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Kaufman out as vice mayor. In its coverage of the Key West City Commission's tax and budget approval (next story), the Citizen noted that newly-elected (actually, unopposed) Key West Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez told commissioners she will remove Commissioner Sam Kaufman as vice mayor (a largely ceremonial position) in favor of District VI Commissioner Clayton Lopez.
- Retribution. Henriquez's plan to remove Kaufman came less than a week after Kaufman unsuccessfully challenged her reappointment of Bob Dean to the Key West Housing Authority board. Dean was first appointed to the housing authority in 1987 and is 93 years old.
- Less than one month as vice. Term-limited Lopez would serve for less than one month until he is replaced by the winner of the November 5th election contest between Aaron Castillo and Marci Rose.
- Corporate dollars for Castillo. According to official filings of campaign contributions, registered Republican Castillo has more than twice what Rose has raised, including an aggregate five figure contribution from non-resident mogul Ed Swift, as well as other corporate interests.
- Next in line? Following Lopez's departure from the Commission, Henriquez says the next vice mayor will be Commissioner Lisette Cuervo Carey.
- Carey voted to oust former City Manager Al Childress in June in what Linda Cunningham described as a coup, a political move whose fallout is still being felt. Neither incoming Commissioner Donie Lee (also elected without opposition in August) nor Henriquez took a public position on Childress' firing during their campaigns, but indicated their approval of the move in August after being sworn in.
- Donie Lee likes Shawn Smith. Lee named controversial former Key West City Attorney Shawn Smith to the search committee for the next City Manager. Smith resigned his position in 2022 in a scathing letter to the commission. Smith is remembered for his ongoing efforts to thwart the will of the voters to limit cruise ships in Key West.
- New bloc emerging. Carey previously served as the top aide to previous KW Mayor Craig Cates (now a Republican Monroe County Commissioner), and since her election as commissioner in 2022, has been a reliable vote in favor of commerce over community concerns. By aligning herself with Carey, former Monroe County Tax Collector Henriquez appears to living up to her reputation among knowledgeable locals as aligned with corporate interests. The potentially potent bloc of Henriquez, Carey, Lee, and Castillo (if he is victorious in November) would likely vote to return large cruise ships to Mallory Dock at its earliest opportunity.
Key West budget and tax increase approved. The Key West City Commission approved a property tax increase for non-homesteaded properties and an increase in its budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- The commission agreed to keep the increase at 5% for properties that do not have a Save Our Homes property tax exemption, which caps the rate at roughly 3% over rollback. The 5% rate would levy $200 per $100,000 of taxable value of a home. Mayor Henriquez and commissioners Lee, Lopez and Mary Lou Hoover voted in favor of the tax rate. Commissioners Kaufman and Carey voted against the 5% rate increase, arguing for a zero or smaller increase.
Overnight stays for small cruise ship approved. The Key West city commission approved regular overnight visits by a small cruise ship to Mallory Dock. Representatives of community advocate Safer Cleaner Ships spoke in favor of the approval because of its affinity for smaller ships.
Schools budget approved. Monroe County School Board approved its budget for its upcoming fiscal year. The effect on local property taxes is not yet clear, and it's complicated.
Schools budget approved. Monroe County School Board approved its budget for its upcoming fiscal year. The effect on local property taxes is not yet clear, and it's complicated.
Kara Franker is now the new president and chief executive officer of Visit Florida Keys, the entity that promotes tourism for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Franker was chosen after a nationwide search. Uncomfortable conversations led to unavoidable questions and unprecedented decisions at the Sept. 17 meeting of the Keys tourism agency.
- Doing things the old way is over. Linda Cunningham applauded the big changes in store for the TDC, and described the Council's deer in the headlights look as Franker replaced the TDC's “heads in beds” focus with Destination Stewardship, a four-pronged approach that makes Keys residents, the environmental ecosystems and our quality of life the foundation for future marketing and tourism development.
- Skeptic. In a private Facebook discussion group, one long time Key West resident expressed concern that TDC will become an entrenched county department that will be spending less on ads because it's going to need the money for payroll, with a new director, three new six figure positions, and a greatly expanded overall staff, many of whom will not be Keys residents.
- Another skeptic said that it’s hard to believe that anyone who lives here thinks the TDC needs more funding. We need a referendum here to cut the bed tax in half and cap funding at that level.
ROGOs for CEMEX / Publix project approved. The supermarket and housing project in Tavernier moved forward with the Monroe Board of County Commissioners approval to handing out early evacuation workforce housing building permits to developers. A coalition of community groups has been vocal in its opposition to the move.
Hiaasen on NPR. National Public Radio's nationally syndicated long form audio interview show Fresh Air rebroadcast its 2013 interview with beloved Florida author Carl Hiaasen talking about his novel Bad Monkey, now a mini-series on Apple TV+ and set in the Florida Keys. The 20 minute interview is worth a listen.
Hurricane Helene likely forming. As of Monday evening, September 23rd, the National Hurricane Center said that Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was centered about 450 miles south southwest of Key West. The system is moving toward the north-northwest near 7 mph. A northwestward motion is expected on Tuesday and Tuesday night, followed by a faster northward to north-northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday. Strengthening is expected during the next few days and is forecast to become a major hurricane named Helene on Wednesday and continue strengthening on Thursday as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Our Eyes
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| Best seats in the house - C.J. Groth |
Previously in Key West Voices
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.
