FISHING TOURNAMENT RAISES $22K FOR AUTISM SOCIETY

JIMMY JOHNSON’S 43.5- POUND DOLPHIN WINS FIRST PLACE

Shelf Help

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

What: Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

Why: Does the title imply repose or deceit? Both? Molly Ringwald’s elegant translation offers a gift promised by this small package.

Starter Charter Will Flood Keys With Higher Taxes

Monroe County government, which spends more than onehalf billion taxpayer dollars annually for just 80,000 residents, wants more money.

According to county experts, there are several absolutely “critical” infrastructure and resiliency projects in need of billions of dollars funding. Since property taxes are at the max for homeowners, the county is pushing for voter approval of the “Starter Charter” as the vehicle to raise billions in new revenue.

The Autism Society of the Keys (ASK) hosts its charity fishing tournament with the Police Benevolent Association. From left, ASK volunteers Hope Haley and Owen Trepanier, ASK executive director Jill Campbell and tournament directors Mike Pettee, Emily Pettee and Frank Betz.

The Autism Society of the Keys hosted its third annual Monster Charity PBA Dolphin Tournament the weekend of June 24 at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina on Stock Island.

Capt. Jimmy Johnson caught the winning dolphin on Double J with a 43.5-pound fish.

The tournament raised $22,000 for autism initiatives, along with a small donation to the Cub Scouts and the Police Benevolent Association’s Love Fund.

— Contributed

TOURNAMENT WINNERS

1st Place: Jimmy Johnson aboard Double J

2nd Place: Scott Duling aboard Ocean Daze

3rd Place: Alex aboard Mama Money (last name not provided)

4th Place: Paul Weisenfeld aboard Stella Blue

PBA Winner: Jack Gruba aboard Leviathan

Female Winner: Tori Hicks aboard You & Tequila

Junior Winner: Joshua aboard Natural II (last name not provided)

The regret of squandered love, the lingering nature of firsts, and the destructive impact of family. A taboo love story between two young men who share first love, but must cast it away to fulfill obligations. It’s the knowing that he’s still out there that haunts them both and pushes this story along; one comfortable in his own skin, the other determined to eviscerate all that he is.

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

How: You can request books online by logging in to www. keyslibraries.org and get e-books 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: Amy Skerly, library assistant, Key West branch.

First up will be increasing the county sales tax to 8.5 percent, but that only adds $55 million annually. We’ll still require billions more for the new county-wide bus system, for raising hundreds of miles of roads 6-12 inches (imagine thousands of rock-laden dump trucks jamming U.S. 1 daily for the next several years), and of course, for lots of “resilient” new county buildings. And that’s just the starter list.

Fortunately for Monroe County, the Starter Charter makes several new taxes possible — taxes on water and on electric bills, transportation taxes, special taxing districts, resiliency taxes, taxes on things you didn’t know could be taxed, and more.

We will soon be drowning in new taxes. The Starter Charter is a scam, and if it passes, we’ll all be riding the shiny new Keys bus system. That’s all we’ll be able to afford.

Patrick A Foley Islamorada

Fourth of July expected to be busy throughout the Keys

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office expects Fourth of July traffic to be heavy throughout the Florida Keys — on and off the water — starting this week. Deputies will be on the roads watching for impaired and unsafe drivers. Don’t pass in no-passing zones or in center turn lanes, as you are likely to get a ticket. If you plan to drive anywhere in or out of the county, plan extra time. Expect delays from the 18-Mile Stretch to Key West. Designate a sober driver for your car or your boat. The Sheriff’s Office will have extra deputies on the water as well in an effort to keep mariners safe. Be patient and courteous at sandbars, other gathering areas, and especially at marinas and boat ramps as they are expected to be busy. Please leave the fireworks to the professionals. Discard trash properly. It isn’t fair to leave it on the ground or in the water for someone else to clean up – and you could be charged with littering. Have a safe and fun Fourth of July.

Marathon man arrested on fentanyl trafficking charge

A 33-year-old Marathon man was arrested on June 23 after more than 9 grams of fentanyl were found during a traffic stop, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Vantrail Lee Moore was charged with trafficking fentanyl. Moore was stopped in a Nissan sedan with an expired tag and for following too closely on U.S. 1 near MM 102 at 3:19 p.m. About 9.7 grams of fentanyl were found in Moore’s possession after K9 Coral alerted to the presence of narcotics.

MCSO, firefighters respond to Keys Fisheries boat fire

Marathon man arrested in gas station burglary

An 18-year-old Marathon man was arrested June 23 after allegedly breaking into and stealing from a Key Largo gas station on two separate occasions in May, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Elijah John Palmisciano was charged with two counts of business burglary, two counts of petit theft, and two counts of second or subsequent theft of less than $1,000. Palmisciano allegedly burglarized the Amoco gas station once on May 16 and again on May 20. He stole a total of $550 in cash, cigarettes and vapes in the incidents, MCSO said. The investigation led to Palmisciano as the suspect. He was booked into jail on June 23.

Florida Keys Arts Council seeks grant applicants

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is seeking Monroe County artists of all genres, including visual, music, dance, literary and more, to apply for three grant opportunities. The deadline is Friday, June 30 at 5 p.m. to apply for Art Builds Community Grants, Artists in Schools Grants and Special Project Grants. Information to apply for three grant opportunities is at keysarts.com/grants_more/grants. html. Please call the Florida Keys Council of the Arts for suggestions and assistance at 305295-4369 or by email to director@keysarts. com.

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 youth soccer registration is now open

The Sheriff’s Office and firefighters responded to a boat fire at Keys Fisheries in Marathon on June 24 at 3:30 a.m. There were no reported injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded. Three commercial fishing boats were damaged in the fire, according to MCSO. Security video captured a spark believed to have ignited the fire. Foul play is not suspected in the incident, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Registration is open for the Marathon Youth Club’s 2023 fall season of youth soccer. Children ages 5 to 12 may register to play. The registration fee is $90 per child, with a $20 discount when registering additional siblings, plus a $3 transaction service fee. Children ages 7 and up must attend an evaluation at the Marathon Community Park soccer fields on Friday, July 7 or Monday, July 17. The season will run from the week of Aug. 14 through Oct. 20 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Register at MYC’s online registration link: https:// leagues.bluesombrero.com/marathonyouthclub. For more information, follow “Marathon Youth Sports” on Facebook or email MarathonYouthClub305@gmail.com.

William Brown, 88, a longtime resident of Marathon, Florida, was born in Charleston, South Carolina. With the exception of his service in the U.S. Army, almost all of his life was spent on the east coast of the United States in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and with a dog at his side.

His very first job, as a young boy, was to climb the steps twice a day to turn on and off the light in the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse at New Smyrna Beach, Florida while his father served in the Coast Guard and as a lighthouse keeper.

After serving as a law enforcement officer with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission and the Florida Marine Patrol, Mr. Brown became Captain Brown with the acquisition of the Marathon Lady deep sea fishing party boat. Captain Brown owned this business, which over the years included five boats ranging in length from 55 to 73 feet, for almost 50 years. Many who served as his crew and staff stayed with him for many years, a testament to his leadership.

He was a man of few words, but a man of his word, with a strong moral compass and deep loyalty to those he worked with and loved.

Captain Brown is survived by his sister, Debbie Brown Crowder (Bob) and many nieces, nephews and good friends. He was predeceased by his father, William, his mother, Maude, his sister, Pamela, and brother, Alec.

Captain Brown died at his home on Grassy Key, and his remains will be scattered at a later time in the sea that he loved.