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Archives of Old Kudos and Whiners

October 2004

Sunday
October 31
2004

Happy Halloween
Everybody!  Have fun, stay safe!
31 Another one bites the dust. I recently was let go from Rob's bar and grill. I am writing about the way the owner fired me. I was accused of claming one of his managers stole money from me. Funny that he should know about this even though I told no one about the two hundred plus that was missing on my shift; not even the manager that was on shift that is accusing me of blaming them. I was asked to clean something to get my attention; in my haste to impress I left my money were my manager on shift was left to watch over. When I returned I realized there were hundred dollar bills and fifties missing. I still said nothing. When I went in the next day for my schedule the owner informed me that the manager on shift that night had told him I was blaming him for stealing my money (which I never told anyone about on this occasion. I took it as a chalked-up lesson and it made me realize to watch who I trust. When I came to pick up my check the owner, in front of everyone, (employees, and costumers) accused me of blaming his manager for stealing and then fired me in public eye for everyone to hear. He did not ask or even let me say anything about the situation. So I am explaining now. I definitely do not plan to ever return.
31
FORMER HEAD OF THE ARMY CORPS. Seems to me that too many people here spend too much time complaining about how they can't do things here; and at the same time are happy the Keys are as they are. We live in a very special place and just because more people are trying to move here doesn't mean we need to change the quality of life we all enjoy. That even includes the dirt bags that live from beer to beer. Many of us complained when the first condo's were built in Key West along the south  shore of the Island, blocking the views of the sunset many years ago. I am so thankful that we have the prohibiting laws and guidelines we do have here in the Keys because without them, we would have more Pritam Sighn projects coming up where the grass and trees used to grow. Where once stood memorable places where Tinsley Ellis used to play. Quit complaining and enjoy the pleasure of the uniqueness of Big Pine Key and be thankful for the wildlife we still have, even if you aren't a tree hugger and don't ever admire the beauty of Big Pine Key. How about enjoying the fact that we still recognize our neighbors here and that won't change too much. We are limited in the number of houses we have. Sometimes the "regulators" go too far, but at least they are there to prevent some of the "Miami-ization" going on elsewhere.
 

 

Did you turn your clocks back?  

31
That is the Breezeswept Hotel (the Looe Key Reef Resort) not the Mariner Resort (the good old days were when it was the Vista Linda Resort before the Kump's turned it into a smugglers cove and started  dumping cocaine onto the island).
31 The motel pictured was the Breezeswept Motel (Breezeswept Estates Subdivision-duh!). It is now and has been for some time the Looe Key Reef Resort & Tiki Bar. For a long time, it was the only fresh water pool in the area that actually welcomed well behaved locals. They had a liquor take out store long before Joe Glenn had the Tiki bar built. The Motel also had (still has) doors in front of each room, and doors out the back to the dock. How convenient in the old days of smuggling. The building looks nothing like the old Mariner Resort in any way.
31 I just read that Peg Leg's restaurant at the old Marina Resort was purchased with drug money. I didn't know that. My smuggler friends and I used to hang out there and we didn't even know that Mr. Pegg was also dealer.
31 I think you may be mistaken about the mangroves.  I think you need a permit to "trim" and then it is only a certain amount but not to the point that they are "removed", no matter how small they are.  Now, I personally don't care if you "removed" your mangroves, hell, come and remove mine, and the buttonwood also (sorry Maya).  But when you claimed that you followed the rules and that if others would just follow the rules, life would be grand.  And you say that you did something that myself and others believe to be not following the rules, you are going to get blasted.  Lighten up, it was sanctimonious crap spewing. 
31 Long-winded tomes
31


A guy won the giant pumpkin contest with a 1,239 pound pumpkin that has a 13 foot circumference.

31
Did you vote?  Vote Kerry.  Another 8 of our fine young men died today.  What a horrible mess Bush has this country in. He is a Beast.
31
This website should be kept for local issues not national, political, issues. It should not be used to bash good people who have had a moment or two of bad judgment. You show peoples' arrest photos, but not their convictions. Half of those arrests are thrown out. You bash good people trying to make a living down here. (Sam John, Tara, Dave & kids, John & Dawn Ward, etc.) C'mon I know where your skeletons are buried. Keep on spewing your trash and you will end up seeing yourselves posted one day. 
31
I think a more appropriate title for this section should be "Losers and Liars". Good grief, people, get a life and an education.
31
Apologies; I spoke too soon.  The ammo dump story is still being sorted out.  Please stay informed and follow the updates through various sources.
31


Sun visor, baseball cap, ponytail...any little bit helps to keep stray hairs from landing where you definitely don't want them (like in food you're trying to serve).   And I don't, honestly, believe anyone is complaining if the server is a shapely female.

31 So let me get this straight.  If you are a good looking women on Big Pine Key you get harassed for it. Then the guys complain about there not being any good looking girls on Big Pine Key.  Are you  nincompoops starting to get it yet. Duh!
31
Sam and John (BP Coffee Shop). You are fine, fine people and you and your business are an asset to our community.  We are glad you are here.  Don't change a thing.
31
The first picture is of one of Flagler's engines. It is one of the first ever out of the mold. Les (Glassworks) gave it to me and one for each of my sisters. I watched him make it. The next picture is one of those infamous insulators. It is made by the Hemingray Co. I collected a bunch when I was young. I got cut on the bottom of my foot bad collecting them, 24 stitches. Ouch.
31
Hey, Mr. Padget, want some votes from Big Pine?  Ax Axford.
31
Vote for John PadgetYou need a big change for the good of the children.
31 The only way our children will be able to get a better education in this district is to elect an outsider. The local, good ol' boy, candidate Mr. Acevido will deliver the same ol' stuff that's placed our school system at the bottom of the heap. We really need a new thinker like Padget to get this school system out of that heap.
31
No we don't need a Wendy's here on BP. We have too many restaurants that would be put out of business. Which means jobs are lost. No one can compete with their prices. In the shopping center alone 3 places would be severely affected, excluding WD. Has anyone formed a committee to protest like we did for Walgreen's?
31
Cats. I drove through the Avenues yesterday and there were free roaming cats everywhere. Don't those residents realize that the domestic cat is an exotic predator whose instincts cause it to hunt and kill indiscriminately, no matter how well fed?  I feel sorry for any wildlife that try to live or migrate thru that area.
31
To the guy with the unstable girlfriend:  Do you think mental illness cures itself?  Your anchor gets heavier with time & it will continue to lower your stock.  Certainly you can do better than the current nutball you have settled for.  I feel sorry for you & everyone involved.  Good luck.

 

Saturday
October 30
2004
Vic Anderson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retired earlier this year. Like him or not, it was Vic and people like him that kept the Keys from looking like Miami.  Perhaps Vic did spend an inordinate amount of time on details that may seem trivial to some, but it's the incremental degradation that eventually adds up to an environmental mess.  Vic tried his very best to hold the line on the destruction of the Keys, at great personal cost. Vic is a man of principle and integrity, and we were fortunate to have him as our environmental watchdog for so many years.

As for the plugged canals on Big Pine, Ramrod and Little Torch...well those canals were plugged because they were dredged illegally back in the heyday of rampant environmental destruction and ruination of the Keys.  The plugging of those canals was the penalty for the illegally dredging them. If there was any real environmental justice, the canals would have been backfilled and the land restored.

Seriously, folks.  Haven't the Keys seen enough thrashing and development? How much more development do we as a community really need?  Lots of folks complain about government regulation, but they sure like that vacant lot next to their house.  Next time your walking the dog and enjoying the peace and beauty of Big Pine, realize there are plenty of folks that had to forfeit their dream of building so you can enjoy your walk.

Think what the Keys would look like if every lot was developed.  How long would the lines in Winn Dixie be?  Traffic anyone?  Any fish left in the sea?  Would you still want to live here?  Think it through.
30
30
I am the sanctimonious crap spewing, got miner, mangrove murderer.  Yes, they do die on their own; and yes you are allowed to trim a certain amount.  The ones I "gradually" removed were no bigger than a potted plant of average size, altogether.  Threats are so much fun.  Thanks for keeping an eye out for me since you know who I am.  I have a copy of the overhead photos and will be happy to share.  Have a wonderful Fantasy Fest weekend.
30 Re the ammo dump . Your statements are fat and utter lies.   KSTP St Paul Minn. Channel 5  news crew was with U.S. soldiers in Iraq as they discovered large amounts of unguarded explosives just after the fall of Baghdad. This has become a sensitive issue, since tons of explosives are reported missing from that area and are possibly now in the hands of the enemy.

The news crew was with soldiers from the 101st Airborne division on April 18, 2003 when they checked out the bunkers at or near Al-Qaqaa. Inside those bunkers, they found a variety of explosives.   The films of their visit are all over the media (including CNN last night).

So, it wasn't gone before the US arrived as Bush claims.  Bush failed to secure the explosives and now it is in the hands of terrorists. The world is far more unsafe now. Thanks to Bush and his colleagues. VOTE KERRY.

30

Restaurant Review: I tried a Radagest beer or two (or three) at the Bohemia restaurant on Flagler in K.W. With a name like that I thought it would be German, but it was Czechoslovakian. What good beer and what old lousy food. I think the food was left over from Tito’s era.

30 Fashion Police: Ditto on the stupid visor. This isn't Pebble Beach Country Club. That women thinks she's the queen of Big Pine and we're all peasants.
30 To the person who wrote in about Sam, her visor, body parts, you should be ashamed. Maybe the "visor" keeps hair out of the food, maybe she feels comfortable in it during her 15 hour day. Obviously, you must be perfect to pass judgment on someone as dear and sweet as Sam, or maybe you are like the rest of the mean-spirited people who are just plain jealous that you don't look like her. I for one enjoy this web site but I was embarrassed to read those entries. As far as the silicone, do you live with her, some people are just born lucky. It takes hard work, excise and good eating habits to look like that, So while your eating your twinkles and thinking of who you can hurt next, why don't you take a jog or bike ride and work on yourself.
30 I certainly wish I had nothing better to do than complain of politics, notice a local restaurant owners irritating attire,  watch my neighbors trim mangroves and some of the other bulls**t Piners consider worthy of making comments about on this website.   For such a great community we have some very small people in our midst.  Rise above it!
30 Note to editor:  Why do you post the slams about people's appearance on here (woman with visor?) 
(Ed: The only way to really know what a community thinks is to publish everything, even the crap. We disapprove of much of this stuff, but we are not censors. That's the whole purpose of Kudos and Whiners.)
30 Speaking of silicone, Dawn Ward (wife of John Ward of Fishcutters) has the owner from the Coffee Shop beat. Those tiny low-cut shirts she wears are hot!!
30 To the women who owns the Big Pine Coffee Shop.  I hope you don't care what some obnoxious low life scumbags who are obviously burning up with jealous say about you.  Those people are an embarrassment to themselves and this island of Big Pine Key.  Big Pine Key seems to have been a haven for those types, most
of us here wish they would just leave. Eventually they drink themselves to death.  You work hard take care of yourself and are an asset to this community and choose to where a visor while you are doing it.  Believe this the community of  Big Pine Key is happy with what you have done and are proud to have you as a business owner, especially with your visor on!   
30
The B.P. Restaurant has the best damn baby back ribs you'll ever eat, I never really noticed the lady's visor. There are more interesting protrusions on her anatomy. Definitely Peg Bundy.
30 I agree 2 for 20 pizza is not only nasty pizza but the cook is very unsanitary. Picking his nose and then preparing food. They never use gloves to prepare the food nor do they wash their hands. I'm not sure the cook even washes his body.
30
Let's Ax Axford! Sugarloaf needs a principal that cares about our kids not FCAT scores. Our kids deserve better. Get rid of her.
30
I have lived in BPK only 4 years and I, too, am against any fast food places coming to town. Once the first is here then the rest will follow. I also think when the new Paradise Mobil is built and the old one torn down another piece of BPK will be gone forever. Take your pictures now so the next generation can see what BPK used to look like.
30 I can't wait for Wendy's to come to Big Pine. It's about time we get a fast food restaurant on Big Pine. It is impossible to take a lunch break and get a good meal cooked quickly leaving time to actually enjoy your food before you have to go back to work. Why is it when you call ahead to pick up food that they don't start cooking it till you get there? That defeats the purpose of calling ahead. Coco's is the worst about that. And they are so rude when you go in and expect your food to be ready.
30
I wish I could go through the Winn Dixie checkout without the cashier complaining to me. I personally hate grocery shopping to begin with and after spending time searching every isle because they moved EVERYTHING in the store and dodging rude people that walk right in front of me like I'm not even there; then I have to hear the cashiers complaining about managers, broken registers, not getting breaks and whatever else is on their minds. Keep it to yourselves. I don't want to hear it. I have my own problems. Just ring up my stuff and let me go. Oh, and the self-check-outs suck just like at K-Mart. Winn Dixie should have done their homework on that one.
30
Ed, you haven't lived here long enough to give out island history, you got some things right, but Les used the insulators to make stuff with. There is still a pile of them in the woods near there. He also used old broken black glass bottles and any other glass he could find laying around. You see, as a little kid, Les used to let me sit and watch them work all the time. I have a collection of things he gave me when they were still cooling off. God blesses us with the little things in life to remember.
(Ed: I stand corrected. Would you send some photos so we all can see these pieces? Thanks.)
30
How long do we have to look at that eyesore that used to be Montes?
30 The Breezeswept Motel was the one at the Tiki Bar on Ramrod.  It still looks the same
30 The Breeze Swept Motel is Looe Key now.
30
I don't think that is Breeze Swept Motel.  It never looked that good.  It looks to me like it is from the old Mariner's Resort.  The pool was out off the Restaurant, Peg Leg's.  Those were the days!
30 That picture looks like the Looe Key Motel which used to be Breeze Swept in the 60's.
Friday
October 29
2004

 

 


I'm afraid to go to bed!

29
Do mangroves not die on their own?  Should they not then be removed?  This is an honest question, since I don't know anything about them and haven't had any dealings with the situation.
I saw a reference to the Big Pine Key Botanical Society a few days back. Where can I get more information about this group and their activities?  
(Ed: Call Peggy 744-0241.)
29
Kressler: 3 years prison would be plenty, if spent suspended from the ceiling by the offending body parts.
29
To the person who asked why the woman at The Big Pine Restaurant always wears the sun visor, please remember that this is a person you are talking about, who has real feelings.  Samantha is a very nice person.  I have gotten to know her from going into the restaurant. She & John have done a great job of cleaning up the place and improving the over-all quality of the restaurant. I think we are lucky to have them here.
29 To the person asking about the Big Pine Coffee Shop owner wearing a sun visorGet a life! Wahhhhhhh!
29 I know I should not be saying this but I cannot save myself, the she owner of the coffee shop wears that visor to cut the glare coming from all that silicone she has on the upper part of her body.
29 I would love to see what the person looks like that is passing judgment on the women in the coffee shop.
29 I have seen the lady that owns the Big Pine Coffee Shop with that visor too!  She stands out with it on that’s for sure. I, too, think she looks a little ridiculous to be wearing it all the time. I thought I was the only one who noticed she wears it all the time.  I think she kind of looks like Peg Bundy from Married with Children.
29

 

 

 


1960's Breeze Swept Motel. Is this Big Pine Motel?

29 The sweet girl that works at Fishcutters is Mia and she isn't related to John and Dawn. She's married to Robert. He's the guy you see cooking all the delectable treats we go to Fishcutters for. They are a wonderful couple and you are right, Mia does brighten up the whole place.
29 I agree, let's get rid of Theresa Axford. She cares only about how she appears and not about what is best for our children. The problem is that she feels like she owns the school and anybody who opposes her gets the shaft. Either job wise or the kids get it. Have any of you seen what she has done with the SAC meetings? The people who want to run who would make a positive change aren't even let on the ballots. This isn't a fair or just system at all. Maybe she ought to move out of the keys and take her "artist" husband with her. What kind of art does he do anyway? Has anybody ever seen him "do" anything?  There are many parents who would like to see the kids learn more that just how to take an FCAT test. How about teaching our kids how to live and function productively in the real world? That wouldn't get FCAT money though.
29
Re: Big Pine Glassworks. The owner was Les Cunningham, a local legend at the time.  He died in a head-on crash with original refuge manager Jack Watson, Sr., back in the early 70's.  They were looking for key deer poachers. Both vehicles were running with lights out at night on Key Deer Blvd. when the crash occurred.  Watson survived.   Cunningham operated the glass foundry in the back of the (Montego Bay) property with a small shop up front.  I don't know about the glass insulators, but I know he made a lot of knick-knack stuff, paperweights, etc. 
29 I remember the Big Pine Glassworks only vaguely, as I was a little kid. I do have a beautiful blown glass swan made by the guy that worked there. I believe we had two in our family, it was news to me that it was a practical job as well as an artistic pursuit. Does anyone else have any pieces from there? I don't know if the guy had a side business or was friends with my parents.
29
I don't think the Glassworks ever made electrical insulators. They made art glass paper weights that were very beautiful, but who needed expensive paperweights?
29 We moved to Big Pine in '68. The Glassworks was here. I think they closed in '71, maybe '72.
29 Re: BPK Glassworks. Thanks for the info.  Do you mean the building that was Margaret Wright’s real estate office? I bought a Big Pine Key Glassworks ashtray on ebay and it is very cool.
29 Want to see the most frightening thing this Halloween season?
29 Brett Cantler has a disease called cycloid (?) vomiting syndrome. I had never heard of it and am not sure what it is, but he has been in Miami Children's Hospital since late Aug. That is about all I know.
29

If you like hair in your pizza and want to find a piece of a roach’s leg underneath the crust of your pizza then 2 for 20 Pizza is the place for you!  I ate there one year ago and got the hair on my pizza. I gave the place a rest then figured it was an honest mistake. So I gave it another go three weeks ago, and low and behold, a cute little ROACH’S LEG was under my nephew’s pizza slice.  I will never buy another thing from this obviously unclean establishment.  I think they should be inspected very closely by the proper agency.  God only knows what people eat that they can’t even see from this place.  Think again before you eat there.

29


Are they installing new channel markers in the W-D parking lot?

29 Please do not ever let Corporate America into Big Pine.  That means no fast food chains, or Wal-Marts.  Winn Dixie and CVS is more then enough.  You could consider a little more space for small businesses, a county Group Insurance policy so small business owners can afford health insurance for their staff and a little bit more affordable housing.  I recently had to move from Big Pine because I discovered this great place a little to late to afford a home and I never was able to afford the cost of health insurance even if I was lucky to find a job that did offer it.  There are very few employers in the keys that can afford a good benefit package for their people.  The County is about it. Even though my standard of living went down when I arrived in Big Pine three years ago I was still so much happier there then any place I had ever lived before.  It was the people, my neighbors that made the difference.  I miss being a part of the Big Pine community.  But I will visit often and spend my vacation money at all the local places.
29
The ammo dump in question was listed by the UN inspectors as one to be watched when the US moved in.  An imbedded reporter for NBC was with the soldiers when they arrived at the spot and reported it had been emptied sometime before the US arrived there.  This story was first reported in April 2003 and conveniently recycled (minus relevant dates) in time to cause a pre-election uproar.
29 To address the "Kerry is not worthy" person. Put down that kool-aid, man and get a clue. www.Factcheck.org will give you the real info not that crap they spew on the evening news.
29 If you want good food, quick and friendly and cheap, try Pizzaworks.
Thursday
October 28
2004

 

 


Halloween is so scary. It Beckons.

28
RE: KRESSER SENTENCE. 3 years State Prison and 8 years sex offender probation. What a joke! I am a victim of rape which occurred when I was 9 months pregnant and as a result I lost a baby son. RAPE RUINS LIVES! Not only the victim's, but also the entire family. This predator should have been put away for LIFE! Hopefully he will get his "DUE" while serving his time and will never make it back to the streets.
28 The last thing we want in the keys is a Wal-mart, you are only thinking of yourself, not the business people that operate busnesses and stores through the Keys. How many more do you want them to put out of business and work? It's tough enough down here as it is.
28 Out of all the fast food restaurants that could come to Big Pine, why Wendy's?  I don't even eat fast food that often, but come on, I'd rather have a McDonalds.
28

 



This is what happens if you don't change your brake shoes on your boat trailer every year.

28 Can someone please tell me what has happened to Brett Cantler? What a great family. My son use to play baseball with him & Brooks was his coach. We moved away about 2 years ago but saw him in August. Please any info would be great.
28 Mangrove killer. We know who you are and we saw what you did. You are in a heap of touble now that you have confessed online. 
28 2 for 20 pizza is still alive and kicking like a lot of other businesses since the 3 hurricaines. Hang in there guys and don't let the rumors bother you.
28
School Board Members. Are you listening to what the community is telling you?  Get your act together and start acting like professionals.
28

I have lived here for 30 years and don’t know a thing about the Big Pine Key Glassworks.  Anyone know when and where it existed?  
(ED: It was located in the Montego Bay building. In the tin building behind it. That's where the furnace was. They used to make glass insulators for the utility poles. I don't know what year it was. After it closed, the first bar there was named the Glass Tiki.)

28
Kerry is not worthy to be a citizen of the United States much less our President.  At every opportunity he is belittling our country and our soldiers which is undermining our efforts and sending the wrong message to the world.  He betrayed our country after the Vietnam war and even met with the enemy in Paris.  How come he wasn't arrested for aiding and abetting the enemy?  2.  He testified that heads and ears were chopped off and villages burned by him and others.  Again, why wasn't he arrested?  The man is a criminal.  I don't know how he sleeps at night. 
28 My dear kind Sirs.  I would politely like to point out that Mr. Bush and his collegues have not made us more secure.  Among other failures, they have failed to secure the explosives and secure the peace in Iraq. The PBS Frontline show last night Rumsfeld's war:  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/pentagon/  did an excellent job of illustrating how the current Administration failed to prepare for this war and have made the world far less safe.   Please kind Sirs and Madams, consider a vote for Kerry/Edwards on Nov 2. Thank you, sincerely.
28 We need more than one president. We need a presidential council of 5 leaders. No one man should be on such an ego trip.
28
Re updates;  Maybe add a time stamp to your date box?  I think you've already used that sometimes.  There's plenty of room in the box, but I don't know how much trouble it is to add.  You'd have to standardize; time sent or time rec'd or time posted.  No big deal, I thoroughly enjoy catching up in here no matter when stuff shows up!
28 I like the updates.  Please continue, if you have the time.  I get to see your advertisements more and it gives me something to do during the afternoon, when my boss thinks I'm working.  Just be consistent.
28

 


Go here http://www.salon.com/comics/knig/2004/10/27/knig/index1.html

28 Why does the woman owner of the Big Pine Coffee Shop always wear that sun visor?  It looks stupid, especially at night.  I'll bet she sleeps in it.
28
Please vote,  but not for Bush.
28
Restaurant Review: To the person complianing about Mangrove Mama's attitude problem; Have u tried that place on Summerland that used to be just a fish house down the street from Monte's? There is the cutest, most helpful girl that work's a lot. She's always there at night. Anyway, she brightens the room with her smile and is always dressed appropriatly - may even be related to the owner's?? Attitude always GREAT. Thank you.
Wednesday
October 27
2004

 

 

Thanks to MJ Muller for this years' Halloween graphics.

27

Have you noticed the lousy erasers on pencils these days. They’re more plastic than rubber. They don’t work very well and, sometime, leave streaks on the paper.

27
ROCKY THE ATTACK CAT. I love this cat! He used to own the street in Key West as well as several store fronts. Now he's a passive pussy being licked by all the local key deer here on our precious island at a local's private sanctuary. What a cat's life.
27 Kresser got 3 years in the state prison and 8 years sex offender probation.
27


The bug in the picture is a Lubber Grasshopper, and they eat everything in sight, but nothing seems to want to eat them.
27
That bug looks like a former grasshopper.  The best cure is a duck, they are death on the buggers!  But you will have another mess to deal with.  At least it's all natural.
27 If you have those grasshoppers you want to kill them all. They will not only kill your plants they will also kill your grass. I had them about 10 yrs. ago after I had planted all new sod. They were very pretty as babies black & orange. They ate all my new sprouts plus a lot of plants. You can hear them chewing away on the leaves of your plants! If you don't like squishing them you can wasp spray on them.
27 Those grasshoppers are VERY common and very distructive. Get some garden bug killer; or try the old favorite that I keep finding more uses for... cayanne pepper. 
27
Glen Reber is alive and well on Ave. E
27
Anyone out there know what is going on with our community park? When will they start? I went to a meeting almost 2 years ago and everyone agreed to use the Sugarloaf School field as an alternative soccer field, that was 2 soccer seasons ago and still nothing. I remember Steve Miller working on this before I had children, my youngest is now almost 11 years old. When will we get our park? We need it, go check out Watson Field and how everyone is using a corner of it to support all our youth activities; and those who can't fit are over at St. Peter's practicing. I think it's about time we all get together and find out what the hold up is.
27 I must say this, please vote for R. Acevedo. If you vote for Mr. Padget, you are voting against our teachers. He refuses to pay the teachers a living wage, even though everyone voted to allow more money to go to teachers salaries. I realize that he is not a conch and he is "shaking" things up, but that does not mean it is necessarily good. He is big business, look at all the people who gave to his campaign. Ed Swift has given him tons of $$$, why do you think that is? You do not get something for nothing. Look around, ask a teacher they will tell you.
27
How do we get rid of Terry Axford? Sugarloaf Elementary/Middle school Principal. She does not want to be an elementary principal anymore; she wants to move on to High School. She doesn't do much to earn her $140,000 plus salary. Parents, let's get rid of her and get someone as our principal that has the best interests of our children in mind. It's time for a change.
27
All you Kerry folks be sure and get out there and vote Wednesday, November 3rd, okay?
27 Ah, you didn't kiss butts--you followed the rules, eh? But, you just admitted to removing mangroves to make room for that delicious seawall. Did you not know that removing mangroves is illegal? YOU BROKE THE RULES. And you preach to us about following rules? Oh, if only Vic knew. If only he had checked those aerial photos ahead of time. You'd be whacking up that lovely seawall in no time and replanting twice the amount of mangroves you removed.
27
Granted, the US has a lot that needs fixing, but it will be pretty hard to fix any of it if we aren't keeping the terrorists at bay. Busy running for their lives.  I've seen Bush deal with that, I haven't even heard a good idea from Kerry.  However, we do need some genius to come up with a flash of brilliance to deal with immigration.
27
Has anyone noticed how the Kerry supporters are so fanatical and rude in their emails?  Is this a requirement to be a Democrat?  Is it learned, or were they born with it?  Inquiring minds want to know.  They say the Republicans are using fear to push their campaign.  Yeah, right, like the Democrats aren't doing the same thing?  It's also amazing that 9/11 is being blamed on the Bush administration, when he had only been in office part of a year.  When, in fact, most of this can be blamed on previous administrations, such as Clinton's (not grabbing Bin Laden when he had the chance?)  Oh, but that's okay, he's a Democrat.
27 Our Constitution:  They  keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, its worked for over  200 years and we're not using it anymore.
27
Hostess Review:  Mangrove Mamas. Your simple job is to smile & say, “Hello & Goodbye” and seat the customers according to their wishes.  We ate dinner there early Tuesday evening after walking in & saying hello to you, your only reply was, “Two?  Inside or Out?”  After that you threw the menus on the unleveled table & waddled away. We requested a bigger table and your response was that it could be too busy (not), but you hesitantly obliged the customers.  We would have ordered another round of drinks and desserts, but the restaurant was freezing-cold to keep the staff comfortable.  Other diners were obviously chilly; bundled-up and bolting out the front door.  My glands are swollen!  The final blow was leaving & not hearing goodbye.  They are more hospitable in Blockbuster video than your mistreatment.  I am going to guess your family owns the joint from your dirty jeans and a very bad attitude.  The wait staff and the food are way too good for such a bad first impression.  The restaurant would be better served with you in the back, washing dishes.
27

I just wanted to say how OUTSTANDING I think our local community is for supporting little Brett Cantler’s cause by showing up at the car wash on Saturday at M&M auto.  Everyone from the children who helped wash cars and sell baked goods to the adults who handled the auction, the raffle and washing all those cars.  And, boy, there were a lot of them.  These people washed 4 cars at a time, constantly moving them in and out.  It was really amazing.  Also, I think it’s wonderful that so many area businesses donated goods and services to be auctioned or raffled off.  Julie Allen, your cookies were absolutely beautiful and, boy, was that biscotti with chocolate good.  I can’t believe you baked so much stuff for this bake sale.  You made it great.  I was, also, so amazed by the numerous people who just stopped by and gave donations without even getting there car washed.  Marine Bank did a great job with the food they sold.  Everything was really yummy and all proceeds went to help the Cantlers.  This car wash truly showed yet again how Big Piners take care of their neighbors.  I heard one man say to another “ Big Piners always take care of their neighbors…they donate and ask what is was for…later.”  How true.  What a great place to live.

27 Fellow Piners and Whiners: I am so sick of election rhetoric I could vomit. Thank God we live in a place that is unspoiled by the hustle and bustle of mainland life.  I don't know which candidate will do more damage.  It gives one a lot of incentive to go and vote.  Drink a cool one and watch another fabulous Florida keys sunset and say a prayer for Jack Henry and Jerry McClain.  Thank God for everything you've got.
27 Okay.  I had to go through the archives, back to August.  And during August, it looks like you placed updates (other than morning posts) at the top of that day.  Then during September and most of October the updates were below all the morning posts.  Yesterday, the afternoon posts were co-mingled with the morning posts.  I have probably lost two thirds of your readers at this point, and it is no big deal.  Just bored without the cable.
27
I, too, have noticed the switcheroo.  It's as if some posts are answered the same day. How can that be?
27 (Ed: You Pinees are too sharp! You've noticed the playing around with the postings. We're trying to figure out the best way to present updates; and if we should even have them.)
Tuesday
October 26
2004

 

Ooooo. Scary!

26 I spoke with a Big Piner today who has mucho oleander around his house (and mucho deer) and he told me that the deer don't eat it.
26 Great job with this page.  I read it every day.  And see your advertisers every day also.  But what is up?  Are you playing switcheroo on us also?  First, you put new (same day) posts above the old posts. Then, they are below the old posts. Now they are co-mingled.  Maybe trying to find the best fit or just seeing if we are paying attention.
(Ed: I don't see it. Try hitting F5 or the refresh button on your browser.)
26 Restaurant Review: We've been ordering delivery from China Garden for over seven years. They arrive fast, and the food has always been excellent; the quality hasn't changed throughout this time, although we miss the California rolls that they offered years ago. The steamed dumplings and shredded pork with garlic sauce are particularly delicious. Good Chinese restaurants are rare, and we are fortunate to have them here on Big Pine.
26

 

 

Do you have any of these bugs? This one's crushed, but before it was crushed it ate a lot of my garden.

26
Abused: Be proud that you have spoken up to help save others from his abuse.  That takes real guts.  You're done being his victim.
26
How much time did Kresser get for the crime he did to two little girls?
26 How about that Fidel Castro fall? We'll be seeing him in a wheelchair from now on. Too bad he didn't break his neck.
26
To the one who asked if you have half a brain. Take a long look at your candidate, Bush, does the word Idiot come to mind, or how about Weasel or better yet the Anti-Christ? Go Kerry. No More Bush!
26

Here’s a free little program that places the date next to the time on your computer’s task bar. TClockEx at:  http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,6122,00.asp  After downloading, open it and under the clock tab paste: MM/d/yy h:m:s and that will display the date and time like this: 10/23/04 3:26:21 There are many other options, but this will save you time trying to figure them out.

26
Tuesday, November 2nd national celibacy day. No Bush No Dick. Go Kerry.
26
VOTE KERRY! If Bush is doing such a brilliant job, why are boatloads of refugees still landing like crazy.  A terrorist could easily land right in our backyards. Why are people getting into supposedly secure airports to stow away in hubcaps?  Why are professional workers not able to get health insurance omeds?  Why, why, why?  I'm so scared of Bush being allowed, by the ignorance of voters and non-voters, to continue this nightmare.  Bush is only playing the game to frighten us.  Believe me, if he is re-elected, you will be a sorry human beings.  Change can only be a positive act at this point.  Please vote Kerry.  You can vote now at the Public Library at the Winn Dixie Shopping Center.
26


This guy stays under my house every year to heal after he's been wounded rutting. Hey, guy. Keep it in you're pocket and you won't get so beat up every year.

26 Why don't we have a national voting system?  The States aren't doing a good job and everyone has a different way of handling it.  Thousands of lawyers are on standby for November 2nd.  Worse yet, some of our troops aren't going to get their absentee ballots in time.  All because of a lawsuit.  Go figure!
26
To all you Kerry loving, left wing bleeding hearts out there, please listen up. Your guy is not qualified nor is he capable of running this nation in peacetime, let  alone what we are up against today. George Bush did not ask for attacks on NYC & DC & Penn. He has done EVERYTHING he can to stop it, and just based on how Sept. 11th was handled he deserves more years!
26


"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant:  It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
26 Don’t forget to vote on Nov. 2.  Still undecided?  Consider:  Kerry voted for tax increases over 90 times.  He has never supported a tax decrease.  He consistently votes against any military spending to support our armed forces and voted against funding intelligence gathering for homeland security just after 9-11.  He claims to support the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms but is a co-sponsor of the most restrictive gun control bill ever introduced.  (He accepted a campaign gift of a shot gun and praised it’s quality yet it would be illegal under his bill, if passed.  His so called ‘hunting trip’ has been shown to be a sham to pander the sportsman vote.)  When addressing autoworkers he bragged about his SUV’s but less than two weeks later he denied owning an SUV while talking to an environmental  group.  His distortions and lies go on forever and he will say anything that his audience of the day wants to hear.  He claims to support the working middle class men and women yet, voting for more than 90 tax increases doesn’t sound like support to me.  He supports a 50 cent PER GALLON TAX INCREASE on gasoline.  I guess he will be supporting working people while they’re walking to work.  Please vote on Nov. 2nd.  But, do so armed with the facts.  Investigate Kerry’s Senate voting record over his 20 years in office and look at the legislation he has voted against and voted for.  (Consistently more big government, more taxes and less individual rights) You may not like Bush for a variety of reasons but Kerry is a frightening thought.
Monday
October 25
2004
25
To the abuse victim;  NEVER think of yourself as ruined.  Bad things happen to good people.  You can rise above it.  Stay strong.  Your abuser is the ruined person and hopefully he can be redeemed, but there is no shame on you.
25 Abuse: You had nothing to do with it. you're not ruined at all. Don't think that you are. thank you for sharing your awful story with us.
25 Kresser. Nite, nite, keep your butt hole tite. I'm glad you got your justice.
25

School superintendent: I’ll vote for Jo