​In August, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners prohibited smoking within all County-owned public parks and public beaches.
 
The new ordinance reads: (a) It shall be prohibited for any person in or on any County-owned public park or public beach to smoke, burn, ignite, inhale, exhale, or possess any cigarette, pipe, or other lighted tobacco product other than an unfiltered cigar. (b) Any person who violates subsection (a) commits a noncriminal violation, punishable by a fine of not more than $100 for the first violation and not more than $500 for each subsequent violation.
 
The United States Department of Health and Human Services has found that tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, and an estimated two-thirds of cigarette butts are discarded as litter.
 
The State of Florida recently granted counties and municipalities the legal authority to restrict smoking within the boundaries of the county and municipal-owned public beaches and public parks, with an exception for unfiltered cigars. Before July 2022, counties and cities could not restrict smoking at parks and beaches.
 
Monroe County-owned parks and beaches can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/parks. 

​The Monroe County Building Department has set a go-live date for its new all-online permitting system on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. New permit applications starting on Oct. 3 will only be accepted using this online service. No paper applications or document submissions will be accepted. Permit applications and issued permits processed before Oct. 3 will remain in paper format and continue processing in paper format in the Building Department.
 
“We have been working on this development since mid-2021 and are excited to bring it to the public,” said Monroe County Permitting Administrative Director Ed Koconis. “This will allow the entire permitting process to move more quickly, and we are confident the new system will bring much-needed improvements.”
 
The Online Permitting Services website is www.monroecounty-fl.gov/onlinepermitting. Information related to the new permitting system includes instructional videos on registering an account, applying for a permit, and a walkthrough for applicants to see the application process from start to finish. The webpage will continue to have additional information posted as it becomes available. Account registration will be available starting Sept. 26.
 
THINGS TO KNOW:
 
Contractors who employ agents who submit permit applications on their behalf MUST submit the Agent Authorization Form, regardless of whether they have previously supplied this document to the staff.  Submit the authorization form to [email protected].
 
Architects, engineers, and private providers MUST obtain a digital signature from a digital certificate provider for submitted drawings. Digital certificates are used to digitally sign and seal documents submitted, must adhere to the Florida Administrative Code and Florida Statutes, and must also be of a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) assurance level of three or higher. Certificate authorities accepted include Identrust, Global Sign, and Digitrust. Additional certificate authorities may be recognized in the future. NOTE: All licensed professionals will be responsible for verifying that the digital signatures purchased adhere to the requirements of the State of Florida and are utilized following the guidelines of their respective licensing boards.
 
Anyone who will submit a permit application MUST complete the user account registration process. Additionally, any person who will be affiliated with a permit, such as architects, engineers, and administrative staff for a contractor/qualifier, private provider, or for a homeowner for which a permit application is submitted, should register to take full advantage of the application access and other permit searching features. Registration and instructions will be available on Sept. 26 on the website.
 
For additional information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/onlinepermitting or email [email protected].
 

​Lower Keys Medical Center is offering free monthly classes. 
 
Breastfeeding and Lactation Education will be provided in a two-hour introductory class held from 10 am - 12 noon on October 15, November 19, and December 10. 
 
Joint Replacement Seminars will be provided in a one-hour format from 12 noon to 1 pm on September 28, October 26, and November 23. 
 
Registration and information is available at https://www.lkmc.com/classes-events-programs. 
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​A new toll rate on Card Sound Road will be effective on Oct. 1, 2022. The toll adjustment is following the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
 
Sunpass

• $1.74 for two-axle vehicles: cars, pickup trucks, or motorcycles
• $3.42 for three-axles
• $1.14 per each additional axle

 
Toll-By-Plate

• $2.61 for two-axle vehicles: cars, pickup trucks, or motorcycles
• $5.13 for three-axles
• $1.71 per each additional axle

 
The toll is completely electronic using Toll-By-Plate, SunPass, or another highway pass like E-Pass or EZ-Pass. No cash is accepted at the toll. The toll helps fund maintenance costs of the road and future repair and replacement of the five bridges along Card Sound Road.
 
Two discount programs are available for drivers with a two-axle vehicle and a good-standing SunPass account.
 

• Monthly Discount Program: Drivers do not need to sign up for the monthly discount program and will automatically receive a 40 percent rebate on their SunPass account after any calendar month that 28 or more one-way trips are made through the toll.
• Annual Pass: The annual pass is for frequent users and allows for unlimited trips through the toll. The fee is $420 annually and runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023. The annual pass will be available for purchase in December 2022 and January 2023. Additional annual pass program details will be released later this year.

 
For more information on the toll and discount programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/cardsoundtoll. 

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commissioners honored one of our local heroes by proclaiming October 1st Roosevelt Sands, Jr. Day.

Mr. Sands was born in Key West in 1930 into a respected family of community leaders, who have over generations advocated for civil rights, housing, healthcare and employment opportunities for African Americans and the Bahama Village community.

Throughout his life he has continued that honorable tradition. He served during the Korean Conflict and for many years after as a Sergeant in the Army Reserves. In fact, at the age of 91, he is still known to many as Sarge.
Mr. Sands worked as an occupational specialist at Key West High School for more than 20 years.  Over his decades of public service, he has mentored countless youth, shared his wealth of Key West history, and served the City as a member of the District VI historic naming committee.

In addition, he served on the Key West Housing Authority Board from 1970 to 2022, as a champion for safe, affordable and essential public housing.

With the example of Mr. Sands and the Sands family, several generations of Conchs have grown to become educators and legislators, striving to make the world a safer and more just place.
​
“Thank each and every one of you for helping me grow and defend this wonderful city of ours,” said Mr. Sands. “I only hope that I have done something for someone to say ‘I hope my son’ or ‘I hope my daughter will be just like him.’ Thank you so much, Key West. I love you.”

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commissioners have proclaimed September 17th as National Cleanup Day.

“National Cleanup Day recognizes the need to protect the health and beauty of our city as well as our nation,” reads the proclamation. “The City of Key West takes great pride in its environment and supports a clean, safe community, now and in the future.”

The cleanup joins together the community, the City, and non-profit organizations for a cleaner environment, which promotes positive community values, property values, and the economic vitality of Key West and the Florida Keys.
Julie Brown, a member of the Mayor’s Beautification Committee, accepted the proclamation. She noted that there will be several locations around the island where groups can gather at 9 a.m. to help keep Key West beautiful. The cleanup will be followed by a picnic, she said.

“It’s a good way to get to know your neighbors,” she said. “Please join us on that day.
​
For more information, and to sign up, contact Brown at [email protected] or at 305-797-3385.

​Five years after Hurricane Irma, Monroe County Mayor David Rice, Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi, and Monroe County Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner joined the Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and other state and local officials at a press conference today at Marathon airport. Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates and Commissioners Michelle Coldiron, Holly Merrill Raschein, and Jim Scholl were also in attendance.
 
Hurricane Irma ravaged the Florida Keys chain on Sept. 10, 2017, as a category 4 storm. The press conference focused on the importance of preparedness and heeding official warnings for evacuation.
 
Other speakers included Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Colonel Gene Spaulding, Florida FWC’s Colonel Alfredo Escanio and Captain David Dipre, Representative Jim Mooney, Sheriff Rick Ramsay, City of Marathon Mayor John Bartus, National Hurricane Center Acting Director Jamie Rhome, and National Weather Service Key West Meteorologist Chip Kasper.
 
In addition to the official speakers, 12-year-old Sugarloaf School student David Criado told his Hurricane Irma evacuation story and suggested all children make a go bag for an evacuation. In his go bag, he has flashlights, a portable charger, and Uno, among other things. He is the son of Monroe County Building Department Customer Service Representative Erika Nodal.
 
The press conference can be viewed on The Florida Channel at https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/9-9-22-press-conference-on-the-5th-anniversary-of-hurricane-irma/.
 
To learn more preparedness and evacuation tips, visit www.floridadisaster.org/know and www.monroecountyem.com.
 

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission on Wednesday commended the Little Conch Baseball 14U All Stars for earning the honor of claiming the 2022 Babe Ruth South State Tournament Championship, where they advanced to the 2022 Southeast Regional Tournament in Tallahassee.

The commendation noted that the stands were filled all season with youth baseball supporters.
​
The commendation shouted out to Coach Ray Garcia and his assistants for finding “great success throughout the season and are expected to continue the Conch legacy of excellence into high school and beyond. These young athletes exemplify what can be done by working hard together with a common goal of continuous improvement.”

​Extraordinary artists, colorful creators, sashayers, strollers, and rollers – it’s time to fill out and submit your 2022 Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade entry forms and prepare to put your playful genius on display in this year’s “Cult Classics & Cartoon Chaos!” themed moving party down Duval Street, set to take place Saturday, October 29, in Key West, Florida.
 
The world-famous parade is open to entries large and small, from fabulous floats, wild walking groups, bicycle brigades, and even human-powered kinetic machines that entertain tens of thousands of spectators in this premier Fantasy Fest event. Cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded in numerous categories, including “Interpretation of Theme,” “Best in Entertainment,” “Best in Costume,” “Best Walking Group,” “Best Bike,” and more. Entry fees are discounted for Monroe County residents through September 23; final deadline to apply is October 14.
 
Fantasy Fest 2022 is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For complete information and to fill out a Parade application form, visit www.FantasyFest.com/Parade.

Key West City Manager Patti McLauchlin, during this week’s commission meeting recognized Saint Fort Hyppolite for his 20 years of service to the City of Key West.

Known by his coworkers as Hyppo, he started as a maintenance worker and later promoted to maintenance technician.

“Hyppo has made a tremendous difference while working for many years in the cemetery,” said McLauchlin. “His contribution to the cemetery has been fantastic and has kept the cemetery looking good. He will get a job done that should take a day in a couple of hours and ask what to do next, always with a big smile on his face. Hyppo is an outstanding employee and is a great value to the City of Key West.”

McLauchlin presented Hyppo with a gold watch and a challenge coin commemorating his 20 years of dedicated service.