KEY WEST, FL, May 22, 2023— The College of the Florida Keys encourages future and current students to apply for scholarships for the fall 2023 semester by the deadline of June 4. Criteria for scholarships range widely to accommodate and assist a variety of students. Scholarship descriptions and criteria can be viewed on the College’s website at cfk.academicworks.com. There is no limit to the number of scholarships for which a student may apply or be awarded. 
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CFK’s fall semester begins August 18. Students must be registered for fall classes to be eligible for fall scholarships. For more information and guidance about scholarships, contact the CFK Foundation at [email protected] or 305-809-3153. For information about becoming a student, visit CFK.edu/FutureStudents, contact [email protected] or call 305-809-3207.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) will host five “Beat the Heat” events this summer at different locations throughout the Florida Keys. MCFR will be providing a gentle stream of misting water for children of all ages to enjoy in a safe and fun environment. It is a great way to meet your neighborhood firefighters, learn about fire prevention, and cool off from the summer heat. Children are encouraged to wear a bathing suit and water shoes, and bring a water bottle and a towel. Free snow cones will be available for attendees. The events take place on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

• June 3 - Tavernier, Harry Harris Park
• June 10 - Layton Community Baptist Church
• June 24 - Big Pine Key Community Park
• July 1 - Sugarloaf School
• July 8 - Stock Island, Bernstein Park

“We hope parents bring their kids out to enjoy these fun events,” said Monroe County Fire Chief James Callahan. “This is one of the times when the fire truck shows up that it’s a good thing.”
 
For more information, please call Monroe County Fire Rescue at 305-289-6005. These events are subject to cancellation due to inclement or threatening weather.

​KEY WEST, FL – Mayor Craig Cates and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized several staff, community members, and organizations at the Wednesday meeting in Key West. Carlton “Papa” Howard was honored for 25 Years of Service to Monroe County, Dr. Jonathan Gueverra and Frank Dunne were presented honorary Conch certificates, Leadership Monroe received a proclamation for May, and the week of May 14-20 was declared Guidance/Care Center Week and May 15-21 was declared Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
 
Carlton “Papa” Howard: 25 Years of Service
Carlton “Papa” Howard was presented with his 25 Years of Service pin at the May meeting. Howard works in the Parks and Beaches department.
 
Dr. Jonathan Gueverra: Honorary Conch Certificate
Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, president of the College of the Florida Keys, received his honorary Conch certificate at the May Board of County Commissioners meeting. He has been president of the college since 2012. His wife, Josephine, joined him at the presentation.
 
Frank Dunne: Honorary Conch Certificate
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners presented Frank Dunne of Key West with an honorary Conch certificate. Dunne owns Old Town Fitness in Key West since 2010 and volunteers with Monroe County Correctional Facilities every Monday for four years. Being sober for 25 years opened his eyes to how fitness can help people recover or stay away from drugs and alcohol. He has donated gym equipment to the HOB and PAL gyms, works with troubled youth, and donates gym memberships to those needing a life turnaround. He also supports the animal shelter and youth organizations like soccer and hockey. “It is a true honor to have a person like Frank living in Key West and supporting our youth,” said Commissioner Jim Scholl.
 
May 2023 Leadership Monroe County Month: Proclamation
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May as Leadership Monroe County Month in honor of the organization’s 30th anniversary. The non-profit organization has been educating county leaders for 30 years with the long-term goal of developing strong, dedicated leaders working for a sense of community throughout Monroe County.
The organization has had more than 650 community leaders participate. They represent the Florida Keys business community, educational institutions, governmental entities, health care facilities and practices, arts organizations, and other professions.
Leadership Monroe County Board outgoing President Chuck Licis-Masson and a few board members in attendance accepted the honor, including newly elected board members and Monroe County directors Cheryl Sullivan and Cary Knight.
 
May 14-20 Guidance/Care Center Week: Proclamation
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 14-20 as Guidance/Care Center Week. The Guidance/Care Center provides the full array of behavioral health care to the residents of Monroe County, including a 24/7 hotline, mobile crisis response, and community-based services at schools, jails, and the regional juvenile detention facility. Regional Vice President Maureen Dunleavy accepted the proclamation.
The organization also provides residential mental health at The Heron, an assisted living facility for adults struggling with mental illness, an inpatient unit for detox and crisis stabilization, and the Personal Growth Center Clubhouse for adults.
This year the Guidance/Care Center celebrates 50 years of providing comprehensive, integrated community behavioral health services to people of all ages.
 
May 15-21 Law Enforcement Memorial Week: Proclamation
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners declared the week of May 15-21 as Law Enforcement Memorial Week. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay accepted the proclamation.
 
“Law enforcement officers steadfastly provide an extraordinary level of service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under often-difficult and dangerous circumstances,” said Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates. “Many law enforcement officers have made the supreme sacrifice for their communities. We pause every year to honor the memory of these officers and the officers who have lost their lives serving the citizens of Monroe County.”

The City of Key West wants to make tenants and landlords aware that a new bill signed into law in Tallahassee overrides a tenant-protection ordinance passed by the City Commission in August of 2022.

House Bill 1417 supersedes any local government regulation of landlord-tenant relationships.
In August, the City Commission passed an amendment to Section 18-710 of the City’s Code of Ordinances that would require landlords to provide sixty days’ notice before ending a month-to-month rental agreement or increasing rent by more that 5 percent.
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However, the new state law reduces the notice period to between 15 to 30 days.
The commission gave staff direction to start the process of rescinding the moot ordinance. The state law goes into effect on July 1.

​ A group of dedicated Key West High School students graduated this morning from the Key West Fire Department’s Firefighters Academy. Proud families, members of the Key West Fire Department, and City officials were on hand during the ceremony to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of these students who have invested two years of training for their future careers as first responders.

These students earned certifications in Firefighter I, Emergency Medical Responder, and Hazmat Awareness.
Capt. Timothy Anson, who leads the academy, praised the group for the tenacity it requires to finish the academy, noting that they would do their grueling physical training in the early hours before heading off to a full day of high school.

Fire Chief Alan Averette congratulated the students and said he hopes they pursue a career in firefighting and EMS. He pointed out current members of the department as graduates of the academy.
“But whatever career you pursue,” he said, “these skills will always be with you. I look forward to welcome you if you decide to become of part of this department.”

Among the attendees of the graduation ceremony was retired Fire Chief Billy Wardlow, one of the founders of the academy and now a city commissioner.
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The two-year fire academy trains future firefighters while they’re attending their final two years of high school and provides them, upon completion, the equivalent training of a Certified Firefighter I, which puts them halfway through the training required to become a Key West Firefighter.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will explore options to become a charter county in order to pursue alternatives to fund transportation and infrastructure pitfalls that will be forthcoming in the future. The BOCC gave preliminary direction to the County Attorney’s office to draft a proposed charter that will be the subject of future workshops and public hearings. 
 
The Commission took this step to explore revenue options only available to charter counties. The BOCC came to this point after unsuccessfully trying to convince the State Legislature to create a new type of tax to fund sustainability-related expenses due to rising flood waters and other climate-related effects. Unfortunately, without the support of Tallahassee leadership to authorize that new type of tax, the County did not have the option of asking local voters if they would approve that tax. However, the transportation surtax is available under current law for charter counties for a broad range of transportation and transit-related expenditures. As a non-charter county, Monroe County voters would have to approve a charter to take advance of the transportation surtax. Since the transportation surtax is authorized by current law, local voters could approve that tax without the permission of Tallahassee.
 
The transportation surtax would function much like the current one-penny infrastructure sales surtax that has been in place for decades. In 2022, County voters approved extending that tax with over 65 percent approval. Experience has shown that roughly 2/3 of sales taxes collected in the Florida Keys is paid by visitors, so the transportation surtax would be expected to shift the majority of the cost of the transportation and transit improvements from local taxpayers to visitors. 
 
The commissioners said they have absolutely no desire to interfere in the operations of the municipalities in Monroe County and directed County Attorney Bob Shillinger to draft a charter that preserves municipal independence. Charters in other counties allow county rules to preempt city rules, but the BOCC expressed its desire that a Monroe County charter would not do so.  
 
For reference, Monroe County has many active road resiliency projects in progress and projects that will need to be done in the future, as well as bridgework that will need to be completed, other major infrastructure projects, and ongoing maintenance costs of existing infrastructure.
 
Examples
 
1. Roads (active) ($36 million)
a. Sands Subdivision: Current cost ‐ $22 million; available grant $8.1 million
b. Twin Lakes: Current estimate $11 million; grants of $9.4 million
c. Stillwright Point: Old estimate $22 million; design grant of $1.5 million
2. Roads (in the pipeline) ( $44.5 million + $1.07 billion)
a. Conch Key: estimate $8 million; Resilient FL grant $4 million (50%)
b. Winston Waterways: estimated $31 million; Hoping for Resilient Florida $15.5 million
c. Big Coppitt: estimated $50 million; Hoping for Resilient Florida $25 million
d. Remaining roads modeled to need work by 2030 estimated at $1.07B
3. Bridges ($68 million)
a. Sugarloaf: design complete; estimated at $5‐6 million
b. Similar Sound: estimated at $7‐8 million
c. Card Sound: estimated at $54 million by 2030
Other Bridge information to consider: Sammy’s Creek Bridge serves 2 houses, Geiger Key Bridge serves 3 houses, and the No Name Key Bridge serves 42 houses with a replacement likely more than $20 million (it is almost the same length as Card Sound Bridge)
 
Other Major Items ($24-$27 million a year)
1. TraumaStar ($53 million) ($4.5 million/yr thru 2038)
2. Still paying off sewer debts
a. $12 million/yr thru 2025
b. $10.2 million/yr 2026 ‐ 2030
c. $9.4 million/yr 2031 ‐ 2038
3. 2014/16 capital debt through 2026 ($6 million/yr)
4. Seven Mile Bridge commitment ($0.7 million/yr thru 2051)
5. Increasing Insurance ($3‐$5 million)
 
Ongoing costs of operations and maintenance of already existing infrastructure
1. 5% ‐ 6% of initial capital outlay per year (corrected for inflation)
2. Examples
a. Plantation Key Courthouse and Jail ‐ $1.8 million/year
b. Emergency Operations Center (starting FY25) ‐ $1.8 million/year
c. Pumps on road projects will incur utility bills and maintenance costs
d. In 2011, it was estimated that regular road replacement on a 20-year cycle would require $4 million/yr. In 2022 dollars, it is closer to $7.8 million/yr (using NHCCI from USDOT)

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission, during this week’s commission meeting, proclaimed the week of May 21st through the 27th as National Emergency Medical Services Week.

The official theme for the 2023 National Emergency Medical Services Week is “Where Emergency Care Begins.”
“Emergency medical services provide vital lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” reads the proclamation, “dramatically improving the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.”

The designation is a way of reaching out and thanking all of those first responders who ensure that the community has the best and fastest medical emergency response possible each and every day.

“The members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills,” reads the proclamation. “It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week.”

EMS Division Chief Keith Hernandez -- with his children Lily and Vera – accepted the proclamation.

“In 2015 we answered the call for an EMS Division,” he said, referring to the date eight years ago that the service went from a private provider to an in-house emergency medical service.

“We’re serving with a Class 1 Fire Department, and we much appreciate the support of our community,” he said. “We will continue providing the best service to the island.”
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Laura Riley, Director of Emergency Services at the Lower Keys Medical Center, announced that the hospital will be providing a thank-you luncheon next week for emergency services crews.

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West Commission, during Tuesday’s regular meeting, proclaimed this week as National Mental Health Awareness Month.

“The City of Key West takes great pride in recognizing agencies who strive to better the lives of our residents through continuous dedication and commitment,” reads the proclamation.

The Guidance/Care Center provides the full continuum of behavioral health care to the residents of the City of Key West including a 24/7 hotline to mobile crisis response as well as community-based services at schools, jails, and the regional juvenile detention facility.

The organization provides residential mental health at The Heron, an assisted living facility for adults struggling with mental illness, an inpatient unit for detox and crisis stabilization and the Personal Growth Center Clubhouse for adults.

This year the Guidance/Care Center celebrates 50 years of providing comprehensive, integrated community behavioral health services to people of all ages.

“The Guidance/Care Center has helped thousands of Florida Keys residents with mental health and substance use issues,” reads the proclamation, “by helping people cope and change, by maintaining their family structure, by assisting them in obtaining housing and by helping residents find ways to contribute to the benefit of our community.”
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“We love what we do for this community,” said Regional Vice President Maureen Dunleavy. “Mental health and substance abuse treatment have never been more important. Thank you for this honor and recognizing our 50th anniversary.”

KEY WEST, FL – Key West resident and well-known writer Judy Blume was presented with an honorary Conch certificate at today’s Monroe County Board of County Commissioners meeting in Key West. Mayor Pro Tem Holly Raschein and Commissioner Michelle Lincoln were honored to be in her presence at the meeting growing up on her stories like “Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing,” “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” as well as her 29 other books, which many are New York Times best sellers.
 
Blume has championed freedom for many banned books by working with the National Coalition Against Censorship, which fights to keep banned books on shelves. She has received many awards for her defense of free speech and battles against censorship.
 
In Key West, she serves on the board of the Key West Literary Seminar and is an advisor for the board of the Key West Author’s Guild. In 2016, she and her husband, George Cooper, founded the independent nonprofit Books & Books at the Studios of Key West. She works several days at the shop, and after 50 years of writing, she enjoys meeting and talking to many readers and showing them some of her favorite authors. Her husband, George, also received an honorary Conch certificate many years ago for founding the nonprofit Tropic Cinema in Key West.