KEY WEST CONCH BECOMES TENNESSEE TITANS’ GENERAL MANAGER RAN

Former Marathon city councilman Dan Zieg. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

The settlement comes as the case was about to head to trial after three years of delays, partially hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and repeated motions to continue or dismiss the case as a political matter by Zieg and Clavier’s attorney, William J. Heffernan.

Carthon Has Southernmost Support

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Why are so many Key West Conch sports fans now rooting for the Tennessee Titans?

Because the Titans’ new general manager, Ran Carthon, was — and always will be — a Key West Conch.

The Titans made the announcement earlier this month, though Carthon currently remains busy as director of player personnel with the San Francisco 49ers, as their postseason play continues.

Carthon received a football scholarship to the University of Florida, where he was a running back.

He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played for three seasons in the NFL with the Colts and Detroit Lions, according to Wikipedia.

Former Marathon city councilman and current planning commissioner Mark Senmartin. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

Zieg and Clavier maintained that Clavier was within her right as a city employee to remove what they believed was a political campaign sign as more than 10 days had passed since the city council election on Nov. 5. They viewed the charges as retaliation for an ethics complaint filed by Clavier against Senmartin when Senmartin privately trademarked the city’s seal and offered to sell it back at a cost of $1 plus the cost of registration ($87.50).

Senmartin, meanwhile, said the sign was commissioned and given to him by someone else. He said he viewed it as an expression of free speech, not a political sign, and therefore did not need the language required by law on political signs to disclose who paid for the message.

He also stated that he had not yet opened the Florida Commission on Ethics’ letter to him – dated Nov. 27 and sent via certified mail – when he filed his police report on Nov. 29, and that his intention in trademarking the city seal was an effort to protect it from others who might do the same and “hold the city hostage.”

Carthon, who turns 42 on Feb. 10, was a running back for Key West High School.

He graduated in 1999. As a junior in 1998, “he rushed for more than 1,300 yards and gained over 500 yards DESPITE missing seven games due to high ankle sprain,” Carthon’s high school coach, Jerry Hughes, told the Keys Weekly on Jan. 24.

“In my 40-plus years of coaching high school football, I have been blessed to have coached some superior athletes and outstanding young men who have made my coaching career rewarding and satisfying,” Hughes said. “Ran Carthon is one of these exceptional student athletes.

“My first conversation with Ran was very impressive (eye contact, firm handshake, speaking with confidence), all attributable to his family’s military background and the parental guidance he received while growing up,” Hughes continued. “When observing Ran on the practice field, my feelings grew even stronger due to his work ethic, leadership and athletic abilities.”

After his NFL career was over, he returned to Gainesville, and graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2008.

SInce 2008, he has worked in executive positions for the Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers before being hired as the Titans’ GM this month.

“I am so proud of Ran for being consistent, determined and relentless in pursuing his ultimate goal,” Hughes said, “all with the ‘attitude of a champion.’ GO TITANS!”

Bill Spottswood, whose son Billy went to high school with Carthon, was proud to have Carthon list him as a mentor on his resume.

“He was over here all the time,” Bill Spottswood said. “He still calls me Pops. He said, ‘You were tough on me, but you were tough on your own kids, too, and you loved me.’”

Spottswood credited much of Carthon’s collaborative spirit, communication skills and team mindset to his time in Key West.

Carthon is the NFL’s eighth black general manager.

City Council

Luis Gonzalez, Mayor

Robyn Still - Vice Mayor

Lynn Landr y, Councilmember

Kenny Matlock, Councilmember

Jeff Smith, Councilmember

City Manager

George Garrett

City Attorney Steve Williams

City Clerk Diane Clavier

Please note that more than one Marathon City Council/Board/Committee member may participate in the meetings listed. To view the City of Marathon’s full calendar, please visit www.ci.marathon.fl.us/calendar

Skate Park Public Input Meeting

2/6/23

• 5:30pm • City Hall Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

City Council Meeting

2/14/23 • 4:30pm • City Hall Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Code Compliance Hearing

2/16//23 • 2:00pm • City Hall Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

City Council Workshop

2/28/23 • 4:30pm • City Hall Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

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