Marathon Weekly 24-1010

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9709 Overseas Hwy.

Marathon, FL 33050

Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

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A beloved tradition in Marathon returns this weekend with the annual Hope Walk to raise money for cancer research at Crane Point on Saturday, Oct. 12. See page 6. CONTRIBUTED

MARATHON COUNCIL GREENLIGHTS

NEW DEVELOPMENTS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRANSFER MECHANISM

All developments recommended for approval at Marathon’s Sept. 16 planning commission session were greenlit again at the Marathon City Council’s Oct. 8 meeting. But concern over a new development at the site of the old Yard Arm Motel between 61st and 62nd Street Gulf, as well as discussion of ordinance changes that could allow Marathon to accept additional affordable housing units from other Keys municipalities, made for one of the longer sessions in recent memory.

Boaz Rosenblat, a 61st Street resident who plans to purchase and develop the neighboring property with 20 homes, a ring of food trucks, a tiki bar with an entertainment stage and nature walk, fielded a barrage of questions from the council over traffic concerns for the project, largely centering on a proposed entrance to the residential homes from an already-narrow 61st Street. Rosenblat said he was concerned with bringing residential traffic through the commercial portion of the project closer to U.S. 1, repeatedly asking to pursue options for a one-way traffic pattern or widening 61st Street to alleviate safety concerns.

“(This development) is an exponential growth on what is going to happen on that street,” said councilman Jeff Smith. “I’m assuming we’re going to put boat trailer parking underneath the units, because I didn’t see anything dedicated in there. We know that’s what’s going to happen with five-bedroom vacation rentals, which is what this is going to be.”

“As far as if the city wished to widen (61st Street), I’m not sure I would be willing to pay taxpayer dollars to widen the road to go to a private development,” added Mayor Robyn Still.

“The 20 homes are a potential for significant income to the community in taxes, including the businesses,” said Rosenblat. “We’re creating a conservation easement which benefits the

community and creating lots of other opportunities, and we’re trying to find a way that’s give and take, as opposed to just asking.”

“I appreciate that, but I have a feeling our taxpayers are not going to feel the same way,” replied Still.

Following a motion by councilman Luis Gonzalez, the council voted unanimously to approve the project, adding conditions of entrances and exits exclusively from U.S. 1 and an on-site grease trap for food trucks. Though the planning commission previously recommended a prohibition on “electric music” for the entertainment stage, the council approved amplified music to be played in accordance with the city’s noise ordinance.

Affordable housing transfer

Following 3-2 split opinions by the planning commission, the council approved a pair of ordinances that would allow for the transfer of unused affordable housing allocations from other Keys jurisdictions via modifications to Marathon’s land development regulations and comprehensive plans.

Ordinances 2024-11 and 2024-12 refer to remaining allocations from a pool of 1,300 early-evacuation affordable housing units awarded to the Keys following Hurricane Irma by then-

Gov. Rick Scott. Language in the new ordinances removes a 300-unit cap on units to be accepted and distributed by Marathon, as the city has already distributed all of its original 300 units.

Speaking to clarify conflicting reports on the implications for the ordinances, Gonzalez and Planning Director Brian Shea confirmed that of the 1,300 units originally given to the Keys, roughly 630 units have yet to be distributed, split between unincorporated Monroe County, Key West, Islamorada, Key Colony Beach and Layton.

“To clear up the misinformation: These are not new units,” said Gonzalez. “This is just the 1,300 that were awarded, fought for and partly distributed. This is going to give the city of Marathon an avenue to potentially receive more allocations, not from a new pool, but from the 630 that remain in the county. I want to be very clear and say this multiple times: We are not acquiring 1,300 new units.”

Councilman Kenny Matlock, who in previous sessions has repeatedly advocated for duplexes and singlefamily homes as opposed to larger apartment-style complexes, took issue with language in the bill providing for acceptance of “any additional alloca-

continued on page 6

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

The Marathon City Council, Utilities Director Dan Saus and City Manager George Garrett recognize deputy utilities director Libby Frazier-Soldano for 15 years of service to the city at the council’s Oct. 8 session. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

FLORIDA KEYS BRACE FOR HURRICANE MILTON

Concerns arise over coastal flooding

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Millions of southwest Florida residents left their homes before the expected arrival of a powerful Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9. For many communities, the cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene weren’t finished as they were forced to evacuate to a safer location.

In the Florida Keys, residents remained in their homes as they braced for several feet of flooding and tropical storm-force winds from the storm. Forecasters with the National Weather Service placed the entire Florida Keys under a tropical storm warning to start the week, as the Category 4 — and at times Category 5 — Milton slowly moved northeast across the Gulf of Mexico and was expected to make landfall between late Oct. 9 or early Oct. 10.

Hurricane Milton’s approach to southwest Florida brought tropical storm-force winds of 40 to 50 mph to the Keys, forcing the Monroe County School District to close schools on

SEA OF PINK

TOct. 9. County government offices and state parks also closed for the day. The Snake Creek drawbridge was locked in the down position due to the weather.

A coastal flooding warning was in effect for the Florida Keys. Forecasters said Hurricane Milton could bring 1-3 feet of storm surge flooding above ground level in low-lying areas on the gulf and bayside early Wednesday morning through Thursday. Some bayside areas in the Upper Keys could experience saltwater flooding through Thursday evening. Atlantic-facing shorelines will be susceptible to waves and overwash, leading to saltwater flooding in the adjacent neighborhoods.

An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain are likely through the morning of Oct. 10, adding to the amounts already received throughout the Keys from another system. The Keys already saw 2 to 6 inches the last 72 hours.

Hurricane warnings were issued to nearly 30 counties in southwest Florida as some spots were expected to see storm surge up to 15 feet.

his weekend marks the return of the Florida Keys Hope Walk presented by Isla Bella Beach Resort, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center. Formerly known as the Strides Walk with a focus on breast cancer, the event has expanded in recent years to lend support to the fight against all forms of the hated disease. Break out the pink wardrobe and scan the attached QR code to sign up or donate to the cause. Pictured are Lara Rutskin Martin, left, and Lucy Martin as they test out the Barbie Box at the 2023 walk. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

from page 4

MARATHON COUNCIL

tions which may be authorized by the Florida Administration Commission, Florida Statute or transferred to Marathon that are not accepted by other Florida Keys municipalities or Monroe County.”

“The open-ended number is what scares me,” he said. “If (another municipality) does say yes (to a transfer of units), now we have to do it. If a developer is able and willing and has the property and finances, it’s hard to tell them no.”

Shea clarified that language governing the 1,300 units restricts their use to larger multi-family developments only. Speaking with the Weekly following the meeting, he said the language regarding “any additional allocations” would only apply to early-evacuation units given by the state in a similar manner as Scott’s 2018 award.

“This is merely the avenue to allow us to be able to accept (more units) if we decided we needed them,” said Still. “Then we have a couple layers after that when we can ask questions.”

City Manager George Garrett said the transfer of any units would need to take place via an interlocal agreement with another jurisdiction, a process that would likely take more than six months with multiple steps for review.

The council approved both ordinances in their first hearing in 4-1 votes, with Matlock as the lone “no” vote.

In Other News:

The council unanimously approved the following developments:

• Four additional residential units at 59740 Overseas Highway on Grassy Key, built in lieu of the previously-approved on-site fuel sales and construction of a marina and convenience store (Resolution 2024-95).

• A replat of property at 4800 Overseas Highway, located behind the newly-constructed Crystal Cove apartments, for future development as nine single-family lots. Future construction will include eight single-family homes, as the site’s one existing home will remain (Resolution 2024-96).

• A boat storage facility at a now-vacant lot at 2 Coco Plum Drive (Resolution 2024-97).

• An eight-bay 13,200-squarefoot commercial warehouse with elevated office space at 420 69th Street Ocean (Resolution 2024-98).

LEADERSHIP MATTERS

• Former Commanding Of cer of Naval Air Station Key West and F-14 Naval Flight Of cer (Retired)

• Key West City Manager 2007-2012 and 2014-2019

• Appointed Monroe County Commissioner District 3 in 2022

• 2024 Graduate of the Florida Association of Counties (certi ed) County Commissioner Program

COMMUNITY ENGAGED

• Florida Defense Support Commission Member

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Member

• Former Sigsbee Charter School Board Member (11 years) and President (5 years)

• Military Affairs Committee Member

• Florida Federal Executive Board Member (3 years)

• Key West Sunrise Rotary Club member and past President

• Navy League of the United States Key West Council Member

• International Propeller Club of the U.S. Port of Key West Member

• Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

PROUDLY ENDORSED BY

• Teamsters Local 769

• South Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA)

• Key West Fire Fighters Local 1424

• Monroe County Fire Fighters Local 3909

• Ocean Reef Political Action Committee

THE VITALITY AND RESILIENCE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS TOGETHER!

for by Jim Scholl, Republican for County Commissioner District 3

ELECTION SUPERVISORS, COUNTY COMMISSION HOPEFULS SQUARE OFF

Candidates debate accountability, campaign labels and building rights in Weekly forum

Sliding in just before the Keys felt the effects of Hurricane Milton, the Keys Weekly and Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce partnered to give voters one of their final extended looks at two critical local races with a candidate Q&A forum on Oct. 7. The Weekly encourages all voters to view the forum in its entirety by scanning the QR code.

County Commission, District 3

Republican incumbent Jim Scholl’s responses throughout the evening served to highlight his experience in government operations and familiarity with laws governing changes desired by residents, while Democrat challenger Chris Massicotte criticized what he said was a lack of oversight and accountability in county operations, positioning himself as a fiscal conservative and emphasizing his experience as a former auditor and accountant.

Massicotte stressed a need to divert additional resources for continuing audits of individual county departments, pinpointing “wasteful spending” to create a “culture of oversight.” Agreeing with the need for a culture change, Scholl spoke of a need for stronger top-down leadership, beginning with newly-promoted County Administrator Christine Hurley, and reminded viewers that “the legislative body doesn’t control day-to-day operations of the county – it’s the administrator’s job.”

The pair disagreed on the county’s future acceptance of additional building rights, with Scholl in favor of additional units bestowed by the state used largely for workforce housing, “as long as we get to control how they’re going to be issued out.”

“We’ve lost so much workforce housing because of the evolution of vacation rentals in what were traditional long-term rentals,” he said. “We have to do something to be able to maintain the quality of life and support our economy and environment.”

Massicotte said that while surveys and meetings to gauge resident sentiments on additional units were “okay,” he advocated for a temporary moratorium on additional units to allow completion of “an actual, real infrastructure assessment,” arguing that the threat of takings cases filed by property owners unable to build is “made out to be way more than our liability actually would be.”

“The decisions we make today are going to affect what the Keys are like in 20 years,” he said. “If we take more ROGOs, in 20 years you’ll see traffic choking, and we’re going to regret that we ever did it.”

Visions for the future of Marathon’s airport following its upcoming runway shift were further divided, with Massicotte in full support of pursuing commercial air travel to the Middle Keys as a mechanism to reduce rental vehicles and highway congestion.

Scholl said that previous attempts to establish services in Marathon have failed due to low passenger demand, arguing that Middle Keys residents were more likely to drive to Key West or mainland airports.

“It just hasn’t worked in the past, and I don’t see it working anytime soon,” he said.

Supervisor of Elections

Candidates in the Keys’ most contentious race made their way to the dais as Republican Sherri Hodies and Democrat Ron Saunders took their seats.

Amid an investigation authorized by Gov. Ron DeSantis into whether the Monroe County Republican Executive Committee broke its own rules in April and committed campaign finance fraud in endorsing Hodies with a $20,000 donation ahead of the Republican primary, Hodies pushed back against labels given to her campaign.

Calling the document that prompted the investigation, filed by fellow Republican Phyllis May, a “frivolous complaint,” Hodies claimed she had yet to receive a copy of the complaint through official channels.

“It’s just amazing to me that people talk about charges, people talk about fraud, and there’s nothing that has even been sent out there about me,” she said.

“I think (the investigation) is an example where we need to stay on top of things and make sure things are run properly,” Saunders said. “If nothing’s wrong, that’s great, but it remains to be seen what will happen.”

Referencing a May fundraising event in which she hosted retired Army intelligence officer Capt. Seth Keshel, a nationally-known election denier, Hodies worked to distance herself from what she called another “label” to her campaign.

“I am not an election denier, but there have been people at my fundraisers who have been labeled,” she said.

Asked directly whether Joe Biden won the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, Hodies stated: “In 2016, Trump won, and in 2020, Biden won, plain and simple.” She called Keshel’s presentation “a wonderful history lesson,” but received pushback from Saunders when she stated that Keshel “didn’t speak about (Monroe County) precincts at all.”

Asked if he was aware of any compromised elements of previous Monroe County elections, Saunders said he’d seen no cause for concern, but said Keshel had raised suspicions with voters in Key West’s precinct 5, in which dozens of individuals had registered using a common address.

“It turns out that there were people without addresses there, and the reason for that is that they were actively military serving our country overseas, but still wanted to vote locally,” Saunders said. “The allegation was that there was something wrong there. There was nothing wrong there, and that’s what we need to be careful about when we start these types of rumors.”

“I have never worked for or with (the Supervisor of Elections) office, so I would not know if anything was compromised or not,” Hodies said in response to the same question, later acknowledging that “we can see that we have not had any issues down here. … Joyce (Griffin) has run a very good office.”

Hodies continued to blast May’s complaint in her closing statement, arguing that her application for funding from the REC stated that a majority vote of REC members in attendance for the group’s April 20 vote – not a majority of the committee’s total membership – would earn the $20,000 contribution, and that the 20-18 vote to endorse her was therefore sufficient.

Saunders closed by touting bipartisan supporters of his campaign, decrying recent attack mailers from the Conservative Family Alliance political organization as “full of lies and misstatements.”

“When you look at this election, see who’s throwing the mud and why,” he said. “I know the law, I know how to protect elections, and I have a lot of support from both sides.”

Sherri Hodies Ron Saunders

Jim Scholl

Chris Massicotte

Ron Saunders

FOR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

LEADERSHIP YOU CAN TRUST

Ron Saunders KNOWS THE KEYS!

• Ron is the only candidate who has worked for the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections office, assisting with early voting and vote-by-mail, and working at polls on Election Day.

• Ron is an attorney who understands and will follow election laws. As our State Legislator, Ron helped write those election laws.

• Former News Anchor for U.S. 1 Radio.

Paid by Ron Saunders, Democrat for Supervisor of Elections

P.O. Box 5217, Key West, FL 33045, 305.619.0383

FB: Ron Saunders Monroe County Supervisor of Elections

I am a lifelong resident of Marathon. I left for a few years for college, but returned to raise my family in a safe, small community. Our town once had a “small town feeling,” but now I sense that it has been overrun by wild out of town developers who have little interest in our local residents, but very large interest in the tourism and real estate dollar. I fully understand and acknowledge that not a person here does not benefit in one way or another from our tourism and real estate industries. We are blessed to have these benefits. However, blessings can easily become curses without common sense and public transparency. I promise to continue to be a voice for those values.

I am writing this letter to you to be perfectly honest and transparent. I have never owned, bought or sold a vacation property. I am a fisherman. I am blessed to own our family home and I plan to always be a part or Marathon.

It has been brought to the public’s attention that I have interest in a piece of property that is under contract to be sold. It has been under contract for the last 16 months with a long closing. That property has been rented as truly affordable housing since 2005. The due diligence and planning for the potential new owners has been done under our existing LLC name. Until that property closes, it will remain so named. I am not part of the proposed development and have no interest in it. I am not the developer. I am not a builder or a real estate professional. I have nothing to do with its future use. I say this because it is important for the residents to know that I stand for our LOCAL families, I stand for LOCAL business, I stand for our LOCAL youth and I stand for our LOCAL quality of life.

We have a lot to lose in our town and it can be lost very quickly. Let’s challenge the past, correct the missteps, and look to the future. I ask for your vote and I will give you my ear.

Sincerely,

Dustin Huff

Candidate for City Council

To my fellow Marathon residents,

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS

Marathon council candidate forum draws out differences in candidate slate

Hopefuls in the 2024 Marathon City Council race took turns at the plate in Monday night’s Keys Weekly and Marathon Chamber of Commerce political forum, fielding questions on the city’s most pressing issues along with a fair share of curveballs about controversial aspects of their campaign. The Weekly encourages our readers to watch the forum in its entirety by scanning the QR code below. Printed here are answers to questions that elicited the greatest breadth of responses from candidates, lightly edited for length and clarity.

Marathon has a strong manager/weak council form of government where the city manager serves as the de facto CEO of Marathon. The current manager’s contract was renewed this year for three years with very little discussion or a formal review process. Candidates have expressed strong opinions about the performance of the city manager. If elected, what is your plan of action to address these concerns?

Ray Wood: I think George has done a very good job. He was faced with a lot of problems this year, and I believe he's come through most of them smelling like a rose. I don't know that there's a problem that I need to face, but if there is, the first thing I plan on doing is going and talking with each of the member of the city council and talking with the manager, the staff and the office personnel, and finding exactly what they think about what's going on.

Mark Senmartin: We have a city manager that has a lot of experience. He's actually written most of the laws that govern our city. The recent budget has funding to provide an assistant city manager. In the last 25 years, the town has grown exponentially in every way except our upper management. Having someone with the institutional knowledge that George has is fantastic. Having him get bogged down in day-to-day personnel matters is a waste of his expertise and our money. So the idea of having an assistant city manager is to free him up to do some of the stuff that he does best, which is dealing with Tallahassee, environmental issues as well as planning and growth management. I think that's a smart move on the council's part.

Kenny Matlock: I agree we need an assistant city manager. It's no secret in this town that I have some ethical issues with George, and I think the assistant city manager should answer the council, just like the city manager does. I don't run the city, and I've got to get my colleagues to vote with me, so as far as details of how that would look, that would have to play out in a vote, but I would like to see a lot more decisions made with an assistant city manager.

Dustin Huff: I strongly believe that George needs help. George has entirely too much power, in my opinion, and not everything that happens in Marathon comes before council. Lots of things happen just by George's choice, and I think that the city council should be responsible for hiring an assistant city manager. I don't think George should be tasked with hiring an assistant city manager.

Lynny Del Gaizo: I think that George should welcome an assistant, and I believe that the city council should make sure that there is an assistant for him. I think we need, as a city council, to be more in touch and in tune with what's going on now. They're doing a great job, but with the way the growth of Marathon is going, we need help, and I think the city and staff would welcome an assistant.

What actions are you willing to take to keep Marathon from slipping further from a residential community and into a resort town?

Kenny Matlock: I think vacation rentals need to pay their fair share. I've tried to increase the vacation rental license fee multiple times and got no support. I think the market's changing. We're getting some of our dry lots back. As far as the resorts, I think the city spends a lot of time going in and trying to change LDRs. Staff presents it to us as a standard policy change, and it’s not. Staff needs to stop catering to developers and start remembering that they are here to represent locals and taxpayers.

Dustin Huff: I know that we can't necessarily touch vacation rentals, but I would be all in favor of raising licensing fees for vacation rentals. I just feel that it's strange that vacation rentals are essentially businesses run out of a neighborhood, and I can't pick up a client at a neighborhood dock. I also believe that the city of Marathon needs to stop facilitating what seems like more development from within.

Lynny Del Gaizo: I worked on the resort side as well, and I’ve also been a homeowner. I do see change a little bit with what's going on. We do have a lot of weekly rentals, but that has brought in a lot of business as well. I think we got a little oversaturated, and it’s taken away from our workforce. What we need to do is have more code enforcement to make sure that our vacation rentals are falling in line. We need the people here to work all the resorts as well and live here. I think the balance is the most important. We need to stop and think where we need to continue forward to get more permission to build more properties, and I think more homeownership is most important.

Ray Wood: Limiting building permits to workforce housing, affordable housing and owner-occupied housing will go a long way towards keeping resorts out of the way. We’re not going to get rid of vacation rentals, but we should enforce the codes we have now. I would

work with the city council, city manager and building department about issues with these.

Mark Senmartin: Vacation rentals have become a part of the economic engine that runs Marathon, but too much of a good thing can ruin things. We talk about enforcement and we talk about what can't be done because of the very strict state rules that govern them. I'd like to focus on what we can do. I have been investigating using our zoning ordinances to help manage and get control of the current situation. It's a topic I've spoken with city staff about. It'll take vetting, but they're optimistic about my approach.

Lynny Del Gaizo: When you last ran for council in 2021, during this forum, you asked for clarification and background on a number of issues and topics that were brought up. What have you done over the last two years to better prepare yourself to effectively direct policy for the city of Marathon?

I paid attention more, and I’ve grown up. I came in a little blindsided, but thought I could be a city councilman due to how much I love this community and the passion I have for living here and the people who live here. But that’s not enough – you actually have to know what’s going on. Thankfully, the city council, staff at the city and people who live here, even our sheriff, have schooled me well on what’s going on. I’ve been having conversations with people, studying and reading the Weekly to be up on what I need to know to move forward. I’m a quick study, I love this community, and I think I would be a great city councilman this time around.

Ray Wood: A news article from Texas (KHOU 11) has recently surfaced alleging your family’s involvement in a drug distribution ring in 2014. According to the article, police found cocaine, morphine and several guns, including a sawed-off shotgun, within your residence. Can you please address these allegations?

That started with my son. He was 16 at the time. He was smoking marijuana and dealing marijuana, and got in with some bad kids. When they busted him, it was at the house. My (other) son, who was a United States Marine and did three tours in Iraq, was deceased. When he died, I took everything he had and kept it in my house. When they came in and busted my son, they looked for everything else. My wife was surviving cancer, and so was my daughter. They neglected to say that most of

the drugs were prescribed medicine for cancer patients, because they wanted to make it sensationalized. My son's guns I took, and I would not throw away and get rid of them. So when they busted my 16-year-old, they were also going to hang an illegal weapon on him. The only thing that was illegal was a sawed-off shotgun. It was all sensationalized.

Mark Senmartin: During your time as a Marathon city councilman and shortly after, you developed multiple properties within city limits that became vacation rentals. How do you reconcile these actions with statements that the city council is to serve the residents of Marathon and that BPAS allocations should be given to locals living and working here?

Did I build some houses that were vacation rentals? Yes. I sold everything I had, emptied savings accounts, did everything we could do to partner with a friend of mine, and that's how we built the first one. We had it as a vacation rental for one year in 2018, we sold it, and we were able to build the second one. I never owned a vacation rental after that. My partner and I built a few houses, and then we sold them. We got the very first BPAS allocation through the BPAS system. After that, the properties that we bought came with rights, except for one, which we bought a right for. That's the way it works in this town. That's the system that we have in place. As far as being able to reconcile the BPAS with the affordables, I do believe it should be owner-occupied. We have a two-year owner occupied requirement, and after one year you can start renting it. So that needs to change. I want to help the locals increase their homeownership, but we need to tweak some of those laws too.

Kenny Matlock: You have appeared in public and in campaign materials wearing clothing that is affiliated with political groups that are considered extreme or anti-government, with logos seen prominently at the Jan. 6 U.S. capitol insurrection. Can you please address your affiliation or allegiance to these organizations? When I was a young guy, one of our local police officers and I went to get our concealed permit together, and we learned about something called 3% Nation. This was 20 years ago, and what it stood for back then was that 3% of the colonists took up arms against the British, and it was that simple. For me, that meant that if 3% of people would stand up, they could make a massive difference. So I never looked back into it, but I have a hat with it. I'm not officially affiliated with any group, but I’ve heard (the Three Percenters) is an official group. Since then, a police officer buddy of mine showed me and said, “Hey, have you seen what this group has become?” I said, “No. I didn’t look into it.” Now, some do consider it an extreme thing, but to me, it just means the 3% of the colonists. I have no affiliation with any official groups of any kind, so the militia rumors are kind of funny to me.

Dustin Huff: You have criticized the overdevelopment of Marathon, as well as opponents of yours who have built and sold properties that eventually became vacation rentals. This month the city council is set to consider a 20-home development with a restaurant on a property you have part ownership of and are preparing to sell. How do you reconcile this sale with your philosophy?

I had opportunities to develop that property myself. I didn't feel good about doing it. I know it'll change the landscape of Marathon. I'm not looking forward to that, but it's inevitable that it's going to happen. I just didn't want to be the one to do it. Could I have made a lot more money by doing that? Yes, but I care too much about Marathon to do that. That property is due to close on December 12. From what I learned at the planning commission meeting, it's not going to be vacation rentals, but that will remain to be seen. I have no control at this point.

Per our city attorney’s legal advice, it appears to be too risky to change our current vacation rental ordinance, and the city council has never voted to engage in such actions. What are your thoughts on the current vacation rental ordinance, management and enforcement thereof and what, if any, changes would you propose if elected?

Kenny Matlock: A simple request to change can strip us of our grandfathered agreement. As far as implementing a new change, one thing we can do is continue to increase the vacation rental license fee so they can pay their burden. We have two people cleaning up the streets now in extra code enforcement. Those positions could have 100% been put on the vacation rental license fee, and they decided not to. As far as our enforce-

ment, we have stepped it up, and our code enforcement has been doing a great job with vacation rentals. Start making (rentals) pay for the damages to our town.

Dustin Huff: Vacation rentals are clearly part of this for years to come, and at every turn I've been told the same thing: There's no amending anything that has to do with vacation rentals in fear of the state taking control. I don't think raising the licensing fee would discourage much. It may discourage a few of the dry lot rentals that we need for affordable rentals around here, but that's the only thing that I've come to the conclusion that we can do.

Lynny Del Gaizo: As the president of the real estate board this year, this comes up a lot. I know when I ran before I was the drill sergeant about the garbage up and down Sombrero Beach Road. So we brought more code enforcement in. Also, the managers get 20% to manage these rental properties, and I feel that by enhancing some of the rules more and making sure they take care of those properties, we won't have complaints about how they're run. I don't know if I'm (in favor of) raising the price, but I'm not against that either. I just really think the code enforcement has played a big role in being positive.

Ray Wood: We can’t really do much about changing the vacation rental ordinance or it falls back to the state, but our code enforcement is doing a fantastic job of enforcing what they’re doing now. They can always do better, and we can always give them more help. I am in favor of increasing vacation rental fees for new ones. You can't pick and choose who it is, but for new vacation rentals, I would be in favor so we don't turn more of our private housing into vacation rentals. We can try to stay where we are at this time.

Mark Senmartin: Having spent eight years on the city council and the last three on the planning commission, I've got a lot of experience with vacation rentals, and the question of raising the fees always comes up. Do you really think raising the fees on a house that's turning over $7,000 or $8,000 a week and cranking them up by $1,000 a year is going to make a difference? It doesn't make any difference at all. They're just going to pass that on to the customers and continue with business as usual. What I am proposing in my zoning overlay is to create an area where vacation rentals are not allowed. It's not taking away anyone's vacation rentals. It's not taking away their rights. But if you took an area, for example, the “fish bowl” off of Harbor Drive, you could put a zoning overlay over it. If you have a dry lot vacation rental, you're grandfathered in, but if you don't, you can't start one there. This is going to preserve neighborhoods and keep them more family-friendly, and it doesn't violate the vacation rental law

Lynny Del Gaizo

Kenny Matlock

Ray Wood

Dustin Huff

Mark Senmartin

TOOKA

4.5-year-old male American bulldog mix

Looking for: Kids, other dogs, plenty of beach time and lots of cuddles.

Turnoffs: I was returned, but it wasn’t my fault.

SWIPE RIGHT

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.

Hurricane fosters needed. With hurricane season upon us, the SPCA needs volunteers and fosters in case of a storm. Over 100 animals would need to be evacuated, so it is crucial they all have homes in place before an impending storm. The SPCA provides everything you need;

SCRATCHY

1-year-old domestic shorthair

Looking for: You, me and my brother Itchy as one big happy family.

Turnoffs: None. I’m cool as a cucumber (even though those are scary).

WEDNESDAY

1-month-old female kitten

Looking for: I’m just a baby, but I know you’re all some cool cats and kittens for voting for the SPCA in the BOM Awards. Thank you!!

MARATHON CINEMA WILD ROBOT

COMMERCE CORNER

all you do is give an animal a safe haven during the storm and return them to the shelter once it’s safe – that is, if you don’t fall in love. For more information on becoming a hurricane foster, visit https://fkspca.org/volunteer/become-a-foster-volunteer/ or call 305-743-4800.

For over 45 years, Engel & Völkers has been a global leader in premium residential and commercial real estate services. With more than 16,500 professionals across approximately 1,000 locations in over 35 countries, we embody the core values of competence, exclusivity, and passion. Each property is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of our clients, whose satisfaction is our highest priority. Our strong brand presence and expansive international network give us access to an exclusive clientele. We serve discerning clients with high-value, often multi-market portfolios, including leaders in business, politics, and culture. Our Advisors, trained at the in-house Engel & Völkers Academy, deliver expertise and discretion, fostering trust and building relationships that extend well beyond individual transactions. At Engel & Völkers, real estate is not just a business—it's our passion.

The key to our success at Engel & Völkers lies in our unwavering commitment to quality and service. We prioritize building strong, lasting relationships with our clients by understanding their unique needs and delivering personalized solutions. Our success is also driven by our talented team of Advisors, who receive continuous training through our in-house Engel & Völkers Academy, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry. Coupled with our global network and strong brand reputation, these elements allow us to consistently exceed client expectations and thrive in the competitive real estate market.

ENGEL & VÖLKERS - Florida Keys

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EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS TODAY

BE THE B.E.S.T. VOTE YES BACK

ON NOVEMBER BALLOTS, VOTERS WILL SEE TWO REFERENDUMS RELATED TO FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

PASSING THESE TWO REFERENDUMS IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SECURE ESSENTIAL FUNDING FOR TEACHERS SALARIES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.

REFERENDUM 1.) 1/2 MILLREFERENDUM 2.) 1/2 CENT-

2 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home centrally located in mid Marathon. Large screened porch. 50 X 97lot. Reduced $325,000 MLS# 610518

7 DAYS A WEEK! Mon - Fri 11am to Close Sat & Sun 10am to

LARGE SOMBRERO WATERFRONT DUPLEX

2 Bedrooms, 2 baths each side in this 2,752 sq ft duplex located on a 10,000 sq ft lot.. Great deep water access to the ocean or Gulf. Listed at appraised value. $1,800,000

HAPPY HOUR 1-4PM $7 Menu

• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!

• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm

* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!

BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM

• Unique & interesting menu

• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots

LUNCH & DINNER

• Lobster Enchiladas

• Diver Speared Local Fish

• Prime Rib • Local Lobster

• Cook Your Own Catch

• Great Seafood Selections

SUSHI

Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar • Fresh Uni arrives on Thursday

HABITAT LAUDS $950K IN STATE FUNDING

Nearly $1 million in state funding will go to support upcoming Habitat for Humanity builds throughout the Florida Keys, thanks to an appropriation secured in part through the efforts of state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and Rep. Jim Mooney during the 2024 Florida Legislative session. On Oct. 7, representatives from Habitat, the city of Marathon and Monroe County gathered together with Mooney and Rodriguez to officially commemorate the $950,000 partnership that help make the dream of homeownership become a reality for multiple Florida Keys families. Back row, from left: Marathon City Manager George Garrett, Marathon Planning Director Brian Shea, Habitat family services manager Meghan Richardson, habitat board members Erin Arnett and Ben Roche, Habitat board vice president Andres Herrera, Habitat board member Lisa Ziels, Habitat advisory committee chair Mike Puto. Bottom row: Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein, Habitat Middle Keys executive director Chris Todd Young, Rodriguez, Habitat board member Cindy McKnight, Mooney, Monroe County Land Authority acting executive director Cynthia Guerra, Habitat board president Ryan Elwell. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly

YEARS STRONG

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

It’s an all-month Halloween celebration in the Middle Keys

Starting to lose track of all the Halloween events popping up for the start of spooky season? You’re not alone. Ahead of the year’s most frighteningly fun weekends, Keys Weekly offers this roundup of options in town (and a little south), most of which are suitable for costume aficionados young and old.

What: Fall Festival and Grasstoberfest

When: Thursday, Oct. 10 - Sunday, Nov. 10

Where: The Lagoon on Grassy Key & Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden

Details: From a pumpkin patch to haunted hayrides to stein holding competitions, the Lagoon and Bongo’s are packing in all the fall vibes. With activities every day – ranging from family-friendly to thrillingly spooky – they’ll have something for everyone all month long. For a complete event schedule, visit “The Lagoon on Grassy Key” on Facebook.

What: Witches in the Hammock

When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, 6:30-9 p.m.

Where: Crane Point Museum & Nature Center

Details: Join Crane Point for its annual Witches in the Hammock event. Take a lantern walk through the hammock to a haunted house and watch the witches who live there dance around the fire pit. Have some witches’ brew and ride back to the Crane Point courtyard for all kinds of spooky games. Casper’s house will also be open for a visit with the friendly ghost. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children. Adult beverages are available for purchase along with hot dogs, chili dogs, corn dogs and roasted corn.

What: Stanley Switlik’s Spooktacular Halloween Carnival

When: Sunday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Stanley Switlik Elementary School

Details: Head over to Switlik for the school’s annual Halloween carnival. Feel free to wear a costume and join the parade at 12:30 p.m.

The day includes candy, games, food, crafts, music, a bounce house, the famed cake walk, a silent auction and more.

What: Boo Bash Costume Contest

When: Friday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. (costume contest 7 p.m.)

Where: Havana Jack’s Oceanside Restaurant, 401 E Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach

Details: Cool prizes and bragging rights are up for grabs at the 2024 Boo Bash Costume Contest. Come in your best costume and prepare for a night of spooky fun as you compete to win a two-night villa stay at Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel. All ages welcome. Proceeds go to benefit Presents in Paradise, which helps local working families provide Christmas for their kids. Live music by the Lady A Band, a 50/50 raffle, celebrity judges and scary drink specials will combine to guarantee a frighteningly fun evening.

What: Halloween Kids Costume Run

When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.

Where: 1155 Bulevar de Palmas, Marathon Details: HapynKeys Running’s annual Halloween costume run is back. The 1-mile run will take participants around a local neighborhood loop, and the event will include refreshments, snacks and best-costume and top-runner prizes.

What: Trick or Treat at Aquarium Encounters

When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.

Where: Aquarium Encounters, 11710 Overseas Hwy.

Details: Kids in costume will receive free admission to Aquarium Encounters and candy with a paying adult or member. Trick or treat and play games at the exhibits at the aquarium. While supplies last.

What: City of Marathon’s Trunk or Treat

When: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5-7 p.m.

Where: Marathon Community Park

Details: Come join the Marathon Parks & Rec department for its annual Trunk or Treat celebration. Bring your trick-or-treat bags and head to the park fields to see displays –and grab plenty of candy – from community organizations. The evening will also feature kids’ games in the park and more. To enter the trunk decorating contest, contact blyers@ ci.marathon.fl.us.

What: 16th annual City of Marathon employee costume contest

When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Details: Come see all the employee costumes and cast your votes. Cost is $1 per vote. All proceeds will be donated to Marathon Community Theatre.

What: Gulfside Village Trick or Treat

When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Gulfside Village, 5800 Overseas Hwy.

Details: Annual Trick or Treat Halloween party at Gulfside Village. Come enjoy the fun in the fresh outdoors. Candy donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at Flowers By J&J. Any business or organization that would like to set up a table or donate candy may contact Flowers By J&J to reserve a spot. Call 305-743-5459 or email danielle@ keysflowers.com.

What: Grassy Key Halloween

When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m.

Where: Grassy Key on Goodley, Gibson, Bailey and the west end of Morton Street.

Details: Please join the Grassy Key community in passing out candy for trick-or-treaters! All are welcome. Neighbors from outside the listed streets are welcome to set up trick or treat tables at Sunset Park on Morton Street.

What: Trick or Treating Behind the Airport

When: Thursday, Oct. 31, starting at dark

Where: Neighborhood off Aviation Blvd. between Dolphin Dr. and Harbor Dr.

Details: Come join the fun for Marathon’s traditional behind-the-airport trick-or-treating! MCSO deputies will be controlling traffic in the area from 6 to 11 p.m. Please note that a one-way traffic pattern will be established according to the map shown here. Parking is prohibited on Aviation Boulevard, but ample parking is available on Gulfstream Boulevard.

COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND

PARTY

21 STIRRUP KEY BOULEVARD

MARATHON | $759,000

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FEATURED LISTINGS

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30053 PINE CHANNEL ROAD

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30995 WATSON BOULEVARD

BIG PINE KEY | $2,300,000

UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW! Luxury water view home with an in-ground pool on a 14,680 sq ft lot with stellar boating access. Brand new single level elevated CBS home over parking. Impact windows and doors, metal roof, 10-foot interior ceilings, stainless appliances and much more. Construction is nearing completion; don’t delay. Expected completion November 2024!

Welcome to your dream home on Big Pine Key! Nestled on a quiet street and surrounded by County-owned property, enjoy abundant privacy from this charming home! Step inside and enjoy a perfect blend of modern updates and classic comfort. Chef's will love the updated kitchen which blends seamlessly with an openconcept main living space, ideal for entertaining. Conveniently located just minutes from town!

30988 WITTERS LANE

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Beautiful extra large lot with open water view and full active building permit. The lot also has an active permit for in-ground pool. Plans are included for single level elevated CBS 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom luxury home over parking, with superb boating access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

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BIG TORCH KEY | $5,999,000

Secluded & private 4 bedroom 4 bath estate with over 2,000 ft of waterfront situated on over 12 picturesque acres. 2,500 sq ft of decking connects the main home & guest house and was designed to maximize the indoor-outdoor living spaces. A true boater's paradise located along Niles channel allowing for direct access to either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico is complete with 65 x15 foot concrete seawall on a deep-water canal, davits, & dock house.

RETAIL

Join us for FREE ocean seminars at Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo!

FRIDAY, OCT. 18

2:00 pm: Doors open; coffee and snacks

2:45 pm: Upside-down Jellyfish As Bioindicators, presented by Natalia López Figueroa

3:30 pm: Diving With a Purpose: Restoring Coral Reef Ecosystems and Documenting Maritime History, presented by Kramer Wimberley

6:15 pm: The Reef Fishes of Gainesville, Florida: How the Florida Museum Fish Collection informs our understanding of reef fish communities, presented by Rob Robins

More details at www.REEF.org/REEFfest

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

2:00 pm: Doors open; coffee and snacks

2:30 pm: Fisheries Science with a SMILE: Citizen scientists contribute to marine conservation one photo at a time, presented by Dr. Alli Candelmo

3:00 pm: Key Largo... The New Normal, presented by Stephen Frink

Scan to view talk summaries and speaker bios

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

St. Columba hosts annual pet blessing and fall festival

ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

St. Columba Episcopal Church saw a departure from its usual parishioners as it welcomed all pets “smaller than an elephant” to an annual pet blessing and fall festival on Oct. 6. Held in partnership with Payton’s Promise Sanctuary and the Marathon SPCA, the event included golf cart rides, a pumpkin patch, photo booth opportunities for humans and their furry or feathered family members, and of course, an individual blessing for each pet by Rev. Debra Maconaughey.

“What a fun day full of friends, fun and lots of blessings,” the church posted on Facebook following the event. “So thankful fo rall the love we felt and all the wonderful animals we were blessed to meet.”

Photos by Ross Smith and contributed images.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!

When Marathon’s Philanthropist of the Year puts out a call to action, the town listens. At press time, the office space at Overseas Pub and Grill is overrun with hurricane relief supplies waiting for a trip up north to the panhandle following the passage of Hurricane Milton – though bar manager Andy Sharf says his crew can always make room for more supplies from the list printed here. The bar has two ongoing raffles with $50 tickets available for purchase to benefit hurricane victims: an ‘ultimate BBQ package’ including a Blackstone griddle cooking station and Traeger Timberline pellet grill, valued at $4,600, and a Club Car golf cart valued at $6,500. And on Saturday, Oct. 26, the Overseas crew will pair volunteer Middle Keys pitmasters with Dennis Jones BBQ to sell barbecue dinner plates, with proceeds going directly to storm victims via gift cards. Pictured are Sharf, right, and Overseas bartender Lauren Maguire with their piles of donations ready and waiting for the trip to the mainland. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

It is no secret that Key West gets most of the shine in the Florida Keys. In everyday talk about the island chain, most conversations center on the Southernmost City. The same can be said about things written in magazine articles and books and told in documentaries. Sometimes, it can feel like Key West is the only island in the Florida Keys, which is one of the reasons I do what I do: there is tremendous history up and down the island chain.

Today, we’ll explore an island that was two islands before Henry Flagler and the men building the Key West Extension of his Florida East Coast Railway arrived. The 1772 DeBrahm chart identified the larger of the two islands as Wright. In 1849, Gerdes wrote in his pamphlet Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and all the Keys, “Island between Long Id. (an early name for Plantation Key) and Old Matecumbe (Upper Matecumbe) has no name.” In the 1850s, both a U.S. Coast Survey and a report by Captain Abner Doubleday (yes, that Abner Doubleday who didn’t invent baseball) written for the U.S. Army identified the island as Vermont Key.

During the construction of the railroad, the two islands were known as the Umbrella Keys and Windleys Island. Benjamin Russell homesteaded 127 acres of the substantially larger of the two islands in 1883. In 1895, that island’s remaining 97 acres were deeded to the Jackson, Tampa, and Key West Railroad – a precursor to the Florida East Coast Railway. It was

Henry Flagler’s men who, while building the Key West Extension of the East Coast Railway, filled the narrow channel separating the two islands with limestone, sand, and marl until the two islands became one.

We recognize the island as Windley Key, a name thought to have come from an early pioneer. It is a relatively small island and home to a single mile marker, 85. Windley Key boasts two prominent physical features: quarries and fossils. It might be the best place in all of the Florida Keys to stop and take a good close look at the Keys’ ancient “underbelly.”

One of the island’s defining features is a collection of rock quarries dating back to the turn of the 20th century. One of those quarries hides in relatively plain sight as the prominent, rectangular water feature where bottlenose dolphins have been performing for audiences at Theater of the Sea since 1946.

In the midst of the Flagler years, a bustling railroad town sprang to life on Windley Key.

It was named, appropriately enough, Quarry and was located in the general area of what is today the parking lot of Theater of the Sea.

On April 8, 1908, the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union printed: “The camp at Quarry on Windley’s or Umbrella Key, is about the liveliest place on the keys. 100 laborers are employed quarrying rock, which is taken down the line and distributed along the trestles and right of way of the ocean going railway, for their protec-

LIMESTONE QUARRIES, HENRY FLAGLER AND DECORATIVE ROCK

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.

tion from tides. Mr. W.E. Brown is the resident engineer, and Capt. Richard and Mr. H.W. Connelly, foreman. The culinary department is looked after by Mr. D. M. Matheson, steward and it is not saying too much in his praise to call it the best camp that ever operated on the line. The men are fed on the best, nicely cooked, plenty of seafood, fresh meat and vegetables in abundance. Laborers come and go when they please, and are well paid. Mr. D.C. McCown is the storekeeper and Mr. E.M. Birchland is the new agent.”

At the quarries, workers sliced through the substrate for a byproduct of an ancient coral reef. Corals are not plants but animals closely related to sea anemones and jellyfish. They also build tiny coral homes by excreting limestone. Over thousands of years, the overlapping development of those limestone houses grow to create massive barrier reef systems. One of those ancient systems of coral reefs is now called the Florida Keys.

It is one thing to say that the island chain was built on the back of an ancient coral reef, but it is another thing to see it firsthand, which makes

Windley Key special. The primary quarry sites were located on the other side of the railroad tracks from what is today Theater of the Sea, where operations would continue long after Henry Flagler rolled into Key West aboard his personal railcar on January 22, 1912. Quarry work, done first by Russell and later by the men building the railroad and those working for the Keystone Rock Company, exposed eight-foot-tall island walls. Within those walls are the fossilized remains of the ancient reef, which is why the old quarry is now home to the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. The last company to quarry the limestone was the Keystone Rock Company. The quarrymen cut away the slabs of limestone that were then shipped to the Miami warehouse where the fossilized stone facades were polished to a sheen and sold as a decorative building material called Keystone. The Florida Keys Memorial, also known as the Hurricane Monument, on Upper Matecumbe Key, is an excellent example of Keystone. Though Keystone is still used, The Keystone Quarry ceased operations in the 1960s. In addition to some of the machinery once used to cut away the limestone displayed on the park grounds, the exposed walls of the former quarry are still standing. When visiting the park and walking through the old quarry, it is not only amazing to see the beautifully fossilized corals in the walls but also just how cookie-thin the layer of natural humus that covers the Florida Keys can be.

Windley Key has history

Keystone Quarry Warehouse on Windley Key circa 1965. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/ MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY

FALL’S TOP BOOK-TO - SCREEN ADAPTATIONS

TELL ME LIES

By Carola Lovering

Having survived a volatile relationship with her mother, Lucy escaped her Long Island home and traveled far away to start a brand new life. As a freshman in California, she quickly makes friends and is soon introduced to an upperclassman, Stephen DeMarco, one of the most popular guys at school. Stephen is ridiculously confident and extremely good-looking. From the moment they meet, Stephen makes Lucy feel honored to have his attention. He is well aware of Lucy’s desires and enjoys playing mind games to gauge her limits. Lucy becomes obsessed with Stephen’s every move, always at the edge of danger and scarily unpredictable. In addition to his deceptive personality, Stephen is a master of manipulation, keeping his own destructive childhood carefully hidden away. While another girl waits in the wings, half his pleasure is derived from knowing Lucy is always looking for him. Filled with psychological twists and turns, these young adults are trying to figure out who they are away from home, not comprehending the farreaching consequences of bad decisions. Not your typical romance, this toxic love story is cast perfectly. Season 2 just released on Hulu.

First and foremost a reader, she has reviewed hundreds of books on her blog www.readingandeating.com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.

THE NICKEL BOYS

By Colson Whitehead

Raised by his loving grandmother, Elwood Curtis spends his days sweeping the floor at the cigar shop and getting As in school. It’s the early 1960s in Tallahassee and as Elwood plays the speeches of Martin Luther King repeatedly on the turntable, he dreams of college and a brighter future. He is raised on good manners, kindness and hope. On the first day of a college class he proudly gained entrance to, Elwood is mistakenly detained and sent to a juvenile detention center called The Nickel Academy. With no means to fight this archaic system filled with prejudice and a sadistic self-serving staff, Elwood and his only friend Turner struggle to survive while planning their escape. These boys are beaten, raped and stolen from. Most barely survive, and those who don’t are often labeled as runaways. Based on an actual reform school called Dozier, which closed in 2011, University of South Florida archaeology students discovered remains of many bodies mysteriously buried nearby, including evidence of the brutality that made up this boys “school.” An incredibly painful look at America’s past, and now a book-to-screen that cannot be missed. In theaters October 25.

THE CHICKEN SISTERS

By K.J. Dell’Antonia

It’s taken Mae Moore six years to reinvent herself, living in Brooklyn with two small children and a successful husband named Jay. Mae is a self-made organizational guru working in reality TV and publishing her first book. But down in Merinac, Kansas, her mother’s restaurant, Chicken Mimi’s, needs her – or at least, they need her conniving manipulating determination. Her sister Amanda, who works for arch enemy Chicken Frannie’s, applied to be a contestant on Food Wars. This award-winning food competition has a prize worth $100,000, and both restaurants are in desperate need of cash. Mimi’s and Frannie’s have been competing for decades, but when Amanda switched teams and shockingly married Frank Pogociello, it was the straw that broke the chicken’s back. It doesn’t take long for the conniving producer to pit the sisters against each other, spilling recipes, lies and secrets. The whole town gets swept up in the rivalry, battling to crown the best restaurant. But in the end, it comes down to a fairly simple choice, and the girls must figure out what matters more: family or fowl. Joining ranks with the feel-goods, this bestseller can now be seen on Hallmark+.

#WORTHWATCHING

“Bad Monkey.” Vince Vaughn is charmingly funny as Andrew Yancy, a detective turned restaurant inspector/murder suspect who tries to rid the Florida Keys of greed and corruption, one body at a time. An adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 bestseller and a mustsee on Apple TV.

KAREN NEWFIELD

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, join Keys FCU in celebrating 76 years of International Credit Union Day® with treats and give aways in our branches.

Credit Unions bring people together to grow financial inclusion and make local communities stronger, even in our divided times. Celebrate ‘One World Through Cooperative Finance’ on

*Restrictions may apply. Subject to credit approval. See us for details. NCUA Insured. Membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the Florida Keys.

$4

$3

$2

THE EMPTY ORCHESTRA BLUES

You can be a star

For those of you who don’t know me past broadcasting, publishing or politics, my first love and passion has always been music. I still perform three to five nights each week at local clubs and restaurants, and I still write and record my own music. I love to go listen to good live music, and I’ll even put up with massive crowds and cramped seating –much less the long drive – for a good concert.

Yes, live music is a wonderful thing. There is another kind of entertainment, however, that combines (semi-) live music with sometimesunintentional comedy and the withouta-net danger of the circus. Yes, my friends, I’m talking about … karaoke. Karaoke is Japanese for “empty orchestra.” It can be funny, scary, or on those rare occasions when a talented singer takes the microphone, real good. It is very rarely, however, real good. Karaoke has risen to new heights these days, and that has not gone unnoticed by even the major TV networks. Many of you may now be in doubt of the words on this page – no way would network TV put on a karaoke show. For those doubters I have but two words: American Idol. (Also: The Voice.)

Yes, that phenomenon called American Idol, or the numerous spinoffs now happening, is really nothing more than glorified karaoke. Think about it — most of the contestants aren’t full-time or even part-time musicians, and I’d bet you tons o’ cash that a lot of them were at one time karaoke stars in their hometowns. It’s sort of like that old movie “Duets,” where Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow played karaoke singers that traveled to different karaoke competitions. Yes, there are actual karaoke competitions. I don’t know about you, but I just can’t fathom how someone can turn music into a competition. Music is very subjective, and the listener’s personal taste weighs heavy on his or her judgment as to what music is “better.” Take opera, for example. Classically trained vocalists and musicians devote their lives to a genre that leaves me a bit cold. I can’t say I’m a huge hip-hop fan, either. These are quite different ends of the cultural spectrum, neither of

JOHN BARTUS

John Bartus is a singer/songwriter, city administrator for Key Colony Beach and the former mayor of Marathon.

which speaks to my soul. Does that mean that other genres of music are better? No — it’s simply a matter of personal taste. If there were, however, a “genre” of entertainment that perhaps could be judged on any sort of “merit,” it might just be karaoke. Let’s face it: We’ve all heard bad karaoke singers, whether it be the group of guys who are imitating the “Top Gun” pilots singing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” or the actual woman I heard belting out Cher’s hit song “Half Breed” at the top of her lungs, with spirit and energy and feeling and with absolutely no sense of melody, pitch, or key whatsoever. Believe it or not, there are “karaoke cultists” who actually believe that bars — not bad singers — give karaoke a bad name. This is an actual quote from Karaoke Scene magazine’s website:

“Small bars where people go to get drunk, move a day closer to death with their cancer sticks and make trouble for singers. I’m not talking about all bars. There are good ones that have enough space and class and serve food and there are holes in the wall which give karaoke a bad name. It may mean good business. But smoke and drink are still poisons that kill us all in slow motion.”

Luckily for all aspiring singers, there are a few different local karaoke hosts that set up their operations, complete with thousands of songs and the requisite video monitors, at various local watering holes throughout the Keys. They all have practically any song nearly anyone might consider singing. Grab the microphone (and beverage of choice) and belt out the hits. Just make sure Simon Cowell isn’t lurking too close nearby.

— John Bartus is a singer/songwriter, city administrator for Key Colony Beach, and the former mayor of Marathon. Catch John live Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, this Friday with Adrienne Z at Lorelei, and Sunday afternoons at Skipjack Tiki. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus. com • johnbartus.hearnow.com

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Dr. Christopher Forsee, DMD is seamlessly taking the reins from the iconic “Barefoot Dentist,” Dr. Troxel, where the laid-back vibe extends even to the choice of footwear.

Dr. Forsee delivers personalized comprehensive dental care tailored to your needs. Whether it's routine maintenance or advanced procedures, trust Dr. Forsee to rejuvenate your smile with meticulous precision and compassionate care.

CHARLES W. SPEHRLEY JR. 1944-2024

Charles W. Spehrley Jr., “Corky,” of Key Colony Beach, FL, formerly of White River Junction, VT, passed away peacefully in Jamison, PA on Sept. 24. He was 80 years old.

Corky was born in Pottsville, PA, a son of the late Charles W. Spehrley and Mary M. Spehrley (nee Moyer). Corky graduated from Pottsville High School in 1962, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. He was president of the National Honor Society and class salutatorian. He attended Dartmouth College, was the social chairman of Sigma Nu Delta and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. In 1968, Corky graduated from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth with a master’s degree in mechanical and electrical engineering.

He joined Creare Inc. in Hanover, NH while in grad school and continued with them upon graduation. A prolific inventor with numerous patents, he contributed to the invention of facsimile technology, patented the first ink jet printer head and designed a mechanical heart valve, among many other breakthrough technologies. In the 1980s he cofounded Spectra Inc. in Etna, NH and in 1999 he retired and began a very successful consulting business.

He was married to Karen Ann Wetherill of Wrightstown, PA for 15 years and had two daughters: Kimberly Spehrley Laughlin and Kristen Wetherill Mims. They resided in Hartford, VT. In 1981 he married Dianne Peluso of Manhattan, NY. They built homes in White River Junction and in Key Colony Beach, between which they divided their time. Corky was a valued member of both communities. He was an avid racquetball and tennis player, and he loved to fish. He was widowed from Dianne in 2010. Most recently he relocated to Jamison, PA to be closer to family.

Corky is survived by his daughter Kimberly S. Laughlin (nee Spehrley) of Chalfont, PA; his grandchildren Morgan B. Mims, Shane A. Mims, Loon J. Laughlin and Trevor J. Laughlin; his great grandchildren Hazel, Caleb and Kristen; and his brother David N. Spehrley of Louisville, KY.

He is preceded in death by his wife Dianne P. Spehrley (nee Peluso), and his daughter Kristen W. Mims (nee Spehrley).

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bucks County SPCA, 1665 Street Rd., New Hope, PA 18938 (https://buckscountyspca.org/)

A Celebration of Life will be held for Corky on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Rd., Solebury, PA. A reception will follow at the church. All are welcomed.

BRIEFLY

Community choir, orchestra seek singers and musicians

The Lower Keys Community Choir and the Keys Chamber Orchestra are preparing to start rehearsals for holiday concerts and are seeking additional singers and musicians. The groups will be performing Christmas concerts on Dec. 10, 11, and 12. They rehearse on Big Pine Key on Sunday afternoons, starting on Oct. 27. Those interested in joining should email KeysChamberOrchestra@gmail.com.

Keys Sanctuary Advisory Council meets

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in Marathon. The council will discuss several topics related to the Restoration Blueprint including a timeline update and buoy system plans. Hanna Koch, director of Monroe County’s artificial reef program will also present a program update. A public comment opportunity will be offered at approximately 2 p.m. An agenda and supporting materials will be posted at https://floridakeys. noaa.gov/sac. For questions or information prior to the meeting, please contact Liz Trueblood (elizabeth. trueblood@noaa.gov).

Marathon man, woman arrested on drug charges

A man and woman, both of Marathon, were arrested Oct. 7 on cocaine-related charges following a sheriff’s office investigation. Shayon Leander Bryant, 50, was charged with the sale of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. Melissa Marie Matie, 37, was charged with the possession of cocaine with intent to sell. Sheriff’s office special investigations division detectives said they met the suspects in Marathon regarding previous drug-related charges/ warrants. At the time of their arrest Monday, officers said Bryant was in possession of 24.9 grams of cocaine and Matie was in possession of 1.4 grams of cocaine.

CFK scholarships available for spring

The College of the Florida Keys encourages future and current students to apply for scholarships for the spring semester. Criteria for scholarships range widely to accommodate and assist a variety of students. Scholarship descriptions and criteria can be viewed on the Col-

lege’s website at cfk.edu/discover/ cfk-foundation/scholarship-info/. Applications are submitted online. The deadline to submit applications for most scholarships is Nov. 6. There is no limit to the number of scholarships for which a student may apply. CFK’s spring semester begins Jan. 10. Students must be registered for spring classes to be eligible for spring scholarships. For more scholarship information and guidance, contact the CFK Foundation at foundation@cfk.edu or 305-809-3153. In addition to scholarships, further resources to help students pay for college, such as federal financial aid and tuition payment plans, can be found on CFK’s website at cfk.edu/ paying-for-college/.

Second man arrested for 20th Street dumping

A 69-year-old Marathon, Florida man was arrested Oct. 4 for allegedly leaving more than 15 pounds of garbage and debris at a makeshift camping area. Abelardo Castro Silva Castro was charged with illegal dumping/littering more than 15 pounds. The sheriff’s office was on patrol on 20th Street around 10 a.m. and observed the suspect near a tent with trash — food debris, water bottles, clothes, a mattress, and other garbage — spilling onto the street. He was taken to jail.

Taoist Tai Chi Society hosts introductory sessions

The Taoist Tai Chi Society will host introductory sessions at St. Columba Episcopal Church parish hall (451 52nd Street Gulf in Marathon) on Monday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 17 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Come discover the many benefits of Taoist Tai Chi, a gentle exercise that increases flexibility, strength and balance and can improve cardiovascular health. To learn more, visit www.taoisttaichi. org.

Come take a class at the Marathon library

The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.

Having Fun in the Middle Keys

TRY ’N’ FIND

Words that remind us of spiders are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

ARACHNID, DIGEST, EIGHT, FANGS, FLEXIBLE, GLAND, HALLOWEEN, INSECT, JAWS, PARALYZE, POISONOUS, PREY, SILK, SPIDER, SPINNERET, STRONG, VENOM, WEAVE, WEB. S

Founded by Betty Debnam

Creepy, Crawly Spiders

Do you run from the room screaming when you see a spider? Or do you look at them and their webs with wonder?

Spiders are both amazing and creepy. With Halloween coming up soon, The Mini Page learned more about the awesome spider.

ARE SPIDERS INSECTS?

Spiders are in a group called arachnids (uhRAK-nids). Ticks, mites and scorpions belong to the same class.

Although spiders look a lot like insects, they are not insects. Here are some differences:

Spiders:

• have eight legs

• have two body sections

• spin silk

• have glands filled with venom

Insects:

• have six legs

• have three body sections

• Most have wings and antennae.

IMPORTANCE OF SPIDERS

Spiders eat billions of insects. They are important in controlling insects that may harm crops. They also help protect human health by capturing and eating diseasespreading insects such as houseflies.

Super strong silk

Spider silk is one of the strongest materials on Earth. One strand of spider silk is stronger than the same size strand of steel. But the silk is also flexible, or able to be easily shaped. Spider silk was once used to make bulletproof vests.

silk starts as a liquid inside glands, or special organs, in the spider’s body. When the liquid silk comes in contact with air, it hardens.

A spider usually has four spinnerets, or organs that produce silk, at the tip of its abdomen. As the spider moves the spinnerets, they weave the silk together, much like people weave threads.

Spiders can change the size, strength, thickness, stretchiness and stickiness of their silk. Along with webs, spiders can spin protective covers for their egg sacs.

Experts list only two types of spiders as poisonous to humans in America: the black widow and the brown recluse. The black widow spider (left) comes in two varieties — the western black widow and northern black widow. If you are bitten by one of these spiders, you should see a doctor right away. Be sure to keep the spider so it can be identified.

A new study finds that the COVID-19 virus is now widespread among wildlife in the United States, including such backyard animals as rabbits, mice and bats.

Virginia Tech researchers say the virus was most prevalent among wildlife near hiking trails and in highly trafficked public areas, suggesting the virus passed from humans to wildlife in some casual way. In one of the animals tested, the virus had mutated to a strain not seen in humans before. But the scientists stressed there is no evidence of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans.

Venom is poison produced by an animal. Spider venom paralyzes its prey, or makes it unable to move.

The venom also digests the prey, or breaks it down into a liquid. Spiders can eat only liquids. When the venom has turned the prey to liquid, the spiders suck it into their stomachs.

Spiders’ venom is in their large jaws. At the tip of each jaw is a sharp, movable fang. When the spider bites an insect, the jaws squeeze the insect, and venom flows through an opening in the spider’s fangs.

Spiders eat only live insects. Once its venom has paralyzed the prey, the spider can keep its meal alive until it’s done eating.

BEING CAREFUL

Most spiders are too small to break human skin and are not dangerous to us.

But even spiders with weak venom can still cause serious reactions in people. Spider bites can cause a high fever, body aches, and some pain or swelling where the person was bitten. When you see a spider or a spider web, don’t put your hands on it. Spiders would rather run away than bite you. They usually bite humans only if they are rolled on or pinched against someone’s skin.

RESOURCES

On the Web:

bit.ly/MPspiders

bit.ly/MPspiders2

At the library:

“Spiders” by Rebecca Pettiford

Spider

Photo courtesy University of Nebraska Department. of Entomology

photo by

Jason7825

photo by Shenrich91

The spinneret of an Australian garden orb weaver spider

VENOM

photo © Ben Smith

The fangs of a tarantula

Meet Greet 11th

S e pt e mbe r October

Please join me from 5-8 P.M. at The Marathon Yacht Club located 825 33rd Street, Gulf Marathon, FL

If you are unable to attend but would still like to make a donation please mail a contribution to 84 Tingler Lane, Marathon, FL 33050 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jody “Lynny” Del Gaizo for Marathon City Council