Bed tax for infrastructure? - Weekly Wrap-Up - 28 May 2023

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Bed tax for infrastructure? County Mayor Craig Cates said he wants to use $25 million surplus bed tax receipts on “public facilities projects” — and eventually, on affordable housing. (Keys Weekly)

Warning letter to FKAA. The Florida Keys Aqueduct authority was warned by the Florida Department of Environment Protection of possible violations for its maintenance failures, some of which became evident in several water main breaks in March. (Keys News)

• Raw. New billion-dollar water system in Florida Keys sent raw sewage into ocean, state says. (FLKeys News) 

Oldest living Conch, perhaps. Gwen Filosa posted her interview with 104 year old Onelio Gonzalez who shared life memories and his secrets to longevity. (WLRN) 

Casa Marina closed. The 100 year old resort was closed to undergo six months of major renovations, and is slated to reopen in phases until work is completed in November. (Keys Weekly)

103 new apartments. The Key West Housing Authority officially opened its new Garden View complex on College Road on Stock Island. The apartments are restricted to workforce members with low and very low incomes. The 650 applications received for the apartments says that there's still demand for workforce housing. (Keys Weekly)

Kite flying in the Everglades. Mark Hedden wrote about his search for the Florida Snail Kite in the national park and surrounding areas.   

Manuscript surfaced. A WWII era manuscript by the late Key West journalist Walter Logan was found and purchased for $1 at an estate sale. (Citizen, $)

Our Eyes

Lynne Bently-Kemp shared her talent for vision and composition. 

Previously in Key West Voices

Big win for Pier B. It appeared likely that the owners of Pier B will be granted a permanent expansion of the area of the bay-bottom lease, as well as an unprecedented 25 year lease renewal. 

• The City Commission asserted its neutrality on the proposed expansion by a unanimous vote at its 16 May meeting. (Keys Weekly)
• The vote came following recognition by Safer Cleaner Ships that the Commission wasn't going to oppose the new lease as had been requested.  Safer Cleaner Ships and Pier B's representatives met outside Commission chambers to arrive at an 'agreement to disagree.'
• The window for public comment on the proposed lease ended at 5:00 p.m. on Friday 19 May.  
• The Citizen applauded the outcome, and offered other Cheers and Jeers. (Citizen, $)

$1,000 per month. Chris Hamilton considered the cost of owning a car in the context of Key West's unique transportation and affordable housing challenges and opportunities. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)

Wait, what? Safer Cleaner Ships and Pier B agree (to disagree) - Weekly Wrap-Up - 21 May 2023

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Big win for Pier B. It appeared likely that the owners of Pier B will be granted a permanent expansion of the area of the bay-bottom lease, as well as an unprecedented 25 year lease renewal. 

• The City Commission asserted its neutrality on the proposed expansion  by a unanimous vote at its Tuesday (16 May) meeting. (Keys Weekly)
• The vote came following recognition by Safer Cleaner Ships that the Commission wasn't going to oppose the new lease as had been requested.  Safer Cleaner Ships and Pier B's representatives met outside Commission chambers to arrive at an 'agreement to disagree.'
• The window for public comment on the proposed lease ended at 5:00 p.m. on Friday 19 May.  
• The Citizen applauded the outcome, and offered other Cheers and Jeers. (Citizen, $)

$1,000 per month. Chris Hamilton considered the cost of owning a car in the context of Key West's unique transportation and affordable housing challenges and opportunities. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)

Destroyer Higbee. The U.S. Navy commissioned a new guided-missile destroyer in a ceremony on 13 May. (Keys Weekly) 

Thanks for nothing. Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1417 that supersedes any local government regulation of landlord-tenant relationships. The net effect is that landlords can end month-to-month leases on shorter notice. (Citizen, $)

New apartments ready on Stock Island. The Key West Housing Authority announced that the grand opening ceremony for its long-awaited Garden View apartments is on 23 May, with new tenants moving in as early as the next day. (Keys Weekly)

FKAA warned. The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority a “warning letter” alerting the agency that is it is under “investigation” for not maintaining its main waterline pipe and could face “civil penalties.”

Raise taxes? Linda Cunningham went back to 2020 to remind the City to raise taxes. (Key West Island News)

Camera with a long lens. Mark Hedden tried to focus on the right things.  

A smooth-billed ani seen recently at Indigenous Park in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

Previously in Key West Voices

Go time? Linda Cunningham shared her thoughts about knowing when its to leave Key West. (Key West Island News)

A sexy beast. Mark Hedden snagged a view of a warbler from behind the bathroom at a beachfront state park. (Keys Weekly)

Residents also count. Ray Warren reflected on the first of three city commission public workshops designed to explore noise issues in the city. Nobody wants to ban live music, but limits must be respected. (Key West Progress)

Getting around. Chris Hamilton reported on the new “Workforce Express” between Stock Island and from Key West Transit Service to begin May 15th. Chris also applauded the City's plan for new bike lanes on United and South Streets. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)

Pier B expansion? - Weekly Wrap-Up - 14 May 2023

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Our Voices

Pier B expansion? The City commission convened an emergency meeting on May 9th to consider its response to a proposed renewal of the Pier B lease that would expand the size of the lease area, and renew the lease for 25 years. Despite angry public comments opposing and in favor of the new lease, City commissioners deferred agreement on an official response to its next regular meeting on May 16th. Public comments will continue that day. (Citizen, $)   

• Safer Cleaner Ships declared its opposition to the proposal, and encouraged the public to attend the special meeting, but there were plenty of empty seats at the meeting. 
• One speaker supporting the move was chastised for bad behavior from the dais.

Go time? Linda Cunningham shared her thoughts about knowing when its to leave Key West. (Key West Island News)

Anchors aweigh. The U.S. Navy commissioned guided-missile destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee on Saturday in Key West, but its home port will be San Diego. (Keys Weekly)

Residents also count. Ray Warren reflected on the first of three city commission public workshops designed to explore noise issues in the city. Nobody wants to ban live music, but limits must be respected. (Key West Progress)

A sexy beast. Mark Hedden snagged a view of a warbler from behind the bathroom at a beachfront state park. (Keys Weekly)

Our Eyes

Alyson Crean posted a serene beachfront view.

Previously in Key West Voices

Resistance is futile. Linda Cunningham reviewed the latest in Tallahassee's relentless assault on home rule. Four bills chip away at local control, but it appeared that the awful bill restricting the display of flags at public buildings has died. (Key West Island News)

Getting around. Chris Hamilton reported on the new “Workforce Express” between Stock Island and from Key West Transit Service to begin May 15th. Chris also applauded the City's plan for new bike lanes on United and South Streets. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)

Noise. More than 80 people attended the first of three meetings held by the City to address growing complaints about a wide variety of noise issues. (Citizen, $)

Property insurance woes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was accused of all too cozy relations with big donor property insurers. Rising and unjustifiably high rates affect everyone's cost of living here. (Guardian)

New Schedule. The Key West City Commission agreed to change its meeting schedule. (Keys Weekly) 

Mallory Square. The City sought input on its plans for the iconic tourist destination. (Keys Citizen, $)

Resistance is Futile - Weekly Wrap-Up - 7 May 2023

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Our Voices

Resistance is futile. Linda Cunningham reviewed the latest in Tallahassee's relentless assault on home rule. Four bills chip away at local control, but it appeared that the awful bill restricting the display of flags at public buildings has died. (Key West Island News)

• Jamie Mattingly shared insights about challenging public school teacher recruiting on Facebook. Guess who's become a factor?
• A bill that allows landlords to substitute non-refundable tenant fees for security deposits appeared to await the Governor's signature. (Keys Weekly)
• Tim O'Hara reported that Florida Keys fared well by gaining $27 million in state funding for projects in the Keys. (Citizen, $)

Getting around. Chris Hamilton reported on the new “Workforce Express” between Stock Island and from Key West Transit Service to begin May 15th. At the same time, the City will phase out its old, North and South line routes with a full transition to the “Key West Rides” Uber-like on-demand service. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)

• Chris also applauded the City's plan for new bike lanes on United and South Streets. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)

Noise. More than 80 people attended the first of three meetings held by the City to address growing complaints about a wide variety of noise issues. (Citizen, $)

Property insurance woes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was accused of all too cozy relations with big donor property insurers. Rising and unjustifiably high rates affect everyone's cost of living here. (Guardian)

• Which the folks at FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe) have been saying for years. A new requirement imposed by the Florida legislature is costing some Keys residents big time.  
• We'll all soon be paying more to help insurers.(Citizen, $) 

New Schedule. The Key West City Commission agreed to change its meeting schedule. (Keys Weekly) 

Sexy Beast. Mark Hedden hung out behind the bathroom at a state park in search of a sexy beast. (Keys Weekly - link not yet available)

Mallory Square. The City sought input on its plans for the iconic tourist destination. (Keys Citizen, $)

Our Eyes

JAG Gallery in Key West opened an exhibition of photos by Lynne Bentley-Kemp and Mark Hedden.

Lynne Bentley-Kemp Narcissus

Mark Hedden 17120 SE HWY 19

Previously in Key West Voices

• Linda Cunningham hoped that Orwellian anti-drag legislation from Tallahassee doesn't shut down anything here. (Key West Island News) 
• Ray Warren's post about the battle for the soul of Key West also referenced Orwell. (Key West Progress)
• Tony Yaniz fondly remembered the Bull and Whistle on Facebook.
• Gwen Filosa reported on a discrimination lawsuit against 'men-only' Island House resort. The female plaintiff has a history of confrontations at Island House. (WLRN)
• Robin Smith-Martin wrote about his Gonzo Childhood at Louie’s Backyard