CHEER ON ’CANES CHEERLEADING SQUAD SEEKS SUPPORT

The Coral Shores High School cheerleaders have high hopes and huge goals for the 2023-2024 season, and they need support from the community.

Specifically, the cheerleading team is in need of money to acquire uniforms and gear, as well as attend cheer camp. The cheerleading team receives no financial support from the school district or Coral Shores’ athletic foundation.

Young athletes work diligently to raise money; however, the fundraisers only cover a small portion of the expenses. This year, the team is seeking sponsors to help keep the cost to the cheerleaders’ families at reasonable levels. Sponsor packages are $100 and above; $250 and above; $500 and above and $1,000 and above. Packages come with various levels of recognition.

All sponsorship contributions go directly to support the team, and they’re also tax deductible.

To learn more about the sponsorship opportunity and support the team, scan the QR code or call Mary Houston at 786-365-8284 or Jen Gomer at 904-315-9359.

Briefly

Household hazardous waste dropoff scheduled

Islamorada provides four opportunities per year for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste locally. The household hazardous waste collection is an effort to remove hazardous materials from the waste stream and to properly control disposal of the products. The drop-off days are generally scheduled for the second consecutive Friday and Saturday of the months of March, June, September and December.

On Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10, Islamorada residents may take household hazardous waste to a special drop-off location at Founders Park (MM 87 bayside). The drop-off location will be set up near the south park entrance behind the administrative center parking lot where an attendant will sort items for proper disposal. Dropoff hours will be 9 a.m. to noon both days.

Household waste materials include used non-contaminated oils, antifreeze, bottles or cans of flammable liquid fuel and chlorine bottles, liquid poison, flammable solids, aerosol, corrosive materials, liquid or solid oxidizers, pesticides or herbicides, cyanides or sulfides, dry cell alkaline batteries, lead acid batteries, latex paints, pcb liquids, bcb ballasts, non-regulated soaps, polishes and similar materials, contaminated oil solvents, oil based paints and thinners, and tires off the rim that do not exceed a light duty SUV. Computer, electronic and lighting waste from your home is accepted throughout the year and will also be accepted during this event.

Mooney guest speaker of homeowners’ meeting

The Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations will hold its general membership meeting on Wednesday, June 14 at 6 p.m. at the Key Largo library community room, 101485 Overseas Highway. The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom.

Guest speaker is state Rep. Jim Mooney to give an update on the legislative session. The meeting is open to the public. The ZOOM link is:

Islamorada unveils new website

The village of Islamorada recently unveiled a new website with a host of new features, including the ability for residents to create and customize an account and viewing preferences. Users can select the notifications and emails that matter to them, in what the village says is a more user-friendly platform. Visit www.islamorada.fl.us.

Survey finds people would ignore evacuations

Severe weather like hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home, damage your vehicle and sidetrack your summer vacation. That’s why AAA is sharing its top insurance policies for hurricane season to help Floridians protect their property and travel plans. But first, The Auto Club Group is releasing new findings from its annual hurricane season survey.

According to the survey, about 1-in-5 Florida residents (19%) do not make advance preparations for hurricane season or severe weather. Even more concerning, 24% say they would ignore warnings to evacuate in the event of a hurricane. Of those who would evacuate, more than half, 56%, say they would not leave their homes unless an approaching hurricane was a category 3 or stronger.

“Staying in the path of a potentially deadly storm is just not worth the risk,” said Mark Jenkins, public relations manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Take steps now to develop an evacuation plan for your family and pets. If you’re worried about property damage, contact your insurance advisor. Having adequate coverage will give you the peace-of-mind in knowing that anything damaged while you’re gone can be repaired or replaced.”

AAA: Gas prices dip a few cents

Florida gas prices declined 5 cents last week. The state average on Sunday was $3.36 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since late April.

“Pump prices have been under pressure during the past month, due to falling oil prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “However, oil prices could strengthen this week. Over the weekend, OPEC agreed on another round of oil production cuts. It’s unclear how much of an effect this will have on fuel prices, but if oil prices rise significantly, drivers would likely see higher prices at the pump.”

This is the latest in several rounds of production cuts. Last year, OPEC agreed to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day. In April, the cartel surprised the market by cutting an additional 1.16 million barrel per day. This caused a brief jump in oil prices, which cooled through May. OPEC hopes this additional 1 million b/d cut will send oil prices higher again.

Overnight, the U.S. price of oil traded at above $72 per barrel. That’s only about a dollar more than Friday’s closing price, and within the same range that oil prices have been in during the past month.

New Bonefish & Tarpon Trust vice chair

Dan Berger has been elected Vice Chair of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) Board of Directors. Berger has served on the BTT board since 2017 and chairs the Policy and Government Affairs Committee.

“Dan has contributed significantly to BTT’s exponential growth and development over recent years,” said BTT President and CEO Jim McDuffie. “His impact has been felt across our organization, from successful conservation policy initiatives to matters of organizational governance. We are grateful for his leadership at the board table and across the flats fishing community.”

Berger has more than 30 years of executive management and government affairs experience. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the National Association of FederallyInsured Credit Unions (NAFCU). Berger also served as Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives and has been an effective advocate and political strategist for trade groups and corporations.

“Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is a leading conservation organization that puts a much-needed focus not only on environmental protection, but also on research and advocacy,” said Berger.

“It has been a pleasure to serve as a board member for the past six years, and I’m looking forward to elevating the meaningful efforts of BTT in my new capacity and continuing our efforts in ‘Bringing Science to the Fight’.”

A well-known figure with political and financial press, Berger has been listed as one of the most influential lobbyists in Washington by “The Hill” newspaper every year since 2002. He is a contributor on CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg TV and CNN. He is also regularly quoted in national and financial news outlets such as “Forbes,” “The Wall Street Journal” and “The Washington Post.”

Berger earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Florida State University. He is a member of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100.

Islamorada Village of Islands

Request For Proposals

GREEN TURTLE HAMMOCK NATURE PRESERVE IMPROVEMENTS

Pavilion Building, Community Kayak Launch, and Shoreline Restoration (RFP 23-07)

Issue Date: May 8, 2023

Islamorada, Village of Islands (the “Village”), will receive formal proposals from qualified proposers to provide services for the construction of a community kayak launch, two-story pavilion, sea wall renovation, new parking area and other site and canal improvements. Formal proposals will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 15, 2023.

Interested proposers must submit sealed proposal packages by certified mail or in person to:

Islamorada, Village of Islands

Attn: Village Clerk

86800 Overseas Highway

Islamorada, Florida 33036

To be eligible for selection consideration, a submittal package must contain all documentation detailed in Section VII of this document. Proposers must submit one (1) original printed package and three (3) printed copies, and one (1) electronic copy provided by email attachment or cloud storage link. The printed documents shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope and be plainly marked on the upper left-hand corner with the name and address of the contractor and bear the following title: Islamorada, Village of Islands “Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve Improvements (RFP 23-07).”

The electronic copy should be identical to the original printed package in natively converted PDF format and include “RFP 2307” in the document title. Submit the electronic document or link to the cloud storage site via email to clerk@islamorada.fl.us within 24-hours after 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 15, 2023.

It is the sole responsibility of proposing firms to ensure that their submittal is received in a timely manner. Any proposal package submitted past the deadline and/or submitted to other locations or offices shall be deemed non-responsive and will be rejected.

Go to https://www.islamorada.fl.us/bid detail T4 R251.php or Scan the QR Code below for more information

Reef Environmental Education Foundation 98300 Overseas Hwy., MM 98.3

Key Largo, FL 33037