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City commission divided on tax increase. Without a formal vote yet, discussions during annual budget workshops for the City of Key West revealed no consensus on prospective tax increases for non-homesteaded properties.
County property tax increase on the way. During its own budget workshops, the Monroe's Board of County Commissioners appeared headed towards increased taxes on non-homesteaded properties.
Big money in Key West commission races. Official campaign finance reports filed with the Supervisor of Elections for candidates in the two competitive races for Key West City Commission (to take place on August 20th) show some eye-popping numbers.
- Large contributors to some of these candidates include some familiar businesses in the local tourism industry. Voters in Key West are encouraged to become familiar with which individuals and business are writing big checks to which candidates in these races. You'll need to scroll down and click on candidates names and navigate a bit to see the reports, which are a matter of public record.
- District 1, Monica Haskell reported raising over $45,000 and Ben Hennington has raised $7,200. Each campaign reports several contributions at the $1,000 limit, as well as small donations.
- District 6, Aaron Castillo reported raising nearly $35,000, Thaddeus Cohen over $10,000, and Marci Rose nearly $18,000. Each campaign reports several contributions at the $1,000 limit, as well as small donations. Castillo's campaign has filed two amended reports, one of which appears to correct an over limit contributions from an individual.
Key West bond request trimmed and goes to voters in November. The Key West City Commission removed roughly $74 million from its original $300 million bond proposals, and agreed on 4-3 votes to propose the remainder to voters on November 5. City residents will be asked to approve bonding up to $226 million in the next 30 years for parks and recreation, transportation, police and fire and climate change adaption projects.
Tavernier citizens appeal CEMEX zoning reversal. The Tavernier Community Association appealed FloridaCommerce’s June 26 reversal of its May 16th decision to deny approval of a Tavernier Key Commercial Overlay District. The zoning proposal enables converting the defunct CEMEX plant into a development including a Publix store and workforce housing. Citizens groups have been vocal in opposition to the project.
Candidates answered challenging questions. Safer Cleaner Ships asked local candidates for their views on cruise ships, water quality monitoring, and rehiring fired Key West City Manager Al Childress. One of the two candidates for City Commission District 1 didn't respond, while one candidate in District 6 declined to comment on rehiring Childress, a second hedged, and a third supports rehiring Childress.
Candidate forum. Hometown! Key West sponsored a candidate forum at the Studios of Key West ahead of the August 20 primary vote, and posted a video of the event.
Rocky rollout for Conch Connect? Multiple residents used social media (Key West Locals in Facebook) to report issues with the County's rollout of its new "Conch Connect”on-demand micro-transit service in Key West and Stock Island. It's not known yet how many used and were satisfied with the service.
Progress at the airport. The Citizen described the fancy windows installed in the terminal building, and that the jet bridges are coming soon.
A lesson in Civics. Linda Cunningham fulfilled her duty as a citizen.
Stilted delivery. Mark Hedden wrote of long legs, and holding opposing views in his mind.
Our Eyes
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| Good Morning - Alyson Crean |
Previously in Key West Voices
Ballots in the mail. Monroe County's Supervisor of Elections mailed ballots on July 12th to those with current requests on file.
- Standing requests were voided. As pointed out in an email from Safer Cleaner Ships, under new Florida law, many people who have voted by mail in the past will not receive an absentee ballot this year unless a new request is made.
- Check your status. You should check your vote by mail status with the Supervisor of Elections and / or request an absentee ballot at https://www.keyselections.org/Voters/My-Vote-by-Mail-Status or by calling 305-292-3416.
Budget workshops and bond issue. The Key West City Commission meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 16 through 18, for its annual budget workshops, and for the second reading (on Thursday) of its proposed referenda asking voters to approve up to $300 million in general obligation bonds in the November elections.
Not playing by the rules. A voter in Key West District VI reported receiving a paper letter from candidate Aaron Castillo missing the disclaimer language required on official campaign literature. Inattention to detail, or scofflaw?
Candidate forum. The Key West Chamber of Commerce held a candidate meet and greet at the College of the Florida Keys.
- Two election days. Although the general election happens on November 5, some local races could be decided on August 20th, if one candidate secures more than 50% of the vote.
"Testicular fortitude." In a rare opinion about local politics, The Citizen took aim at the four City Commissioners who 'found the intestinal and testicular fortitude to fire the city manager.'
New on-demand transit service. Transportation guru Chris Hamilton detailed Monroe County's rollout of its new on-demand micro-transit service called “Conch Connect” in Key West and Stock Island.
- $2.00 rides. It could take up to 15-20 minutes for your ride to arrive. You also may be paired up with one or more passengers traveling in the same direction, which means you might be taking some detours. Then again, you are only paying two dollars per ride.
Barcelona locals protest tourism impacts. Locals in Barcelona (Spain), expressed their anger over housing shortages, overcrowding and the cost of living with protests and squirt guns aimed at tourists.
- Organized resistance. About 2,800 people demonstrated, the police said, a figure that some organizers said was an undercount. Some carried signs with messages like “tourists go home” and “you are not welcome,” and doused families at restaurants.
Civil war? Well before Saturday's attempted assassination of Donald Trump (and headlines like this), Linda Cunningham contemplated the possibility of a second U.S. civil war with a look back to the first one, and how Ft. Zach remained a Union stronghold. Includes a link to this video from the late, beloved Key West historian Tom Hambright.
Photos of birds. Mark Hedden shared his approach to what he does so well; photographing birds, in anticipation of his show (with Erika Heffernan) that opened at Jag Gallery.
