Bed tax for infrastructure? County Mayor Craig Cates said he wants to use $25 million surplus bed tax receipts on “public facilities projects” — and eventually, on affordable housing. (Keys Weekly)
Warning letter to FKAA. The Florida Keys Aqueduct authority was warned by the Florida Department of Environment Protection of possible violations for its maintenance failures, some of which became evident in several water main breaks in March. (Keys News)
- Raw. New billion-dollar water system in Florida Keys sent raw sewage into ocean, state says. (FLKeys News)
Oldest living Conch, perhaps. Gwen Filosa posted her interview with 104 year old Onelio Gonzalez who shared life memories and his secrets to longevity. (WLRN)
Casa Marina closed. The 100 year old resort was closed to undergo six months of major renovations, and is slated to reopen in phases until work is completed in November. (Keys Weekly)
103 new apartments. The Key West Housing Authority officially opened its new Garden View complex on College Road on Stock Island. The apartments are restricted to workforce members with low and very low incomes. The 650 applications received for the apartments says that there's still demand for workforce housing. (Keys Weekly)
Kite flying in the Everglades. Mark Hedden wrote about his search for the Florida Snail Kite in the national park and surrounding areas.
Manuscript surfaced. A WWII era manuscript by the late Key West journalist Walter Logan was found and purchased for $1 at an estate sale. (Citizen, $)
Our Eyes
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| Lynne Bently-Kemp shared her talent for vision and composition. |
Previously in Key West Voices
Big win for Pier B. It appeared likely that the owners of Pier B will be granted a permanent expansion of the area of the bay-bottom lease, as well as an unprecedented 25 year lease renewal.
- The City Commission asserted its neutrality on the proposed expansion by a unanimous vote at its 16 May meeting. (Keys Weekly)
- The vote came following recognition by Safer Cleaner Ships that the Commission wasn't going to oppose the new lease as had been requested. Safer Cleaner Ships and Pier B's representatives met outside Commission chambers to arrive at an 'agreement to disagree.'
- The window for public comment on the proposed lease ended at 5:00 p.m. on Friday 19 May.
- The Citizen applauded the outcome, and offered other Cheers and Jeers. (Citizen, $)
$1,000 per month. Chris Hamilton considered the cost of owning a car in the context of Key West's unique transportation and affordable housing challenges and opportunities. (Friends of Car-Free Key West)
