On Thursday, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, whose district includes the Florida Keys, hosted a press conference regarding the growing illegal immigration and border security crises impacting communities in South Florida. Before the press conference, Senator Scott received a briefing from U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, and Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations on the local response to the migrant crisis in the Florida Keys. Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein and Director of Emergency Management Shannon Weiner also attended.
   
Senator Scott’s office says he will continue to meet with local, state, and federal leaders to find real solutions to securing the border and end this crisis impacting Floridians. 

Chief Sean Brandenburg last week swore in a newly promoted lieutenant and a newly promoted sergeant. Lt. Bill Vazquez was promoted from Special Investigations Sergeant to Night Watch Patrol Lieutenant. Sgt. Karl Malsheimer was promoted from General Case Detective to Night Watch Sergeant.

​Both gentlemen were born and raised in Key West. Lt. Vazquez joined the department in 2012 and is following in his father Alfredo Vazquez’s shoes in law enforcement. Capt. Alfredo Vazquez retired from the Key West Police Department after 30 years of service.

Sgt. Malsheimer came to the department in 2011 and has served with distinction. Both he and Lt. Vazquez have garnered numerous commendations, including the Life Saving Award.

​“Lt. Vazquez and Sgt. Malsheimer have earned these positions,” said Chief Brandenburg. “I’m proud of their service and have full confidence in their leadership of the men and women of the Key West Police Department.”

​City Manager Patti McLauchlin named Lead Maintenance Worker Christopher Coleman Employee of the Quarter.

​“Christopher is the epitome of a hard, hard worker,” McLauchlin said. “Anything he’s asked to do, he does it well and he does it fast.”

Coleman joined Community Services in May of 2019 and worked his way up to his current position.

McLauchlin noted that she really got to know him when the pandemic hit. Coleman’s role was to keep the surfaces and microphones sterile during City meetings. She noted that, no matter how long the meetings lasted, Coleman maintained a smiling, positive attitude.

​“Christopher is a great example to other employees of the City,” she said.

Graduating seniors can apply for scholarships through the Key West Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Scholarship applications will be accepted until Friday, March 31, 2023.
 
The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, has taken on the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce’s yearly scholarship program. This program awards thousands of dollars in scholarships annually through partnerships with community members and organizations.
 
Available scholarships include the following:
 
Honor Roll 100/Charley P. and Orsolina Toppino Scholarship, established in 1993, is a $27,500 scholarship and is available annually to a student who attends a high school or lives in the City of Key West. The scholarship committee looks at financial need, personal need, and academic achievement. This scholarship is based on several aspects from the student’s high school career, including grades, community service, extracurricular activities, and a sincere financial need. The funds for this award are graciously donated by Charley Toppino and Sons, Inc., Monroe Concrete, Inc., and donations from our Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce members, most who donate annually. Charley Toppino and Sons, Inc. and Monroe Concrete, Inc. have created their yearly donation in loving memory of their parents and grandparents Charley and Orsolina Toppino.
 
The Gerald “Moe” & Marina Mosher Vocational Scholarship, established in 2016, is a $2,000 scholarship awarded annually to a graduating senior from Key West High School who has been accepted into a post-secondary vocational or technical education program at a regionally accredited institution. Mr. Stewart Appelrouth and Mr. Ed Swift have graciously offered this scholarship in honor of Gerald “Moe” and Marina Mosher who were very community minded.

The Appelrouth Scholarship was established in 1991. These $1,000 scholarships are presented annually to a deserving young man and woman graduating from Key West High School, who has demonstrated a strong background in community and volunteer service, carry a mid-range grade average and shows a sincere financial need. The family of Billy and Rachel Appelrouth has graciously offered this scholarship in honor of their parents who were very active within the community.
 
Applicants for these scholarships must include several items with their applications, such as a sealed high school transcript, letters of recommendations, and a personal essay.
Some scholarships may require other specific items, so students should find out the criteria of each award before applying. 

Students interested in applying for any of the mentioned scholarships can apply online at https://www.keywestchamber.org/scholarships.html. For any other questions, contact Robert Goltz, Executive Vice President at 305.294.2587. 
​
About the Key West Chamber of Commerce Foundation:
Founded in 2020 the Key West Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, supports the work and mission of the chamber to improve our economy and quality of life. A highlighted program of the foundation is the Tom Sawyer Five Star Educational program that does everything from solicit scholarship donations to mentoring middle and high school kids.
 
About The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1922, the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce works as a catalyst for business success, a convener of leaders, and a champion for a sustainable thriving community. The chamber represents businesses of all sizes from small family businesses to large corporations serving Key West and the surrounding communities. For more information on the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, visit www.KeyWestChamber.org. 

​Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 650,000 people each year. Here are some other facts everyone should know about heart disease:
●        In the U.S., one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
●        Every year, about 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack.
●        Nearly half of American adults (47%) suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, which increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. However, only about 1 in 4 people with high blood pressure have their condition under control.
 
Another important fact is that most people can take steps right now to reduce the risks related to heart disease.
 
“In many cases, heart disease is preventable,” says Michelle Bachtel, MD, board certified cardiologist with Keys Medical Group. “By adopting a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol and treating high blood pressure, we can all reduce our risk for heart disease.” Dr. Bachtel  is the medical director of non-invasive cardiology at Lower Keys Medical Center and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Since 1964, February has been recognized as American Heart Month – a time of year dedicated to increasing awareness about heart health and highlighting steps we can take to create a heart healthy lifestyle..
This year, Lower Keys Medical Center is taking the entire month of February to help people in the community learn ways to reduce their risks with the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge. Participants will receive a daily email with short, informative articles, quick tips, and a daily challenge to promote heart health.
 
“At Lower Keys Medical Center, we are committed to helping people live healthier and, for most of us, there’s no better place to start than taking better care of our hearts,” says David Clay, CEO. “People who join us for this challenge will find the content takes only a couple of minutes to read each day. It is fun, sometimes surprising, always informative, and it can be life-saving. I hope everyone will sign up for the challenge and join us on a 28 day journey to a healthier heart.”
 
The 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge includes 28 challenges that can help participants eat healthier, get up from a sedentary lifestyle, relieve stress and lower blood pressure. To sign-up for the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge, visit https://www.lkmc.com/heart-challenge.
 

The Monroe County Art in Public Places Committee and Florida Keys Council of the Arts has a call to visual artists to become qualified as public artists. The Monroe County Art in Public Places Ordinance mandates that one percent (1%) of new County building construction costing a minimum of $500,000 and renovations costing a minimum of $100,000 be set aside to fund this program. The AIPP Committee reviews and recommends projects to the Board of County Commissioners, and is responsible for the commission and purchase of art. Artists that are approved through this process become eligible for 5 years to apply to all calls including upcoming projects; Key West International Airport Expansion, Monroe County Library Branch renovations and more. 

The application and information are available on the homepage of the Arts Council website, www.keysarts.com. Application requirements include an Artist Statement, current resume, 5 to 10 images of recent artwork application and a cover page. Please see application for further details on how to complete the application. A workshop is available for interested artists to attend this Friday. January 20th at 4:00 pm via Zoom. The Zoom link, application, and more information is available on our website home page. 
​
The deadline for applications is Tuesday; February 7, 2023 at 3:00 pm. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Monroe County Purchasing Department. Artists must meet the criteria in the initial application process to become qualified. Qualified artists will then be eligible to receive the Request for Proposals (RFP’s) issued by Monroe County for 5 years, as well as for the City of Key West’s Public Art Program.

Questions: please call Florida Keys Council of the Arts 305-295-4369 
Image attached: "Justice" by Lothar Speer, located in the Plantation Key Government Center
 

​Ilze Aguila, Planning Commission Supervisor, is named Monroe County’s Employee of the Fourth Quarter for 2022 for exceeding job expectations, noteworthy performance, and her positive impact on her co-workers and community. She started with the County in 2016.
 
Aguila was recognized for learning GIS software to create the maps required for public notice, staff reports, and individual requests. “This skill acquisition exceeds expectations and is an immeasurable asset to the department,” said Cheryl Cioffari, Assistant Director of Planning, who nominated her. “More impressive, Ilze developed this expertise on her own initiative, in addition to her demanding workload.”
 
Going above and beyond in several instances, she also volunteered to learn the process of completing ROGO letters when the department needed assistance.
 
“She shows the ability to be flexible and responsive to changing deadlines, priorities, and individual needs,” said Emily Schemper, director of the department. “For example, a customer requested placement on the agenda for an upcoming meeting after our internal deadlines passed. Ilze revised the public notice, obtained approval from relevant parties, procured the required publication, and updated all related documents. This commitment results in a positive experience for the public.”
 

​Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the Florida Keys 2023 Solar Co-op launch to help Monroe County residents go solar. The co-op will enable Monroe County homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power. The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Monroe County. Co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality with group discounts.
 
After a vendor-neutral competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.
 
“This is all about a renewable energy source. We are the sunshine state after all,” said Rhonda Haag, Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer. “Solar is one way that consumers can build more resilient communities.”
 
The nonprofit hosted 77 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015 and one in the Florida Keys in 2020. According to the group’s estimates, the 2,341 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent more than 698.7 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets. Many Florida Keys residents participated in 2020, including Key West residents Roger and Cindy McVeigh, who now have a system that supports 65 percent of their electricity usage. “Whether you want to learn or pursue a solar investment, this process exceeded all our expectations. We were up and running in just seven months,” they said.
 
SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at the co-op web page at SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Keys.
 
Information meetings:
 

• Monday, Jan. 30, 6-7:30 p.m. Virtual Florida Solar 101 Webinar: Register here
• Tuesday, Jan. 31, 6-7:30 p.m. In-person Florida Keys Co-op Info Session at City of Key West City Hall, 1300 White Street Register here
• Tuesday, February 28, 6-7:30 p.m. Virtual Florida Solar 101 Webinar: Register here

 

In 2022, Monroe County Marine Resources saw a significant increase in migrant and derelict vessel removals in addition to its routine tasks. In 2022, Marine Resources replaced 115 navigational aids, removed 93 derelict vessels, and cleaned up 32,420 pounds of Irma-related shoreline debris from the 2017 storm.
 
Senior Administrator of Marine Resources Brittany Burtner said removing migrant vessels has become a significant environmental and financial burden.
 
“The migrant vessels have pollutants on board in the form of gasoline, diesel, and oil in unapproved containers,” said Burtner. “Since there is a strain on resources, these pollutants can leak into our nearshore waters. I am concerned this can become an environmental emergency.”
 
In 2022, the County received 49 removal authorizations for migrant vessels and spent $62,000 in County funds on these removals, in addition to $22,500 in FWC Derelict Vessel Grant Program funds. For perspective, Marine Resources received in total 150 removal authorizations, of which migrant vessels counted for one-third. In total, the County spent a little over $93,000 on vessel removals for both migrant and derelict vessels, and migrant vessels accounted for more than 67 percent of that total.
 
In 2023, Marine Resources has a task order with FWC grant funding to remove the two large Haitian migrant vessels and two other migrant vessels in John Pennekamp State Park and continues with the already-in-place removal authorizations.

“We routinely have to use County funds to remove the small homemade migrant vessels,” said Burtner. “They can break apart and become scattered marine debris that is virtually impossible to collect well before we can obtain grant funds to remove them.”

Currently, there are an unknown number of migrant and derelict vessels in the Florida Keys. This week, the Florida Division of Emergency Management sent a Derelict Vessel Task Force to the Florida Keys to collect Hurricane Ian-related vessels signed over to the state and migrant vessels that are untitled and unregistered.
“We will continue to work with our partners to remove migrant and derelict vessels to protect our sensitive environment and our boaters on the waterways,” said Burtner.
​
For more information regarding derelict and at-risk vessels, visit MyFWC.com/Boating and click on “Waterway Management” and “Derelict Vessel Removal Program.”