Key Colony Beach Letters:
» Setting the Record Clear on the State of City Hall
» Things We Should Know about the City and City Hall
» Against the Prospect of a New KCB City Hall
» Letters to the Commission in advance of the May, 2023 Meeting
» Residents Spoke Out at the May 18 Commission Meeting
» Why does Key Colony Beach need a Police Department?
» Challenges and Fraud Facing KCB City Hall
» The Commissioner Mess in KCB
» Poor Decision Making and Poor Planning
» Regarding the June Agenda
» Why Not Use Marble Hall or Somewhere Else?
» More Letters to the Commission
» Bid Evaluation Sheets and More
» Letters to the Commission in advance of the July, 2023 Meeting
» Birth of a Fraud
» Letters to the Commission in advance of the August, 2023 Meeting
» Request for all Minutes-Recordings of Open/workshop Meetings Held
» The Real Cost of Denying Your Voice
» Letters to the Post Office in Answer to their Survey
» Letters to the Commission in advance of the 2023 Budget Hearings
» Letters to the Commission about Subverting the Will of the People
» Key Colony Beach
» Letter to the Commission for the October, 2023 Meeting
» Letters to the Commission for the December, 2023 Meeting
» Comments from KCBers after the Year in Review and the Release of the Transcripts
» Emails from former Mayor John DeNeale (from December 24 and January 6)
» A Collection of Letters Following Up on the News about Resignations and the City Hall Proposals
» The Former Mayor's Email (from February)
» A Collection of Letters Following Up on the March News, the Resignations, and City Hall
»
Key Colony Beach in the News:
» KCB Commission Candidates: What Is Key Colony's Biggest Issue? September 12, 2022.
» New Key Colony Beach Commission Takes Office & Appoints Final Member. December 23, 2022.
» Big plans for little Key Colony Beach (the article with so much "spin" from city officials). April 5, 2023.
» KCB, Residents Feud over New City Hall. May 10, 2023.
» KCB Police to Unionize. May 17, 2023.
» City Administrator Takes the Talk Show Out for a Spin. May 17, 2023.
» Division in KCB Intensifies May 24, 2023. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy>
» KCB Police to Unionize after Rocky Start. May 25, 2023. City administrator called the retaliation just a case of "bad timing." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy)
» More Problems arise for KCB June 8, 2023. "The city's code and building departmemts are ramping up fines and penalties... excess building department revenue has been traditionally rolled over to the following year to pay other city expenses... Per Florida law, that can't be done..." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy)
» Key Colony Beach Set to Consider Two City Hall Bids as Some Residents Decry Change. June 8, 2023. The city administrator opened two bids "in front of an agitated crowd" on the side of 7th Street. (The online version of the article has been updated.)
» KCB City Hall Rebuild Draws Two Bids. June 15, 2023. "Yep, we are the laughing stock of the state." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB Commissioner's Voter Status Cleared. June 20, 2023. Both the Supervisor of Elections and the State's Attorney says his Michigan homestead is not a violation. This story is far from over. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Evening Edition Discussed Commissioner Harding on June 19, 2023. The popular US1 Radio talk show interviewed Keys Citizen reporter Tim O'Hara about the election issue. The Tom Harding segment starts at about 18:30. This story is far from over. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB City Commission considers fraud investigation. June 21, 2023. The Commission proposed that allegations of fraud by the former mayor and city administrator for their actions after Hurricane Irma be explored. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Key Colony Beach Addresses Fraud, Building Surplus Misuse. June 22, 2023. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» DeSantis Vetoes $500 Million from State Budget--Funds Axed for Key Colony Beach and Islamorada Projects. June 22, 2023. DeSantis vetoed $1 million for the repair and hardening of Key Colony Beach's City Hall. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» State deals KCB funding blow. July 5, 2023. All the city unrest in Key Colony Beach may be moot but don't count on it. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» FEMA initiates KCB fraud investigation. July 18, 2023. The agency has begun looking into into former city administrator Chris Moonis and former Mayor John Deneale for allegedly ordering city staff to alter the condition of the City Hall floor after Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB Commission at Crossroads. July 19, 2023. KCB has undergone public scrutiny regarding its handling of the City Hall bids, its building department surplus funds, a pending FEMA investigation into potential fraud, and the overall shroud of secrecy that's denied residents clear city direction. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Cheers and Jeers in The Citizen. July 22, 2023. "Jeers: To the Key Colony Beach City Commission for its lack of transparency regarding bids to rebuild its City Hall. You'd think being under an active FEMA fraud investigation would ensure the City be extra open about this project."
» Key Colony Beach Commission Approves New Building. July 26, 2023. Despite clear division among the five-member City Commission, the city approved a complete City Hall rebuild. Commisioner Harding said at a recent meeting that the cost would likely be out of reach. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB Greenlights New City Hall in Split Vote. July 27, 2023. Commissioner Raspe said he didn't "understand why we're putting this project in the hands of a residential builder." Commissioner Foster. "can't believe that we’re entertaining this... I just don't understand how people, especially without a construction background, could come down this path." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB residents file temporary injunction. August 1, 2023. Following the 3-2 Commission decision to award the City Hall project to a residential builder, residents have filed a temporary injunction asking a judge to prohibit the city from taking any action before a referendum vote. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Cheers and Jeers in The Citizen. August 8, 2023. "Cheers: To the citizens of Key Colony Beach for their efforts to undo the decision to build a new City Hall. Many believe that the process wasn’t properly vetted and needs to go back to the drawing board. We wish them luck."
» Police unionization looms, accusations swirl in Key Colony Beach. August 10, 2023. "Commissioner Freddie Foster accused the city and [city administrator Dave] Turner of attempting to defund the police..."
"There’s a strict state law about defunding the police, which is only a couple years old" PBA General Counsel Andrew M. Axelrad said. "It would be viewed as retaliatory." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB City Hall petition drive gains traction. August 17, 2023 "Key Colony Beach never put a vote on rebuilding City Hall up for referendum, which they had no requirement to do. However, the three-commissioner majority has demonstrated for months it wouldn’t allow a small pool of bidders, a hefty price tag nor the amplified rancor among dissenting residents to sway their plans for a rebuild." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Key Colony Beach files motion to dismiss City Hall petition drive. August 23, 2023. On August 17, city attorney Dirk Smits announced an upcoming meeting with the commissioners to plan strategy, litigation expenses, and that he might file a motion to dismiss the petition drive and the injunction. Smits had already filed that motion on August 15, two days before the commission and closed-door meetings which means the motion to dismiss was already in progress and not conveyed as such at the commission meeting. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
Read an analysis of the litigation expenses here.
» Vote-by-mail Requests down in Keys. August 23, 2023. "The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections is reminding people to fill out vote-by-mail paperwork if they want to cast ballots by mail in upcoming elections, because the laws have changed and there are currently 4,500 fewer vote-by-mail requests in the county than in 2020."
Still unknown is whether Key Colony Beach voters will need to file separate "paperwork" to vote in any local KCB election. We're seeking answers to that now.
» Large Issues See Small Discussions in KCB Meeting. August 24, 2023. "Key Colony Beach has yet to see resolution to three hot-button issues facing the city, with a petition for a City Hall referendum, police unionization and dual fraud investigations all still underway ..." (The external link was unavailable so we have a local copy.)
» Islamorada group seeks to oust their councilman. August 23, 2023. Islamorada is showing the way. Stay tuned. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Turner raise, city hall rebuild included in KCB budget. September 13, 2023. Even with the reduced millage rate, KCB's property tax revenue will climb more than 14% thanks to increased property values.
"Draining city reserves to pay for the new City Hall, core to several of Harding's financial scenarios ... means KCB will enter the new fiscal year without funds to cover unforeseen additional expenses, like cost overruns for the rebuild and any hurricane cleanup that could occur later this year or early next. By comparison, the city of Marathon is expected to add $1 million to reserves [this year], while last year that city was able to add $5 million to reserves." (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» KCB refuses to hold public vote on City Hall. September 21, 2023. The city dismissed the efforts in writing when petitions were delivered on Sept. 13: "...the City will not be further processing your Referendum Petition."
» Clashes continue in KCB. September 25, 2023. Key Colony Beach grapples with three hot-button issues facing the city: the referendum, police unionization, and a fraud investigation. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Judge delays injunction decision, KCB budget finalized. September 26, 2023. Key Colony Beach had a very busy day with the commission meeting, the budget, and a hearing on the petition drive injunction. The new budget resulted in ad valorem taxes $1 million higher than last year. Laurie Swanson accused the commission of indifference toward its residents. More commission time was spent on pickleball than critical city business. And, although a ruling wasn't issued at the hearing, attorney Matt Hutchinson says that was because the case shifts to being about the rebuild. He doesn't believe the city will initiate any movement on the rebuild while this case is ongoing. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Judge dismisses City Hall injunction, but leaves the door open. September 28, 2023. The case hinges on "legislative" or "administrative" interpretation of $8.375 million contract. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Key Colony cops move toward union. October 5, 2023. The Key Colony Beach police force, a team of five, who filed interest cards in early May to begin the process of unionizing, ratified the move in a 5-0 vote. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Two breaking stories:
Key Colony Beach mayor abruptly resigns. October 11, 2023. In a surprise development hastened by resident outrage against the Key Colony Beach City Commission, as well as media scrutiny about the myriad investigations into the dealings of the commission, Mayor Patti Trefry abruptly resigned Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 11, effective at midnight. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
Breaking: Key Colony Beach Mayor Patti Trefry resigns. October 11, 2023. In a surprising move, Key Colony Beach Mayor Patti Trefry submitted her letter of resignation effective today. Trefry's resignation comes as Key Colony continues to wade through dual investigations into allegations of fraud, an ongoing police unionization, and the decision to accept an $8.375 million bid for City Hall. (Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.)
» Apply for the KCB City Commission. October 17, 2023. In the wake of Commissioner Patti Trefry's sudden resignation, KCB has invited all residents to apply for the vacant seat. The city set a new deadline of Friday, November 9, for your application. Commissioners must be KCB residents and registered voters here.
Applications are available at the KCB City Hall trailer but apparently not the city website. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy of the application with the invitation and other instructions.
» Florida Keys officials speak loud against court consolidation idea at Tampa hearing. October 18, 2023. Inside a Hillsborough County courthouse, state attorneys, public defenders, sheriffs and residents provided three hours of testimony to a committee tasked with recommending whether Florida’s 20 circuit courts should be consolidated. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Court consolidation criticized. October 18, 2023. From the question, Could Monroe County lose its court system to Keys residents flooding a state committee with survey responses, here's a roundup of articles about the possible Court Consolidation.
» Multiple possibilities on the table for vacant KCB commission seat. October 19, 2023. The Key Colony Beach City Commission is set for a new fifth member, following last week’s surprise resignation by former Mayor-Commissioner Patti Trefry. When exactly that member will take a seat on the dais is still far from determined. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Mayor’s resignation looms over KCB commission. October 24, 2023. Just a week after Mayor Patti Trefry abruptly resigned, the remaining four commissioners reconvened for the first meeting of the new fiscal year. The replacement plan for Trefry’s seat on the commission was led by the City Attorney. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» KCB files motion to dismiss referendum petition. November 7, 2023. The City has filed a motion to dismiss the resident-initiated petition drive to halt the rebuilding of city hall. They claim the decision to build the Taj ma-KCB was not subject to a referendum and that they held numerous open meetings for comment. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Familiar face enters KCB Commission fray. November 8, 2023. For those who closely follow Monroe County politics or simply have a good memory, a familiar face is throwing his name into the mix to fill the open Key Colony Beach City Commission seat. He admits he "is not familaiar with all the city's issues." Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Committee votes down court consolidation. November 9, 2023. Florida's Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee voted unanimously against merging court districts in Florida. That's not the end of it. The decision next goes to the Florida Supreme Court which must report its recommendations to the Florida legislature.
» KCB Installs New Commissioner. November 21, 2023. Residents came out to attend the Key Colony Beach City Commission November meeting to witness the selection of a new commissioner to fill the seat previously occupied by Patti Trefry, hoping it might provide a glimpse into the city’s direction. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» This week the Citizen reports that Debate continues about KCB City Hall, reinforced by a long hidden FEMA letter. November 28, 2023. While disagreements rage about whether the city of Key Colony Beach rebuilds or repairs its city hall, there is legitimate debate as to whether the current structure can be used in the interim for large group meetings.
A newly uncovered FEMA "letter clearly stated that 'based on FEMA policy and project cost calculations, [the KCB City Hall] project does not meet the 50% rule and does not qualify for replacement.' Not only did FEMA determine it didn't meet the 50% threshold for a rebuild, FEMA calculated the percentage at just under 9%."
The Weekly further reports on the $3M FEMA Denial Letter. November 30, 2023. The letter zeros in on an engineering group hired by the city commission to buttress its claims that they condemned the building. Eastern Engineering Group admitted it "never inspected the damaged City Hall building or reviewed any other damage data or assessments."
(Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also maintain local copies of the Citizen article and the Weekly article.)
Note that People Are Asking, Was the Key Colony Beach City Hall really condemned? We have the rest of the story here.
» Cheers and Jeers in the Citizen. Again. December 2, 2023. "Jeers: To the ongoing debate regarding a new city hall in Key Colony Beach. Recently discovered documents clearly show the Federal Emergency Management Agency saw no need to assist in funding a rebuild of City Hall, stating damages did not meet the 50% threshold. Why some members of the KCB City Commission continue to push for a brand new City Hall — and frequently block current use of the building — is a question we taxpayers should be asking ourselves, and our government leaders."
» Breaking: Key Colony Beach City Commission Terminates City Administrator Dave Turner. December 14, 2023. KCB made a swift vote not to renew the contract of current administrator Dave Turner. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Marathon City Council weighs wastewater settlement and more. December 14, 2023. The council meeting saw unanimous approval of a settlement agreement with FOLKs, bringing the wastewater litigation one step closer to resolution. Marathon will install a single deep injection well for wastewater disposal. KCB may see some benefits as a result. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» KCB ousts Turner, appoints new mayor. December 16, 2023. The city had a serious changing of the guard last week, culminating with the ousting of Key Colony Beach City Administrator.
» KCB takes a full pivot, firing administrator & settling lawsuit. December 21, 2023. A swing vote provided by new commissioner Thomas DiFransico meant wholesale changes in city leadership and the direction of a hotly-debated City Hall rebuild at the Key Colony Beach City Commission’s Dec. 14 meeting. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Fresh start for KCB as settlement finalized. December 27, 2023. The Key Colony Beach City Commission agreed in principle to settle the lawsuit by the resident group Concerned in KCB at the commission’s December 14 regular session, which prompted an additional session on December 20 to formally execute the settlement, regarding rebuilding City Hall. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» City addresses settlement, potential takings cases. December 28, 2023. The big news at the Marathon City Council session was the final disposition of the lawsuit levied by the environmental group FOLKs earlier this year. The potential $70-100 million taking problem relates to a shortage of building permit allocations.
» 2023: A Year in Review
» KCB Finalizes City Hall Lawsuit Settlement. January 4, 2024. With its 4-0 vote, with commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickrey absent, the KCB City Commission repealed its award of an $8.375 million contract for construction of a new hall. The lawsuit dismissal came in exchange for the commission's repeal of its July vote. "It's always reassuring to me when you see democracy in action, which is exactly what this is," attorney Matthew Hutchinson said. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» KCB transcripts reveal troubling sentiments January 6, 2024. Just when one of the biggest challenges of 2023 was behind the City of Key Colony Beach, the newly released transcripts reveal commissioner and attorney comments that concern KCBers. Commissioner Beth Ramsay Vickrey uttered the following statement: "These people (residents seeking the referendum) are, you know, interfering with our city businesses... What kind of legal fees and damages can we in turn go back on them for?" Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
These people?
Read the complete transcripts here.
» Marathon Requests 8,000 ROGO/BPAS Units, Evacuation Time Increase. January 13, 2024. Marathon City Manager George Garrett has proposed the state give the Keys 8,000 more building allocations and increase the allowable hurricane evacuation time to 31 hours. The city says it will run out of allocations in 2025. County Administrator Roman Gastesi was "blindsided" by the request. Evacuation is an issue for KCB. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» The KCB Community Association Concerts in Sunset Park series begins the new season with the Lady A Blues Band live in the new tiki in Sunset Park on Sunday at 4 p.m. Free. Click here for more info.
» KCB Mulls options for city hall. January 25, 2024. The Key Colony Beach City Commission hosted the first of its monthly "Townhall" meetings on Jan. 17 to openly review the status of city hall and plans to address its current condition. Former KCB building head Ed Borysiewicz was present and gave a detailed assessment of City Hall. He said there was "no substantial damage" to City Hall and there was "no reason marble hall should have been closed."
Here's the transcript of former Building Official Ed Borysiewicz's remarks during KCB's Jan. 17 Townhall meeting.
» City Hall Conundrum Rolls on in Key Colony Beach. January 26, 2024. The KCB city hall building’s history of inspections, engineering reports and official determinations in regard to its status as an "unsafe" or "condemned" structure have been even more under the microscope, as put on display during KCB's Jan. 17 workshop and Jan. 18 city commission meeting.
A memo from Smits offered an opinion that all existing areas in the hall, including the Marble Hall portion, must legally be considered unsafe. Ed Borysiewicz challenged the narrative. "I believe the city hall building was not substantially damaged due to Hurricane Irma, period." Commissioner Foster challenged Leggett’s assumptions, saying he was "struggling with condemning a building that's never been condemned based on the word 'unsafe'."
» Two Breaking Stories:
Breaking: KCB'S Ramsay-Vickrey Abruptly Resigns Commission Post. February 7, 2024. KCB Commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickrey abruptly resigned her seat today in an email to city commissioners and staff. This move follows former mayor Patti Trefry's abrupt resignation in October. Calls for her resignation or recall have been ongoing almost from the start of her term. Ramsay-Vickrey becomes the third KCB city official to either resign or be removed from office in the past four months, joining Trefry and ousted City Administrator Dave Turner. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
Breaking: Key Colony Beach Commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickrey Resigns. February 7, 2024. Citing an impending move to Marathon that would make her ineligible to serve on the city commission, Key Colony Beach City Commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickrey announced her resignation in an email to eight city staff members early Wednesday morning.Vickery, who claims to have "added a new level of transparency in government to KCB," blocked the city hall referendum and planned to change city ordinances to forbid future citizen referendums and initiatives. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Two More Breaking Stories: Building Official Gone, Cleanup Started in City Hall
Fifth City Official Gone. February 21, 2024. Gerald L. "Lenny" Leggett abruptly resigned as KCB building official this week.
Leggett's tenure as building official began in the Fall of 2022, after he completed the licensing requirements as a KCB employee. His time in the position was marked by contractor and resident complaints about the roadblocks to city hall and other local projects, office inefficiency, permitting delays, missing inspection slips, and more. Leggett also operates Florida Coastal Construction Inspection Services LLC, Island Bubba LLC, and Foreshore Home Inspections LLC from his home on Summerland Key.
He was the third building official to hold that position in the city since long-time official Ed Borysiewicz retired and the fifth city official to go. Mayor Patti Trefry resigned in October. The commission ousted city administrator Dave Turner in December. Commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickery dropped out February 7. Code enforcer Barry Goldman decamped February 15.
City Hall Refurbishment. February 22, 2024. Contractors and KCB Public Works employees were seen beginning the repairs to City Hall this week. Dry wall replacement may have been first on the list but electrical work and the replacement of the air conditioning for the post office and for Marble Hall are on the list.
» City Outlines Legal Costs, Commissioner Replacement, City Hall Updates. February 22, 2024. Data supplied by the KCB city clerk reveals that since Vernis and Bowling took over KCB's legal work in 2021, the town of roughly 775 people has spent more than a half-million dollars on legal expenses.
The city commission plans to fill the seat left open by Beth Ramsay-Vickrey's abrupt resignation. The deadline for applicants to submit a letter of intent to the city clerk is March 14 and the commission is expected to discuss and potentially select a candidate at the next commission meeting on March 21.
Several repair items are aimed at shoring up the current City Hall for occupancy. Electrical, HVAC repairs, and asbestos removal were quickly approved by the commission. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Key Colony Beach Preps for City Hall Reopening & Commissioner Appointment. February 22, 2024. Though the long-term fate of Key Colony Beach’s city hall building remains to be seen, portions of the building are set to reopen in the coming weeks.
Following former commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickrey’s resignation, Raspe laid out a selection timeline for candidates wishing to fill the vacant position. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest or resume to city clerk Silvia Gransee. Candidates are highly encouraged to fill out an application for the city commission post, available at KCB’s city hall or for download here or from keycolonybeach.net.
The search for a new city administrator following the termination of then-administrator Dave Turner will likely take place in the late spring or summer months. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Marathon hotel/motel ordinance gets more scrutiny. February 27, 2024.The hot topic at the Marathon City Council session was the status and potential implications of proposed changes to that city's hotel/motel ordinance. That was also the basis for charges leveled by Councilman Kenny Matlock against City Manager George Garrett for a lack of transparency regarding communications with a local developer before the changes were presented to council.
» Two More Stories about City Hall Departures
Two more resign from Key Colony Beach ranks. February 29, 2024. Code Officer Barry Goldman, who abruptly resigned Feb. 15, was followed by Building Official Gerald L. Leggett last week. The city has lured former longtime KCB building official Ed Borysiewicz out of retirement to lead both the code and building departments. Borysiewicz has agreed to remain in that capacity as long as is necessary. "Bringing him in is as easy as giving him a set of keys. It could’ve been painful, but the city is rallying around us, the atmosphere has changed dramatically, and we couldn't be happier," Commissioner Foster told the Citizen. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
Key Colony Beach Loses Building Official " Code Officer as City Hall Prepares to Reopen. February 29, 2024. Key Colony Beach is continuing its five-month period of heavy turnover among city leadership and staff, adding former Code Enforcement Officer Barry Goldman and Building Official Lenny Leggett to its list of resignations over the past two weeks.
"I'm in for compliance. I'm not in for punishment, I'm not in for fines, and I don't think we should budget for (them)," said Vice Mayor Foster, stressing the importance of prompt notification of violations to prevent accrual of fines. "I think we should be facilitative and work with the citizens, not work as an enforcement agency." Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Key Colony Beach opens City Hall. March 5, 2024. Good news on "305 Day." It was only fitting that on the same weekend this tiny community marked its 67th anniversary during a festive Key Colony Beach Day, that KCB also reopened City Hall after almost seven years.
In more good news, the city has lured former long-time KCB building official Ed Borysiewicz out of retirement to lead both the code and building departments. Borysiewicz offers KCB a turnkey solution to both those departments. He will also oversee the engineering work to determine how much work remains within City Hall. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Did the Circus Come to Town? March 25, 2024.
» Twenty-two Feet to Glory. March 28, 2024. March 21 was a day for Seven Meters of Grueling Running as KCB residents and visitors braved a daunting three-foot (we think) incline. The Weekly has photos and an interview with the new Champ (spoiler alert: she's 100-year old Dorothy Bitzer who has also dived (in a submarne) to 850 feet, gone parasailing, and walked on the ocean floor in Bora Bora. There is no link to the article so pick up your copy around town. We also have a local copy.
» Key Colony Installs New Commissioner. March 27, 2024. The tiny city of Key Colony Beach has been in the headlines for the past year, mostly because of controversy over whether to renovate or rebuild its hurricane-damaged City Hall. But what transpired at the recent KCB City Commission meeting could hail a return to normalcy. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Key Colony Beach Commission Appoints Douglas Colonell. March 28, 2024. The Key Colony Beach City Commission is once again a five-member board, following the unanimous appointment of Douglas Colonell to the open commission seat. Colonell’s appointment marks the second in four months for KCB, which since October has contended with significant commission and staff turnover. The commission also appointed Ed Borysiewicz to oversee building, code, and fire inspection. Commmissioners are ironing out city administrator details, discussing city hall, and considering solar power to run the KCB sewage treatment plant. Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
» Deep Well Debate, Grants Highlight Meeting. April 17, 2024. The Marathon City Council regular session included strong and vocal resident attendance as consent agenda items involving the upcoming construction start of the city’s deep well, as well as the outstanding Hotel/Motel ordinance, were addressed. "I've had zero contact [with Garrett]," FKAA's David Hackworth said, adding, "We offered to give Marathon the [Crawl Key] property for the well." On another topic, Charter boat captain Dustin Huff noted "Our best interests as citizens are not a priority." Some readers have reported difficulty with external links so we also have a local copy.
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People Are Asking Editorial Pages:
» Funds Axed for Key Colony Beach. "They" promised the funds for the new City Hall. They promised a lot of things.
» Whiplash from the Mayor and the Commission. It is time to take back our city.
» The KCB Commission Violates the Law? Let us count the ways. KCB Citizens have the duty and the right to help the commission make educated--not arbitrary or capricious--decisions. It is our right to challenge those decisions and WE DO.
» Are We a Bunch of Dips? It's hard to get real figures from KCB officials but estimates show that the Gang of 3 will spend up to 50,000 tax dollars to fight the injunction and referendum petition.
» Thoughts on the City Administrator's Raise(s)
» Subverting the Will of the Voters. Our mailbox about exploded on the news that KCB refused to hold your referendum.
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