 pounds – used to come in once a week to have a Sloppy Hobo Burger. It was her one vice, she said. She would stand up at her table and push the burger all the way down, then eat it with a knife and fork. It’s a challenge to eat.”
The skyscraper-like burger is packed with a half-pound patty of fresh ground beef, onion loaf, potato sticks, homemade coleslaw, provolo ne cheese and sauteed mushrooms, and served with homemade barbecue sauce on the side.
Leffler said owner Ron Skrumbellos has not changed the menu since 2015 – for good reason. “The kitchen is amazing, and the food is consis tent and fresh. And we stand out for our service. We have our lunchtime locals and our weekend warriors.”
A diner just may have to be a warrior to fin ish the Sloppy Hobo Burger.
Last Saturday, Islamorada institution Hog Heaven had family vibes, with children hang ing out with their parents while football played on the screens. Locals know they can hit up the hangout on the weekends to party like it’s 1999, but many simply want to stop by and enjoy a menu item that could also be considered (locally) iconic: The Hog Burger.
Front of house manager Jarrod Baker lobbied owners Howard and Janeth Brodie to put the Hog Burger back on the menu a couple years back. Baker remembered seeing it on the menu when he would come to vacation in the area as a child, but it was taken off the menu over time.
“A premade burger just bites different,” said Baker about patties that the restaurant had been serving.
The Hog Burger’s 10-ounce patty, made from certified Angus beef, is seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic and cooked without patting it down, so the burger is tall and plump when it hits the bun.
Diners can ask for any toppings they desire, “anything on the menu,” said general manager Bob Morgantini.
“I can’t even eat a whole Hog Burger,” he said about the generous size. “I have to split it.”
And now that the burger is a hit with custom ers, staff will not drop it off the menu again any time soon.
“We don’t touch the burger,” Morgantini said. “It’s a staple, a part of the brick and mortar.”
Three enter the ring. One leaves the victor. A showdown for Best of Upper Keys’ Best Elected Official is on, and we’re provid ing a tale of the tape as voters decide who reigns supreme. Will it be Sheriff Rick Ramsay, County Commissioner and former state Rep. Holly Raschein or Monroe County School Board member Sue Woltanski? The people will decide. Voting for Best of Upper Keys finalist stage ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24. Visit keysweekly.com once a day to cast your votes.
Hometown: Fremont, California
Currently residing: Tavernier
Years of service: 4 years on school board, a prior 10-plus as a volunteer.
First time running for office: 2018 for school board.
Most outlandish constituent request: "Resign."
Cat or dog person: 95% dog.
Sweet Key lime pie or tart Key lime pie: Tart.
Morning bird or night owl: Morning-ish.
Running for office is a lot like trying to be everywhere, all at once.
My movie called “Becoming Woketanski“ would star either Jennifer Garner or Dame Judi Dench as me.
The song that best encapsulates your campaign: “I Won’t Back Down” - Petty.
Your political slogan: For Local Matters, Being a Local Matters.
HOLLY MERILL RASCHEIN
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Currently residing: Tavernier
Years of service: Elected-9 years, staff-9 years
First time running for office: 5th grade, student council vice president.
Most outlandish constituent request: A constituent convinced the team to physically go to his house to ask for help with his neighbors and their pet peacocks; however, there are so many more gems.
Cat or dog person: Dog.
Sweet Key lime pie Or tart Key lime pie: Tart is the only way.
Morning bird or night owl: Hoot Hoot.
Running for office is a lot like … The campaign trail falls in the middle of a Venn diagram of “Parks and Rec,” “Veep,” and “House of Cards.”
My movie called “Everything He Did … and in High Heels” would star Ginger Rogers as me.
The song that best encapsulates your campaign: “Maniac” from “Flash dance.”
Your political slogan: Put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
Hometown: Babylon, New York
Current residing: Marathon
Years of service: 35 years serving the public.
First time running for office: Senior class president.
Most outlandish constituent request: Request to collect human poop and then to send it out to a lab for DNA to determine a trespasser.
Cat or dog person: Dog person.
Sweet Key lime pie or tart Key lime pie: Sweet key lime pie.
Morning bird or night owl: Night owl.
Running for office is like … being a mole on a whack-a-mole game.
My movie called “Committed to Excellence,” would star George Cloo ney.
The song that best encapsulates your campaign: “We are the champi ons.”
Movie lore aside, Curry’s Key Largo land was also steeped in farming history. Long before his tomatoes and melons were planted, the property had been homesteaded by Captain Ben Baker, the King of the Florida Wreckers.
Baker established what is considered to be the island chain’s first pineapple plantation on Curry’s land circa 1858. Though his primary resi dence was in Key West, where he had a two-story home at the corner of Caroline and Whitehead, Baker had a second residence at his Key Largo pineapple farm. When Ben Baker died in 1889, he was buried on the Key Largo property. His only child, Lamar Louise Curry, remembered seeing Mr. Baker’s tombstone on her father’s land.
BRAD BERTELLIis an author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fasci nating glimpses into the rich and sometimes sur prising histories of the Florida Keys.
Alfred Bates Curry was born circa 1867 in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. Like many Ba hamians, he left the islands and, in 1885, arrived at the harbor in Key West. The young man worked hard, married, had a single child, and grew up to be a significant landowner in the Florida Keys. One of the properties he owned was a mile-long stretch of Key Largo, from ocean to bay, in the area of what is today MM 97.
Curry never lived on the land but built a home for his caretaker, who developed Curry’s farm land. He had thousands of lime trees planted with the hope of profiting from their juicy yellow fruits, until the Underwood Tariff Act was passed in 1913. The act caused two things to happen. First, it reduced tariffs on many imported goods. Sec ond, it re-established a federal income tax. Not wanting to compete with cheaper citrus imports, Curry ordered his caretaker to dig up all those thousands of lime trees and replant the land with tomatoes and melons. He grew both rock and banana melons, which have been described as squash-shaped and tasting like a cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew.
One of the features on Curry’s land was a massive 131,000-gallon cistern built during the last years of the 19th century. When Curry and his caretaker abandoned the Key Largo property in the 1930s, a group of squatters moved onto his land and attempted to convert the cistern into a makeshift fishing cabin. They carved a doorway and windows into the cistern walls.
During the filming of the movie “PT 109” in the early 1960s, several locations in the Keys were used. The movie was based on the World War II exploits of the future president, John F. Kennedy. The most famous film location in the Keys was Little Munson Island, which today is recognized as the exclusive Little Palm Island. The Marathon Airport was also used during filming, though the location does not appear in the movie. The AT-6 airplanes used to mimic the Japanese Zero fighter planes shown in the production were painted with trademark red zeros and stored at the air port.
The cistern’s remains that once stood on Curry’s property were also used as a prop in the film. They were “dressed up” to look like a Japa nese gun battery.
Lamar Louise Curry was born at her family’s twostory house at 1701 Southard Street, Key West, on Dec. 3, 1906. When she was 5 years old, and the family was still living in Key West, Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad steamed, rattled and rolled onto the island. The young lady had been chosen to pres ent Mrs. Flagler with flowers the day the first train roared onto the island, but she be came sick and was replaced at the last moment.
Miss Curry was still a young girl when her family moved to Miami in 1916. While the fam ily physically moved away from the islands, their properties remained in the Curry family long after the death of her parents. She became an es teemed history teacher for over three decades in Miami. Bob Graham, future Florida governor and U.S. senator, was one of her students, as was a young Desi Arnaz after his family moved to Miami from Cuba. In 2003, the Miami Dade School Board named Miami’s Lamar Louise Curry Middle School in her honor. The school is not the only South Florida locale that bears the Curry family name.
In a Nov. 18, 1973 story in the Miami Herald, she was interviewed about the sale of a large parcel of land at Key Largo’s Buttonwood Bay. The land was developed into one of the earliest condominium complexes on the island chain. The sale came with several stipulations. Accord ing to Miss Curry: “No trailers, no mobile homes, no trees to be removed larger than three inches in diameter, except for the actual construction. I have the land adjacent to it and I want to appreci ate it.” She also requested that no buildings be constructed more than two stories high.
The Curry family had additional property holdings on Little Crawl Key in the Middle Keys. In 1991, the state of Florida acquired 1,112.5 acres from Miss Curry. The land was used for a state park, Curry Hammock State Park, also named in her honor. Lamar Louise Curry lived a long life and passed away on Dec. 3, 2012, just eight days before her 106th birthday. Her legacy continues to live on the mainland and here in the Florida Keys.
Sam is a 3-½-year-old who recently found a foster home at Pawsitive Begnnings in Key Largo. CONTRIBUTED
Hifriends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” I have some very exciting news. We welcomed a new canine to our fox family here at Pawsitive Beginnings. But, he’s not a fox at all.
Mom has been fostering this dog, Sam, for a few weeks now after our friends at MarrVelous Pet Rescue reached out needing a place for him to decompress.
REEF THE FOX
Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.
Sam (which is not his original name) came from a very sad situation. He is roughly 3-½ years old and his owner moved to a place where pets were not allowed, so Sam was locked in a closet during the day when no one was home. He was only ever fed people food, specifically rice and beans, and it seems he never had a water bowl because he will only drink out of a glass
His hind end is very sensitive but X-rays showed no old breaks. There is scarring on his back leg and he has some scabs on his back. So what truly happened to him, we will likely never know.
After a few very rough days, Sam started to come around and feel at home and mom quickly realized that what Sam needed the most was safe and permanent stability in his life.
I am happy to say that MarrVelous Pet Rescue agreed to a cour tesy adoption, as is common when two non-profits work together for the good of an animal. So, please welcome Sam. He has a long way to go but one thing is for sure: he will never have to worry about feeling neglected or alone ever again.
So cool, right? Our first non-fox resident. Of course he doesn’t live with us foxes, but he’s part of our Pawsitive Beginnings family.
Anywho, that’s all for this week! Keep up with all of our social me dia by following the links on our website, pawsitivebeginnings.org
Until next time, Reef, over and out!
Aphrodite is the goddess of love and the sea, and this baby girl is a lot like her namesake. She is so very sweet and loving. Aphrodite is 5 months old and weighs about 18 pounds now, so she should be a nice medium-sized dog when fully grown. Aphrodite is part of the Greek Gods & Goddess Puppies, and has two brothers, Apollo & Zeus, also in need of homes. They are sweet, smart and playful puppies, already learning basic commands and potty training. They are available for foster-to-adopt, and adoption will be finalized once they are spay/neutered. If you would like to meet Aphrodite (or any of the MarrVelous Pets) please com plete an application at www.mprescues.org. Already approved applicants can call 305-453-1315.
• Third Thursday Art Walk at 6 p.m. at Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Islamorada.
Friday, Oct, 21
• Italian dinner to benefit the #Save Holly Our Community Holiday Tree from 6 to 8 p.m. at Doc’s Diner, Key Largo.
Saturday, Oct. 22
• Halloween Hoopla from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Key Largo library. Com plete Halloween-themed activity sta tions.
• The Witches Ride at 1 p.m. at The Catch.
• MarineLab’s Haunted Lagoon at 5:30 p.m. at MarineLab Environmental Education Center, 51 Shoreland Dr., Key Largo.
• Annual Trunk or Treat from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Founders Park.
Tuesday, Oct. 25
• Books on Tap at 6 p.m. at Keys’ Meads to discuss “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
• Smuggling in the Keys Part 2 at 6 p.m. at Keys History & Discovery Center.
• History of Diving Museum hosts a Halloween event, “Treasure Treat Night” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admis sion is a $5 suggested donation.
Friday, Oct. 28
• Introduction to Kanopy + and learn how your library card gives you access to streaming movies and TV shows, including kids’ shows at 2 p.m. at Key Largo library.
• No Tricks Just Treats from 5 to 8 p.m. at Keys Chocolates and Ice Cream, Key Largo.
• Dead Men Tell No Ales Hallow een Bash from 7 p.m. to midnight at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery.
Saturday, Oct. 29
• Halloween at Pennekamp from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
• MarrVelous Pet Rescues Spook tacular from 2 to 4 p.m. at 68 Silver Springs Dr., Key Largo.
• Underwater Critter Costume Party hosted by I.CARE and the Florida Keys Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. at Florida Keys Brewing Co.
• A Haunting at Village Square from 7 to 11 p.m. at Village Square at Trading Post, Islamorada.
Acozy Key Largo skin care studio was the ideal setting for an unfiltered talk about regaining a sense of self, after breast cancer.
“I lost my hair from chemotherapy. I had loss of hair everywhere and then I lost my breasts,” said cancer survivor and perma nent makeup artist Paula Farr. “I can empa thize with the client.”
Inside Paula’s Skin Care at Cirque Salon, Farr and two other women recounted their breast cancer ordeals. All three women share similar stories. All were diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, all under went chemotherapy and double mastecto mies, and all wanted to feel complete postreconstruction, without having to go under the knife again.
“It was my plastic surgeon that brought it up to me. He said, ‘It will make such a dif ference in your life’ and I said, ‘Why?’” said Key Largo resident and breast cancer survi vor Paula Friedman.
“And he said, ‘All I can tell you is when women come in to see me after they’ve got the tattoos, they carry themselves different, they feel like women again. It’s all because they have nipples,’” recalled Friedman.
“They got their guns back,” chimed in Farr with a laugh.
For this story, I am not only the author; I am one of the participants sharing my own breast cancer experience. I was 44 years old when I heard four words that just gutted me: you have breast cancer.
Chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction followed.
I met Farr three years ago when a friend referred me to her for eyebrow microblad ing; my eyebrows never came back postchemo. Through conversation, I learned Farr was a two-time breast cancer survivor. First diagnosed at age 42. After reconstruction, areola tattoos were a life-changer for Farr, not just in how they made her feel about her body, but the tattoos inspired a radical career change.
“I said to myself, ‘Wow, I’m just in awe of the whole procedure and how it looks, that I want to do this as a career,’” she recalled.
Farr went to night school and a few years later quit her job in the dental field and opened her permanent makeup salon in Key Largo near the Publix.
Thousands of eyebrows and over a hun dred sets of 3D areolas later, Farr has found her calling. Her nipple tattoos are works of art.
“It is very realistic; it is a 3D effect,” said Farr.
“It’s a lot of layering of the tattoo. There are shadows. And all kinds of different points and layers; it gives that effect that the nipple is actually protruding out,” she added.
Paula Friedman, Farr’s client on the day of this interview, was only 38 years old when a routine mammogram detected breast can cer; it had spread to one of her lymph nodes.
“I was floored. I was floored,” recalled Friedman.
“That was back in 1987. If you got breast cancer back then, and you were young, you were going to die,” said Friedman. “That was the preconception.” Friedman had a lumpec tomy, chemotherapy and radiation, but her battle with breast cancer was not over.
She was diagnosed with the disease for a second time 21 years later. After that sec ond diagnosis, Friedman opted for a double mastectomy.
“I just said, ‘I’ve gone through this twice, I’m not going to go through it a third time.’”
Friedman’s daughter-in-law heard about Farr and her 3D areola permanent makeup; she decided to give it a go. Friedman is an artist and says the natural-looking tattoos deliver a sense of closure.
1. Breast cancer survivors Paula Farr and Kellie Butler Farrell, pictured at the entrance to Cirque Salon in Key Largo. Three years ago, Farrell went to Farr for 3D areola tattoos and was thrilled with the results. CONTRIBUTED
2. Paula Friedman is an artist and two-time breast cancer survivor who recently went to Farr for 3D areola tattoos. KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/ Keys Weekly
3. Aesthetician Paula Farr performs eyebrow mi croblading on Phyllis Kronheim. Farr is a breast cancer survivor who also specializes in 3D areola tattoos. KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/Keys Weekly
“It just felt like, ‘Okay, this has all come to an end now, I’m back the way I should be,’” she said.
Farr charges $450 per breast for the 3D areola tattoos and that includes the touch up; it’s a tiny fraction of what surgery would cost. She has also donated tattoos to breast cancer survivors who could not afford them.
“It’s nice to get the word out, not only to cancer patients, but to all women and men in case there’s a family member, a friend, their own wife or their daughter, or their husband because men have breast cancer too,” said Farr.
For more on Paula Farr and her work in 3D areola reconstruction, check her out on Facebook and Instagram at Paula’s Skin Care. She can also be reached by calling or texting 386-527-2075.
Keys kids in kindergarten through fifth grade enjoyed boating, kayaking, fishing, shooting sports and more during a family-friendly Cub Scouts outing at the Florida Sea Base in Islamorada on Oct. 15. Scout officials say there was a great turnout among families in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Girl Scouts and members of the community looking to learn more about Scouting. A fishing derby saw the winner catching more than 20 fish in a four-hour window. CONTRIBUTED
While the Florida Keys stone crab claw harvest season runs from Oct. 15 to May 1, the annual Stone Crab Eating Contest is an undisputed Middle Keys highlight of the season. Set for Saturday, Nov. 5, the munch-a-thon draws enthusiastic amateur eaters and their fans.
Staged at Keys Fisheries Market and Marina, located at 35th Street gulfside in Marathon, the lively competition begins at noon. Entrants must register and be present by 11 a.m. the day of the event.
Contestants compete to crack, clean and chow down 25 stone crab claws in the fastest time.
Although entrants are provided with industrial-strength shell crackers, some choose to employ an effective method that’s popular among Keys locals — smacking the rounded area of the claw’s shell with the back of a large serving spoon or even a simple butter knife.
Prizes such as overnight stays and passes to Keys attractions and eateries will be awarded to the top three finishers as well as top teams.
In the event of a tie, those contestants must face off in a 10-claw competition to determine the winner.
Interested crab consumers are encouraged to register early to ensure a spot at the table. Individual entry fee is $50 and two-person teams can register for $100. Competitors must be at least 18 years old.
Proceeds from the team event benefit a Marathon-based charity.
The Keys are Florida's top supplier of the succulent crustacean, which is considered a renewable resource because of the crabs’ ability to regrow harvested claws. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pounds of stone crab claws are steamed, cracked and served at local markets and restaurants or distributed around the nation.
— Contributed
Thirty-five aspiring anglers came from Florida and other states to learn from the pros at the award-winning “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Keys Univer sity from Oct. 7-9 at the Elks Lodge in Tavernier.
Participants came to learn about fishing and practice their skills on the water, catching 183 fish and releasing 185 for a total of 368 fish from seven boats in the Fishing Fever Tour nament.
Top offshore fisher was Holly Smith, of Key Largo, with a 12-pound bonito on Sea Horse with Capt. Rick Rodri guez. Second place went to: Lyn Gremonprez, Tavernier, with an 8.3-pound mutton snapper on Plantation Boat Mart. Top inshore angler was Pat Kucera, of Clearwater, with a 45-inch barracuda released on Capt. Eric Scoble’s Blackwater Char ters Second place went to Julie Duncan, of Pinecrest, with a 35-inch snook released on Capt. Chris Hanson’s Scales 2 Tales. Top inshore release was Cheryl Craig, of Key West, with five tarpon releases on Capt. Chris Hanson’s Scales 2 Tales.
With a meet-and-greet kicking the events off on Oct. 7, the following day featured fish ing presentations by Captains Lee Lavery, Jeanne Towne, Ron Galeota and Scott Ray. Skills such as releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, spin casting, net casting and more were available for hands-on practice. Events concluded on Oct. 9 with a silent auction and a networking party by Seaside Glassworks of Islamorada.
Offshore and inshore par ticipants embarked on a fishing adventure out of Whale Harbor Marina and other locations, followed by a fish fillet dem onstration. Fish caught and/ or released included yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, bonito, tarpon, snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, barracuda, sharks and more.
“This event was designed for beginners who can win a prize in our Fishing Fever tour nament, even if it was their first fish ever caught or released,” said Betty Bauman, founder of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing.
— ContributedTwo out-of-county men are facing charges after law enforcement said they found them possess ing undersized lobsters in the Florida Keys.
The first incident took place around 4 p.m. on Oct. 13, when Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Investigator Chris Mattson reports he was patrolling the bayside waters of Tavernier Creek in plain clothes. He saw a vessel anchored in the Intercoastal Waterway with an occupant onboard and a dive flag in the air.
As Mattson approached the boat, he saw a snorkeler getting into the boat from the stern. Mattson watched an other person already on the boat start to pull the anchor.
Mattson turned on his blue lights and pulled alongside the vessel, identify ing himself as FWC. He asked how the lobstering was going, to which the men said they “got a few and the lobsters were inside the cooler.” One of the men opened the cooler. Mattson stated in his report that “inside we saw a wrung lobster tail, four legal size lobsters and one undersized lobster.” The vessel captain, who was also the person in the water, was identified as Oswald Pupo, 44, of Cutler Bay. He was charged with possession of an undersized lobster and possession of wrung lobster tail on state waters, both misdemeanor charges. Pupo has an extensive criminal history in the Keys. In 2019, he was sentenced to 11 months in prison by Monroe County Judge Luis Garcia for first-degree petit
theft, drug possession and smuggling contraband into a detention facility.
On Oct. 16, FWC Officer Jessica Diaz and Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Farr report that they were con ducting resources inspections in the Key Largo area where they saw two men in the water near Garden Cove with lobster gear and no dive flag. A woman was fish ing onshore.
Officers stayed hidden and saw one of the men, later identified as Leosmel Gonzalez, of Homestead, dive for spiny lobster and hand his catch off to the woman onshore. The woman, later iden tified as Yanet Alverez, of Homestead, would then place the spiny lobster in a red bag near her gear. Officers watched for about 30 minutes before confronting the people.
Diaz asked Yanet Alverez if she had any luck, to which Alverez stated just fish and pointed to a clear plastic bag on the ground. Alvarez was asked again about any other resource catches. She again stated fish. Diaz pointed to the red bag and was given permission to inspect it. Diaz could see multiple spiny lobsters inside, some of which appeared to be under the minimum size limit of greater than a 3-inch carapace even before measuring them.
After the officers inspected the en tire catch and interviewed all the people, Gonzalez was arrested and taken to Plantation Key Jail. He faces eight charges of undersized spiny lobster, over the bag limit of spiny lobster and no measuring device while in the water.
Alvarez was cited for undersized school master and mangrove snapper. The minimum size limit for both species is 10 inches. Diaz said that the snapper she cited Alvarez for were about 5 inches. The third person was cited by Farr for no dive flag and no fishing license.
— Keys Weekly staff report|
Driftwood Marina & Storage, Inc located at 13900 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 will proceed with Section 328.17 (1), Florida Statues, on the following vessels located at our facility for unpaid storage and repair balance.
Unless said vessel redeemed from said marina by payment as allowed by law, the described vessel will be sold to satisfy the lien. If the vessel is not redeemed and that vessel remains unclaimed, or for which the charges for storage services remain unpaid, will be sold free of all prior liens. This is not a public invite to view vessels. This is an attempt to collect unpaid storage charges. Once the date has expired and only then may you visit the facility and gain information about the vessels. Any person attempting to board these vessels prior or without our permission, shall be charged with trespassing.
These vessels will be sold commencing on or after, 1:00 p.m. on the 4th day of November 2022. Driftwood Marina 13900 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050.
Bill &Lisa Harris owner & previous owner Don Cameron of vessel HIN#BERPO156M75C
Sally Mishmash owner of vessel HIN# PLCMK014G596
Kaitlyn Young Booth owner of vessel HIN# FLZAB846H168
Greg Eklund & previous William Pease owners of vessel HIN# 45C365
Jeffrey Linenfelser owner of vessel HIN# CCHMD214M77I
Jaye Gore & Douglas Taleski owners of vessel HIN#GFS03697M73A
Publish: October 20 & 27, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DARLINGTON IN THE MATTER OF: THE INTERVIVOS TRUST OF HELEN M. STABA (NOW DECEASED)
TO: MARGARET AILEEN STABA, Beneficiary and Daughter of Helen M. Staba
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED of the death of Helen M. Staba and that your claim as beneficiary should be presented in writing, along with proof of identification, to The Conner Law Firm, ATTN: Michelle Greenawalt, 906 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550, by April 6, 2023.
The Conner Law Firm, P.C. 906 W. Carolina Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550
Phone: (843) 332-1678
Fax: (843) 332-1904
Publish: October 6, 13 & 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION IN THE CIVIL SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, NEW HANOVER COUNTY
DONNA SULLIVAN V. ERIC OXLEY, D.D.S.; ALBERT BOZART, D.D.S.; BOZART FAMILY, L.L.C.; AND BOZART AND ASSOCIATES OF WILMINGTON, P.L.L.C. 21CVS3907
TO: ALBERT BOZART, D.D.S.
TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you was filed on October 14, 2021 in the above-entitled Civil Superior Court action. The nature of relief being sought is as follows: Plaintiff seeks damages related to Count I: Medical Negligence; Count II: Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision; Count III: Corporate Negligence; Count IV: Res Ipsa Loquitur; and Count V: Battery. Defendant is liable to Plaintiff for general and special damages, which were caused by Defendant and include a demand for reimbursement of medical expenses, costs of litigation, and pain and suffering. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later 40 days after the date of the first publication of this Notice and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. The first date of publication is October 20, 2022. To respond, contact the Attorney for Plaintiff Donna Sullivan: Rebecca H. Ugolick (NCSB No. 48126) of Howard, Stallings, From, Atkins, and Angell by mail at P.O. Box 12347, Raleigh, NC 27605; telephone: (919) 821-7700; fax: (919) 821-7703; email: rugolick@ hsfh.com or reference the filing at the New Hanover County Courthouse located at 316 Princess St. Wilmington, NC 28401.
Publish dates: October 20, 2022 October 27, 2022 November 3, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers
CITY OF MARATHON Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in the 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland October 14, 2022 City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 305-289-5020
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the City of Marathon has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 in accordance with HUD
regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and/or wetland will have on the environment.
The City of Marathon intends to undertake a project to be funded by a Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The proposed project is to harden the City's wastewater infrastructure making it more resistant to the impacts of another hurricane such as Hurricane Irma. The locations for the project are at (5) different treatment plants in the City of Marathon. Areas 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are included in this project with addresses as follows: Area 3 WWTP - 4095 Overseas Hwy; Area 4 WWTP140 Sombrero Beach Rd; Area 5 WWTP - 10685 Overseas Hwy; Area 5 Vac Station - 7280 Overseas Hwy; Area 6 WWTP - 100 Avenue I; Area 7 WWTP59255 Overseas Hwy.
It has been determined that no practicable alternative other than to proceed with the work is available. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons:
The proposed project is to harden the City’s Wastewater infrastructure making it more resistant to the impacts of another Hurricane such as Hurricane Irma. This project is not new construction and is a retrofit to add power conditioners, vacuum main monitoring modules, and raise existing electrical above flood elevations. There are no expected impacts regarding the projects in the 100-year floodplain. There are no alternatives to consider as the structures are existing and there will be no new construction.
Although the project is located in the 100year floodplain and/ or wetland, the improvements cannot be undertaken in any other location due to the scope of the project. There is, therefore, no practicable alternative.
The proposed improvements conform to applicable floodplain protection standards. The proposed action will not affect natural or beneficial floodplain values, and residents of the community will benefit from the project. Failure to provide these improvements could result in slum and blight conditions within the City of Marathon.
Additional agencies involved in this project include the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City of Marathon will be involved in approving the projects and
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 October 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”.
issuing the associated permits. Written comments must be received by Maria Covelli, Grants Coordinator at the City of Marathon, 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 on or before November 20, 2022. A more detailed description of the project and the flood maps are available for citizen review by contacting the local government.
John Bartus, City of Marathon Mayor Environmental Certifying Official Publish: October 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
LA CIUDAD DE MARATON
Aviso final y explicación pública de una actividad propuesta en el Llanura aluvial y humedales de 100 años
Octubre 14, 2022
Ciudad de Maratón 9805 Overseas Highway Maratón, FL 33050 305-289-5020
Para: Todas las agencias, grupos e individuos interesados
Esto es para notificar que la Ciudad de Maratón ha llevado a cabo una evaluación según lo requerido por las Órdenes Ejecutivas 11988 y 11990 de acuerdo con las regulaciones de HUD en 24 CFR 55.20 para determinar el efecto potencial que su actividad en la llanura de inundación y / o humedales tendrá en el medio ambiente. La Ciudad de Maratón tiene la intención de emprender un proyecto que será financiado por una Subvención en Bloque de Desarrollo Comunitario de Pequeñas Ciudades de Florida (CDBG). El proyecto propuesto es fortalecer la infraestructura de aguas residuales de la Ciudad haciéndola más resistente a los impactos de otro huracán como el huracán Irma. Las ubicaciones para el proyecto se encuentran en (5) plantas de tratamiento diferentes en la ciudad de Maratón. Las áreas 3, 4, 5, 6 y 7 están incluidas en este proyecto con las siguientes direcciones: Área 3 PTAR - 4095 Overseas Hwy; Área 4 EDAR - 140 Sombrero Beach Rd; Área 5 EDAR - 10685 Overseas Hwy; Área 5 Vac Station - 7280 Overseas Hwy; Área 6 EDAR - 100 Avenida I; Área 7 EDAR59255 Overseas Hwy. Se ha determinado que no se dispone de otra alternativa viable que continuar con el trabajo. Esta actividad no tendrá un impacto significativo en el medio ambiente por las siguientes razones:
El proyecto propuesto es fortalecer la infraestructura de aguas residuales de la ciudad haciéndola más resistente a los impactos de otro huracán como el huracán Irma. Este proyecto no es una construcción nueva y es una modernización para agregar acondicionadores de energía, módulos principales de monitoreo de vacío y elevar la electricidad existente por encima de las elevaciones de inundación. No hay impactos esperados con respecto a los proyectos en la planicie de inundación de 100 años. No hay alternativas a considerar ya que las estructuras ya existen y no habrá nuevas construcciones.
Aunque el proyecto está ubicado en la llanura de inundación y / o humedal de 100 años, las mejoras no se pueden llevar a cabo en ningún otro lugar debido al alcance del proyecto. Por lo tanto, no existe una alternativa viable.
Las mejoras propuestas se ajustan a las normas de protección de las llanuras aluviales aplicables. La acción propuesta no afectará los valores naturales o beneficiosos de las llanuras aluviales, y los
residentes de la comunidad se beneficiarán del proyecto. No proporcionar estas mejoras podría resultar en condiciones de tugurios y deterioro dentro de la ciudad de Maratón.
Otras agencias involucradas en este proyecto incluyen el Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida y el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos. La Ciudad de Maratón participará en la aprobación de los proyectos y la emisión de los permisos asociados.
Los comentarios por escrito deben ser recibidos por Maria Covelli, Coordinadora de Subvenciones de la Ciudad de Maratón 9805 Overseas Highway, Maratón, FL 33050 en o antes del 20 de Noviembre de 2022. Una descripción más detallada del proyecto y los mapas de inundaciones están disponibles para la revisión ciudadana poniéndose en contacto con el gobierno local.
John Bartus, alcalde de la ciudad de Marathon Oficial Certificador Ambiental Publish: October 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-85-M
DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF ELIZABETH G. COTTLE Deceased.
The administration of the estate of Elizabeth G. Cottle, deceased, whose date of death was June 13, 2021, 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: October 13, 2022.
Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner 12221 Overseas Highway 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: October 13 & 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-000279-K IN RE: ESTATE OF STUART C. WOODS Deceased.
The administration of the estate of Stuart C. Woods, deceased, whose date of death was July 22, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons 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: October 13, 2022.
Personal Representative: Jeanmarie Woods 910 Watson Street Key West, FL 33040
Attorney for Personal Representative: Tasha K. Dickinson Florida Bar No. 0122836 Day Pitney, LLP 250 Australian Avenue South, Suite 1504 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Telephone: (561) 803-3515
E-mail: tdickinson@daypitney. com
Publish: October 13 & 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 44-2022-CP-000254A001-KW IN RE: ESTATE OF BOYD K. HICKMAN Deceased.
The administration of the estate of BOYD K. HICKMAN, deceased, whose date of death was April 12, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead St., 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.
The date of first publication of this notice is: October 13, 2022. Signed on this 10th day of October, 2022.
Personal Representative: THOMAS F. HUDGINS 2800 DAVIS BLVD., STE. 203 NAPLES, FL 34104
Attorney for Personal Representative: THOMAS F. HUDGINS Florida Bar No. 970565 THOMAS F. HUDGINS, PLLC 2800 DAVIS BLVD., STE. 203 NAPLES, FL 34104 Telephone: (239) 263-7660
Email: TED@NAPLESTAX.COM
Secondary Email: SERVICE@ NAPLESTAX.COM Publish: October 13 & 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-DR-626-K DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: SLAVENA MOMCHILOVA, Petitioner, and, BRYAN KELEMEN, Respondent.
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)
TO: Bryan Kelemen LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: Unknown
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 Slavena Momchilova, whose address is 607 Eaton Street, Key West, FL 33040 on or before October 31, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.
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: September 22, 2022
Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida
By: Marissa Lockwood Deputy Clerk Publish: September 29, October 6, 13 & 20, 2022
The Weekly Newspapers
ALL YEARS! Junk or Used. Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483
FOR SALE: 2007 Cobia - 19 ft, with T-top, 115hp Yamaha. No trailer. Located in Marathon. $9,900 Text 305-743-6098
Place your Boat For Sale ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/ week. Call 305-743-0844 today and sell your boat!
Boat Trailer Spaces Available. $100 per week. Boat dockage available $100 per weeWk. Easy access to the Atlantic and lighthouse. Boat length 32’ or less! Dockage is eighty feet long with good depth for boats. Phone 336-4088140 or 336-287-3345.
Place your Boat Slip For Rent ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/week. Call 305-743-0844 today and rent your boat slip!
HELP WANTED - Need sitter for older selfsufficient woman, two or three days at a time. Sombrero Isle, Marathon. Please call 305-662-1916 daytime for details.
Florida Keys SPCA in Marathon hiring two Animal Care positions w/ potential for advancement. Starting pay $15/hr with generous benefits package. 21 years or older with valid driver's license and ability to pass a criminal background check. Email resume to Tara@fkspca.org.
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time bartender/server. $12/ hr + Guaranteed tip pool, employee meals, private club & friendly atmosphere. Saturday evenings required, some week nights. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.
Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. $14/hr, Private Club & Friendly Atmosphere, Varying Hours Tuesday – Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.
Frank's Grill in Marathon now hiring servers. Evening and daytime. Call Joanna at 305-731-8346
Immediate positions available at the Grassy Key Marina. Under new ownership and looking for smiling faces. Full-time or part-time available. Pay rates are commensurate with experience but we are willing to interview those with no experience who have an interest in working in a marina environment. Please call Randall Glass to schedule an interview at 305-465-1491.
Help Wanted- experienced or will train- full timebenefits- Electrical Work with well established company in business since 1998- Marathon. Email to am.companies@gmail. com or call 305-393-0971.
Pancho's Fuel Dock in Marathon is looking for a part-time cashier Thu/Fri/Sat. Please call 305-743-2281.
NOW HIRING - Full Time Seafood Packers/Graders. Competitive Wage. Apply in person at Keys Fisheries Fish House, 3390 Gulfview Ave, Marathon. EOE DFWP
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
City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Utilities Maintenance, Recreation Specialist, Right of Way Technician, Parttime Marina Custodian/ Maintenance and Marina Tech/Pump Out Captain. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us
Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work! Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@gmail.com
Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com
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
The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@ kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.
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.
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder is hiring an overnight Security Guard- responsibilities include but are not limited to observing marine mammals to ensure quality care, the ability to follow written instructions, and follow protocol and procedures as directed. Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs and must be able to stay awake and alert for a 13 and a 1/2 hour shift (5:30pm-7am).
DPMMR is a drug-free workplace. To apply, please send your resume to nancyc@dpmmr.org.
HIRED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!
Place your Employment ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/week. Call 305-743-0844 today and find your needed staff!
PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578
Las Brisa - 2BR/2BA Unfurnished, great view, W/D, covered parking. Tennis, Swimming Pool & BBQ on property. Across from Smather’s Beach, Key West. $3,900/ month + util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700
STUDIO APT FOR RENT - Furnished Studio Apt w/patio, like new, W/D, off street parking. Key West. $2,300/month including util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700
Key Largo - 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community $3200/ month 786-258-3127
Place your Housing For Rent ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/ week. Call 305-743-0844 today and rent your space!
Duck Key Condo For Sale by owner. 2 BR/2 BA corner unit, ground floor w/front door parking. $350,000. 412-977-5322 susanprimm276@ yahoo.com
For Sale By Owner. 3BR/2BA Older Conch House - built in 1950ground level - Marathon/ Grassy Key. By appointment only. No Realtors. $475,000 305-395-0806
FOR SALE - Lifesize Bronze Mermaid Table w/ Six Chairs. Must see - located in Marathon. $4,000.00. 305-923-9181
Place your Misc. For Sale ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/ week. Call 305-743-0844 today and sell your stuff!
RV FOR SALE - 2017 Thor Citation RV, 24ft Mercedes V6 Diesel, 2 slides, Cummings Diesel Generator, Low Mileage, Many Upgrades, Call Richard 305-363-8021
Place your RV For Sale ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/ week. Call 305-743-0844 today and sell your RV!
Place your Yard Sale ad here! Up to 5 lines of copy for only $25.00/ week. Call 305-743-0844 today and sell your stuff!
Keys Energy Services, in Key West, is accepting applications for the following position in its Customer Services Department:
Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $19.82/hr. - $22.20/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.
Keys Energy Services, in Key West, is accepting applications for the following position in its Fleets & Facilities Section:
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.
The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for part time positions. DUI instructors and evaluators - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.
- Cook, $5,000 Bonus
- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus
- Manager Medical Staff
- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Bonus
- Hyperbaric Tech
- Nurse Supervisor
- Monitor Technician, Cardiac Telemetry
- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Bonus
- Patient Experience Advocate, Patient Experience
- Pool Physical Therapist
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $20,000 Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Ctr, $20,000 Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $20,000 Bonus
- Registered Respiratory Therapist, $15,000 Bonus
- Cook $5,000 Bonus
- Dietitian $5,000 Bonus
- ED Team Coordinator
- Floor Technician $5,000 Bonus
- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Bonus
- Nurse Supervisor
- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Bonus
- Patient Experience Advocate
- Phlebotomist, $10,000 Bonus
- Pool Physical Therapist
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, $20,000 Bonus
- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care, $20,000 Bonus
- Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus
- Security Of cer
- Supervisor Laboratory, $15,000 Bonus
- Surgical Technologist
PHYSICIAN PRACTICE - TAVERNIER
- Advance Practice Provider (Physician Assistant)
- Nurse Practitioner
- Physician Practice Patient Rep, $1,000 Bonus
- Medical Assistant, $3,000 Bonus
APPLY AND LEARN MORE
careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507
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
Applicants must
in
Overseas Hwy, Marathon
to
Must have valid Driver’s License & Transportation
Location: Upper Keys
Send
to:
Earn up to $15 CASH BACK and FREE Nationwide
transactions every month when you open a Keys Totally FREE CASH BACK Checking Account. Enjoy mobile and online banking, electronic bill payments and no minimum balance too!
Discover the Keys FCU difference at any branch in Key West at 3022 N. Roosevelt Blvd. and 514 Southard St. and in Stock Island, Big Pine, Marathon or Tavernier Towne Center at MM 91. KeysFCU.org • 305-294-6622
The Front of House Manager plans and directs all day to day restaurant operations. Maintains high standards of food, service, health and safety; ensures the efficient and profitable business performance of the restaurant and the optimal utilization of staff and resources.
• Perform opening and closing duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Oversee and support front of house supervisors
• Oversee overall maintenance of the restaurant and property
• Coordinate restaurant operations to include daily schedules and identifying recruiting needs
• Responsible for ensuring guest satisfaction and quality guest experience
• Maintain employee records
• Oversee training and identify training needs
• Responsible for new hire onboarding and orientation
• Conduct staff meetings when necessary
• Monitor labor and operational costs
• Identify and estimate food and beverage supply requirements/needs and ensure inventory needs are met
• Perform other duties as assigned
Apply in person 7 Knights Key Blvd, Marathon. No phone calls please.
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
This week the water temperature started to dip enough that we’re seeing some really cool critters out on our reefs and wrecks — especially sharks. This week alone we’ve encountered nurse sharks, bulls, lemons and hammerheads.
Sharks get a bad rap in the media and unfortunately many people are terrified of them because of this. In reality sharks are not a threat to us. We are a threat to sharks. To put it in perspective, in 2022 in the United States, there have been 40 recorded shark bites on humans of which zero were fatal. Bees, wasps and snakes are responsible for far more fatalities a year than sharks.
The media needs to stop “over reporting” and dramatizing the few shark bites each year, but report on the millions of shark deaths each year caused by humans. That’s the story. The average annual shark fatalities around the world is five. The average annual shark killings by humans is 100 million. Five vs. 100 million. That’s 200 shark kills per minute.
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.
Sharks have lived on earth for 450 million years, since long before the dinosaurs and even before trees. They have survived not one, but four mass extinction events. Now, humans are driving sharks to the brink of extinction with unsustainable catch rates. What we failed to realize is that by removing sharks from
North-northeast winds, around 10 knots
Partly cloudy 2 foot seas
The shark awareness class is one day with half the day learning about sharks and the important role they play. The other half is diving or snorkeling with them. Please get involved.
the ocean, we threaten a much wider diversity of life in the ocean. Why do sharks matter? Sharks keep the ocean ecosystem in balance. Sharks are apex predators, which means they have few natural predators and feed on the animals below them in the food chain. Sharks limit the abundance of their prey, which limits the abundance of their prey’s prey and so on down the food chain. They directly or indirectly affect the entire food chain, which helps maintain structure for a healthy ocean ecosystem.
There is so much drive and effort to help the ocean environment by rebuilding the coral reefs and conducting marine debris clean ups, but protecting the main apex predator is equally important. How can you help our sharks? Get involved in the protection fight. Fight against shark finning and long line fishing. Come to take our shark awareness course. Bring the whole family. You don’t have to be a diver to attend and you’ll either dive or snorkel with these amazing creatures all while you and your kids learn the importance of sharks and why we need to protect them.
