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Adequate infrastructure capacity for growth promised. Yeah, right. Ahead of its possible award of up to 8,000 new ROGOs (building permits for residential development), the Monroe Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard that maximum growth could be accommodated without having to conduct major, unplanned and expensive upgrades. The county is still awaiting an independent evaluation of infrastructure throughout the Keys,
- FKAA not really ready. Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Executive Director Greg Veliz told the BOCC,“We believe whatever decision you guys come to, we can service that. People may experience small decreases in water pressure, but you will have water.”
- Feeble pressure since breaks. Water pressure has been notably reduced since three aging water main breaks in 2023, and the years-long billion dollar replacement project is far from complete.
- Dirty water challenge. Veliz acknowledged that the FKAA has “challenges when it comes to sewer” service, for which FKAA is also responsible.
- Failed traffic study, and a thumb on the scale. An official from Florida Department of Transportation acknowledged that the Keys did not pass a Keys-wide traffic study. The BOCC did not approve the study and codify it as it would have impacted development; instead the BOCC called for another study.
Trauma Star scandal outside review. The BOCC reviewed the fourteen grand jury recommendations that accompanied indictments of four county employees and contractors, including former county administrator Roman Gastesi.
- Organized supporters. Despite an organized appearance of about 30 people supporting indicted Monroe Fire Rescue Chief Andrea Thompson, the BOCC will contract an outside law firm to conduct its own review of the handling of the Trauma Star drug theft, at a cost of around $100,000.
Key West tax increase. The Key West City Commission agreed to a 5% increase in property taxes for next year rather than the 6 % increase that had been proposed by city staff. The increase for homesteaded properties is capped at 3%.
KW City Manager search launched. The Key West City Commission was slated to launch its search for its new City Manager following its decision to fire Al Childress back in June. Each commissioner was expected to name one member to the search committee, but minutes from the September 12th meeting are not yet available.
- Really? City Commissioner and former police chief Donie Lee was expected to name former Key West City Attorney Shawn Smith to the panel. Smith resigned his position in 2022 in a scathing letter to the commission.
- I'll do it myself. Commissioner Sam Kaufman appointed himself to the search team.
Sigsbee housing issues raised. Keys Weekly reported that Navy housing at Sigsbee Key is plagued with problems.
The “new” Key West is already here. Linda Cunningham recounted and visited the reality that Key West is already a tourist destination, and that new solutions are needed.
Bus stops. Local transit guru Chris Hamilton celebrated completion of a two-year, mostly grant-funded construction project to improve all 62 bus stops along the Lower Keys Shuttle bus route.
Airport progress. The first of eight boarding bridges was installed in late August as part of the airport renovation project, and will continue over the next several months. The new concourse A is expected to open in the spring of 2025.
Yes, they can regulate cruise ships. The New York Times reported that Greece's prime minister is proposing limits on cruise ships in the Mediterranean tourist destination, part of a larger trend to manage tourism in Europe.
Our Eyes
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| Virginia Wark |
Previously in Key West Voices
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.
