Key West the Newspaper

You Coralhugger! It’s Just A Study!

The Referendum To Nowhere

Can you stand another channel widening article? This one will surprise you – we promise. Interviews with representatives of the US Army Corp of Engineers and NOAA/Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revealed that nearly everything we have heard so far about the $ 3 Million dollar dredging feasibility study has been wrong. There won’t be Read More...

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER [THE BLUE PAPER]

KEY WEST CHARACTERS

JIM HALE: BIRDMAN OF BONE ISLAND I met with local seafarer and pigeon potentate, Jim Hale. The subject of our meeting was pigeons. Yes, pigeons. Long before VHF radio, mariners depended on pigeons to carry important communications ashore. Trained for specific routes, the reliable birds were trusted to deliver life saving messages in all conditions. Read More...

In Response To: 'The Gentrification of Simonton Street Trailer Park'

RE: The Gentrification of Simonton Street Trailer Park (Issue #24, August 23, 2013) A persuasively written article, but it includes a noteworthy mis-statement, i.e, “The Reach …[was] built on land sold by the Catholic Church.” Not [exactly]. The Reach was built on an assemblage of parcels, the major parcel having been owned by David Wolkowsky, who Read More...

In Response To: ‘The Gentrification of Simonton Street Trailer Park’

GREEN Reactor: Vampire Blues

In the 70s Neil Young, sang… I’m a vampire, babe, Suckin’ blood from the earth I’m a vampire, baby, Suckin’ blood from the earth. Well, I’m a vampire, babe, Sell you twenty barrels worth. Forty damn years later, long after we were supposed to be FLYING our cars and living in solar houses, we still Read More...

Ooh La La! HAVE YOU BEEN TO FRENCHIE’S CAFE?

Unique! Charming! Cool! Frenchie’s Café is one of those places you came to Key West to discover and enjoy!. Key West used to be filled with one-of-a-kind establishments, but over the years many of those unique, special places have sadly gone by the wayside. Enter Frenchie’s Café! Where do I start? Shall I tell you Read More...

Ooh La La! HAVE YOU BEEN TO FRENCHIE'S CAFE?

Conversations Between a Psychiatrist and a Mystic

The psychiatrist, Jerry Weinstock, M.D., told me … He has lived, fished, dived and swam in and around Key West for decades. For a long time, he was Key West’s only psychiatrist. He had a full practice, no blank spots on his calendar. He probably treated every writer in Key West, when he was still Read More...

MOST POPULAR

DEATH IN PARADISE: A YEAR LATER [CHARLES EIMERS MEMORIAL] NOWHERE TO RUN: NEW VIDEO DEVASTATING TO KWPD CREDIBILITY [CHIEF LEE DEPOSITION VIDEO] EIMERS IN-CUSTODY-DEATH UPDATE: MISSING VIDEO SURFACES KATHY SMITH, LEAD FDLE INVESTIGATOR IN CHARLES EIMERS CASE PUT ON ADMINITRATIVE LEAVE KWPD & FDLE, PARTNERS IN CRIME? CHARLES EIMERS UPDATE: Police, Death, and Missing Videotapes Read More...

MOST POPULAR

NOWHERE TO RUN: NEW VIDEO DEVASTATING TO KWPD CREDIBILITY [CHIEF LEE DEPOSITION VIDEO] EIMERS IN-CUSTODY-DEATH UPDATE: MISSING VIDEO SURFACES KATHY SMITH, LEAD FDLE INVESTIGATOR IN CHARLES EIMERS CASE PUT ON ADMINITRATIVE LEAVE KWPD & FDLE, PARTNERS IN CRIME? CHARLES EIMERS UPDATE: Police, Death, and Missing Videotapes THE BURGLAR, THE VIGILANTE, AND THE AXE OF Read More...

THE BUBBA BUSTS REVISITED

If you are a longtime reader of Key West The Newspaper, you know that, after 18 years of publishing The Blue Paper, I retired last November. Since that time, I have been finishing up several personal projects– like sorting out 18 years of back issues to donate to the history department at the library. I Read More...

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

FIRST CUBAN AMERICAN MUSEUM EXCHANGE IN OVER FIVE DECADES!

First Cuban American museum exchange in over five decades, featuring Mario Sanchez and an array of Cuba’s finest artists. This exhibition, comprised of 30 intaglios from private collections and Old Island Restoration Foundation, explores issues related to gender, racial and religious freedom brought by utopian Creole Cubans to Key West during their struggle for independence Read More...

Love Lane Gang Scores with Kids of all Ages at Saturday’s Sound Check

The Love Lane Gang, now a gang of four and quickly becoming a locals’ favorite, made their Green Parrot debut this past weekend, along with a bunch of friends. The music was pure child’s play and adult happiness as all ages kicked up their heels, enchanted by the upbeat friendly racket created by harmonica, guitar, Read More...

Former County Mayor Shirley Freeman Urges A “No” Vote on Study to Widen Channel

To the Editor: In case anyone is interested, here are some of the reasons I will vote NO on the study to widen the channel by dredging. We do not need a study to know that cruise ships are degrading the environment and character of Key West. Hordes of cruise ship passengers discourage higher income Read More...

Former County Mayor Shirley Freeman Urges A "No" Vote on Study to Widen Channel

Anti Dredging Should Not Be Equated With Anti Cruise Ship

Editor: With the current debate over the ship channel widening feasibility leading up to the October referendum, I observe that the two sides in the debate are often at extremes with each other, and for a questionable reason. So often, in any forum, or in any conversation about the issue, it becomes not the widening Read More...

That Trailer Park Should Have Never Been Put Up For Sale

That trailer park [on Simonton Street] should have never been put up for sale. What happened to charity? So some of the folks were not paying rent any longer; it should have been charity, not for profit, in the first place. Shame on Peter Batty and the church to turn these people out, when it should Read More...

Wine Benefit at Salute For Buzzy Rossman: September 4th At Salute

The Community is Coming Together for a Benefit Including a Wine Tasting, Auction & Raffle on September 4th at Salute on the Beach Long time Key West resident and window washer (he’s the one with that crazy looking bike), Buzzy Rossman, recently suffered a stroke and had to be medivac’d up to Baptist Hospital in Read More...

Florida Keys Council of the Arts Cultural Calendar Thursday, November 6 thru Wednesday, November 12

Visit keysarts.com, Cultural Calendar for more listings and events throughout the Keys. Key West Happenings ARTISTS RECEPTIONS / EXHIBITIONS Thursday Polar Opposites Opening Reception, 6 PM Lucky Street Gallery, 540 Greene St. 294-3973. Luckystreetgallery.com James Barr-Nobles, B. Lucy Stevens. (more…)

Sponsors Sought For 4th Annual Summer Jam

Sponsors are sought for the 4th Annual Summer Jam, a family friendly island style concert-party held September 21 at Dante’s Key West Pool Bar & Restaurant/ Prime Steakhouse in Key West. To be a sponsor for this event that supports Wesley House Family Services and its crucial work on behalf of children and families in Read More...

Celebrity Gravity Pole Fitness Fundraiser For Florida Keys SPCA

Sponsors and silent auction items are sought for the September 26 Celebrity Gravity Pole Fitness fundraiser for the Florida Keys SPCA to be held at Le Te Da in Key West. Call Monica Matroci at 305-731-6898. For more information visit: www.gravitykeywest.com.

The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on https://keywestthenewspaper.com/ pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper], its affiliates, or advertisers. No official endorsement by Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper], its affiliates, or advertisers of the viewpoints Read More...

The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on https://keywestthenewspaper.com/ pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates. No official endorsement by Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates of the viewpoints expressed on Read More...

Gentrification of Old Town

The Blue Paper #24

The Blue Paper #24 Posted by [email protected] # Full Issues # Comments Off

Aug 232013

Issue #24 — Friday, August 23, 2013

The Gentrification of Simonton Street Trailer Park

As a hundred or so residents begin packing in view of their upcoming eviction from the defunct Simonton Street Trailer Park, one wonders what has done-in the small village tucked beneath those shady trees. The City Commission voted last Tuesday to approve Joe Cleghorn’s redevelopment plan, which includes cutting down 40 of 45 trees and Read More...

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER [THE BLUE PAPER]

The Ow in the Meow

“My cat got a bird!” That’s what Amanda Margraves at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier hears over and over again. Margraves, who is the hospital manager and wildlife rehabilitator at the site, estimates that 50 percent of the injured baby birds they take in arrive as a result of cat attacks. What’s Read More...

Homeless America – mainstream’s shadow, the Key West homeless laboratory might be different from the mainland laboratory

Some days, I wonder why I ever get out of bed in the morning? Father Steve Braddock of Florida Keys Outreach Coalition replied to yesterday’s post: Sloan: The gentleman whose photo leads your post today “Duval Street repeat offender” exited the FKOC program clean and sober in October 2011 after 20+ years on the street. Read More...

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

Love Lane Gang Scores with Kids of all Ages at Saturday’s Sound Check

Key West Pickleball Club Organizational Meeting

3pm, Saturday, August 24, 2013 La Brisa Club House (1901 S. Roosevelt) Key Westers – and tourists — have been playing pickleball on the island for about 5 years. (More background in: this article.) They’ve had a great time, had good work-outs and met lots of nice people on the “borrowed” tennis courts at Read More...

Congressman Joe Garcia Calls On the Florida Legislature to Reconsider Insurance Commissioner’s Responsibilities

August 23, 2013 WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Garcia urges the Florida Legislature to reconsider their decision to strip Florida’s Insurance Commissioner of the power to review health insurance premiums. In a letter sent Thursday to the Florida House Speaker, Will Weatherford, and Florida Senate President, Don Gaetz, Garcia wrote, “While you do not support Read More...

Love Lane Gang Scores with Kids of all Ages at Saturday’s Sound Check

4TH ANNUAL WESLEY HOUSE SUMMER JAM!

Florida Keys Council of the Arts Cultural Calendar Thursday, November 6 thru Wednesday, November 12

LOVE LANE GANG

The Love Lane Gang plays music that spans generations, as well as embodies them. The emphasis is on swing: classics from the 1930s and 1940s, done in a refreshing new style that incorporates the Hot Club approach with island flourishes. Dust Bowl ballads, old school country from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, rockabilly and surf Read More...

The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on https://keywestthenewspaper.com/ pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates. No official endorsement by Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates of the viewpoints expressed on Read More...

In Search of the Mangrovians!

Is There Big $ Money $ In Homelessness?

Aug 162013

by Naja and Arnaud Girard

A surprising statistic came out in the news last week. According to one expert 5.8% of Key West’s population is homeless and lives in the mangroves. We’re not even kidding. This is actually the conclusion of a $20,000 study presented by Dr. Robert Marbut to a straight–faced City Commission on August 6th, 2013. At least 1,422 people, according to Marbut, are homeless in Key West and have been for years. After subtracting those in jail and at KOTS [the emergency shelter, on Stock Island] we’re left with around 1200 that he claims are, for the most part, hidden “in the mangroves”. Needless to say that night we endeavored to beat around every mangrove bush we could find in hopes of raising Dr. Marbut’s apocalyptic legions of homelessness. We encountered no more than a few weary souls.

According to the 2013 Homeless Point In Time Report published by the Monroe County Homeless Services Continuum-of-Care Inc., there are about 480 homeless people in the Lower Keys, After subtracting those in jail or at KOTS, children, boaters and Stock Island’s homeless, there are likely around 50 people truly sleeping on the streets or “in the mangroves” of Key West. A far cry from the 1200 suggested by Dr. Marbut. So, what is going on?

Well, for one thing, there’s no data in Dr. Marbut’s report that would back-up his conclusion. There are no charts, no raw numbers, no dates and his accounting is somewhat peculiar. For instance, he appears to include as currently homeless anyone who, in the past 10 years, was booked into the County jail at least twice and failed to provide an address of residence. Likewise, anyone who signed their name twice on the roster at KOTS in the past three years was also added to the list of those who are “actively” and permanently homeless in Key West. Yet, despite his questionable accounting methods, cities around the nation love Dr. Marbut, the guru of homelessness, and there’s a simple reason for it.

Marbut promotes the creation of large centers where the entire population of homeless can be transported and “transformed”. He helped create “Haven For Hope”, a $ 125 Million dollar homeless center in San Antonio, Texas and “Safe Harbor” in Clearwater, Florida near St. Petersburg. It’s all about putting an end to enabling the homeless and instead challenging them to change their ways.

Even politicians who don’t necessarily share Marbut’s sense of humanity and compassion love him at first sight. They simply can’t wait to clean up the downtown tourist districts, the beaches, the parks, the underpasses full of the homeless and Key West is no exception. We may be “One Human Family” but this is a tourist town and the homeless are bad for business.

Wendy Cole, who for years was the Executive Director for SHAL (Southernmost Homeless Assistance League) supports the creation of a center, which would most likely be located on Stock Island. “This facility is desperately needed,” says Cole, “It will make serving the homeless a lot easier and also much more efficient.”

So, here it is: Are those honorable motives sufficient to justify cooking up some numbers? Is it just the modern way of government: dream us up 1,500 homeless guys, boost the numbers and get millions of dollars of federal money? And do those homeless centers really work?

Apparently, there are some serious unintended consequences. Unfortunate residents of the neighborhoods chosen for the construction of these centers don’t seem to have any kind words for the concept. MYSA (My San Antonio), a San Antonio, Texas newspaper quotes some residents in the neighborhood outside of Haven for Hope. “They urinate and defecate in our yards. They use drugs and drink, have sex with prostitutes. They have no regard for dignity or shame,” says Gloria Castro looking at the homeless who began flocking to her neighborhood. The problems come mostly from people who get suspended from the “Courtyard” at Haven For Hope. “They don’t belong here,” says Castro, who had called the police a dozen times in the previous year. According to San Antonio police, emergency calls for the surrounding neighborhood had risen 42% since it’s opening.

The same litany of complaints plagued the neighborhood around “Safe Harbor”. Tampa Bay Times reports, Safe Harbor neighbors accused St. Petersburg Mayor of shipping downtown’s homeless population to their community. Again, it seems that most of the problems were created by the people who were drunk, abusive, using drugs and not allowed to remain at the center. According to St Pete’s Police Department, the number of complaints around Safe Harbor rose 30% in the first 6 months of its opening.

And it gets worse: After a brief success in St. Pete, where the homeless had all but disappeared from downtown – the unthinkable happened: According to a report in the Tampa Bay Times last February, they came back!! The City Council called Dr. Marbut in a panic. They drove around downtown where the homeless had again started to congregate and Marbut had to break out the news to St Pete’s elders. It’s not enough to create a homeless center. You must also have devoted people who are going to reach out to the homeless, talk to them with respect and convince them that the center will help them regain their dignity. Contrary to the hopes and wishes of some, a homeless center will not be a lock-down facility. It takes real commitment to keep it working in a way that makes homeless people want to use it.

So, is this really for us? Key West is a very small town, with a lot of resources and a pledge to treat each other as “One Human Family”. This project would need expansive long-term commitments. Small facilities of 400 beds like Safe Harbor, reportedly run a $2.4 Million budget. If we were to hold Dr. Marbut to his own numbers, Key West would need, at a minimum, a 1500 bed facility.

In St. Pete, the Safe Harbor center didn’t keep the homeless population from growing; actually there is clear evidence to the contrary. Many people we spoke with in Key West agree whole-heartedly with Marbut’s policy against enablement, but most said they fail to see why a 24-hour shelter would not become the ultimate enabler.

Another big issue is the goal of maintaining a “safe distance” between the shelter and the tourist district it is meant to protect. In San Antonio, Haven For Hope was built in a residential neighborhood outside the downtown area and Safe Harbor is about 13 miles away from downtown St. Pete. In Key West nothing will keep people from walking back downtown, even more so now that they ‘re not going to be burdened with bags, thanks to Marbut’s locker-room.

Another issue is the potential for the dismantling of local charities castigated by Marbut as “enablers”. In San Antonio as in St Pete, charities complained of getting elbowed out. In Key West, someone from the Homeless Services Continuum-of-Care group has already complained that Marbut didn’t consult with them while he was gathering information for his report to the Commission. If those services were to disappear it would be difficult to reactivate them if the center were ever to run out of funding.

Do we need a smaller version tailored to a small village with big city problems? Cities like St. Pete and St. Antonio describe a far worse problem with homelessness than what we’re seeing here in Key West. “Tent Cities”, dozens sleeping on sidewalks most nights, public parks overrun with homeless people, the smell of lemon-scented disinfectant used to clean the sidewalks of the stench of urine. The addition of many more homeless people getting services will further burden a social services system already on the brink.

It seems that the nuisance imposed upon the neighborhoods surrounding these centers comes mostly from the number of people kicked out of the courtyard who are, for the most part, single men, drunk, using drugs, abusive or even violent. Interestingly enough, that is pretty much the profile of Key West’s homeless population, as it was described by Dr. Marbut at the August 6, 2013 Commission meeting. Are our homeless fit for this project? And who will protect Stock Island residents from the impacts? “The police round up the homeless but they come right back,” said one resident near Heaven for Hope to a MySA reporter, “They get in our face. They threaten us.”

There needs to be a real debate with real numbers, and a real commitment to follow through and not create lawlessness in a Stock Island neighborhood by destroying existing infrastructure and goodwill.

The Blue Paper #23

The Blue Paper #23 Posted by [email protected] # Full Issues # Comments Off

Aug 162013

Issue #23 — Friday, August 16, 2013

COMMENTARY: IS THERE BIG $ MONEY $ IN HOMELESSNESS?

Channel Dredging: It’s Not Just A Study

On Wednesday, I listened to Jennifer Hulse, spokesperson for the KW Chamber of Commerce PAC on Bill Becker’s morning show and would like to challenge her on a couple of points. 1. Hulse states, “the modern ships” — the type we want”, all have advanced wastewater treatment. I would like to point out that the Carnival Read More...

Channel Dredging: It's Not Just A Study

Marathon Burns With Ecotourism Fever

Marathon is aglow. A new aquarium is under construction in town and the chamber, members of the city council, and the media have declared this Middle Keys city to be an ecotourism destination par excellence. They cite the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, the Turtle Hospital, Crane Point Nature Center, Pigeon Key and an Read More...

What A Difference A Year Makes

This time a year ago, we were in the midst of two hotly contested School Board races. In District 2, two challengers came forward in an effort to unseat a five term incumbent. Further up the Keys in District 3, the incumbent stepped aside and five candidates slugged it out for that open seat. Week Read More...

GREEN Reactor: Racism and the Environment

Environmental Racism – the placement of toxic facilities, garbage dumps or other hazards within towns or neighborhoods that are mostly inhabited by minority populations — is a well-known and widely documented phenomenon. Though the racism involved may not have been overt – e.g., a sewage plant may have ended up in the low-income black neighborhood Read More...

A Somewhat Different Perspective on the N Roosevelt Blvd SNAFU

Maybe six weeks ago, I ran into former Key West city commissioner Barry Gibson, who told me his one regret as a city commissioner was he did not hold out for a faster work schedule on N Roosevelt Blvd. He said he would have been only one vote, but he wished he had held out. Read More...

Dear Beauty, Hello, allow me to introduce myself. I am shame. I am loneliness. I am anger, I am despair, I am frailty and error and pain and sadness and capacity for evil. I am sin, I am hate, I am error and I am greed. I am, I have and I will. I write Read More...

The Trash Blog Comes To Key West: The Outdated Topography of Margaritaville

At a whopping 18 feet above sea level, Solares Hill is said to be the highest point on Key West. In general, 18 feet is the highest point attributed to any of the Florida Keys, and the little known Windley Key is said to be the 18 feet that is highest. In an article about Read More...

Welcome New Resident Author Nancy Miracle

There’s a new author in town! Nancy Miracle has been spending time in Key West since early 2012. Looks like she’s caught Key West “fever” and is settling in for good. Nancy wrote and published From Sardi’s to Sicily The Biography of Marilyn Monroe in 2012/13 while traveling between Key West and Miami. From Sardi’s Read More...

N. Roosevelt Blvd: An Open Letter to Commissioners

Dear Mayor Cates and Commissioner Rossi: Gentlemen: I have seen the resolution you have co-sponsored (#15 on Tuesday’s agenda) essentially asking FDOT to reconsider implementing two-way traffic on the boulevard, citing “public safety concerns”. A few prefaces. First, I assume you all understand that if two way traffic is not reinstituted soon it may well be Read More...

N. Roosevelt Blvd: 360 Construction Days = 820 Political Days

My name is Eric Geen and I am a former construction claims consultant with over 20 years experience, many of them working for and against FDOT. On August 6, 2013, I attended the 4 PM, CNRAB meeting with Secretary Prasad, the 5PM Town Hall meeting with Secretary Prasad and the subsequent 6PM Key West Commission Read More...

Florida Keys Council of the Arts Cultural Calendar Thursday, November 6 thru Wednesday, November 12

LAST STAND AND KEYS KEEPER SPONSOR TOWN HALL MEETING AUGUST 22nd AT THE TROPIC CINEMA!

Last Stand and Keys Keeper Sponsor Town Hall Meeting August 22nd Everyone is invited to learn more about the condition of the coral reef, the Lower Keys fishery and economic impacts of water based tourism from the experts on Thursday August 22nd at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton Street beginning at 7:00pm. Admission is free Read More...

The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on https://keywestthenewspaper.com/ pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates. No official endorsement by Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates of the viewpoints expressed on Read More...

The Blue Paper #22

The Blue Paper #22 Posted by [email protected] # Full Issues # Comments Off

Aug 092013

Issue #22 — Friday, August 9, 2013

Dishonorable Discharge

‘Dishonorable Discharge’

It’s Tuesday morning in Key West harbor. Pascal Davis raises a small orange flag on the stern of her boat. This will signal to the pumpout boat operator that the sewage holding tank on the “Mothership” needs to be vacuumed; all part of a new County program designed to provide a pumpout service to liveaboard Read More...

'Dishonorable Discharge'

Don’t Miss This: “Slow Down!” New Music Video Filmed In Key West!

WE LOVE THIS! Local musical artist MC COUSCOUS recently released a music video for his new song, Slow Down featuring Bria Ansara. The locally filmed music video features over 50 colorful locals cruising their bikes through the streets of Key West. There are plenty of great shots of the island and many familiar faces. Don’t Read More...

Don't Miss This: "Slow Down!" New Music Video Filmed In Key West!

What To Do, What To Do About Key West's Homeless Population (Former Homeless Man Shares His Views)

After the Roosevelt Boulevard townhall meeting last Tuesday came a regular city commission meeting. Dr. Robert Marbut led off with a lengthy presentation of his view of Key West’s homeless situation, which was followed by questions and comments from the mayor and city commissioners. Citizens were not allowed to comment or ask questions at that Read More...

What To Do, What To Do About Key West’s Homeless Population (Former Homeless Man Shares His Views)

DORIAN

This is a work of fiction… not about me… I was never married, or divorced, and I’ve never lived with anyone named Dorian… r. watherwax ~~~~ After 25 years of marriage, my wife divorced me… she took a bunch of money and left me with this big house. A friend told me I was rattling Read More...

N. Roosevelt Blvd: An Open Letter to Commissioners

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

N. Roosevelt Blvd: 360 Construction Days = 820 Political Days

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER [THE BLUE PAPER]

RECORD AND WATCH TV ONLINE: AEREO ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE FOR MONROE COUNTY

Starting September 2, more than five million South Floridians will have access to Aereo’s innovative antenna/DVR technology to record and watch live television online Long Island City, New York (August 8, 2013) – Aereo, Inc., today announced plans to launch its groundbreaking online television technology in the Miami metropolitan area on September 2, covering Broward, Read More...

Visit Cuba with the Key West Botanical Garden Society

With the coming year, the Key West Botanical Garden Society will mark a decade of arranging special Humanitarian and Ecological tours to our “sister island”, Cuba. The Garden’s Director of Group Tourism is Caroline Cotton, a licensed Certified Travel Counselor with 37 years as a Tour Director and travel expert. She organized and led the Read More...

BOWLING FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER FOUNDATION OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

5TH ANNUAL “YAPPY HOUR”

The Florida Keys Chapter of HSMAI (Hospitality Sales Marketing Association International) is holding the 5th annual Yappy Hour to support Samuel’s House and HSMAI from 4 to 8:30 p.m. August 17 in air-conditioned comfort at Aqua Nightclub, 711 Duval St. Furry friends are welcome but must be on a leash. Admission is $10 for adults, Read More...

5TH ANNUAL "YAPPY HOUR"

Key West Most Unique Chicken Benefit: Mark Your Calendars For August 18th

Sunday, August 18, 2013 The Green Parrot Bar 1 PM to 5 PM Marilyn Moyer aka “Chicken” who serves up drinks at the Green Parrot and previous Key West Landmarks for some 40 years needs some of that support Key Westers are famous for . Chicken who has lived, worked & supported all in and Read More...

LAST STAND AND KEYS KEEPER SPONSOR TOWN HALL MEETING AUGUST 22nd AT THE TROPIC CINEMA!

LOVE LANE GANG

Florida Keys Council of the Arts Cultural Calendar Thursday, November 6 thru Wednesday, November 12

NEW COLLECTION DISTRICTS MAP AND NEW SCHEDULE

Deliveries are nearly complete, and just about every Key West household should now have a blue recycle cart to kick off the new expanded recycling program. Anyone who has not received a cart by Friday, July 26, should call Will Thompson at (305)849-0414. As the City gets ready to begin the new collection schedule, there Read More...

The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on https://keywestthenewspaper.com/ pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates. No official endorsement by Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates of the viewpoints expressed on Read More...

Roosevelt Boulevard: Vacation's Over!

The Blue Paper #21

The Blue Paper #21 Posted by [email protected] # Full Issues # Comments Off

Aug 022013

Issue #21 — Friday, August 2, 2013

Roosevelt Boulevard: Vacation’s Over!

FDOT in 2010: You'll Be 'So Happy' With One-Way Traffic – You'll Want To Keep It That Way!

A review of a City Commission meeting that took place over three years ago shed new light on the mysterious 820-day Roosevelt Boulevard reconstruction contract. Why 820 days? How did that number come about? For Key Westers who often drive alongside the idle or deserted Boulevard worksite, the question has been crystal clear for quite Read More...

FDOT in 2010: You’ll Be ‘So Happy’ With One-Way Traffic – You’ll Want To Keep It That Way!

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

Local Media Inflames Sanctuary Discussions

Anger and frustration exploded across the front page of a Middle Keys newspaper on Wednesday. The story reported on a meeting of the Ecosystem Protection Working Group as it presented very preliminary plans to restructure various protected zones in waters off the Keys. Words such as “strangling” and “war” characterized the reaction of local anglers Read More...

Commissioners Lopez and Yaniz Co-Sponsor Resolution Urging Repeal of Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law

Commissioners Clayton Lopez and Tony Yaniz are co-sponsoring a resolution to strongly urge the Florida Legislature to repeal the state’s Stand Your Ground law. The Stand Your Ground law was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2005 and has been used as a basis for a defense of justifiable homicide in a number of Read More...

Commissioners Lopez and Yaniz Co-Sponsor Resolution Urging Repeal of Florida's Stand Your Ground Law

Guest Editorial: School Board Member Andy Griffiths Explains What’s Different About School Taxes

In 2008 – 2012 my school taxes went down. Why? Because my property values crashed along with everyone else. Unlike cities and counties who can raise their millage rates when values fall to achieve “rollback”, that holy grail of tax rates, school districts must simply cut their expenses. You see, school districts have their tax Read More...

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER [THE BLUE PAPER]

Guest Editorial: School Board Member Andy Griffiths Explains What's Different About School Taxes

GREEN Reactor: Keystone Cops and Flops

When people of my age were kids, our 3 or 4 channels of TV would fill afternoon and weekend slots with old movie shorts like The Three Stooges and Laurel & Hardy. Typically they’d include “silent” shorts featuring the Keystone Cops – a gang of incompetent policemen who’d pursue criminals or attempt to do public Read More...

Burning Questions Remain For Big Pine Key Refuge

On the morning of September 15, 2011, a short time after 10:00 a.m., a crew from the National Key Deer Refuge lit a fire a mile north of Blue Hole on Big Pine Key. The intended burn was 21 acres in size, despite the fact that it included a two and a half acre hammock Read More...

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

HAVE YOU LIKED KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER (THE BLUE PAPER) ON FACEBOOK YET?

Justice for Trayvon …

PART I – BOYCOTT FLORIDA ‘THE WAY IT SHOULD BE’ BY ARNAUD GIRARD But since it didn’t happen that way … The killer winks at his defense lawyer after the jury let him walk for standing his ground. The first thing that needs to happen is to (more…)

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT KEY WEST THE NEWSPAPER [THE BLUE PAPER]

Visit Cuba with the Key West Botanical Garden Society

Cuba: The State Department Announces Plan to Allow Cubans Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visitor Visas

August 1, 2013 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the State Department issued a statement regarding a newly implemented plan to issue visas to those wanting to visit the United States from Cuba. The plan would alleviate the U.S. Interests Section’s workload and create an easier process for non-immigrant visitor visa application and issuance. Cubans wanting to visit the Read More...

Nuts To NOAA!

My name is Bob Elkins. I am a commercial fisherman. I have been fishing in the Florida Keys since 1978 and full time since 1983. It’s an occupation that I truly love. I take pride in being fully invested in this kind of work. Independent, self-reliant, fully autonomous a free agent if you may. At Read More...

Peary Court: Conversions From Military to Private Land Should Return Property To A Normal City Grid

WHAT IS BEST FOR THE DEVELOPER IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CITY Thirty years ago Key West city planners and a few city commissioners attended a symposium about how cities gaining access to former military property should handle their new acreage. This was just before the Truman Annex was finally sold to Read More...

ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD: BLUNTLY PUT…

REMINDER: IMPORTANT MEETINGS THIS MONDAY AND TUESDAY COALITION OF NORTH ROOSEVELT AFFECTED BUSINESSES: Monday, August 5th, 5:00 p.m. at VFW, 2200 N. Roosevelt Blvd. PUBLIC HEARING WITH FDOT OFFICIALS: Tuesday, August 6th, 5:00 p.m. Old City Hall on Greene Street ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This comment appeared in the 7/30 “Citizen’s Voice” [Key West Citizen]: “Everybody’s complaining about Read More...

VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION & HOSPICE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS 29th ANNUAL 4th OF JULY FUNDRAISER IS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!

–Red-hot fireworks, white-capped waves and rain-free blue sky for VNA/Hospice Independence Day picnic celebration– Every July 4th, VNA/Hospice holds a wonderfully well-received charitable event to raise critical funds for the respected nonprofit organization. This year was no exception, as Casa Marina in Key West, FL was the place to be for enjoying the holiday with Read More...

VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION & HOSPICE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS 29th ANNUAL 4th OF JULY FUNDRAISER IS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!

Monroe County School District Leadership Changes Announced

The Monroe County School District announces final changes in administrative leadership positions for the 2013-2014 school year. On June 25, 2013, the School Board was presented with and approved the recommendations for administrative personnel for the 2013-2014 school year. Due to the selection of Ms. Lisa Hayes-Taylor as Principal at Plantation Key School and Mr. Read More...

ASSISTED LIVING: THE HERON INSPECTION SUCCESSFUL

The Heron, currently celebrating 25 years of operation, is an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in Marathon providing supportive housing for mental ill adults. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) recently completed its comprehensive biannual licensure inspection. The inspection found the Heron in full compliance with all regulations and no deficiencies or areas of Read More...

Key West Most Unique Chicken Benefit: Mark Your Calendars For August 18th

KEY WEST BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETY, INC. TO PARTICIPATE IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION'S CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden has been chosen to participate in the 2013 Conservation Assessment Program (CAP), joining 2,800 museums that have participated in CAP during its twenty-two year history. CAP is funded through a cooperative agreement between Heritage Preservation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. CAP assists museums by Read More...

KEY WEST BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETY, INC. TO PARTICIPATE IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION’S CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Artists Pam Eden and Michael Marrero on Display at the Gato Building

Thanks to the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Key Westers have another chance to take in the beautifully rendered watercolor paintings of former island resident Pam Eden. The public is invited to a reception on Friday, August 2nd in the Gato Building’s Stairway Gallery. Much like the imagery evoked by her name, Eden’s intricate Read More...

Florida Keys Council of the Arts Cultural Calendar Thursday, November 6 thru Wednesday, November 12

Florida Keys Poets to be Immortalized in Concrete

Submission Deadline Friday, August 23rd Salvador Dali wrote, “We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images.” Soon, thanks to a synergistic creative initiative launched by the Key West Art in Pubic Places Board, pedestrians strolling the sidewalks of Key West will discover concrete images of verse composed by writers from throughout the Florida Keys. Read More...

NEW COLLECTION DISTRICTS MAP AND NEW SCHEDULE

The expressed opinions, informational content and links displayed on https://keywestthenewspaper.com/ pages do not necessarily reflect a position or policy of Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates. No official endorsement by Blue Pimpernel LLC, Key West The Newspaper [The Blue Paper] or its affiliates of the viewpoints expressed on Read More...