Dear Citizen Jane,

Change registration to vote in primary

I am writing to encourage everyone in our community to vote this August in the primary elections. This summer we only have a Republican primary. Florida is a "closed" state, which means that you must be registered as a Republican to vote in this primary. I would like to share some information to address some misconceptions about voting in this primary.

If you are not registered as a Republican, it is very easy to re-register on a short-term basis and therefore have an opportunity to vote this summer. There is no time limit on how long you must be registered in that party or stay registered afterwards in order to vote. It does not cost anything. It does not brand you as a Republican forever. It simply gives you a voice in this August's election.

An important fact is that you must be registered to vote by July 28 to vote in the Aug. 26 primary. You may also vote by absentee ballot.

Unlike in the city of Key West, where you can only vote in your district, everyone who lives in Monroe County can vote for all the county commissioners.

The ballots in November are all identical and not determined by your party affiliation. You may choose to re-register back to your original party affiliation, or wait until after the November elections.

Forms for re-registering can be obtained in person at the Lester Building next to the courthouse on Whitehead Street, or downloaded at http://election.dos.state.fl.us/RegToVote/regform.shtml

Forms for absentee voting are also available at this site. Information about early voting, or the entire ballot may be found at http://www.keys-elections.org <http://www.keys-elections.org/>.

The Republican representative for two commission seats, that of Dixie Spehar and Sylvia Murphy, are being challenged in this August's primary. Many people have strong feelings about the current County Commission representatives, particularly as the commission has been voting consistently in a bloc of 3-2. Many issues of growth management are before us at this time. Ms. Spehar's and Ms. Murphy's seats are very important positions in this balance. If you would like to have a voice in who will represent you for the next two years on the County Commission, I encourage you to get out and say so — /vote/!

In addition, if you would like more information about the other candidate running for Ms. Spehar's seat, Kim Wigington, please visit her site at http://www.votekim2008.com <http://www.votekim2008.com/>.

Thank you, and remember to vote.

Melody Cooper

Key West

Dear Citizen Jane,

Conflicts of interest erode public trust

The [following] narrative points towards a breach of the public trust so severe that it is, or borders on, the illegal. The ... relationship that exists between developers doing business in this county and the Monroe County Commission and Planning Commission would be comical if it weren't so pathetic, tragic and injurious.Apparently, an individual who at one time was chairman of the Monroe County Planning Commission [later] negotiated the sale of his services to corporate developers while under contract [as a consultant] with the Monroe County Commission. It appears that this former chief of staff provided counsel to the County Commission, while simultaneously discussing the procurement of a wage from prospective developers, who would need these commissions' approval in order to proceed with their housing projects. Evidently, the interests of both parties were concurrently coalesced through this connected person, so that a prompt approval by the commission was assured while deflecting and diminishing the voices of those in disagreement.

Questions as to the specificity of the dates when this person was under contract with the county change, or are not remembered, as different commissioners have conflicting versions of his work history. One commissioner was confused as to whether this individual was, or was not, [still] employed with the county, and asked in the future to be kept apprised of the details of their employment.

The salary that this person received from our now-bankrupted county was enormous. This prior head of the Planning Commission received unfettered approval for their housing projects.

It appears that our citizens had their tax dollars used to employ a hired gun, who worked in concert with the commission to censor and silence the opposition.A forensic review of the county's books and billing records, along with an assessment of all financial interests and transactions, may bear this out. A comprehensive examination of all written and telephonic communications, along with securing sworn interview statements, may reveal remuneration and peddled favors that were promised, or in fact realized. The awarding of any government contract through a tainted vetting process, which may include salaried and soiled allegiances, extinguishes any semblance of due process. It defrauds the people of their right to be governed lawfully. As the FBI points out, "It leads to an erosion of trust in government institutions and creates a community that is increasingly desensitized to the dishonest actions of those in power."

Presently, the Florida Keys designation as an Area of Critical State Concern is under review and being challenged. Please think for a moment what the landscape will look like on these islands, which have become our homes, if this County Commission, along with its bevy of builders and corporate developers, continue to have their way with us.

The FBI believes that "corruption strikes at the core of what the United States is all about. Our democracy depends on a healthy, efficient and ethical government." So do I.

John Donnelly,

Key Largo

Dear Citizen Jane,

Read the article in the Key West Citizen on June 4, 2008 concerning “Spehar admits election error”. I quote Commissioner Spehar “No one had called me there or sent any donations there." Commissioner Spehar are you asking the citizens of Monroe County to believe you have no idea how your office address, and office telephone were listed on your Website, and filed at the Monroe County Supervisor of Election? Commissioner Spehar after serving 3 terms for 8 years as a County Commissioner, are telling the citizens of Monroe County you did not know you could not use your office address, staff, or office telephone to promote your campaign? Are you saying you did not receive one phone call about your campaign on your office telephone, or your assistant who is a paid county employee, who answers your phone and collects your mail did not take one phone call or one message about your campaign in over 5 months since you filed? Are you saying you did not get one contribution at you mailing address in over 5 months since you filed? Commissioner Spehar is this what you are asking the citizens in Monroe County to believe?

Who filled out the paperwork and signed the forms to file to run for District 1 seat Commissioner Spehar?

Kay Thacker

Key Largo

 June 1, 2008

 Dear Citizen Jane,

I realize that no one can stop malicious untrue statements from being posted on blogs, and I have to accept that.

As a candidate for the Monroe County Commission I do have a stand on many issues facing the County. The one I've copied below is directly from my website:

"Land Use:

Millions of dollars and thousands of hours were spent on creating a comprehensive Plan for Monroe County outlining rules for how our land would be used. The Land use Laws must be applied as written to protect the citizens of Monroe, the small property owner, and Developers."

If a voter really wants to learn more about me, I invite you to go to: www.votebillestes.com, or call me. 305-923-4265

Thank You,

Bill Estes, Democratic Candidate for Monroe County Commission District#1

 May 18, 2008

 Dear Citizen Jane,

The driving force for "affordable housing" in the lower Keys is Ed Swift. The market has come down so that resale houses are now competitive with Ed's typical "box on stilts" that he's been selling for an incredible profit for years. Good.

There have been a number of BOCC actions that benefit Ed directly. Look at the pattern of sewer implementation on Stock Island. What one developer benefited more than anyone else? Why did the grand jury say that this project was badly mismanaged?

Why was there a special session of the BOCC recently to reconsider the purchase of certain properties in Key West for "affordable housing?"

A bit over a year ago, the BOCC stopped charging permit fees for "affordable housing" development. It is a matter of record - who, since then, has benefited from not having to pay these fees?

Did any of those developers lower the prices of their houses by the $40,000 or so that they saved from those permits to help make their houses more affordable? Or did "they" just stuff more money in their pockets?

What about the possible "affordable housing" debacle at Sugarloaf School? Who benefits from constructing new houses when there are scads of vacant houses for sale on Sugarloaf, Cudjoe, Big Coppitt and Stock Island? Certainly not the private citizens trying to sell these houses!

When looking at public actions of the BOCC or the school board, ask yourself, "Who benefits?'

And look beyond the person themselves - look at their corporate, family and friend relationships. The established politicos help their friends. When they're out of office, their friends then help them. Watch what happens when the current BOCC members leave office - watch where they live, what they drive, who they're having nice dinners with and where they travel.

This is public corruption hidden behind a thin legal crust of favors and promises.

Don't you wish you knew who's friends, cousins, grown children and business associates of government officials are getting paid by the "S" cartels?

The Feds came down in the '70s and busted up one of the big drug organizations. How much of that money is still circulating in the Keys, working behind the scenes to get things passed that don't make much sense to most of us? Look at the names of those people imprisoned then. Who from those families are still active here - some of them in government?

I predict that the Federal government will one day descend on Monroe County with an army of prosecuters and subpoenas and clean up most of this influence peddling.

Until then, vote the bastards out of office!

Homer Snodgrass

Grassy Key

 May 12, 2008

 Dear Citizen Jane,

Key West  Government should stop  catering to developers

I’m cognizant of two  Monroe County Planning Commissioners who have resigned from their posts on the Planning Commission because of what appears to be criminal and corrupt conduct by the Monroe County Commission. Planning Commissioners Mr. Jiulio Margalli and Ms. Sherry Popham publicly stated their disgust with a combative county government whose fraudulent operation continues to enter into “development agreements” with corporate builders. 

At a recent commission meeting I attended, these corporate conglomerates were given the green light, along with a free rein to advance the construction of their “affordable” housing projects in the manner that they chose, without having to pay the county a dime. At the taxpayers’ expense, these outsiders were granted every variance, density increase, and construction fee waiver that they requested. As if this was not enough, one commissioner could not contain himself and interjected before the developers’ agent could depart from the podium, “If you come across anything that was left out, contact us and we will smooth it over.”  This corporate giant was not required, nor even asked, for any type of monetary expenditure to build these closely compacted housing projects.

Recently in her departing statement from government service, Monroe County Planning Commissioner Sherry Popham said that she no longer wants “to be a part of a façade of due process, which the Planning Commission conveniently provides for the County Commission.”

From its onset, this whole business of “affordable housing”  has been instrumental in creating many of the corrupt practices initiated by the county commission to pervert the law when entering into an agreement with a corporate developer. As attorney and former Monroe County Planning Commissioner Jiulio Margalli has said: “The County Commission is using affordable housing as a Trojan horse to the detriment of the environment. The overriding theme is to push it through. These commissioners can get away with things and have them glossed over by using the term ‘affordable housing.’ Nobody is paying attention to the quality-of-life issues in the  Keys.”

Throughout this county, there is a movement afoot composed of people from all walks of life who are working towards the restoration of a quality of life, which has been maligned by the compulsive and incessant development authorized by the Monroe County Commission.

The old battle lines, environmentalist vs. developer, must be discarded. They serve no useful purpose and will not allow us to benefit from the unique experiences and expertise that each one of us brings to the decision making process.

Authentic leadership will require self-restraint on the governments’ part, so that they might begin to cognize the consequences and impacts of demanding more from our fragile aquatic ecosystem than it is capable of giving.

John Donnelly

Key Largo

 Dear Citizen Jane,

As I read Jerry Coleman’s  letter denouncing Kay Thacker, something seemed very wrong . Coleman described how educated and intelligent he was, comparing his knowledge with Kay Thacker.

He gave the impression he knows what he is talking about, and not Kay.  Coleman  also stated  two commissioners (who have shown good judgment for the county)  are “boobs”

What was the point of his letter?

Why Coleman would bother to attack a concerned citizen, who goes to all the BOCC, Planning and DRC meetings on her own time and expense, tells me she’s probably  on the right track. It has been Jerry Coleman’s actions in the past, listening to him speak at public meetings, reading his letters to editors  and what he has charged us tax payers for his work,  that I have determined Coleman to be a non-credible person.

In a time when developers, the people he represents, seem to get  their way all the time, it  saddens me that  Coleman  would try to intimidate future activists who are desperately needed to stand up against special favors  to these developers.  We need to get more citizens involved because of people like Coleman  who use unfair tactics, abuse rules and  regulations for the benefit of developers who have money, time and power as the rest of us work two to three jobs to make ends meet.

Developers have bought up trailer parks, got them rezoned, evicted families living in these parks, displacing them and  forcing most to leave the Keys. This is a workforce we loose for the benefit of the developer and loss to our community. Developers  make money off of these people’s hardship. This is what Coleman  stands for.

At the planning board meeting, when  the “preservation for working waterfront”  item first came up, it was very late into the night, with only one staff person left, as Coleman was arguing  it left and right. Bay bottom, never taken into consideration for land use, was then calculated into the math to determine how much density should be allowed (bay bottom people- CANNOT BE BUILT ON!). The density, normally 2 units per ace, was increased  to 16 units per acre!  There also was a  hotel that developers  wanted to build which all of a sudden became a place for our ‘”emergency personnel”  to stay  during times of hurricane evacuation. This “hotel”  was promoted as a much needed “ hurricane shelter” , but emergency personal  already have category 5 hotels in which they stay in during these storms. The benefit to developers in building a “hurricane evacuation shelter”  is that it does not require ROGO units!  (by the way,  the hotel at the Key West airport also will not require ROGOS!)

So, developers  have their “tricks”, lawyers like Coleman and three county commissioners  to push whatever they want through. For this reason,  we need more people like Kay Thacker.

Jerry…  it is your “gang of three” who should be considered the “boobs” and you can throw yourself in with that crowd.

Diane Beruldsen

Stock Island

Dear Citizen Jane,

An Open letter to the Planning Commissioners,

I would like to share a little background history on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, which was shared with me by a friend.

"Big Pine Key and No Name Key have been part of the National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR) since 1957. Did the person or persons buying property on these islands do their homework and find this information out before purchasing this property? Was one of the reasons they wanted to live on these island because of the lack of building and development on these islands? They bought property within the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge. Their homework told them that there would be various restrictions right? The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is “to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats with the United State for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans”. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) statements, “a requirement that the environmental health of the Refuge System be maintained”, and by historic Refuge System policy, refuges are “closed until open”. Also, there are (NKDR) purposes, to protect and preserve in the national interest the Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys and to conserve fish or wildlife or plants (22) which are listed as endangered species or threatened species. Finally, Refuge Objectives: Protect and preserve Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys. Conserve endangered and threatened fish, wildlife and plants. Provide habitat and protection for migratory birds. Provide opportunities for environmental education and public viewing of refuge wildlife and habitats. Sixty some years ago when the Everglades were established the Florida Keys were intended to be part of it." Look at the Florida Keys now. Commissioner Marston calls the HCP a fiasco and is shaping up to be a class action suit, folks before you spend money on attorneys, please remember what the reasons were for the HCP and what they intended to do for us,future generations and our Florida Keys.

Kay Thacker

Key Largo

March 21, 2008

Dear Citizen Jane,

In another dream earlier this morning, a woman I wasn't sure I recognized was siddling up to me, and we were starting to play smacky mouth when that dream ended. Lying awake, I realized the dream was about the bitchbitch file of citizenjane.net, and the dream woman was Diane Bureldsen, who had a great deal to do with that website coming into being. Diane Bureldsen of Stock Island. Diane Burledsen who writes lots of letters to the editor that get published.

Diane Bureldsen, who attends lots of county commission, city commission, planning board and commission, and other government meetings. Diane Bureldsen, who minces no words at those meetings. Diane Bureldsen, who often takes Ed Swift head on in those meetings. Diane Bureldsen, who took the US Navy on in the smoke and mirrors show over the super loud Super Hornet on Stock Island. Diane Bureldsen, who single-handedly rallied the poor working stiffs and otherwise poor people at Sea Horse Trailer Park on Big Pine Key in 2006, and led them to fight hard not to have their homes bulldozed by a developer who could have cared less what happened to them. Diane Burledsen, who often is ridiculed by political pundits who don't take any risks at all that I can see.

Here's yesterday's email exchange between Bill Estes and me, the missed signal I was supposed to write about Diane and citizenjane.net today.

____________________________________________________

Sloan,

I'm sending this to you because I believe it is a sentiment you agree with.

Bill

Every voter has an issue that they feel strongly about. Some may call it an agenda. As a candidate for public office, or hopefully an elected official, I don't feel I have the right to ignore anyone's questions, or arguments for their position.

Bill Estes

Candidate for Monroe County Commissioner District #1

305-923-4265

I agree with this, Bill. This also is, based on my experiences, Jerry Coleman's perspective on his radio show. Doesn't mean I, or anyone, has to agree with anyone else's view or opinion. But we should at least listen. Interesting, I saw Diane earlier today. Second time recently she's come by Sippin' and I was playing chess and too busy trying to keep my scalp to chat with her. See she's been pecking away at them pretty good in letters to the editor in the Citizen. I hope she keeps pecking. Maybe if we peck enough, the peckerwoods will leave. Of course, by whose peckerwood is a peckerwood a peckerwood? Sloan

______________________________________________________

In case some literal-minded people are now thinking Diane and I are an item, we are. We both are terrorists. We both want to utterly destroy the way things are done in the bubba system. We want to utterly replace it with a government for and by the people. In that sense, we are an item. In the sense your literal minds are thinking, we are not an item. We are simply fellow travelers. Liberals. Be sure and look up that term in a dictionary before you start flapping it back at us. You might be very surprised what you find when you look it up. In fact, you might even decide that maybe you had better start calling yourself a liberal, if you don't want people to think bad things about you. Like, think you are part of the bubba system. Like, think you are an item with Ed Swift and the so-called Gang Of Three. Like, think you are the problem, and not the solution.

Oh, you don't like me writing about you in this way. Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt your little feelings? Aw, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I meant to wake you up. Darn. I must have gone about it wrong. Maybe I need to start over. Maybe I need to go back to Diane Burledsen, and say again that I hope she runs for the county commission this time. She knows the issues as well as, if not better, than anyone I know. She has been after the county commission for years to do things differently. She has fearlessly and tirelessly taken on anything she feels is adverse to the Keys and Keys people. She is a public servant. She will be a public servant running as a non-partisan candidate for the county commission. She will be a public servant if she is elected. Beholden to no one and no political party. Beholden only to her conscience and God.

Check out citizenjane.net mission statement, by clicking on the Citizen Jane icon at the top of this post.

Sloan Bashinsky, non-partisan county commission candidate (Sonny McCoy's District 3 seat)

Key West

Political advertisement ?, written, approved and paid for by me.

Diane Bureldson had nothing to do with this post, except in my dreams.

Dear Citizen Jane,

The Gang of Three is defined by its actions

[Monroe County Planning] Commissioner [John] Marston [must] be kidding with the citizens of Monroe County with this [guest column] in the Key West Citizen.

The English Thesaurus defines "gang" as a bunch of criminals, mob, bunch of hooligans, or band. Could you go to the dictionary and find [Commissioner Mario] Di Gennaro's, [Commis-sioner Dixie] Spehar's and [Mayor Sonny] McCoy's pictures under the word? If it walks like a duck. ...

Is the "Gang of Three" evil in itself, or is it what evil this "Gang of Three" does? Let's take a look at what the gang has done.

This gang has raped, looted, and pillaged Monroe County's land development regulations and the 2010 comprehensive plan with the help of hired outside attorney Jerry Coleman, at the cost of over $400,000 to the taxpayers of Monroe County. The gang has spent our pots of gold (taxes) like drunken sailors on a Hickory House restaurant for $3.2 million; sinking of a ship called the Vandenberg for the cost of $2 million; cost overruns of the McCoy airport terminal in Key West [at] close to $30 million; [and] $20 million on government centers in Key West and Key Largo.

Our [county] staff has, and is, being cut to the bone while some of our new captains of departments are making $100,000-plus during these lean times. Our islands are surrounded by water, but the gang made the captain of Marine Resources walk the plank. The gang plundered and raided the citizens who fought to keep their homes, yet to no avail, and abducted their piece of the island so the spoils of war could be rezoned for their fellow pirates. Why did Captain Spehar unexpectedly come to the conclusion that Skipper [Tom] Willi was not the best chief? Would it have to do with Captain Spehar running for re-election? ...

The gang tried to pull the wool over the eyes of the South Florida Regional Planning Council, (working waterfronts proposed ordinance) but SFRPC has recommended to the Department of Community Affairs to send it back to Monroe County for the second time. The Gang of Three altered the ordinance on Feb. 4 in favor of private developers on Stock Island, so their developer pals would have more booty in their coffers, not thinking or caring for what is best for the whole of the community.

[Marston's column] sounds as if it were right out of the political campaign handbook; [is he] trying to dismiss or dispel why citizens are appalled with the Gang of Three? The Gang of Three is just the visible part of the gang. The other members are the select few who benefit from the Gang of Three's back-room actions.

Come August, ... Monroe County will take the controls of this vessel, do some maneuvering and change direction, so law and order can again reign.

Kay Thacker,

Key Largo

Dear Citizen Jane,

Our military no longer performs duties it used to. Today, the Pentagon hires private companies and pays billions of dollars for services our U.S. soldiers once performed like cooking food, transporting goods, etc. This expense does not make sense especially when the cost of this war is "breaking our backs" and ruining our economy.

We understand now that KBR, the largest of these private companies contracted by the Pentagon, and once owned by Halliburton, registered it's company outside the U.S., as Dick Cheney was Halliburton's Chief Executive at the time. It is a shrewd decision for any company to register overseas, and for the Pentagon to hire such companies, because they knowingly cost this country more money, by not allowing our government to collect their taxes, which pays for employee's Social Security, Medicare and Unemployment Benefits. Yet, they get these Pentagon contracts and we the tax payers fund the Pentagon!

Does this sound outrageous? Well, here in Monroe County, we are doing the same! We have allowed Developer Ed Swift, to build so many "Affordable Houses", which no longer is charged any building or permitting fees. The "spin" put on this as it was passing our BOCC, was explained that: by deleting County Building fees, it would then in turn, lower costs for "Affordable Housing". But, it didn't. The Stock Island Park Village project alone - 40 houses, is a good example. It's quarter of a million dollars in fees to the County were waived as the price for these homes remained the same before and after this new ordinance was passed! This is occurring as we have cut County staff and services and deducted 20% funding to non-profit groups, whose services many of us depend upon. These non-profits are being run out of business and citizens will suffer.

(By the way, guess who passed this ordinance?… I'll give you three guesses)

There are so many homes currently on the market that want to be sold and some are cheaper than the "affordable" housing rates. We are in a real estate slump and for the next few years, prices will continue to lower. As foreclosures are at an all time high, why not try to save these families by not adding more homes on the market to be sold, which becomes their competition? Why continue to build new homes when there is water shortage, increased traffic problems and maxed out hurricane evacuation time. Do these "affordable" housing projects hire within Monroe county's labor, or do they hire cheap labor from Miami? We loose these taxes which also contributes to our infra structure impact costs. So, how much do we really pay for "Affordable Housing" ? We need to put a "brace" on the backs of us tax payers during a time of financial crises. We need to stop this mantra: "Affordable Housing crises".

Diane Beruldsen

Stock Island

*Proposal for soundproofing, deed restrictions not in homeowners' best interests*

If you own a home anywhere in the Lower Keys up to about Mile Marker 20, you are about to have your home deed-restricted with dire results to its value.

M20, an alliance of community groups and individual citizens, has been created to oppose the imposition of deed restrictions on each of your homes as proposed by County Commissioner [Dixie] Spehar.

There is a move afoot to forever deny homeowners property rights, [a move] that will diminish the value of your home and your ability to buy, sell or mortgage it.

Deed restrictions were first signaled in a letter from Spehar and in a resolution at a County Commission meeting in which she proposed that the Navy should attempt to lessen its jet-noise impact on your homes by installing double-paned windows. Deep in the body of her letter it is revealed that if you accept the windows, your property will be deed-restricted ... by the Monroe County [Property Appraiser's] Office. These restrictions ... are disseminated to all Realtors and are made a permanent record, which [will] have the potential for much mischief, including some of the following:

1) By accepting Spehar's offer, you give up the right forever to object to jet noise or flight patterns over your property. Considering that there are much louder jets even than the F-18s in the pipeline, this means that no matter what the Navy chooses to fly over us, we will be forever powerless to oppose whatever shattering noise the Navy chooses to impose on us.

2) A deed-restricted ... property immediately loses value on the real estate market. Some experts believe that property [restricted] in the Lower Keys could be devalued by as much as 20 percent to 30 percent. In the face of the present depressed market for homes, this would represent a disaster for many homeowners.

3) Mortgage costs for a deed-restricted ... home will be much higher than for a home that is not [restricted]. Mortgage loan terms will be much more difficult, and interest rates much higher, adding tens of thousands of dollars to the eventual cost of any mortgage on your home.

4) If you are trying to sell your home, the potential buyer will find that mortgages are less available and more expensive, which may prevent a potential sale from taking place.

5) If you allow the Navy to "improve" your home, it is likely the IRS will view that as income and raise your federal taxes for the year of the improvement.

6) While a [deed-restricted] home is worth less on the marketplace, the so-called "improvements" could add to the assessed value of your home, thus raising your real estate taxes.

7) Depending on the details of the deed restrictions, it could be possible that you would not be free to make whatever alterations or additions to your home that might violate the new restrictions.

8) Should flood or fire destroy your home, it is likely that your insurance would not cover the rebuilding, because you would be obligated to rebuild according to the very expensive terms of the restricted deed.

9) Because the cost of rebuilding would go up considerably, it is likely that your insurance company would raise the cost of your homeowners policy.

M20 opposes Spehar's attempt to saddle each of us with these onerous possibilities. M20 has concluded from Spehar's own correspondence that her attempt to impose deed restrictions is not in the interest of the homeowners of our county. This process has been encouraged by the Navy, with the public support of Spehar, to allow the Navy to continue its F-18 flights, as well as allowing the Navy to bring a new generation of very loud jets to Key West without the need for an Environmental Impact Statement.

The mission statement of M20 includes the commitment to stopping deed restrictions ... and requires the Navy to follow the established environmental law. M20 is a nonpolitical and nonpartisan umbrella alliance that includes group as well as individual support.

We invite all to join us in this endeavor by contacting us at www.m20alliance.com <http://www.m20alliance.com/> to signify your support and assistance in fighting this dangerous move to limit our rights to do what we please with our own homes.

Reese Palley

Geiger Key resident

member of the board of directors of the M20 Alliance.

On CNN News this morning I heard Governor Crist remarking on whether there should be a presidential primary revote in Florida. He said, "People's choice should be heard, every vote should count." If he is sincere in this belief, I urge him to investigate the irregularities in the processing of the Florida Hometown Democracy petitions.

Florida Hometown Democracy submitted 814,000 signatures by the February 1st deadline for the 611,009 needed for placement on the November 2008 ballot. Due to unfair invalidations in some county elections offices and the refusal to review all the submitted petitions, we were credited with only 564,558 valid petitions. Some signatures were rejected because a birth date, or date of signing, was signed by day, month and year as is customary in Latino culture. Other signatures were rejected because the signer had moved out of county. If they were registered in that county at the date of signing, why were they not valid? Why were some signatures rejected because they were inactive voters?

Other factors also prohibited a fair assessment: the Legislature moved up the primary voting date to January 29th overloading election offices with duties; the Secretary of State delayed several months in working out problems with the computer system that processed petitions; the Secretary of State took down the web site posting of petition numbers on January 10th so we could not deploy our petitioners in certain congressional districts; the Florida Smart Growth petition put up by the opponents of our effort swamped the Supervisors of Election offices after January 1 even though they had not gone before the Florida Supreme Court for review after collecting the 10% required for review.

Established court rulings hold a petition signature has the same protection as a vote. So, Governor, do you think YOU need to find out if undemocratic irregularities have denied our petition a place on the November 2008 ballot? Talk is just talk until you walk the walk. Trite but oh so true.

Joyce Tarnow

352/498-2886

P.O. Box 2513

Cross City, Florida 32628

 February 24, 2008

Dear Citizen Jane

There’s a rule at  BOCC meetings. Speakers must submit their “blue cards” to speak at the podium on an agenda item, before the first speaker. Mayor McCoy was not happy with my timing when I turned my card in to speak, though I handed my card  in before the first speaker. He was unsure whether I should  speak then decided  “to allow” me to speak . As I walked to the podium, McCoy told me to “make it quick” (even though speakers are allowed 3 minutes).

Later in the meeting, a Comprehensive Land Use change was proposed by the School Board to allow workforce/employee housing  on school property.  School board member: Deborah Walker  and Developer: Ed Swift came late, after public speakers began, yet McCoy allowed both to speak. It is more than the double standard that bothers me, it is what Sonny’s actions really reveal.

Sonny  intimidates the ordinary citizen, while catering to a Developer and School Board member. Folks, this is favoritism which extends itself to the final vote. These persons wanted  approval, and it was approved. Red Flags should go up, because it shows the unfairness of some of our  BOCC members.

It’s not only fairness,  but what appears to be lack of knowledge for national and global news that the “three” commissioners  seem  to not comprehend. It is crucial to be educated in order to make wise decisions for the future of our Keys. They do not realize that while they address only “affordable workforce/employee housing”  other pressing issues are taking place in the Keys.

While density in the Keys has increased tremendously, water  is in shortage. Our water bills will soon double as we’ll have to use a desalination process to have drinking water. Hurricane evacuation with the tremendous development taken place in  South Florida, let alone the Keys, becomes more dangerous. When 2010 comes, and the county still does not have it’s sewer system in compliance with the state, many home owners will not be able to afford the $20,000-$30,000 it will cost for each to comply. These owners will be forced to sell their homes at a time when the real estate market will still be in a slump and they will have to get less money for their homes during this mass exodus. Many other problems are never addressed such as: corruption, traffic, parking, pollution, natural habitat, quality of life, global warming, green housing, increased density,  finding ways to financially support  non-profit organizations who offer critical assistance to citizens, etc.

These three commissioners live in a “bubble”, while the rest of us live in the real world. As they continue to spend money foolishly,  it is us  citizens who suffer. In the next election August 26, we need to put in place persons able to show higher order and  critical thinking. These three have yet to demonstrate this. We have a chance to replace 2 of the 3. Please keep aware and get informed.

Diane Beruldsen

Stock Island

We had been detained up north for a few months longer than we had planned and came back to Key West full of hope that there might be a change for the better in the County Commission.

Alas, we find that Alphonse Karr's cynical quote applies: "The more things change, the more they remain the same."

We now have a reconstituted Gang of Three, even more unresponsive to the public weal than in the past. This is no time for cynicism. The time is ripe for two activities to commence:

1) We must now organize and raise serious funds to replace the two self-serving commissioners who blow in the wind to whatever the people behind the Gang of Three decree. [Commissioners Dixie] Spehar and [Sonny] McCoy must go in November. We can have three, or perhaps four, commissioners to begin to repair the damage done to county government. We can marginalize Di Gennaro and deal with him later.

As on the national scene, true change is in the air and we would be well-advised to echo the cry of: "Yes, we can!" So, if someone will tell me where to send my money, I would like to be among the first to ante up.

2) November is only a temporary fix. What we need is legislation in November to allow recall of commissioners. When people like the Gang of Three get as arrogant as they have been for years, we the people should be able to drop the hook on them and yank them out.

This is the one-two punch that will begin to bring morality and honesty back to Monroe County government. First toss the present bums out, and then make future commissioners aware that they can be recalled at the wish of their constituents.

Let us start to organize. How can I help?

*Reese Palley *

Key West

By now you have probably heard Kim Wigington has declared her candidacy in the BOCC District against incumbent Dixie Spehar. Kim ran against Dixie in 2004 and in spite of being a relative unknown, garnered 47.3 percent of the votes.

Because there are more than one candidate already running as a Republican, there will be a primary election. 

The primary is early, August 26, and is a closed primary. 

So, in order to vote for Kim, one has to be registered a Republican. 

It is easy to change your party affiliation. And, because ALL of the general elections (Monroe County, Florida and US Presidential Election-November 4, are open elections, if you forget to change you party affiliation back after our BOCC primary on August 26, you can still vote for any candidate in any party in the general elections.

I have switch my party many times back and forth so I could vote in the Republican Primary for BOCC Candidates. The short time it takes to change your part is such a small chunk out of your life compared to the amount of time and energy another four years with this kind of BOCC will cost you, it is clearly worth the energy.

August seems a long time from now. But, it is not when you consider it's over if a candidate looses the primary and that many of the snow birds vote absentee and in a month or two they will have left the Keys. Now is the time to get going if we want Kim to win.

Brenda Schneider and I (Alicia) will have cards to sign so Kim can qualify to be on the ballot without paying the fee. So, if I run into you, please make sure you sign one.

Campaign workers are needed for all sort of not very large tasks. Please let either Brenda or Alicia know if you can help with canvassing, getting the sign up, stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, etc., please send us an e-mail with "Kim's Campaign" in the subject of the e-mail. 

Alicia = Micalnnk@aol.com 

Brenda = thinkgreen12@bellsouth.net

Contribution should be sent ASAP.

1.) Make a check (no cash) out to: "Kim Wiginton Campaign" Maximum donation is $500.00

2.) Mark on the check, lower left corner, your occupation.  If retired, include your former occupation. Such as, "Retired Teacher," etc.

3.) Mail to: Kim Wigington Campaign / P. O. Box 5705 / Key West, Florida 33045

Thank you. 

Now is the time to get the word out. Talk to your friends and neighbors. You do not have to be a resident of Monroe County to make a donation. There are a lot of folks who have left the Keys that might be able to help Kim win. 

ALicia

No Name Key

Dear Citizen Jane,

I am running as a Candidate for Monroe County Commissioner District#1. I've filed with the Elections Office, opened a bank account for donations and expenses, and have been getting petitions signed to run without having to pay $2500. I'm running out of a sense of outrage over the way our County has been run over the past 7 years. I believe our complaints are the same. I would be honored to participate in any citizen forum.

I'll end this letter with just one point from my campaign: Responsibility:

The County Administrator makes suggestions concerning many issues that come before the County Commission. He doesn't, however, make the final decision. That’s up to the Commissioners and I pledge that I will take that responsibility very seriously. I will not vote for any issue that will adversely affect the health and well-being of the Citizens of Monroe County, or is not financially sound.

Thank You,

Bill Estes

Candidate Monroe County Comm. Dist. #1

305-923-4265

Wdivekw@aol.com

Dear Jane,

Planning Commission Marston, the real Monty Python skit is the "gang of three."

Now, our newly appointed by (Mario) Planning Commissioner John Marston says The Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is a “Monty Python skit.” But not to worry Commissioner Marston, the only people you've actually offended are the authors of the HCP, such as Department of Community Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife, Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Transportation and a majority of informed Monroe County citizens. Fortunately the comedy writers are still on strike. Besides, other than those pesky and few unimportant people, Mario, Dixie and Sonny will love your pro-development logic and embrace your passion.

Before the creation of the HCP process, folks planning to develop private land ran the risk of breaking the (ESA) Endangered Species Act and Congress recognized this dilemma in 1982. For that reason, they amended the ESA to allow for the creation of HCPs, specifically to reduce conflicts between listed species and economic development. Subsequently, this action allowed the ESA to include HCPs, while Congress affirmed its desire to preserve the Nation’s endangered and threatened species while insuring a strong economic future.

Commissioner Marston please read the last paragraph twice.

Your website stated, "We never talk down to clients and we'll talk to you the way you talk to your friends and family members”, but you didn't really mean that did you? Like almost every other land-use initiative from Commissioner Mario, your job is simply to seize control and issue permits and damn the plants, and animals. Just wonderful.

Like most other Mario appointments, Commissioner Marston is merely a symptom and greed is the real disease. Voters need to connect the dots and realize it’s all about money and *un-*elect Mario. Sonny and Dixie before their appointees implement the total destruction of the Florida Keys.

Kay Thacker Key Largo

Dear Jane

After reading this, and today's Key West Citizen article, about the County's bungling and missing out on TWENTY-NINE MILLION DOLLARS of MY tax money, it will be a cold day in hell that I will pay one thin dime of any attempted wastewater assessments from the county!

Sandy (Sanford) Brown

Big Pine Key

Article form South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

State wants to end dumping of treated sewage into ocean By Linda Kleindienst, Tallahassee Bureau Chief - January 10, 2008 - TALLAHASSEE

Bacteria levels in treated sewage being pumped into the ocean off South Florida meet federal guidelines, but one government scientist admitted Wednesday he wouldn't want to swim in it.

"I'd prefer not to," Dr. John Proni, director of the Ocean Chemistry Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told the state Senate's Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee when asked if he'd feel comfortable swimming near the outfall pipes.

Six pipelines from Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties dump 300 million gallons of treated sewage a day about two miles offshore - some of it onto reefs that attract recreational divers. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is hoping to eliminate the practice, which agency officials concede could take decades, and find other uses for the much-needed water, such as watering lawns.

A first step is likely to be a request that state legislators mandate improved treatment of the sewage before it is dumped in the ocean. "And if you improve the level of treatment, that puts you on the path to using that water for something else in the future," said Phil Coram, DEP deputy director.

Other short-term steps the Legislature could take include prohibiting new outfalls, limiting outfalls to current levels and diverting more treated sewage to water reuse projects. Pipeline foes, including environmental and diving groups, claim the sewage is killing South Florida's reefs and could endanger the health of those who swim in it.

"The nutrients kill coral reefs and cause algae blooms," said Ed Tichenor, of Palm Beach County Reef Rescue. "Every grade-school student knows that manure makes plants grow. It does the same thing on a coral reef." Legislators say there is no quick fix to the problem. "It has to be an extended process," said Sen. Nan Rich, R-Weston, a member of the committee. "In Broward, there is no place to put the water [that is now being discharged through the outfall]. And nobody knows the exact cost this will be to taxpayers."

Dear Jane

According to County Clerk Danny Kolhage earlier this year, Monroe County began the 2006-2007 fiscal year more than $1 million in the red, has no [general fund] reserves and faces a $5 million deficit by year's end without corrective measures. "This is an extremely serious situation," he wrote to Tom Willi. "In my 30 years of service to this county we have never had such a situation."

We have freed Willi. The county now must focus its attention on the contract of Jerry Coleman, which is an item on the Dec. 19 County Commission agenda.

Coleman was hired as a consultant to, and legal advisor for, the Affordable Housing Task Force. His pay: $350 per hour. His contract reads the "county expects the attorney to seek the best solution for the county at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers."

Taxpayers also are paying an additional ... $80,000 per year for an affordable housing coordinator.

Have you seen Jerry's invoices? There are countless calls to an "E. Swift," and other names I do not recognize. On Oct. 2, 2006, he billed $750 for 2.5 hours "travel to Task Force meeting."

I bet you are not paid drive time and may not make $750 in a week. In his contract, travel time may be billed only if "unable to avoid traveling by using other forms of communication." Ever hear of conference calls?

Beginning January, Jerry is demanding $500 per hour. Just what has he accomplished? Have any of our trailer parks been saved? How much actual affordable housing has been built under Jerry's guidance? If $250,000 is "affordable," could you afford the $2,100 mortgage?

With "affordable" purchase rates really being "unaffordable," how much discussion has taken place about what we really should be talking about — maintaining the stock of trailer parks and rental properties we currently have? When the real estate market returns, you will see many rental properties sold with the escalating, cost-prohibitive property taxes and insurance rates. Through FIRM, we have battled insurance rates, but what has been done to keep property taxes in check, preserving the few remaining places to rent for teachers, police, firemen, that have not been condo-ized, torn down, or sold to second-home homeowners?

Enough. It is time to put a stop to this foolishness.

If you are not completely outraged at what has been going on, you are not listening — but you can initiate change. You have a voice — call, e-mail, or write your country commissioners before Dec. 19. Tell them you want Mr. Coleman's contract canceled. Keep informed; know what your commissioners are spending your tax dollars on, and vote next year when Sonny, Dixie and Sylvia are up for re-election.

County commissioners, ... it is time for you to clean up your house. Ask yourselves, what has Jerry Coleman contributed to solving the affordable housing crisis? Is he worth $500 per hour? Was he even worth $350 per hour?

Christine Russell

Key West

Dear Jane,

Thank you so much for all you do. I hope and pray your site grows and grows more each day. I get such a warm and happy feeling inside every time I visit your site and read all the new comments. Ah...and I laugh soooo much with some of the comments on there. I must say, you have an awesome group of posters. Intelligent, determined and just plain hilarious! Congratulations... and much Peace and Joy throughout the Holidays and throughout "2008". I have a good feeling about this coming year. *smile *

Mary - Key Largo Ocean Resorts Co-op.

Key Largo, Fl.

Dear Jane,

Please post this article on your site for us.

Thank you, and congratulations on your site. I LOVE IT!

Mary

Key Largo

PLANTATION KEY - The board of the Key Largo Ocean Resorts Cooperative must prove its legitimacy before proceeding with a massive redevelopment Of its 22-acre property, the court has decided.

The order, issued by Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Luis Garcia on Nov. 15, adds one more complication to Monroe County's 11-year effort to Force the co-op board to correct a litany of code violations at the gated community near mile marker 95.

But it is a small victory for a group of co-op members who have fought the proposed demolition of all 285 illegal units at the resort as well as a site plan under which the property is to be redivided.

After the Monroe County Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan in July, opposing Key Largo Ocean Resort factions got into a physical fracas outside the meeting hall.

The Monroe County Commission gave final approval to the plan on Aug. 15.

In a motion he filed on Oct. 26 on behalf of several co-op members, attorney John Jabro said the RV park?s board is illegitimate and lacks the authority to enter into an agreement with the county.

The present board, he wrote, was elected by proxy rather than by written ballot, as required by Florida Statute.

Further, Jabro wrote, most Key Largo Ocean Resorts shareholders will not be able to afford the cost of demolishing and rebuilding their units and will instead have to sell their lots.

?The likely recipients of these fire sales are the officers and directors of ? KLOR, who will disguise their collusion by purchasing the shares of [the plaintiffs] and others similarly situated through straw persons, he wrote.

Garcia chose not to address that charge in his ruling, but he did grant Jabro?s clients? request to become an official party in the case.

?Before this court approves any settlement that would result in the complete demolition of existing structures and enormous expense and potential losses to the shareholders of KLOR, the legitimacy of the KLOR board must be established, the judge wrote.

In an interview last week, the board?s attorney Frank Greenman said he doesn?t anticipate any problem proving his clients were elected fair and square.

?I am going to bring the lock boxes that have never been opened and say, ?Here, your honor,?? Greenman said.

Maria Hernandez, secretary of board president Pedro Salvo, said she believes the co-op made the switch from proxy votes to ballots in 1999 or 2000.

She also dismissed outright the plaintiffs allegation that Key Largo Ocean Resorts directors plan to purchase lots through straw buyers.

?I am telling you they are all lies, Hernandez said.

Asked the basis for the allegation, Jabro declined to give specifics.

We do have information and we have actually hired a private investigator to run it down, he said.

No date has been set for the next hearing before Garcia.

*rsilk@keysnews.Com

In reference to this quote from Greenman: I am going to bring the lock boxes that have never been opened and say, Here, your honor, Greenman said.

My answer to this is: "Greenman, if the box is in fact "locked" as you claim, then how can you be sure what is inside the box?"

Mary Barroso-Garcia

Key Largo Ocean Resorts Co-op, Inc. -

Key Largo, Florida

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Dear Jane,

I was wondering if any of your readers have read a follow-up article on this story -and if anyone has been held accountable for this young girl's death?

Thank you. Mary

Key Largo

A 32-year-old woman died early Tuesday after having seizures in a county jail holding cell. The hospital had released her back into the sheriff's custody after corrections officers sent her to get medical attention.

Jessica Maria Hernandez, who lived in Porter Place public housing in Key West, was pronounced dead at Lower Keys Medical Center, where a Key West police officer took her from the Monroe County Detention Center.

Hospital officials would not comment on the case, citing the fact that her death is under investigation by the Sheriff's Office. The medical examiner is expected to conduct an autopsy to determine why Hernandez died.

Nurses at the jail had refused to book her until she received treatment, as she appeared to be under the influence of some type of substance, sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin said.

According to Herrin: Key West police brought Hernandez in on drug charges about 3 a.m. Tuesday. Officers took her to the emergency room at 4:57 a.m. The hospital cleared her and she was returned to jail at 6:41 a.m. Hernandez was placed in a holding cell while corrections officers completed the booking procedures. At 8:30 a.m., she became ill.

Hernandez was a passenger in a car driven by 44-year-old Ernesto Cabrera Rodriguez of Key West, who police stopped in the 500 block of Duval Street, reports say. Police say both were in possession of cocaine, marijuana and a controlled substance. Hernandez initially gave them a false name, so they added a charge of falsely identifying herself to law enforcement, reports say.

Hernandez was arrested in March on a violation of probation charge. She lived in the Upper Keys town of Rock Harbor at the time.

November 29, 2007

Dear Citizen Jane,

Would you mind adding this to your website, I took it from Mickey Baker’s Blog. He does a good job explaining the whole picture and scope of relieving Mr. Willie should the county decide to let him go.

Thanks, Mary Sill

(Taken from Mickey Baker's Blog):

Most political pundits in Monroe County seem to believe that it is a foregone conclusion that Thomas J. Willi will be fired without cause at the next meeting of the Monroe County Commission. Firing him without cause is easy for the commission - they simply write a check paying him for the time and benefits remaining on his contract and tell him goodbye after a 3 vote majority. I agree with the calculations that I've read in two of the local newspapers that the total cost to the County of a Willi departure at this juncture will be about $200,000. I've heard that Willi has told some of his "friends" that it will cost the citizens of Monroe County $400,000 to get rid of him. No matter. The County Commission can fire Tom Willi today under provisions in his contract that allow them to do so without paying him a damn thing. Willi's contract clearly states that he can be fired for lying. It doesn't say, lying twice in a year, three times or seventeen times unless on a full moon, but clearly names lying as a cause for temination. I believe that the Commission can prove that Tom lied about several things - I believe that there are too many examples to pass up this opportunity to potentially save the taxpayers $200,000 - or, if Tom makes other claims - $400,000. After all, if you're going to have to fight Tom in court, you might as well fight for the entire enchilada. Litigating for $200k isn't materially much different that litigating for $400k and, given what I believe I know about Tom, the County is likely going to end up in litigation with Tom Willi. So how do you fire him for cause? Play back the audio tape of Tom talking to Jeb Bush about evacuation times during the public meeting. Note that then Governor Bush gave Tom a huge opportunity to correct his misstatement about evacuation times. Compare Tom's statements with known facts. Was he lying? Or was he just incompetent, misstating important facts that concern the safety of citizens of Monroe County? I believe that Tom lied to the commission when recounting his discussion with Judge Sandra Taylor. Watching her at the meeting, it was clear that they had a different recollection of an earlier discussion about closing the Marathon courthouse. So, ask Judge Taylor to come to the County Commission meeting. If she comes, ask her point blank in the public meeting - does she believe Tom Willi lied to the Commission? I have a list of lies Tom told the media about me and my firing and can dispute them with facts. I have audio of Tom's statements and the facts are indisputable. Hmmm... saying something that isn't factual... lies or not? Lying is only one of the reasons he can be terminated with cause. I suppose that there's a screw-in-the-lightbulb joke there somewhere - "How many Tom Willi lies does it take for him to lose his job?" Twice during Tom Willi's tenure, his management has been characterized as less than competent by Grand Jury's. How is this NOT incompetence - another reason for termination? The Grand Jury chose to look at two construction projects and found that both of them were mismanaged. Tom Willi is named in both reports. Commissioners, now that you've found the courage to get rid of Tom, do it in a manner that makes it clear that you're not happy with him and without pouring another big pile of County money down a hole. Something tells me that the County Attorney's office would be more than happy to litigate this - Tom doesn't have a leg to stand on and this will give you the only position that may allow you to negotiate a reasonable settlement and the end of Teflon Tom's reign of incompetence at Monroe County.

Dear Citizen Jane,

Earlier this month the citizens of Key West told the city commision that they were tired of their governments nonsence and voted to take away their ability to annex. Now, realizing that the government has no interest in their welfare, the citizens get to decide what's good for them. I feel that it's time for the citizens to get off their asses and tell the commission that we are tired of the way they are spending our tax money and that we want a way to control on what and how much is spent on "Special Projects". . Examples of questionable projects/expendatures might be the Hickory House-Bubba-Bailout, or the Murray Nelson Government and Culture extravganza on VERY Expensive Open Water property. Just curious???? isn't there a government center area in Plantation just 15 miles+/- away???

If there is some interest in starting a petition drive for an ammendment to restrict government spending for large friviolus projects without approal by the VOTERS I would be interested in organizing/working on it.

Dr. Gene Nanay PHD

Big Pine Key

Dear Citizen Jane

An open letter to my Monroe County Commissioners:

Re: The NAS Key West Air Installation Compatibility Use Zone (AICUZ).

As a retired Navy pilot and active citizen of the Keys, I have a personal interest in making it possible for the Navy to continue to train at NAS Key West in perpetuity through implementation of a proper AICUZ report. To that end, I encourage the Navy to comply with the law and - while accomplishing their essential training mission - to minimize their impact on the local community. I also encourage the County to strictly enforce development restrictions of properly defined noise and accident potential zones. I believe this is the only way to save the long-standing and proud U.S. Navy/Florida Keys relationship.

To commemorate the recent naturalization of a friend, I recently read the Declaration of Independence for the first time in perhaps 40 years. One of the most inspiring passages reads ". . . to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed. . ."

It makes me very angry when this principle is turned on its head and our rights are */obstructed/* by government!

Such is the case with the recently announced AICUZ "Workshop" to be held on December 5 at the Harvey Government Center in Key West. The public notice states that *government officials ". . . may attend to discuss these issues".*

The government officials invited include the Department of the Navy; the Department of Defense and/or other U.S. Military organizations; the Monroe County BOCC, Planning Commission and Growth Management staff and other County staff; the Tourist Development Council and Advisory Councils; the Key West City Commission; and even the Workforce Housing Task Force!

Just in case, those invited to speak include "appointed representatives" of those government agencies.

. . . but not the public . . . the taxpayers . . . your constituents!!!!!! The notice states that *the meeting format ". . . will not accommodate speakers from the general public."*

For months now, the public has asked for an honest public hearing on this issue. First, we got an orchestrated propaganda "awareness" workshop held at a hotel so there is no record of the proceedings. Now we're presented with what should properly be called a "government" hearing - where members of the public are excluded from participation.

This is outrageous, insulting and unacceptable.

The reason that the AICUZ issue has become a contentious issue is simple - the Navy has replaced the F-14 Tomcat with the much louder F/A-18E/F Super Hornet without adequately assessing the impacts. According to Navy documents, the Super Hornet can be 18 decibels louder than the Tomcat. A ten decibel increase is twice as loud. Eighteen decibels is nearly four time louder. Amazingly, the Navy claims that there is "No Significant Impact" from that much louder airplane. But folks in the vicinity of the Naval Air Station who - in good faith - purchased homes outside of the published noise zones now find themselves effectively INSIDE those zones because noise from the substantially louder Super Hornet has encroached upon their homes. The totality of the Navy's evaluation of that impact is a curiously isolated three-page section buried in the 232-page "Environmental Assessment for Fleet Support and Infrastructure Improvements" - the bulk of which details the impacts of dredging and other ship and aircraft facility projects. The Super Hornet is not mentioned in the Table of Contents, nor is it mentioned in the Chapter 1 "Proposed Actions", nor the Chapter 2 "Alternatives" nor the "Finding of No Significant Impact" that they claim satisfies the legal requirement to assess the impact of the airplane. A pending inquiry will determine if this claim is supported by the Secretary of the Navy.

When the Super Hornet was introduced to the East Coast of the U.S., the Navy produced a 1,078-page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that described in detail the impact of that very different airplane on all of the other affected airfields on the East Coast - but not NAS Key West. They argue that the aircraft at NAS Key West are "transient" as if that reduced the noise.

What does it matter to a screaming child where the offending airplane parks? Does an airplane based at NAS Oceana make less noise than one based at NAS Key West? Furthermore, the number of "transient" flights at NAS Key West exceeds the number of "transient" flights at other airfields that were fully evaluated in the EIS.

The Navy has a vital national defense mission that has been fully supported by the community for decades, but that does not exempt them from compliance with our nation's laws. A Department of Defense Inspector General and Government Accountability Office inquiry will determine if laws were broken.

I strongly recommend that the you (Monroe County Board of County Commissioners) honor your constituents' legitimate request by scheduling a true public hearing in the very near future and prior to any decision on the matter. Sadly, it is necessary to state that such a public hearing must be held at a government facility and that an official record be made of the proceedings. Furthermore, the records of that meeting must be made available to the public.

Sincerely,

John Hammerstrom

Dear Citizen Jane,

Allow residents to speak about Stock Island issue     (written Dec. 2, 2003)

It seems only in Monroe County that elected officials have the audacity to call a meeting to discuss matters of great concern to their constituents and not allow those citizens to speak.     That is the plan the county commission has established for its [Dec. 8] meeting on the Stock Island sewer project.     Had then Mayor Dixie Spehar allowed her constituents on Stock Island to speak to the commission and had they listened to them this past January almost one year ago many of the problems they are dealing with now could have been avoided.     Now they are dealing with a sewer collection system that does not have the capacity to meet the current needs of Stock Island, let alone future needs; a public scandal regarding a bait and switch of the bid plans, strapping some property owners with outrageous infrastructure and hookup fees; and subjecting the county to an investigation by state and federal law enforcement agencies.     In addition to that, Commissioner [Sonny] McCoy is planning to throw another $2 million of our hard earned tax money into trying to fix the problem.     The citizens of Stock Island have tried desperately to work constructively with the county commission to avoid the problems they created through incompetence or possibly corrupt practices, and the commission continues to deny them input.     Every citizen in Monroe County should be outraged by the county commission denying the public its right to be heard at their Dec. 8 meeting.

Al Vercellino

Stock Island

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Dear Citizen Jane

I am contacting you on behalf of our organization NIMSY (Not in my School Yard) and about the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan in our county. Mr. Swift wants to change our county’s Comp plan and allow “workforce” housing on all school property. He wants to build 28 units on top of Sugarloaf School. The access to this development is a driveway on the side of the school and directly impacts not only the green space, but the safety of our children. This change to the Comp Plan would not just allow building on school property, but would also allow building on *ALL recreational and public land.* Please help use preserve our county from developers. Please attend the BOCC meeting when it comes up for vote! Any questions about this amendment to the Comprehensive Plan can be answered by our attorney Lee Rohe at <mailto:lrrlaw@bellsouth.net>lrrlaw@bellsouth.net

Thank you for your time.

Joelle Keane

Dear Jane:

So many letter writers (in your paper) have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.

They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity.

Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2007 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country.

I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all their toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

(signed) Rosemary LaBonte

Dear Jane,

I take the time and read the material and backup when I attend the Planning Commission meetings. At my own travel expense, time, and effort I prepare diligently, carefully, and factually my presentation and within the time limit (since he has reinstated time limits) Chairman Cameron will at times interrupt me, cutting into my time frame, which makes me lose my train of thought, I feel pressured, intimidated since this is broadcast through out Monroe County. I feel he is trying to make me look foolish and made to look like I do not know what I am talking about when he does let me speak.. Last PC meeting I had 3 sentences to finish and he called time on me, I requested to finish the speech and he refused to allow me to do so. Another time I had a statement from attorney, and he would not allow me to read it into the record, but made me put it into my own words, while interrupting me several times while it was my time period to speak.

Thank you

Kay Thacker

Key Largo

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Dear Jane, Please print:

Here's a copy of the letter I sent to the Chief of Naval Operations (Washington DC), and the Washington Post editor.

- Sue Heim Key Largo

To:Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations:

Sir,

Some Navy personnel in NAS Key West Florida are causing the Florida Keys civilians (locals, tax-payers) concern, distress, fear and aggravation.

All Florida Keys civilians support our Navy and country, but are currently in the middle of a dispute with the Navy over a change in F-18 flying patterns. In response, some Navy personnel have sent the following emails to some local civilians.

Regarding these 2 emails (attached below, and there have actually been over 30 sent by Navy personnel to local civilians), local civilian concerns are:

Firstly, were these 2 Navy personnel told/directed/influenced by anyone in ranks superior to theirs to write and post these emails? Has any Navy personnel (at any rank or command level) created/orchestrated or initiated any sort of planned public response to this (flight pattern change) issue? Is it the Navy's strategy to manage this local dispute by having Navy personnel send emails and make public comments?

Secondly, public's perception is that the Navy is getting itself immersed in local government politics and aligning itself with some local politicians who are directly helping some developers develop an area on Stock Island.

Thirdly, is it normal Navy procedure for any/all Navy personnel to publicly respond to (local issues with) civilians? Does the Navy have a "public-response" chain of command?

The Keys civilians support the Navy, and want to work with the Navy to resolve the flight pattern change dispute. However, the emails being sent by Navy personnel are not facilitating any resolutions. Exactly the opposite is actually happening. If the Navy sincerely wants resolution, discontinuing Navy personnel diatribes and badly written public communications, will assist that objective.

Susan R Heim      

EMAIL #1--------------------------

Kite, Paul J. LT kitep@lha1.navy.mil

Kite, Paul J. LT wrote:

Get your facts straight!  Your house was not there when the county adopted the 1977 AICUZ.  If you have any shred of patriotism, you will be honest.  Quit looking for a quick buck and accept the fact that you bought a property that is less than 5000 feet from the departure end of a military runway.  This is pathetic!  By the way, *Mr. Hammerstrom is not a jet pilot and ill qualified to speak intelligently on any

issue that involves active duty training to defend our country.

EMAIL #2-------------------------------

<donald.cooper1@navy.mil <mailto:donald.cooper1@navy.mil>> Cooper,

Donald G AC2 NAS Key West, N31 wrote:

I have to say, individuals such as yourself irritate me to no end. I am so sick of hearing people whine and cry about jet noise. The Navy has been present in Key West since 1823, the first logged flight out of Key West was logged on Sep 22, 1917 (90 yrs ago), Dec 18, 1917 the base was officially declared a Naval Air Station. My point being THIS BASE HAS BEEN HERE LONGER THAN YOU HAVE BEEN ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! So if you don't like the noise, THEN MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!! You can't for one second say you where unaware of the Air Stations proximity to your house when you purchased it. You didn't think living as close as you do might get a little noisy? There MIGHT be one or two people who are complaining about the noise old enough to actually have a complaint because they where actually here first, but I seriously doubt it. The rest of you whiney ass individuals need to shut up or move. This base was here before you and it will be here after your long gone. You can bet that if the Navy wasn't here and  they where flying planes into the buildings on Duval St. everyone of the people bitchin about noise would wish the Navy was here. Too easy is it forgotten the bad things that have happened in the past when it doesn't affect you directly, because of the Navys' presence here in Key West you can sleep at night knowing protection is close by. But no you want to whine and bitch about a little fricken noise. Suck it up or move. That jet noise is THE SOUND OF FREEDOM. You wouldn't even have to move far either, I live in Sugarloaf and I don't here the jets at all. Your sight whines about the AICUZ, but it's all the bitchin that changed it in the first place. People in Key Haven whined so the Navy tried to accommodate them, then someone else bitches and they Navy tried to accommodate them, it's a never ending cycle. I say everyone just shut up and accept it or move, no one forced you to move here, and if your born here no one forces you to stay, you where not forced to buy your house, you chose to buy it, FREELY CHOSE TO BUY IT!!! So you put yourself in close proximity to the base. You can be offended by this email if you want, I personally don't care but it's not meant to offend you, it's meant to inform you of the wishes of a lot of people to just shut up already.

AC2 (AW/SW) Donald Cooper, USN> *  *

Thanks for printing my letter

Sue Heim

Key Largo

I am a “regular” at the BOCC meetings for the past year and half. I am there from beginning till end, and if there is an issue I oppose or support, I speak. So, I go up to the podium regularly.

Recently, events have happened which I find over the top and blatant. It is the treatment of our speakers, who oppose any decisions for development. It is so bad that I must write to the public to let our citizens understand what is happening at our Planning and County Commissioner Board meetings. It is these meetings that have brought drastic changes, negative impact and eviction of hundreds of trailer park residents in the Keys.

When the public speaks at these meetings, they share deeper thoughts on most issues and explain what impact the agenda item would have in our communities. Intelligent issues are brought up, which are omitted when developers make their presentations to these boards. These speakers open up “the other side” and bring balance. However, because Developers have the majority 3 – 2 votes on both Boards, it does not matter what is said, as it will not change the minds of those three (in bed) votes.

It goes even further as I witnessed Donna Windle (P/C) and Dixie Spehar (BOCC) (both are members of the Workforce Housing Task Force) who, after confusing discussions, would ask Staff how to word a motion to pass an ordinance. In other words, they did not understand the subject matter enough, to word the motion themselves, so they ask Staff to word the motion for them . This astonishes me as I sit in the audience, because instead of tabling the item for further research to answer unanswered questions and understand all elements of the ordinance they force the vote for approval at that meeting.

If you listen to Jerry Coleman, he goes on at times, over an hour, talking about things unrelated to the topic (I remind you, the county pays him $350 an hour of our tax dollars during our current budget crises). He is NEVER interrupted! And he is NOT STAFF! He is an Outside Contractor!.

However, lately the speakers are being distracted and ridiculed. While speaking they are interrupted in the middle of their sentences, hurried, told they “are not germane” (they are) and completely intimidated. It is a tactic used to embarrass speakers to make them shy away. I have been treated like this several times by: Mario DiGenaro, Jim Cameron and most recently John Marston.

I resent this, because I may not be speaking to three persons sitting on these boards, but I am speaking to my fellow citizens at these public meetings or watching on T.V.

I am suppose to have the right of freedom of speech, and in those instances when I am badgered, and stopped in mid-sentence, I have lost my right.

I want these boards to respect my right as a citizen and for all citizens who take time to attend these meetings who also want to speak. I want to hear what they have to say.

Diane Beruldsen

Stock Island

Dear Jane

Regarding the article “Courthouse contractor sues” in the Oct. 24 edition, the two most important sentences and the essence of the issue is:

A lawsuit filed by contractor Tower Group says “... the actions of the county and its representatives transcend mere bureaucratic lethargy and bungling” and [accuses] the county of delaying the project; and “The Tower Group claims the county has, from the beginning of the 2004 contract, interfered with Tower's right to proceed with the [Key West courthouse] work in a timely fashion.”

Of course these statements are accurate. And sadly, the reason is obvious. It's the same reason all the other county's capital projects have problems (requests for proposals need to be re-bid, firehouses built without complying to all the needs of the fire departments, projects budgeted too low because bids were not properly written or reviewed, causing cost overruns and grand-jury investigations).

A road engineer does not a skilled, qualified, competent Engineering Department director make. Neither does County Engineer Dave Koppel's penchant for grandiose inflammatory adjectives, his “ah shucks, everybody picks on me” mantra or his government-by-newspaper attitude.

The Engineering Department director is making decisions our wallets can't support or sustain. At what point does county leadership wake up and realize they are responsible for the actions of their employees? How many more change orders and cost overruns will it take?

Personal loyalties are admirable but belong positioned second to leadership's obligation to the welfare of all the county's citizens and activities. The alternative is that for all the good leadership does, they will be forever only remembered for the bad.

Sue Heim

Key Largo

Dear Jane,

While attending the last few Planning Commission meetings, people have remarked that Chairman Jim Cameron seems to be falling back into the pattern of being ridiculing and mocking various public speakers, in particular women and the elderly. Mr. Cameron creates a chilling effect, not only on me, but to others who wish to take advantage of the Planning Commission meetings as public forums allowed under our state and federal constitutions. Mr. Cameron is doing his best to lock down any participation or due process by citizens here in Monroe County. The Planning Commission is going back to its old rules for public speakers (3 minute limit for an individual, and 5 minutes for a person representing a group) which is fine.

Often if a woman or an elderly person is at the podium to express his or her opinion, Mr. Cameron interrupts them while they are speaking by criticizing, condemning, and/or reproaching the person which often frustrates, upsets and humiliates the speaker.

Speakers have stated they find it very embarrassing, degrading, mortifying and crushing, when this occurs, especially since these meetings are broadcast throughout this county. He had an elderly woman removed from one of the Planning Commission meetings by the Sheriff's department.

Conversely, as further proof of Mr. Cameron’s bias, he consistently allows developers, contractors, attorneys and applicants to stand at the podium and speak uninterrupted, for 10,15,20,30 + minutes at a time. Even audience members have expressed their irritation and indignity to see how the Chairman has treated a number of speakers.

The citizen who is up at the podium speaking has made an effort and expense to show up at the meetings. Mr. Cameron continuously attacks, and assaults the public. Chairman Cameron seems to be on a campaign of actions intended to challenge or destroy the public’s ability to speak. Mr. Cameron does not seem to have the ability to deal with dissent in a temperate and judicious manner. The Chairman should preside over the meetings so as to allow the public to speak and not be interrupted constantly, breaking the train of thoughts of the speaker in the allotted 3 -5 minute time limit. Mr. Cameron as Chairman should protect the rights of every citizen to speak without regard to age, gender or speaker’s position/opinion.

Kay Thacker

Key Largo

October 22, 2007

Dear Jane,

 Raising county fees denies due process

I write in response to the Board of County Commissioners approving the increase of the current fee schedule for Planning and Environmental Resources Department at its Oct. 17 meeting. According to the agenda’s backup information, the increased fees are intended to change a revenue stream by placing the cost of service on the applicant rather than taxpayers. Many citizens beg to differ with this strategy, because it is illogical and an incorrect way to add cash to certain county fund balances. As taxpayers of Monroe County, we are already paying the salaries, benefits, etc. for county staff. ... Now the BOCC has approved increasing the additional fees for using services. That’s double taxation. According to county law, the county cannot charge more for a service than what it costs to render that service. In other words, it is illegal for the county to make a profit on any service provided to citizens. Many critics are saying ... government is a service for all residents and our property taxes pay for that service. Going above those taxes, some critics said, is price gouging. Specifically, the administrative appeal fee (used by citizens to disagree with, and possibly reverse, BOCC decisions) was $300. Several years ago, Commissioner Nelson increased it to $950. On Oct. 17, Mr. Willi requested an increase to $2,626 to help rebuild the county’s coffers because of reckless spending by him and the Gang of Three commissioners that depleted fund balances. This increase has two benefits for the county at the expense — literally — of its citizens. Besides replenishing the coffers, it makes the filing of an appeal by a citizen cost prohibitive. ... An average citizen wanting to file an administrative appeal could easily face charges of $4,000, with advertising/or notice costs starting at $245, and a charge of $3 per property owner notice. Then include attorney and transcript expenses fees on top of that. With passage of these fee increases, especially the administrative appeal, the BOCC has closed the avenue for the average citizen to appeal, and will be denying citizens due process. Is this what our elected officials want? Do they want to shut out the general public even more from participation in their government? Putnam County’s administrative appeal fee is $250. Sumter County has no fees established for administrative appeal. Pasco County’s administrative appeal fee is $455. When compared to these other counties, Monroe County’s fees are exorbitant and unfair for the taxpayers of Monroe County. ... Some commissioners may want any and all developers to change the Florida Keys, to develop beyond what can be supported and sustained. But many of us know what the Army Corps of Engineers’ Carrying Capacity report states: [that] the Florida Keys has reached the limit of development that these islands can support. Election time is next November and many voters have good long-term memories and will take those memories to the polls when we cast our ballot.

Kay Thacker - Key Largo

Dear Jane,

It is necessary to translate Ed Swift’s letter to the editor in last Saturday’s Citizen. Mr Swift’s letter states that the expected percentage of residents who will evacuate should be as low as 50%. This number is important because it is used to calculate the clearance time needed to evacuate the Keys.

If this calculated clearance time ever exceeds 24 hours, the state will curtail building permits through the ROGO process.

Lowering the estimated percentage of people who will evacuate would directly lower the calculated clearance time, which would free up more building permits. This tactic of lowered expectations would allow more people to move to the Keys.

While it is difficult to guess how many people actually would leave if a dangerous hurricane was approaching, estimates are that about 50% left for hurricane Ivan in 2004. Those people left days in advance, because Ivan was forecasted to hit Key West as a deadly Cat 4 hurricane. Key West was nearly a ghost town, even after the forecast track slid well west of Key West. This experience suggests that far more than 50% would want to leave if Ivan would have gotten closer to us.

Mr Swift’s proposal would allow enough development to ensure that we would not be able to leave. The extra people would clog the road if more than half of us decided to go. He at least advocates being better prepared to shelter in place, but fails to note how far we are from that goal. Our hospital is expected to only withstand a Cat 3 at best. Much of our Cat 1 and 2 shelter space would not withstand a Cat 4 or 5.

Known refuge of last resort space would only house about half our current population, and its not equipped with the supplies and plumbing that would be needed to hold that many people. Most of our critical infrastructure is vulnerable to a Cat 3. We have a long way to go before evacuation becomes unnecessary, and getting there would take a generation.

Matt Strahan National Weather Service, Key West

Dear Citizen Jane,

Meeting of the Planning Commission in Key Largo, Wed. Oct. 24 @ Key Largo Library starting at 10:00. The new proposed ordinance by Jerry Coleman representing Workforce Housing Task Force will allow developers to go across Monroe County Sub Area Boundaries. Seahorse RV Park is located in Big Pine, Boca Developers who also owns Rowell's Marina in Key Largo, if this proposal ordinance is passed this will allow Boca Developers to bring the building rights from Seahorse in Big Pine Key up to Rowells in Key Largo. This proposed ordinance will affect all of Monroe County. If a mobile home park is located on Stock Island, the owner can bring building rights to any part of Monroe County. What will happen to our LCP's, our Community Character?. Each sub area boundary is different. The Sub Area Boundary is divided into three parts...Upper Keys, Middle Keys and Lower Keys. This will encompass all of Monroe County.

Kay Thacker

Key Largo

October 20, 2007

Dear Jane,

Please share my letter written to the Land Authority on October 16, 2007

Dear Land Authority Committee,

Agenda Item 8

Approval to add 1225, 1227a, and 1227b Third Street and 2107, 2107 Rear and 2109 Patterson Ave in Key West to the acquisition list for affordable housing in partnership with the Key West Housing Authority

Citizen input from Diane Beruldsen / 25 A 7^th , Key West, FL 33040

Living in the Keys is hard these days.

It is hard to get a decent job that offers a decent salary.

To find a home to live in which is truly  “affordable”  and to just  survive has become very difficult.

In the past recent years, there has been a real estate craze, where homes, normally lived in by working families, were used to make money. Investors bought up properties, then sold at higher rate to make profit.

It created an artificial inflation, and has destroyed hopes of the ordinary family of affording and  owning a home, and thus forcing these families and others to leave the Keys.

The properties you have set forth in the mentioned above, were investments by private investors. They were not owned by single families, but persons desiring to make money off of their real estate.

It hurts me to know that your committee would even consider using these properties in our land trust for affordable housing, knowing the owners used these properties to make profit. They took the risk. That is how they are able to make money or lose it.

And in this case, they failed. This agenda item would bail out those investors, taking money away from other opportunities to save other properties not used to make profit. It is simply a bail out.

I support purchasing property and partnering with Habitat for Humanity and the BCCLT

I ask the land authority to be careful when you  purchase any land, to use your limited money that is best suited for affordable housing, so that you don’t accidentally purchase less appropriate property that someone else is trying to get rid of failed investments.

Please show wisdom in your judgement

Sincerely

Diane Beruldsen

Giving Land Away for Free - Water front Property

Dear Jane

4th St. is a short county road that dead ends in the water on the ocean side of Niles channel and is used by those of us who do not own waterfront. There are several places in this section of Summerland Key with public access roads to the water. It is part of what makes my neighborhood nice. After work my dog and I stroll to the water to look at the ocean and smell the salt air before heading home. My neighbor walks down to the water every morning after is girls get picked up by the school bus. I regularly run into other neighbors who take their dogs swimming there.

The people with the ocean front property adjacent to 4th St. have requested the County give them a 131.2 sq ft. triangle of land at the end of 4th st. This would give them 17 ft of ocean front, which is half of the public water access at the end of the road. This would enable them to build a fence out into the ocean on the left side of the rocks in the picture below. The county staff recommends approval for this project which goes before the County Commission on Wednesday 10/17 at 3PM, Harvey Government Center Key West. The neighbors on the other side of the road are h