Marathon Weekly 23-0302

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Se habla español THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

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Student loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 is at stake for some 40 million Americans. On Feb. 28, the U.S. Supreme Court began to hear two cases challenging President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that he announced last August. Those earning less than $125,000 would get up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt canceled, while households making less than $250,000 would receive up to $20,000 in debt relief.

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CONSIDERS 33RD STREET, PARKING FEES AND BUILDING PERMIT REFUNDS

Fee announcement draws online ire; permit refunds still in ethically murky waters

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

The Marathon City Council’s Feb. 28 workshop began with a discussion of redesigning the city’s 33rd Street corridor, but two more immediately impactful items for Marathon residents and visitors filled its final minutes, as talks resurfaced of beach and boat ramp parking as well as potential building permit refunds.

Heather Carruthers and Dane Suchoza of K2M Design Inc. opened the evening with a presentation on 33rd Street, long acknowledged as an overcrowded corridor in need of a refresh as it attempts to accommodate multiple high-usage elements in close quarters on parcels owned by the city of Marathon, Monroe County, the Monroe County School Board and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.

Tasked with coming up with a plan for a redesign of the street while accommodating a three-bay fire station, the Monroe County Senior Center, the Marathon Yacht Club, the Marathon Rec Center, Stanley Switlik Elementary School and the public boat ramp at the end of the street, which experiences frequent boat trailer parking concerns, Carruthers and Suchoza urged the idea of an overarching master plan that extended beyond the current corridor to nearby assets like the hospital, library and community park.

“We’re talking about a master plan, but I think we need to focus on the prize, which is 33rd Street and what we can do,” said Mayor Luis Gonzalez. “Everybody around us has upgraded, and our part of 33rd Street looks terrible.

So we need to do something now, and incorporate that into the master plan.”

While no formal vote was taken, City Manager George Garrett said he will move forward with preliminary conversations with state and local stakeholders for potential property acquisitions around the corridor that would allow the reshuffling of vital resident services. Councilman Kenny Matlock suggested acquiring the current Florida Highway Patrol building on U.S. 1 in front of Switlik and moving the Marathon Rec Center into the space.

Beach parking and boat ramps

The city’s announcement late last week of upcoming non-resident parking and boat ramp usage fees at Sombrero Beach and the city’s public ramps was met with an angry outcry from residents and visitors on social media, many of whom said they were unaware of the impending change until they saw the meters being installed and the city’s subsequent Facebook post. Some asked for inclusion of Duck Key and Big Pine Key residents in the fee exemption.

Top finishers in last weekend’s Sombrero Beach Run were undaunted by challenging temperatures in a sunny race. For full race coverage, see page 12. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Non-residents will pay $25 to launch and $25 to retrieve boats at public ramps as well as $20 per day to park. Sombrero Beach parking will be $5 per hour for the first two hours, plus $2 for each additional hour.

Public works director Carlos Solis confirmed that with the system’s license plate recognition technology, full-time residents and property owners with vehicles registered within the legal confines of the cities of Marathon or Key Colony Beach will be automatically excluded from the parking and boat ramp fees without any further action on the part of the vehicle owner.

Full-time Marathon and KCB residents with vehicles registered in other areas will be required to use a system available soon on the city’s website – promised by Friday, March 3, according to Solis – to verify their residency and request an exemption for their vehicle(s)’ license plates. Big Pine Key and Duck Key residents are required to pay for parking.

In an effort to ease boat ramp congestion and drive funds to local

continued on page 7

The 33rd Street corridor combines a number of high-usage venues owned by several stakeholders in a small space. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

BLACK HISTORY COMES TO LIFE

St. Paul AME Church hosts

‘Black

History in the Park’

Marathon residents gathered for a “Black History in the Park” celebration on Feb. 25 at Jessie Hobbs Park, hosted by Pastor Larry White of St. Paul AME Church. For more than five hours, guests enjoyed delicious food, fun and games, while taking in artistic and spoken celebrations of Black history.

— Weekly staff report

1. Miami resident Matthew Price displays a visual of clippings of Black history.

2. Doro Hawkins is one of the many volunteers preparing delicious food to share at no cost to attendees.

3. Attendees enjoy fellowship time.

4. Brothers Kyon, right, and Kyndal Royal enjoy a little one-on-one ball time.

5. Volunteers cook and serve delicious food available for all guests.

6. Film strip artwork from Kyon Royal celebrates Black leaders and historical figures.

7. Lettie Williams, left, Carol Hanna and Ulaf Phinney are some of the locals who enjoyed good food and fellowship at the Black History Month celebration.

8. Pastor Larry White, second from left, takes the lead in singing the Black national anthem as celebration attendees join in.

Photos by SANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY/ Keys Weekly. See more photos at sandraleephotographystudio.com.

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP

businesses once the city ramps are no longer free for visitors, Matlock suggested the city post a list of local marinas that offer public use of their ramps for a fee.

Retroactive permit fee refunds still an ethical question

In a continuation of the council’s discussion of retroactive fee reductions for Marathon residents who overpaid on building permit fees since December 2020, City Attorney Steve Williams asked council members whether they wished to pursue a written opinion from the Florida Ethics Commission on each member’s ability to vote on such a decision, as four of the five council members would receive money with retroactive refunds.

Williams said council members who would receive a “disproportionately high” refund – in relation to the average amount paid back to each Marathon resident who filed permits since December 2020 – would be precluded from voting due to ethical concerns.

Records provided to the Weekly list the average fee refund per resident who pulled permits as roughly $2,000. Councilman Jeff Smith would receive the largest refund with a retroactive reduction at $8,711.45 in fees paid since December 2020, while councilman Lynn Landry would receive $5,205.92, Matlock would receive $3,126.80 and councilwoman Robyn Still would receive $2,170.16. Gonzalez would not receive a refund.

With the ethics commission unwilling to provide an informal oral opinion, Williams said the turnaround time for the written opinion would be at least two or three months. The written opinion will include whether a voluntary election by council to waive their personal refunds or donate them to charity would change their voting eligibility, as well as if Garrett could act to issue the retroactive refund without a vote by council if the council cannot field an ethically qualified quorum.

The council elected to pursue a formal written opinion clearly outlining the city’s ethical options and parameters for issuing the refunds.

MARATHON SETTLES WASTEWATER DISPOSAL LAWSUIT

Agreement with Friends of the Lower Keys requires eventual phase-out of shallow injection wells

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

An agreement signed by the Marathon City Council at its Feb. 14 meeting should bring an end to a lawsuit filed against the city just over a year ago by environmental group Friends of the Lower Keys (FOLKs).

In January 2022, the group filed a suit in the Southern U.S. District Court against the city, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act since 2009 and challenging the city’s practice of discharging wastewater in injection wells 60 to 120 feet underground.

The agreement signed by the council prevents further legal action if both Marathon and FOLKs comply with a series of tasks on a precise timeline.

A copy of the term sheet provided to Keys Weekly requires the city to hire an engineering firm “which (does not) regularly conduct business with the city” to perform a feasibility study of changes to Marathon’s wastewater disposal protocols by June 20, 2023.

The study must explore any combination of four alternatives outlined in the agreement. The first would use deep well injection, in which each of Marathon’s five wastewater treatment plants would use injection wells that reach more than 2,000 feet underground. The remaining three options explore the use of reverse osmosis technology in water reuse initiatives, including the possibility of providing

potable reused water directly to the city or to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.

The study may not include an alternative allowing for continued use of Marathon’s shallow wells as the only or primary disposal method for treated wastewater.

The study must be delivered to FOLKs by Nov. 15, 2023 with the city’s desired alternative, which must be accepted or rejected by FOLKs by Dec. 15, 2023. A subsequent agreement will commit Marathon to its agreed selected alternative under a mutually agreeable completion timeline.

In January 2022, the group filed a suit in the Southern U.S. District Court against the city, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act since 2009 and challenging the city’s practice of discharging wastewater in injection wells 60 to 120 feet underground.

If FOLKs and the city do not agree on a selected alternative, the two will enter mediation. An impasse would allow the pending lawsuit to proceed again.

Though Marathon’s wastewater is treated before discharge, the lawsuit states that porous limestone known as karst around the site of the city’s current injection wells allows polluted water to quickly make its way from the wells to nearshore waters. Effluent plumes are buoyant, causing them to rapidly return to the surface.

A press release issued by FOLKs cited a December 2022 Florida Department of Environmental Protection report that it said showed “Marathon’s close to shore waters remain impaired for nutrients, as they have been since 1999.”

A copy of the report obtained by the Weekly noted that “Vaca Key, Grassy Key and Duck Key are impaired for (dissolved oxygen),” a key indicator of water quality issues, though an additional section states that “DEP has not identified a causative pollutant for the (dissolved oxygen) impairments. … These (locations) include internal residential canals and currently have insufficient nutrient data available to determine a causative pollutant.”

FOLKs’ release also pointed to the work of marine biologist Brian Lapointe, who took water samples and photographs at two locations in shallow waters off Marathon, one on the gulf side and one on the oceanside. Lapointe’s samples were tested for sucralose, an artificial sweetener that remains largely unabsorbed as it passes through humans’ GI tract and therefore serves as a key indicator of sewage effluent in marine waters.

“The concentrations of sucralose on the Atlantic side were higher than any I have ever taken, including those in the highly polluted Indian River Lagoon,” said Lapointe. “(There were) heavy harmful epiphytic algal overgrowths of the benthic communities by pollution indicator species such as the green seaweed Chaetomorpha.”

“(Marathon) won awards because they were the first major municipality in the Keys that went to full-fledged sewering, which was wonderful,”

FOLKs spokesperson Ann Olsen told the Weekly. “It’s just that they did it with shallow wells. … Sucralose just unequivocally says that’s human impact.”

“We didn’t sue Marathon lightly,” she added in FOLKs’ release. “It’s been a lot of work and we first tried hard to get Marathon to voluntarily agree. This CWA lawsuit was necessary to effect positive change for the Keys and our waters. We respect the Marathon City Council for ultimately agreeing and settling this case.”

Marathon’s use of shallow injection wells at its wastewater treatment plants will be phased out as part of the city’s settlement with environmental group Friends of the Lower Keys. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

KEYS SEEK CARVEOUT FOR PREMIUM HIKES, FLOOD INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

FIRM ON WINDSTORM RELIEF

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Two special sessions of the Florida Legislature in 2022 confronted the state’s crumbling property insurance industry with reforms that targeted litigation and attorney fees, as well as hundreds of millions in funding to help companies on the verge of collapse.

None of the actions by legislators resulted in direct decreases in premiums for policyholders throughout the state and the Florida Keys, but an upcoming 60-day session in Tallahassee beginning March 7 brings another opportunity.

Mel Montagne, president of Fair Insurance Rates of Monroe (FIRM), is already advocating for several fixes to provide some relief to local windstorm policyholders — one being a carveout for Monroe County related to Citizens’ premium rate increase schedule. FIRM was created to ensure fair insurance rates for the Florida Keys and bring insurance inequities to the attention of state officials, and Montagne said there are several.

More than 18,000 wind policies in Monroe County are through the statebacked Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Considered an insurer of last resort, Citizens provides insurance to property owners who are in good faith and can’t obtain coverage through the private market. Citizens is funded by policyholder premiums, which continue to increase by the year. A property insurance market remained volatile in 2022, as a number of insurance companies went insolvent. That left policyholders scrambling to find coverage elsewhere, and many were left with no choice but to go with Citizens.

Policies through Citizens are well over 1 million, up from 474,000 policies insured through Citizens in June 2020. Growing numbers of policies and premium increases, from 11% in 2022 to 15% in 2026, are

causing concerns for local policyholders and FIRM.

Added to the list of concerns was legislation passed in a December special session that aims to move policyholders off Citizens if a private insurer offers them a premium that’s within 20% of their Citizens premium. Montagne said it was a slap to the face of Monroe County.

“The genesis of Citizens goes back 51 years to Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association; it was created as a vehicle to insure property for windstorm in Monroe County because insurance companies as far back as 51 years didn’t want to insure that peril,” he said. “To tell us today that, ‘yeah we’re going to impose all of these things’ to deflect folks to go Citizens, we don’t have a choice.”

Montagne refers to the lack of private insurance carriers providing service in Monroe County, which is why a majority of property owners have Citizens. Residential and commercial wind insurance rates in Monroe County are the highest throughout Florida and 175% higher than the median coastal rate. Montagne said Monroe County has some of the most rigorous building standards in Florida, yet Citizens’ rate calculations don’t reflect that.

“Monroe County is unique in its building code and in the way people mitigate their homes for protection against hurricanes,” Montagne said. “A lot of that, in our opinion, is not taken into account on these models that generate base rates for insurance rates.”

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers upped the annual cap for Citizens premiums for the ensuing five years. Montagne said FIRM is seeking a carveout in the law that exempts Monroe County from rate increases to 15% by 2026.

Montagne said FIRM is also asking legislators to provide a carveout as it relates to a new flood insurance requirement for all Citizens policyholders. Homeowners with a mortgage already have flood insurance since it’s required. But properties affected include condos, homes elevated above base flood elevation and non-mortgaged properties. Montagne said forcing property owners to carry insurance that they don’t need is unreasonable and burdensome. And it could result in Monroe County residents dropping their windstorm coverage with Citizens if they don’t have a mortgage.

Montagne said he had the chance to meet with state Rep. Jim Mooney and state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez to discuss FIRM’s initiatives, of which they both expressed support.

“The problem is getting other legislators on board to help us in our plight,” Montagne said.

Montagne is hopeful legislators review provisions within current statute that provide such carve outs for counties, so long as they’re an area of critical state concern

and don’t have a competitive property insurance market.

“We feel quite strongly with those two provisions,” he said. “We should get a carveout for Monroe County for flood insurance requirements and the continued pummeling we receive with rate increases.”

A seat at the table is equally important to the changes FIRM is seeking this legislative session. According to Montagne, Monroe County no longer has a representative on the state’s Citizens board of governors. Upper Keys resident Bette Brown began serving on the board following her appointment by former Gov. Rick Scott in 2014. She served some seven years until 2021.

“Monroe County is unique in its building code and in the way people mitigate their homes for protection against hurricanes. A lot of that, in our opinion, is not taken into account on these models that generate base

Brown told the Keys Weekly she was appointed twice by Scott before current Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped someone else for the board. Brown said she would have continued if she was selected for another term. During her time on the board, Brown said Citizens insurance was aware of the issues facing Monroe County. They even conducted a $400,000 study to determine whether hardening of structures would help insurance rates in the Keys.

“There were a lot of discussions about Monroe County,” Brown said.

Monroe County hasn’t seen a representative at the nine-person table since Brown’s departure. Currently, St. Johns County has two representatives on the Citizens board despite only having 4,800 Citizens policies. There’s also a representative from Nassau County with 1,400 policies.

The chairman of the board, Carlos Beruff, is a resident of Manatee County with roughly 15,000 policies. Board members are appointed by the governor, Senate president, House speaker or chief financial officer.

“There are five people coming up in 2023 where their terms are up, and we need a seat on that board,” Montagne said. “It’s not that one seat will make a difference, but at least our voice will be heard.”

rates for insurance rates.”

— Mel Montagne, president of FIRM’s board of directors

Mel Montagne

Pilchard and rubber duck races, Pooch Promenade to highlight 2023 Key Colony Beach Day

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Bring your cash and pick your fastest pilchard. Key Colony Beach Day returns this Sunday, March 5.

The 66th anniversary of KCB’s incorporation as a city will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the city’s 7th Street Park. The day will include live music by Papa Pete, David Quick and the Rick Lieder Band, food, nearly 100 vendors and the infamous “barracuda” races and Zonta Club rubber ducky races.

The 2023 event will also feature a firstever “Pooch Promenade” and costume contest. With donations accepted to benefit the Marathon SPCA, dogs and their handlers may register at the corner of 7th Street and Shelter Bay Drive between 11 and 11:15 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. parade. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, best handler and dog combo and best “Keysy” spirit.

The event is presented by the KCB Community Association. Admission and parking for the event are free.

The Marathon Fire Department turns on the pumps and ushers hundreds of rubber ducks across a canal for the 2022 Zonta Club of Marathon’s Rubber Ducky Race. LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

GIMENEZ SWORN IN FOR 2ND TERM

CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTS KEYS AND SOUTH FLORIDA

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects.

The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:

Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.

The deadline for receipt of applications is April 18, 2023 , and applications must be downloaded from Demandstar (www.monroecounty-fl.gov/bids).

For more information, please call the TDC Administrative Office at: 305-296-1552, and ask to speak with Ammie or Maxine.

FREE CUSTOM BANNERS!

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) was sworn in to a second term in Congress on Feb. 24 at the historic San Carlos Institute in Key West. He was joined by local elected officials, students and members of the Florida Keys Community.

“I truly am so proud to represent Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys in the Halls of Congress. From Sweetwater to Homestead to Key Largo to Islamorada and from Marathon to right at the San Carlos Institute in Key West, it has been a true honor to get to meet you all and work together on the issues that we care so deeply about,” Gimenez said.

“You see my story, like that of so many in South Florida, is deeply intertwined with the history of this community. In fact, my grandfather, a jai-alai player, and my American grandmother honeymooned in Key West. They would have never, ever imagined that their grandson would one day come to represent Key West in the U.S. Congress of all places.”

Gimenez serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and the Select Committee on China. He represents Florida’s 28th Congressional District based in MiamiDade County and the Florida Keys. Gimenez is the former mayor of Miami-Dade County and currently the only Cuban-born member of the 118th Congress.

U.S. Rep. Gimenez is sworn in for his second term, with his wife Lourdes by his side. CONTRIBUTED

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, right, and his wife Lourdes join Monroe County Commissioner Jim Scholl at Gimenez’s swearing-in in Key West on Feb. 24. CONTRIBUTED

HOME COURSE ADVANTAGE

Marathon runners fill the leaderboard at the Sombrero Beach Run

Asun-soaked course put more than 400 of the Keys’ fastest runners and walkers to the test at the Sombrero Beach Run on Feb. 25.

A family trio of distance running stars topped the standings in the 5K run as Vance, Tony and Jakub Bursa clinched top spots with times of 17:09, 19:22 and 19:26, respectively. Anthony Kelhower led the first race of the morning, breaking the tape in the 10K run with a 38:58 finish. Summerland Key’s Rosanna Mullen returned for an encore of her 2022 performance, finishing as the top female in both the 10K and 5K races once again with times of 42:28 and 21:24.

Pulling double duty, Anthony Pallaria, Bucky Wile and Mullen rounded out the top three overall finishers in the 15K challenge, in which runners entered the starting corral for a 5K race just minutes after finishing their 10K.

Proceeds from the race registrations, along with day-of donations and silent auction bids, went to support KAIR, a local non-profit aiding individuals and families in crisis situations throughout Marathon and the Florida Keys. The run’s 2024 race date is set for Feb. 24.

The race’s organizers extend a sincere thanks to the city of Marathon, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Accuchip Timing, Key West Southernmost Runners, and dozens of volunteers and business sponsors.

- Alex Rickert

1. MHS students and graduates put up solid times to represent their city, claiming six of the top seven spots in the 5K race.

2. Mike Sovay, left, and James Carlson keep the ‘fun’ in ‘fun run,’ carrying lastplace ‘finisher’ Shawn Kerr across the line with ice-cold beers in hand.

3. Mary Stella (3078) begins her 5K walk.

4. Renee Shain, left, and Tony Appell have the sweet treats for finishers.

5. Becky Whitney, left, Margaret Gibson, Barbarajean Scheidell and Jackie Sparber work the registration and medals tent.

6. Rosanna Mullen returned to dominate both the 10K and 5K races for the second year in a row, finishing as the top female in each contest.

7. Declan Merryman puts in one final push to finish his 5K.

8. MHS track coach Darby Sheehan, left, and Jake Long come down the final stretch of the 5K race.

9. ‘Old Geezer’ Ray Monberg comes prepared for his 5K walk.

Photos by Alex Rickert and Chris Pankow. See more photos at keysweekly.com

BUNNIES

5-month-old rabbits. Looking for: Room to hop, fresh greens and lots of hay.

Turnoffs: February was “Adopt-a-Rabbit” month, and we didn’t get adopted.

TAKE ME HOME

the Florida Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

RUSTY

5-year-old male American Staffordshire terrier.

Looking for: One person, maybe two, to spoil me. Turnoffs: Heartworms! I had them. They’re really scary.

WHOPPER

4-year-old female domestic longhair.

Looking for: A quiet home with places to hide.

Turnoffs: For three years people have passed by me.

I’m just shy!

‘BAYSIDE’ HEADS OCEANSIDE

Rescued green turtle is healthy after tumor surgeries

On Feb. 27, a crowd gathered at Sombrero Beach to celebrate another successful release with staff from Marathon’s Turtle Hospital.

“Bayside,” a juvenile green sea turtle rescued off Marathon in December of last year, was treated at the Turtle Hospital for fibropapillomatosis. Bayside’s treatment at the hospital included tumor removal surgeries, broad spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins and a healthy diet of greens and mixed seafood.

Now tumor-free, she was back to good health and ready to return to her ocean home.

— Contributed

1. After rehab at the Turtle Hospital, Bayside is tumor-free and ready to return to her life in the ocean.

2-4. The Turtle Hospital’s Tom Higgins, left, and Bette Zirkelbach release Bayside back into her ocean home.

Photos by LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at

COMMERCE CORNEr

Established in 1951, Matt Pitcher has been working with American Income since early 2023 providing numerous life insurance policies including Whole Life, Term and Supplemental Health insurance to the Florida Keys. Pitcher says the key to his success is trust and service. "The customer will always be able to talk with me. I sit down with them and go over all options. They do not have to do it online with someone far away just working with numbers who may not have their best interest in mind" said Pitcher. While licensed in most states, Pitcher's office is located in Marathon.

Matt Pitcher

704.201.0622 mpitcher@zuzick.com

MARKING THE DANGEROUS FLORIDA REEF

LIGHTSHIP CAESAR FACED HARDSHIPS AT SEA

Before the skeletal, ironpile lighthouses began to mark the Florida Reef, there were lightships. These were two-masted schooners equipped with lanterns and anchored out near the reef line to aid mariners in navigating hazardous waters.

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.

Several lightships were employed off the coast of the Florida Keys, including those stationed at the Dry Tortugas, Sand Key and Key West. There were also two lightships anchored off of Key Largo at Carysfort Reef –though not simultaneously.

Carysfort Reef is several miles offshore of North Key Largo and quickly developed a reputation as a particularly treacherous tract of coral. The inherent danger it presented was one of the reasons it became one of the first reefs marked after the Florida Reef, the Keys, East Florida and West Florida became an official U.S. possession in 1821.

The lightship Caesar was the first two-masted schooner assigned to Carysfort Reef. The Caesar was built from the 1821 design by Henry Eckford after Congress approved $20,000 for its construction in 1824. By June 1825, the lightship had been completed, manned and was sailing for Key West, where its newly appointed captain, John Whalton, was waiting for it to arrive. The wait proved longer than expected.

The lightship sailed from New York on June 7. Two days later, it sailed into a gale and was wrecked on the Florida coast between Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach. The captain and crew established a tent on the nearby beach where they were stranded for eight days before being rescued by Captain Churchill of the small schooner Good Intentions and delivered to Savannah, Georgia, on June 22.

Before they abandoned the ship and sailed away on the Good Intentions, the lightship’s captain left a note of “abandonment” on board the vessel and removed all of its sails. The message contained the time and date of their departure, because 12 hours after the ship was abandoned, it was salvaged by a wrecking crew from Cape Florida (Key Biscayne). The wreckers refloated the vessel and safely moored it in 24 feet of water after shifting the ballast around. The wrecker then set sail for Key West to acquire sails to refit the lightship.

When the Caesar arrived in Key West, repairs were made, a crew established and provisions loaded onto the ship. Ten months after the lightship wrecked along the Florida coast, Whalton sailed the Caesar up the Florida Keys and anchored inside of Key Largo’s Carysfort Reef at a convenient anchorage called Turtle Harbor, where the lanterns were first lit on April 15, 1826.

The future of the Caesar would not be smooth sailing or, in this case, smooth anchoring.

Ten months into their tenure at Turtle Harbor, one of Whalton’s crew decided he no longer wanted to be on the ship and staged a bit of a mutiny — or at least that is what contemporary newspaper accounts labeled his actions. When the crew member refused to follow his captain’s orders, Whalton placed him in irons. After the prisoner was secured, it was discovered that in addition to refusing to do as he was told, he was responsible for breaking the lightship’s alarm bell. The offender was placed aboard the Revenue cutter Marion, transported to Charleston and tried for his crimes.

Trouble on the lightship would not end with the arrest of the mutinous crew member during the Caesar’s relatively short career marking Carysfort Reef. A letter written by Whalton dated June 10, 1827, and delivered

to W. Pinkney, the Collector of Customs at Key West, revealed a tragedy that took the lives of two of his crew.

Apparently, casks of fresh water were not regularly delivered to the lightship or, at the very least, not reliably delivered, and it was necessary for Whalton to send his crew off to fill their empty casks. The “Boat,” crewed by Hans Hansen and Thomas VanPelt, left the Caesar to fill five 60-gallon barrels and “Beakers” on June 5.

On June 10, the “Boat” was discovered “sunk with the sails set” by Captain Loft, who salvaged the vessel and returned it to Whalton. In a letter written to Pinkney, Whalton stated: “I hope the people are not lost. But I have but little hopes of them. Capt. Loft has been good enough to deliver me the boat & articles found. I hope you will satisfy him for the trouble as the Boat was lying on the bottom in two fathoms water. I am now bad off from the wants for Boat & water casks. You will excuse the short letter as the Capt. is in haste & I have one of my fingers cut so bad that I can’t write.”

The ship would not fare much better. In only a handful of years, the Caesar, too, would be lost. In 1829, Whalton ordered the anchors brought in, employed the schooner’s sails and set a course for Key West (and not for the first time). On May 26, 1829, the Caesar arrived in Key West for repairs. After a survey of the ship, the Collector of Customs, Pinkney, remarked that the Caesar’s timbers were “an entire mass of dry rot and fungus. I must say that there never was a grosser imposition practiced than by the contractor in this instance.”

A day or two later, the Caesar was condemned. It would not be the last lightship stationed at the dangerous Carysfort Reef. Next week, we will explore the story of Caesar’s replacement, the lightship Florida.

1821 lightship design by Henry Eckford. U.S. LIGHTSHIP SOCIETY/Contributed

MARK HEDDEN

... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

ack in the day, you could show your chops as a birder by distinguishing between a Myrtle warbler and an Audubon’s warbler. They were very similarlooking birds. The male Myrtle warbler, which bred largely in the east, was distinguished by a white throat and two wingbars. The male Audubon’s warbler, which bred largely in the west, had a yellow throat and a white wing patch that kind of filled in the zone between what would be the wingbars on the Myrtle. The females’ came down to the throat, with the Myrtle having a white throat, and the Audubon having a yellow throat. The males were predominantly a slaty blue, and the females a watery brown — at least in summer. In winter, they all morphed into the same watery brown –females, males and juveniles, though on males you can occasionally pick up a tinge of blue. If you could parse the distinctions in the winter you were really good.

What all these birds had in common, field mark-wise, was big yellow patches under their wingpits, and a big, bright, yellow spot on their rump. Young, old, male, female, Audubon’s and Myrtle – they all had it.

Then, in 1973, it was decided that Myrtle warblers and Audubon’s warblers were more similar than different, especially as they interbred in the Canadian Rockies, and were lumped into a single species called the yellow-rumped warbler. The need to make such fine-toothed distinctions faded away. Once you saw that sunshine-hued hind end, or those saffronshaded wingpits, you could tick them off on the checklist. (The slang term for them is butter butts, because that yellow spot on their rump is a bit reminiscent of a pat of butter just dropped onto a grill.)

You will, on occasion, hear the old-timers, or the ambitious young-timers, call them out as Myrtle’s or Audubon, just to keep you on your toes. As someone who didn’t really start birding until the late 1990s, my toes often fail me in this regard.

Most winters, we get a few yellow-rumps in the Keys, but this winter, we’ve been seemingly overrun with them. They have been giving palm warblers, the most common songbird we see in the winter, a run for the ubiquity prize.

It’s been nice to have a little more variety in the birdscape, but it’s been a little frustrating. I’ve gone out a number of times around Key West trying to get a decent picture of one, and have failed over and over again.

I’d say this is the limitations of my camera, but it’s a poor carpenter who blames his tools.

BTHE CAMERA AND THE BUTTER- BUTT BUGBEAR

So I’m going to blame the yellow-rumps. They’ve been too quick moving, too deep in the bushes or too high in the trees. Or they only come out into the open in the worst backlit light, or just as the battery dies on my camera. Or as the person walking their dog and talking on their phone comes down the path behind me. I don’t know the exact biological mechanisms for how they go about conspiring against me, but I have no doubt that they, collectively, have done me wrong. It’s the only explanation for how many of them have been around and how few of them have given me a decent pose.

Kevin Christman was expressing similar sentiments about yellow-rumps a few weeks ago, but then he caught some decent frames of them coming into his bird bath. (Which is fine, if you can overlook the fact that feeder and bird bath photos are cheating.)

Why are there so many yellow-rumps in the Keys this winter, as opposed to other winters?

Most of the bird species we get here in winter are obligate migrants, meaning as a species they tend to completely abandon their breeding grounds. It’s thought this is generally motivated by a hormonal change triggered by a shifting photoperiod, a.k.a. length of day. Basically, obligate migrants migrate out of genetic habit.

Yellow-rumped warblers are considered facultative migrants, meaning they only migrate in response to environmental conditions, most often food scarcity. And they generally don’t migrate as a species, but as individuals. It just seems that this year, something drove a lot of them to make the same decision.

Seeing so many, even if I was failing at photographing them, I started to get the urge to parse them beyond species, maybe down to age and gender.

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds rarely lets me down, but on this occasion it did. Of the 15 images on the yellow-rumped warbler page,

none of them depict adult yellow-rumps in winter plumage, or how they look for the half a year they spend in Florida. I blame this on a northern bias in the content. Also on the lack of space on a page. It did note in the small print text that winter birds have an “overall brownish color.”

In order to find a good, systematic understanding of what the various types of yellowrumped warblers looked like in their winter plumage, I ended up going to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Birds of the World website (subscription-based), which had good clear images of all the aforementioned variations. And I did come away with one further bit of clarity – that I am probably never going to be good at parsing gender, age, or Audubon’s vs. Myrtle in the field. Or at least not any time soon.

I’d kind of taken a break from going out to try and get a good shot of them, too. But when I was up on the mainland a few weeks ago, I made a stop at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, because I hadn’t been there for a while, and because it was one of the first places I fell in love with this whole birdwatching thing.

I can’t say it was a great day for birds up there, but it’s never bad. I saw some painted buntings and some pileated woodpeckers, as well as a few alligators and the rear end of a swimming otter. And there were yellow-rumps everywhere. Mostly they were high up in the canopy. But then I started noticing a few of them flitting around down low, around the cypress knees, and I managed to lift my camera and get a few decent shots of them in focus and in frame.

I’m going to keep trying to get a decent shot of a yellow-rump in the Keys, but catching those few frames was a nice way to give that itch a little scratch.

A yellow-rumped warbler seen recently at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

THE SCOREBOARD GABRIELA AGUERO

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Sophomore, Key West Tennis

In four matches this season, Key West’s Gabriela Aguero remains undefeated against both Marathon and Coral Shores, making her the undeniable Queen of the Keys Courts. In addition to her unblemished record, Aguero has won the admiration of her teammates and coach, Elliot Manton.

“Gabriela works hard to improve her skill set,” said Manton. “She is always working for ways to have an advantage over her opponent.”

The sophomore sensation is also half of the Conchs’ top doubles team which has chalked up victories Keys-wide. For her drive to be her best, sportsmanship and oncourt savvy, Gabriela Aguero is this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Key

West sophomore

Gabriela Aguero. TRACY MCDONALD/Keys Weekly

“Not only does she have talent and hard work, but she is a team player and is someone the whole team gets along with.”

— Elliot Manton, Key West tennis coach

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

KEY WEST SENDS SIX TO STATES

Andre Otto Earns Regional Championship

Coach Chaz Jimenez’s trip to Kissimmee just got a bit more crowded. Three of his Lady Conchs earned a place in the brackets at the FHSAA 1A State Championships on March 2-4, and now three of his boys will join Sheyla Figueira, Ailee Briggs and Shannon Briggs following their performance at their regional wrestling championships.

Joining the inaugural girls’ team qualifiers is Ralph Riche, who entered the contest as the second seed. Riche was caught by surprise in the semis, placing him on a more difficult path to a coveted spot in the state brackets. Undeterred, Riche fought his way back, earning a third-place medal in Region 4 and a place at states. The second qualifying Conch was Abram Canet, who claimed fourth place in the region and a bid to states.

But it would be senior Andre Otto, ranked fourth heading into regionals, who stole the show. Otto wasted no time on the mats, winning four bouts in under 2 minutes in total. Otto’s wins included a forfeit and three pins, the second of which sent home the top seed in just 11 seconds.

There will not be any additional Keys wrestlers joining the Conchs at states this year, but it would be inaccurate to deem Coral Shores’ season anything but successful. Wrestling season may be over for the Hurricanes, but the young team looks promising in the coming years. The five regional-qualifying ’Canes – Sebastian McCoy, Finn McDonough, Devin Smith, Jack Hill and Jayden Angel – are all just freshmen.

p.m.

LAX ACTION HEATS UP Key West Girls on Three-Game Streak

Key West’s girls lacrosse team has a perfect record so far this season. Including a win against Gulliver on Feb. 16, the Conchs are on a threegame winning streak. On Feb. 23, they toppled Westminster Christian 12-4 in The Backyard. Bella Marchiano scored 3 goals and 3 assists in the win. Marchiano also had 8 of the team’s 11 draw controls. Kaitlyn Polito scored 2 goals and an assist. Ada Van Loon and Sophia Felini added 1 goal each and Maria Chaney assisted once. Goalkeeper Courtney Grabus saved 2. Key West forced 16 turnovers against Westminster, keeping the Warriors on the defensive and sealing the victory.

The following evening, it was Palmetto at the mercy of Key West. Chaney scored 5 goals, while Felini added 2 and Van Loon and Ella Baxter each scored 1. Marchiano chalked up 3 assists and Piloto added another in the 10-4 win. Grabus was busy in goal for the Conchs, saving 11, and fellow defender Rachel Owens forced 4 turnovers.

The Lady ’Canes improved their record to 3-1 this week with a pair of wins. The first was a home victory against Coral Reef on Feb. 22. Amelia Perchalski, Shay Stober, Brook El-Koury and Makayla Hann scored in the 6-5 win. On Feb. 24, they traveled to Lourdes Academy, winning 10-8. Perchalski, El-Koury, Sofia Jans, Leyla Ochoa, Edy Kemmer and Iona Holmquist all scored.

In boys lacrosse, Key West played two of their three scheduled games last week, taking on Westminster on Feb. 21 and Coral Reef on the 23rd. A third game against Columbus was canceled. In the Westminster game, Mack Hill scored 1 goal and assisted a Brooks Pellicier goal in the 19-2 loss. Against Coral Reef, Pellicier put 1 in the net. Brody McCandless, Smith Switzer and defender Tate Garr each added 1 for the Conchs in the 8-4 defeat.

Coral Shores played one game last week, falling to Ransom Everglades 12-6. Sully McDonough had 3 of those goals for the ‘Canes plus an assist. Andrew Kumar had a goal and an assist while Matt Patterson and Dominic Gonzalez had a goal apiece. Reece Jahn did a solid job keeping the Hurricanes in the game as he registered 26 saves.

The Coral Shores Lady ’Canes duked it out with Coral Reef on Feb. 22, edging the Barracudas 6-5. Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

Ralph Riche, left, Andre Otto and Abram Canet earned a trip to Kissimmee for the Florida state wrestling championships with their performance at their regional meet. CONTRIBUTED

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

PREP SOFTBALL SEASON OFFICIALLY OPENS IN KEYS

Coral Shores and Key West Victorious

in

Season Openers

Lady Conchs fastpitch started their season off with a 6-1 win against the Academy for Innovative Education on Feb. 25. Juniors Scarlet Niles and Alexandra Rodriguez had a pair of hits apiece to lead the hitting for Key West. Madelyn Perusse, Miesha Hernandez, Skye Sterling and Alexa Condella each added a hit to their season stats. Nevaeh Arnold earned the win for the Conchs on the mound, striking out 5 in 7 innings of pitching.

Coral Shores fans had a lot to be excited about after their home opener against Somerset South Homestead on Feb. 24. Senior Kailee Reinoso made the switch from shortstop to pitcher this season and made the most of her debut in the circle. Reinoso faced just 12 batters in the mercy-rule win, striking out 5.

Offensively, Reinoso went 3-3 at the plate. Also perfect at bat were freshman Ivy Tiedemann and sophomore Abby Vogt, who both went 2-2. Alondra Apolinaro, Mackenzie Baker, Chloe Stanley and Melissa Perez also registered hits and in addition to solid baserunning, the ’Canes were good for 17 runs in the win. Defensively, sophomore Sofia Sgroi helped seal the win with an incredible play from right field, throwing out a runner on first.

Head coach Lesa Bonee was pleased with her team’s first game, especially under their unique circumstances this season.

MARATHON, KEY WEST UNBEATEN

CONCH BATS ABLAZE IN PAIR OF WINS

Westminster Academy made the trip

to Key West to take on the Conchs at Rex Weech Field in a pair of games Feb. 24 and 25. Jacob Burnham got the start on the mound on the 24th, fanning 5 in 4 innings. Andris Barroso closed out the final 3 for the win. Jack Haggard and Wyatt Kuhn had the hot bats for the Conchs with 2 hits each. Jose Perdigon, Noah Burnham, Anthony Lariz, Michael Greenberg and Caden Pichardo registered 1 hit each to make 9 for the Conchs. The game was tied up until the fifth inning, during which Key West took advantage of several Westminster mistakes. A 9-run rally ensued, securing the 12-5 win for Key West. Saturday night was more of the same for the Conchs. Felix Ong went 5 innings on the mound, striking out 9. Marlin Takovich finished the job for Key West, fanning 3 to end the 10-0 shutout. The Conchs collected 10 hits, led by Haggard, who went 3-4 at the plate, driving in 5 runs with a triple and 2 singles. Perdigon was 3-3 with a double and a pair of singles. JD Dowling, Lariz, Greenberg and Pichardo each added a hit to their stats in the game.

“Seven out of our nine starters are playing new positions and three of our starting nine have never played fastpitch softball,” she explained. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am excited to see how we develop.”

Marathon lost its season opener to Lourdes Academy on the road on Feb. 23. The Bobcats outscored the Fins 11-8 despite solid hitting from the Dolphins. Elena Eubank had 3 hits, including a triple to lead the scoring effort. Sage Brown, Maeve Merryman, Sara Robinson and Madelyn Thornton each had 2 hits and Dani Perdomo had 1. Senior Allison Garcia struck out 8 batters over 6 innings in the loss.

Marathon played Ransom Everglades at home on Feb. 24, winning 12-7. Gavin Leal led the team with a pair of hits and 3 RBIs for the Fins. Gabe Leal, Aidan Gonzalez, Micah Sauders and Ryan Yablon each added a hit. Dylan Ziels started on the mound for Marathon, striking out 13 over 5 innings. Ryan Yablon closed out the final 2, sealing the win for Marathon.

In Upper Keys action, Coral Shores dropped a close 4-2 contest against ABF Academy on Feb. 21 before traveling to Miami to play the 7A Buccaneers of South Dade High School on Feb. 23. Steel Mientkiewicz had a double, while Andrew Putetti and Campbell Lavoie had singles for the ’Canes in a 13-1 loss.

The Coral Shores softball team’s bats came alive in their home opener, a 17-1 romp over Somerset Academy South Homestead on Feb. 24.

Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

Marathon pitcher Ryan Yablon. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

MARATHON NONPROFITS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR FUNDING

The Marathon City Council has created a $100,000 fund for local nonprofits operating in the city. Grant applications are now being accepted for the 2023 fiscal year. To find further details and apply online, please visit the city’s website (ci.marathon.fl.us) and look in the “What’s Going On” box. The city will also accept completed applications on paper at City Hall. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 15.

Only organizations with proof of current nonprofit status and evidence of an established record of providing cultural, educational, recreational or social services within the city of Marathon will be considered.

When the application period closes, city staff and the Marathon City Council will rank the applicants. The council will make the final recommendations as well as determine the level of funding provided to each organization.

The council will discuss the applications at its April 11 meeting.

– Contributed

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

THE ‘RISE’ OF BEAUTIFUL BENCHMARKS

On Feb. 28, members of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts were treated to a presentation by Marathon Planning Director Brian Shea and artist Craig Gray during an installment of the council’s Gather ’Round culture series at Marathon City Hall. Using visual illustrations of sea level rise data and projections, Shea shared with participants the challenges soon to be faced by the city as it deals with higher water levels.

As part of the city’s plan to address the undeniable concerns of sea level rise, it will team up with Gray for an art installation, dubbed “Beautiful Benchmarks,” that will visually demonstrate sea level rise projections in low-lying vulnerable areas using large wave shapes carved out of granite, paired with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This project is the first in what the city hopes will become a series of grant- and city-funded public art installations throughout Marathon. Marathon is seeking additional grant funding to further expand the program and capitalize on opportunities for public art.

“‘Beautiful Benchmarks’ is an opportunity for the community to have a visual beacon and reminder that friends, neighbors and visitors alike have the chance to protect and conserve the very limited resources of our region for the future,” Gray wrote in his project approach narrative.

Craig Gray, left, Liz Young, Arts Council executive director and Brian Shea. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

HEALING HALLS

Florida Keys Therapy & Wellness Center celebrates new Marathon office

Marathon has a new center for regenerative medicine with the grand opening of Florida Keys Therapy & Wellness Center’s new location at 6799 Overseas Highway on Feb. 27. Founded by Christy Minor, who formerly worked as an occupational therapist and hospital director of therapy services, the center was established in 2013 to provide rehabilitative therapy to seniors, adults and children. Today, the center specializes in Astym treatment – a non-invasive physical therapy treatment that regenerates healthy soft tissues – as well as cryotherapy and other services.

— Alex Rickert

Overseas Hwy, Summerland Key

Sub Urban Commercial | US 1 frontage | Deep water canal Offered at $2.1 million | MLS#604314

Christy Minor, center, cuts the ribbon with Chamber of Commerce

officials and supporters to open Florida Keys Therapy and Wellness Center’s new Marathon location. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BUSINESS PLACARD EARLY REENTRY PROGRAM

PIVOTAL MOMENTS THAT DEFINE A LIFETIME

Philosophers (amateur, professional and inebriated) have debated the reasons for this thing called Life for millennia. As soon as we were aware of our existence on Earth, we began asking why we were here. Some of the proposed answers have been fairly amusing; others have been fraught with despair and horror. Try and discover as we might, there are still no conclusive answers to why we as a society and species were allowed to attain consciousness on this third rock from the sun … although I am sure there are people who dogmatically disagree.

Even in our personal journeys, things don’t always go according to plan. The career my parents were hoping I would one day have was that of an ophthalmologist or optometrist. “Eye doctors only work four days a week, and always take off Wednesdays to play golf,” I remember my mother telling me all those years ago. What a great life I could have if I became an eye doctor.

The application period for Monroe County Emergency Management’s 2023 business placard early reentry program is open March 1 through Friday, April 28, at 5 p.m. There will be no exceptions after this time to apply for the 2023 business placard. The program allows essential businesses and nonprofits based in Monroe County timely access into the Florida Keys to assist in restoring community lifelines in an efficient and timely manner.

Placards are only valid in the year they are issued. There is only one application form to fill out each year. Do not apply until you have read and compiled the required documentation described on the placard web page. The application and program details are at monroecountyem.com/placardprogram. Applications will be reviewed within 21 working days.

Each registered business is allowed to bring in only their essential personnel; it does not include friends and family of those workers. Entering the county under a state of emergency using a placard grants access to an area that has not

been deemed safe. Basic life support resources may not be available after a major event, and those entering with a placard must be self-sufficient for 14 days with shelter, food and water.

“Disaster response takes the effort of an entire community,” said Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner. “Sharing your business’s skills and resources when needed most contributes to a swift recovery for all.”

Residents who wish to obtain or renew an early reentry placard for 2023 may do so through the Monroe County Emergency Reserve Corps at www.mercorps.org. Hurricane recovery courses are required for residents to receive the placard.

Also, reentry windshield stickers for residents can be picked up at Monroe County Tax Collector offices throughout the Florida Keys with proof of residency and vehicle registration. More information and locations to obtain stickers are at monroecountyem.com/ reentrystickers.

Hurricane season begins June 1. Be prepared.

— Contributed

But along the way in life’s journey, we encounter pivotal moments – critical points and crucial junctures that can turn a life in a completely different direction than was originally intended. My pivotal moment came in the summer of 1976.

It was the Bicentennial year in America. (We had special quarters minted for the occasion.) It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in high school. My football career had ended due to a knee injury while I was in middle school. I had acted in a school play, but other than that, I had no real extracurricular interests. Although I had an ear for music and could pick out some chords and melodies on my mother’s upright piano, I certainly wasn’t any sort of musical prodigy. And for the most part, my classes bored the crap out of me. I was a spinning compass in an area without any magnetic north.

For reasons unknown to me at the time, I was selected to attend the Civitan Youth Conference in the mountains of upstate South Carolina near a little town called Cleveland. I looked at it as just a chance to get away from home and enjoy the mountains for a week, and not much more.

But life’s pivotal moments don’t usually give out any warning whatsoever.

One of my fellow campers that week was this otherwise nerdy skinny kid with a large red afro. He had

brought a couple of guitars with him. I didn’t, however, pay much attention to him until the camp’s Friday talent show. He began with an instrumental piece he played on his acoustic guitar. I was mesmerized. So were the rest of the campers and counselors. After a heartfelt ovation, he picked up his electric guitar – a Gibson S-1 – and proceeded to inform the audience that this was now an electric guitar, and that things were going to get loud.

JOHN BARTUS

And they did. And it was good.

He performed another instrumental composition, and it was amazing how he bent the strings, played amazing chords and wrestled the piece right out of the guitar through the amplifier and into the camp’s rec hall.

Watching everyone watch him play was my pivotal moment. The switch had been turned on, and the door was opened. And right then I knew – even though I had never picked up a guitar in my life – that my future somehow would be intertwined with carved wood and steel strings.

Coming home from camp, I informed my parents that I really had to have a guitar. My dad told me that he really needed me to get an A in algebra. If that happened, I would get a guitar for Christmas. Let me tell you how long the months between July and Christmas were for a high school sophomore in 1976. I read everything I could get my hands on about guitars and how to play them. I would try and schedule time to spend with guitars owned by my guitar-owning friends. And I got lucky enough to have coach Reid as my algebra teacher. He was the best math teacher I ever knew. I got an A, and I got my guitar. And since then, I have lived the rest of the story. I went through the door.

Although I never did become that eye doctor my parents wanted, I wouldn’t change a thing about my career direction. Playing music has always been my day job – and, more importantly, it is the reason I am here.

— Catch John each Monday at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com

John Bartus is a singer-songwriter and the former mayor of Marathon.

The door opens … do you go through?

Color-coded and barcoded windshield reentry stickers allow Monroe County residents to return to their homes after a hurricane. Businesses may also apply for a 2023 placard to allow essential workers to return and help restore community lifelines quickly after a storm. CONTRIBUTED

THE STRESS LOOP

PART 1 OF 2: IDENTIFYING THE BREAKABLE CYCLES

COGNITION

Stress spares no prisoners, especially in the mind and specifically with self-regulation. Stress also negatively influences problem-solving skills, planning, organizing and the ability to focus and manage your emotions.

BEHAVIORS

Stress influences eating, physical activity and sleep. All these behaviors all have their own feedback loops, too.

As the researchers state: “Lack of sleep can hinder physical activity, and lack of physical activity can disrupt sleep.”

PHYSIOLOGY

The researchers outline three ways stress might affect you physiologically:

• It increases stress hormones. This can make you want to eat more, and can also tell your body to store fat.

• Stress increases your brain’s appetite for “rewards” — feel-good chemicals such as dopamine. These can drive you to eat foods that are highly palatable (sugar and fat) or seek out alcohol or drugs.

• Stress may negatively affect your microbiome – a fancy name for the microorganisms in our digestive tracts – which could make you more susceptible to weight gain.

SHELF HELP

Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

What: “One Brilliant Flame” by Joy Castro

Deadlines. Traffic. Waiting in line. Full email boxes. Politics. Kids. Money. Did I mention traffic? What do these all have in common? Stress. All of these cause stress, and not just a little – a lot. We’ve come to normalize being stressed in our society. In fact, dare I say we’ve romanticized it a little bit?

You tell me: If you met someone who was completely stress-free, how would you feel about them? First, probably a little jealous, but after that, would you not be thinking, “They must not have much of a life” or “They probably grew up with a silver spoon”?

It’s as if being stressed is a badge of honor, a recognition that we are killing ourselves. But it’s okay because if we weren’t, we would be labeled “lazy,” or worse (gasp) “lucky.”

The majority of us are suffering from chronic sleep deprivation, balancing soccer schedules and board meetings, while dodging and weaving the left lane lollygaggers as you open your banking app and transfer more savings into your checking because the price of groceries is absolutely sucking you dry.

Yeah, stress. So romantic.

So now you may be wondering, “So what? It’s stress, it’s normal, what’s the big deal?” The “big deal” is what happens when the body is under chronic stress, with the biggest problem being excessive weight gain. In fact, new research from UCLA has uncovered that stress and obesity are more intertwined than experts have ever thought. Below I have broken down the research. Big thanks to Precision Nutrition for making such an awesome graphic to help make the connection crystal clear.

The premise: Stress can affect multiple “systems” that are involved in weight control.

Each one of these systems has a feedback loop that can affect all the others. It’s these interactions that really cause the bigger problems, and it’s a cycle that is incredibly hard to break.

BIOCHEMISTRY

Stress may also affect blood chemicals related to weight control, especially leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide Y, which affect hunger, appetite and fat storage.

WEIGHT STIGMA

The researchers define weight stigma as “the sum of prejudice, discrimination and negative attitudes aimed at those perceived as overweight.”

This in itself creates another feedback loop. Obesity leads to weight stigma which then creates … more stress. And on and on it goes.

In part two, I will go into detail about practical and effective ways to cope with stress and ultimately help decrease the amount of stress in daily life. In the meantime, slow down, remind yourself that stress causes quite the mess physiologically, and no matter how irritating the traffic may be, it’s far better than dealing with a stress feedback loop.

Want to learn more? Scan the code to read the original research.

Why: In the 19th century, Key West was the center of Cuban enterprise, exile and intrigue. The cigar industry, and the revolt against Spanish colonial rule, combined to make nearby American territory Cuban in ways that continue to reverberate today. This novel, set between the Ten Years War and the Spanish American War, focuses on a group of young Cuban-American women who are coming of age in this turbulent era. A rich cigar maker’s daughter, a cigar maker and the daughter of a woman who runs a boarding house are an unlikely trio of friends. Their experiences and perspectives illuminate that time in Key West in a way no history book can.

Where: This is available as a print book from the Monroe County Library system.

How: You can request books online by logging in to www. keyslibraries.org and get ebooks and e-audiobooks 24/7 at www. estuff.keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@ keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Nancy

Klingener, community affairs manager

...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC.

JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY

An illustration outlining the systems affected by stress and the resulting feedback loop created when disruption of these systems leads to weight gain. PRECISION NUTRITION/Contributed.

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Hideaway Cafe

SS Wreck

Keys Fisheries

La Isla Taco

Conch Custard

Coast to Coast Pizza

Overseas

Sweet Chili's

Herbies

Fl Key Steak and Lobster

Lighthouse Grill

BPW/Marathon is in affiliation with the Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. The mission of this local organization shall be to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.

Imaynotbearockstar orabillionaire,butI havethesmileofone!

LucyBuffett,CrazySista, Restaurateur,&Author

MygypsysoullandedmeinKeyWestin1975for twocrazyyears,thentookmetoliveandwork onthreedifferentcoastsoverthenextfour decades.BythetimeIreturnedand boughtmyislanddreamhome, Ihadahodgepodgeofdental work.Mybigbrotoldmetogo toDr.Troxel,whocameupwith acomprehensivereconstruction plantomakeanotheroneof mydreamscometrue:abig beautifulmoviestarsmile!Thank you,Fred.Youarethebest!

AllmyGumboLove, LuLu

Dr. Greg Keifer

200 Years of Paradise.

MARATHON ROTARY CLUB BACKS ‘CLASS COMPLIMENTS’

The Marathon Rotary Club has sponsored Stanley Switlik Elementary School’s Positive Behavior Support Program for the 2022-23 school year. Through a district and local grant collaborative, Rotary has donated $4,000 toward monthly rewards which recognize students who have worked together to earn class compliments throughout the month. These funds help reward good student behavior with fun activities and events. The celebrations help students become internally motivated and develop new skills for problem solving. The events hosted also provide access and opportunity to students that are not common in the community. For example, last month, students were treated to a live magic show. Pictured are Rotary president Mike Puto and vice president Sam Williams as they present Switlik leadership and students with a check to keep up their best behavior and teamwork. Stanley Switlik students enjoyed a bounce house party as this month’s reward. CONTRIBUTED

OBITUARY BRIEFLY

DIANE MIDDLESWORTH 1940-2023

On Feb. 6, Diane Middlesworth, beloved wife and mother of four, passed away suddenly from complications from a hemorrhagic stroke. She was 82.

Diane was born April 10, 1940 in Peru, Indiana to Frank and Betty Garber. She received her nursing degree from Parkview School of Nursing in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and she practiced nursing in various hospitals until becoming a pharmaceutical representative for Bristol-Myers Squibb. After that, she worked as a nurse recruiter for St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. During retirement she served as a mentor to high school students striving to achieve scholarships for college. She and her husband lived in Marathon before moving to Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she spent her final years.

Diane had a passion for watercolor painting and gardening. She also taught piano for several years and loved playing classical music and popular Broadway tunes. She had a one-of-a kind personality and she made friends easily wherever she went. She was loved by so many for her radiant

smile, kindness, her infectious laugh and quick wit.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy; brother, Johnny; and daughter, Joanna.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Ned Middlesworth; her three children, Mary Burgess (Dan), Neil Middlesworth (Pascale) and Deborah Ourisman; and four grandchildren, Jeffery, Abby, Madison and Liza.

To honor her wishes, a graveside service will be held in Converse, Indiana and her beloved Colorado some time this summer.

Jackson Funeral Service, Hendersonville, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Keys Watercolor Society to host two-day workshop

The Florida Keys Watercolor Society will present a two-day watercolor workshop with popular instructor Charles Passarelli from West Palm Beach. This will be Passarelli’s ninth year of coming to Marathon for a March workshop. Workshop dates are Thursday and Friday, March 16-17 at San Pablo parish hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Spaces are limited. Artists must have their own supplies. The cost is $185 per artist. Call Julie at 305-731-3046 for more info.More information is at passarelli-artcom. weebly.com.

MHS upperclassmen to hold Powder Puff football game

On Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m., the Marathon High School classes of 2023 and 2024 will host a Powder Puff football game pitting seniors against juniors. The game will include concessions with the Gonzalez family, a snow cone truck and a halftime performance by dance and cheerleading groups. Attendees are encouraged to wear their class shirts. Tickets are $5.

Mission: Iconic Reefs offers public input opportunity

On Friday, March 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Marathon Library, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will host a recreational use workshop with local input on recreational use and activities at seven iconic reef sites in the Florida Keys. Workshops will focus on recreational activities that occur in coral reef

habitats in the Keys like fishing, diving, snorkeling and boating. Perceptions of reef restoration activities will also be a focus of the workshops. Food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP to Christopher Schwinghamer (christopher.schwinghamer@mail.wvu.edu).

Come take a class at the Marathon library

The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.

Marathon Shrine Club thanks charity donors

The Marathon Shrine Club would like to thank the citizens, visitors and Shriners of the Middle Keys for their support of its charity drive on Feb. 18. Collected funds go to the support of Shriners Hospitals and the Transportation Fund at Mahi Temple.

The drive received donations, labor and consideration from the Marathon City Council, Marathon Chamber of Commerce, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Bealls Outlet, A-Wax Floor and Window Cleaning, Driftwood Pizza, Winn-Dixie, the Keys Weekly Newspapers, Mahi Shrine Club and Florida Keys Masonic Lodge 336.

Donations totaled $9,000 in the street with an additional $24,000 in private donations.

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of BP CLEANING SERVICES located at 102 Caribbean Ave., Monroe County in the City of Tavernier, Florida 33070, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Tavernier, Florida this 23rd day of February, 2023.

By: Barbara Wong

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Orchid Arrangements by Yuya located at 20 Jean La Fitte Dr., Key Largo, FL 33037 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Manatee

Publish:

March 2, 2023

Wave LLC

The Weekly Newspapers

MEETING NOTICE

QUARTERLY MEETING NOTICE:

LOCAL COORDINATING BOARD FOR THE TRANSPORTATION

DISADVANTAGED

The Monroe County Local Coordinating Board (LCB) will be holding its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting on Friday, March 3, 2022 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at the Marathon Government Center, BOCC Room, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

The primary purpose of the Coordinating Board is to provide information and advice to the Community Transportation Coordinator on the coordination of services provided to the transportation disadvantaged population of Monroe County, pursuant to Chapter 427.0157, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting due to a disability or physical impairment, and any related questions or inquiries concerning this meeting should be directed to Tiffany Albury at the Health Council of South Florida, Inc. at (305)592-1452 ext. 121 at least 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting.

Publish:

February 16 & 23 and March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

LOCAL COORDINATING BOARD FOR THE TRANSPORTATION

DISADVANTAGED

The Monroe County Local Coordinating Board (LCB) will be hosting a public hearing on Friday, March 3, 2022 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Marathon Government Center, BOCC Room, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

This public hearing is open to community members who would like to present or discuss any comments related to the transportation disadvantaged. We welcome you to attend! Persons should contact the HCSF staff 48 hours in advance if they are interested in commenting.

The primary purpose of the Coordinating Board is to provide information and advice to the Community Transportation Coordinator on the coordination of services provided to the transportation disadvantaged population of Monroe County, pursuant to Chapter 427.0157, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting due to a disability or physical impairment.

Any related questions or inquiries concerning this meeting should be directed to Tiffany Albury at the Health Council of South Florida, Inc. at (305) 592-1452 ext. 121 at least 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting.

LEGAL NOTICES

Publish:

February 16 & 23 and March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., at the Doubletree Key West Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, Florida 33040. The Visit Florida Keys Corporation will also convene during this meeting.

All Tourist Development Council Meetings are open to the public, and one or more County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the Monroe County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT I ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC I) (Encompasses the City Limits of Key West) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business, who shall represent the general public, and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying. (The operative word within this description is directly. This means no direct involvement by an applicant in a business or economic activity that is dependent upon tourism.)

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 by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address 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 Friday, March 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V)

(From Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business, who shall represent the general public, and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying.

(The operative word within this description is directly. This means no direct involvement by an applicant in a business or economic activity that is dependent upon tourism).

Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address 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 Friday, March 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH

NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT

HEARING

SECOND/FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-481

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold the following Public Hearing to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances.

Location: City Hall Annex, 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2023-481], entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER

2, ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 2-86, 2-88, AND 2-93 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH RELATED TO MEETINGS OF THE CITY COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF FOUND TO BE IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEAL, AND CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”

Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Key Colony Beach City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding 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 Public Hearing on Thursday, March 16th, 2023, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: City Commission, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, and your comments will be entered into the record.

To be published: On or before March 6th, 2023

City Clerk City of Key Colony Beach, Florida

Publish: March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF MARATHON

Notice of Finding of No

Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request a Release of Funds

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO

SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 1, 2023

City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0033

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Marathon.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about March 20, 2023, the City of Marathon will submit a request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the release of Community Development

Grant

LEGAL NOTICES

under Title I of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as Infrastructure Repair Program for the purpose of hardening the City's wastewater infrastructure making it more resistant to the impacts of another hurricane such as Hurricane Irma. The locations for the project are at (5) different treatment plants in the City of Marathon. Areas 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are included in this project with addresses as follows: Area 3 WWTP - 4095 Overseas Hwy; Area 4 WWTP - 140 Sombrero Beach Rd; Area 5 WWTP - 10685 Overseas Hwy; Area 5 Vac Station - 7280 Overseas Hwy; Area 6 WWTP - 100 Avenue I; Area 7 WWTP - 59255 Overseas Hwy. Work to be completed includes: Install Electrical Upgrades for five (5) WWTP; Install Vacuum Monitoring System for five (5) WWTP; Construction a Service Area Flood Wall for WWTP Area 6.

FINDING OF NO

IMPACT

LEGAL NOTICES

contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to verify the actual last day of the objection period.Luis Gonzalez, Mayor Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

funds

SIGNIFICANT

The City of Marathon has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at The City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 4 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Grants Coordinator, Maria Covelli at covellim@ci.marathon.fl.us. All comments received by March 20, 2023 will be considered by the City of Marathon prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Marathon certifies to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Luis Gonzalez in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Marathon to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Marathon’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Marathon; (b) the City of Marathon has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Office of Long Term Resiliency at 107 E Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Potential objectors should

Ciudad de Maratón Aviso de hallazgo de no impacto significativo y Aviso de intención de solicitar una liberación de fondos AVISO DE CONSTATACIÓN DE QUE NO HAY IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO Y AVISO DE INTENCIÓN DE SOLICITAR LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS Marzo 1, 2023 Ciudad de Maratón 9805 Autopista de Ultramar Maratón, FL 33050 305.743.0033 Estos avisos deberán cumplir con dos requisitos de procedimiento separados pero relacionados para las actividades que llevará a cabo la Ciudad de Maratón.

SOLICITUD DE LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS

Alrededor del 20 de Marzo de 2023, la Ciudad de Marathon presentará una solicitud al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de la Florida para la liberación de la Subvención en Bloque de Desarrollo Comunitario –Fondos de mitigación bajo el Título I de la Ley de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario (HCD) Act of 1974 , según enmendada, para llevar a cabo un proyecto conocido como Programa de Reparación de Infraestructura con el propósito de endurecer la infraestructura de aguas residuales de la Ciudad haciéndola más resistente a los impactos de otro huracán como el huracán. Irma. Las ubicaciones para el proyecto se encuentran en (5) diferentes plantas de tratamiento en la ciudad de Maraton. Las áreas 3, 4, 5, 6 y 7 se incluyen en este proyecto con las siguientes direcciones: Área 3 EDAR - 4095 Overseas Hwy; Área 4 EDAR - 140 Sombrero Beach Rd; Área 5 EDAR - 10685 Overseas Hwy; Área 5 Estación Vac - 7280 Overseas Hwy; Área 6 EDAR - Avenida I 100; Área 7 EDAR59255 Overseas Hwy. El trabajo a completar incluye: Instalar actualizaciones Eléctricas para cinco (5) PTAR; Instalar el sistema de Monitoreo de Vacío para cinco (5) WWTP; Construcción de un muro de inundación del área de servicio para el área 6 WWTP. HALLAZGO DE NO IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO La Ciudad de Maratón ha determinado que el proyecto no tendrá un impacto significativo en el medio ambiente humano. Por lo tanto, no se requiere una Declaración de Impacto Ambiental bajo la Ley de Política Ambiental Nacional de 1969 (NEPA). La información adicional del proyecto está contenida en el Registro de Revisión Ambiental (ERR) en el archivo de The City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 y puede examinarse o copiarse de lunes a viernes de 9 A.M. a 4 P.M. COMENTARIOS PÚBLICOS Cualquier individuo, grupo o agencia puede enviar comentarios por escrito sobre el ERR a la Coordinadora de Subvenciones, Maria Covelli en covellim@ci.marathon.fl.us.

Todos los comentarios recibidos antes del Marzo 20, 2023 serán considerados por la Ciudad de Maratón antes de autorizar la presentación de una solicitud de liberación de fondos. Los comentarios deben especificar a qué Aviso se CERTIFICACIÓNdirigen.AMBIENTAL

La Ciudad de Maratón certifica al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida a Luis Gonzalez en su calidad de Alcalde que acepta la jurisdicción de los Tribunales Federales si se presenta una acción para hacer cumplir las responsabilidades en relación con el proceso de revisión ambiental y que estas responsabilidades se han cumplido. La aprobación de la certificación por parte del

LEGAL NOTICES

Departamento de Oportunidades

Económicas de Florida satisface sus responsabilidades bajo NEPA y las leyes y autoridades relacionadas y permite a la Ciudad de Maratón usar los fondos del OBJECIONESPrograma. A LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS

El Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de la Florida aceptará objeciones a su liberación de fondos y la certificación de la Ciudad de Maratón por un período de quince días después de la fecha de presentación anticipada o su recepción real de la solicitud (lo que sea posterior) solo si se basan en una de las siguientes bases: (a) la certificación no fue ejecutada por el Oficial Certificador de la Ciudad de Maratón; (b) la Ciudad de Maratón ha omitido un paso o no ha tomado una decisión o hallazgo requerido por las regulaciones de HUD en 24 CFR parte 58; (c) el beneficiario de la subvención u otros participantes en el proceso de desarrollo han comprometido fondos, incurrido en costos o emprendido actividades no autorizadas por 24 CFR Parte 58 antes de la aprobación de una liberación de fondos por parte del Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de la Florida; o (d) otra agencia federal que actúe de conformidad con 40 CFR Parte 1504 ha presentado una conclusión por escrito de que el proyecto no es satisfactorio desde el punto de vista de la calidad ambiental. Las objeciones deben prepararse y presentarse de acuerdo con los procedimientos requeridos (24 CFR Parte 58, Sec. 58.76) y deben dirigirse al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida, Oficina de Resiliencia a Largo Plazo en 107 E Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Los posibles objetores deben comunicarse con el Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida para verificar el último día real del período de objeción. Alcalde, Luis Gonzalez.

Publish: March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Installation and Maintenance of Aids to Navigation and Regulatory Markers in the Florida Keys Waters within Monroe County Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices.

Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00P.M., on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows:

Installation and Maintenance of Aids to Navigation & Regulatory Markers in Florida Keys Waters within Monroe County 4-20-2023

Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum

file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid; waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on April 20, 2023. You may call in by phone or internet using the following:

Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile: +16465189805,, 4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,, 4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT

POLK COUNTY

SUMMONS (PUBLICATION)

CASE NO. 23CV14

CASE CODE: 30303

LISA MILLER and DAVID J. WING 23225 188th Street, N.W. Big Lake, MN 55309 Plaintiff, v. WEINEGER ENTERPRISES TRUST 132 North Indies Drive Marathon, FL 33050 Defendants.

THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, to each person named above as a Defendant:

You are hereby notified that the plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you.

Within 45 days after February 16, 2023, you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the complaint. The demand must be sent or delivered to the court, whose address is: Clerk of Court Polk County Courthouse 1005 W. Main Street, Suite 300 Balsam Lake, WI 54810 and to Plaintiffs’ attorney, whose address is:

Barry C. Lundeen

Mudge, Porter, Lundeen & Seguin, SC 110 Second Street Hudson, WI 54016

You may have an attorney represent you.

If you do not demand a copy of the complaint within 45 days, the court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the complaint. A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future, and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property.

Dated this 10th day of February, 2023.

MUDGE, PORTER, LUNDEEN & SEGUIN, S.C.

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

By: Barry C. Lundeen

State Bar No. 1011860

Barry.lundeen@mpl-s.com

110 Second Street

P.O. Box 469 Hudson, WI 54016 (715) 386-3200

Publish:

February 16 & 23 and March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF NANCY J. MILLER

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Nancy J. Miller, deceased, whose date of death was November 25, 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Carl E. Miller

305 Sombrero Blvd. Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6022

Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish: March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 23-CP-52-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JAY SCOTT RYLANDER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JAY SCOTT RYLANDER, deceased, whose date of death was January 5, 2023, Case: 23-CP-52-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, 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative:

MICHAEL REPPAS

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:

March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000015-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM F. PEEL, JR.

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WILLIAM F. PEEL, JR., deceased, whose date of death was May 26, 2022; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000015-P, the address of which is 88820 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, 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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN

THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN THE 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative:

BARBARA K. PEEL

5 Sunset Cay Road

Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Personal

Representative:

JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A.

7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish:

March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000016-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF FREDERICK R. FREY, JR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IS HIRING!

$1000 SIGNON BONUS AFTER 3 MONTHS

SUPPORTED LIVING COACH FULL TIME

Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and In Home Support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or year for year experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Salary commensurate with experience.

Background screening, current FL driver’s license, and references required. Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West - EOE

NOW HIRING

DIVE INSTRUCTOR TOUCH TANK ATTENDANT GUEST SERVICES MARKETING COORDINATOR PART-TIME LAWN MAINTENANCE

Please contact April at 305.407.3262 or april@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com for more information.

The administration of the estate of FREDERICK R. FREY, JR., deceased, whose date of death was January 20, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000016-P, the address of which is 88820 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, 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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN THE 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative: HENNY FREY 24 Dockside Lane, PMB 466 Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ.

LEGAL NOTICES

Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A.

7 Barracuda Lane

Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911

turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish: March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 23-DR-98-K

DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: PETAGAY MEGAN STRONG, Petitioner, and, TRAVIANCE MARQUIS STRONG, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: TRAVIANCE MARQUIS STRONG

LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 2729 FLINTLOCK PLACE, EAUSTELL, GA 30106

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 PETAGAY MEGAN STRONG, whose address is 3930 S. ROOSEVELT BLVD., APT 414W, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before March 27, 2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $38.43/hr. - $43.04/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being lled.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SCADA/RELAY TECHNICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $30.64/hr. - $34.32/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being lled.

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: February 15, 2023

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

By:

Marissa Lockwood

Deputy Clerk

Publish: February 23, March 2, 9 & 16, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS!

Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE

2003 Mustang GT Convertible, Manual 5 Speed, Metallic Grey, 40,000 miles, Great Condition, $16,500. Located in Marathon. Call 305-481-3067

Place your AUTO FOR SALE ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking provided. $20/foot. 305-928-9057

Place your BOAT SLIP FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

BOATS FOR SALE

THREE (3) BOATS FOR FREE in Marathon: Regal 35', and two Bayliners 25'. FOR SALE: Pontoon 25' for $500.00 305-610-8002

Place your BOAT FOR SALE ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

EMPLOYMENT

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

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Executive Department:

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION (T&D) PROJECT ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $103,172/annually$106,061/annually.

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

EMPLOYMENT HOBBIES/COLLECT

City of Marathon

Current Job Openings: WW Operator/Controls Trainee, Utilities Maintenance, and Right of Way Technician. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work!

Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@ gmail.com

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

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: HCV Specialist, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator, Grounds Caretaker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Part-Time Line Cook. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Hourly pay commensurate with experience. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

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

Place your EMPLOYMENT ad here for $25. 00 /week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

BASEBALL AND SPORTS MEMORABILIA WANTED. Private collector buying sports cards, old programs, pennants, autographs, photographs, ticket stubs, bobbin’ head dolls, etc. Call Alan 503-481-0719

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

Place your HOBBIES/ COLLECTABLES ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 Bedroom 1 Bath in Marathon. Tile, carpet, appliances, gated property. No pets. $2500/mo. + water & sewer. Electric included. Available March. 305-610-8002

LUXURY CONDO FOR RENT IN MARATHON. 2 BR, 2 Bath, Den. 1650 sq ft plus 350 sq ft open balcony. Beautiful water view. Full gym, pool, tennis, fishing. Adults only. No pets. $4250 per month plus utilities F/L/S [first, last, and security deposit]. 800-324-6982.

HOUSING FOR RENT LONG TERM Key Largo - 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community $3200/ month 786-258-3127

Place your HOUSING FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

RV FOR SALE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Dolphin Research Center has Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary Gift Shop positions that involve direct contact with our visitors & is another opportunity to ensure they leave DRC with a happy & positive experience. Some of the duties involve; being familiar with all merchandise in the selling area, suggest specific merchandise & offer product advise. Walk around the grounds and see dolphins every day.

Job description available at www.dolphins.org. E-mail your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

RV FOR SALE - 2017 Thor Citation RV, 24ft Mercedes V6 Diesel, 2 slides, Cummings Diesel Generator, Low Mileage, Many Upgrades, Call Richard 305-363-8021

RV SITE FOR RENT

RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. $1.500/mo + utilities. Dockage availableinquire for price. 305-928-9057

Place your RV SITE FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

YARD SALES

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: 29575 Cupon Rd, Big Pine Key | Friday, March 3 & Saturday, March 4, 9am to 1pm both days | MULTIMEMBER FAMILY ESTATE SALE of lifelong Floridians with a love of travel, art, jewelry, furniture, a fine table, plus dachshunds, elephants and fish. 1000s of collectibles: preColombian artifacts, American sterling, jewelry, beer steins and rare Scandinavian and Danish modern furniture and MCM accessories. Located near SeaCamp on Oceanside of BPK. Follow signs and park with consideration. Photos: estatesales.net

Place your YARD SALE ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and get your stuff sold!

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- Environmental Tech 1, $5,000 Bonus

- Exercise Assistant

- Exercise Physiologist 1

- Medical Technologist 2, $15,000 Bonus

- Monitor Technician

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Bonus

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus

- Registered Respiratory Therapist 2

- Supervisor Pharmacy Operations, $5,000 Bonus

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator 1

- Environmental Tech 1, $5,000 Bonus

- Food Service Worker, $5,000 Bonus

- Lead Med Technologist, $15,000 Bonus

- Mechanic 3

- Medical Technologist 2, $15,000 Bonus

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Bonus

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus

- Registered Respiratory Therapist 2

- Security Of cer

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

NOW AEI ADVENTURE ENVIRONMENTAL INC

Hiring machine operators, deckhands, general labor, mechanics & welders in the Upper Keys. 40/hrs per week. Monday-Friday.

Full time position, starting March 1. Responsible for program development, coordinating presentations, media relations and traveling exhibits. Must have excellent writing and public speaking skills.

Knowledge of graphic design programs helpful. $45K annual salary.

Keys History & Discovery Center

82100 Overseas Hwy. Located on the property of the Islander Resort. For more information, email vivian@keysdiscovery.com

Shell World Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, full-time opportunities available, some weekend and evening hours. Opportunities for advancement, great benefits, competitive salary and flexible hours. Please stop by and fill out application or fax resume to 305-852-9639.

EMPLOYMENT RV FOR SALE YARD SALES

Having Fun in the Middle Keys

Tired of your boring job?

Looking for an exciting new challenge?

If so, we are offering an opportunity to join our team in a very fast paced, exciting and dynamic role that is structured with details varying on each project.

Dynasty Marine Associates, Inc. www.dynastymarine.net

Located in the Florida Keys, is a highly-respected supplier of Caribbean marine life to public aquariums and zoos throughout the world

OFFICE ASSISTANT FULLTIME

Duties to include invoice and inventory entry, booking airline shipments, creating and filing paperwork for international shipments, scheduling inspections needed for international shipments, customer communication and tracking, creating and maintaining customer accounts and some customer service.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. This position requires high attention to detail and the ability to multitask. Compensation will be dependent on experience with performance-based incentive program.

Benefits package including vacation, sick days, holidays and 401K PSP retirement plan. Please send cover letter and resume to sales@dynastymarine.net for consideration. No phone calls please.

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge in Islamorada is getting ready for a GRAND OPENING and we're looking to hire for all restaurant positions!

Open interviews Monday – Friday from 11am to 4pm at Oceanside Safari. Located at MM 73.5 right on the ocean at Caloosa Cove Marina, 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.

HIRING: FOH: HOSTS, SERVERS, BARTENDERS, BUSSERS, RUNNERS. BOH: LINE COOKS, PREP COOKS, DISHWASHERS.

Great pay, benefits and perks. We offer a stable 40 hrs-per-week to our hourly employees, and more hours if you want! Part-time positions available if you are looking for a second job, or after-school job.

We also offer a $1,000 Sign-On Bonus to all new hires, and a $500 Referral Bonus for employees who help us build up our team!

No Inglés. No Problema. Lo importante es que trabajes bien. Pa gen angle. Pa gen pwoblèm. Tout sa ki enpòtan se ke ou travay byen.

We are re-opening as a brand new full-service restaurant & bar, with a full kitchen with all brand new equipment, a beautiful bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a beachfront lounge on our own private beach. We’re currently in the final stages of renovation of the building and property, and we’re planning on opening the end of February. We need to start assembling and training our team now! Come join us!

**We are an Equal Opportunity Employer**

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge, 786-626-6124 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036

Key West Engineering Technician

Middle Keys Journeyman Electrician

Middle Keys Distribution Systems Operator D

Middle Keys Wastewater Maintenance Mechanic C

Middle Keys Wastewater Pump Technician

Duck Key Wastewater Treatment Operator

Upper Keys Temporary Distribution Systems Operator D

Benefit package and salary is extremely competitive!  See Job description, salary and on-line application at www. aa.com/employment EEO, VPE, ADA, DFWP

PART TIME MORNING DOCKHANDS

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

DOCKHAND DUTIES include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking.

BOAT RENTAL APPLICANTS need to have experience driving boats and a working knowledge of the Islamorada area by water. Duties include taking reservations, giving captains lessons and routine boat maintenance.

Applicants can email Ma at eliteboatrentalsma @gmail.com. Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

THE FLORIDA KEYS AQUEDUCT AUTHORITY IS LOOKING TO FILL POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE KEYS

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. For full details & additional openings, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

Architects

We have openings for Intern Architects, Emerging Professionals, and Production Architects. Experience in High End Residential design is a plus.

Interior Designer Apply knowledge & creative skills to projects at our high-end design center. Must possess an interior design background and history of achievement in quality projects.

Junior Interior Designer

1+ year experience with basic interior architecture detailing. Strong knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and 20/20 a plus.

Jr. Interior Designer

Benefits

ARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Crisis Counselor

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult) Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Crisis Counselor

Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children)

*Advocate (PT only)

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist (or KW) Admissions Utilization Specialist Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

RNs and LPNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem) Maintenance Specialist

*Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

*Support Worker – Assisted Living (PT only)

*No experience required for these positions. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

ONCE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research and rescue of marine mammals. We are looking to hire a full-time VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, responsible for the company’s financial, accounting and administrative functions. Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Policy development and implementation

• Liaison with Insurance agents, bankers, audit firm, 401(k) administrator, attorneys and financial management systems

• Internal and external financial reporting

• Member of Executive Steering Committee

• Management of Human Resources, Information Technology, Retail Gift Shop and Guest Services

• Facilitation and coordination of payment reimbursements for all Grants

• Oversight of all Insurance policies

• Fixed Asset Management

• Budget Administration

• Cash Management

• Recruitment and training of accounting staff and direct report department heads

The successful applicant will possess a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting and have 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in not-for-profit finance/accounting roles. The applicant must have excellent oral, written, analytical, interpersonal, management and organizational skills coupled with the ability to meet organizational goals, handle competing priorities, take initiative, and think creatively and strategically. CPA preferred. Must live in the area.

DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total compensation package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits with the option of adding an HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

To apply please send your resume to Human Resources, Attention Jeanne Welever, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050, fax to 305-289-8902 or email drc-hr@dolphins.org.