CORAL SHORES STUDENT TAKES TO FLORIDA CAPITAL

FKEC helicopter conducts line inspections

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative began its annual helicopter-based inspections and maintenance along U.S. 1 on April 10. The work is scheduled to continue through the month, and is weather-dependent. The aerial work will be performed from about 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the daily location, between Marathon and Ocean Reef, will be determined by wind and traffic conditions.

Business owners and residents along U.S. 1 from the Monroe County Line to Marathon are asked to secure any loose, unattached items such as furniture, plants or other goods displayed near or below the main transmission lines.

FKEC asks you to please drive safely while this inspection is in progress, and keep your focus on the road and not the helicopter flying overhead.

The aerial inspection increases the reliability of local electric service and ultimately prevents power outages through regular system maintenance. With over 1,600 transmission poles to survey, including 11 miles over water and many land-based poles in hard to reach places, FKEC is using a helicopter contractor to execute the project efficiently and accurately.

FKEC members with questions can call member service at 305-852-2431.

CFK virtual event planned for dual enrollment information

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) will hold a virtual event for Monroe County high school students and their parents/ guardians to learn more about its dual enrollment (DE) opportunities on Thursday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m. Through DE, high school students can simultaneously earn college and high school credits at no cost to the student. The program provides a head start to college for students while potentially saving families thousands of dollars. At the virtual event, CFK will discuss the benefits of taking DE classes, requirements to participate, and the application process.

Students and parents can sign up for the event and learn more about the DE program at CFK.edu/DE. For more information DE, contact Nicole Gerrard, CFK associate dean of student success services, at nicole.gerrard@cfk.edu.

SOPHOMORE INTRODUCES BILL, VISITS MOONEY

Davis Borders, Coral Shores class of 2025, participated in the Florida House of Representatives’ third week of session between March 20-24, as part of the Page and Messenger program in Tallahassee.

Program participants had the opportunity to observe lawmakers, lobbyist and staff working in the legislative process. Students from around the state attend committee meetings, observe House sessions and interact with notable state House members.

Over the course of the week, Borders learned about the legislative process and interacted with lobbyists and state representatives. The week was very busy with a host of events, such as protests, lobbyist information displays and press coverage.

Borders participated in a mock committee to introduce a bill, defend the position and call for a vote among his peers. During the week, he worked with sponsor state Rep. Jim Mooney to deliver messages during the session. Borders noted that it was neat to see the representatives on the TV and then pass them walking the halls.

“My most memorable parts of the week were seeing the State House Chamber, Supreme Court and meeting other students from around the state. Mr. Mooney was nice, and he appreciated that I came up from Key Largo for the week,” said Borders. “I want to thank Mr. Mooney and his staff for sponsoring me and supporting my application.”

— Contributed

Presentation scheduled on Keys’ worst hurricanes

The Matecumbe Historical Trust’s next free presentation will be on “The Keys’ Worst Hurricanes.” The presentation is from the Irving R. Eyster collection. The presentation will be held on Monday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Island Community Church, located at 82350 Overseas Highway, Islamorada. An audio-visual presentation will be shown on several local hurricanes, starting with the 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet, leading up to the 1935 Hurricane, Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. These were some of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida Keys history, with the 1935 Hurricane being the strongest storm of the century. The presentation is free and open to the public. For more information contact Barbara at 305-393-0940.

Two county fleet employees recognized

Two Monroe County fleet management employees have been named finalists in the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) 100 Best Fleets professional awards. Generator mechanic Lyle Tabb was named a finalist for Technician of the Year with 35 other technicians, and Daryl Greenlee, Monroe County director of fleet management, was named a finalist as Fleet Professional of the Year with 42 other professionals. The awards spotlight the most progressive, dedicated and talented leaders in the fleet industry.

Nominees were selected from public and commercial fleets throughout the United States and are judged on experience, education, training, and performance, and show teamwork, leadership traits, initiatives, and technical capabilities. The top three winners will be announced on Monday, April 17.

AAA: Florida gas prices reach 2023 highs

Florida gas prices rose 12 cents per gallon last week. On Sunday, the state average was $3.58 per gallon. That’s tied with the highest price of 2023, which was initially set in late January.

“Last week’s jump at the pump was expected, after OPEC announced oil production cuts that immediately caused oil prices to surge,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “Fortunately, after the initial gains on Monday, the oil market plateaued through the rest of the week. It’s possible that retail gas prices could inch up a little more this week before fully adjusting to the moves in the futures market.”

The U.S. price of oil rose after OPEC announced plans to cut production by more than a million barrels of oil per day. In March, oil prices plummeted on the banking crisis and concerns about an economic recession that would reduce fuel demand. OPEC’s plans to cut production removes oil from a global market that was already tight on supplies. The organization’s goal is to keep upward pressure on oil prices and that appears to be working.

#1 lease log o http://is amora on to participate: http://islamoradasocialsurveys.org or mail this survey to:

Vice

Mayor Sharon Mahoney POBOX 650 - Islamorada - FL 33036

DEADLINE: 4/30/2023

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the direction and use of the Tea Table and Indian Key Fills. The Islamorada Council wants to hear your opinion:

Are you a registered voter in the Village of Islamorada? (Yes/No)

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Do you own property in the Village of Islamorada? (Yes/No)

#3

To ensure one vote per person, please enter your full name:

To ensure one vote per person, please enter your physical address:

To ensure one vote per person, please enter your email address: #5

#6 #7 #8

Do you support a park-like development of the fills with parking, launching ramp, picnic tables and trash collection services open to the general public? (Yes/No)

Do you support three 15-minute time limited parking spaces on the northbound side of the road and three 15-minute time limited parking spaces on the southbound of the road to allow for scenic overlook and pictures? (Yes/No)

If you do support further development at the Fills, are you willing to pay for the improvement and yearly maintenance costs through your property taxes? (Yes/No)