Marathon Weekly 24-0215

“The life of a republic lies certainly in the energy, virtue, and intelligence of its citizens.” —Andrew Johnson

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Feb. 15, 2024

THE ‘ARMY’ ADVANCES Cleanup crew partners with Isla Bella | P.15

TAXES, CONTRACTS & THE QUAY Marathon Council gets back to work | P.4 TEACHING THE ‘TAX MAN’ The inaugural Spanish Fly Shark Tournament | P.19

February 24, 2024

Benefit for Kair Food Pantry SombreroBeachRun.org 305-743-4582

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

WE’VE SOLD MORE PROPERTIES OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS THAN THE NEXT FOUR COMPANIES COMBINED CALL US TO FIND OUT HOW • 305.743.5181 JUST SOLD! 120 AVENUE E | MARATHON

JUST LISTED! 2240 YELLOWTAIL DRIVE | MARATHON

3 BEDROOMS & 2 BATHS | $1,199,000

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BUYER!

SAM WILLIAMS, P.A.

SAM WILLIAMS, P.A.

call or text 305.942.6069 | www.midkeyshomes.com | #sellitwithsam

call or text 305.942.6069 | www.midkeyshomes.com | #sellitwithsam

JUST LISTED! 150 10TH STREET | KEY COLONY BEACH

JUST LISTED! 10877 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, #17 | MARATHON

3 BEDROOMS & 2 BATHS | $1,799,000

2 BEDSROOMS & 2 BATHS | $1,400,000

NATALIE ARDIS, ®

305.481.3317 | natalie@cbschmitt.com

LELA ASHKARIAN,

NATALIE ARDIS, ®

305.395.0814 | lela@cbschmitt.com

305.481.3317 | natalie@cbschmitt.com

JUST LISTED! 2000 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, #G33 | MARATHON

3 BEDROOMS & 2 BATHS | $648,000

CHASE FOSTER, REALTOR

305.289.6526 | chasefoster@cbschmitt.com

COLDWELL BANKER SCHMITT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

LELA ASHKARIAN,

305.395.0814 | lela@cbschmitt.com

JUST LISTED! 8 OCEAN EAST | MARATHON

3 BEDROOMS & 5 BATHS | $5,900,000

SAM WILLIAMS, P.A.

call or text 305.942.6069 | www.midkeyshomes.com | #sellitwithsam

Helping Keys Residents since 2002. The Coldwell Banker Schmitt Charitable Foundation was created in April 2002, and is dedicated to helping Keys’ residents whose critical needs are not being met through other means. The funds are donated to the Foundation through the generous hearts of the Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate agents, staff, associates, business partners, and the public. www.gooddeedsinthekeys.org

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

KEY COLONY BEACH | $1,799,000 | LISTING ID: 608084

Open the door to what’s next.

Welcome to this three bedroom, two bathroom canal-front home that epitomizes the ideal waterfront lifestyle. The open floor plan of the interior immediately captures your attention, creating a sense of spaciousness and connectivity.

The living area features large windows that showcase beautiful views of the canal. The heart of the home is the roomy kitchen, equipped with modern appliances, granite countertops, and a spacious bar perfect for casual meals or entertaining guests. Exit the living area to the patio, where a tiki hut awaits. This outdoor oasis is complete with an inviting bar, offering the perfect setting for enjoying refreshing beverages while taking in the relaxing views of the canal. The canal frontage is a boater's dream, featuring a 60-foot dock and a convenient boat lift. This allows easy access to the open waters, making it a haven for water enthusiasts. Whether you prefer a leisurely boat ride or a day of fishing, the options are endless. This property is not only a wonderful private residence but also serves as an active vacation rental, making it an excellent investment opportunity. Additionally, the fortunate residents enjoy membership to the Cabana Club, which provides access to exclusive amenities and enhances the overall experience of living in this tropical paradise.

10055 Overseas Highway | Marathon 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

123.4M

Last Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers drew 123.4 million views, making it the most-watched TV program of all time, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Conch Republic Marine Army founder and president Brian Vest leads a cleanup near Isla Bella Beach Resort to commemorate the army’s expansion into the Middle Keys. See page 19.

MARKY PIERSON/Contributed

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Digital Editor / Gwen Filosa gwen@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales

Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Digital Sales

Kiara Bush kiara@overseasmediagroup.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Diana Striker

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

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. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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@KeysWeekly @theWeekly

Members of

MARATHON COUNCIL RENEWS TAXING DISTRICT AND PIVOTS ON THE QUAY Matlock, Garrett square off over contract renewal ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

T

he Marathon City Council faced hefty decisions at its Feb. 13 session, but still managed some time for fireworks as it renewed City Manager George Garrett’s contract to close the meeting.

Matlock, Garrett square off over contract renewal Though the council voted 4-1 to extend Garrett’s contract for an additional three years, the decision didn’t come without hefty criticism from councilman Kenny Matlock , who took aim at a prior ordinance he felt was falsely presented to the council.

Ordinance 2023-15, originally reviewed by the council in August 2023 and tabled again in January, at that time contained language governing the redevelopment of hotel and motel rooms whereby single-room units may be altered to become two- to six-bedroom units, in exchange for a reduction in the total number of units on a particular site. The proposed ordinance language included a maximum square footage for redeveloped units, debated by the council, as well as additional provisions for affordable housing.

A version of the ordinance presented to the council in January stated that the five- and six-bedroom redevelopment provisions would only apply “within the Parks and Recreation (PR) Zoning District.” Within the city, the Florida Keys Country Club property, set for future development as the luxury Florida Keys Resort, is one of only two PR-zoned properties with transient building rights, with the other being Curry Hammock State Park’s tent and RV sites.

Matlock cited prior emails between Garrett and resort investor Peter Rosasco, along with other professionals involved in the design and engineering of the new resort, as indications that pieces of the ordinance language were crafted to aid one specific development.

“We’ve got someone in our city presenting standard policy changes that are not standard policy changes. They are specifically for specific developments,” Matlock said. “I cannot count the times we were told … this was not for the golf course. It is for the golf course. It’s right there in black and white.”

Speaking with the Weekly by phone the following day, Garrett pushed back against the idea that the ordinance was presented as a standard policy change, stating that although Rosasco had asked for a review of the regulations, he was within his right to do so as a Marathon resident.

Real estate magnate Brian Schmitt, developer Noah Singh and Thea Ramsay spoke in support of Garrett, with Schmitt stating that he “would prefer to deal with city staff in Marathon more than any other political jurisdiction in the Keys, and that’s largely because of George.”

“I think Marathon has done a better job of housing, a better job in development, and a better job in its planning and building departments than any other community,” Schmitt added.

Marathon resident and former planning commissioner Mike Leonard refrained from commenting on Garrett specifi-

Fishermen’s Community Hospital CEO Drew Grossman addresses the Marathon City Council prior to an extension of the Middle Keys Health Care Municipal Services Taxing Unit. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

cally, but spoke against a three-year contract extension, calling the extended term “a tool for recruiting, not when you have somebody here that’s already successful.” Leonard spoke in favor of a one-year contract as well as openforum discussions of Garrett’s performance, saying that the city’s liability for the proposed extension could reach well north of $1 million in salary and benefits for Garrett.

Matlock voted to table Garrett’s contract extension, but did not receive a second, eventually standing as the lone “no” in the final vote.

Baptist taxing district to continue Another year of the controversial Middle Keys Health Care Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) in support of Baptist Health and Fishermen’s Community Hospital found greater support and minimal discussion as it was renewed for another year in a 4-1 vote, with Matlock against. The taxing district was narrowly renewed 3-2 in 2023 after council criticism of Baptist’s community involvement.

According to financial statements provided by Baptist at the meeting, in fiscal year 2023, Fishermen’s showed an operating income of $11,286,000, boosted to $13,592,000 after a $2,306,000 county tax benefit.

Fishermen’s CFO Patti Boylan and CEO Drew Grossman touted Baptist’s increased presence at community continued on page 12

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

STATE ATTORNEY INVESTIGATING AS LATEST AUDIT RIPS NEWMAN PR AND TDC Agency to hold special Feb. 20 meeting on latest findings GWEN FILOSA

I

gwen@keysweekly.com

n 2023, Monroe County’s public relations agency of record, NewmanPR, collected more than $1.9 million from the county. That total comes from an annual fee of $733,688, plus more than $1.1 million in expenses.

But a review of Newman PR invoices and its billing practices revealed questionable costs, documentation and reimbursement requests, noncompliance with county policies, invoicing before work was completed and a lack of a procurement process that amount to “fiscal arrogance,” according to an audit released by the Monroe County Clerk of Court Kevin Madok’s office.

And the TDC’s problems don’t stop with NewmanPR, the audit report states.

The county clerk’s in-house auditors said these issues with NewmanPR stem from the TDC marketing director, Stacey Mitchell, who is mentioned by title, not name, in the audit, “not effectively managing the TDC’s public relations agency of record,” auditors said.

Mitchell was suspended with pay in November 2023, and the county hired an outside firm to conduct a full forensic audit of the multimillion-dollar tourism agency, and come up with an action plan for improvements.

On top of a lack of oversight by the TDC is “NewmanPR’s apparent willingness to take advantage of the lack of management oversight,” auditors said.

The TDC board has scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m. Feb. 20 in Marathon at the Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club to review and discuss the NewmanPR audit.

State Attorney’s Office investigating TDC Discussions by county commissioners last November to hire an outside auditing firm to investigate the Florida Keys’ tourism marketing agency and partner agencies, like NewmanPR, led Monroe County

State Attorney Dennis Ward to begin an investigation of his own.

Ward said he decided following the meeting that he needed a forensic audit and hired the Miamibased Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors (BPB). County Clerk Madok’s office had conducted a preliminary in-house audit — the agency’s first in 20 years — that revealed inconsistencies and questionable billing practices.

The auditing firm of BPB’s interdisciplinary practice includes certified public accountants, fraud examiners, financial forensic specialists and computer forensic professionals. The team’s range of services include business valuations and accounting investigations for expert testimony in commercial disputes and corporate and fraud investigations.

A forensic audit by BPB and Richard Fechter, associate director of forensic and advisory services, will take three to four months. Fechter has led many financial fraud investigations, including a probe of a $1.3 billion Ponzi scheme.

While Ward said he couldn’t say exactly which kind of charges could come as a result of the forensic audit, he told Keys Weekly that he believes there “will be things to bring forward.”

“I’m not sure if it’s strictly criminal or civil or a combination of the two,” Ward said. “I won’t know until we get it (the audit) back.”

Monroe County Tourist Development Council/Visit Florida Keys,” wrote Newman’s attorney Russell A. Yagel.

For starters, Yagel said the county’s contract with NewmanPR doesn’t require Newman to follow Monroe County purchasing policies for hiring subcontractors. As for double-billing accusations, Yagel said the county’s top lawyer, Bob Shillinger, had already settled that question.

At the Nov. 8 meeting of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, Shillinger said he found no evidence of double billing

by NewmanPR. Newman’s photography services, which are the crux of the clerk’s double-billing argument, aren’t included within the scope of the monthly fee Newman gets, Shillinger said.

“The clerk is free to have a different view,” Shillinger told the commissioners.

The clerk’s audit’s double-billing argument cites Newman’s reimbursement for a hotel room in Key West to cover Hemingway Days.

Newman put the room down as public relations work, and then put in for the photography work he did during the event separately.

That’s how the contract works, Yagel said, adding it would have cost the county more had Newman hired a photographer to cover the event.

Newman calls county’s report ‘biased’ Andy Newman, president of NewmanPR, told Keys Weekly the clerk’s audit seems biased.

“My team and I were stunned and saddened by the improper attacks on our company and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council,” Newman said. “They seemingly reflect a hostile bias which is evident in many of the clerk’s office recommendations.”

Newman hired lawyers after the October 2023 audit of the TDC. In a 14-page response to the NewmanPR audit, his attorney says the clerk’s audit is a collection of opinions about the contract and rejects an earlier finding by the county attorney.

“The clerk’s opinion is a manifesto revealing the clerk’s disdain for the contract with NewmanPR and the overall operation of the

A 43-year relationship Originally started by Stuart Newman, NewmanPR has been the Tourist Development Council’s top marketing firm for 43 years and known in legal papers as the TDC’s public relations agency of record.

The first contract between Monroe County’s TDC and NewmanPR in the early 1980s called for a total of $500,000 in compensation for advertising promotion, public relations and marketing services. Of the half-million paid, $44,000 was allotted for PR. By 1986, services provided by NewmanPR no longer included advertising but rather focused exclusively on public relations, publicity and press relations with compensation of $100,000, plus reimbursable expenses. Today, NewmanPR is defined in its contract as a “full-service public relations agency for the Monroe County TDC and county,”

Madok’s auditors said.

Newman’s work promotes the Florida Keys as a tourist destination, with a goal of keeping the islands in national news cycles. A professional photographer himself, Newman is known for delivering aerial shots of the island chain and write-ups of Keys events, bolstered by a team of professionals, to news outlets across the world.

A four-decade tenure with a contractor like NewmanPR has benefits, the county’s auditors said, but that length of a business relationship “also runs the risk of creating a sense of complacency between those executing oversight over a contractor and the contractor themselves.”

“We recommend that the BOCC work with the TDC to consider all available options on how best to proceed to fully restore the public’s trust and confidence in the TDC’s business operations,” the audit states.

One solution, the auditors said, is for the BOCC to consider ending the county’s current TDC administrative contract with the nonprofit Visit Florida Keys and set up the TDC’s structure as a county department overseen by the county administrator.

A company that doesn’t exist Newman’s firm has made requests to be paid for work done by a company he calls Graphics 71.

But the firm doesn’t legally exist, which Newman’s firm admitted to the clerk’s office. Newman has said the work would have been subcontracted out anyway.

“NewmanPR admitted that any checks that NewmanPR made payable to Graphics 71 were ultimately destroyed because no bank would cash the checks made out to a nonexistent company,” auditors reported. “In other words, NewmanPR used a nonexistent company as a conduit to claim they made payments eligible for reimbursement when, in fact, no payments were made for there to be valid reimbursable expenses.”

This is a “minor, frequent oversight by small businesses and easily rectifiable,” Newman’s attorney, Russell A. Yagel, said.

Auditors, however, said the fictional company set-up “suggests NewmanPR regularly demonstrated a general disregard for the expenditure of public monies. NewmanPR requested, received, and retained funds for a nonexistent expense.”

Upper Keys Editor Jim McCarthy contributed reporting for this story.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

COUNTY HIRES ARTIFICIAL REEFS DIRECTOR Hanna Koch to launch Keyswide program with state funding

T

he Monroe County Board of County Commissioners welcomes Hanna Koch as the new Monroe County artificial reefs director. She comes to the post from the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration at Mote Marine Laboratory in Summerland Key. She will start the position on April 1.

Koch is leaving her current position as a staff scientist and program manager for the coral reproduction research program to develop the new department that will oversee the creation of an artificial reef program. She holds a doctorate in natural sciences, a master’s in biology, and a bachelor’s in marine science.

“Her background in scuba diving, reef reproduction and restoration, grant writing, local stakeholder connections, and teaching appear to be the perfect match of what we are looking for in this new position,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “Her passion and understanding of our ecologically sensitive marine environment will benefit our residents and visitors who enjoy our waters now and in the future.”

Fifty-four people applied for the new position.

Koch will have the key responsibilities to develop the framework for the future of the artificial reef program, establish goals and objectives, coordinate the needs of the community, handle public inquiries regarding the program, find sites, monitor grant agreements, and oversee the creation, permitting, maintenance, and monitoring of the sites and any staffing that may be needed, among many other things.

In August 2023, Monroe County was awarded $10 million from the state to start an artificial reef program in the Florida Keys. Artificial reefs can help take pressure off of local natural reefs. “This is just the beginning, but we hope to set up a network of habitats from shallow to deep water that will support

MONROE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO LEAVE TOP POST FEB. 23 GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

R Hanna Koch is Monroe County’s new artificial reefs director. She starts work April 1 and will launch a Keyswide program to create a series of artificial reefs to provide marine habitat and dive and fishing opportunities. CONTRIBUTED

natural habitats and fish stocks,” said Gastesi.

The first project on her list may include using 37 50-foot hollow power poles the county acquired from the Florida Keys Electric Co-op’s Sea Oats Beach project in Islamorada. Other projects may include using concrete fish domes, as well as ideas used in other counties across the state. Koch plans to work with other counties in Florida with successful programs.

“I look forward to continuing to advocate for our marine environment, engaging with the community to hear their thoughts and ideas, and using a science-based approach for developing structures that will support our marine habitats and natural resources,” said Koch.

There are more than 4,000 clusters of artificial reefs in Florida, and 37 coastal counties in Florida already have an artificial reef program. In the Keys, 62 artificial reefs, including wrecks, were placed mainly between 1982 and 1989. The most recent artificial reef placed in Florida Keys waters was the Vandenberg off Key West in 2009. Artificial reef sites are popular among divers and fishermen.

— Contributed

oman Gastesi, the Monroe County administrator for 15 years, announced on Feb. 8 that he will retire at 5 p.m. Feb. 23, earlier than county officials had expected.

Gastesi has been in the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program, or “the DROP,” since 2019, so county leaders knew he would be leaving sooner rather than later.

But Gastesi’s retirement decision comes at a time when the Board of County Commissioners is grappling with how to respond to Florida state leaders about the Keys’ hurricane evacuation plan – a decision tied to the number of building permits that could be made available.

“We’re on the precipice of a major move,” County Mayor Holly Raschein told Keys Weekly on Thursday. “He’s on the administrative side of things, which is a critical component.”

At the same time, Keys residents are increasingly concerned about environmental, workforce housing and quality of life issues.

Gastesi, though, has left the door open to return to county work, even as a volunteer first.

It’s all about timing and state retirement rules, he told Keys Weekly.

State law prohibits Gastesi from being employed with Monroe County during the first six months after his retirement date.

But he said he’s interested in volunteering during that period and could be rehired later. The BOCC will discuss his options at their Feb. 21 meeting in Key West.

The county administrator carries out the day-to-day operations of the BOCC and oversees 26 county departments.

At its Feb. 21 meeting in Key West, the BOCC will consider a resolution appointing another

County Administrator Roman Gastesi. CONTRIBUTED

Keys government veteran, Assistant County Administrator Kevin Wilson, to serve as the acting county administrator.

Wilson has been with Monroe County since July 2006.

Gastesi, who lives in Islamorada, has no plans to leave the community, county spokeswoman Kristen Livengood said in a statement. He does plan to travel this summer, including a trip to Brazil to run a marathon.

“I have nothing but respect and friendship for Roman,” Raschein said. “He puts our community first and his passion and commitment to the Keys is second to none.”

Gastesi, known as affable and accessible in his role as county administrator, started working for the county in May 2008.

“Through Gastesi’s leadership, the county has abolished FEMA’s downstairs insurance inspection program, purchased Rowell’s Waterfront Park in Key Largo, rehabilitated the portion of the Old 7 Mile Bridge connecting Marathon to Pigeon Key, and created the centralized sewer system,” Livengood said.

Gastesi also helped establish a canal restoration program, started a sea-level rise adaptation program and implemented a legislative affairs program that has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars to the Keys.

He worked to finance major capital projects without tapping local tax money, such as the Key West International Airport expansion and the new emergency operations center in Marathon.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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Key Largo 98200 Overseas Hwy. (M.M. 98-1/2) • 305-852-4515 | Marathon 5800 Overseas Hwy. (M.M. 50) • 305- 743-5855 | MON – SAT 9:30-5:30 • SUN 12:00 – 5:30

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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Sunday, Feb. 18, 12 - 3 pm

211 120TH STREET GULF | MARATHON FULL DUPLEX | 4 BD | 2BA This full duplex offers convenient access to the vibrant local community and the natural wonders of the Florida Keys.

Enjoy the trickling sound of the waterfall, low maintenance water feature pond with live fish and beautiful aquatic plants.

The outdoor space is the true gem of this property, offering generously sized yards that are ideal for entertaining guests, barbecues, or enjoying peaceful moments of solitude.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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12

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024 from page 4

MARATHON COUNCIL

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

INCREASING BUILDING ALLOCATIONS FLIES IN THE FACE OF PUBLIC SAFETY John Bartus, in his column dated Jan. 25 in the Weekly, rationalized increasing the allocation of ROGO/BPAS allocations in Marathon beyond the current limits based on the increased liability exposure to the city of Marathon associated with “takings” of buildable lots.

While this may be true, what he failed to mention is that increasing the permit allocations is based on changing the time for residents to evacuate the Keys from the current 24 hours to 31 hours, thereby failing to address the concomitant added risk to residents. From a human safety point of view, the science does not support increasing the evacuation time and would, in fact, put more residents at risk.

The science is telling us that the incidence of rapid intensification of tropical cyclones is increasing demonstrably in the Atlantic basin (see, for example, Bhatia, K., Baker, A., Yang, W. et al. A potential explanation for the global increase in tropical cyclone rapid intensification. Nat. Commun. 13, 6626 (2022). https:// doi.org/10.1038/s41467-02234321-6). As reported in the Weekly, Jon Rizzo, the warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Key West, gave a presentation to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners in July 2020 on this subject with specific relevance to the Florida Keys.

As he mentioned, the models are not yet able to predict rapid intensification with any certainty. “These storms form literally in our backyard and become a Category 3 in two days,” he said. Furthermore, he mentioned that in some cases, the National Hurricane Center forecasts may not even

be able to identify storms that are likely to rapidly intensify. In a Scientific American article by Martin J. Kernan published June 2023, Mark DeMaria, a former NOAA hurricane forecaster and now senior research scientist at Colorado State University, stated that “current models accurately predict rapid intensification 32% of the time.”

Rizzo provided some recent examples of rapid intensification. “Hurricane Dorian in 2019 went from 105 mph to 140 mph in 24 hours,” and “Rita in 2005 went from 70 mph to 175 mph, a tropical storm to a Cat. 5, in a day. And Charley in 2004 went from 110 to 145 mph in 5 hours.”

Furthermore, an article from December 2023 in the Yale Climate Connections reminded us that in 2023, Hurricane Otis peak winds increased by 110 mph in 24 hours before it slammed into Mexico. Increasing the evacuation time to 31 hours as suggested has very serious implications if or when a tropical system intensifies similarly before reaching the Keys. For those of us who live here and rely on timely evacuations, this is very concerning.

Thus, one could argue that the current state of the science supports the idea of decreasing the evacuation time rather than increasing it. Increasing the ROGO/BPAS permit allocations flies in the face of sound public safety policy. Getting back to the liability issue, increasing the evacuation time will put more residents at risk and seems both foolhardy and, given the increasing evidence of rapidly intensifying storms, fraught with liability issues on its own.

Robert Glazer Marathon

events, pointing to the company’s $52.4 million in capital investments since fiscal year 2018 as well as an ongoing annual loss of roughly $1 million for Baptist’s primary care practice. Boylan said the hospital has raised about $14.5 million in charitable contributions in Marathon through the Baptist Health Foundation, but that the company’s net investment loss from Fishermen’s sits at $59.8 million.

“Last year, our chairman Jay Hershoff stated that a promise made is a promise kept,” Grossman said. “This promise and commitment will continue as your health care partner.”

Grossman reiterated the capabilities of the company’s new $11.5-milion medical arts building adjacent to the hospital, set to open in April and house the primary care practice, specialist care, rehab services and infusion therapies.

Boylan said she projected the MSTU would reach its maximum $15 million in tax benefits from the community by February 2025, prompting questions from councilman Luis Gonzalez.

“A yes vote tonight (for the taxing district) takes it to September of 2025,” he said. “So from February next year to September, how would we get refunds for that overage of taxes collected?”

“I don’t know all the logistics of how the tax is collected,” Boylan said, but confirmed that the hospital would collect a maximum of $15 million, with the remainder to be coordinated between Marathon and Monroe County for residents’ refunds.

More boat ramps at the Quay Following a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Robyn Still and Gonzalez as the “no” votes, the council directed city staff to proceed with an altered plan for the Quay property, incorporating an additional double-wide boat ramp and vehicle turnaround with several scaleddown elements of the previouslyplanned park-only design for the area.

Discussion of the property’s best use has continued for months since Vice Mayor Lynn Landry advocated for additional boat ramps at the site, fueled by a growing need for ramps that he said has far eclipsed Marathon’s need at the time of the park’s original design.

Council opinions largely remained unchanged through multiple discussions and workshops, culminating in Tuesday night’s vote.

“I think we need to move forward with what the public wanted,” said Still. “We had a vote, and we need to listen. We obtained grant money (for

the original plan), and I’m worried if we turn the grant money down, we won’t get it – Marathon will be known as the city that turned a grant down to move forward at an expense of $1.8 million to our taxpayers.” Gonzalez echoed the sentiments.

“An $844,000 grant sounds good, but that grant comes with stipulations which will handcuff not only this council, but future councils if we go to a park and down the road deem it necessary to do something else,” Landry said. “We’re projecting approximately $360,000 in revenue from that boat ramp this year. … We’ll have a steady stream of income forever at that ramp if we do this.”

In other news: • Following a successful award of $99,900 to 27 nonprofits in April 2023, the council unanimously elected to continue its nonprofit grant awards program for 2024. Though Matlock and Smith said they were cautious about awarding taxpayer money as grant funds, the 2024 awards will total up to $150,000.

• At Gonzalez’s request to address the safety of children and pedestrians in the neighborhood, the council voted 4-1 to pursue installation of speed bumps or humps on Harbor Drive and Dolphin Drive. Matlock was the lone “no” vote.

• Florida Keys Contractors Association president Armand Messina reported that local contractors are still working through issues with timely email responses from city staff, but praised the now-open door to the city’s front lobby, a longtime point of debate raised to improve accessibility to staff.

• At its second hearing, Ordinance 2024-03, modifying the city’s Existing Building Recertification process by expanding the pool of engineers qualified to perform inspections under the ordinance, was unanimously approved.

• At its second hearing, the council unanimously approved an amended development agreement for Marlin Bay Yacht Club that will eventually see a portion of the marina opened for public use. The reconfigured site plan includes 92 dwelling units, some of which will be elevated to allow for parking underneath the structures, along with 99 wet slips. Attorney Bart Smith confirmed that the reworked development agreement prohibits vacation rentals of vessels in the marina.

• Resolution 2024-23, authorizing the purchase of a new fire engine for the city at the cost of $1,072,908, was unanimously approved.

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

RESERVE DEPUTY ARRIVES IN THE KEYS Beau Hughes Bryan was born on Feb. 5 in South Miami weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches. He is the son of Daniellle and Spenser Bryan of Marathon. His dad is a captain with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office while his mom is busy with older siblings Jaxson and Emma. The new deputy’s paternal grandparents are Corey and Peggy Bryan, formerly of Key Largo who now reside near Ocala. The boy’s maternal grandparents are Jerry and Jennifer Dieguez of Marathon.

13

14

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024 Undaunted by an opponent of a higher rank, Marathon teen Autumn Wolfe secured a victory at her Fight 2 Win showdown in Miami last month.

CONTRIBUTED

JIU-JITSU CHAMP DOES IT AGAIN Marathon teen Autumn Wolfe pulls off upset at Fight 2 Win Miami JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com

M

arathon teen Autumn Wolfe has done it yet again, setting a new standard of excellence for youth Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) fighters around the world. On Jan. 13, the national title holder pulled off an upset over Khloe Cook at Miami’s Fight 2 Win (F2W) event at La Scala Theater.

Described as the “biggest party in grappling,” Fight 2 Win is the original live BJJ event of its kind, hosting fights across the United States that focus on highlighting top local grapplers and creating an experience closer to a Las Vegas boxing match than a traditional BJJ tournament. The January event was Wolfe’s second fight of this nature, with the first win coming in 2021.

“On behalf of Fight 2 Win and Flograppling, I’m telling you that I’ve been all over the country and all over the world and I do not know if I’ve seen greater jiu-jitsu by teams and children than I have seen in Miami,” said tournament commentator Dave Bever. “They are the best in the world.”

Grappling is a broad term encompassing various wrestling disciplines whose primary objective is to secure victory by compelling the opponent to submit through techniques such as joint locks and chokeholds, rather than employing strikes. The essence of grappling lies in seizing and controlling the opponent's body, particularly emphasizing techniques executed on the ground.

While there are numerous styles falling under the grappling umbrella, two of the most prominent ones are no gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which omits the traditional gi attire (a kimono), and luta livre, a distinct discipline derived from wrestling.

Other grappling styles include catch wrestling and submission wrestling, each characterized by its unique fighting approach, rules and repertoire of holds. Despite their similarities, these disciplines have their own distinct fighting techniques,

regulations and cultural backgrounds. Overall, grappling disciplines provide effective methods for self-defense, sport competition and physical fitness, with practitioners often developing a high level of technical skill, strategic thinking and physical conditioning.

Wolfe's victory as a yellow belt over Cook, who held the higher rank of an orange belt, was highly unexpected due to the latter's greater experience and training.

The win showcased Wolfe's skill and determination, defying the odds and highlighting her potential in the realm of martial arts. It’s a fitting followup for the teen who last July captured the gold medal for her division at the Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Tournament IBJJF Championships.

“I’m very excited for another win at Fight 2 Win and to represent the Keys,” Wolfe told the Weekly. “I’ve been working super hard and it’s paid off. Thank you to my coaches Justin Brunet and Yeison Perez, and thank you to the Lord Jesus Christ – without him this wouldn’t be possible.”

When asked about his star athlete, coach Justin Brunet of the Big Pine Key-based Keys Fitness and Jiu Jitsu was all smiles.

“This kid never stops amazing me. Autumn fought in the first Fight 2 Win (on) an all-women's card in Miami. And last night she had another war on the first all-kids card in Miami,” Brunet said. “She executed her game plan flawlessly. Her plan for the past two weeks was to play guard, sweep, mass mount and get her Ezekiel choke that she loves so much. To see this manifest is surreal. However, this is no surprise. Autumn as well as the rest of the kids in class work very hard (on) every technique she did last night.”

Wolfe's victory as a yellow belt over Cook, who held the higher rank of an orange belt, was highly unexpected due to the latter's greater experience and training.

15

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

JEN ALEXANDER

www.keysweekly.com

A NEW HOME FOR THE CLEANUP CREW Isla Bella Beach Resort partners with Conch Republic Marine Army to pair community with conservation

“M

aking dirty friends in trashy places” is the motto that drives the Conch Republic Marine Army (CRMA), a nonprofit organization aimed at cleanup and restoration of the Florida Keys marine habitats. It's clear that CRMA is passionate about its mission and isn't afraid to tackle even the messiest of challenges to protect the precious marine ecosystems of the Keys.

So far, with more than 4,500 volunteers helping on coastal excursions, CRMA has been able to remove 227 tons of debris from the shorelines surrounding the islands. For the last five years, groups of eight to 10 volunteers commit to the sometimes muddy and stinky experiences on a Carolina skiff to clear debris washed up on remote, uninhabited islands in the Lower Keys.

Captain Brian Vest, CRMA’s founder and president, has a passion for cleaning up the Keys. After moving to the islands in 2017 and experiencing the wrath of hurricane Irma, Vest created an army of people who came together to restore what Irma took away and to make everyone’s lives better.

“This is a lifestyle choice and a calling,” said Vest. “Every day we consider what we can do to make a difference. It’s too easy to look the other way, but I'm on a mission. All the critters of the ocean, birds and mammals call that habitat home. It's our job to give it back to them. We do not back down, nor do we quit. When we see neighbors who need assistance, we help. Unconditionally. When we see a need, we volunteer.”

And so the “marine army” was created. Vest and his band of volunteers have led private groups made up of restaurant and bar staff, real estate firms, national youth organizations and resort members on cleanup trips around the islands.

Vest’s next mission is to partner with Marathon’s Isla Bella Beach Resort and its staff to bring CRMA’s cleanup efforts to visitors and tourists alike. On Feb. 7, CRMA’s new 33-foot K3 Henrikson skiff, equipped with a brand new Yamaha engine and fully outfitted for Middle Keys cleanup runs, was christened in front of community members and officials from throughout Marathon and Monroe County at the Knight’s Key resort. In addition to donating a portion of its drink sales and an additional $20,000 contribution last year, the newest addition to CRMA’s fleet was made possible by another whopping $85,000 donation from Isla Bella.

The vessel will serve multiple purposes, such as supporting marine research, facilitating clean-up initiatives, or aiding in the monitoring and protection of local ecosystems. There are also future plans to accommodate student groups and collaboration efforts with local schools and Marathon residents eager to join and make a difference.

The collaboration between Isla Bella Beach Resort and CRMA demonstrates a strong commitment to both environmental conservation and com-

munity support by showcasing a dedication to sustainability and preservation of the Florida Keys' natural beauty. The investment in the K3 skiff further solidifies Isla Bella's role as a key partner in ongoing conservation efforts.

"My goal is to empower CRMA to sustain its crucial work by establishing a post in the marina at Isla Bella while creating meaningful Top: CRMA founder and president Brian experiences for our hotel guests,” Vest breaks the customary bottle of chamsaid Isla Bella general manager pagne to christen the organization’s new Justin Nels. vessel, a 33-foot K3 Henrikson skiff. MARKY In a region as vulnerable to PIERSON/Contributed environmental threats as the Keys, individuals like Nels play a crucial Above: Conch Republic Marine Army role in raising awareness, mobilizvolunteers gather with founder and presiing communities and implementdent Brian Vest, in yellow, to christen the ing practical solutions. army’s newest addition to its fleet at Isla Bella. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly “Isla Bella’s collaboration with CRMA reflects a shared vision for a sustainable future where community involvement and environmental conservation go hand in hand,” the resort stated in a press release.

Guests and visitors to the resort are welcome to join in on the complimentary excursions, learning about marine life such as turtles, stingrays, manatees and endangered birds as they travel into mangrove ecosystems to remove trash. This education reinforces the connections between human actions and the health of these ecosystems. Each adventure then continues to a sandbar, where guests have the chance to rinse off and delve deeper into the rich history and biodiversity of the Florida Keys. Upon return, the trash collected on each trip is weighed and documented to add to CRMA’s totals.

Operating twice per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with two sessions available from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., the boat provides flexibility for guests to engage in hands-on conservation work during their stay at the resort. By booking a spot on the cleanup vessel, guests have the unique opportunity to directly assist staff members in removing debris from the surrounding waters, actively contributing to the preservation of the delicate marine ecosystem.

"Partnering with Isla Bella is a fantastic opportunity for CRMA," said Vest.

“Their support connects us to a wider audience in Marathon and beyond. After Hurricane Irma we've worked tirelessly to remove trash from the Florida Keys, and Isla Bella's collaboration allows us to expand our reach and continue cleaning and preserving our fragile ecosystems."

For more information about CRMA and Isla Bella Beach Resort, visit conchrepublicmarinearmy.org and islabellabeachresort.com.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

CAPTAIN JOEL’S FISHIN’ HOLES

YELLOW JACK ATTACK

Yellow jack provide a great fight and an even better meal, both raw and cooked. JOEL BRANDENBURG/Contributed

M

y grandpa John was a full-time charter captain in the Florida Keys and Flamingo from the mid1940s to the mid-1980s. He never saw a yellow jack, much less caught one.

Some of the old-timers claim they've seen them in the past on occasion, but most of the ones I’ve talked to agree that yellow jacks showed up in the early ’80s. I've challenged several oldtimers to show me a picture of them or their clients holding up a yellow jack before 1980, and so far nobody has produced one. In fact, I’ve never seen a picture of one before 1990.

Today, yellow jacks are showing up all over the Gulf of Mexico and as far north as Massachusetts. Here in the Florida Keys we catch them in deeper water in the heat of the summer months and in shallower water in the cold of the winter months. In the spring and fall they are likely to show up anywhere, but they seem to school in bigger and tighter schools in the middle of summer and winter.

FWC and the marine biologists I've spoken with have little information about yellow jack migration patterns or spawning seasons. What’s known is they're a hard-fighting game fish and they taste delicious. FWC fishing regulations call for a daily bag limit of 100 pounds per person.

A new world record yellow jack was caught on Sept. 1, 2021 by Peter Ernst, who caught a 19-pound, 7-ounce yellow jack in Key West. It took three months to get the final verification back and approved by the International Game Fish Association. The previous world record yellow jack was also caught in Key West and weighed in at 13 pounds, 4 ounces on July 12, 1980.

In the Keys we have several species of jacks. All are hard-fighting fish regulated by FWC. What they don't have in common other than shape, color and size is taste. The most comparable jack to a yellow jack is the jack crevalle. Jack crevalle have the same or similar size, shape, color and fight as a yellow jack, but they taste bitter and are a bloody and bony fish, where yellow jack filets are beautiful white meat with two small and two large loins after removing the rib cage and blood line from its filet. They’re even suitable for sushi dishes served raw.

The greater amberjack is the largest in the jack family and taste just like a lesser amberjack or an almaco jack.

In my opinion, they’re a great-tasting fish, but not quite as good as yellow jack.

Other jacks, including blue ridge jacks, bar jacks and blue runners, can be decent table fare but are smaller than the other jack species.

Yellow jack typically school when they're feeding, and when you reel in a yellow jack, look for a half dozen others to follow in your hooked fish. We like to pick off the CAPT. JOEL followers much like BRANDENBURG we do with mahi …is a fifth-genera- fishing, by leaving tion Floridian and the hooked one in second-generation the water to attract fishing captain the others. who owns and Our favorite operates Ana bait for yellow jacks Banana Fishing Company in is a yellow ¼-ounce Marathon. His jig tipped with a full passions include live shrimp. We've fishing, hunting and spending time also caught them with every bait fish with his family. around such as pilchards, pinfish, threadfin, grunts, goggle eyes, ballyhoo, finger mullet and more. We've also caught them on squid and pass crabs.

Yellow jacks get "leader shy,” so our favorite line to target them is 17.5-pound mono fluorocarbon. They are so smart it's very hard to catch them on a clear day in clear water.

They are best to target on an overcast day in murky water. It's also best to target them on a quarter or half moon when the current is flowing slower.

They are difficult to catch in a ripping current.

In the summer months we typically catch them in 100-plus feet of water around wrecks such as the Thunderbolt and rock piles such as the 7 Mile rubble pile. In the winter months we find them mostly on the Gulf side in defined channels such as Money Key channel. In the spring and fall we find them on the Gulf and Atlantic sides around shipwrecks and sunken barges.

We wish all y’all a safe and productive upcoming fishing and tourist season.

To book a charter with Ana Banana, call or text Capt. Joel at 813-267-4401 or Capt. Jojo at 305-879-0564, or visit anabananafishing.com.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

TEACHING THE TAX MEN Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation gears up for first Spanish Fly Shark Tournament ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

T

he Spanish Fly Shark Tournament, set for April 5-7, is putting the Keys’ apex predators on notice.

Approaching 12 years since the loss of legendary fishing icon Jose Wejebe, his daughter Krissy, now the executive director for the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation (JWMF) in her father’s honor, knows a “most bull sharks wins” tournament is an interesting choice for the foundation’s first venture into the world of competitive fishing.

“Since we started the foundation, everyone’s asked when we’re going to do a tournament,” Krissy told the Weekly.

“But whatever we’ve done, we always try to do it 110%. My dad was never a big tournament fisherman … but he did design a made-for-TV shark tournament back in the ’90s and early 2000s called the Madfin.”

Wishing to combine her father’s legacy with the JWMF’s mission in an event that avoids oversaturating the competitive market in one of the world’s fishing capitals, the younger Wejebe said her thought process repeatedly led her back to the Keys’ most controversial marine life.

Top: Following NOAA guidelines and keeping a hooked shark’s gills in the water are two of the criteria for scoring points in the Spanish Fly Shark Tournament. CONTRIBUTED Above: Known as the Keys’ most famous ‘tax man,’ bull sharks are the only target species for the inaugural Spanish Fly Shark Tournament. CONTRIBUTED

Debate among biologists, anglers, divers and conservation organizations about the best way to balance the abundance, importance, nuisance and threats of the headline-grabbing predators could fill this entire newspaper. But the undeniable impact of shark depredation (a fancy term for sharks making a convenient meal of already-hooked fish) on recreational and commercial fishermen alike is a hot topic from barstools to board rooms across the Keys and beyond, and one that has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.

Shark depredation has found its way to the ears of federal legislators, too – and on Feb. 5, the U.S. House passed the Supporting the Health of Aquatic Systems through Research, Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act. The act, which received unanimous House support, directs NOAA to create a task force to study the phenomenon and make appropriate recommendations, presumably leading to increased funding for shark research in the near future.

“I started digging into the research aspect on shark stock assessments, specifically in the Florida Keys, and there’s not much out there other than old bycatch reports from long-liners in the past,” Krissy told the Weekly.

Wejebe’s hope is that the Spanish Fly Shark Tournament can help play into a growing effort to learn more about the populations of numerous shark species throughout the island chain, several of which are highly migratory. Ultimately, she said, the goal is to use the 2024 tournament as a springboard for future partnerships with universities and other organizations tasked with tagging and assessing shark stocks throughout Florida and beyond.

Unlike other shark tournaments that have made headlines in Florida for all the wrong reasons, Wejebe stressed that this strictly catch-and-release tour-

nament will NOT tolerate shark killing in any form. Although FWC regulations permit anglers to legally harvest one bull shark, the only targeted species, per person per day, killing any shark will result in immediate disqualification, and anglers are prohibited from removing the sharks from the water in any form.

The tournament will follow NOAA guidelines for shark releases as well as other smaller considerations, including the exclusive use of circle hooks that will eventually fall out of a caught shark’s mouth. All competing captains or boat owners must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species permit with a shark endorsement from NOAA. The tournament has its eyes on a future place in the shark research puzzle.

But as Krissy also admitted, it’s also a chance to make the Keys’ “tax men” think twice before robbing anglers.

“Sharks aren’t these vicious creatures like everybody makes them out to be, but they’re going to go after what’s dead, dying or dumb,” Wejebe said. “If we do a different tournament where we can put a little pressure on them, maybe over a period of time we can start to condition them that biting a fish on the end of a line isn’t always a free meal – and we can make shark fishing fun again.”

Proceeds from the tournament will go to benefit the foundation, which partners with organizations including Make a Wish, the Outdoor Dream Foundation, the VA Hospital of Miami and Wesley House among others in order to give those facing life-impacting challenges a chance to “leave reality at the dock and live in the moment on the water.”

More information, including detailed tournament rules for the Keys-wide tournament, is at keywestsharktournament.com. Learn more about the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation at josewejebefoundation.org.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

OPINION

THE SUPER BOWL IS OVER And they took it to the bank

T

aylor Swift was happy. Isn’t that all that really matters?

All those who tuned in to this year’s Super Bowl (LVIII for those keeping track) got to see a really good game, with the Kansas City Chiefs winning in overtime. The San Francisco 49ers didn’t share in the joy, but they have nothing to be ashamed of in their quest for the Lombardi Trophy. Someone, however, did have to lose.

People who didn’t lose were those on the gravy train that dished out all the advertising revenue. Advertisers shelled out about $7 million for each 30-second spot that appeared — and that doesn’t count the production and talent costs. Some of the commercials were okay, while others were just mediocre productions that cost a lot of dough. No one can argue, however, that this year’s crop of ads wasn’t star-studded. It’s too bad that they just don’t seem as funny as they did in years gone by.

My nomination for the most annoying ad was the animated commercial for Temu. While they promoted that you could shop like a billionaire, Temu is really just a Chinese-owned e-commerce company that specializes in low-cost and discount goods — mostly shipped from China. People who don’t know better may want to stop and think about the fact that they’re not accredited by the Better Business Bureau and they have a customer satisfaction rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. People who complain about Temu say the items they ordered took weeks or months to arrive — if they showed up at all. Perhaps the business is even more annoying than their ad. Caveat emptor.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Austrian accent had to be rescued by Danny DeVito, and I think we all got tired of hearing Arnold saying “Neighbaaa!” But the State Farm ad was certainly a blockbuster production.

(Insert eye roll here).

Most of the time, the commercials left me feeling just how Matt Damon looked in the Dunkin commercial with Bennifer and friends.

But there was a game attached to all these commercials, the first ever Super Bowl to be played in Las Vegas.

It was, perhaps, the perfect match: Sin City’s glitz and extravagance made it the perfect host for this egregious display of, well, glitz and extravagance.

If you wanted to be there in person at Allegiant Stadium, the cheapest face value tickets cost $2,000. The average ticket cost was $8,600, with some JOHN seats priced as BARTUS high as $60,000.

A 20-person suite John Bartus is a singer-songwriter would have cost and the former you $1.8 million, mayor of Marabut at least the thon. food and hooch were included.

I can think of better ways to blow nearly $2 million.

Usher’s halftime show, with a bunch of special guests like Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon, was sparkly and glittery and otherwise meh. A lot of viewers claimed that the sound mix was horrible, and that there were problems with Usher’s microphone or his voice. I’m sure we’ll be reading more about this in the days to come.

At least the game lived up to all the hype. The Chiefs and 49ers took Super Bowl LVIII into overtime, and both teams played to win. Both defensive units performed admirably, and both quarterbacks acquitted themselves quite well. There were no huge officiating errors, and it wasn’t over until it was over. The victory celebration for the Chiefs showed a team reveling in the ecstasy of winning it all. And yes, Taylor Swift did make it down to the field to celebrate with Travis Kelce. Note to all the conspiracy theorists: they didn’t endorse any candidate for president.

And this brings me back to the commercials — specifically, one of the strangest commercials ever aired during a Super Bowl. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an alleged candidate for president, shamelessly stole his deceased uncle JFK’s 1960 campaign ad and inserted himself into it. That takes balls, especially when the nephew is so far inferior to his deceased uncle.

But at least Taylor Swift was happy.

— Catch John live Wednesdays at Brutus Seafood, Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, and Sundays at the Skipjack Resort Tiki Bar. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com • johnbartus. hearnow.com

COMMERCE CORNEr Established in 2009, The Key West Wildlife Center is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located in the Indigenous Park.

The Key West Wildlife Center provides 24 hour rescue and rehabilitation with the goal to release back into the wild. The public is encouraged to come and enjoy the nature trails which include a freshwater turtle pond and visit the rehabilitation aviary where you can observe our native migratory birds recovering and preparing for release into the wild. "Our staff and volunteers are the key to our success. They work tirelessly to ensure the well being of our wildlife patients" says Thomas Sweet, Executive Director. The Key West Wild Life Center is a 501 (C) (3) Charitable Tax Exempt Organization and relies on donations to fund their rescue and rehabilitation programs.

Thomas Sweet Executive Director

Info@keywestwildlifecenter.org

GREATER MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERECE 305.743.5417 • 1.800.262.7284 visitus@floridakeysmarathon.com www.floridakeysmarathon.com 12222 Overseas Highway • Marathon, FL 33050

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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SCOUTS PAY RESPECT TO OLD GLORY

Local troup retires Marathon’s U.S. flags with dignity

On Feb. 10, behind Marathon City Hall, Boy Scout Troop 901 and Marathon’s Cub Scouts conducted the city’s eighth annual flag retirement ceremony, giving a proper sendoff to more than 100 collected flags with dignity and respect.

— Jason Koler From top: The Monroe County’s Sheriff’s Office and Marathon city officials, including council members Luis Gonzalez, Lynn Landry and Jeff Smith along with members of the American Legion attend the Feb. 10 flag retirement ceremony.

THIS WEEK’S ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, FEB 15 WYATT HURTS LES PAIN 6:30PM FRIDAY, FEB 16 DAN SULIVAN 3PM TONY MANFREDI BAND 8PM SATURDAY, FEB 17 MIKE ROONEY 3PM ABSTRACT RADIO 8PM SUNDAY, FEB 18 TONY MANFREDI 3PM DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM MONDAY, FEB 19 JOHNNY LIVE 3PM DONNIE MCDANIEL 6:30PM TUESDAY, FEB 20 TACO TUESDAY ALL DAY COUNTRY NIGHT WITH JIBSEA COWBOYS 7:30PM WEDNESDAY, FEB 21 LUKE SOMMERS 6:30PM

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Marathon Scout Troop 901 conducts its 8th annual U.S. flag retirement ceremony at the city’s event’s field behind City Hall. Marathon boasts the largest pack in the county with more than 20 scouts participating in the program.

The Webelos, consisting of seven fifthgraders, demonstrate the proper technique for cutting up the U.S. flag. The union of blue remains intact - symbolizing the unity of the American nation.

Scout Mateo Guzman tosses a portion of the American flag onto the fire. More than 100 flags were collected throughout town.

Photos by JASON KOLER/Keys Weekly

27

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

YOUR REALTORS FOR LIFE TRACY CHACKSFIELD

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© 2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.

28

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS

THE OMEGA INDEX: A KEY TO LONGEVITY – PART 1 MS. TERI 9-year-old female pit bull mix.

Looking for: I want to be spoiled in my golden years.

Turnoffs: The dreaded crate. Booooo.

DIVA 2-year-old female mixed breed.

Looking for: Remember me? It’s been 10 months now. When is it my turn?

Turnoffs: Lizards, and chickens too.

With their all-fish diets, dolphins’ Omega Index scores eclipse that of humans by three to four times. WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

W

hat do our Dolphin Research Center friends (our underwater mammal friends, that is) have that

SWIPE RIGHT

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at 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 at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

JOHN ‘CALICO JACK’ RACKHAM 6-month-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: I’m a “leftover” kitten, so I’d love a home with another cat to play with.

Tunroffs: Growing old. Just look at my cute baby picture.

It’s sad I’m growing up in a shelter.

we don’t?

I'll let you read the title of the article again … that’s right, a high Omega Index. Dolphins have an Omega Index score roughly eight times higher than the national average and four times higher than the recommended range.

After reading this article, not only might you start asking for sardines on your pizza, you are also going to understand how and why omegas are a cornerstone for optimal health.

The Omega Index is not the name of a fraternity or sorority – although if it was, I would have maybe considered joining this one. Rather, it is a measure that assesses the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the body.

Understanding this index and its implications can pave the way toward improved heart health, cognitive function and overall well-being.

The Omega Index represents the proportion of two essential fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — in red blood cell membranes, relative to other fatty acids like omega-6. A balanced Omega Index is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced inflammation, and enhanced cognitive function.

Recent studies suggest that the national average Omega Index falls below the optimal range. According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, the average Omega Index in the United States is approximately 4%, far from the recommended range of 8-12%.

Stop … pop quiz. I told you in the beginning that dolphins have eight

times the amount than the national average and roughly four times higher than the recommended range, so with that, what is a dolphin’s approximate Omega Index?

JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY If you guessed 32%, you are correct. It makes sense, con...is a Marathonbased ACSMsidering the all-fish certified perdiet of our flippered sonal trainer and friends is rich in precision nutrition healthy omega-3 coach who owns fatty acids. and operates Highly Motivated Striving to Functionally achieve an optimal Caffeinated LLC. Omega Index is esjenniferlynnsential for maintainboltz@gmail.com ing good health. But before starting any new omega habits, I highly recommend speaking with your physician for two reasons. One, get a baseline blood work panel done to know what your current Omega Index is – after all, you may be part dolphin and don’t need to make any changes. Two, have your physician recommend a dose to start with if you choose to supplement. And remember, not all supplements are created equal, so feel free to reach out to me to hear more about what to look for in an omega supplement.

Stay tuned to the next article, which will be a deep dive into how to improve your Omega Index score and what a high-scoring index means for your health.

Reference: Harris, W. S., & von Schacky, C. (2004). The omega-3 index: a new risk factor for death from coronary heart disease? Preventive medicine, 39(1), 212-220.

29

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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30

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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This nearly 1/2 acre lot is one of the last remaining buildable waterfront properties in the Lower Keys! Excellent location for boating, the property boasts direct, no-bridge access to world-renowned fishing and diving. Enjoy backcountry beaches such as Marvin Key and Snipes, or snorkel crystal clear waters and coral reefs at Looe Key.

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Open Water Views abound at this Little Torch Key retreat with proximity to community boat ramp and just one minute to open water! Open concept living area is bright and inviting, with stunning water views and loads of natural light. Spacious screened-in porch boasts stunning views of Keys’ famous sunsets and the pristine canal below. Concrete dock accommodates multiple vessels and open water is only minutes away!

Charming 2BR/2BA home on pristine canal with enviable boating access! This home features an open concept main living space, stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher. Screened-in porch offers space for entertaining guests or grilling out while taking in the sea breezes. A generous seawall provides room for a myriad of water activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.

Proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, and nightlife in exciting Marathon!

Priceless open water views define this Lower Keys gem, providing an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation. Nestled at the end of the road in Gulfrest Park, this property boasts an oversized lot, with ample space for storage, entertaining, or potential RV parking.

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32

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024 Two young mourning doves on a wire, demanding to be fed by their parent. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

W

e ran into our friend Pat Kennedy the other day while waiting for a table at the Hogfish.

And because we were all just sitting there, passing the time, she asked me a couple of questions about birds, MARK one of which was something HEDDEN along the lines of, why do ... is a photograsome birds seem to have a pher, writer, and fondness for certain power semi-professional lines? birdwatcher. He It’s a complicated queshas lived in Key tion, and I gave her some West for more kind of answer, though I than 25 years and can’t remember exactly what may no longer it was.

I know it was probbe employable in the real world. He ably too short and likely is also executive lacked detail because it was director of the right then that they called Florida Keys our table. (This is not the Audubon Society. time of year you want to risk losing a table in a busy restaurant.) But I’ve been thinking about the question over the last few days, so I figured I might try to answer it properly.

For one thing, for better or worse, power lines are part of the landscape now. Arguably they are habitat. I’m pretty sure 20 minutes after the first telegraph line was strung between two poles, a bird came in and landed on it.

Most likely a pigeon or a dove. (For brevity, I’m going to use the term power line to encompass anything that stretches between utility poles – phone lines, electrical lines, data lines, etc.)

Birds are not purists. They will perch on nearly anything that doesn’t move – church steeples, rooflines, fence tops, parked cars, statues. I was going to say that almost any species will land on a wire, but then I thought about ducks. You never see ducks standing on power lines. Or any web-footed species for that matter. My favorites are white ibis, who have no real cause to stand on a wire, and are not very good at it, but will do it occasionally, wobbling like a tight-rope walker just before a tragedy.

Power lines are ubiquitous in the modern landscape. And they are generally safe for birds, unless they manage to somehow become the physical link that closes the circuit between the power line and the ground. It does happen on occasion, electrocuting the bird and knocking out the power for an indeterminate amount of time, as it did when Tom McGuane was speaking during the Key West Film Festival this year. Generally this happens to larger birds that can stand at the edge of a wire and have a wing that can span the distance of an insulator and make contact with the pole. Ospreys, turkey vultures, eagles.

The most general advantage of a perch like a power line is its height, reducing the threat from terrestrial predators – cats, raccoons, snakes. It also gives them more options for fleeing if an airborne predator, such as a hawk or falcon, comes after them. You generally see

BIRDS ON WIRES

all the birds facing the same direction – into the wind. It makes it easier to land and requires less energy to get airborne.

Pigeons and doves are the most commonly seen on wires. In Key West and the more urbanized areas of the Keys, these are mostly mourning doves and Eurasian collared-doves.

Sometimes they congregate in random areas.

Sometimes they can be seen congregating in the same areas over repeated days, which usually means someone nearby is feeding them.

Flocking behavior has a few purposes. For one, birds can share information, such as the fact that one of them just spotted a feeder being filled. It is also a defense mechanism. A lone bird has a higher chance of getting caught by a predator. Groups often confuse predators by either scattering or flying around together in some orchestrated chaos. There’s also the fact that if you are in a group, and a predator is going to catch someone, there is a solid chance it won’t be you.

Mourning doves and Eurasian collareddoves will also occasionally play out their romances on wires, the males bowing and cooing as they approach, the females hopping away when they get near, until they eventually decide to fly off, or decide, heck, why not, and mate.

You can also occasionally see young doves harassing their parents, who are sitting on the wire just to get a little peace and quiet.

You do see white-crowned pigeons up on the wires, but they tend to be in smaller familial groups instead of flocks.

In developed areas northern mockingbirds are often on wires, partly because it is the highest space around, but also because it allows their voice to carry farther when they are singing their fool heads off during mating season.

Unlike other birds, they will face any which way, depending on where they are trying to project, or what they are trying to watch.

In the summer, gray kingbirds are regularly perched on wires, giving out their throaty whistle at regular, short intervals to attract a

mate and mark their territory. Gray kingbirds are tyrant flycatchers, the tyrant part describing their demeanor, the flycatcher part describing how they feed. Besides the mating and singing, they also make sorties out into the open air to nab flying insects and gulp them down.

Neither American kestrels nor broadwinged hawks breed here, but they do winter here and are also seen on wires. Both species are perch hunters, though, and their motivations are different. They will sometimes perch for long periods without moving, waiting for something – a warbler or a mouse or a cardinal – to wander beneath them, so they can fall down upon them to attack.

If you drive up (or down) the Keys you might notice a lot of birds on the wires that run parallel to the bridges.

In the winter, one of the more common birds you will see, always alone, are belted kingfishers. They hang there for the same reason the broad-wings and the kestrels do – to hunt.

But unlike the other two, kingfishers are splash feeders, diving down to feed on fish. They may not dive directly from the wire – usually they will fly out and hover for a few seconds – but from a wire they can monitor what’s going on in the water down below without expending much energy. They can also rest a bit while digesting.

You also see a lot of double-crested cormorants on the wires – an exception to my previously stated webbed-foot rule – but they are just usually trying to get out of the water for a while.

The only things that rival cormorants for their numbers on the wires next to bridges are the flocks of rock pigeons. They are together because, like the mourning doves and Eurasian collared-doves, they tend to be colonial birds.

They are next to the bridges because they nest underneath them.

There are probably more things to say about birds on wires in the Keys, but damn, they just called our table. Gotta go.

33

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

with host MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THESE GENEROUS LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND PEOPLE FOR THIS YEAR'S DONATIONS OF FOOD AND SILENT AUCTION ITEMS PROVIDED FOR OUR ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW FUNDRAISER, ONE WEEKEND ONLY

February 18, 2024 $10 per ticket 5pm - 7pm 18+

Food Donors Blu Bistro (at SkipJack Resort) • Capt Tom's Seafood • Clouds in my Coffee Catering/Chef Leigh Ann Card • Coast to Coast Pizza Company • Cracked Conch Cafe • Donna Nussenblat • Florida Steak & Lobster • Food for Thought • Frank's Grill • Irie Island Eats • Jackie & Tom O’Neil • Karen Foley • Leigh Sanchez and Driftwood Pizza and Subs • Marathon HS Culinary Program/Chef Carl Stanton • Marathon Yacht Club/Chef Pruitt • Porky’s Bayside • Publix • Sparky's Landing • Suzanne Terpos • VOice of Cake Silent Auction Donors Aquarium Encounters • Bonnie Eldridge • Burdines Waterfront Marina Bar & Grill • Claudia McEwen • Crane Point • DK's Beach Boutique • Dolphin Research Center • Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters • Florida Keys Watercolor Society • Gail Burnett • Ginger Sayer • Irie Island Eats • Joanne & Jimmy Zimmerman • Julie Joyce (WaterColor Society) • Keys Fitness • Legendary Jet Skis-Marathon • Liz Montgomery • Loofah’s by the Sea • M. Ann Lynch (Water Color Society) • Marooned in Marathon • Marianne Benvenuti • Mateo • Mathews Gallery & Studios/Cruz Morata and Assoc • Midas Touch • Optical Shoppe • Overseas Pub & Grill • Pigeon Key • Plaza Grill • Riet Steinmetz • Salon Blanco • Sand Dollar Art by Sandra J. Humphrey • Sea Level Spa • Shannon Wiley • Sharon Young • The Stuffed Pig • The Turtle Hospital • Keys Weekly • Trish Hintze • TV-88 • Tyson Tomko • Uniques by Kennedy Studios • West Marine

Mighty Aphrodite Mythology 5101 Overseas Hwy, Marathon MM 49.5, Ocean Side | 305.743.0944 Tickets at www.marathontheater.org

5101 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL | Marathoncinema.com The Only Cinema located in the of the Florida Keys

MARATHON COMMUNITY CINEMA

THE THEATRE FAMILY WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK THE SHOW DIRECTOR, MARIANNE BENVENUTI, ALONG WITH THE TALENTED CAST, CREW, STAFF, AND ALL THE TIRELESS VOLUNTEERS THAT HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.marathontheater.org for upcoming events including main stage shows Disenchanted and Mousetrap, Drag Queen Bingo, Fishing Seminars and more!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE!

5101 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0994

Weekly Schedule 7PM Nightly Fri, Sat, Sun & Tues 2PM Sunday Matinee

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Doors & Concessions open 1 hour before Showtime Draft Beer | Wines | Popcorn | Hotdogs | Pretzels Watch TV88's Marathon Florida Show before the movie

34

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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35

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

This week brings with it a lot of planetary action, but the is an astrologer, main event is wanderer, barthe cosmic lovtender and ers, Mars and advocate for queer justice. He Venus, meeting is a loquacious up with the Lord Gemini with a of Darkness, cozy Cancer Pluto. The planet rising. Find him at that oversees hearthandheraldprimal instincts, astrology.com unconscious compulsions and shadowy transformations recently moved into the sign of Aquarius. He is sitting right at the threshold of this fixed air sign, welcoming guests into the temple of humanitarianism and forwardthinking with his own Vincent Price-esque greetings. Mars crossed into Aquarius from Capricorn on Tuesday, and Venus will follow in Mars’s footsteps on Friday. Mars the go-getter and Venus the comehitherer represent star-crossed romance and sensual commingling when they come together in the sky, which they will do next week.

However, before they are able to partake in their yearly conjugal visit, they must first greet the underworld master, Pluto. So what can we expect this week? We will be facing the psychological complexities that emerge in our relationships, unearthing our passions and temptations, and weaving deep plans that require dancing and flirting. So put on Meatloaf’s “Bat out of Hell” and get ready for the shrouded revelry.

Here are your horoscopes for Mars and Venus conjoining Pluto.

Read for your rising and sun signs.

CHRIS McNULTY

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 What part of yourself are you afraid of letting out? We are all victims and perpetrators of the cultural conditions that we adhere to, and yet we are also the ones who can break the mold. You are holding something back that is screaming to be

released. Are you a nerd with a sexy minx hiding behind your eyes? Are you an artist that has something deep and dark to say? Let the push and pull of your muse release you from your cocoon.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 There are some things that are simply out of our control, no matter how much we try to mold them to our liking. Surrendering to the immense power of the impersonal forces of evolution can be scary at times, but right now you are being asked to fall deeply in love with that process. Let go, and have a conversation with that part of yourself that is trying to hold on. Tango with the forces of fate.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 Have you ever been in a shoulderto-shoulder crowd moving in one direction and you simply have no choice but to move with them or get crushed by the momentum?

Meditate on that and how it is affecting your life now. How are friends and supporters carrying you toward your goals, perhaps even in invisible ways? Dance with the crowd.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20 We tend to consider our work in the world to be a career that brings home a paycheck. And yet, there is always a deeper impact being made, for good or for bad. Ideally, the ripples and waves that emerge from our work are positive and beneficial to people and the planet.

Get so caught up in your work – flirt with it – and trust that your impact will transform the world in positive ways.

GEMINI May 21 - June 21 Are you having that feeling like a great wide somewhere is calling out to you? Don’t ignore it. A deep, transformative journey is being

sparked right now, and there is a graceful entry point being offered.

Follow your raw instincts into lands unseen and ideas unthought. Oh, how your world and your vantage point will change when you become a devotee to your ever-changing context.

DANCING IN THE DARK

CANCER June 22 - July 22 If you have been investing your time, energy or money into a project, now is the time for the return to rapidly emerge from the depths.

Expect for there to be an abrupt synergy in how your investment return comes to you. If you have not been investing, it is the perfect time to commit to a long game as the conditions are ripe for profitability and impact. Dig into a commitment bigger than yourself.

in that area. You have a creative eruption available to you that will change your life in a similar way.

If you have an artistic or creative project that needs to be let out, be prepared for it to radically alter your landscape.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 Something that has been bubbling between you and a partner in your life is ready to come to the surface.

Depending upon your tact, this can come as a volcanic eruption or as a choreographed ballroom dance. If the more delicate route is your goal, treat the eventual release of this buildup as if you are flirting with your counterpart – and let the truth out bit by bit.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Practice, practice, practice. The only way for the new routines that you are building into your life to become a part of your daily dance is to practice like you would a ballet.

You are being offered a powerful entry point into a new ordering of your life right now, and the best way in is to find a rhythm and find your footing.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Explosions and wildfires cause massive destruction, and yet the aftermath can lead to entirely new, fertile beginnings for the ecosystem

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 You may have been feeling a pressure building at home or with members of your family, and that pressure is ready to be released.

Will you let the steam out slowly and methodically, or will you let it explode all at once? Perhaps there is a melody hiding in the release of the pressure and a dance is available to the parties involved.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Even in the most peaceful and perfect neighborhoods there are secrets hiding beneath the manicured lawns and behind the closed doors, just waiting to turn over the apple cart. Your community has a major upheaval coming up, and you can probably see the writing on the wall. How will you bring grace to your friends and neighbors during this time?

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 A nuclear-level shift in your value system is underfoot, Capricorn. This shift is akin to a religious conversion. There may be a singular moment that opens your eyes to a new metaphysical reality, or an incremental change may have been taking place beneath the surface for a long time. Either way, accept the transformation and emerge as a butterfly.

36

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

PROFOUND PROFILES

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH THESE OUTSTANDING READS

THE BOOK OF JAMES

By Valerie Babb LeBron James is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. Nicknamed “King James,” he is one of the greatest players of all time. LeBron is loyal, outspoken and brutally honest. His powerful voice on and off the court stands for justice and equality. Against the backdrop of his life story, Valerie Babb, a professor and author, narrates the evolution of African-American culture. Change occurs, but at a shockingly slow pace. LeBron was the poor Black boy with a 16-yearold mother, and if not for the kindness of neighborhood friends, they would have been living on the street. His mother Gloria never gave up on him. In a society where children slip through the cracks, LeBron stood very tall, and when the community reached out, Gloria made sure to grab every opportunity.

LeBron’s business acumen made him one of the wealthiest athletes ever. He places much of his success in the hands of a trusted few he has known since childhood. LeBron advocates for education, KAREN care and an end NEWFIELD health to police brutality. His First and forework is not done. This most a reader, is educational, eyeshe has reviewed opening and a slam hundreds of dunk. books on her blog www.readingandeating.com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.

TWICE AS HARD

By Jasmine Brown Medicine, racism and women.

Against all odds, Black women throughout history have managed to become physicians. Women who faced adversity and bigotry found ways to achieve their dreams and contribute to their communities. Each of these women excelled academically while scraping the money together to get to medical school.

As if this was not hard enough, once they graduated – often at the top of their class – their residency applications were often rejected simply because they were Black women. Through mentorship, hard work and faith, a precious few succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. Health centers were established in communities that had none, testing and life changing research was founded for sickle cell anemia and healthcare was provided to the poorest of our nation. These women became surgeons, delivered babies, held political and academic positions and most importantly shined as role models for future generations. Fascinating details beginning in the mid-1800s of women who should be in every history book, brought to life by medical student and author Jasmine Brown. Having faced similar roadblocks, Brown highlights the incredible accomplishments of these physicians who changed the world. An uplifting and inspirational book that proves reading can be the best medicine.

CAROLINA BUILT

By Kianna Alexander In 1856, Josephine Napoleon Leary was born into slavery in North Carolina. After emancipation she was freed at 9 years old. Intelligent and a hard worker, there is nothing Jo wanted more than to prosper and take care of her family. Josephine married Sweety Leary, and together they built a life in Edenton.

She helped her husband run a barber shop, but soon enough Jo’s entrepreneurial spirit convinced her to strike out on her own, unheard of for a woman during these times. Purchasing land was difficult, but Jo successfully created passive income to supplement their monthly bills.

That savings allowed her to buy additional property over a few years, which brought their family the financial security she had always craved. Jo never gave up on her belief that women could equally meet the business demands of men. As a Black woman with all the odds against her, Josephine followed her dreams becoming a wife, mother and an accomplished businesswoman. Her largely-forgotten legacy still stands today and her accomplishments for women and the AfricanAmerican community speak for itself.

Perseverance, hard work and heaps of faith – Josephine Leary is an inspiration to us all.

#WORTHWATCHING: “The Best of Enemies” on Netflix.

Civil rights activist Ann Atwater battles C.P. Ellis, a revered member of the KKK, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina. The community is divided over school segregation and the unlikely friendship of Ann and C.P. is a true tale of inspiration.

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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38

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

CITY SHOULD STICK TO WHAT RESIDENTS WERE PROMISED AT THE QUAY

SHELF HELP

S

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

What: “The Song of Achilles”

by Madeline Miller Why: If, like me prior to diving into the rabbit hole from which I have just emerged, you are only vaguely familiar with the Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus, “The Song of Achilles”

by Madeline Miller is an excellent place to start. She tells the story from Patroclus’ point of view, from his childhood through his experience in the Trojan War. Not to give any spoilers on this 2,500-plus-year-old tragedy, but the Trojan War does not end well for the lovers. It is a heartwrenching tale of two people bound by fate. As storytelling goes, it is deliciously agonizing; you reach the halfway point in the book just as Achilles and Patroclus arrive at the war front.

I listened to the audiobook, so that’s another five full hours of both reader and main characters knowing what awaits them. The anguish is palpable – read it and weep, literally.

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

How: You can request books online by logging in to your account keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at 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: Faith Price, branch manager, Big Pine Key Library branch See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelf-help.

Marathon does not need another boat ramp. The residents of Marathon were promised a public park where you could take your family and have a picnic, fish off the break wall, watch the sunset, etc. Not another boat ramp that serves mostly out-of-towners, especially when it is estimated to be an additional $1 million in cost from Plan 1 to the new Plan 2. My office looked out over the ramp and parking lot for over 40 years, and the only time it was ever backed up was the sport diving days and the opening of lobster season. The estimate of 40 days of problems seems high, but even at that it leaves 325 days where there are no problems.

Stick with the original plan. With the current three public boat ramps and at least five other marinas that can launch boats, Marathon has plenty of facilities to meet the demand. To the Marathon City Council: Listen to your residents.

Jerry Bessemer Marathon

A Key deer eyes her surroundings on Big Pine Key. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau

RUN WITH KEY DEER 5k supports local wildlife JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

C

hances of spotting petite, cute Key deer are high as runners and walkers prepare to trek the picturesque National Key Deer Refuge on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Now in its eighth year, the Run with Deer on Big Pine Key is organized by the Florida Keys Wildlife Society, the official friends group for the Keys National Wildlife Refuges, in conjunction with the Southernmost Runners Club. Annually, the 5k run and walk welcomes roughly 250 participants to the Lower Keys, with proceeds supporting programming, projects, cleanups and other initiatives.

“We do things for the refuge like purchase webcams and install an electrical system for resident campers who work at the refuge,” said Kathy Rhodes, board chair for the Wildlife Society.

Stretching 100 miles, the Key Deer Refuge extends south and west from south Florida. It’s home to more than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species like Key deer.

The official friends of the National Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys was founded in 1997 by 150 local citizens who were concerned about funding and overall care for the Keys refuges. In 2017, the group celebrated its 20th anniversary and was renamed the Florida Keys Wildlife Society to better define its role and support of wildlife in the Keys.

“It’s an all-volunteer organization, and we’re always looking for help to run the nature store and events like this 5k,” Rhodes said.

Pre-registration will take place Friday, Feb. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Refuge Nature Center on Big Pine Key. The race welcomes everyone under the age of 9 to those over 70 years old. Participants can also register on the day of the race on Saturday, Feb. 17 between 7 and 7:45 a.m. at Big Pine Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Dr. Runners and walkers will take off from the starting line at 8 a.m.

Awards will be given to top male and female runners and walkers, as well as first- and second-place finishers in each age group. A new award will be given to a race participant with the best costume. Organizers encourage all runners and walkers to dress as a Key deer or other wildlife species.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/BigPineKey/RunWithDeer5K for more information.

39

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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40

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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41

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

MODES TO RID KEYS OF MOSQUITOES Group forms in the 1920s with plans to combat blood-suckers

B

efore diving into this 20thcentury mosquito story, I need to backtrack.

In last week’s 19thcentury mosquito story, I referred to FLORIDA yellow fever and KEYS malaria as the same. As one of my HISTORY readers thankfully WITH pointed out, I was BRAD BERTELLI wrong.

According Brad is a local to the Cleveland historian, author, Clinic: “Yellow speaker and fever is not the Honorary Conch who loves sharing same disease as the history of the malaria, but they Florida Keys. have some things in common: They are both spread by mosquitoes. They both cause fever and other flu-like symptoms. They both can cause jaundice, severe sickness and even death. There are also significant differences between malaria and yellow fever, such as: Malaria is caused by a parasite, while yellow fever is caused by a virus. The types of mosquitoes that spread malaria are different from the mosquitoes that spread yellow fever. There is a vaccine to prevent yellow fever but no vaccine to prevent malaria.”

In any case, mosquitoes have been a part of living in the Florida Keys since warm-blooded animals have inhabited the island chain. Early pioneers built their homes facing the Atlantic to reap the benefit of the ocean breezes that acted as both a cooling agent and a primitive means of pest control. Fires were burned be-

cause the smoke was a pest deterrent.

Smudge pots produced thick clouds of dark smoke, which also helped keep the bugs away.

One natural deterrent to the mosquito population is a small, minnowlooking fish with a big belly called, appropriately enough, a mosquitofish.

The local variety is Gambrusia rhizphorae, the mangrove mosquitofish.

Mosquitoes can only reproduce where there is access to fresh water.

Eggs are often laid after the female dines on a little warm blood. The eggs, referred to as rafts, are either laid in water or areas prone to collecting water after rain. Eggs can stay dormant for months and as long as a year, waiting for the next rain to create an adequate pool for them to hatch.

When they do, and the larval form of the mosquito emerges, they are commonly referred to as wrigglers – the larvae spend their infancy wriggling their wormy bodies through the water. Because mosquitoes are attracted to fresh water, one technique used for pest control is to engage the mosquitofish as a biological operative.

Mosquitofish are stocked in ponds and rain barrels near a home.

When the pests deposit their eggs in the convenient source, the rafts hatch and the wrigglers emerge, to the delight of the mosquitofish. One adult mosquitofish can consume up to 100 wrigglers in a single day. These same practices are employed today.

In the 1920s, an anti-mosquito movement was swelling in the Sunshine State. Announced in the April 9, 1926 edition of the Key West Citizen was a meeting of the Florida AntiMosquito Association scheduled for May 5 and 6 in St. Augustine that “should be attended by people from

A Mosquito Control DC-3 spraying circa 1970. WRIGHT LANGLEY COLLECTION/ Florida Keys History Center

every section of the state, for at this conference it is proposed to launch a highly important movement that will be state-wide in its scope.”

The article added, “The aim of this association is the ultimate and complete annihilation of the mosquito from this great state of ours.”

They were lofty goals.

In 1936, one of the WPA programs in Key West was eradicating mosquitoes from the southernmost city. A June 25, 1936, story in the Key West Citizen described the efforts of “spraying crews” going around the island. At that stage of the game, one note stipulated that it was up to individuals and the community as a whole to eliminate those places where rainwater pooled and the little vampires bred — tin cups, old tires and the like.

After all, as stated in the article, “A community continually at the mercy of those pests is considered more or less undesirable from the standpoint of comfort. It is unpopular and leads to depreciated property values.”

By 1938, mosquito killing was a little more organized. James H. LeVan, the future head of the United States Public Health Service, traveled to Key West in December to meet with a team of five members of an anti-mosquito unit. In addition to combating the pests by spraying chemicals, the crew removed those little breeding pools created in tin cans and other impromptu reservoirs. The crew poked and sprayed around the island until April, when

they returned to their home base in Miami.

Heavy rains made headlines in the Feb. 24, 1939, edition of the Key West Citizen. “The recent rains in Key West are the cause of the appearance of millions of mosquito larvae (wiggletails) in the pools of water remaining.” The headline was subtitled, “Public Health Force Turns To Marsh Skeeters.”

The fear in Key West was that while workers were in Key West oiling pools, spraying, and dumping over those little containers serving as little mosquito incubators, those same measures were not being taken on the other islands. The risk was real, as some species of mosquitoes can fly as far as 40 miles for the chance to sip a little warm blood.

By 1940, advertisements for an anti-mosquito campaign began appearing in the local newspapers, and in 1949, a special act of the Florida Legislature created the Monroe County Anti-Mosquito District. Today, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District employs various techniques for mosquito eradication, including the aerial delivery of pesticides and the deployment of the trucks that sometimes buzz down neighborhood streets, leaving clouds to dissipate behind them.

It has been raining recently, and, as a matter of note, I laughed as I wrote that last sentence because, as I did, one of those mosquito-spraying trucks went chugging past the Sioux Street office window.

42

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

The Florida-friendly landscaping plan promotes ecologically resilient outdoor spaces while deepening their connection to nature. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS/Contributed

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE GARDENS Start by adopting Florida-friendly landscaping

I

n an age of environmental awareness, the Florida-Friendly landscaping (FFL) program offers practical insights into sustainable landscaping practices.

Led by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, FFL empowers homeowners, companies, communities and green professionals to cultivate vibrant, ecologically resilient outdoor spaces while deepening their connection to nature. The FFL program is particularly crucial in Monroe County, given its fragile ecosystems susceptible to coastal erosion, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, climate change vulnerabilities, limited freshwater resources and the intricate balance of diverse habitats.

The FFL program promotes principles emphasizing water conservation, soil health, biodiversity, and integrated pest management, forming the foundation for landscapes that enhance beauty and contribute to the health of local ecosystems.

Florida-friendly landscaping : Right plant, right place: Selecting plants that are well-suited to the local climate, soil and sunlight conditions, ensuring optimal growth and reducing the need for excessive maintenance.

Water efficiently: Implementing irrigation systems and watering practices that minimize water waste and promote healthy plant growth without overusing water resources.

Fertilize appropriately: Apply fertilizers in the correct amounts at the right times and use slow-release or organic fertilizers to minimize nutrient runoff and pollution of water bodies.

Mulch: Adding a layer of organic material such as wood chips or compost to the soil surface to retain

moisture, suppress weed growth, and improve soil health by enhancing nutrient content and microbial activity.

Attract wildlife: Incorporating native plants MARIA and habitats that QUIRICO attract beneficial insects, birds and is the University other wildlife to the of Florida, IFAS Monroe County landscape, promotExtension environ- ing biodiversity and mental horticulture agent ecological balance.

Manage yard pests responsibly: Employing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that prioritize non-chemical pest control methods such as biological controls, habitat modification, and mechanical removal, minimizing the use of pesticides and their impact on the environment.

Recycle yard waste: Composting yard trimmings, leaves, and other organic waste materials to produce nutrient-rich compost for use in the garden, reducing waste sent to landfills and promoting sustainable gardening practices.

Reduce stormwater runoff: Implementing measures such as rain gardens, permeable paving and vegetative buffers to slow down and filter stormwater runoff, reducing soil erosion and pollution of water bodies.

Protect the waterfront: Establishing vegetative buffers and erosion control measures along water bodies to prevent soil erosion, filter pollutants and maintain water quality in rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

RAISE THE REEF GALA SET 2023 bleaching brings coral restoration urgency

C

oral Restoration Foundation is gearing up for its 10th annual fundraising gala at Ocean Reef Club on Saturday, March 2. This gala plays a pivotal role in the ongoing efforts to save and restore imperiled coral reefs in Florida and beyond.

In the aftermath of the devastating 2023 mass bleaching event, CRF is more committed than ever to coral restoration efforts in Florida. With the future of these vital ecosystems hanging in the balance, never has the financial support generated at Raise the Reef 2024 been more crucial. The funds raised during this event will not only aid in local restoration endeavors but will also contribute to the development of cutting-edge tools that will drive reef restoration work on a global scale, and to sustaining the foundation’s world-class education and public outreach program.

Guests attending the gala will be treated to an evening filled with cocktails, dinner and auctions. This year, the silent auction is open to everyone, not just attendees, offering a fantastic opportunity for all to contribute to CRF’s mission.

A highlight of the evening will be a keynote speech delivered by marine scientist and renowned underwater filmmaker Shireen Rahimi. Rahimi’s work is a powerful fusion of science and art, where she employs her academic expertise to narrate environmental stories. Through her lens, she crafts tales that are rooted in scientific

Top: A painting of Carysfort Reef off Key Largo is unveiled during last year’s Raise the Reef auction at Ocean Reef Club. CONTRIBUTED. Bottom: Guests are treated to an evening filled with cocktails, dinner and auctions at last year’s gala.

research, enriched with emotional depth and driven by relatable characters.

Rahimi’s specialty lies in using underwater cinematography and photography to shed light on the profound impacts of climate change and human activities on tropical coral reef ecosystems. Her work also emphasizes the connection between these ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.

For people who want to participate, but can’t make the gala, CRF is offering sponsorship and underwriting opportunities.

The silent auction kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 24 and runs through Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m. Local pickup is available for all winning bids.

Text CRF to 56651 to register for the silent auction. (If you have purchased a ticket to the gala, then you are already registered for the silent auction).

Tickets and more information on sponsorship opportunities are at https://www.coralrestoration.org/raisethe-reef-2024.

— Contributed

44

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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45

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

BRIEFLY MLKAR to offer scholarships for high school seniors The Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors is once again offering four $1,500 college scholarships for graduating seniors. These scholarships are open to any graduating senior who lives between Layton and Saddlebunch Key, regardless of where they attend school or if they are home schooled. An application essay of no more than 500 words must be typed, double-spaced and answer the prompt: “How do you perceive Realtors as being an asset to the economy and our community?” Students should check their high school websites or call or email MLKAR at 305-743-2485 or CEO@MLKAR.com for important essay guidelines. The deadline for submission is April 15.

Marathon Garden Club invites scholarship applicants Marathon High School collegebound seniors are invited to apply for the Nancy Miller Garden Club Scholarship. The scholarship is for a student with an interest in the environment, horticulture and science who intends to major in the areas of STEM. The application is on the Marathon High School website under the “CCAPS Scholarship Opportunities” tab, with additional hard copies available at the high school. Applications are due Friday, April 12, and the award will be presented on Class Night.

Sanctuary Advisory Council invites public to meeting The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in the Marathon City Council chambers. The council will hear updates from the Mission: Iconic Reefs Program, including a briefing on the winter follow-up survey cruise. Other topics include incident reporting, sponge restoration and NOAA’s Ocean Guardian Schools Program.

A public comment opportunity will be offered at approximately 12 p.m. An agenda and supporting materials will be posted at floridakeys.noaa.gov/sac.

More information is available from Liz Trueblood (elizabeth.trueblood@noaa. gov). Audio from the meeting will also be available in real time for those who register in advance by scanning the attached QR code.

Florida Keys Council of the Arts issues call to artists, writers The Florida Keys Council of the Arts invites visual artists and writers to submit artwork and articles for Culture 2025 magazine. The magazine includes information on the Keys' performing, literary and visual arts, a calendar of events and advertisements. Artwork selected for the cover will receive $1,200 for one-time usage in Culture Magazine 2025. Additional artwork chosen for the magazine will receive a caption with the artist’s name. Artists may submit up to three images by completing the online application. Two Florida Keys writers will be selected and paid $1,200 each for research, writing, related photography and any necessary revising of an article of approximately 1,200 words. Writers may choose from these topics: Family and kid-friendly cultural activities throughout the Keys, including museums and attractions that educate visitors about history, art, culture and nature of the Keys; or wildlife and animals of the Keys that require protection, including wonderful birding opportunities, sustainability and how nature influences painters, photographers, and writers.

Applications are online at keysarts. com and are due Friday, March 1 at midnight.

MCSO/Contributed

Homestead man cited for illegal shark, mutton snapper harvest A 36-year-old Hialeah man was given a mandatory notice to appear in court citation Feb. 10 in Marathon for allegedly harvesting a sandbar shark and an undersized mutton snapper.

The sheriff’s office was on patrol at the old Seven Mile Bridge parking lot around 8 a.m. and conducted a resource check on Yasmany Petisco Hernandez, who was actively fishing.

The shark and mutton snapper were found in a cooler, deputies said.

Marathon Garden Club preps for house and garden tour The Marathon Garden Club will host its annual House and Garden Tour on Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring four luxury oceanfront homes on Key Colony Beach and Stirrup Key. Also included will be the club’s unique garden and orchid wall at its clubhouse. Tickets

are $35 and may be purchased at the Garden Club at 5270 Overseas Hwy., Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, at DK’s Beach Boutique on Key Colony Beach or online at Eventbrite (www.eventbrite.com). Call the garden club at 305-743-4971 for more information or visit www.marathongardenclub.org.

Habitat for Humanity to hold miniature golf fundraiser On Saturday, Feb. 17, Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys and the Zonta Club of Marathon will host a fundraising tournament at Porky’s Bayside Miniature Golf. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start.

Teams of four players may register for $80 per team. Prizes will be given for the top three teams as well as the best team name and the top score on “Dizzy Hole” and “Opposite Hole.” To register, contact Chris at 305-797-5779 or admin@habitatmiddlekeys.org.

Community Foundation readies for fundraiser golf tournament On Saturday, Feb. 17, the Florida Keys Country Club will play host to a fundraising golf tournament benefiting the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. The four-person scramble format tournament with a $100 entry fee will begin at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start following a light breakfast and registration at 8 a.m. On-the-course fun will be hosted by “The Old Chickens,” with a lunch and awards presentation after golfing concludes. The day will include prizes for winners, raffles and food and beverages. For entry and details, text Roger at 305-766-9462, The tournament is presented by Vacation Rentals of the Florida Keys.

Marathon Elks to hold Casino Royale fundraiser The Marathon Elks Lodge will hold its annual charity fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. The casino night is open to the public, with $35 presale tickets available at the Elks lodge ($40 at the door). Tickets include $20 in playing chips for games including roulette, blackjack, Texas Hold ’em and poker as well as heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Additional playing chips are available for sale at the door (cash only). Grand prizes will be awarded for top winners, and the night will include a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, as well as music

by John Bartus. All proceeds will go to the various local and national charities supported by the Elks Lodge. Tickets are available at the lodge from Monday through Friday after 4 p.m. starting Monday, Feb. 12.

Keys Democrats invite public to monthly meeting The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Keys Democrats on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marathon Library. The meeting will be a hybrid Zoom and in person meeting . For more information, email Mid-Keys@keysdems.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.

Healthy Start Coalition holds diaper drive During February, the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is conducting a community diaper drive to collect 10,000 diapers and $10,000 in donations to fund diapers. These diapers will help local working families who struggle to make ends meet and often must choose between paying utility bills or purchasing diapers. One in two families lack enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy, and three in five parents miss work because they can’t afford the diapers required to leave their baby in daycare. Babies without clean diapers are more vulnerable to painful rashes and exposure to potential health risks. A $50 donation will provide a local family and the littlest members of our community with two weeks of diapers and wipes. While FKHSC doesn’t provide all the diapers that a family needs each month, diaper assistance can mean the difference between a parent being able to earn money at work or missing days on the job. Without diapers and wipes, parents are unable to access care. To find more information and donate, visit keyshealthystart.org.

46

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 15, 2024

G R A S S Y

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