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Fiscal arrogance alleged at TDC. The Miami Herald, WLRN, and local outlets reported on the second critical audit of the Tourist Development Council that uses tax dollars to promote tourism in the Florida Keys. It accused TDC's long-time public relations firm of regularly double billing by reimbursing a company that investigators say doesn’t exist.
- Arrogance. "The errors and inaccuracies the audit sample uncovered... demonstrate a fiscal arrogance on the part of the vendor as well as a lack of regard for the expenditure of public funds.”
- Big dollars. In 2023, Monroe County’s public relations agency of record, NewmanPR, collected more than $1.9 million from Monroe County. That total comes from an annual fee of $733,688, plus more than $1.1 million in expenses.
- Pushback. Andy Newman, president of NewmanPR, said the audit seems biased.
- More to come. Additional audits are underway, as well as an investigation from State Attorney Dennis Ward.
Abortion access in court. The fate of abortion access will be decided by the Florida Supreme Court in two cases.
- Referendum. The first, which the court heard Wednesday, will determine whether Floridians can vote directly this November on a measure that would explicitly protect the right to an abortion in their state constitution.
- An even stricter ban? The second, a challenge to the legality of Florida’s current 15-week ban, could lead the state to enforce an even stricter six-week cutoff, a law passed in 2023 that has not yet taken effect.
Gastesi to retire soon. Roman Gastesi, the Monroe County Administrator for 15 years, abruptly announced his retirement effective February 23, earlier than county officials had expected. One insider speculated that he'll return to the role after a required waiting period.
Garage lease approved. The Key West City Commission met and approved key items.
- Citizens Review Board. The Commission unanimously approved a resolution opposing proposed state legislation that aims to prohibit investigation of complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers by a citizens or civilian review board. Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg supported the resolution.
- Park and Ride Garage. A new lease between the City and Keys Energy for the Park and Ride garage at Grinnell and Caroline was approved.
- Finally. Also approved was $8.5 million to rebuild the facility for unhoused persons known as KOTS, which has been renamed the John Jones Navigation Center to honor former Assistant City Manager John Jones (who led the effort to build the original KOTS). Despite appalling conditions at KOTS, this milestone was several years in the making.
Category 6? A new paper published by leading hurricane researchers proposed adding a Category 6 to the familiar Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. Climate change makes powerful storms more common.
Chris Massicotte profiled. Keys Weekly profiled the Key West resident with a background in accounting and political campaign advertising who is challenging Commissioner Jim Scholl for the District 3 BOCC seat. Although the district covers the western part of Key West, Monroe Commissioners are elected 'at large' by voters across the county.
The dregs of social media. Linda Cunningham ruminated on social media limits, age verification, and state legislation that will likely be found unconstitutional.
Ew. Mark Hedden told us what got under his skin, before finding joy in an infrequently seen butterfly.
Our Eyes
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| Mercurial Sunrise - Lynne Bentley-Kemp |
Previously in Key West Voices
Unchartered waters. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) dropped its push to persuade voters to adopt a charter county form of government. Were it approved, it would have given the BOCC power to seek a new tax for infrastructure repairs, among many other consequences. It's hard to get people to vote in favor of new taxes.
Future of the Keys. Last Stand hosted a rousing annual meeting (video) at Williams Hall with a panel of experts (video) considering where we'll be in ten years, and what we can do now to alter our course.
Duval revitalization. An estimated 200 people gathered at the San Carlos Institute for a workshop on revitalizing Duval Street. Sea level rise was a big concern.
Monica Haskell profiled. Keys Weekly ran a profile of Haskell, who seeks to succeed Jimmy Weekly as District 1 Key West Commissioner.
Chris Massicotte for BOCC. Massicotte, a Key West resident and co-owner of marketing firm Duval Street Media, announced his intention to run for County Commission District 3, challenging incumbent and two-time Key West City Manager Jim Scholl. Scholl, who was previously Commander of NAS Key West, was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to fill a vacancy on the BOCC.
Mooring field plan. The BOCC moved forward on a plan for a dinghy dock on Stock Island for a managed mooring field in Boca Chica Basin.
Watchdogs may be muzzled. Florida lawmakers are considering far-reaching legislation that would weaken an already beleaguered state ethics commission and would virtually wipe away the power of local ethics watchdogs to investigate and enforce laws intended to fight corruption. If the bill becomes law, investigations at the state and local level could only be prompted by a signed and sworn complaint from someone who possesses "personal knowledge" of a potential violation.
Watchdogs may be muzzled. Florida lawmakers are considering far-reaching legislation that would weaken an already beleaguered state ethics commission and would virtually wipe away the power of local ethics watchdogs to investigate and enforce laws intended to fight corruption. If the bill becomes law, investigations at the state and local level could only be prompted by a signed and sworn complaint from someone who possesses "personal knowledge" of a potential violation.
FKOC now part of AH Monroe. The Florida Keys Outreach Coalition for the Homeless (FKOC) began operating as a subsidiary of AH Monroe on January 1. Leaders from both organizations call the move an “integration of services and expansion of missions.”
New digs. The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections moved from its old headquarters on Whitehead Street to the site of the former Bayshore Manor at 5200 College Road on Stock Island. Don't go to the old office - it's closed.
- Spacious. Office space and parking is more plentiful at the new site
- Check your registration and VBM status. Because of rule changes, some voters may no longer be registered or have vote-by-mail instructions in effect. With crucial local, state, and federal elections this year, this would be a great time to check your status at keys-elections.org
We have loved our Keys to death. Linda Cunningham is inclined to believe the only choice is retreat.
Wackadoo. Mark Hedden elaborated on obsession and suspicious looking common mynas.
