Monroe County’s Secret Roadmap To Resegregation

 Posted by  * Featured Story *, Bahama Village, MOST POPULAR ONE  Comments Off on Monroe County’s Secret Roadmap To Resegregation
Sep 262014
 

busses resized

by Naja and Arnaud Girard

It’s 7:30 am at the bus stop on Truman and Emma.  Eleven-year old Dimitri is about to climb into the morning school bus.  Like him, most of the kids sitting on the bus are African American.  Like them, he has a mere 40% probability of graduating from high school with his classmates; a stark difference from his white brothers, who have an 83% graduation rate [2013 data].

When we interviewed parents in Bahama Village about this disparity their responses raised an unexpected red flag.

“I didn’t want my son to go to HOB,” says the mother of a fifth grader, “He’s going to the white school.”

BP:  “The white school?  What do you mean?  What white school?” Continue reading »

The Blue Paper #81

 The Blue Paper #81  Posted by  # Full Issues #  Comments Off on The Blue Paper #81
Sep 262014
 

Issue #81 — Friday, September 26, 2014

MONROE COUNTY'S SECRET ROADMAP TO RESEGREGATION

It’s 7:30 am at the bus stop on Truman and Emma.  Eleven-year old Dimitri is about to climb into the morning school bus.  Like him, most of the kids sitting on the bus are African American.  Like them, he has a mere 40% probability of graduating from high school with his classmates; a stark difference Read More...

MONROE COUNTY’S SECRET ROADMAP TO RESEGREGATION

It’s 7:30 am at the bus stop on Truman and Emma.  Eleven-year old Dimitri is about to climb into the morning school bus.  Like him, most of the kids sitting on the bus are African American.  Like them, he has a mere 40% probability of graduating from high school with his classmates; a stark difference Read More...

GUEST EDITORIAL: Mosquito Control Is An Intensive Battle

Let us be clear that Mosquito Control’s focus is to keep the mosquito population at a minimum which is labor intensive and necessary to protect the health of both our residents and our visitors.  Election season is upon us, and as Chairman and an 18 year elected commissioner at Florida keys Mosquito Control I would Read More...

AIN'T NO SUNSHINE…

Is George Neugent on the take? First, George. Second, are the Keys corporate media in full defend-the-powerful mode? Third, are the 60% of voters for George in full denial?  Numbers two and three, I’m sure of. About George, what do you think? George is certainly doing his best to make me believe he has used Read More...

AIN’T NO SUNSHINE…

Is George Neugent on the take? First, George. Second, are the Keys corporate media in full defend-the-powerful mode? Third, are the 60% of voters for George in full denial?  Numbers two and three, I’m sure of. About George, what do you think? George is certainly doing his best to make me believe he has used Read More...

Records Management: The Black Hole in the School District

I am sure that you all have read the press release from Coral Shores High School touting student accomplishments on the various Advance Placement (AP) tests.  Kudos to the Hurricanes for a job well done. I noticed that neither Key West High School nor Marathon High School published or otherwise broadcast their AP results.  Curious, Read More...

IT'S ONLY ROCK 'N ROLL

My daughter the lawyer calls me an “accidental academic.” After high school, there was no way that I could afford to go to college. So I joined the army and learned how to jump out of airplanes. After the army, I used the GI Bill to finance a degree in journalism and landed a job Read More...

IT’S ONLY ROCK ‘N ROLL

My daughter the lawyer calls me an “accidental academic.” After high school, there was no way that I could afford to go to college. So I joined the army and learned how to jump out of airplanes. After the army, I used the GI Bill to finance a degree in journalism and landed a job Read More...

GREATNESS

My wife and I just finished watching all seven, two-hour installments of Ken Burns’, documentary on Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. It left me feeling a bit melancholy, for watching any birth-to- death encapsulated in a few short hours will depress, but such Olympian greatness ending like ordinary mortals is an especially bitter pill to Read More...

I DON’T LIKE AMERICAN FOOTBALL

 As I sit down to write this essay, we are one day out from Super Bowl XLVIII. To sit down and write about the Super Bowl has become much more an exercise in socio-cultural behavior than athletic endeavor. If my memory serves me, this would be the 5th time I’ve written about an event that Read More...

Sheriff Rick Ramsay—Detectives, Deputies & Staff Under His Command—Deliver Commendable Result…

Words are insufficient in describing the extraordinary brilliance demonstrated by Sheriff Rick Ramsay and his magnificent team of officers, when it comes to their apprehending the individual, who allegedly tortured and killed an innocent dog, because it snored. Monroe County Sheriff’s detectives and investigators did not have much to go on in capturing their suspect. Read More...

Sheriff Rick Ramsay—Detectives, Deputies & Staff Under His Command—Deliver Commendable Result…

Words are insufficient in describing the extraordinary brilliance demonstrated by Sheriff Rick Ramsay and his magnificent team of officers, when it comes to their apprehending the individual, who allegedly tortured and killed an innocent dog, because it snored. Monroe County Sheriff’s detectives and investigators did not have much to go on in capturing their suspect. Read More...

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An Open Letter to Mayor Cates and City of Key West Commissioners

Mayor Cates and Commissioners: As members of the Key West Golf Course community, we want to express our extreme displeasure with the recent news that the City of Key West may proceed forward with construction of a homeless shelter at the Easter Seals location on College Road. On August 17, 2014, on behalf of our 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...

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...

Anti-Smoking Campaign Doesn’t Make Sense

Dear Editor, There seems to be something funny going on. The BOCC’s latest anti-smoking campaign doesn’t make sense to me. They claim that smoking causes 700+ sick days taken by county employees. How does smoking cause one to take a sick day? Also, although they keep ignoring this point, I’d bet that HANGOVERS take FAR Read More...

Anti-Smoking Campaign Doesn't Make Sense

Dear Editor, There seems to be something funny going on. The BOCC’s latest anti-smoking campaign doesn’t make sense to me. They claim that smoking causes 700+ sick days taken by county employees. How does smoking cause one to take a sick day? Also, although they keep ignoring this point, I’d bet that HANGOVERS take FAR Read More...

TUNATOONS: ISLAND OF BONES – PART NINE: THE SHRIMP BOAT

Back in 1521 , Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the Island of Key West.  The island had been used as a communal graveyard by the Calusa Indians so he named the island Cayo Hueso (Island of Bones). Since that time this tiny island has produced so many interesting and crazy stories. This story is about Key Read More...

HOMETOWN! PAC Final Forum is September 29th at 5:00 pm. Don't Miss it!

A QUESTION AND ANSWER FORUM FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES, GROUP 4; MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2; MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD, DISTRICTS 2 AND 5; AND CANDIDATES  FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE WHERE:  LOBBY, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FINE ARTS CENTER ON THE LEFT OF THE FLORIDA KEYS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS STOCK ISLAND/KEY WEST WHEN:  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, FROM 5:00 – 7:30 Read More...

HOMETOWN! PAC Final Forum is September 29th at 5:00 pm. Don’t Miss it!

A QUESTION AND ANSWER FORUM FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES, GROUP 4; MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2; MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD, DISTRICTS 2 AND 5; AND CANDIDATES  FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE WHERE:  LOBBY, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FINE ARTS CENTER ON THE LEFT OF THE FLORIDA KEYS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS STOCK ISLAND/KEY WEST WHEN:  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, FROM 5:00 – 7:30 Read More...

EQUALITY FLORIDA ACTION PAC ENDORSES GEORGE SHELDON FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

A Sharp contrast to Pam Bondi Equality Florida Action PAC, the largest organization dedicated to electing pro-equality candidates in Florida, has endorsed George Sheldon for Attorney General. “As Florida moves forward towards full equality, the next Attorney General will have a tremendous impact on the everyday lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people Read More...

OIRF Supports Take Stock In Children

Kelly Friend, Old Island Restoration Foundation president, presents a $ 2500.00 check to Chuck Licis, program coordinator and Steve Pribramsky,  MCEF President of Take Stock in Children. Since 1995, non-profit Take Stock in Children has provided a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. OIRF grant funds are Read More...

Take Stock in Children Graduate Story: Paulina Rippere

The Monroe County Education Foundation (MCEF) is looking for volunteers to mentor students in its flagship program, Take Stock in Children. The MCEF has been helping Monroe County students achieve their goal of earning a degree, certificate, or credential since 1995. Here is an example of how mentoring a student for just 30 to 45 Read More...

Conch Poet J.M. Varela Featured Oct. 5 at Blue Heaven

The wit and wisdom of popular Conch poet J.M. Varela takes the stage upstairs at Blue Heaven during the first Sunday monthly meeting of the Key West Poetry Guild on Oct. 5, beginning at 7 p.m. There is no admission fee and all are welcome. Varela, author of the eclectic collection “Inside the Head of Read More...

Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on Agenda for the 16th Annual Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival

Every year, the natural habitats of the KWTF&BG serve as a rest and refuel stop on the Autumnal migration route of birds returning from their summer roosts to the warmth of southern latitudes.   The Stock Island site and its staff also host birders and butterfly enthusiasts participating in the annual Birding and Wildlife Festival.  Scheduled Read More...

Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on Agenda for the 16th Annual Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival

Every year, the natural habitats of the KWTF&BG serve as a rest and refuel stop on the Autumnal migration route of birds returning from their summer roosts to the warmth of southern latitudes.   The Stock Island site and its staff also host birders and butterfly enthusiasts participating in the annual Birding and Wildlife Festival.  Scheduled Read More...

Support Environmental Education For Monroe County Students: Have Dinner at Mangia Mangia

Support Environmental Education F

4th Annual Habitat for Humanity’s Votes for Notes Musical Competition!

Mark your calendar for Habitat for Humanity’s 4th Annual Votes for Notes fundraiser! Local musician Ray West is lining up musical talent for yet another season of this ever-growing, three-night event. New musical talent and popular pros are invited to compete in order to win $ 250 cash and other prizes at the Grand Finale.  Read More...

United Way ‘Stuffs the Bus’ with School Supplies

United Way of the Florida Keys and its community partners want to make sure that Monroe County students have the supplies they need to succeed at their studies. That’s why they launched “Stuff the Bus,” an effort that produced truckloads of school supplies distributed last week to all 16 Monroe County public schools from Key Read More...

Crown Jules, This is Your Life; ‘Criss Cross’ Screens Oct. 8

In this year’s heating up and always hilarious race for the honor of being Fantasy Fest’s top royalty is a woman who first came to Key West in 1976 and had a brush, of sorts, with Hollywood (the one in California), the motion picture industry and Goldie Hawn. Julie Hanson, born in Montgomery, Alabama, has Read More...

Crown Jules, This is Your Life; 'Criss Cross' Screens Oct. 8

In this year’s heating up and always hilarious race for the honor of being Fantasy Fest’s top royalty is a woman who first came to Key West in 1976 and had a brush, of sorts, with Hollywood (the one in California), the motion picture industry and Goldie Hawn. Julie Hanson, born in Montgomery, Alabama, has 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…)

Official Fantasy Fest® 2014 Artwork Announced

Poster Signing Party is Tuesday, October 21, at 5 pm Fantasy Fest is pleased to announce the artwork chosen for the Official Fantasy Fest 2014 posters and t-shirts. Dozens of fantastic designs were submitted for the poster contest, and with an unrivaled selection of quality work, we are thrilled to announce two separate designs. The Read More...

LIGHTS! ACTION! CAMERA! FORT LAUDERDALE GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED WHIRLWIND OF FILMS AND EVENTS

FLGLFF 2014 has expanded to seven days, includes more award-winning and diverse films, and features special events and parties that elevate this Festival to a new level, making it one of the most highly regarded LGBT film festivals in the nation. FLGLFF takes place Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12 and resumes Thursday, October Read More...

LEARN ABOUT THE BUTTERFLIES, SEPTEMBER 26th

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