THE BUCKET LIST BRIDGE

80-YEAR- OLD PAUL TODD WILL TACKLE THE 2023 SEVEN MILE RUN WITH THREE GENERATIONS OF FAMILY

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

For some, the Seven Mile Bridge run is a competitive dogfight at the front of the lead pack. For others, it’s an opportunity to take a pretty sweet selfie at the top of “the hump,” or perhaps just “beat the bus.” For the Young family, the 2023 bridge run will check off one more item on a multigenerational bucket list.

Islamorada to accept charitable contribution requests

Beginning April 3, the village of Islamorada will be accepting charitable contribution request forms. This is to help struggling organizations that promote good within the community. The village will be collecting the funding requests starting on April 3, for 60 days and anticipates the village council will make its awards at the July 6 regular meeting.

County online permitting system reduces issuance times

Ed Koconis, Monroe County administrative director of building and permitting, provided an update on the all-online electronic permitting system implemented in October 2022 at last week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Koconis said the system has dramatically decreased review times, and the department is meeting target timelines 95 percent of the time.

The review process takes about five business days for smaller permits, like for fencing, and about 12 business days for all other permit types, if changes are not needed, because departments can review plans simultaneously. Previously, the review time could take 40-plus business days with paper plans for the permits to go through each department’s process.

The department has also received more than 900 public records requests, often requiring scanning permits and plans to meet the requests. With electronic permitting, the timeline to respond to public records requests is significantly shortened due to plans and permits after October 2022 already being in the system.

“Of course, we have had some hiccups, but overall it continues to be a success,” said Koconis. “We have a hands-on working relationship with the program developers, which makes it quicker and easier to tailor the system to the public’s needs.”

More information is at monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting

Coral Shores students present “Into the Woods”

Bridge To Close On Saturday Morning

The first time Chris Todd Young, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys, ran a race with her dad, she had barely cracked double digits. Just 10 years old, she entered the 1980 Sarasota Herald Tribune 10K in the 13 & Under division, finishing the race in just over 64 minutes as her father Paul Todd crossed the line just 30 seconds behind her.

Please be advised that the Seven Mile Bridge will close from about 6 to 9 a.m. for the 2023 Seven Mile Bridge Run. Motorists should plan to be on their destination’s side of the bridge before 6 a.m. to avoid delays. For more race information, including packet pickup, shuttle times and parking info for runners, visit 7mbrun.com.

Though it would take another 36 years before the pair toed the same start line again, their next race had a third generation in tow, as Young’s daughter Caidyn joined the fatherdaughter duo at the 2016 Duck Key Turkey Trot.

With barely a month to go until his 80th birthday, Todd will make the journey down from Nokomis, Florida to once again lace them up with his daughter and granddaughter. According to him, racing with his family in his first tangle with the bridge is a prime “bucket list” opportunity.

“We’re making (Caidyn) do it with us, which is funny because she’s not a runner,” Young told the Weekly with a laugh. “I told her, ‘We’ve gotta get to the top of the hump, and we’ve gotta get a picture with dad. Then you can fall out.”

Though the full field for the 2023 race has yet to be revealed, if Todd ran in last year’s race, he would finish in a tie as the second-oldest participant. Even still, Young doubts the buses will catch her father, who still runs at least two days per week.

“He’s definitely going to beat the bus,” she said. “And he’s gonna beat me, unfortunately.”

When asked why he chose such a sweaty endeavor as his 80th birthday present, Todd’s answer is one that should resonate with most who’ve braved the bridge.

“I just wanted to see if I could do it.”

Students from the Coral Shores School Drama Club will offer the Upper Keys an amusingly different way to think about everyone’s favorite fairy tale characters through their production of “Into the Woods” on April 7-8 and 15-16.

The musical is directed by senior Aleisa Crumb and involves 25 students who have contributed to the show, from performing to designing sets and props, lights and scenery and working backstage. The Coral Shores Drama Club will present Into the Woods on April 7, 8 and 15 at 7 p.m., with a matinee on April 16 at 2 p.m.

Tickets prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and CSHS students. Performance will be held in CSHS Performing Art Center, 89901 Old Hwy, Tavernier. Tickets may be purchased at Coral Shores High School and at the door. More information is available via email to suzanne.gagliardini@keysschools.com.

AAA: Gas prices drop 9 cents

Florida gas prices are still responding to a big drop in the oil market that occurred two weeks ago. The state average declined 9 cents per gallon last week, with retail prices averaging $3.37 per gallon on March 26. That’s 21 cents less than this year’s high and 75 cents less than drivers paid this time last year.

After plunging 17% to a new 2023 low - two weeks ago - the U.S. price of oil recouped some of those losses last week, rising 4%. That could limit how much further gas prices fall. Since it often takes two weeks for retail prices to adjust to movement in the futures market, it’s possible that retail gas prices fall a little further this week, before leveling out or inching higher next week.