Bruce Ritson's petition is not trying to "Charter " the county government. His petition merely seeks to add a mechanism which the citizens can use in future politics, to recall, or "fire" lousy commissioners. This is a good idea.

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To put this clearly - the only way to eliminate Dixie Spehar and break up "the Gang of Three" is to vote in the Republican August Primary. And to do that you must be a registered Republican by July, 15 2008. (Not a registered a Republican now - you need to change. After the Primary, you can change back to your old party.) Changing party registration is free, easy, and ABSOLUTELY VITAL, and a small "sacrifice" to ensure Dixie's elimination.

Look at the numbers: http://www.keys-elections.org/default.aspx?

HERE'S THE REALITY CHECK - direct from the BOE

TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS (All parties): Active - 50,302 Inactive - 12,000

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS: Active - 19,059* Inactive - 3,757 *Unknown how many will vote for Kim Wigington

TOTAL REGISTERED DEMOCRATS: Active - 17,808 Inactive - 3,767

INACTIVE: Have not voted in a General (presidential) Election in the last 8 years, or mail to you from the BOE was returned to the BOE (note BOE mail IS NOT forwarded. So have you changed your mailing address?)

WANT MORE INFO - http://www.keys-elections.org/default.aspx? or call the Supervisor of Elections at 289-6017.

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Home owners beware!!!! FIRM needs our help. We have to support them because the insurance companies are wanting to raise our rates all over again!

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Concerning absentee ballots:

I don't trust the absentee ballots either. In the last Key West race, there were MORE VOTES for the utility race, compared with the MAYOR race with McPherson vs. Weekly. The mayor race itself was such a heated contest, I can't believe anyone would take the time to vote for the utility race and neglect to vote for either mayoral candidate. Hello......... anybody there?

February 28, 2008

Dear Friends,

In order to vote in the August Primary if you are a registered Democrat or Independent to change 2 of our members of "The Gang of Three" you must be a registered Republican. There is no restriction changing again to Independent or Democrat after the Primary and prior to the General Election in November.

For questions, call the Supervisor of Elections at 289-6017

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The media was also responsible for us going to war in Iraq. Now, they are forcing Barac Obama on us and now, more than ever, I would rather take Hillary Clinton! A "female" president would be greater change than ever rather than electing another "man".

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Too bad the gang of three didn't fire Tom Willie, instead of giving him a quarter of a million dollar "reward" for messing up the Keys. That quarter of a million and Tom Willie has really cost the county

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I read in paper today that the county may cut even more county jobs. Can't the current county administrator "re-call" the salary raises Tom Willie gave department heads? A person earning $60,000 salary here in the Keys, has a top paying job. To earn over $100,000 is outrageous.

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*Keys Issues*_ great Addition to Your Citizen Jane. Keep up the great work

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I don't see how the state would want to give the city of Key West, grants for affordable housing, when it has acted irresponsible regarding housing. Allowing for transient rental licenses to be used for what should be 'workforce housing' and permanent housing, defeats any intentions or desire to keep existing workforce/affordable housing. Especially when Last Stand had to take the city to court on this issue, as the city went above the 25% transient rental allocation. The city was in clear defiance of existing transient rental laws. Key West has dug it's own grave on this issue and should not be rewarded for bad behavior and dumb decisions.

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To be a republican you need to  believe:

1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of  homosexuals, illegal aliens and Hillary Clinton.
2. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a  bad guy when Bush's Daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney  did business with him, and a bad guy again when little Bush  needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
3. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is  Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of  international harmony.
4. The United States should get out of the United  Nations, but our highest national priority is enf orcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
5. Multinational drug corporations should be able to  make  decisions affecting all mankind without  regulation.
6. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and  combat pay.
7. We support the troops by having draft dodgers send them into an unnecessary war without adequate armor and supplies  and without adequate  rest.
8. If condoms and sex education are kept out of  schools, adolescents  won't have sex.
9. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our  longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and  money.
10. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound  policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism.  HMO's and  insurance companies have the best interests of the public at  heart.
11. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are  junk science, but creationism should be taught in  schools.
12. A president lying about an extramarital affair  is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for  a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
13. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages  and censoring the Internet.
14. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our  business.
15. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
16. Supporting "Executive Privilege" for every  Republican ever born,  who will be born or who might be born  (in perpetuity.)
17. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960's is of vital  national interest, but wh at Bush did in the '80's is  irrelevant.
17. Support for hunters who shoot their friends and  blame them for wearing orange vests similar to those worn by the  quail.
18. If you spend all your time blaming all our national problems on illegal immigrants, you won't have time to think  about all the real issues at election time.

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It would be nice if the citizenjane website could have an archives search for subject matters or looking for information on certain persons! I love the site though and think it will grow into something big which will serve better the locals here in the keys. Just my opinion.

I read Diane Beruldsens letter to Jane - February 24, I love her style. Sonny intimdated the wrong person. Diane's voice is as important as Ed Swift, and serves the public better.

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What a shame, our county commissioners have acted so poorly, that there has to be a petition to go around, and signed by a significant percentage of monroe county citizens in order to create a way to evict these poor politicians.

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I am worried for the next county elections. I worry that the same people will be re-elected. People are just too busy to understand what is going on.

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There is a new group called the Monroe County Citizens Committee - which is a political action committee to promote and ensure good county government. This group headed by Buce Ritson (petitionist for Wisteria Island and successful!) , will work on a county petition to allow for the recall of elected county officials. They will need 10,000 signatures and need volunteers. Contact Bruce at (305) 292 - 0532.

Key West Citizen newspaper had some great stories in Sunday's paper I loved their list of mistakes our gang of 3 made during past few years, which has put us in such a sore spot today

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Why do comments for Citizen Jane need to be edited? This is something new? I like not having to watch my language, please keep it that way!

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I think Kim Wigington would make a great county commissioner and she almost beat Dixie in the last election. I would like to see a good candidate run against Sonny though, any ideas?

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Sherry Popham should run for some kind of office. She is bright, well spoken and up on all the county issues.

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At this point, I will vote for Kim Wigington just to get rid of Dixie Spehar, and would vote for Sloan to get rid of Sonny !

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Nice list of bad decisions. This came from the citizen newspaper. - please print this on your website, and ask your readers to rank from top to bottom their most favorite .... thanks

Tourism board weighs wreck funding* (May 2007)

County may close Marathon courthouse* (June 2007)

Willi reveals $20 million shortfall* (June 2007)

Hickory House costs mounting* (June 2007)

Breaking lease cost county $130,000* (June 2007)

Project taxes county budget* (June 2007)

Six figure public salaries on the rise* (June 2007)

Chambers: No more funding for wreck* (July 2007)

Grand jury probes airport expansion project* (July 2007)

Longtime head of Marine Resources gets 30 days' notice* (July 2007)

Seniors beg to keep bus service* (July 2007)

Fire hydrants axed in budget cuts* (July 2007)

Shipwreck funding contract binds county* (July 2007)

New county job added in lean times* (August 2007)

Grand jury: Airport oversight 'negligent'* (August 2007)

County to pay $3 million in [airport contractor] debt *(September 2007)

County taps reserves to delay budget pain* (September 2007)

Fees for county services increase* (October 2007)

Budget targets libraries, buses* (November 2007)

More issues pressing, board tells Tom Willi* (November 2007)

Willi won't go — County chief survives the ax* (November 2007)

WILLI FIRED: Walks with $282,354* (December 2007)

County has no money to hire leader* (December 2007)

Hickory House negotiations stall again* (December 2007)

County poised to make more layoffs* (January 2008)

County starts cutting jobs, services Friday* (January 2008)

County digs deeper to balance budget* (January 2008)

County job cuts finalized* (February 2008)

6-cent gas tax back on county agenda* (February 2008)

Sales-tax hikes tempting in tight times* (February 2008)

Social services latest victims of budget cuts* (February 2008)

Dear Friends,

Would like for you to take a moment and double click on this address that I am enclosing for your consideration to read: www.VoteKim2008.com

Kim Wigington is running against Commissioner Dixie Spehar in the upcoming Primary Election on August 26, 2008.

Kay Thacker

Key Largo

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Please, those of you who love Key West and love Florida because our water supply is at jeopardy here, as well, take just a moment and watch the DVD about our wonderful pines at Ft Zachary Taylor and then vote for the bill to save them. Time is of the essence as the Parks Commission can cut down more of the trees at any moment without any warning as they say they are'just following orders'. Representative Ron Saunders is the author of the bill to grant an exemption but needs our votes to get it moving. Thank you!

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Hello All Supporters of "SAVE OUR PINES"

Our long struggle to "Save Our Pines - Save Our Park" is entering a new phase. Those of us who are closest to the issue are optimistic that we will succeed. But success is not guaranteed! Here is where we stand:

1. We met two nights ago with Representative Ron Saunders. He is introducing a Bill to the legislature to exempt Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park from the blanket rule on cutting down the pines. But nothing is simple. Whereas we had expected this would be a "Local Bill" and thus easily passed, it turns out that it will be a "General Bill". Thus it will require a longer, and perhaps a more difficult struggle, for the General Bill to be processed and enacted.

2. Our direct contacts with Governor Charlie Crist seem promising, leading us to believe that he supports our efforts.

3. A major consideration is timing. When we reviewed the Fort Zachary Taylor Plan at the Advisory Board Meeting this past October 16, we were told that cutting of additional pines would occur without notice, anytime after February 1, 2008. To lose any more pines would be tragic. We're working hard to prevent that from happening.

4. To stimulate broad-based support, we have created a 6 minute DVD. These are being hand delivered to select persons to increase support for our effort and are available to you upon request. The DVD content is now posted on U-Tube.

Please watch the video as soon as possible - you may want to watch it several times. If we can generate high traffic, U-TUBE will give our website preferred visibility so that more people will learn about our cause.

Please, email this to all of your friends. As always we appreciate all you've done. We must remain determined until we succeed. Thanks.

Save Our Pines - www.saveourpines.com

U-TUBE LINK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POo9q6w5AKM

Don't forget to Rate It and Comment on it.

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MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Any person who wishes to be heard shall provide the Clerk with his or her name and residence and the agenda item on which he or she wishes to be heard. Such information shall be on a card provided by the County. Once public input begins, there will be no further speaker cards allowed to be submitted to the Clerk for that subject. An individual has three minutes and a person representing an organization has five minutes to address the Board (except that individuals wishing to speak during public hearings pertaining to land use issues will have five minutes). The first person representing the organization will be allowed the five minutes. Subsequently, all other speakers on behalf of that organization have three minutes to address the Board. Once an individual has addressed the Board, he or she will not be permitted to return to the podium for follow-up comments, unless the issue involved is quasi judicial in nature. In that case, the applicant may return to the podium to conclude his or her position at the end of the public hearing.

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Dear Citizen Jane

You know, I have just started to follow the local politics in the Keys, and I must say, it is very fun to read your citizen jane's bitch column! I don't know though if persons reading this section could understand most of the comments if they weren't up on the issues. I enjoy it though.

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These people know where the illegal aliens are. How come out government doesn’t?

http://illegal.globalincidentmap.com/home.php

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To Monroe County Citizens concerned about the preservation of Commercial and Recreational Waterfront

If you want to complain about the BOCC’s blatant disregard of ‘due process’ and removal of the protective language of ‘No Net Loss’ as it pertains to the Monroe County’s Working Waterfront Comp Plan Amendment. Who do you contact? It has been suggested by many, more knowledgeable than I, that we should direct our comments to Rebecca Jetton with DCA. It is my understanding that Ms. Jetton already pays close attention to these matters and would be a good choice.

Her contact info is as follows: Rebecca Jetton Email: Rebecca.Jetton@dca.state.fl.us

Florida Department of Community Affairs / 2555 Shumard Oak / Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 / 850-488-8466

It may be valuable to copy the Governor on any correspondence as well: mailto: Charlie.christ@MyFLorida.com

Working together our voice may be heard.

You folks seem to bitch about everything so maybe you could lay off the Coleman's and the DiGennaro's for awhile and investigate the killing of one our states most protected plants,the Mangrove,by a local well connected citizen. I'll give the email address of the guy who will know all the facts in this case. Email him Sloan Bashinsky keysmyhome@hotmail.com and he will give you the scoop.

Sal Gutierrez at Keylargokey.com

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REGARDING THIS COMMENT: Trauma Star must be having a hard time supporting itself financially. It seems they will pick up any accident, including those that could be taken directly to our local hospital for treatment. This is a huge county expense that can save us tax payers money. Let's sell the helicopter and use the Miami service that the county has used before Trauma Star was created.

I am not a fan of Trauma Star for expense reasons, and want LifeNet handling helicopter calls. But even more I am a fan of people knowing FACTS first and speaking second. As disclosure, I volunteer with Monroe County Fire Rescue, and carry a fire rescue page 24/7, and hear every call for Trauma Star. Unless you too hear what I hear, on what do you base your comment about picking up any accident, even those that could be transported? When I hear Trauma Star put on alert, that has been preceded by a description of the accident, and a patient assessment by the medial responders. Have you been at any the scenes when Trauma Star should not have been called?

Dear Monroe County Citizens, Kim Wigington, a Republican, just filed today to run against Commissioner Spehar. Pass the word, she is a dedicated, no personal agenda person, will try to heal this County and be fiscally responsible. We need your support and your vote. Spehar needs to go along with Commissioner McCoy.

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I am once again contacting you in reference to the “workforce housing” project by Ed Swift on Sugarloaf School. Mr. Swift and the School Board are trying to persuade our elected officials to amend our county’s Comprehensive Plan. In the amendment, developers will be able to build on ALL school owned property. Remember, the Planning Commission passed this change to our Comprehensive Plan to allow building on ALL educational land on 1/8/08. There is no way to discriminate against anyone who wants to live in these units and workforce housing means “anyone who lives in the county.” The real estate market is not just available but affordable now. There are over 25 homes in Mr. Swift’s “affordable” price range from MM0-MM35. He is also building 140 “workforce” units on Trumbo Road on School Board owned land.

THE BOCC MEETING FOR THE SUGARLOAF PROPERTY IS ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008 AT 3PM AT THE KEY LARGO LIBRARY. WE NEED EVERYONE TO ATTEND! BRING YOUR KIDS IF YOU NEED TO!

PLEASE contact your county commissioners and tell them to vote NO to this amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.  PLEASE contact DCA (Department of Community Affairs) Secretary Tom Pelham at <http://www.dca.state.fl.us/>www.dca.state.fl.us to say NO to this amendment also.  This issue will be on the agenda of both DCA and/or BOCC BEFORE the end of February!  Do this today! Any questions please contact Jennifer Cleaver at 797-0451 or mailto:kwcleaver@bellsouth.net. Thank you-Joelle Keane

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When the truth is made clear to the public, no amount of money nor power can hold back it's powerful force. The truth shall set us free. To all those who know the truth but are afraid to speak out, let us stand behind you. I urge you to do what is right for the good of us all.

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Because people who speak behind the mike at the BOCC meetings, do not have to be sworn in, you cannot accept what they are saying as undeniable truth.... ESPECIALLY when it is Jerry Coleman!

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Does anyone know why the Marathon airport was built? They can't get a commercial airline carrier. Shouldn't this have been secured before any ground was broken?

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The BOCC is disgusting!

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Sherry Popham.......... we will miss you. You were the only one with brains on that planning board.

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Hey, it's not just Mayor McPherson who has been responsible for the push to oust Wheeler from the TDC. The "gang of three" were the one's who reinstated him on the TDC board and should take responsiblity too. Wheeler is doing a fine job and should be left in his position.

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When 3 of the 5 county commissioners can vote in favor of developing and destroying waterfront property in the pretense that they are trying to "preserve" the waterfront - it's time for them to go.

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I want to help rid the Keys of the Gang of Three.Please notify me of any organizational meetings,candadates, or groups. I want to help. email is dmcurl@bellsouth.net - Deb from Cudjoe

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Watching the Feb 4th BOCC meeting was better than any reality T.V. show. This county is priceless!

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*To Monroe County Citizens concerned about the preservation of Commercial and Recreational Waterfront*

I want to complain about the BOCC’s blatant disregard of ‘due process’ and removal of the protective language of ‘No Net Loss’ as it pertains to the Monroe County’s Working Waterfront Comp Plan Amendment. Who do I contact?

It has been suggested by many, more knowledgeable than I, that we should direct our comments to Rebecca Jetton with DCA. It is my understanding that Ms. Jetton already pays close attention to these matters and would be a good choice.

Her contact info is as follows: Rebecca Jetton - Rebecca.Jetton@dca.state.fl.us

Florida Department of Community Affairs / 2555 Shumard Oak / Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 / 850-488-8466

It may be valuable to copy the Governor on any correspondence as well:Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com

Working together our voice may be heard.

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Trauma Star must be having a hard time supporting itself financially. It seems they will pick up any accident, including those that could be taken directly to our local hospitial for treatment. This is a huge county expense that can save us tax payers money. Let's sell the helicopter and use the Miami service that the county has used before Trauma Star was created.

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Are voters really THAT impressionable? Who is going to read this and think, "Dixie's working for US!" when she voted to buy the Hickory House, sink the Vandenberg, pay Tom Willi $282,000 severance and eliminate permitting fees for "affordable housing," which benefits a very few (one?) contractors in the Keys to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Ed Swift gave the city a "gift" which was the Schooner Western Union. Too bad it will cost over $100,000 to fix and repair.

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I've been watching what has been happening at the Monroe County Commission for the past few years as more and more money was spent foolishly, and our land use regulations were bastardized for big developers. At the same time small property owners were not allowed any breaks. This led me to declare my candidacy for the Monroe County Commission in District#1.

In an election year it’s normal for an incumbent to suddenly “see the light” and start bending backwards to prove to their constituents that what happened in the past really didn't happen, or if it did it was someone else’s fault. Never have I seen the arrogance that was shown at the special meeting on the Working Waterfront Amendment. To add language that was provided by the lawyer for one of the developers without reading and reviewing it, and after the County Staff advised it the DCA will kill the amendment because of it, was outrageous. I know this has been used a lot but, “IF YOU'RE NOT OUTRAGED YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION”

Bill Estes

Candidate for Monroe County Commission Dist. #1

The State of Florida Division of Elections alleges that the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment has not qualified for the 2008 ballot. We have submitted over *814,000* total petitions as of January 31, and have determined that many thousands of them were not reviewed in a timely fashion and are not included in the State’s totals. We are confident that once all petitions that we have submitted are reviewed and counted, we will indeed qualify. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that all valid petitions are counted. We thank the thousands of Floridians who have signed our petition, and extend special thanks to those supporters who collected petitions and donated their time and money to this important effort.

Our petition drive has faced vicious developer opposition, including the running of a deceptive counter-petition, sponsored by the Florida Chamber of Commerce (which came nowhere close to qualifying), and an unprecedented, misleading revocation effort by a developer-backed PAC, “Save Our Constitution”. We are challenging their revocation statute in court and await the court’s ruling.

On December 31, 2007 a directive from the State Division of Elections was sent to the county Supervisors stating that they were not legally obligated to count all petitions submitted after that date (see attached memo). Then, in early January, our opponents dumped many hundreds of thousands of petitions on the local Supervisors of Elections to clog up the petition review process. This stunt, along with the re-scheduled Presidential Preference Primary election, ensured that all Florida Hometown Democracy petitions would not be reviewed and counted through our deadline of January 31, 2008.

Florida Hometown Democracy realizes that extracting our beloved state from the train wreck of over-development requires endurance. We are confident that, despite the many diversions, deceptions and obstructions we have encountered, Florida Hometown Democracy will ultimately be on the ballot and in the Florida Constitution.

As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

HELP SAVE WHAT'S LEFT OF FLORIDA...LET THE PEOPLE VOTE to control growth!

http://www.FloridaHometownDemocracy.com

PO Box 636, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-0636.

Pd.pol.adv.byFloridaHometownDemocracy,Inc,PAC

Dear Monroe County Commissioners, and Secretary Pelham,

I am requesting you to give consideration of voting *NO* to both of these items listed below. The cost of housing here is the Keys is starting to come down and is becoming more affordable, why should a person pay almost or more for an affordable house and have to follow rules such as 99 year deed restriction on the property and not own the land under the affordable home? How will the School Board be able to enforce alcohol, fire arms in a person's home while living on public owned land. "Essential Services Personnel" this applies to anyone who lives in Monroe County and meets the criteria for affordable housing, meaning anyone can live in an affordable home on school property. Please give some thought to this request and vote NO to each of these issues. I truly hope you will receive more emails from citizens, concerned parents and grandparents voicing their thoughts to you on this matter.

Thank you

Kay Thacker

Key Largo, Fl

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Anyone know why the Marathon Airport was built, if they can't get a commercial carrier? Was there a need for this project?

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Citizen Jane, please post on your bitch section Sloan's latest thoughts. I know he's over the top, but he makes some interesting points:

*Yesterday morning’s Key West Citizen featured a front page article about County Commissioner Dixie Spehar’s efforts to get the Navy to either soundproof or purchase about 1,000 homes on Stock Island, which lie under the flyover zone of the Navy’s Super Hornet supersonic aircraft, which puts out up to 120 decibels of raw death-thundering noise, about four times more raw death-thundering noise than its predecessor Tomcat war bird put out. Dixie again said she did not know until very recently of this trouble several thousand people in her county commission district are having, which seems rather impossible given the number of people involved. According to County Commissioner George Neugent quoted in the article, it seemed rather impossible, too. He said the county commissioners had been hearing about Super Hornet noise for quite a while. He was skeptical of Dixie’s motives.

Seemed pretty convenient for Dixie to get such good coverage in the Citizen just as she’s moving into another campaign to be reelected. Dixie who pushed the County Commission to purchase the Hickory House Restaurant on Stock Island for three million bucks, more or less, in a falling real estate market, so one of her bubba friends could cash out his pre-market crash profits and move to other green pastures. We sure could have used those three millions, more or less, to help keep our libraries at full speed and rank and file county employees on the job and their salaries steady. We sure could have used some of Dixie’s elbow grease on the Super Hornet back when she was wheedling those three million, more or less, out of the County Commission for her bubba friend. Maybe if she been as concerned about the people living in the flyover zone as she was about her bubba friend, the people in the flyover zone wouldn’t now be behind the eight-ball. Maybe if Dixie had howled loud enough the Navy would have done a real environmental impact assessment, and, quaintly, actually measured the volume of the Super Hornet’s noise in the flyover zone, which from the Citizen article it appears the Navy still has yet to do. How in the hell do you do an environmental impact assessment if you do not actually measure the noise of what is impacting the environment, ie. Stock Island? Beats me.

Of course, if the Navy had done what it was supposed to have done, it would not have gotten to bring the Super Hornet to this naval installation. The Navy would have had to station this bird of unparadise somewhere else, which is why it didn’t do a real environmental impact study in the first place. The horse already out of the barn, the Navy now is stonewalling. Instead of telling the Navy to take its thunderbirds and fly away with them, Dixie asks the Navy to purchase about 1,000 homes on Stock Island or soundproof them, which is madness. If, fat chance, the Navy purchases 1,000 homes, where do all those people then live? How many of them will be able to find a home somewhere else convenient for them at a price they can afford? What, maybe one-tenth of them? The rest will have to leave the Keys? If, fat chance, the Navy soundproofs their homes, they won’t still hear the Super Hornets? They won’t still be shaken to the bone when the thunderbirds flyover? What, the decibel level would be reduced from 120 to 115? 110? We pay a county commissioner to think and behave the way this county commissioner thinks and behaves?

I wonder if it ever occurred to Dixie, or to anyone, that what the Navy has done is cause this part of the Keys to be a prime terrorist target by stationing the Super Hornet at this naval installation? That’s right, a prime terrorist target. The Super Hornet is THE state of the art combat aircraft in the Navy’s arsenal. It’s THE aircraft America’s enemies do not like even a little bit. Now it’s HERE, at a naval base already known in many circles to have super-sophisticated surveillance (SPY) technology monitoring via satellite enemy nations and troops world wide. Real comfy knowing we live in a bulls-eye, isn’t it? All the more reason to pressure the Navy to take the Super Hornet back where it CAME from. For civilian incentive, imagine skiff-launched Stinger anti-aircraft missiles shooting down a brace of Super Hornets on final approach to Boca Chica airfield. Imagine two non-descript SUVs filled with generic farm fertilizer blowing up in Bahama Village next door to the Navy’s tracking tower. Imagine.

Fat chance of getting rid of our bulls-eye if John McCain gets elected President, now that we know he’s bed buddy with our people’s governor Charlie Crist. Also announced in yesterday morning’s Citizen, Charlie’s aiming to end up in McCain’s top circle of advisers, in Washington D.C. Gosh, Charlie, we didn’t know you had that in mind when you ran for governor, saying you were the people’s candidate. We thought maybe you really had our welfare at heart. Now we learn you all along were stumping for John “Mad Dog” McCain. We know this because the Citizen told us yesterday that you used your state-paid staff and personal political backers to campaign hard for McCain, who took the Republican primary this past Monday. That victory in the state that very likely will again decide the final outcome in the presidential race may well seal McCain’s nomination as the Republican candidate. And now, Charlie, we learn you are a war monger? Wonder how many Republican candidates or office holders have children fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan? Or for that matter, how many Democrat candidates or office holders? What, zero?

Well, at least we know that we won’t need to waste time asking People Charlie to do something about the Super Hornet, just like we learned we didn’t need to waste time asking our Democrat Senator Bill Nelson to do that. He made it plain as dead coral in his town hall meeting in Key West that he supports the military all the way. He said he’s on three military congressional committees, chairs one. He said he had to end the town hall meeting to visit the naval intelligence-gathering center in Key West. Bet he has mucho high-security clearance to be able to do that. Bet he’s darn glad he and his family don’t have to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bet he’s darn glad he and his family don’t have to endure the Super Hornet. Sorry, Charlie, John and Bill, didn’t mean to insinuate any connection with Charlie V.C.

Keys people, if you reelect Dixie Spehar, if you elect John McCain, if you elect wannabe “Mad Dog” Hillary Clinton, you get just what you deserve. Just what you deserve.

PLEASE SEND TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW-I am once again contacting you in reference to the “workforce housing” project by Ed Swift on Sugarloaf School. Mr. Swift and the School Board are trying to persuade our elected officials to amend our county’s Comprehensive Plan. In the amendment, developers will be able to build on ALL school owned property. Remember, the Planning Commission passed this change to our Comprehensive Plan to allow building on ALL educational land on 1/8/08. There is no way to discriminate against anyone who wants to live in these units and workforce housing means “anyone who lives in the county.” The real estate market is not just available but affordable now. There are over 25 homes in Mr. Swift’s “affordable” price range from MM0-MM35. He is also building 140 “workforce” units on Trumbo Road on School Board owned land.

THE BOCC MEETING FOR THE SUGARLOAF PROPERTY IS ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008 AT THE KEY LARGO LIBRARY. WE NEED EVERYONE TO ATTEND! BRING YOUR KIDS IF YOU NEED TO!

PLEASE contact your county commissioners and tell them to vote NO to this amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.  PLEASE contact DCA (Department of Community Affairs) Secretary Tom Pelham at <http://www.dca.state.fl.us/>www.dca.state.fl.us to say NO to this amendment also.  This issue will be on the agenda of both DCA and/or BOCC BEFORE the end of February!  Do this today! Any questions please contact Jennifer Cleaver at 797-0451 or <mailto:kwcleaver@bellsouth.net>kwcleaver@bellsouth.net. Thank you-Joelle Keane

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Citizen Jane should adopt a "Submission Policy". Refer to Coconut Telegraph's very clear, specific, well-stated and enforced policy. without such a policy. Copied from Coconut Telegraph Libel Policy We welcome all anonymous contributions except those of a negative nature. Submissions criticizing local people or businesses will have their email address automatically added to the end of your posting. This will prevent malicious false statements from being made and disturbing the peace. Censorship All articles of a negative nature will have the poster's email address printed at the end of the post. National politics are exempt.

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whoever wrote on tuesday "this website ...........sucks!" SUCKS!

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House just sold on Eagle Ave for $299,000

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The Stock Island Waterfront project comes up at the next BOCC meeting on Monday, Feb 4. If you want to see a circus, come to the meeting. Too bad the T.V. can't show you all the key players in the project who line the walls and stand away from any T.V. cameras. Lot's and lot's of MONEY people, as they get their "puppet" Jerry Coleman to manipulate the comprehensive land use rules. Don't forget the county pays for Jerry's salary.

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If we stopped allowing developers to build such hugh "affordable housing " projects - maybe more homes on the market would have a chance to sell and the home owners wouldn't have to go into forclosure?

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Regarding: Preserving the Waterfront Property in Stock Island.... why do they call it "preserving", when they will build a huge hotel, condos and actually take away more than half of the fisheries that currently exist?

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Is there anything we can do to clean up our local government