On Dec. 2, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) unveiled the county photos featured in their 2022 – 2023 annual calendar: Keep Calm & Love Water. Monroe County was selected as July 2023. The photo was taken by Michael Schilling and is of Long Key, an island in Dry Tortugas National Park. The island is home to the only nesting colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the continental United States.
Every year FAC opens a contest to all of Florida’s 67 counties to be one of the fifteen featured in their annual calendar. More than 500 photos were submitted from 52 Florida counties. The calendar is sent to all members of the FAC. “We are very excited to be featured this year in the calendar,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln. “Monroe County hasn’t been featured in a few years, and with this year’s theme being water related, we knew we would have a good chance to show off one of our best assets.” Chosen photos from other counties can be seen at https://www.fl-counties.com/2022-2023-fac-calendar-counties/.
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This weekend Mayor Teri Johnston and an amazing group of volunteers joined the American Red Cross to help install smoke alarms.
“Thank you so much for joining us on Saturday morning to help make neighborhood homes and families safer,” Red Cross Executive Director Debbie Koch wrote in an email to the mayor. “Thanks to you and our fellow volunteers, we installed 98 smoke alarms in 68 homes.” City officials were honored today to attend the ceremony awarding the Purple Heart to the family of William Weech, who gave the ultimate sacrifice during his service in the United States Coast Guard.
The ceremony was held at American Legion Post 168. The medal was presented to Ms. Millie Weech and her brother Antonio Weech by USCG Sector Key West Commander Capt. Jason Ingram and USCG Sector Key West Command Master Chief Matthew Jordan. William Weech was born in Key West in 1887 and enlisted in the Coast Guard at the age of 17. He was promoted to Wardroom Steward and in 1912 was transferred to the USCGC TAMPA. Capt. Ingram told the Weech family – including those attending virtually from New York, that the honor was long overdue. He noted, during his remarks, noted that Mr. Weech enlisted ten times. On September 26, 1918, having just detach from her 19th convoy, the TAMPA was torpedoed by a German submarine as she was returning to a Welsh port. The TAMPA was one of six Coast Guard cutters assigned to convoy duty in European waters during WWI. She escorted 18 convoys, losing only two ships and earning a special commendation for exemplary service. The cutter sank in just three minutes and 134 men lost their lives, 111 Coastguardsmen and four Navymen. Capt. Ingram said that this was the single largest loss of life in Coast Guard history. Ms. Millie Weech addressed the attendees, thanking them for honoring Mr. Weech and thanking all those who serve to protect. On Dec. 6, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Monore County Emergency Management Senior Planner for Radiological Emergency Preparedness Mary Napoli joined Ocean Reef Public Safety Director Juan Perez and Fire Chief John Flynn to visit Florida Power and Light’s Turkey Point, the nuclear power plant, located in South Miami. The commissioners learned about plant safety, security, and hurricane preparedness at the plant.
To learn more about Turkey Point, visit www.monroecountyem.com/turkeypoint. The City of Key West is grateful to the Key West Chamber of Commerce for the extraordinary opportunity to recognize City employees for their dedication. During the Chamber’s luncheon on December 14th, four people were recognized for their service to the community.
Public Works Foreman Oscar Ladino was named City Employee of the Year, an award sponsored by the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. City Manager Patti McLauchlin introduced the award, pointing out that Ladino is largely responsible for all of Duval Street and just about every event that happens in the city, “In a year where we were short-staffed and asking everyone to do more with less, Oscar has risen to the challenge,” said McLauchlin. “With more and bigger events being thrown at him he has managed to make the process seamless to organizers and City staff alike. Oscar is an incredible asset to the Community Services Department and the City of Key West. His value as an employee cannot be overstated. We are extremely lucky to have had Oscar here for over 20 years.” Capt. David Zarate was named Firefighter of the Year, an award sponsored by Keys Federal Credit Union. Capt. Zarate has been with the Key West Fire Department since 2003, and Emergency Manager Capt. Gregory Barroso noted that he has a passion for training his fellow firefighters and passing on the knowledge he’s gained. “David has stepped up at every opportunity to act capably above his class as ommander in the absence of his supervisor,” said Capt. Barroso. “Most recently, during Hurricane Ian, David displayed extraordinary initiative while actively responding to the fire at 3201 Flagler Ave. That night, during intense weather conditions from the storm, acting-Commander David responded and directed over 25 men and women to control the fire. David’s leadership and effective response saved lives and other structures in the surrounding area.” Key West Police Officer Andrea Bernatova was named Police Officer of the Year, an honor sponsored by Opal Key Resort and Marina. Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg noted in his introduction, that she speaks three languages, holds a Master’s Degree in economics, and sponsored her own attendance to the police academy. Many new officers garner sponsorship from local law enforcement, who pay a salary and for tuition. Officer Bernatova was determined. She is, he said, the kind of officer who he hopes to see in future leadership roles in the department. “On her very first call,” said Chief Brandenburg, “she responded to a local hotel for a man having a medical emergency. She saved that man’s life, earning the Key West Police Department Life Saving Award. She is a well-rounded officer who frequently receives letters of recognition from the community for her compassion during calls to service. We are very lucky to have her on our team.” The Chamber also recognized City Manager Executive Assistant Dorian Patton with their Key West Star Award for his selfless volunteer service to the community and local businesses. Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission have proclaimed December 11th as Bicycle Action Committee Day in honor of the efforts of that organization.
According to the 2020 census, over 14 percent of the commuters who live in Key West travel to work by bike. That’s 24 times the national average. However, statistics show that cyclists are disproportionally affected by roadway collisions. Richard A Cahlin, founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Bicycle Action Committee “have shown significant leadership across the State of Florida advocating for bicycle safety, and the Bicycle Action Committee has provided generous support in the funding, design, and production of jerseys to improve awareness and safety of bicyclists in Key West,” reads the proclamation. Cahlin and the City’s Multimodal Transportation Coordinator Ryan Stachurski accepted the proclamation. The committee, said Cahlin, works with participating cities, raising funds from the private sector to create the high visibility jerseys. “We want them to slow down, yield, and create a safe space for cyclists,” he said, noting that proceeds from the jerseys goes right back into the community to fund its bike initiatives. With the holiday shopping season, Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg wants to remind the community that there are some simple precautions that can keep you from becoming a victim of crime. Whether you’re out and about or shopping online, the following reminders may help keep your holidays happy.
If you decide to purchase online from a local market like Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace, consider using the Key West Police Department lobby for the exchange of goods and money. Located at 1604 North Roosevelt Blvd, it’s open 24/7, there are cameras at all times, it’s well lit, and it keeps your home address unknown to a stranger. This season also sees an increase in porch theft. If you order online for home delivery, try to arrange to have someone pick up the package, or have it delivered where you know you can receive it. When shopping, always try to put packages in the trunk or hidden so they are not obvious to ill-intending criminals. And don’t give them a chance, lock your car doors and keep the windows up when you leave it. Finally, scammers seem to enjoy the festive season, so be wary. Don’t share personal or financial information over an unsecured network. Be leery of communications that offer amazing deals that sound too good to be true or implore you to act immediately. Be cautious of links that are provided in emails, tweets posts and online advertising. The Key West Police Department wants everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season! The Card Sound Toll Annual Pass is available for purchase at the Computer Training Room at Ocean Reef on Tuesdays through Thursdays and at the Monroe County Public Work Building, Engineering Office, 300 Magnolia St., Key Largo on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual pass allows unlimited trips for the registered two-axle vehicle through the toll plaza with a Sunpass account. The pass can be used from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023, and the cost for the 2023 calendar year is $420, payable by check or credit/debit card. Credit cards will include a $7.50 convenience fee. More information on the Card Sound Toll discount programs and the Card Sound Toll Annual Pass application can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/cardsoundtoll. For questions, call or email the Card Sound Toll Manager, Olympia Newton, at newton-olympia@monroecounty-fl.gov or 305-853-7359. The City of Key West wants to remind residents aware that they cannot block off parts of the public right-of-way for private parking. Now that season is getting into full swing, City officials have received complaints that some residents are posting signs or even using cones and barricades to reserve parking spaces along the city streets. The right-of-way is public property, and cannot be marked with private "No Parking," "No Trespassing," or other signs. Nor can this area be blocked with cones or other obstructions. The City's Code Compliance and Parking Enforcement officers will be addressing this illegal use citywide in the coming weeks. Anyone who has tried to reserve city right-of-way for private use is warned to take down the signs or remove the blockage immediately. Cones or other illegal blockades will be removed. Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission this week proclaimed the William Weech American Legion Post 168 as the newest recognized historical marker in the city.
The William Weech American Legion Post 168 was chartered in 1946 and has served veterans and active military residents and visitors to Key West for more than 76 years. The Post broke ground for its home at 803 Emma Street in 1951, during the era of segregation, in partnership with the VFW Walter R. Mickens Post 6021. Its members support a mission to enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military and our community by devotion to mutual helpfulness. Since its inception, Post 168 served as host to more than ten thousand black military personnel deployed in the Florida Keys. “Black service members hold an essential role in the success of the United State military,” reads the proclamation, “shaping the successful outcome of individual missions, and paving the way for progress towards achieving equality in the armed forces and American society.” An historic marker for the Post was unveiled in October of this year. Post 168 Commander Valerie Littlefield and Glenn Hayes, Post 168 1st Vice Commander, accepted the proclamation. “There are people that take the easy road and have a hard life,” said Commander Littlefield, “and there are those who take the hard road for an easy life. Veterans are known for taking the hard road. Veterans are known for service. Veterans continue to serve and that’s what we intend to continue to do.” |
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