Upper Keys Weekly 22-1103

OMETHING ABOUT OMARY METHING ABOUT SMARY OOMETHING ABOOUT MARY

F O C U S I N G O N T H E N E X T G E N E R A T I O N

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.”

MARY BARLEY

She was right. And today, the Everglades Foundation has incorporated programs for young people, from kindergarten to college internships, scholarships, and fellowships.

M A K I N G A N I M P A C T

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.

T H E R E ’ S J U S T S O M E T H I N G A B O U T M A R Y

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.

91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070 Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Editor Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Design / Web Master Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

THE UPPER KEYS WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARA THON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POST AGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITION AL MAILING OFFICES.

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

News Deadline Monday Noon Advertising Deadline Monday 2 p.m.

According to the Monroe County Board of Elections, a total of 14,354 voters have cast early ballots for the Nov. 8 general election. Mail ballots totaled 9,679 while early voting ballots totaled 4,581 as of Nov. 2. There are 55,183 active voters in Monroe County. 14,354

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

COUNTY STAFF HAS QUESTIONS ON TAVERNIER PUBLIX PROJECT

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Aproposal to allow develop ment of a supermarket in Tav ernier is facing questions by county officials over whether it fits the town’s community character. There are also questions on whether it’s consistent with a local community planning initiative put into place in the early 2000s.

Monroe County’s Development Re view Committee met virtually on Oct. 25 to examine several development applications and requests. One in cluded a proposed text amendment to apply a Tavernier Key Overlay District at the Cemex concrete property at Mile Marker 92.5. The proposal put forth by developers would permit nonresi dential development of up to 70,000 square feet. Developers are hoping to construct a 64,000-square-foot Publix, a liquor store and some 80 housing units for workers who make a majority of their income in Monroe County.

The property is still under the ownership of Cemex, but it’s under contract to be bought by the Toppinos.

An application requesting the overlay by Smith Hawks PL and at torney Barton Smith states that the proposed use of the property reduces the current heavy industrial use to a less intensive one that’s more compat ible with the surrounding area.

“Similar to the cities discussed in the ‘Industrial Rezoning in U.S. Cities’

report by Connor Harris, this indus trial site is prime for the proposed redevelopment. Harris contends that the redevelopment of heavy industrial parcels that occupy central or transitaccessible land promote economic well-being of the cities they are in by permitting residential and commercial uses that derive greater benefits from the central location. Benefits range from additional property-tax revenue to a reduction in housing and commer cial rents in the area by adding addi tional building supply to the area.”

And according to the application “there will be no adverse change in unincorporated Monroe County if the overlay is approved,” nor would it “negatively affect the community character and aesthetic appeal of (the) Tavernier community.”

Cheryl Cioffari, assistant planning director, told the DRC that the develop er must address questions they have over the project and its consistency with Tavernier’s community character and the Liveable CommuniKeys Master Plan (LCP) that extends from Mile Marker 97 to Tavernier Creek Bridge.

“At this juncture we will look at what we can do to address those con cerns,” Smith told the DRC.

County officials are also seek ing a traffic study in the area of the development, which saw a new traffic light placed at U.S. 1 and Burton Drive heading into Harry Harris earlier in the year. What once saw cars mov

A Publix, liquor store and housing for the Keys workforce are proposed for the Cemex concrete property in Tavernier. MONROE COUNTY/Contributed

ing freely along the highway has now brought frequent stops and backups in order to allow motorists to come and go from the Harry Harris community.

But the larger question surrounds the LCP, which aims to protect the environment, preserve historical ele ments in Tavernier and guide develop ment in a manner that’s compatible with community goals. Under the plan’s community character ele ment, goal 3 outlines a prohibition on designating new commercial land use districts in order to protect the existing viability of the U.S. 1 corridor area. It’s something Richard Barreto, member of the Tavernier Community Association, highlighted during an Aug. 23 commu nity meeting.

“The Tavernier Key Overlay clearly is a new commercial district,” Barreto told the DRC during the public com ment portion. “Tell me how are you going to overcome that obstacle, or are we going to ignore the LCP?”

Barreto added that the commu nity wants to preserve its small town environment.

The DRC solely reviews applica tions and doesn’t make a formal vote of approval or disapproval. Emily Schemper, county planning director, said the application will proceed to the county Planning Commission. If ap proved, it will then head to the board of county commissioners.

Developers asked to address consistency with community character

The former Cemex concrete property at Mile Marker 92.5 in Tavernier. KEYS

WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

PINDER

worked with Buddy Pinder

his

Islamorada Village Council.

Rick Ramsey, Monroe County Sheriff

TRUST Paid for by Joseph "Buddy" Pinder III, Candidate for Village Council Seat 1.

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

ISLAMORADA ELECTION APPROACHES

Council candidates give final pitch

Fourteen candidates enter for five hotly-contested Islamorada Village Council seats on Tuesday, Nov. 8 With the most candidates seen in the village’s history, the hopefuls consist of incumbents and new comers, 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.

submitted by candidates, with responses limited to 150 words.

SUE MILLER

Change is needed in Islamorada. Haven’t we reached a point where critical issues need to be dili gently addressed? We need to start with a strategic plan addressing our real priorities.

Our environment is the reason I came here 40 years ago. It is the reason we have had a thriv ing economy. We must find ways to assure the environment and the economy remain healthy and sustainable. Limited infrastructure and the fragile environment are under tremendous pressure. Innovative solutions are needed to address traffic, workforce housing, our budget, illegal vacation rentals.

All citizens deserve equitable treatment, starting with Village code that is fair. Eliminate loop holes. Decisions must be made based on “what,” not “who.”

I have attended council meetings, served on committees, researched solutions, and done my homework for years. I am ready to promote change: transparency, community engagement, fair treatment for all. Our quality of life is at stake.

BUDDY PINDER

I have spent my life living, working and playing in Islamorada. Each day I feel so blessed that I can call this place home. It is important that you elect a Councilman that understands the history of our community. Someone who appreciates the culture and uniqueness of the Keys and someone who will fight to protect our waters and natural resources. In my short time on the council, I have served as your mayor and diligently worked to make Islamorada a better place to live. I work with state offi cials in Tallahassee and served on the Florida League of Mayors Board of Directors. I am committed to keeping up-to-date on the latest issues impacting our village so that we can protect and enhance the quality of life that is enjoyed by our residents. When re-elected, I will work tirelessly to make sure Islamorada is a place our children and our grandchildren will love as much as we have!

2

MARY BARLEY

I have spent every day of the last 30 years working to save Florida Bay and will spend every day of the next 2 years when elected working for you, the residents of our Village.

I am steadfast, experienced, knowledgeable and committed.

As a prior developer in Orlando, I understand the economic and the environmental issues. When I began working on Florida Bay the proposed fix was cleaning out the culverts on Tamiami Trail. 30 years later we are on the brink of success with real solutions to protect and deliver water to Florida Bay, Why is this important? Because I never give up. I can work with all parties and accom plish big things. I’m solution oriented and when necessary, think outside the box. I managed lobby ists, attorneys, legal matters in Washington DC and Tallahassee and lobbied government agencies for decades. I know the issues, am prepared and ready.

Islamorada needs leadership with prior Council experience, local knowledge of the issues, challeng es and opportunities, and proven dedication to serve our community. I have served the islands and people that I love since 1987 as a local real estate attorney, 6 years on the Village Council (including one year each as Mayor and Vice Mayor), 7 years on the Land Planning Agency (LPA), and 3 years on the Achievable Housing Committee. I served as a member of the Upper Keys Rotary Club, a board member for I.CARE, and as a founding board member of Florida Bay Forever. In 1998, I built the first 3 deed restricted affordable houses permitted by the Village, taught evening Business Law classes at the College of the Florida Keys, and worked part time as a commercial fisherman. If re-elected, I will be ready to work at full speed on day one with no learning curve!

The Upper Keys Weekly asked the candidates: Why should Islamorada vote for you?

MARK GREGG

PETE BACHELER

I’m a thirty-seven-year resident of Islamorada and am a private land use planner. I spent five years chairing the Village Land Planning Agency (LPA) and elected to the Council where I’m finishing my second year. I know building, zoning, planning, and permitting as well as our staff. This background makes me the most qualified of those running for the Council office. The choice for Village Council seat 3 is Pete Bacheler.

ELIZABETH JOLIN

With fourteen people running for office, Islamorada voters have the chance to vote for the status quo or vote for change.

I call for change - and will do everything I can to streamline the Village Code so we can rely on a process (rather than the whims and personal preferences of the council ) to conduct business.

I call for change - and will insist on making a strategic plan to actively direct the future of the town by functioning with an understanding of what the town needs and wants. The alternative is to continue to function in a "response to crisis mode" that does little for fiscal, economic and environ mental responsibility.

I call for change - and see a connection between the environment and the economy and will attach urgency to environmental advocacy at the local state and federal level.

I am grateful to have been part of this election cycle and believe more than ever that good people make good government.

Thank you for your vote.

JOHN TIMURA

I am not a politician. As a 28-year-resident of Islamorada, I am only running to ensure that Islamo rada is a place that I will STILL want to live in 20 years from now. Instead of attacking issues from the front side in the same way that everybody else has, I have a unique ability for cutting them into smaller tasks, finding the leverage points, focusing on what's really important, and attacking the problem from a completely different angle. Preserving our quality of life as residents is a must. Any further efforts to increase population density in Islamorada should be scrutinized heavily. By subsi dizing rents, I have a way to make housing affordable for our work force so that our businesses can find employees with no added building density. Preserving our natural environment, as well as our human living environment and solving our achievable housing stalemate without additional build ing, are what I want to be remembered for.

HENRY ROSENTHAL

I have extensive experience and a proven track record. I trust the people of Islamo rada will make the best choice for our community. Your vote counts!

Residents should vote for me because I am not one of the “good old boys.” I am independent, standing up for residents and workers. We must continue to protect our environment, land, sea, simplify codes and rules, stop tax hikes and being cost effective, not costly. I am not afraid to make decisions!

10 years attending council meetings asking for fairness, transparency, speaking out on inequal ity. We must act now on the 2023 buildout and affordable housing. Action must be taken on these issues. A common sense strategic plan is vital for the survival of our community and businesses. Ignoring known problems is wrong. Our future is here, we must take action now to preserve and protect everyone.

Together, we must all work to make Islamorada great again, and that starts with you and me. This is the best place on earth to live. Thank you for your vote.

ANGEL BORDEN

CASEY WATKINS

We need a council focused on the everyday concerns of its residents. I promise to listen and repre sent all who call Islamorada home. Together we will work as a community to find the right solutions for the unique challenges we face to protect our valuable resources, people and environment. I will help find solutions to local problems on a county, state and federal level. We deserve better leader ship, not individuals who repeatedly put their own interests first instead of fighting for Islamorada’s greater good. Choose someone who will diligently serve you as we all strive for a better tomorrow. Someone who will always advocate for the necessary dialogue to protect our irreplaceable environ ment and community. We cannot afford to lose another two years to self-seeking council members determining our way of life. Each day is critical to keeping our Village safe as we grow together.

DEB GILLIS

I have knowledge to move the Village through our next set of challenges. Sharing knowledge and using teamwork will achieve informed decisions. I’m dedicated, know how to make difficult decisions, use facts for decisions and will support team decisions. Our environment is our livelihood and must be protected. I will work for clean water, coral restoration, improving storm water run-off and habitat protection, both land and sea.

Housing choices need serious consideration. Small business is the backbone of the country. Employees are needed for their success. Partnerships with others are a necessity to provide needed housing. The Village code is a living document. Code needs to be constantly reviewed and updated. Council decisions must be for the good of all, not just a select few. I will listen to all citizens. Let’s become united and move forward together! Be informed, your vote counts. I’m asking for your vote November 8.

SEAT 5

TOM RAFFANELLO

I respect the residents of Islamorada and their desire for competent governance. They want some one qualified to run their Village, not just a local personality. They deserve someone with complex managerial and budgetary experience; not a group of excuse-makers.

Islamorada needs a Councilperson who has real experience in administering a budget of $75 million tax dollars, one who has a history of solving difficult problems, one who has a strategic plan and vision for the coming decades. I am that person.

I am the ONLY candidate who has the qualities and experience required to deal with our overdevelopment and fiscal irresponsibility. I will also establish ethical guidelines and fight for what is right, whether that takes me to the Village, County, State or Federal government.

I ask the residents to examine the experience and expertise of all candidates. Residents will unite behind competent governance. Let’s make the changes on November 8!

Look at my qualifications at www.tomforislamorada.com.

DAVID WEBB

I have defined my candidacy as one based upon integrity and independence. But what does that mean? My integrity has been tested in every representative role I have held. I have always prevailed for the simple reason that I only fight for truth and principal, not my own self-interest.

My independence is unchallenged. I am retired and I have no business or investment interests in our Village. I believe the future of Islamorada must allow for community friendly business, must demand more aggressive protection of our fragile environment, must include a willingness by all citizens for reasonable compromise and, most importantly, must include a return to civil discourse and mutual respect. We can always learn from each other especially when we disagree.

I now have two hard earned years of local experience. I am ready to go, day one. Integrity an Independence, you can vote for and count on.

SHARON MAHONEY

I have asked myself this question several times over the past several months. I think I am at the time and place in my life where I can really give back, make a difference for all of us that have watched some major changes take place. Times do change but our desire to have the life we all either moved here for or stayed here for I believe is within our reach. I have run my own success ful business for 27 years working hard to manage, lead, and work side by side with the people who stayed with me for years. I know how to run large events and raise money for so many great causes here. I can make the tough decisions and do what is right for the residents and help get housing for our everyday workers that keep us going. From the very start my father’s memories have guided me. He worked hard and was committed to this community to build my family a wonderful life. He never backed down from any problem, to do what is right and stand on your own two feet echoes in my thoughts daily. If I am elected I promise to work on our problems and not become part of them.

ISAAC HOLMES

11/5 Marathon Cross Country @ States (Apalachee Regional Park, Tallahassee)

7:50 a.m. (girls), 8:40 a.m. (boys)

11/5 Key West Girls Soccer (preseason) Seminole 11 a.m.

11/6 Key West Girls Soccer @ Mater Academy Charter 3:30 p.m.

11/7 Coral Shores Girls Soccer @ South Florida HEAT 4 p.m.

11/8 Marathon Boys Soccer Coral Shores 4 p.m. 11/9 All Keys Teams Girls Weightlifting @ Marathon 3:30 p.m.

11/9 Key West Girls Soccer Coral Shores 4 p.m.

11/10 Key West Boys Soccer @ St. Brendan 3:30 p.m.

11/10 Marathon Boys Soccer @ Westwood 4 p.m.

11/11 Coral Shores Swimming @ States (Sailfish Splash Park, Stuart)

11/12 Key West Swimming @ States (Sailfish Splash Park, Stuart)

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

If you follow Monroe County prep sports, you know Coral Shores’ Isaac Holmes is a talented basketball player. On Oct. 28, it was clear that he is a multisport force of nature. In the Oct. 28 game against Ransom Everglades, Holmes stepped up as a leader, playing out of position to fill in as the Hurricanes’ quarterback for much of the game. When the clock hit zeroes, Holmes was 2 for 3 in his passing attempts for 59 yards and had six rushes for 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also had 34 receiving yards for the night. And that was just on offense.

Defensively, Holmes had five tackles, three of which were for a loss, and six defensive pressures to his credit. He capped off his stats with an interception, which he carried 51 yards for a pick-6 and his second touchdown of the night. For his phenomenal gameplay and willingness to take on a leadership role, Isaac Holmes is

Keys

Athlete of

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

“Isaac continues to strive for excellence in every game situation.”

— Coral Shores coach Ed Holly

Isaac Holmes dodges Key West defenders during the Hurricanes’ rivalry matchup against Key West on Oct. 21. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

KEYS FOOTBALL TEAMS HAVE A MIXED BAG IN POSTSEASON PLAY

Prior to the 2022 season, each Keys athletic director and coaching staff faced some difficult choices as far as scheduling goes. The FHSAA rolled out a new classification system which forced schools in the Keys to choose: travel extensively throughout the season and maintain eligibility for a state title, find a nontraditional conference or play as an independent school. Key West chose the first option. Coral Shores has been a member of a conference of like-minded smaller schools across South Florida for several years now. Marathon opted for independence.

Marathon ends with first winning record in five years

Marathon’s independent school decision means it is now finished playing on the gridiron this season. Despite no playoff eligibility, the Fins still enjoyed their most successful season in years.

The Dolphins completed their season on Oct. 28 at home against NSU University School, a team they had beaten earlier this season despite a series of lightning delays and shortened quarters. This time around, the Sharks came out on top, beating Marathon 44-38.

Marathon’s offensive unit was all systems go Friday night. Thomas Eubank scored twice on short yardage attempts and Daeshawn Holmes caught an 8-yard touchdown pass tossed by Malachi Hawkins. Hawkins scored twice on the ground for the Fins, amassing 257 rushing yards on the night.

Though the offense was able to score at will on the Sharks, the Fins defense was missing multiple starters. They were without both starting cornerbacks at the first whistle, and the roster dwindled as the night wore on, a testament to the fatigue and wear and tear typical of a small squad forced to play both sides of the ball.

The Dolphins had a chance to win in the final minutes of the game, but a fumble at the goal line gave the Sharks the ball and a final drive for NSU University School gave them the win. Marathon ended the season at 5-4, securing a winning record for the first time since 2017.

Ransom Everglades takes advantage of battered Coral Shores roster

Coral Shores played Ransom Everglades on Oct. 28 in the FIFC state football semifinals. The ’Canes beat Ransom soundly on Sept. 30, but were plagued with some nagging injuries. Though they played until the end and more, the ’Canes fell to the Raiders 36-35 in an overtime heartbreaker.

With lineman Xavyer Arrington and quarterback Yemcel Moreno sidelined by injury for most of the game, the ’Canes looked to Isaac Holmes to call their snaps. Holmes ran for one touchdown on the night and added another one as a defender on a 51-yard pick-6. Moreno had a 9-yard rushing touchdown in limited play, adding a spark to the ’Canes offense. Chuck Jacobsen scored two rushing touchdowns, one in overtime, which appeared to keep the ’Canes alive in the matchup.

Tied up at 28-28 at the end of the game, Coral Shores got the ball first in the overtime period and scored with a Jacobsen run. The extra point put the Canes ahead, but not for long. Ransom managed to score quickly in their overtime possession and opted to go for 2 rather than play it safe and tie the game again. The conversion was good, propelling Ransom to a spot in the conference championship.

While Coral Shores won’t have a shot at the conference title, the team will bring everything it has on Friday, Nov. 4 in a redemption matchup against Palmer Trinity School. Palmer handed the Hurricanes their first loss early this season. A win would secure third place in the final conference standings for the ’Canes. The road contest will kick off at 4 p.m. at Palmer.

Key West tops Fort Myers Gateway, fights to stay alive in postseason

Key West hit the road Oct. 28 to play Fort Myers Gateway in a district matchup. The Conchs’ defense came up big against Gateway, allowing just 3 points scored on a field goal in the Eagles’ opening drive. Coach Johnny Hughes praised his defense, saying, “We did a lot of bending, not breaking.”

Once the Conchs got hold of the ball, the scoring was all Key West in the 27-3 win. James Reynolds scored two rushing touchdowns, Jakari Blackman had one, and quarterback Adrian Mira connected with Kevon Mills for a passing touchdown.

Key West now faces a powerful Bishop Verot squad in a district makeup game, rescheduled due to Hurricane Ian. The Conchs will be playing for postseason survival against the Vikings, who have a talented quarterback and a bevy of target options. The winner of FHSAA 2S District 16 is anybody’s guess at this point, but a win against Verot will put Key West in a three-way tie for first. Should the Conchs secure a win, the winner of the district and the team given the nod to move forward into the playoffs will be determined by the FHSAA power rankings.

Power rankings take various aspects of the game into account, including difficulty of schedule, opponents’ win/loss records, opponents’ prior playoff appearances and record. Essentially, a loss to a powerhouse team such as Cardinal Gibbons, which Key West faced earlier this season, is better than a win against a less talented team.

Kickoff on Friday, Nov. 4 is at 7 p.m. in Key West.

Malachi Hawkins (2) makes it look easy, with 257 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the last game against NSU University School on Oct. 28. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See more game

The Coral Shores defense wraps up a Ransom Everglades runner. JOY SMITH/Purely Joyous Photography

by Deb Gillis for Islamorada Village Council, Seat

Saturday, November 12, S2022 aturday, November 12, 2022 10am14pm 0am

BACHELER

Underwater and outdoor Uenthusiasts, nderwater and outdoor enthusiasts, ecotravelers and families are encouraged eto cotravelers and families are encouraged to celebrate the marine environment at cMote elebrate the marine environment at Mote Marine Laboratory's annual event, Mote’s MOcean arine Laboratory's annual event, Mote’s Ocean Fest: A Community Celebration Admission is Ffree est: A Community Celebration. Admission is free - proceeds and donations from the pfestival roceeds and donations from the festival support Mote’s coral reef restoration sand upport Mote’s coral reef restoration and research rprograms. esearch programs.

Join us for a day of fun, crafts, games, music, Jfood oin us for a day of crafts, games, music, food and shopping as we showcase our atreasured nd shopping as we showcase our treasured marine environment while raising money for mcoral arine environment while raising money for coral reef research and restoration. Mote’s Ocean rFest: eef research and restoration. Mote’s Ocean Fest: A Community Celebration attendees can Aexplore Community Celebration attendees can explore conservation and environmental exhibits, cmeet onservation and environmental exhibits, meet live animals and experience touch tanks, view land ive animals and experience touch tanks, view and purchase wares from local marine artists pand urchase wares from local marine artists and vendors, enjoy music and try their skill at vactive endors, enjoy music and try their at active amusements. Meet Mote scientists along awith musements. Meet Mote scientists along with other conservation and oenvironmental ther conservation and environmental organizations from around Florida to learn oabout rganizations from around Florida to learn about the work they are doing and how you can thelp. he work they are doing and how you can help.

SCHOOL BOARD TACKLES COMMENTS, HOUSING

IN PERSON APPEARANCE REQUIRED, THOUGH EMAIL ALSO ACCEPTED

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

and construc tion were the main conversa tions at the Oct. 25 school board meeting — com munication between the public and the school board and construction of employee housing at the district’s Trumbo Road headquarters in Key West.

The five-member board, which included retiring member Bobby Highsmith for the last time, decided not to continue allowing the public to call in to a meeting to make com ments. The call-in option was institut ed during COVID. The discussion was prompted by a small group of con servatives who have been speaking at — and occasionally calling into — meetings. The group has criticized the school district’s mission statement for referncing “global citizens.”

Superintendent Theresa Axford told board members that officials had researched three other geographi cally spread-out school districts in Florida — Polk, Lake and Brevard — all of which require the presence of people at meetings if they wish to speak to the board. No other Florida school boards allow call-in comments now that the pandemic has ended.

Axford said the best way to reach board members is via email so they can get a response in writing.

Board members largely agreed that in-person comments are pre ferred. Mindy Conn said she would be OK with call-in comments, but only if they pertained to a specific item on that day’s agenda. Andy Griffiths pointed out that the board tries to keep agenda items location-specific, so Upper Keys topics are covered at Upper Keys meetings.

Highsmith strongly supported call-in comments — and remote attendance for board members. He urged the district to use the technol ogy available given safety concerns about driving on U.S. 1 and environ mental concerns about cars on the road. Highsmith also pointed out that public comments are not the same as emails, when a community member wants the public to hear what they have to say.

After a 15-minute discussion, the board opted to keep the policy as-is, a move that later in the meeting

Communicationprompted accusations of censorship by the conservative speaker who had attended in person.

Housing construction

The board voted unanimously to pursue negotiations with a develop ment group, SPGL,LLC, that will build at least 80 units of employee housing at the district’s Trumbo Road head quarters in Key West.

Money isn’t an issue for the folks who want to build the housing. The same family that owns SPGL owns the adjacent, multimillion-dollar Steam Plant condominiums, and wants to im prove the surrounding neighborhood.

Family member Walter “Wag” Woodward told members of the county school board in May, “I could write you a check for this whole Trumbo Road property today and build a park, but that’s not what the school board wants to do. You need housing for teachers.”

(Woodward added that his family has money from oil interests in Texas and natural gas investments in north ern Louisiana.)

SPGL in April had submitted an un solicited proposal to the school board, proposing to build about 76 apart ments, a new administration building and a bunch of green space on the school district’s approximately 6-acre waterfront property.

The specifics of that proposal likely will be adjusted during negotia tions, but the school board on Oct. 25 decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and voted unanimously to enter negotiations with SPGL. Board members said they want to configure the property to accommodate as many housing units as possible, and are looking into moving the administrative building to a different school districtowned property in Key West to make room for more than 80 apartments.

Lastly, the board voted to give three affordable housing building permits to the city of Marathon. The permits are attached to the old Mara thon Manor, a former assisted-living facility that the school district acquired more than 15 years ago, along with its 50 housing units. Marathon City Manager George Garrett had penned a letter requesting three of the remain ing 30 or so permits. The board agreed unanimously.

KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com

The largest producer of solar energy in Monroe County isn't the Florida Keys Electric Coop erative or Keys Energy Services; it's the Key Largo Wastewater Treat ment District, according to its general manager, Peter Rosasco.

"It's absolutely a no-brainer," said Rosasco of the decision to install 1,985 solar panels at eight KLWTD locations, including the wastewater treatment plant in Key Largo at MM 100.

"It offsets our electric usage," said plant manager Ryan Dempsey. "All of our inverters are currently online and producing electricity," he added.

The solar energy venture began in 2019 with a successful demonstration project at the wastewater treatment plant that involved 334 solar panels. The decision was then made to move on to phase two, which included in stalling solar panels at the district's six vacuum stations, the administration building, and additional areas at the 12-acre wastewater treatment facility in Key Largo.

The project was completed in September 2022. The total price tag, roughly $2.5 million, was all paid for by grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

"It's great, clean energy," said plant lead operator Jerry Baker. "There's re ally no downside that I can see."

Rosasco said the goal was to reduce KLWTD's electricity cost by 20 percent to 25 percent.

Weiler Engineering oversaw the project. Engineer Steve Suggs ex plained via email the total output from the solar panels is 675.22 kWp (kilowatt ‘peak’ power output), which is equivalent to roughly 15% of KLWTD's electrical demand.

The electricity cost savings over the estimated 30-year life of the solar project is significant.

"To put that into perspective, over the life of this project our savings are

GOING GREEN

Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District leading the charge in solar energy

expected to be in the neighborhood of $5 million and the project was fully funded by grant money," said Rosasco. Rosasco estimates the annual elec tricity cost savings will be between $150,000 and $175,000.

Rosasco, Dempsey and Baker provided Keys Weekly with an in-depth tour of the wastewater treatment facil ity. This is where raw sewage is filtered and chlorinated before being pumped some 3,500 feet underground.

"One of our largest expenses is electricity," said Rosasco. "We have huge motors and pumps that are required to move all of this material eventually down into that deep well below the boulder zone," he explained.

The solar footprint here is impres sive, to say the least. The tops of all buildings are lined with rows of solar panels. Hundreds of panels cover the plant's retention pond. There is also a solar panel structure over the chlorine contact chamber which provides an added benefit: the shade reduces the amount of chlorine needed and that translates into more savings.

From his office, Dempsey shows us the software program that details exactly how much solar energy is being produced at all eight locations. Should production stop at any location, Dempsey is notified immediately.

"This software will also send out alarms, emails, text messages, de pending on severity, to us to notify us if we're not producing for whatever reason," said Dempsey.

Rosasco believes KLWTD is leading the charge when it comes to efficiently and effectively harnessing energy from the sun. He says the Florida Depart ment of Environmental Protection is using this Keys-based program as a role model.

"They're now taking what we've done here and encouraging other utili ties around the entire state of Florida to do exactly what we've done here, because it just makes sense,” said Rosasco.

Peter Rosasco, Ryan Dempsey and Jerry Baker stand in front of the large solar array covering the retention pond at the wastewater treatment plant. KELLIE BUT LER FARRELL/Keys Weekly

SECTION OF ISLAMORADA VESSEL EXCLUSION ZONE RESCINDED FROM ORDINANCE

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

An amendment that added a 350-foot section of submerged land into a 300-foot swim area/ vessel exclusion ordinance for Port Antigua and White Marlin Beach earlier in the month was rescinded by council members during an Oct. 25 meeting. The move came after property owners within the recently added sec tion were under the belief that they still would be able to use their docks.

In August 2020, the dais voted to implement an area off the shoreline near the Lower Matecumbe community that kept vessels from anchoring too close to homeowners’ property. The swim area/vessel exclusion zone sought to address issues of people coming onto private property and party boat traffic near the shore. Buoys delineat ing the swim area were installed in May 2021.

However, the approved swim area left out a 350-foot section that con tained private docks. In August, the vil lage council considered an amendment to the ordinance that added the section into the swim zone. It not only excluded vessels from entering the area, but it also prohibited those property owners, guests and any others from access ing their docks by boat. It passed 4-0. A second reading was heard on Oct. 6 and passed via a 5-0 vote.

According to village officials, prop erty owners were under the misconcep tion that they still would be able to get their boats in and out of their docks. They subsequently told the village that an inability to use their docks was an is sue. After further discussions, represen tatives for the property owners asked the village to rescind the Oct. 6 vote.

Village Manager Ted Yates said he and other officials met with residents in an attempt to work out a creative solu tion to the issue.

“We’ve got Peter (Frezza) working on a solution where we can have the swim zone tightened with a channel that would come through where (it’s) strictly at idle speed. … The boats can come through. Once they (boats) get to the end of the channel they immedi ately have to go to one of their docks,” Yates said.

From an enforcement standpoint, Yates said they’re looking to create an area where boats can't pull up and anchor the way they are now.

“We just need to make sure that the potential solution is legal and we can do it,” he said. “The residents are on board and happy with the potential solution. They understand we’re pursu ing it right now.”

In other matters, the dais unani mously approved a work authorization with Cyriaks Environmental Consulting Services Inc. (CECOS) for the collection of historical land maps to view vegeta tion that once covered the village to current hardwood habitat. CECOS will collect historical aerial imagery and GIS data from Monroe County, Department of Environmental Protection and South Florida Water Management District.

According to Dan Gulizio, planning director, the proposed mapping project provides habitat information to guide potential changes to the village’s land development regulations. Maps will examine the four islands making up Is lamorada and quantify acreage of tropi cal hardwood hammocks, mangrove wetlands and developed and distrurbed areas. Cost for the services wouldn’t exceed $39,963.64.

“Taking stock and better under standing the habitat lost is an essential building block,” Gulizio said. “We’re look ing at vacant and development proper ties, but the other important thing we need to look at is how much hammock was lost during development patterns that occurred over the years in addition to mangroves lost.”

Council members also approved the appointments of Maria Bassett, finance director, and Amanda Merren, public relations specialist, to the village canvassing board. The village’s charter requires the canvassing board to be composed of council members who are not running for reelection. Since all members on the dais are running for another term in office, Village Clerk Marne McGrath will serve as the chair of the board with Merren and Bassett serving as the other two members.

The board will certify the vote totals provided by the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections after the County Canvassing Board finishes certifying all ballots. The last group of ballots to be certified is the military and overseas ballots on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. The Village Canvassing Board is scheduled to meet on Nov. 21 at 3:30 p.m. to certify the county vote totals and release the final election results.

SNAKE CREEK BRIDGE MALFUNCTION BRINGS TRAFFIC BACKUP

Motorists traveling through Islamorada near Snake Creek Bridge were stopped for roughly an hour on Oct. 31 fol lowing a gate malfunction.

Road crews were called to the Florida Keys’ only bascule bridge around 2 p.m. following reports that the gates, which come down every hour to allow the bridge to open for larger vessels, weren’t working properly. As a result, stopped traffic extended from Mile Marker 82 to Mile Marker 91. Heavy traffic remained once the gates were fixed.

Vehicles were backed up on both sides of the bridge the following day on Nov. 1. What was initially reported as a malfunction was actu ally crews conducting maintenance, according to FDOT.

“According to our maintenance team there was no malfunction. The team took advantage of a scheduled opening to perform some maintenance and the opening lasted a little longer than usual,” said Tish Burgher, FDOT communications manager.

Issues surrounding Snake Creek Bridge aren’t new to motorists in Islamorada. Last February, a similar instance occurred as the barriers were stuck in a down position for more than an hour. In September 2021, the bridge was stuck in an upright position after a vessel struck a powerline nearby.

The bridge experienced several issues in 2020 —including two in cidents just 12 days apart in June that kept vehicles idle for 20 minutes and one hour.

Snake Creek bridge saw repairs to its electric and structural com ponents in July 2019, as well as cleaning and painting of bridge steel structures. In May 2020, the Florida Department of Transportation an nounced that work was complete on the bridge — with costs to repair and rehab it amounting to $1.6 million.

Built in 1981, Snake Creek Bridge at Mile Marker 86 is the only remaining drawbridge operating in the Keys. In the late 2000s, the drawbridge over Jewfish Creek in Key Largo was replaced by a beam bridge. In Marathon, the Boot Key Harbor drawbridge was closed and abandoned in 2009.

Florida Department of Transportation officials are looking into converting Snake Creek Bridge to a high-level fixed bridge to keep traf fic moving. A study on the replacement continues, according to FDOT. The project kicked off in 2017. Residents had the chance to review and comment on four options during a May 2019 public meeting at Found ers Park Community Center.

A project development and environmental study is the next step, according to FDOT. That study is in FDOT’s five-year work program for fiscal year 2026. The estimated cost for the study is $2 million. The project development and environmental study is expected to take roughly two years to complete.

Property owners with docks will have access after a ‘misconception’

Gates stuck in down position halted traffic for roughly an hour

DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly File Photo

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

SHERIFF’S OFFICE SWEEPS MIAMI CHARITY PISTOL COMPETITION

Three Monroe County Sheriff’s Office members took first, second and third place at the Hoot Shoot for South Florida law enforcement on Oct. 28 in Miami. “I couldn’t be prouder of everyone who participated in a great cause and it’s especially nice to have bragging rights among our law enforcement partners to the north,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. Addison LaPradd, special operations detective, took first place, followed by Anthony Owen, correc tions deputy, in second place and Justin Rivas, major crimes detective, in third. Proceeds from the event go to support the American Cancer Society.

MCSO/Contributed

COUNTY ADDS NEW FIREFIGHTERS

Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Monroe County Board of County Com missioners welcomed five new firefighters at a badge pinning and oath pre sentation at the October meeting. The newest members of Monroe County Fire Rescue are firefighter/EMT Brandon Colina, firefighter/EMT Luis Guarda do, firefighter/paramedic Cesar Lopez, firefighter/paramedic Kyle Ondarza, and firefighter/EMT Aaron Nieves. Colina, originally from Apopka, graduated from last year’s Hot Shot program, Class 21-01. Guardado was born and raised in Miami and received his fire certification from Broward Fire Acad emy and EMT from American Medical Academy. Lopez was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to Miami when he was 17. He received his EMT and paramedic certification from City College Miami and his fire certification from Barry University. Ondarza was born and raised in Miami. He received his EMS and fire certification from Miami Dade College. Nieves was born and raised in Homestead. He received his EMT and paramedic certification at Miami Dade College and his fire certification from Broward Fire Academy.

County

HURRICANE IAN COSTS MONROE COUNTY $180K IN OVERTIME

WORKERS GET TIME & A HALF FOR STORM TASKS, EVEN FOR REGULAR HOURS

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Hurricane Ian has cost Mon roe County about $180,000 in overtime pay to 201 county employees.

Overtime amounts for the city of Key West also have been requested and will appear in a subsequent article.

Payroll reports from the County Clerk’s office show that county em ployees receive time-and-a-half for any storm-related work they do, even during their regular work hours. For storm-related work conducted beyond their normal working hours, employ ees receive double their normal hourly pay.

Employees worked just over 2,000 hours during their normal schedules, but on storm-related tasks, so they were compensated at time-and-a-half for a total of $104,000, payroll spread sheets show.

Some employees worked a total of 580 hours beyond their usual work day, and received double their usual hourly pay, which totaled $44,124.

Overtime payments to the 201 employees who requested it range in amounts from $38 to $8,500 with the majority of the 201 employees who re ceived storm overtime getting between $300 and $800 in overtime.

County Airports Director Richard Strickland earned the most overtime at $8,500, which was likely related to runway damage at Key West Inter national Airport and a fire at one of the private hangars the day after the storm. Also at Key West Airport, Chris Hawks received $3,500; Erick D’Leon received $6,000 and Ritchie Wright re ceived $2,800. Cab Bentley at the Key West Airport Fire & Rescue division re ceived $4,300. In airport security, Cale Hartle received $3,000 and Luis Garay received $5,300 in overtime pay.

Charlie Mather with the county’s fire department earned $4,001 in overtime. The county’s emergency management department — Alari Lut tazi, Matt Massoud, Jeff Manning and Valeri Kolessar — each earned $2,500 to $3,200 in overtime compensation.

Shannon Weiner, the county’s di rector of emergency management, did not request any overtime pay.

Additional overtime amounts included $3,300 for Thomas Henry and $2,900 for John Allen, both in the Parks and Beaches department, $2,500 for public information officer Kristen Livengood and the same for Willie

DeSantis in the county’s maintenance department. In the county’s finance office, Julie Cuneo received $2,300 in overtime, and in the engineering de partment, Judy Clarke received $2,855; Cary Knight received $2,500. Daryl Greenlee received $2,800 in the fleet management division.

County overtime pay has been under some scrutiny since the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020. County officials back then reluctantly paid $1.5 million in overtime for the one-month period from mid-March to mid-April, when employees were working under an emergency response pay policy that has since been rescinded.

In April 2020, County Commis sioner Craig Cates said, “I just feel it’s unfair, with thousands of people out of work and hundreds of busi nesses closed, for us to be paying staff time and a half under an emergency response pay policy, when not all of them are working solely on matters related to COVID.”

During the four-week time period that the overtime was accruing, 61 other county employees had been put on paid administrative leave before they were furloughed and encouraged to apply for unemployment.

The county commission has since ended the emergency response pay policy, meaning the overall time-anda-half pay rates are no longer in effect, although the Hurricane Ian-related payroll sheets show that employees still earned time-and-a-half for work ing their regular hours, but on stormrelated tasks.

Monroe County Fire Rescue crews work to remove downed trees to make roads pass able following Hurricane Ian. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

RESPIRATORY VIRUS SPREADING

RSV particularly a danger to infants

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

e’re seeing a lot of it. A lot.” Those were the words local pediatrician Dr. Stan Zuba used to describe a recent spike in respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, among children throughout the country, state and the Florida Keys.

“W

RSV is a contagious virus that can lead to complications and hospitalizations, particularly among children under 2 years old. In the past three to four weeks, hospitals across the country have seen a surge in cases among infants, those born prematurely and kids with congenital heart failure or immune deficiencies.

Older children and adults are also susceptible to RSV, though the dangers are far less than in infants. While RSV causes cold-like symptoms for older children and adults, the virus can cause serious respiratory illness in babies, including lung infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

“They should see a doctor as soon as possible, especially if they're premature or have congenital heart disease or anything that makes them at higher risk,” Zuba said.

The Florida Department of Health began tracking RSV in children under the age of 5 in early September, when many regions in the state witnessed a spike in cases. According to DOH, emergency department visits for RSV among children under 5 years of age spiked more compared to previous years. RSV activity in children over 5 years was also above levels observed during the same time in previous years.

Zuba said RSV cases increase during the winter months in the northern part of the country. In Florida, RSV is prevalent year-round and worsens during the winter months. But Zuba said he and other doctors began seeing RSV cases for the last four to six weeks in numbers they haven’t seen in a long time.

“A lot of these viruses, including influenza and RSV, were dormant during a time when COVID was so overwhelming. Now that COVID is waning, these are coming back with vengeance even stronger than they were previously as far as numbers,” Zuba said.

The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition and Florida Department of Health in Monroe County said they are

working together to ensure families are aware of the recent increase in RSV infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), virtually all children get an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old. RSV may not be severe when it starts, but it can become more serious within a few days. RSV infections can go from mild symptoms to hospitalization in less than a week. Health officials said it’s important to watch babies for worsening symptoms.

If the child is sick and parents notice short, shallow or fast breathing that isn’t normal for them, make an appointment with a doctor right away. Pediatricians will be able to evaluate the potentially dangerous virus and help explain how to best manage the symptoms the baby is experiencing.

One of the best treatments for RSV in older kids and adults is honey, according to Zuba.

“Studies have been done on buckwheat honey, and one teaspoon every 6 hours is better than any over-thecounter cough medicine,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of washing hands, isolating older kids who are sick and getting to a doctor right away with infants who have symptoms that are consistent with RSV.

“It’s extremely contagious. Even if it’s a mild case, parents can expect that their child will cough anywhere from one to four weeks and have respiratory symptoms for up to a month afterwards,” Zuba said.

For more information, contact your local pediatrician, healthcare provider or the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition’s office at 305-293-8424. People can also read more about RSV on the American Academy of Pediatrics and Center for Disease Control and Prevention websites.

#SAVEHOLLY

Re-elect

Mark GREGG

for Village Council Seat 2

If 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.

Council

On Sept. 19, Renee Gilbert — a long-time local, mom of three and lover of the ocean — took a plunge (no pun intend ed) and opened the doors of her zerowaste and refillery store, FL Keys Refillery.

Reader, you are not alone if you just read the last sentence and said, “Refillery? What’s that?”

“A lot of people don’t know what this is,” Gilbert said. In short, a refillery is a shop where shoppers can fill their own containers with cleaning products to minimize single-use plastics.

During Keys Weekly’s visit to the store, cus tomer Stacey Bedford walked in with her 5-year-old daughter, Anna.

“There’s nothing like this in the Keys,” Bedford said enthusiastically to Gilbert as she perused the shelves of products. “And people down here are environmentally conscious.”

At the “Refill Bar,” little Anna reached up to pump a cedar-and-sage hair conditioner into a stainless-steel bottle that Bedford had brought. The bar is lined with large jugs of such daily neces sities as hand soap, body wash, shampoo and con ditioners, laundry detergent, household cleaners and more.

Prices are anywhere from 22 cents per ounce for glass cleaner to $2.74 an ounce for sunscreen. Gilbert first weighs the shopper’s container, which is then filled with the liquid of their choice. Then Gilbert weighs the container again and subtracts the container’s initial weight to get the final price.

“And it’s cheaper, since you’re paying for the product, not the packaging,” said Gilbert as she weighed the conditioner for Bedford.

Shoppers bring in their own clean containers, though she has some for sale. “People will bring in plastic water bottles. I’ve even seen a wine bottle.

Anything is good, as long as it’s clean and dry. Just use what you have.”

Aside from the Refill Bar, Gilbert has stocked her shelves with organic and nontoxic items, such as Poppy & Pout lip balm (word is, Oprah loves it), and low-waste products, including biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes and “toothpaste” in tablet form with no plastic and cardboard packaging. There are even “Swedish dish towels” that are the equivalent of 17 rolls of paper towels.

Gilbert is constantly researching more ecoconscious items, so customers can check her social media for new arrivals. She just got in organic snacks for your four-legged fur babies: baked treats in bacon and carob flavors. And soon to come: loose coffee beans, teas, spices and grains. Just bring a container, and load up.

In addition, she has her own line of homemade candles, soaps and body scrubs. Called Sunny Turtle Creations, they pay tribute to the classic Keys way that Gilbert grew up: loving the ocean.

“I’ve been here since my family came in 1983, when I was 8 years old. I worked at a dive shop in high school. And I love turtles. I’d do anything for them,” Gilbert said, pointing at her turtle tattoo. “A turtle will see a plastic bag in the water and swallow it because they think it’s a jellyfish. I spent

my childhood out on the reef and watched the deterioration. If every one can do one simple thing, it can make a huge impact.”

Gilbert discovered the exis tence of refilleries through selling her Sunny Turtle Creations line at a market. A regular customer asked her one day if she could buy soap but not the plastic container.

“So I researched and found out about refilleries, and I thought, ‘This is genius,’” said Gilbert, who worked in a local bank for 17 years and raised three children in the Upper Keys with her husband of 23 years. She used her business smarts, creativity and the help of her family to begin another life as a brickand-mortar business owner.

Nov. 3 will be the first of her monthly paint nights, as a way to have fun, promote her store and introduce the refillery idea to locals. Mean while, word is spreading. Bedford said that she found out about it through the FL Keys Refillery Facebook page.

“I’m going to come back for Christmas pres ents,” said Bedford.

FL Keys Refillery is located in Suite 305 at 100410 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, bayside.

Store hours (starting Nov. 1) are Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Sun day and Monday. For more information about FL Keys Refillery, go to sunnyturtlecreations.com, see @flkeysrefillery on Instagram or Facebook, or call 305-741-7885.

Clockwise from top left, owner Renee Gilbert has a goal of adding “many zeros” to this sign; Gilbert constantly researches new items to stock; toothbrushes made from biodegradable bamboo, and the tooth-cleaning tablets avoid packaging; Anna,5, pumps hair conditioner from the Refill Bar.

TWINE/Keys

Mother and longtime local expresses her love for the ocean with her new ecoconscious business

CHARLOTTE

BRING BACK THE BACON

Smells of bacon will fill the Islamorada air as the annual Bacon Fest and Vendor Show returns to the heart of Islamorada on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Organized by the Islamorada Moose Lodge, attendees will have the chance to indulge in a variety of bacon-inspired dishes, from bacon banana bread and bacon mac and cheese to bacon shrimp rolls. Joining in the bacon festivities are MEAT Eatery & Taproom, Chef Michael and other local restaurants.

“If you like bacon, you’re going to love it, and you’ll love all the things we do that go to support the community,” said Nancy Saxe, Islamorada Moose Lodge member and Bacon Fest organizer.

A contest will determine who can eat a pound of bacon the fastest for the top Upper Keys bacon eater. Meanwhile, bartenders will try to concoct the best crafty bacon cocktail.

With the food comes shopping as some 15 vendors showcase and sell their works in time for the holiday shopping season. Live bands will entertain the crowds from the beginning of the festival at 9 a.m. to its conclusion at 3 p.m. Festival goers can also try their hand at dunking local celebrities and surprise guests. Five dollars get you three attempts.

There’s also something for the kids to enjoy, including hot dogs and sodas and face painting.

Admission to Bacon Fest is a $5 donation. Proceeds from the event support Moose Charities and other local charities, Saxe said.

“It supports our Coral Shores scholarships, which we give out close to $10,000. Proceeds also support other local charities just depending on what happens during the year,” she said. “We also support International Moose Charities. They support a children’s school in Indiana and a senior center in north Florida.”

Bacon Fest happenings take place outside the Moose Lodge, located at MM 81. For more information, visit 200 Bacon Fest & Vendor Show on Facebook.

festival brings food & more to Islamorada

Attendees enjoy some bacon. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

DECISION TIME NEED A LAST- MINUTE PRIMER ON THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION? LOOK NO FURTHER.

The 2022 general election is upon us. Tuesday, Nov. 8 will decide the balance of power in national gov erning bodies as well as a number of crucial local posts. As of 7 a.m. on Nov. 2, 14,354 of the Keys’ 55,183 active eligible voters had cast their ballots for the 2022 election, yielding a 26.01% voter turnout thus far.

With the Florida Keys seemingly at a tipping point on a number of issues – af fordable housing, the health of our reef and nearshore waters, and rampant insurance increases, to name a few – it is now more critical than ever to make your voice heard and help decide the direction of national, state and local leadership. With that in mind, Keys Weekly aims to provide as many critical pre-election resources in one place as pos sible. Cue the QR codes!

VOTING DEADLINES

Early voting: Ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at a Monroe County early voting site (see below).

Vote by mail: Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

In person: At a Monroe County polling place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 (see below). Please note that the dead line to register for this election has already passed (Oct. 11), so if you are not yet a reg istered voter, you will need to wait until the next election to vote.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Early voting: Bal lots may be dropped at a Monroe County Secure Ballot Intake Station (drop box) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Satur day, Nov. 5. Drop box locations are: 530 Whitehead St. #101, Key West; Big Pine Key Community Park, End of Sands Road, 31009 Atlantis Dr., Big Pine Key; 10015 Overseas Hwy., Marathon; 81830 Overseas Hwy., Is lamorada; 102050 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo

In person: Not sure of your polling place? No problem. Scan the QR code here and enter your address to find the appropri ate location.

WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?

For a list of sample ballots by location, scan here:

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES?

In print

The Keys Weekly 2022 Decision Guide has a wealth of information on state and local elections. Since the guide’s publication, a number of record ed candidate forums and Q&A entries in various editions of the Weekly have shed more light on the differences between candidates.

From Aug. 18 through Oct. 27, the Marathon Weekly fea tured a candidate Q&A section in our print editions for Marathon City Council and Key Colony Beach City Commission candi dates, introducing those who qualified for the field and allowing each to answer a series of questions in their own words.

Beginning Sept. 22, the Upper Keys Weekly also featured a candidate Q&A section for the 14 individuals vying for five hotly-contested open seats on the Islamorada Village Council.

In addition to the print editions, these can didate Q&A series may be found online at key sweekly.com by visiting the Local Politics subsec tion of the main Marathon or Upper Keys menu tabs.

Online

For a full recording of a candidate forum co-sponsored by the Marathon Weekly and Marathon Chamber of Commerce featuring candi dates for Marathon City Council, U.S. House of Representatives and Florida House of Represen tatives, scan HERE:

Gubernatorial candidates Ron DeSantis and Char lie Crist squared off in a single no-holds-barred debate on Oct. 24. For a full recording, scan the code below:

WHO’S WATCHING THAT BOX?

In recent days, the Supervisor of Elections office has fielded a number of questions from concerned vot ers about the individuals staffing its Secure Ballot Intake Stations. Florida Statute 101.69 provides that ‘A secure ballot intake station at an office of the supervisor must be continuously monitored in person by an employee of the supervisor’s office when the secure ballot intake station is acces sible for deposit of ballots.’ In fact, any supervisor of elections who leaves a drop box left unattended is subject to a $25,000 civil penalty. So say hello to your drop box workers, and please understand they are there to prevent any ‘funny business.’ Pictured are Marathon drop box workers Tom and Dave at the Marathon Supervisor of Elections Office’s intake station. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Key West-based nonprofit voter education group Hometown hosted candidate forums on July 18 and Oct. 3, featuring candi dates for local Key West races as well as U.S. House of Representa tives and Florida House of Repre sentatives – and with the Weekly’s own Key West editor Mandy Miles as a panelist.

July 18 forum Oct. 3 forum

INFUSING PASSION FOR PEOPLE, MUSIC & BUSINESS

Veteran brings a new production to Key Largo

MELINDA VAN FLEET www.keysweekly.com

Jordan Bobick is the owner and founder of Higher Ground Music & Video Production in Key Largo. Offer ing live playback and tracking inside and outside the studio, the technol ogy allows for remote operation in which someone can record at home with Bobick’s expertise and ability to provide professional, quality sound.

This revolutionary technology, in conjunction with the actual studio, also offers the ability for a remote collaboration. Bobick said, "An example is a drummer is at my studio, but his group is scattered about the world. I worked with producers in Los Angeles, but the artist was here, and we worked together in real time."

Bobick said this technology came to market within the past few years. Bobick has a vast background that demonstrates his creativity and a pas sion for technology, business and people.

"I grew up in Melbourne but had been coming here my whole life as my grandparents lived in Lower Matecumbe,” he said. “My brother has lived here for a while, and then I finally anchored here after the pandemic. I worked in hospitality before starting the studio in July of this year."

Prior to opening the studio, Bobick served four years in the Marines, including time in Iraq. He has also been a scuba instructor, done maritime salvage and worked in social services using his undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Central Florida. He is now working on a doctorate in industrial organizational psychology-behavioral performance. He said he wanted to do something different, and he will graduate in May 2023.

"I didn't want to work for someone else any more; I knew I had the ability." Bobick said. "In the social services field, I got to work with young people who were amazingly talented. I feel that this is my job from the universe, and I'm now working with this passion." It's psychology infused with business at another level.

As for the studio, Bobick said, "I wanted the studio to feel like you're sitting in a lounge — kind of chill and playing. So, I integrated all the hard ware aspects right into the furniture. And yes, I built all this myself. I spend a lot of time planning in my mind."

Bobick has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old. And he can play just about every instrument in the studio — piano, keyboard, bass, banjo, synthesizers. He started working on the studio idea about five years ago.

He added, chuckling, "I could talk about it for days. I drive my husband insane."

Bobick and his husband, Michael Tomanio, have been together over 10 years and married for a few years. They met online but went to the same community college. "We started taking the bus together; it was really cute. He's a great guy."

Some of the services that Bobick can provide at Higher Ground are voice-over, live recording with their instruments, music lessons, audio books, mixing and mastering- remote and live, green screen full produc tion — music videos, or creating a commercial.

"I also do live recording, video and audio and can layer that into a final production. Another trend is gaming, and game creators need music for their games as well as digitizing characters."

When asked about his long-term vision, he said, "I built this studio as a prototype. We are in the digital age; it's built to be accessible to the meta verse. I want to create this as a web of studios that can act as a network across the nation and the world. A system of smart studios that work with a remote engineer, and the studio can open and shut down with a onetime code. You don't need the engineer present or special equipment, a fully digital studio with a streamlined design. This model could grow as a franchise."

Higher Ground will host an outdoor event, Key Largo Review, on Satur day, Nov. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m.

"I will go live on Facebook, Instagram and Twitch and stream to all these different social media platforms. So, if they say, ‘I want to get my performance out to my audience,’ right on the phone, we can log into their account, hit the live button and then the artist can perform." Bobick said. “I’m focused on this as a series of Saturday night shows that have a lineup to feature artists of different genres.”

Bobick also aims to provide an outlet for younger artists, hip hop, Latin artists and more, and to make sure it's an LBTQ-safe space where every one can feel comfortable.

"I'm grateful I've had a lot of great mentors, including experienced recording artists, along the way. Word has been getting out locally, and I already have had some great referrals," he said.

He loves the Keys. "Everyone knows each other. I love the sense of community. I'm a scuba diver and do a lot on the water, so this is a water man's paradise. I am grateful for this beautiful place, wonderful people and to have a business."

Connect with Higher Ground Music and Video Production on Insta gram @higher_ground_keylargo or on Facebook at HigherGroundKeyL argo. To sign up for Higher Ground’s Key Largo Review, message on IG or text 845-282-6568.

Jordan Bobick is owner and founder of Higher Ground Music & Video Production in Key Largo. MELINDA VAN FLEET/Keys Weekly

CARIBBEAN SEALS ONCE OCCUPIED THE KEYS

Overfishing led to the marine mammal’s demise

Pinnipeds are aquatic, carnivorous mammals with four limbs that evolution modified into flippers. Seals, sea lions and walruses are pinnipeds.

Once upon a time, the Florida Keys were home to a species of pinniped called the Caribbean or West Indian monk seal.

The seals once ranged throughout the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and the southern reaches of the Atlantic Ocean. In North America, they were found from the Florida Keys north to the beaches of South Carolina. Average adults were 7 to 8 feet long and weighed 400 to 600 pounds. They lived 20 to 30 years and gathered in large numbers in resting areas like sandy beaches. Non-aggressive and curious, the seals were reportedly easily approached by humans.

During Christopher Columbus’ 1494 second voyage to the New World, his men killed eight “sea wolves” or seals they found sleeping on the beach of an island south of the Dominican Republic. The seals were killed so their meat could be used as a protein source. When Ponce de Leon and his small fleet anchored in the Dry Tortugas on June 21, 1513, the men were greeted by the cries and calls of thousands of egrets, terns, boobies and gulls roosting on the islands.

to control the seal while it was still alive, the men shot it dead, dragged it back to the cruiser, and brought it back to the harbor at Key West. The seal, measuring 8 feet in length and weighing 800 pounds, was exhibited on Front Street. People were charged 10 cents to view the carcass.

BRAD BERTELLI

is an author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fascinating glimpses into the rich and sometimes surprising histories of the Florida Keys.

Caribbean monk seals, too, were seen sunning on the soft sand beaches, perhaps barking at the Spanish interlopers the way pinnipeds tend to do. When crew members came ashore to replenish their food stocks, they reportedly captured 160 turtles, 14 seals and 5,000 birds. Like Columbus did, the crew used seals as a protein source.

Columbus and Ponce de Leon were not the last Europeans (or locals) to hunt the seals.

Historically, however, the seals were not primarily hunted as a food source. While seal skins were used to make clothes and bags and to line travel trunks, the primary reason for seal hunting was blubber. During processing, the seal blubber was rendered down to make oil for lamps, cooking and lubrication.

To satisfy the owners of sugarcane plantations, hunters slaughtered hundreds of seals daily to produce oil to grease the machines that processed the cane. The seal industry thrived for as long as populations could support it. By 1850, monk seal populations had been sufficiently culled that hunting the seals was no longer a viable business practice.

In 1857, it was reported that a 300-pound Caribbean monk seal was found and killed on Tea Table Key, an island in the Islamorada area of the Upper Keys, by the crew of the U.S. Survey schooner Graham. In a story first reported by the Key West Bureau of the Miami Metropolis and later published in the March 3, 1906, edition of The Pensacola Journal, a party of five young men left Key West on a pleasure cruise and fishing trip. While fishing from a dinghy, the five men encountered something large in the water and “struck it with a couple grains.”

What they “struck” was a large seal that the men roped and tied to the dinghy. Still alive, the seal pulled the dinghy around at a “5-mile gait” when it turned on the men and charged the small boat. Unable

According to the story, at that time, seals had been observed at Dog Rocks, a small collection of islands near the Cay Sal Bank. The 800-pound seal was not the last seal seen around the waters surrounding Key West, where, in 1922, a seal was reportedly killed. The last confirmed sighting of a Caribbean monk seal came 30 years later, in 1952. The seal was observed at Seranille Bank, found between Jamaica and Nicaragua.

With their numbers decimated by overhunting and their food supplies sufficiently exhausted by overfishing, the isolated populations of seals that were left could not recover.

Though a Caribbean monk seal had not been seen in over 50 years, the species was not officially declared extinct until 2008. What is remarkable about the extinction of the seal is that it is the only pinniped that has been erased from the planet due entirely to human causes.

Two species of monk seals are still extant, the Hawaiian monk seal and the Mediterranean monk seal –both are endangered and heading down the same path as their Caribbean cousin. Habitat loss, overfishing of prey animals, human impacts and shark predation are all contributing factors to population declines. With about 700 Mediterranean monk seals left, the critically endangered species is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. Hopefully, history will not repeat itself.

Cadets in CFK’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy No. 81 stand at attention in front of the college’s Upper Keys Center. CONTRIBUTED

OFFICERS ON THE WAY

CFK graduates 11 cadets

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) celebrated the graduation of Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) Academy No. 81 with a ceremony on Oct. 28 at Coral Shores High School’s auditorium. Eleven cadets successfully com pleted the 770-hour training program. Upon passing the state certification exam, each will be eligible to become a Florida law enforcement officer.

Cathy Torres, director of CFK’s Institute for Public Safety, recognized top-performing graduates with special accolades. Class Captain Nicholas Pope earned awards for leadership and academics. The “PIG” award, which recognizes pride, integrity and guts, went to Cynthia Bustamante. Ricardo Moreno earned “Top Gun” honors for superior shooting skills. Physical fitness awards were given to Joel Luna and Bustamante.

Three graduates, Keven Guerrera-Martinez, Devon Pe terson and Pope, secured positions with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Sheriff Rick Ramsay swore them in as deputies during the ceremony.

CFK’s law enforcement officer program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. CFK is accepting applications for two upcoming basic law en forcement academies. One will be held at the Key West campus and the other at the Upper Keys Center in Key Largo. Both are part-time evening programs, running Monday through Friday, from 6 to 10 p.m., starting in January and ending in October 2023. Applications are due on Friday, Nov. 18. More information is at www.cfk.edu/academics/academic-departments/institutefor-public-safety/.

A PRESENT & A ‘PAWTY’

Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.

Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.”

Well, I finally got a gift from the NBC show “Dateline.” For those who may not be aware, “Dateline” is my favorite show. Recently, they viewed a social media post from a group that did a story about me and “Dateline” was mentioned. I’m sure you’re wondering what they sent. A tote bag. Yep, a tote bag for all the shopping mom does for me. Now, I was really hoping for a life-sized cardboard cutout of Keith Morrison, but maybe someone will send that to me for Christmas? Hint, hint.

My mom recently went away for a screening of a documentary in Queens, New York called “Real Fur.” I'm sure I will hear all about it when she gets back. I actually make an appearance in the film as a survivor of the fur trade. Your favorite fox has made it to the big screen.

A fantastic event for local rescues is set. On Friday, Nov. 11, our friends at MarrVelous Pet Rescues are having their annual “Spayghetti & No Balls” gala. Start the night off right with a complimentary drink from the champagne bar, followed by live music, silent and live auctions, appetizers and more. Dinner is presented by Snook’s with fully stocked tiki cash bars and desserts made by Chef Michael.

General admission begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes: Appetizers, complimentary wine at dinner, admission to silent and live auction, buffet dinner and dessert, cash bar, live entertainment and more. You will have the option to upgrade to a VIP in the last step of the ticket purchase. A VIP “pre-pawty” starts at 5:30 p.m. The VIP package upgrades you to reserved seating, early auction bidding, first at buffet, a keepsake gift and more. Dress is Keys formal and the event is for humans only. For more information visit www.spayghetti.com.

That’s all for this week. Stay tuned to see if your boy here was crowned “Best Local Celebrity” in the Upper Keys. Keep up to date on all things fox by following our social media accounts. All links can be found on our website at pawsitivebeginnings.org.

Until next time, Reef, over and out!

BRUNO

Bruno is a Corgi/Pitbull mix, about 1 year old. Bruno weighs about 35 pounds, the perfect medium size dog, but he thinks he’s a lap dog. He loves to snuggle. Bruno is good with most other dogs. He loves to be around children, but sometimes gets too excited in large crowds, so it’s best to take park and ball field visits slowly at first to let him get comfortable. He’s a little slow to warm up to strangers, but once he likes you, he really loves you. Bruno is extremely loyal. He is crate trained and walks well on the leash. Bruno is currently working with a trainer and MPR is willing to continue training with his new family. Bruno is a real sweetheart and will make the perfect family dog with some structure, training and patience. If you would like to meet this handsome boy, please complete an application at www. mprescues.org. MarrVelous Pet Rescues and Adoptions is a 100% foster-based animal rescue and adoption organization serving the Florida Keys.

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, Nov. 3

• Great Discussions on foreigh policy, economic policy and U.S. industrial policy from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Key Largo library.

Nov. 3-5

• “Little Shop of Horrors” musical at 7 p.m. at Murray Nelson Government & Cultural Center, Key Largo. Lobby opens one hour before the show. Tickets are $23 for adults at the door. High school or young kids are $10.

Friday, Nov. 4

• First Friday Outdoor Concert Series featuring the Copper Tones at 6 p.m. at Key Largo library.

Sunday, Nov. 6

• Bacon Fest & Vendor Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Islamorada Moose Lodge, MM 81.5, oceanside.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

• Election Day.

• Islamorada Nature Walks & Talks at 8:30 a.m. at Founders Park and Plantation Hammock Preserve, Islamorada. Call 305-853-1685 to sign up.

• Florida Keys Orchid Society hosts David Adamusko at 6 p.m. at Key Largo Civic Club.

• Florida Keys Toastmasters hybrid meeting at 6 p.m. at History and Discovery Center and on Zoom. Email fktoastmasters@gmail.com to learn more.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

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

• College of the Florida Keys hosts a future students virtual event on academic and career training opportunities at 5:30 p.m. More information is at CFK. edu/futurestudents.

Thursday, Nov. 10

• Veterans Day ceremony at 9 a.m. at Key Largo School cafeteria.

Friday, Nov. 11

• Veterans Day celebration at 11 a.m. at Murray Nelson Government Center, Key Largo.

• 11th annual “Spayghetti & No Balls” gala at 6:30 p.m. at Snook’s Bayside, Key Largo. Visit spayghetti.com for information and tickets.

‘Dateline’ delivers gift; plus, a gala to bene t the rescues

THE FOX

Reef shows off his new tote from the NBC show Dateline. PAWSITIVE BEGIN-

Elizabeth Jolin

“With a business, a home and a young family, I’m committed to preserving and enhancing this paradise that has been my home for the past 27 years.” —Elizabeth Jolin

CORAL SHORES WOMEN’S 200

RELAY TEAM CROWNED DISTRICT CHAMPS

The Coral Shores Hurricanes swim team competed in its final meet of the regular season on Oct. 25 at Ransom Everglades. The 200-meter free relay team put on another dominating performance, as they were crowned district champions. This swim meet was the final for all participants this fall high school season. Some ’Canes swimmers are off to the Florida High School Athletic Association regional finals on Nov. 4 at NSU University School. Then it’s on to state finals Nov. 11 in Stuart. Pictured is the first-place 200-meter free relay team with coaches. From left, coach Kelly Owens, Riley Cooper, Corley Smith, Layne Smith, Abbie Sargent and coach Jon Olsen. CONTRIBUTED

MARGIE SMITH RECEIVES WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONORS

Margie Smith, right, Upper Keys resident and consultant for the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida International University, poses with Jill Kuehnert, Upper Keys Business & Professional Women president after Smith was named the 2022 Woman of the Year by the BPW on Oct. 19. The award recognizes professional and personal accomplishments, contributions to BPW and support for working women. Also nominated were Kate Banick, Courtney Dorchak, Patricia Milian, Melinda Van Fleet and Sue Woltanski. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

MM 1 - Inez Martin Child Care Center (C16M0012) 1100 Varela St., Key West, FL 33040 Contact: Christine Patterson • 305-809-5055 • christine.patterson@wesleyhouse.org Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 2 - Sunbeam Christian School (C16MO0034) 1311 5th St., Key West, FL 33040 Contact: Jerlyn Matthews • 305-2946018 • sunbeam@fsbckw.org Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 5 - Lighthouse Christian Academy (C16MO0014) 5580 MacDonald Ave, Key West, FL 33040 Jennifer Sisco • 305-292-5582 • lcaoffice@cwckw.org Vacancies: 1 floater

MM 22.9 - Banana Cabanna Academy Inc. (C16MO0054) 22673 Pieces of Eight Rd, Cudjoe Key, FL 33042 Contact: Roxanne Rosado • 305-745-1400 • banana.cabanna@att.net Vacancies: 2 teachers

MM 47 - Kreative Kids Christian Academy (X16MO0001) 4711 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 Contact: Maria Vaillant • 305-743-7165 Kreativekidsca@bellsouth.net • vaillantmaria@yahoo.com Vacancies: 2 teachers

MM 49 - Grace Jones Community Center, Inc. (C16MO0048) 230 41st Street Gulf, Marathon, FL 33050 Kelly Ullrich • 305-743-6064 • gjcckids@gmail.com Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 87.5 - St. James Children’s Center (C16MO0033) 87500 Overseas Hwy, I slamorada, FL 33036 Contact: Sue Ellen Bennett • 305-852-2161 • childrenscenter@stjamesthefisherman.org Vacancies: 1 teacher

MM 92 - Burton Memorial CDC (C16MO0018) 93001 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070 Contact: Nilda Bernaldez • 305-852-0250 • acabar11@yahoo.com Vacancies: 2 part-time floaters

MM 99 - First Baptist Church Jack Hill Child Care (C16MO0021) 99001 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037

Contact: Leeanna Woods • 305-451-2125 • fbcjhccc@yahoo.com Vacancies: 1 teacher

TREKKING THE KEYS FOR A CAUSE

Annual Key Largo Bridge Run supports students

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Runners and walkers will capture a view unlike any other as they walk and run over the Jewfish Creek Bridge — the Florida Keys’ gateway — during the 12th annual First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run on Saturday, Nov. 12. A race that brings community members and visitors together will also support various causes in the Florida Keys this year.

One organization benefiting from the race is Teen Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS). Its mission is to inspire youth toward a path of nonviolence through education and athletics. The nonprofit provides prevention classes and workshops for middle and high school teens in the community.

The TIPS committee brings speakers into schools to present antibullying and anti-violence material to students, and aims to support at-risk youth with opportunities to attend camps and organizations to promote leadership through community involvement.

TIPS is composed of local community members who have a vested interest in seeing young people have exposure to new experiences, positive relationships and the knowledge to make healthy decisions.

Another beneficiary of this year’s race is Key Largo School. Located at MM 105, the school for kids in head start to fifth grade prepares and nurtures them in various ways while providing a challenging yet positive environment. The KLS administration and faculty promote curiosity and life-

long learning to emphasize the values of honor, citizenship and respect for individual differences.

“This beautiful race is a true community event as runners will come to the finish line at Gilbert’s Resort where they’ll be met by family and friends. But this event, now in its 12th year, also gives back to the community and its youth,” said Henry Menendez, event organizer and president of HNO Productions.

The 5K run and walk will start and end at the access road leading to Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo. Before the race begins, registrants are invited to a happy hour pre-party at The Catch in Key Largo on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Following the event, racers are encouraged to attend Mote’s Ocean Fest at Founders Park in Islamorada. The festival, which showcases coral restoration and provides activities for young learners and adults, begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. In the evening, racers are invited to an evening party, “Britt’s Gardenia Wonderland,” at Gardenia’s Bistro in Islamorada from 7 to 11 p.m. Put on by Go With the Ocean Flow and Gardenia’s Bistro, it will include artwork, live paintings, a DJ and dancing, poke bowls, drinks and glow-in-the-dark painting.

More information is at keylargobridgerun.com.

First Friday concert series features Copper Tones at library

The First Friday concert series will welcome the Copper Tones on Friday, Nov. 4 at Key Largo library. The Copper Tones bring sunshine wherever they go, and they play a unique blend of roots music combining soul, rock, Americana and more into a genre they call “soulgrass.”

College hosts Community Day for prospective students

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) invites all to its eighth annual Community Day on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Key West campus. The free, family-friendly event will feature a full slate of attractions — including CFK academic showcases, interactive exhibits, live performances, a bounce house and other children's activities, arts and crafts, vendors, music, food and drinks, and free T-shirts. Jonathan Gueverra, the college president, will lead a traditional salute to veterans and military service members.

Orchid Society welcomes David Adamusko

Florida Keys Orchid Society will host David Adamusko on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Key Largo Civic Club. Adamusko will share the whimsy and bounty of his Key Largo garden. Enjoy raffles and folks who love beautiful plants. Everyone is welcome.

Commissioner holds town hall about Loquat Road

Monroe County Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein invites Garden Cove and Key Largo residents to a town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center Board of County Commissioners meeting chambers. The town hall will focus on Loquat Road in north Key Largo, which closed in 2021 for safety concerns.

“I look forward to hearing from our residents and businesses in the area regarding the future of Loquat Road, especially those who live and work in the affected area,” said Merrill Raschein.

Veterans Day ceremony set in Key Largo

A Veterans Day ceremony is set for Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. The audience will be treated to a performance by the Keys Community Concert Band, student flag bearers presenting the banners of the armed forces and a closing video presentation.

New junior pickleball program in Islamorada

A new junior pickleball program is being offered at Founders Park in Islamorada. The program, which began Oct. 18, is the perfect way to learn and love a new sport. Players will learn game etiquette, rules, basic strokes and scoring. Reserve a spot by visiting the Founders Park office or by using the TeamReach application and using the group code “JrPickle.” Classes are offered Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per class. More information is available from pickleball pro Susie Jannach at 954-290-7502.

Mote Ocean Fest set in Islamorada

Attendees at Mote Marine Laboratory’s annual Ocean Fest: A Community Celebration can celebrate the Florida Keys’ vibrant marine environment outdoors in Islamorada with live music, artistry, activities for kids, educational exhibits and more.

The family-friendly event is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the 45-acre waterfront Founders Park at MM 87 bayside. Admission and parking are free.

People attending the open-air festival can explore touch tanks, see live animals, vie for raffle prizes and enjoy food, soft drinks and locally crafted beers from Florida Keys Brewing Co.

Exhibits will spotlight the Keys' conservation efforts and the work of nonprofit organizations. The event serves as a holiday shopping opportunity with marine artists, craftspeople and merchandise vendors showcasing their wares.

Keys historian Bertelli leads seafaring excursion

Noted Florida Keys historian and author Brad Bertelli will lead the next in a series of monthly historically informative two-hour seafaring excursions, presented by Key West Art & Historical Society in partnership with S/V Argo Navis, on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m.

Passengers aboard the luxury catamaran Argo Navis will enjoy bloody marys, mimosas or non-alcoholic beverages and light breakfast fare while Bertelli shares the illuminating back story and personal insights on the day’s topic, “Captain Benjamin Baker and Florida Keys Pineapple Farming.” Bertelli, a Keys resident since 2001, has been investigating various facets of Upper Keys history which he shares on his popular social media page and in-person lectures.

His knowledge of Ben Baker, known as the King of Florida Wreckers in the 19th century, is extensive and he will examine Baker’s connection to Key West and his later ventures of introducing pineapple farming to the Florida Keys.

BRIEFLY

Young runners take part in the 11th annual First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run.

KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

PUMPKIN CARVING KEYS STYLE Annual contest sees winners from DC and Canada

An offbeat Halloween tradition took place in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary this past weekend, when scuba divers submerged 25 feet to carve jack-o’-lanterns during the annual Under water Pumpkin Carving Contest.

In waters off Key Largo, underwater artists of all ages used dive knives and other carving tools to transform their orange gourds into spook-tacular Halloween jack-o’-lan terns. The 18 participating divers were challenged to keep the hollow, naturally buoyant pumpkins from floating off while they carved their creations.

The team of Emily Beukers of Washington, D.C., and Miranda Potrie of British Columbia, Canada, impressed the judges with a “shark-tastic” cutout accented with a skillfully sculpted skull and crossbones. The duo won a free dive trip for two at Amoray Dive Resort, the contest’s organizer.

Other standout entries included a very cool cat, a pirate with an eye patch and a knife between its teeth, a jack-o’-lantern worn as a dive helmet, a screaming ghoul and sea creatures including octopus and jellyfish.

Curious finned and gilled yellowtail spectators swam close to the artistic action, hanging around for any bits of “food” that floated off.

The annual contest, scheduled around October’s tradi tional Halloween celebration, was staged near Horseshoe Reef about five miles off Key Largo.

Contributed

GIVING SPIRIT ON DISPLAY DURING ‘BE LIKE MIKE’ WEEK

Keys community showcases kindness and compassion

The week of Oct. 17-21 marked United Way of Collier and the Keys’ first “Be Like Mike” Week in the Florida Keys, culminat ing in the officially recognized “Be Like Mike” Day on Oct. 21.

Beloved Monroe County Commis sioner and restaurateur “Mangrove” Mike Forster was a member of the United Way of Collier and the Keys’ Local Advisory Board at the time of his passing in 2021. UWCK staff and board members planned the event so that the entire week honored Forster’s untiring commitment to making life better for Keys residents. It culminated in a “Feed the Keys” community-wide food drive on Oct. 21, what would have been Mike’s 62nd birthday.

"When UWCK found out that KAIR was having difficulty keeping up with the demand for food, they found a way to honor Mike Forster and increase our food pantry supplies,” said Marjorie Roberts, executive director of KAIR. “The food drive was a big success. UWCK has frequently helped KAIR with financial and technical assistance to successfully resolve challenges in serv ing our community.”

Along with more than 40 vol unteers, UWCK staff and partners removed nearly 400 pounds of trash from Keys beaches, delivered thou sands of dollars in much-needed sup plies to local nonprofits aiding children and animals, and collected hundreds of pounds of food at three area food pantries in Tavernier, Marathon and Key West. Food received during the Keyswide food drive was also distribut ed among three additional nonprofits, ensuring the entire community ben efited from the generous donations.

UWCK Board Members Maria Jones, Brandi Horton, and Bill Doxey deliver supplies to Marr-velous Pet Rescue in the Upper Keys for ‘Waggin' Wednesday.’

CONTRIBUTED

“When the Sheriff’s Office heard about ‘Be Like Mike Week’ we jumped on board right away,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay, who became the event’s only Platinum donor. “We had a great time remembering and honoring my friend and community leader Mike Forster’s memory.”

In addition to the sheriff’s support, UWCK received notable donations from County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron, CBT Construction and De velopment Inc., First State Bank, Key Largo Sunset Rotary and many more supporters. Plans are underway to make “Be Like Mike” week an annual event in the Florida Keys. Everyone is encouraged to not limit themselves to that one week out of the year to pay it forward – there is no reason we can’t all #BeLikeMike year-round.

Contributed

Burton Memorial Methodist Church took in hundreds of pounds of food during "Feed the Keys Friday." CONTRIBUTED

FLORIDA

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of DJ Raveh located at 22916 Blue Gill Lane, Cudjoe Key, FL 33042 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Raveh Underwood Publish: November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that on dates below these vehicles will be sold at public sale for monies owed on vehicle repair and storage cost pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes.

12/26/22 at 10:00am MILLER MARINE, 144 CORAL AVENUE, TAVERNER, FL 33070. Miller Marine reserves the right to accept or reject any and/all bids. 1993 NICOLLET SBP14666E393 RICHARD LEE BILBREY Publish: October 27 & November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Wheatons Towing gives notice that on 11/25/2022 at 10:00 am, the following vehicle(s) may be sold by public sale at 101500 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 to satisfy the lien for the amount owed on each vehicle for any recovery, towing, or storage services charges and administrative fees allowed pursuant to Florida statute 713.78. Wheatons Towing reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1ZJBA21265M028630 2004 CONT 1ZJBB1415DM080551 2013

CONT

2MEFM74W91X682447 2001

MERCURY

3C3CFFER5CT254322 2012 FIAT 4T1BE46K47U027193 2007 TOYT

JTHBF1D23E5040364 2014 LEXS

Publish: November 3 & 10, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

THE DISTRICT I ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC I) (Encompasses the City Limits of Key West) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be an owner or operating/general manager of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which he/she is applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District I Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the TDC Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit the completed application to the address shown below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of applications at the above address is: Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. A resume may be attached to the submitted application.

Publish: November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The City of Key Colony Beach will be holding Public Hearings on: Planning & Zoning Hearing: Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 9:30 A.M.

City Commission Public Hearing: Thursday, December 1, 2022, 9:30 A.M.

At Temporary City Hall, 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach,

FL 33051.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold a Planning & Zoning Hearing on Wednesday, November 16, at 9:30 A.M., and a City Commission Public Hearing, on December 1, 2022, at 9:30 A.M., at Temporary City Hall located at 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, Florida, 33051, to hear a Variance Request from Chad O’Rourke, 68 7th Street, Key Colony Beach, Florida 33051.

This meeting will be available virtually via Zoom Meetings.

Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings.

Applicant requests a Variance After-The-Fact to Land Development Regulations Chapter III, Section 101-13, Subsection (8); requesting approval for an after-the-fact variance in height, width, and depth for the construction of a Tiki Hut on top of the roof top deck.

Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Hearings on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, or Thursday, December 1, 2022, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net and your comments will be entered into the record.

City of Key Colony Beach, Florida Publish: November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

City of Key Colony Beach PO Box 510141 600 W. Ocean Drive Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

RFP – Request For Proposal Repairs to Sadowski Causeway Bridge RFP – 22086-0-2022/DJT

City of Key Colony Beach Commissioners requests interested parties to submit formal sealed bids/proposals for the above referenced

Scope of Work: See Engineer's and state inspection report.

Ordering Instructions: This package can be downloaded from DemandStar Corporation on our website at https://www. demandstar.com.

Document Cost: supply all labor, materials and permits needed.

Pre/Bid Proposal Conference: NON-MANDATORY Site visit is highly recommended to see scope of work.

Due Date/Time: 11/30/2022

11:00:00 PM Eastern City of Key Colony Beach must receive bids no later than said date and time. Bids received after such time will be returned unopened.

NOTE: ALL PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS/RESPONDENTS ARE HEREBY CAUTIONED NOT TO CONTACT ANY MEMBER OF THE City of Key Colony Beach STAFF OR OFFICIALS OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIED CONTACT PERSON. M/WBE's are encouraged to participate in the bid process.

Contact: David Turner City Administrator Phone: 305-289-1212

Mailing Address: PO Box 510141 Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Publish: November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

City of Key Colony Beach PO Box 510141 600 W. Ocean Drive Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

RFP – Request For Proposal

Static Screen Replacement

RFP – 0604-10-1-0-2022/DJT

The City of Key Colony Beach Commissioners requests interested parties to submit formal sealed bids/proposals for the above referenced Scope of Work: see scope of work attached

Ordering Instructions: This package can be downloaded from DemandStar Corporation on our website at https://www. demandstar.com.

Document Cost: provide all labor and materials to install static screen replacement Due Date/Time: 11/21/2022

11:00:00 PM Eastern

City of Key Colony Beach must receive bids no later than said date and time. Bids received after such time will be returned unopened.

NOTE: ALL PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS/RESPONDENTS ARE HEREBY CAUTIONED NOT TO CONTACT ANY MEMBER OF THE Key Colony Beach STAFF OR OFFICIALS OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIED CONTACT PERSON. M/WBE's are encouraged to participate in the bid process.

Contact: David Turner City Administrator Phone: 305-289-1212 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 510141 Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Publish: November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

INVITATION TO BID

City of Key Colony Beach PO Box 510141 600 W. Ocean Drive Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 1TB – Invitation to Bid Gazebo 1TB – 22085-1-2022/DJT

The City of Key Colony Beach Commissioners requests interested parties to submit formal sealed bids/proposals for the above referenced Scope of Work: Repairs to Gazebo per Engineer's report

Ordering Instructions: This package can be downloaded from DemandStar Corporation on our website at https://www. demandstar.com.

Document Cost: Supply all labor and materials to complete repairs needed as per Engineer's report

Pre/Bid Proposal Conference: NON-MANDATORY A site visit is highly encouraged to see scope of work firsthand.

Due Date/Time: 11/18/2022

11:00:00 PM Eastern City of Key Colony Beach must receive bids no later than said date and time. Bids received after such time will be returned unopened.

NOTE: ALL PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS/RESPONDENTS ARE HEREBY CAUTIONED NOT TO CONTACT ANY MEMBER OF THE KCB STAFF OR OFFICIALS OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIED CONTACT PERSON.

Contact: David Turner City Administrator Phone: 305-289-1212 Mailing Address: PO Box 510141 Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Publish: November 3, 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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-98-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF PHILIP C. SCHNEIDER, JR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Philip C. Schneider, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was August 28, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: November 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: Greta Schneider 1515 Sombrero Blvd. Apt. 4C 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: November 3 & 10, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-100-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES C. CRAWFORD Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of James C. Crawford, deceased, whose date of death was September 6, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: November 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: Roberta Ann Crawford 43 Revere Street Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930 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: November 3 & 10, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 44-2022-CP-229-A001KW HON. TIMOTHY J. KOENIG IN RE: ESTATE OF GLENDA IRENE APGAR BURRIS, a/k/a GLENDA A. BURRIS, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Glenda Irene Apgar Burris, deceased, whose date of death was July 14, 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 name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY

OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of the first publication of this notice is November 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: Donna B. Staley 2028 Rubens Vista Mount Holly, North Carolina 28120

Attorney for Personal Representative: Joseph J. Kulunas, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 308005 FOX ROTHSCHILD LLP 777 S. Flagler Dr., Suite 1700 West Tower West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Telephone: (561) 835-9600 E-Mail: jkulunas@foxrothschild. com Second: jvennerstrom@ foxrothschild.com Publish: November 3 & 10, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 22-CP-000338-K IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES P. MCKERLEY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of James P. McKerley, deceased, whose date of death was August 30, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, File Number 22-CP-000338-K, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of the first publication of this notice is November 3, 2022.

Personal Representative: CAROLYN MCKERLEY Petitioner Attorney for Personal Representative: BART H. CHEPENIK, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0038962

Primary E-mail: bchepenik@ ctllp.com Secondary E-mail: probateservice@ctllp.com

Chepenik Trushin LLP

Attorneys for Petitioner 12550 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 805 Miami, Florida 33181 Telephone: (305) 981-8889 Facsimile: (305) 405-7979 Publish:

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2022-CP-277-P IN RE: ESTATE OF SHEILA K. ROELLEKE Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of SHEILA K. ROELLEKE, deceased, whose date of death was February 4, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, File No. 2022-CP-277-P, the address of which is 88870 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s 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 27, 2022.

Personal Representative: NICOLE PRIDEMORE WHITAKER 5607 Arrow Head Ct. Decatur, IL 62521-8660

Attorney for Personal

Representative: AISLYNN THOMAS-MCDONALD, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 100054

Thomas-McDonald Law Firm, P.A. 2937 SW 27th Avenue, Ste. 100B Miami, FL 33133 (305) 928-6999 Publish: October 27 & November 3, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CP-170-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JACK R. FULLER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JACK R. FULLER, deceased, whose date of death was April 14, 2022, Case: 22-CP-170-K is pending in the Circuit Court, 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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,

November 3 & 10, 2022

Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is: October 27, 2022.

Personal Representative: DIANNE L. ANSTINE c/o Samuel J. Kaufman

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com Telephone: (305) 292-3926 Fax: (305) 295-7947 Publish: October 27 & November 3, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

CASE NO.: 22-DR-229-M

DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: HILARIA PARTIDA, Petitioner, and, RAUL EDUARDO JUAREZ SAC, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO: Raul Eduardo Juarez Sac

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 Hilaria Partida, whose address is 1337 Ocean Breeze Avenue, #47, Marathon, FL 33050 on or before December 5, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, 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: October 31, 2022

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Calvin Joseph Deputy Clerk Publish: November 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 2022-CA-000674-K

JUDGE: Timothy Koenig RAYMOND J. VAZQUEZ AND MATTHEW A. NOONER,

Plaintiff, Vs. NANCY MILLINGER a/k/a NANCY B. MILLINGER, deceased, her unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming by, through, under or against the aforesaid parties; and all unknown natural persons, if alive, and if dead or not known be dead or alive, their several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, or other parties claiming by, through or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any named defendant; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the abovenamed or described defendants or parties or claiming to have any right, title or interest in and to the lands hereinafter described, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION TO: NANCY MILLINGER a/k/a NANCY B. MILLINGER, deceased, his unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming by, through, under or against the aforesaid parties; and all unknown natural persons, if alive, and if dead or not known be dead or alive, their several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, or other parties claiming by, through or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any named defendant; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the abovenamed or described defendants or parties or claiming to have any right, title or interest in and to the lands hereinafter described,

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Complaint has been filed against you by the Plaintiff in the above-styled court for the purpose of quieting title to the following described property situate and being in Monroe County, Florida: All that part parcel or lot of land lying and being in the County of Monroe and State of Florida, described as follows: In the City of Key West and known on Whitehead’s plan of said city delineated in February, A.D., 1829 as part of Lot Two (2) in Square Number Sixty-three (63): Commencing at a point one hundred and five (105) feet from Southard Street and two hundred (200) feet from Whitehead Street, and running thence in a Southeasterly direction Fifty (50) feet; thence Northeasterly Forty (40) feet; thence Northwesterly Fifty (50) feet to land adjoining the Estate of John Bullman.  The Southeasterly front of forty (40) feet being along the line of a ten foot alley.

YOU ARE REQUIRED to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Richard J. McChesney, Esq., Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood, & Sterling, PLLC, Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 500 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040, on or before the following date: December 5, 2022, and to file the original with the Clerk of the Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter, otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court on 26th day of October, 2022.

KEVIN MADOK, as Clerk of the Court By: Shonta McLeod, as Deputy Clerk

Publish: November 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2022

AUTOS WANTED EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

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

BOATS FOR SALE

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 SLIP FOR SALE

Boathouse at Coral Lagoon in Marathon. Dry Slip For Sale 30B elevated dry slip allows 36' long 9'7.5" beam 11'8.5" Ht

Hurricane Rated Bldg, free in and outs, pool/ poolhouse access $125K Tim 630 947 4344 call or text tncrombie@gmail.com

BOAT SLIP/TRAILER

STORAGE FOR RENT

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!

EMPLOYMENT

Join the Ocean Dayz Team! We are accepting applications for a Sales Associate in Islamorada. Must be outgoing, detail oriented and willing to work weekends. Experience a plus. Starting pay dependent upon qualifications. Apply in person at Island Dreamz, 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada or submit resume to: csteele@oceandayz.com

Boat rental company in Marathon needs an Outboard Mechanic. Some general marina work, and boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006

HELP WANTED - Need sitter for older selfsufficient woman, two or three days at a time. Sombrero Isle, Marathon. Please call 305-6621916 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 dishwasher. $14/hr, Private Club & Friendly Atmosphere, Varying Hours Tuesday –Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

Pancho's Fuel Dock in Marathon is looking for a part-time cashier Thu/Fri/Sat. Please call 305-743-2281.

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.

Immediate positionsavailable at the GrassyKey Marina. Under newownership and looking forsmiling faces. Full-time or part-time available. Pay rates are commensurate with experience but we are willing to interview those with no experiencewho have an interest in working in a marinaenvironment. Please call Randall Glass to schedule an interview at 305-465-1491.

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

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work! Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@gmail.com

The Housing Authorityof the City of Key Westnow 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 availableat the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 oronline at www.kwha.orgEOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is coveredunder Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

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

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 404219-3359 and ask for Dave

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder ishiring an overnight SecurityGuard- responsibilitiesinclude but are not limited to observing marine mammalsto ensure quality care, theability to follow writteninstructions, and follow protocol and proceduresas directed. Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs and must be able to stayawake and alert for a 13 and a 1/2 hour shift (5:30pm-7am). DPMMR is a drug-freeworkplace. To apply, pleasesend your resume to nancyc@dpmmr.org.

HIRED IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!

Place

Call 305-743-0844

FOR

SALE

HOUSING FOR RENT LONG TERM

APARTMENT FOR RENTBeautiful 2 BR, Islamorada, Venetian Shores. On canal, equipped kitchen, W/D, $2,950 + $85 for utilities. 305-393-1002

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

$25.00/

305-743-0844

FOR

SALE

Duck Key Condo For

by

2 BR/2

FOR

- 2017 Thor Citation

V6

Cummings

FRIDAY

WETSUIT WEATHER

Tips to staying warm beneath the surface

We were getting reports toward the end of last week of visibility over 100 feet. The water temperature is hanging in there but as we creep toward slightly colder months, that water temperature will start to drop.

As we say in the dive industry, “we’re heading into wetsuit season.” We have a love-hate relationship with wetsuit season. On one hand that colder water brings in very cool critters, such as sharks and manta rays. On the other hand you have to wear a wetsuit. It’s a necessary evil if you want to continue to enjoy diving in colder waters.

There are numerous shapes, sizes and thicknesses that you have to take into account depending on where and when you’ll be diving. Most wetsuits are your typical black, full body, back zip suit. They are made of neoprene and are a certain thickness. There are other less popular styles like Farmer Johns or Shorty. The Farmer John style is bibs with a shortie over them. The Shorty is a one-piece suit that has short sleeves and legs.

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.

Sunny 2-3 foot seas

SATURDAY

Northeast winds, around 15-20 knots

East winds, around 15 knots

Sunny 3 foot seas

The other factor to consider is thickness. Wetsuit thickness is measured in millimeters. They generally range from .5 to 8 mm. Everyone’s susceptibility to the cold water is different. But for our waters here in the Keys we recommend a 3 mm from November to December and bump it up to a 5 mm from January to April. Again, there are divers who get very cold easily and need all the neoprene they can wear and others that are part polar bear and barely need any neoprene. This is simply a good rule of thumb. As annoying as wetsuits are, they are a great tool to extend our diving and make each dive in colder waters enjoyable. So don’t be a fair weather diver, get out there and slither into your suit and enjoy the big critters the colder water brings in.

ERIC BILLIPS

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Divers dressed in wetsuits. ISLAMORADA DIVE CENTER/Contributed

CONSERVATION TIP

Always be conscious of trash when diving. Take a mesh bag with you underwater so that if you see trash, you can collect it and bring it back to the boat for proper disposal.

CHILD CARE TEACHER

WESLEY HOUSE FAMILY SERVICES is seeking a full-time CHILD CARE TEACHER at our Inez Martin Child Development Center in Key West. This position has the primary responsibility for the health, safety, intellectual activity, social interaction and overall development of the children in the program ages 2-5 years old. High School Diploma required plus 45 hours of DCF Child Care Training. Position pays range $22.60-$24.04/ hour and we offer competitive bene ts: 80% paid medical and dental insurance, 12 paid holidays, birthday paid day off, retirement plan with employer match and much more. Interested candidates can email resume to HR@wesleyhouse.org or stop by 1304 Truman Ave. Key West. Wesley House is an EEOC employer and Drug Free Workplace.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

LOCATION: CUDJOE KEY & DUCK KEY

OPEN POSITIONS

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- 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

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook $5,000 Bonus

- Dietitian $5,000 Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator

maintenance on plant equipment, machinery, and related control apparatus in accordance with established standards and procedures. Benefit package is extremely competitive! Salary Range: $54,645.98 - $98,454.90.

Apply online at www. aa.com/employment EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

- 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

•

•

•

HIRING

OPERATOR

Must have valid Driver’s License & Transportation

Location: Upper Keys

Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruct.com

Or call: 305-852-3002

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $16.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

MARATHON

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.

SUNSET GRILLE IS LOOKING FOR A FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

The Front of House Manager plans and directs all day to day restaurant operations. Maintains high standards of food,

the

performance of the

and profitable

of staff

• Perform opening and closing

procedures.

and

resources.

• Oversee and support front of house supervisors

• Oversee

of the

• Coordinate restaurant operations to include

• Responsible for

• Maintain

• Oversee training

• Responsible for

• Conduct staff

experience

records

identify

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.

REALTOR® SPOTLIGHT Kathe Kaile

Kathe is currently serving her fourth year as a Director with the Florida Keys Board of Realtors® Having been a Realtor® for over a decade in the Keys, she is passionate about advising her customers through the unique aspects of buying and selling real estate in the Keys.

Whether it’s a vacation home they have worked hard for years to purchase, or a starter home for a first-time buyer, Kathe gets so much satisfaction helping them realize their Florida Keys dream homes.

Florida Keys Board of Realtors®

The Florida Keys have been close to her heart since she was young. As a Fourth Generation Florida Keys and South Florida native, Kathe grew up visiting the Keys often with her parents, grandparents and friends. In January of 2005, she and her husband, Bill, moved their family to Key Largo full time where they raised their four children. She has enjoyed volunteering her time in the community for over the last 18 years in both home school and public school functions, CSH Booster’s club, and on the Florida Keys Board of Realtors®. She has four young granddaughters that are such a joy! Kathe loves the Keys’ lifestyle and the Kaile’s go out fishing and diving together as a family whenever possible.

Real Estate is what she was born for. Kathe and her husband have built a couple of homes during their marriage and have renovated many. They recently completed a major addition and renovation to their home. Kathe loves designing, decorating and all aspects of building. She understands the importance of communicating and working directly with architects, engineers, contractors, as well as local building departments and can advise her customers on how best to improve their homes as well as help them navigate the process.

Many thanks to her supportive family and her son and real estate partner, Austin Kaile. Thanks also to her Broker, Natalia Boblitt and fellow Realtors at Broker’s Edge Realty.

Christine García-Castellanos, Director Mykael Marinelli, Director Erin Kiel, Director

Carlos Lorenzo, Director Kelsey Caputo, Director Lynda Anthony, CEO

Jennifer Miller, 2022 President Claire Johnson, Pres-Elect Debrah Bennett, Tres/Sec

Sharon Kelly-Brown, Imm Past Pres Kathe Kaile, Director Karen Williams DeCastro, Director

Michaela Walters, Realtor®

Ocean Sotheby’s International Real Estate

Brian Lindback, Jr. Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services

Patti Lindback, Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services

Courtney Conley, Realtor® Lokation Real Estate, Conley Sales Group

Rachel Walters, Realtor® Ocean Sotheby’s International Real Estate

Jamie Gunther, Realtor® American Caribbean Real Estate

Seanna Lindback, Realtor® Sea Haven Real Estate

Jesus Monteagudo, Jr. Realtor® Bestway Realty Sales

Shelby Morris, Realtor® American Caribbean Real Estate

Jocelyn Marzell, Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Taylor Engel, Realtor® Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate

Kelsey Caputo, Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services

Taylor Globus, Realtor® American Caribbean Real Estate

Melina Miller, Realtor® American Caribbean Real Estate