GOV. RON DESANTIS SIGNS FY24 BUDGET THAT INCLUDES MONROE COUNTY FUNDING FOR CRITICAL PROJECTS6/19/2023 MONROE COUNTY, FL – Yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2024 State budget, including the full $20 million Florida Keys Stewardship Act and $5 million for land acquisition appropriation. In addition, the State funded $6.25 million for the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center being built at Marathon airport, $650,000 for the mobile vessel pump-out program, $1.6 million for mooring field development, and $10 million for a new Florida Keys artificial reef program. The State’s budget for resilience funding includes five top-ranked Florida Keys projects for road elevations and living shorelines. The budget also provides significant funding for programs that indirectly affect Monroe County, including Everglades restoration, Florida Forever, and affordable housing. “This is record funding from the Governor and delegation for protecting the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “This included a lot of work put in by our Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson and her team in Tallahassee as well as Rep. Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez. None of this would have been possible without their support.” Mayor Craig Cates is especially appreciative of the vessel pump-out and mooring field funding that helps protect the Florida Keys marine environment. “I am so pleased the Governor included critical funding for Monroe County in his budget,” said Cates. “This budget shows us the State is invested in our economic stability and the future of the Florida Keys.” The State Legislature enacted the Florida Keys Stewardship Act in 2016. This one-of-a-kind legislation acknowledges the importance of protecting the Florida Keys’ unique and fragile resources, including its coral reef, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Monroe County has secured $90 million in water quality funding since the passage of the Act, and Florida Keys communities use the funding to implement water quality projects to protect these resources.
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The Key West Mermaid Festival is making waves again in July! Founder and Key West native, Mermaid Kristi Ann along with her mermaid pod are over the waves excited to bring the mermaid magic back to the island! And for the first time this year – volunteer Mommy and Me pod!
With four days of fintastic events, most geared toward all ages, it is packed with so many fun and mervelous things to do. From "Mermaid Meet & Greets,” "Sailing with the Mermaids,” a family friendly sunset sail on the Argo Navis, a Splash Peek at the mermaid documentary Land Of Mermaids, and “Donuts with Ariel and Prince Eric!" And there’s more - "Red White Blue, and Mermaids too", a 4th of July Mer~Beach Party that will be filmed for singer songwriter Kahra & Bryant August’s new video, Mermaid Holiday. Also, Mermaid vendors, entertainment, boat loads of ocean awareness, dancing under the stars by the sea, and much more! For event details, visit Schedule Of Events 2023 | KeyWestMermaidFest (keywestmermaidfestival.com) The Key West Mermaid Festival is a G-rated island family-friendly event. All mermaids and mermen, young and young-at-heart and even landlubbers from here or from across the seven seas are invited to ride the waves into the 4th Annual Key West Mermaid Festival! We welcome positive vibes, smiling faces, and everyone who Always Keep Swimming Towards their Dreams. Social media Instagram ~ Key West Mermaid Festival Facebook ~ Key West Mermaid Festival 2023 Key West Mermaid Festival dates officially announced (uncoveringflorida.com) For an interview with our founder please email us at kwmermaidfest@gmail.com or call at (305)304-1988 Poster attached. We can provide media with still ads or more images if needed that are current to our brand. If you prefer to surf for photos, please feel free to take images from our site, as they are the most recently updated. Mermaste! The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is accepting letters of interest for several openings on the Cultural Umbrella Committee of the Tourist Development Council. The TDC District for the TDC District 4 (IV), the appointee must live between the Long Key Bridge and mile marker 90.939. The committee member serves a three-year term beginning on October 1st. The sitting committee member for the district has stepped down. The Cultural Umbrella Committee is composed of five persons representing the 5 TDC districts of the Florida Keys and is administered by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. The committee works with the TDC’s advertising and public relations agencies to promote the Keys as an arts and cultural destination and makes recommendations for the funding of promoting cultural events. To be eligible to serve on the Committee of the Cultural Umbrella, a person must: 1. Currently reside in the Tourist Development Committee District to which appointed for a minimum of two years. (Boundaries described above). 2. Have demonstrated significant support and advocacy for art and culture or work as an artist (visual, performing, literary, historic). 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the prime importance of art and culture to the economy and to the quality of life of Monroe County citizens and guests. 4. Receive no income in an administrative capacity from an entity or individual that was awarded Cultural Umbrella event funding in the past fiscal year or that applies in the current year. Persons wishing to be considered may send a letter of interest and brief bio by July 17, 2023, to Elizabeth Young, Executive Director, Florida Keys Council of the Arts, by email to: director@keysarts.com or by mail to 1100 Simonton Street, Suite #2-263, Key West, Fl. 33040 The Florida Keys Council of the Arts, in conjunction with the Key West Writers Guild, is pleased to announce that Mary Lou Condike has garnered this year's writing award for her manuscript, “The Doll from Dunedin”. Mary Lou specializes in taking historic cold cases from public and police files, devising a solution with “What if…” scenarios, and then imagining solutions.
This year marks the twentieth annual award which is supported by an endowment under the administration of the Arts Council. Past winners include: C.J. Geotis, Kristina Neihouse, Dale Dapkins, Lisa Mahoney, Joanna Brady Schmida, Richard DeGrasse, Harry Schroeder, the late Elizabeth Warner, Eddie Goldstein, Rusty Hodgdon, and Janette Stone. Mary Lou attended Massachusetts public schools, graduated from Worcester State University (BS Mathematic) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MBA). Before retiring, she was a computer programmer, a systems analyst, manufacturing operations manager, and a small business owner. After retirement, she completed the Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path in Dallas 2019. Her stories are published in Strange & Sweet, Stories from the Granbury Writers’ Bloc, 2019. Her story “A Cowgirl Farewell” won 1st Place in the 15th Annual Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards, Mystery/Crime Category, 2019. Recently, “A Cowgirl Returns” was published in the Sisters in Crime North Dallas anthology, Malice in Dallas in 2022. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Key West Writers Guild, and the Granbury Writer’s Bloc. The manuscript was anonymously reviewed in a competitive field of submittals and selected by three distinguished judges: Susann D’Antonio of Big Pine Key is an accomplished artist, Chair of the Monroe County Art in Public Places Committee, a Board Advisor to the Arts Council, a member of Florida Association of Pubic Art Professionals, owner of Framing in Paradise, and Independent Title Abstractor; Richard Ericson of Key West is a professional theater director and producer with special expertise in Shakespeare and American musicals. Formerly, he was a producing artistic director, commercial theater and tour producer, and university-level teacher; Juliet Gray is a creative producer, performer, and writer, is the Chief Creative Officer of The Performing Arts Project, which she co-founded more than 10 years ago alongside Broadway, television, and film professionals in order to provide vibrant theatrical training to the next generation of performers. Juliet has also written more than 1,000 articles for various national publications and a travel book on the Florida Keys published by Rowman & Littlefield. Local writers with works in progress are encouraged to apply for the 2024 award of $2000. To qualify, one must be a resident of Monroe County, a member of the Key West Writers Guild, and working on either a novel or a work of non-fiction. Applicants must read from their work at two meetings of the Key West Writers Guild. Membership is paid annually, and meetings are held at 9:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. For more information – please visit the Arts Council website www.keysarts.com MONROE COUNTY, FL – For the third year, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved Key West International Airport’s sponsorship of five Independence Day fireworks displays throughout the Florida Keys.
“I am pleased Key West International Airport was able to work with the mayor and the commissioners to bring fireworks to the community again,” said Monroe County Executive Director of Airports Richard Strickland. Funds come from the airport’s enterprise revenue fund, comprised of passenger user fees explicitly earmarked for promotional activities. “The airport is a great community partner for sponsoring these patriotic events throughout the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates. County airport-sponsored Independence Day events include: Key West Since 1976, the Rotary Club of Key West has presented the Key West’s annual fireworks show. Staged from the Edward B. Knight Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where White Street meets Atlantic Avenue, fireworks begin at 9 p.m on July 4. For information, visit keywestrotary.com. Monroe County-owned Higgs Beach is a great place to watch the display. Big Pine Key The Lower Keys Rotary Club will host Independence Day festivities starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 3, at Monroe County-owned Big Pine Community Park, mile marker 31. There will be vendors, food, beverages, games, family activities, and entertainment. Fireworks will begin at about 9 p.m. Admission is free. No coolers, pets, or personal fireworks are allowed. Celebrating Monroe County’s 200-year anniversary, the fireworks display will last 15 minutes longer and include a laser light show. The County Commissioners will also attempt to make the world’s largest key lime pie at 13.14 feet at the event, which will be shared with attendees afterward. Visit facebook.com/LowerKeysRotary for more information. Marathon A full day of beachside activities begins with a patriotic parade starting at 11 a.m. from Marathon High School to Sombrero Beach and fireworks starting at approximately 9 p.m. hosted by the City of Marathon and the Rotary Club of Marathon. US1 Radio 104.1 will play patriotic music along with the fireworks display. Boaters are encouraged to watch from the beach or even offshore of Sombrero Beach. Admission is free. Visit floridakeysmarathon.com for more information. Monroe County operates the Florida Keys Marathon Airport in Marathon. Islamorada The Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Village of Islamorada will co-host the Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park, mile marker 87, starting at 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Admission is free. Visit Islamorada.fl.us for more information. Key Largo The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce will host its annual July 4 parade starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at mile marker 98.2 in front of Anthony’s Clothing Store. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the annual bayfront Blackwater Sound fireworks celebration will take place. The fireworks can be viewed at several businesses located on the Bay. Additionally, Monroe County-owned Rowell’s Waterfront Park, mile marker 104.5, is open for the community to watch the fireworks (parking is limited). Visit web.keylargochamber.org/events for more details. **Monroe County Fire Rescue reminds residents and visitors to leave fireworks to the professionals. The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its upcoming General Membership Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The event will be held at the prestigious Opal Key Resort and Marina, located at 245 Front Street in the heart of Key West.
The highlight of the meeting will be a keynote address by Dave Sobush, CEcD Director of Research at the Florida Chamber Foundation. Mr. Sobush will share key metrics and insights from two vital resources: thefloridascorecard.org and floridagapmap.com. These platforms provide valuable information and data that demonstrate the progress made towards achieving the goals outlined in the Florida 2030 Blueprint. As a respected expert in economic research and analysis, Mr. Sobush will shed light on the latest trends and advancements impacting the state's economic landscape. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into Florida's economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and more. The General Membership Meeting offers an exceptional opportunity for chamber members and local business leaders to gather, network, and exchange ideas. It will serve as a platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities faced by the business community in Key West and the wider Florida region. "We are delighted to welcome Dave Sobush as our guest speaker for this highly anticipated event," said Robert Goltz, Executive Vice President. "His expertise and knowledge will provide our members with valuable information to help them navigate and succeed in today's dynamic business environment." The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce actively supports and promotes the interests of local businesses, fostering a prosperous economic climate in the Key West area. By hosting events like the General Membership Meeting, the Chamber aims to facilitate collaboration, foster growth, and provide valuable resources to its members. The General Membership Meeting is open to all chamber members. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance to secure their spot, as seating is limited. For further information about the event or membership inquiries, please contact Kerry Baker at (305) 294-2587. Long-serving City Clerk Cheri Smith was lauded by friends, family, and colleagues at the June City Commission meeting. Smith is retiring after 30 years with the City of Key West, and this was her final meeting to preside over as Clerk.
Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission started the recognitions by proclaiming July 5th as Cheri Smith Day. The proclamation recognizes her professionalism, humor, and patience during three decades in which she “brought the City Clerk’s office into the 21st Century – digitizing documents, presiding over domestic partnerships, recording legislative actions, retaining millions of public records, and reading more ‘Whereas’ statements aloud for benefit of the public and the City Commission than anyone in recent memory.” “It’s difficult to put into words just how much this moment means to me,” said Smith. “After 30 years of dedicated service, I am finally ready to take on my next journey.” She gave a special thank you to the members of the commission who were seated in 1999, and thanked Commissioner Jimmy Weekley for recommending her to the commission to fill the seat when Miss Josephine Parker passed away. “I am the luckiest girl in the room,” she said, “as I have had a front row seat watching our elected officials make the legislative decisions that have shaped Key West as it is today. I want to thank the late City Manager Julio Avael for encouraging me to apply for the City Clerk position. Also, my mentor [retiring City Manager] Patti McLaughlin.” Mayor Johnston then presented Smith with a plaque in honor of her 30 years of service. Finally, the honors were topped off with a resolution naming Smith City Clerk Emeritus. The resolution states “That it shall be the duty of the City Clerk Emeritus to serve as an advocate and ambassador for the City of Key West in perpetuity.” In fact, Smith has served as a fine ambassador to the City throughout her tenure. She volunteers in the community -- behind the scenes and on the front line -- at events such as the Holiday Parade, Children’s Day, City picnics, and Fantasy Fest. Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission honored Dr. Jonathan C. Carey, who recently received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 5,000 hours of service to the United States of America through community development and emergency services.
Dr. Carey is a minister, author, certified life coach, an Assemblies of God USA commissioned chaplain, and the lead pastor of Glad Tidings Tabernacle in Key West. He has served as chair for the faith based juvenile justice program for Monroe County, served as disaster response chaplain throughout the country on a volunteer basis, and served as a volunteer counselor during the aftermath of the George Floyd killing. Dr. Carey taught crisis and trauma care for debriefing purposes. He has volunteered as a worker during rebuilds after storms, developed a food assistance program and served in it, and served as a counselor on Native American reservations. He has also served as a member of Key West Cares, and as a junior league baseball, football, and soccer coach. The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award was initially established by President George W. Bush as the President’s Volunteer Service Award. It has become the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and is the most prestigious national recognition of extraordinary service. “It an honor to live in the greatest city in the greatest nation and to add value to the greatest people on the earth,” he told the commission as he accepted the award with his wife Shena. Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission, in recognition of his 100th birthday, have proclaimed June 15th Frank Toppino Day.
Mr. Frank, as many of his friends call him, was born on June 15, 1923 in Winter Park, Florida to Charley and Orsolina Toppino. Charley Toppino and Sons was established in the 1920s and moved to Homestead in 1933. As a teenager, Frank worked his first job driving trucks from Homestead down to Marathon, delivering potable water to contractors building bridges over the overseas railroad via ducts after the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 washed away the tracks. By the 1940s, the family and business relocated to Key West. Mr. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941 and spent 15 months in China. He was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1945. Back in Key West he married Betty Rose in 1947 and they had three children, Daniel, Ramona and Richard. Mr. Frank has been an active and generous member of the community. He has as a member of the Florida Keys Educational Foundation, Mel Fisher Museum, Military Affairs Committee, Monroe County Contractors Association, and the Sunrise Rotary. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Florida Keys Community College, served as President of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, and was appointed to the Key West Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in 1991 by former Mayor Dennis Wardlow and has served continuously for 32 years. His service and generosity have been acknowledged by many awards and recognitions. Mr. Frank was the 1993 Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award recipient and he won the Florence Spottswood Humanitarian of the Year Award. The Frank P. Toppino Poinciana Gardens Senior Living Complex was dedicated in honor of him in recognition of his outstanding dedicated service providing for the housing needs of the community. This 100th milestone was celebrated during the June 8th City Commission meeting where he was greeted with a standing ovation and a chocolate cake. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is hosting three Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Modeling Public Workshops to provide information and receive public input on updated hurricane evacuation modeling.
Hurricane evacuation modeling is based on population data from the U.S. Census and simulates how efficiently the current population can evacuate the area before a disaster event. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s 2012 Memorandum of Understanding with Florida Keys communities was informed by hurricane evacuation modeling and 2010 census data and established residential building permit allocations through 2023. Updated hurricane evacuation modeling and 2020 Census data will inform the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding. Workshops will be held at the following times and locations. All Keys residents are welcome to attend. Key West • Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 • Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Location: Harvey Government Center - 2nd Floor, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL 33040 Marathon • Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 • Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Location: Marathon Government Center - 2nd Floor, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 Key Largo • Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 • Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Location: Murray E. Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 To learn more, visit the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Modeling webpage. |
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