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Cocaine trafficking indictments. A Federal grand jury indicted 27 people (including 22 Keys residents) on 13 counts of various drug and firearm crimes alleged to be part of a vast cocaine trafficking operation.
- Public employees involved. The defendants include Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority employees, commercial charter boat operators, and a former City of Marathon employee.
- Mainland media coverage. The Miami Herald and South Florida TV stations carried the story.
Former TDC director sues county. Fired former county tourism director Stacey Mitchell claimed that her firing, and the audit that prompted it were retaliation for Mitchell’s refusal to approve $150,000 of tourism funding for a county bicentennial event.
Tavernier Publix recommended by planning board. Monroe County’s Planning Commission recommended that Monroe's Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approve a request to award permits for early evacuation units to developers who are seeking to build workforce housing behind a proposed Publix supermarket at MM 92.5, oceanside, in Tavernier.
- Opposition. A letter to the BOCC by community advocate Last Stand (representing a coalition of 16 community organizations) objected to the proposal, saying, "At a time when you are considering whether to request more market rate ROGOs from the State in order to avoid potentially substantial takings liabilities, how can you jettison 86 of the County’s administrative relief ROGOs?”
BOCC to respond to Grand Jury report. At its September 11 meeting, Monroe commissioners will respond to the 14 recommendations stemming from the 2022 discovery of drug theft by former Trauma Star chief flight nurse Lynda Rusinowski. The recommendations were made in connection with indictments of four Monroe County employees and contractors.
- Gastesi replacement named. The BOCC agreed unanimously to negotiate a contract with Christine Hurley for employment as county administrator to replace the former administrator Roman Gastesi. Gastesi's indictment in the Trauma Star scandal derailed a plan to rehire him. Hurley is currently the executive director of the county’s land authority, previously headed its growth management division, and has served as assistant county administrator under Gastesi.
Environment protection recommendations ignored. Despite a 2021 recommendation by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to increase limits on the plumes of sediment (often caused by cruise ships) that can smother coral, its draft rules remain unchanged. A public meeting on the rules is scheduled for Sept. 10.
- Trust Florida and DeSantis? Heck no. Linda Cunningham expressed her skepticism about the state's commitment to environment protections in blunt language. Her take described the firing of the state employee who leaked the secret DeSantis plan to add three golf courses, 350-room, high-end lodges and pickleball courts to nine state parks.
- Over $200k. The whistleblower who was fired received over $200,000 (so far) from his admirers through a GoFundMe account.
Storms watch. The National Hurricane Center is tracking three tropical disturbances, including Francine in the western Gulf of Mexico, and two being watched in the mid-Atlantic. While none of these three are an immediate threat, Keys residents are advised to remain vigilant and monitor the NHC's tropical outlook page at least daily.
Mucarsel-Powell to reach Latino voters. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (DMP), the former U.S. House Democrat now challenging Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott for the Senate, launched a new campaign on WhatsApp to reach voters and attack a sea of disinformation.
- DMP featured in New York Times. Examining the effect of reproductive rights ballot initiatives in Florida and elsewhere, the NYT considered the possibility of DMP's capture of Scott's' Senate seat for Democrats.
Dirty water. A letter to the editor warned of extremely high levels of dangerous fecal bacteria at Key West's dog beach, and worried that no warning is posted there.
Just a few friends. Thousands turned out on Duval Street to mark the first anniversary of Jimmy Buffet's death.
Forty year career. Outgoing Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin recounted her career in an appearance at the Keys Jewish Community Center.
Our Eyes
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| Anhinga in flight... Afternoon delight - Philip Dodderidge |
Previously in Key West Voices
Integrity and accountability ... severely lacking. A grand jury report filed by State Attorney Dennis Ward blasted Monroe County leadership's response to an internal audit and other findings from investigations into the 2022 theft of narcotics from the Monroe County Fire Rescue's (MCFR) Trauma Star medical evacuation program, subsequent cover-ups, and failure to act by county leaders. The Citizen, Keys Weekly and the Miami Herald have all covered the scandal.
- Read the full report. Keys Weekly provided a concise summary of the grand jury's report, but encouraged readers to view the thirteen page report in its entirely. The Weekly provided a link to its earlier coverage of the dozens of indictments issued by Ward's office to four contractors and county staff. The report contains fourteen recommendations.
- Top administrator charged. Former top county administrator Roman Gastesi was among those indicted; for felony official misconduct.
- Outside investigation ordered. Monroe County commissioner Crag Cates proposed, and his colleagues agreed to hire an outside firm to conduct an independent, in-depth investigation into MCFR and other county departments.
- Commissioners 'owning it' ... now? “...it’s about leadership, and our leadership has failed,” said Monroe County commissioner Michelle Lincoln. Commissioners David Rice, Jim Scholl and Holly Raschein agreed, with Raschein emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability, and of the commission “owning this.” Now? They've known about the scandal for two years.
- Candidate Massicotte appalled. "... it is appalling ... gross negligence and lack of oversight that allowed a drug theft scandal to fester ... a damning indictment of our county's leadership. The theft of powerful narcotics by MCFR staff under the nose of our current County Commissioners is not just a scandal—it's a betrayal of the public's trust," said Chris Massicotte in an email to his supporters. Massicotte is the Democratic candidate for Scholl's seat on the commission in the November 5th election.
New Key West Mayor and Commissioners sworn in. A new era of Key West politics arrived with the swearing in of incoming Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez and incoming city commissioners Donie Lee and Monica Haskell. Term-limited commissioner Clayton Lopez will leave office in November after the election contest between Aaron Castillo and Marci Rose determines his successor in District 6.
Governor Ron DeSantis distanced himself from his own 'half-baked' plan to put golf courses in Florida state parks that was part of his own initiative.
- Controversy. Over 100,000 people signed four online petitions opposing Gov. Ron DeSantis' Great Outdoors Initiative, which plans to develop nine state parks, including three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
- Tart it up? Although the initiative did not mention our beloved Ft. Zachary Taylor state park, Linda Cunningham pulled no punches (but avoided expletives) in her biting sarcasm.
Push poll. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) sought public participation regarding state-mandated hurricane evacuation modeling discussions that will continue through January 2025.
- Thumb on the scale. Like the earlier three surveys, this one's design clearly telegraphs its intent to provide political cover to the BOCC to issue additional residential building permits over the objections of residents concerned about hurricane evacuation times and environmental impacts.
- Sixteen groups opposed. A coalition of 16 community organizations led by Last Stand have been united and vocal in their opposition to new permits.
Sea level rise input sought. Monroe County’s Office of Sustainability kicked off a series of meetings to receive public input on the county’s vulnerability to sea level rise and coastal flooding.
Florida sued over book bans. Six major book publishers teamed up to sue the state of Florida over an “unconstitutional” law that has seen hundreds of titles purged from school libraries following right-wing challenges.
