Sunday August 26, 2007

[Texas deer feeding] Those Texas deer sure look a lot like our little key deer. I didn’t know anyone else grew short deer. I though all other deer were big like up north.

[Murder most foul] Is Key Largo the new murder capitol of the Keys? Three murders in two months has to be a new record!

I was wondering if anyone knows the cause of the algae that is covering most of the Content Keys area.  In my 11 years I have never seen anything like it. I wonder also if it is affecting lobstering; it seems they are fewer this year.

[j-walkers] I do not know if people are getting more stupid or just nuts. J-walking has become the nations number one sport I think. Anyone dumb enough to step in front of 5000 pounds of moving metal deserves to get killed.  In my book, anything big enough to harm me has the right of way!

I have eaten at the Butterfly Cafe several times. Their luncheon menu is not expensive and the atmosphere is well worth the money. I love eating out on the veranda it is so Caribbean. You won't be sorry the food is excellent. They also let you see some of the rental units.

I didn't grow up with okra and have no idea how to cook it, but I did learn recently that it makes a really pretty flower, so I may have to grow some and learn.  Any chance Mable would share her recipes?

My big property tax break in Palm Beach Gardens is $41!  Great job guys.

[tip jars at to-go places] I completely agree with you.  I refuse to tip when I am picking up a pizza or a sandwich.  That is ridiculous.  I would rather save those dollars for the pizza delivery guy to put gas in his car when I am too lazy to go pick up.  I also agree with you about tipping 20% unless the server has a bad personality, doesn't smile, or never shows up to refill my drink, then I start going down to 15% and so on.  My boyfriend always throws our change in those take-out tip jars and it ticks me off, seeing as how I save pennies I pick up off the street.  I should show him what you wrote.  Maybe I should bring a tip jar with me to take-out places and they can tip me for driving over there and using my gas. 

My house was rumbling and making a sound that we‘ve never heard before. after checking that it wasn’t our goddamned cat again, I found the source. It was a large buck scraping the velvet off his antlers on my 6x6 upright supports for my steps.

Have a great birthday PJ.

Didn't the County spend millions of bucks a while back to determine the best places to put wastewater treatment plants for the Florida Keys?  Was that just another huge waste of taxpayer money? Now they want us to pay millions more to FKAA so they don't have to deal with Key West Resort Utilities.  What’s the deal, guys?

I went to the Square Grouper restaurant for dinner on Friday night.  I was surprised at the extremely high prices ($29 for yellowtail snapper), and even more surprised when everything was served on plastic.   We started out with plastic tumblers for our water glasses, then plastic bread plates, and then our appetizers were served on plastic plates, and even our main entrees were served on plastic plates!  At least we didn’t have plastic silverware.

[Musical Review] Out clubbing Friday night, I saw 40 Foot Sharpie at Boondocks. What happened? The new lady singer made every song sound the same, like they were all supposed to be some R & B song. Also, she had so many effects on, she sounded like she was in an echo chamber. The guy singers sounded good, they weren't over effected and did justice to the original songs. The drummer was ok, but sped up all the time. All that said,  I still liked them, just not as much. They were my first choice to go see, now it's an even bet.

I've had it with garbage pick-up. I will not line my cans up any more. And when I catch fish I will let the maggots infest the can before I put it out for pick-up.

My sister lives in NYC and has for the last 30 years.  I asked her what she thought of Giuliani’s record.  She said he got tuff on small time crime.  If you got busted for certain small crimes you got a choice. You could go through the regular judicial system or you got help.  Drug counseling, GED's or English lessons if needed.  Helping to make citizens productive, not destructive.  What a concept! 

What I noticed on my visit there recently is it was a very clean city. I have seen NYC at its worse, panhandlers, gross subway systems and garbage.  My sister says statistically it is the safest of the largest cities.  As far as his kids are concerned they are only young teenagers and a product of a divorce, of course they will not like their dad who left.

[Texas deer feeding]  At the Key Deer Refuge, they'd just as soon have the deer starve as have anyone feed them.  "Let nature take its course."  But that doesn't apply to the Marsh rabbit.  They’re killing raccoons now as they may be a problem for marsh rabbits.  Go figure.

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Sunday August 26, 2007

Saturday August 25, 2007

[water filters] I connected a twenty-five dollar filter form Ace Hardware to my cold water pipes that comes to my kitchen faucet and the refrigerator’s ice maker. It can’t be beat. I did a blind taste test with two glasses of designer water and one of filtered tap water. None of my fussy family could tell the difference.

[Tranquility Bay in Marathon] We’ve been there for brunch and it was excellent even though the waitress was out of it. The atmosphere was excellent too, sitting out on the veranda overlooking the Bay. We were hungry for a classy place and that is it. We’ll be back. (Bring money.)

[Only 20% recycle] More would recycle if they picked up on the same day trash is picked up. I don’t care for the excuses why they can’t pick up on the same day. Until the County gets serious about recycling it will remain at 20%.

[The Hamburg Plan] I think if the government standardized a category of health insurance that everyone could understand and call it Basic Insurance, it would make all health insurance plans easy to compare. As it is now you don’t have a chance out there. And the Insurance companies like it like that.

If you didn’t like the Basic Insurance and wanted better care you could add on a supplement for, say, eyeglasses or, maybe, a dental supplement. It would be like a hamburger.

Everyone knows what a hamburger is. It’s a sliced bun with cooked ground beef in it. Under the Hamburg Plan, if you wanted condiments you would pay a small extra monthly fee for them. If you wanted cheese, that supplement would cost you a lot more. Hell, you could even get a double cheeseburger if you were real rich!

We really should have government Basic Insurance. I think is is another of our God-given inalienable rights. But corporations run the country and I'm not likely to see any satisfactory change in my lifetime.

All I want is not to lose my everything if I get cancer.

This morning news announced that Pakistan has successfully test–fired a new cruise missile that is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. Frightening , to say the least.

[don't have any right to bitch about it]  Yah, but without the whiners it wouldn't take near so long to read this column and I enjoy the break.

[Tranquility Bay] You would be talking about the Butterfly Cafe and it is well worth the visit.

Why build more houses?  We have so many houses on the market for so many years, where's the common sense when people are struggling to sell our homes. I listen to the stories from my clients who are stuck in the keys because they can’t sell there homes.  I have seen new homes go up and no one is moving in, I have seen neighborhoods destroyed by overdevelopment by greedy land developers who can’t even fill those homes. There are terrible decisions being made by our government that cause many of our much needed working class to be ousted.  Where's the fairness to the families that live here? Lets get involved and save our beloved islands. I hope others will speak out.

[nobody drinks the tap water] I have lived here most of my life and I have always drank the tap water and have never experienced a sulfur taste but then I do brush my teeth three time a day also.

Ground-Breaking Antilandmine Radar

[Key Deer Bar] What’s going on with Key Deer Bar and Grill lately?  Does Capt Dan have any part of that place anymore?  Next we will be hearing that they closed down too.

[Texas deer feeding] Deer Editor, You have published a link to a stolen video, mine, labeled Deer for Breakfast.  In your article, it is inferred that we are doing something illegal by feeding the deer.  We are in Texas where it is legal to feed deer, so the post you printed is inaccurate, among other things. The link goes to Yahoo video, where the thief has posted our video with a link to his site, called JTTigger.  He has also put the stolen video on that website.

If you want to link to the video, my wife has posted it on Metacafe, so please use this link so we will get credit for it instead of the thief.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/316898/deer_for_breakfast_in_texas/

PS. After the video appeared on your site  I got a call from Steve with Florida Parks and Wildlife.  He seemed a bit uneager to pursue the matter (of feeding deer), and relieved when he found out I wasn't anywhere near Florida.  Now you've made me wonder what the story is at the Key Deer Refuge

[Tap water] There’s no Sulphur taste, or any taste, in Keys’ water. I’ve always drunk it.

[Good news about home values]  My tax statement says my market value has increased over 40% this year alone.  Wow!  (No, I haven't done any improvements.)  And here I was thinking mine and everybody else's had gone down in value.  So this is my thought to keep the county and state honest in their valuations of our property.  They should have to stand behind their claim and buy the property from the owner at the stated value, if the owner so chooses. How else can we keep them in-line?  Does anyone believe they can win an appeal otherwise? I know if they had to purchase my property, they wouldn't be so flippant about its valuation.

I'm glad to hear the business at Key Deer Bar and Grill has picked up since I am no longer an employee.  Rick, you have quite an imagination.  A week before you let me go you told me about your 3 spotters and how you needed 2 bartenders behind the bar to make it more efficient.  I did explain to you why the sales were down or did you forget that conversation?  1. The bar outside was charging $2 for the 3 Olives Vodka that I charged $5.25 for inside.  Then it changed to tequila shots for $2.   Don't forget Rick, I was standing next to you when a customer came up to you and told you they stood outside while the bartender was giving everyone free beers and shots.  The bartender even came inside to get a T-shirt to give to a customer.   It was a little difficult to keep sales up because I couldn't compete with "Free".   2. Yes, when you put another girl on, sales did go up inside. Only because it was the first night you closed the bar outside.  3.  I have to admit I could have paid more attention to my customers if  I wasn’t busy helping  the Russian waitress put in orders due to the language barrier between her and I and also her and her customers.  Or if I wasn't delivering every drink ordered by the 16 year old waitresses.  3.  Food sales do go down when we had to give a discount or completely void the sale due to the food coming out slow or burnt or sometimes not at all.  

You were right about one thing, you did cut food cost.  You raised the prices and cut the portions, but most of the time we didn't have the product at all.   I just wanted to refresh your memory about that conversation.  Your call to me 2 hours before my shift was, "Betty, you cost me $175 last night and I have to let you go".  

As to the problem with my pay, let’s just say I didn't realize it took 4-6 weeks to open a checking account.  When I came to pick up my pay you did offer me $210. I didn't throw it back, I didn't touch it, I wanted all my pay.  You told me to come back at 4:00pm and you would have all the money.  Then you called me an hour later offering me $100 and the rest of my money in a check. You even asked me what I was going to do with the check, cash it or deposit it?  Are you nuts?  

On Thursday, Aug.16 I was told by the bartender my check was going to be mailed to me by certified mail.  Well it is Aug 24 and still no check.  I know by your standards, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to set up a bank account, so let's see, in order to mail a certified check you go to the Big Pine post office to mail it. Isn't that strange that my mailing address is a P.O. Box at Big Pine post office.  Since we live on an island and everything is so slow here, why don't you send it by Pony Express or Coconut Telegraph, I might get it faster. 

But let’s face the facts, the real reason I still don't have it all boils down to  "Non-sufficient funds".  Don't blame the banks and don't blame the post office.  You were only my boss for 10 days and you were going to “change the cluster f**k”, as you said.  Well, first pay me and all the employees you owe. 

To all the ex-"disgruntled" employees, call the dept. of labor wage and hour 305-596-9874. They are waiting to hear from you.  Just so you know the check the band received that night, didn't cash due to " Non-sufficient funds” go figure” -- keysbetty@yahoo.com

[The ultimate in woman's body piercing] Men all over the country are urging their wives and sweethearts to get this 'chic' procedure. 

[Affordable Housing Task Force] Don’t you just love it that a banker is the head of the affordable housing task force?  He surely got a great motivation to build houses that are below market rate (he said, sarcastically).

[Storms] No kidding, guys, I have stayed in the keys for every storm from 1955 to date. If you have special needs of any kind--leave. If you can not take care of yourself and loved ones for several days without any outside help--leave. If you can not live without city water and elec--Leave. If you have trouble sleeping in 90+ heat and must have TV-leave

Yes, a generator makes things a little better, but just a little.

Donna in1960 Marathon. Now that was a blow!

[Tranquility Bay] My wife and her mom had a very fine meal there. I have not found time to try it. I must work so my wife and her mom can eat out at fancy places.

Sorry to hear that the Key Deer is having such a hard time. However Betty and Shelly are lazy and vindictive. They couldn't cut it back when Betty was part owner of Capt' Anne's. Why would anyone think they would be any better as employees?. --Wldfire5@aol.com

Finally an Arab that makes sense; and it's a woman! Allah must be rolling over in his grave.
 http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=nul

Anything with OBGYN in the name has to be good! Ob-gyn answering

[Butterfly Cafe at Tranquility Bay] I have been there several times and recommend it without hesitation--it's not inexpensive (on a par with Square Grouper or Mangrove Mama's) but the surroundings delight (typical Pritham Singh stuff) and the food is delicious.

Please excuse me folks, but I have to get this off my chest. Why is it that once guarded military movements of boots and equipment gets reported in the news every day. Today I read that the new target of choice for the insurgents is the new Humvees that were built to deflect shrapnel from IEDs. For some reason our own military told the world how many we are making, how many are currently in theater and how they deflect the shrapnel and when the rest will be moved in. I, we, the enemies don’t need to know how many are already there. Let them find out on their own. In fact, I’ve heard the President himself make a statement a while back at a press conference where he said "because of the increased hostilities in Baghdad we will be moving in forces from the Northern section of Iraq into Baghdad" and he gave the date. I’m sorry, but to me, that’s telling the enemy scheduled troop movements. I hate to sound suspicious, but I have to wonder if that’s a way of saying "things are improving" because surprise, surprise the enemy moved away from where the troops were going and went into the areas they left. But things did improve where they were moved to. All I’m saying is the government should shut the hell up because we don’t need to know these things.

Love Bill Clinton or hate him you have to admit one of the wisest things he did was when he fired missiles over Pakistan’s border without their permission and hit the terrorist camps. He told them hours after the attacks what he did. He didn’t give them time to respond. 

At least act like we can keep a secret. Thanks for the soapbox. This isn’t a slam against Bush, except for the troops movement gaff, because none of them can keep their traps shut.

The Cub Scouts are holding a fund raiser for the expenses they accrue for the year. This supports camping, pinewood derby, patches etc. They are selling popcorn (various kinds) as well as a tin that can be bought for troops overseas and their families. They will be in front of the Winn-Dixie selling over the next couple weekends. We've also covered the "Ships Way" neighborhood of Big Pine (thanks to all who have bought already). Thanks!

Great posting on the Workforce Housing Task Force...spot on!

Please don’t hassle the folks who have second homes in the Keys.  Maybe they don’t provide workers, but they pay full taxes without burdening our infrastructure as much as full-timers.

This is a picture of my okra patch with me doing my early morning cuttings.  The real reason you find me on this page today is about my disappointment about an okra segment on the Today show.  There is something about okra that all people should know. Okra is like a good lookin' woman. She's good looking no matter if she is with her husband or another man or if she goes to Wal-Mart or to the Waldorf. There are just no two ways about it. It's just like Mable down at Mable's Lucky Break Cafe in Port St. Joe, Florida.  She only makes okra two different ways and for last 45 years, the only problem was that she never made enough.  The other day on the Today show they had some fairy-assed chef from Atlanta, Georgia with that yuppie bimbo host trying to show us how to cook okra ten different ways.

They obviously weren't around when the real okra cooks were walking this earth. There are some things you just don't mess with and those two "okra experts" didn't realize that they were in somebody's nut sack, when the real thing was happening.  By the way, what's that I hear about a Mangrove Pie down there in the Keys?
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When the idea of using the Navy housing came up, it never occurred on anyone that the new AICUZ Navy fly zones would prohibit that (or is there more action going to take place in order to make this change too).

I am seriously wondering what the AICUZ would have to do with allowing the civilian workforce to live in housing? Sounds like another excuse from the CO of the base. First it was the security issue, now this. If the new AICUZ would prohibit the housing to be occupied as workforce housing, how can it be used for AD military and their civilian dependents and DOD civilian employee housing? They are the workforce too.

Yet again a poster wrongly claims that Rudy grew NYC government by 40%.  I sure hope this poster is not intentionally lying, but that he/she is simply misinformed.  The fact is that in 1993 NYC had 248,850 employees.  In 2001 NYC had 249,824 employees, a growth of 974 bodies.  Dear friends, that is 4/10th of one percent growth over 8 years.  That’s no spin, no BS, no Dem/Repub propaganda, just government report numbers.  Proof Pudding is a tasty treat, but you're trying to sell a crap sandwich.  By the way, I'm leaning toward Romney or maybe Hillary (that is if she'd just make a clean breast of Filegate).

So you are proud to know a sadistic punk who’s preferred form of entertainment is torture? Nice company you keep. Kind of reminds me of someone else.

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Saturday August 25, 2007

Friday August 24, 2007

CORRECTION (Ed: On yesterday’s home page ad for Parrotdise Waterfront Dining I wrote that they were closed for vacation. I was wrong. Sorry Keb and crew!) They are open for business and serving some of the finest food in the Keys in one of the most beautiful natural settings. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11AM-10PM. Stop by for their daily happy hour from 3-7.

[County Budget Director firing] Although those on the outside might be surprised by your action, those familiar with the problems Sal (Zappulla) has created realize this action is long over due. From my perspective, I have never seen someone talk as badly about so many people as Sal has. Commissioners, County Clerk’s staff, Division Directors and yourself, Sal has bashed them all. He might act nice to them, but when they’re gone he lets his true feelings be known.

Aside from that, in my opinion Sal has demonstrated a total lack of understanding in multi-year budgeting. This is evident with the County’s Capital Improvements Plan. A sufficient fund balance should have been maintained in order to fund the projects in the other years. This was not done and now we have a large deficit that needs to be addressed. I have lost confidence in his abilities long ago.

I know a lot of staff will be happy with your action. --David S. Koppel (Email to Mr Wili forwarded to Bigpinekey.com)

I am proud to know Sgt Jordan Milo, who is a great person and dedicated to serving our country.  You can be sure every supporter of America’s finest will be in Key West on Sept. 7 to support him at his sentencing.

[Helping 1,000 Families in 1,000 Days - Affordable / Workforce Housing in the Keys] I went to this meeting, August 8th, and noticed something was wrong with the picture. The meeting was headed by John Dolan-Heitlinger (President and CEO of Keys Federal Bank). Also present were Realtors, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Navy Captain, School Superintendent, County Commissioner, Press, and a few concerned citizens. Why weren't the people who truly need affordable housing present at this meeting? You know, like servers, house cleaners, hotel workers, retail store workers, laborers, school aids, etc. Instead, the impression I got was that most of these people did not worry about money, and would be more interested to sell homes, offer mortgages and approve building permits to developers rather than to find real solutions to this "affordable housing crises"

During this meeting, I asked: how the number of 1,000 homes came up. John explained it was an arbitrary number. I asked why is there no list of persons and families needing affordable housing, from which we would then know how and what to build or rent?

Because there was never a study done to establish the need (how long have we been doing this affordable housing crises thing).

We are giving developers huge breaks on building fees, land use, ROGOs, density, etc. in order to build affordable. There must be a list to work from!

I suggested we go to each business, get names of workers seeking workforce housing, find out if they would like to rent or own, what their  wages are and start getting facts instead of ideas for marketing slogans or mantras.

Another problem contributing to the housing shortage is second homes. I suggested we proportion the number of second homes we allowed to be sold in the Keys since buyers would not be full-time residents and contribute to our workforce/community. Other countries do this to safeguard housing for their workers--who come first. But as I was facing realtor Donna Windle she explained. “You cannot deny anyone the right to buy a home in America.” I don't wonder why she said this. Because now we're cutting into her livelihood. And this is the problem with these task forces. They are filled with the wrong people.

Imagine the response the Chamber had when I suggested workers get paid (gasp) affordable wages!

When the idea of using the Navy housing came up, it never occurred on anyone that the new AICUZ Navy fly zones would prohibit that (or is there more action going to take place in order to make this change too).

I have always wondered about the affordable/workforce phenomenon since it's inception. When the pro-development group created the mantra "affordable housing crises" they started to control just how this "crises" would be fought. Workshops/taskforce, planning, commission boards are packed with persons who serve the developers. It is so bad and so sad. What these islands became was/is decided by a group of developers, while the rest of us would just like to live our lives with some quality.

What is wrong with our Commissioners?  Another vote from commissioners Spehar, McCoy and DiGennaro allowing our Maine Resources Department to be gutted, and not re-in instated.  This is the second chance these commissioners have had to come to their senses, but no, they have voted the second time not to have our Marine Resources Department as it was. They are employees with a total combined service of over 58 years’ experience, contacts and knowledge. 

Mr. Willi you may be able to pull the wool over McCoy, Spehar, and DiGennaro, but give the public a break!  These commissioners are supporting your bad decisions and when election time comes around the public who cast their votes will have the final say.  Commissioners, you can have Willi write explanations and reasons why he is being allowed by you to do the things he is doing to our county, till the birds come home, but the responsibility stops at your door.  You are his bosses and you are allowing what is happening in our County. 

I was just notified that our Budget Director, Sal Zappulla was suspended without pay.  We are in a fight to cut and balance our County budget. Good move Mr. Willi and commissioners. You have this one on your plates too.  Commissioners, what are you doing to this County?  Why are the voters of this County not contacting Governor Crist and demanding your recall?  These firings, dismantling and suspensions are not doing the best for this county and that is the oath you swore when you took office. Election time is drawing near. --oktcraft@terranova.net

Neanderthal man lived after the big freeze killed off the afro branch that crossed to the Eastern Mediterranean.  Did the Neanderthal mix with the species that crossed lower Arabian peninsula making a new species separating them from the African strain? We are all decedents from Africans unless they can prove that the species changed when it crossed in to Arabia and India. JOURNEY OF MANKIND - The Peopling of the World

As you may already know, it is a sin for a Muslim male to see any woman other than his wife naked, and that he must commit suicide if he does. So next Saturday at 4 PM. Eastern Time all American women are asked to walk out of their house completely naked to help weed out any neighborhood terrorists.

[My candidate] Must be mayor of fantasyland.

Key West is sure getting tough. The other night I was a bit polluted and asked a cop to call me a cab. He said, "You're a cab, now blow into this tube!”  I was walking home.  I got a WUI.

I received my 2007 Notice of Proposed Property Taxes and, low and behold, all three columns are greater than last year’s taxes.   I have been Homesteaded for over 15 years, so where is the roll back?  My assessed value even went up!  I was under the impression that the law stated a 5 - 7% discount and back to the 2006 rate.

Just another shell game by our great County!

[Cuban rafters were treated like heroes] Now you know who runs south Florida.

Michael Jordan having "retired" with $40 million in endorsements makes $178,100 a day, working or not. If he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $52,000 every night while visions of sugarplums dance in his head. If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $7, but he'll make $18,550 while he's there. If he decides to have a 5-minute egg, he'll make $618 while it boils.

CSI Miami Video

[Key Deer Bar & Grill] Are the stories fact or fiction? Tune in for more upcoming events.

[Shark bite] The bite at Bud & Mary's was determined to be a barracuda not a shark. Also, why does he swim right off the beach at night?  Not something I would do for just that reason. 

[Traffic & Spy Cameras] It might be interesting if they showed things moving.

I have read BPK.com for years. My utmost respect for you for doing your job. You can print what you want. They don't have to read it, and don't have any right to bitch about it.

[A candidate must prove his/her mettle] I agree. Rudy did expand the NYC government by over 40% proving he’s for bigger government. We can’t afford to increase the Federal government by that amount. We can’t afford Rudy. The proof’s in his pudding. On that we agree, sir.

[Evacuate Category 1, Chicken shit] Wheeuu, hot damn, you sure got cajones to fight out a Cat 5,  but I guess if I was like you and had me an ’87 Ranger big-cab, a ’92 Torino, a 16’ Mitchell with a 35 Merc,  two goats and a shoat all living in mom’s single-wide, I’d talk about staying too.  But Bubba, what about your wife? Do you make her leave?

Geraldo, this morning, was saying how Michael Vick is being overly penalized for his cruelty. He also said that some blacks are starting to make noised that Vick is being persecuted because of his race.

I’m so sick of this double standard we have in this country. Horrendous crimes are excused because of the perpetuator’s race.

Has anyone been to the restaurant at Tranquility Bay in Marathon?  I have been told it is amazing.  Looking for some opinions from people not affiliated with it.

I had the most pleasant experience getting my prescription filled at Walgreens in Marathon.  Jerry, the Pharmacist, gave the best customer service I have had down here in years.  Carmen, at the desk, was also very nice.  I am starving for kinder service and they exceeded my expectations.  I even asked John if he was new in town, but he has been here for ten years.  I told him that I was not used to being treated so nice. Walgreens forever!

Yeah!  Success!  My ring was found!   This is John from the Winn-Dixie dairy department.  I want to say thank you very much for all the help and concern everyone showed me.   Also, Kudos to Ed for letting me put out my call for help on this site.  A lot of people told me they read about my ring on here.  I'm so happy now.     

I've never lived in a place where nobody drinks the tap water.  I understand the logistics of our water system are challenging, to say the least.  First you have to actually find usable fresh water in south Florida then pump it 170 miles to communities down the keys.  In my mind the Key's tap water has a sulfur taste to it.  I do believe the water is safe to drink, but where is that terrible taste coming from?  Is it the water source itself or hundreds of miles of piping?  It’s a well known fact that most tap water is safer to drink than bottled water, the only difference is the taste.  Has anyone had any luck with water filters in their homes or businesses?

It seems that The Nature Conservancy, in its wisdom, has really put a hurting on the pond on Summerland. 

An impartial jury has been chosen for Michael Vick's trial.

[More Rudy favors small government] I haven’t decided yet if Rudy is my candidate, but I just can’t let a poster get away with posting untruths. The fact is that on March 5, 2001 the City of New York had a $2.3 billion budget surplus. Further, the city had enjoyed a large budget surplus for the previous 5 years.  My source: Testimony on that day by Ron Lowenstein, Director of the New York City Independent Budget Office to the New York City Council Finance Committee.  The NYCIBO is a City Charter non-partisan watchdog of the Big Apple’s fiscal practices and policies. 

The poster who wrongly blamed a purported NYC budget deficit on Rudy is: 1. Wrong, 2. misinformed, or 3. lying.  I want to believe its 1 and 2.  C’mon folks, do your own research on all politicians’ claims. Don’t trust Republican or Democratic flaks to give you truthful and accurate presentations.

If you decide to stay for a Cat 5 hurricane to save your vehicles and boat, please kindly forward your preference for the type of casket you prefer and the preference of Bible passages that you would like read at your funeral.

[Evacuate Category 1] I’ve stood, or rather leaned, outside in a Cat 1 hurricane. There’s not going to be any damage from a Cat 1 storm; just some trees and stuff. I’ve been in about ten of them and 4 major hurricanes. The flooding and losing trees is the only damage I've ever had.

I think recycling is one of the most sensible, logical, and easiest things to do that the human race has ever come up with.  Amazingly only about 20% of us that could recycle actually participate.  What a shame.

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Friday August 24, 2007

Wednesday August 22, 2007

Don't believe the posting about the new traffic fines that supposedly went into effect on 8/1/07.  It's an urban legend and simply not true. See www.snopes.com

[There is a difference] I, too, was a bit surprised when I saw the word nigger in the first post, but after reading the entire thing I agree completely and don't understand what yesterday’s contributor was trying to say. White people that dress and act certain ways are labeled as rednecks and trailer trash just as certain blacks are labeled niggers because of their actions. Maybe it's not always a true representation of who that person is, but, unfortunately, most of society tends to judge "a book by its cover".

In my own case, I have lots of ink and shoulder length dreadlocks and at the age of 51 am not so naive not to realize that most people look at me as an "old-hippie" or a major druggie, of which, I'm neither. I know who and what I am and am not bothered by how people perceive me.

To Joe and Meri-Lyn. Let me be among the first to wish you a Happy Anniversary!  It is a blessing you have each other. You have been real kind to me and I appreciate it.

[not getting paid]  Contact the labor board, they will make sure you get your pay.

Someone say “low rent”? Where?  I'd really love to know. 

[Depression and stress]  I have it bad here in Paradise and here is what works for me.  Intense exercise, treadmill addiction, cardio.  Quitting everything and everyone who is bad for me.  Eating more fruit and veggies.  Keeping my books, house, mind, body and soul in order.  Happy music. Making time for hobbies.  St. John's Wort Herbal Supplement (6 a day, and ask your Doctor or go online before taking this mood enhancer).  You cannot mix this with an anti-depressant or other prescription drugs.  Sunshine and light therapy.  Laughter.  Adopting pets from shelters.  Having at least one good friend who shares your interests.  Take the best and leave the rest (meaning ignore stuff you cannot control).  Drinking and drugs do not help - they only mask the depression and stress.  I feel really good from the above combination and hope more of you get on a healthier lifestyle.  What makes you happy?

[Toilets—pay as you go]  That has a very logical sound to it.  It also opens many new business opportunities; toilet meters, gadgets to defeat toilet meters…

[Inflammatory posts]  The origin of the dreaded “n” word was a legitimate descriptive term "niggardly" which meant lazy, sloppy, dirty, unkempt, ungentlemanly, rude, etc, and had nothing to do with skin color.  Somehow it got blended with a legitimate racial category (probably due to lack of correct pronunciation) and became a horrendous insult.  It still describes everything bad in behavior (and no skin color holds a patent on that), but using it is bad behavior in itself.

[“Do you need change?”]  I've had them say "I'll be right back with your change".  That gives me the opening to say, "don't bother" and saves them a trip during busy times and doesn't assume I meant to give them the overage.

A most fascinating visual way to learn about our origins. If they taught like this when I was in school I wouldn’t have gotten thrown out.
JOURNEY OF MANKIND - The Peopling of the World

[Rudy has accomplishments] That’s it?  Gee, what a stellar reason to vote for someone who’s kids don’t even like him. At least Hillary stood by her husband thru hard times. Rudy can’t even get his family to support him.

What a shot! Video

Higgs Beach Follies, Mostly. An item on last night’s City Commission agenda was the question of the City taking transfer of Higgs Beach from Monroe County, which I feel is what needs to happen and have felt that way since I came to Key West in late 2000. Quite a few people spoke to the use of the beach and park by homeless people, and a need for something to be done so families and people in general will feel comfortable using the beach and park without being hassled or grossed out by homeless people. GoodMorningKeyWest.com

Would anyone know if blended fruits and vegetables into a smoothie will keep the vitamins and minerals if put it in a refrigerator for 24 hours?

[boat lifts] Quit whining. When I lived there we had no lifts, the boats were tied to the docks on both sides of the canals.  It's the Keys, not Martha's Vineyard where you have to be real boaters with real skills.  The Keys are a place with skinny water and fact chicks. The locals (real locals, who fished for a living) have left, the reef is dying or dead. Figure it out.

I never heard this kind of crying when the boats were coming in low over the waterlines and the bows were packed full of bales. If you moved down from a state with "New" as part of it's name and don't like it, go back!

I’m enjoying the “Mangrove Pie/gambling boat bakery” riff. Posters, bring us more! When the bakery opens, what do y’all think about a Mangrove Pie eating contest? Maybe that Japanese competitive eater guy could be enticed to enter.

[There is a difference] I'd say there is, I'm sick and tired of this politically correct bullcrap. I believe that people should say what they mean. Call a spade, a spade, not an excavating instrument. I hate legalize lawyer talk. Lawyers should talk so that the average Joe could understand and contracts should be written in such way that I will not need a lawyer to interpret it for me. But that's how the sonsofbithches make sure that they are needed. Nice scam, and they’ve been doing it for years. But I'm getting of the main subject. I remember an admirable submission a while ago by Bill Cosby. Yes if someone acts like a Nigger why should I call him or her an African-American? If somebody behaves like a redneck, I don't call him or her a mentally impaired Caucasian, I call him or he a stupid Redneck.

[Rudy favors small government] How did his adding a  40% increase to the city's payroll prove that? "He cleaned up the garbage"  Hell, that’s easy to do if you rob the budget. He left New York City with a record deficit and that’s based on subtracting the 9/11 costs. He’s all show and rhetoric. Check it out yourself. Sorry, but reality cannot be spun.

[immigrants] Yes, they are taking jobs that the video game generation doesn’t want, but to having to learn English is a bitch. How would you learn a language like Polish or Thai after you turn 40?

[server ask if I need change] I say yes and let the server go all the way back to the cash register, make change, bring it to me and then I walk out with it. Maybe they’ll learn!

Now it means something.

[hurricane evacuation] I’ve got a lot of confidence that my home can handle at least a strong Cat 2 storm. Anyone who elects to stay in a storm that is forecast to come ashore closer than 50 miles from your home is in real danger of death.  Nonetheless, for the last 10 years I have chosen to evacuate for even a Cat 1 that’s aimed at us.  The risks outweigh the rewards.  Forecasters just don’t have the means to precisely tell us where, and at what strength, the storm will come ashore.  The damn things can and will jog right or left and can increase strength dramatically in short order. 

I worry more about flood damage to my cars than to wind damage to my home.  Without a car or truck you are seriously screwed down here.  Virtually every near miss or hit brings a flooding event of some degree.  Remember Wilma, little wind, massive water.  We take both cars and usually leave our home at about 3 AM (we’ve never encountered traffic problems) which puts us on the mainland just before daylight and we can then adjust our plan.  We take sufficient food, water, and back up gas so that we won’t be subject to panic situations on the mainland.  We have yet to have a problem returning after the event.  Wilma chased us to Lauderdale, we did have minor cosmetic damage to one of our vehicles.  Many of our friends elected to stay on BPK.  Every one of them who stayed lost vehicles to flooding.  We spent a few bucks on a motel room, but avoided spending thousands of dollars on new vehicles.

[Michael Vick is one of the worst animal abusers in history] Are you off your meds or what? What he did was disgusting, immoral and illegal, but I can think of many worse offenders (Frank Purdue for one). That being said, I like your idea of turning this into something positive. I just hope he serves time at the PMITA prison.

We eat weekly at Crossbones and have watched their transition from the Galley Grill. In my opinion they bought the cesspit of flies and bad service and have brought good service, fresh food and they have really cleaned the place up big time. A couple of times they messed up with my order and another time we waited 30 min for our food. The first time my wife's meal was free and the second time we were given half off. Every restaurant slips occasionally, especially new ones. Crossbones is a nice addition to Summerland. At least it's family owned and ran, unlike the major chains that could have bought the place.

[You can’t fix stupid] "There's an old saying in Tennessee. I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says, fool me once, shame on…shame on you. Fool me…you can't get fooled again." —President George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

[More stupid boat lift dribble]  Your comment about hoping you run into a boat lift so you can sue just about says it all.  Where are you coming from?  That's about as dumb as someone saying I hope you break into my house so I can shoot you between the eyes.   Personally, I prefer my davits over a lift, but I tolerate others in the neighborhood with lifts quite well.  As Rodney King said, "maybe we should all just get along."

English translation: no parking on bicyclists at any time

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Wednesday August 22, 2007

Tuesday August 21, 2007

OK, all of you boat lift owners. The lifts take up more than the width of the boat when they are up because of the extra length of the horizontal supports. When they are down, where most owners leave them when they go out to play, they use up even more space due to the angle of the dock to bottom beams. I haven't measured any yet, but it looks like about 4ft from dock to the boat plus the 10ft boat width plus the 2ft. extra. That comes to about 16ft. times four. Your lift seems to be out of compliance to me. I believe my canal to be 40ft.

[There is a difference between black and nigger] How noble of you to say so--and ignorant.  What an asinine post!  If you are going to start calling African-Americans various nicknames of your choosing, maybe the “white girl” with bra straps displayed or the “white” males with their boxers hanging out are actually hillbillies, rednecks, trailer trash, etc.  I’m sorry but there is a difference between a “white” person and a redneck, just as there is a difference between “black” and “nigger.”  One label describes skin color.  The other is a negative label implying unfavorable behaviors.  I find it alarming that this website allows such inflammatory posts.

Evacuate? It would take a Category 11 for us to leave. If we were positive it was going to hit us we might leave at a Cat 4, but there are too many false alarms and it’s too costly to leave every time they tell us to. Many times they’ve told us to evacuate to Miami only to have Miami get hit hard and the Keys spared. It’s like a lottery. Plus they don’t let you return to your homes, sometimes for days, after the storm and I’d find not knowing if we still had a home, unbearable. They should have built hurricanes shelters down here years ago instead of widening the 18 Mile Stretch.

[The place where you live is coming apart at the seams because of incompetent and crooked politicians]  That pretty much sums up the state of the planet.

By attempting to convert one of history's worst animal abusers into an animal advocate, we have before us a solution that can result in a sanctuary for abused, abandoned, rescued, and forgotten fighting dogs. Such a shelter can only provide good things, and the penalty for Mr. Vick's abuse will be for him to finance the construction of, and continuing operation of that sanctuary.  His $13 million salary will be dedicated to that end. Should he not play football this year, there will be no sanctuary.  There will be no healing.

The prosecutor in the Michael Vick case is Mike Gill.  Mr. Gill's Phone: 1-804-819-5443,  FAX: 1-804-771-2316

Together, we can make this sanctuary happen. From evil, we can create good. Please let this be worth your while to make your statement.

[When to evacuate] What Number? No Number. This is our home. We'll stick it out.

Cayman Island web cams refresh every 3 minutes. CaymanChillin Live Cams
Cancun web cams Cancun

[Worst commercial] Radio commercial for a KW food delivery (the ad was so bad they never made it clear what they did). They spent the whole ad telling us how they want us to order their food, to “speak clearly”, etc. It was insulting, like if we didn’t order precisely they way they wanted, they wouldn’t do business with us and we were jerks. If they don’t have any patience with the public they’d better get out of the business (whatever it is).

[Cuban immigrants] 37 more reasons as to why the average Joe will have more difficulty finding a job, landed at Smathers Beach yesterday.  It has become way past the time we adopt some new immigration laws. Castro will live forever. I will not accept Spanish as our national language. I will no longer pay federal income tax. If you want to live here, please, please learn to speak English!

[Sewage System] People should pay for volume. Meaning if you flush a lot it will cost a lot. That would make it fair in my opinion.

A quick, poison-free way to get rid of fire ants:  I just boil a tea kettle of water and pour it onto the mound. It beats spraying pesticide or using gasoline, which I heard  many folks use on them. 

[Stupid boat lifts and Old Milwaukee and watch where you are driving] This is typical of the ignorant. All you care about is your stupid self. I hope I run into your dull, non-reflecting, no safety markers lift some night. I not only will own you, but you will wish you never bought that oversized contraption in the first place.   

Betz has a new dog.

I have to agree with the person who thinks a waiter or waitress asking if you need change is just rude.  I bartended many years and will think nothing of leaving 30% or more if I get good service.  If I am asked "Do you need change" I will lower the tip to well below the 15%.   When I am brought my bill I never ask "Do you expect a tip" so why should the server ask if I need change. 

[Stupid Boat Lifts]  The problem is that the idiot on Little Torch Key leaves his underwater when he is out on the boat.   I know it is there, but someone is going to hit it and I hope he sues the a-hole.

See if your brain works or if you need another one. www.humanbraincloud.com

[What number does it take for you to hit the road?]  The worst mess I've seen was from a tropical storm, not a hurricane that even qualified for a number.  "Run from the water, hide from the wind".  Evacuation should consider more than wind speed, flooding is a greater danger!

An archeological team, digging in Islamorada, has uncovered 10,000 year old bones and fossil remains of what is believed to be the first Politician. (This is in no way meant to reference to our County Administrator.)

After spending the last five days in Key West, I realized why the Keys are dying. It is not greed, or tourism, or development or political egos. It is just plane dirt and dirty people. The Keys are now full of low rent trash who have pushed out the old locals who appreciated this paradise, but were too lazy to protect it. We deserve the New World Keys!

Well, another Redneck Prom has come and gone.

The prize for the rudest server I ever had would have to go to one who was at Bahama Jacks back when they were open.  She was taking my order and answered her cell phone in mid order having an argument with the person on the other end of the phone while at my table. 

We are biking up and down shady mountain roads this month. We wish you all were here with us! These country folks are infective, and so is the slow life. 

Please remember that the next ABATE meeting is Sept. 9th, at the BPK Moose lodge. They will be serving up breakfast before the 11am meeting, and they are good cooks!  The ABATE birthday party is Nov. 4th at the DAV in Marathon, following our meeting there. Always a good time.  And, of course, the Toy Run is on Nov. 25th this year, and we want it to be our best one ever.  Here we are in front of our little house here with our brother and sister-in-law from Colorado.

Confusion reigns supreme on the subject of the stock market.  “Rising on the average of 10% a year” you are comparing apples to oranges. When they said the market has risen about 10% annually, on average, they are not talking about the Dow Jones they are talking gross profit--a vast difference, if the Dow rose an average of 10% a year it would now be approximately 256,000. Just going back to about 1955, if one went back further it would be probably triple that. Do the math.

[Hillary v Rudy] Rudy never claimed to have spent more time at “ground zero” than did the all volunteers.  He did say that he spent a “helluva lot of time” there.  He did.  He did praise the great and heroic work of the volunteers and professionals.  Rudy did spend a pile of bucks on NYC, he took it from being a crime besotted sewer to being one of the safest mega cities in the world.  Rudy favors “winning” in Iraq and defeating world wide terrorism.  Rudy has accomplishments.  Hillary favors capitulation and negotiation with terrorist.  Hillary believes that government is brighter and more responsible than the governed.  Rudy favors smaller government and lower taxes (we all know for certain that those precepts are pure poison to Hillary).  Rudy apparently has a piss poor record as a husband, but Hillary most certainly is prepared to accept being lied to and humiliated time after time.  These are not desirable character traits for a wannabe leader of our great nation.  It appears that Hillary’s anger response is lamp throwing and screeching at subordinates.  Again, not problem solving behavior.  We all know that Hillary supporters are convinced that she is one of the most accomplished humans on the face of the earth. 

Please educate the unbelievers as to her accomplishments that have actually bettered our society.

[Dead Parakeet] He's not dead, he's merely resting. Or pining for the fjords.

My name is Shelly I worked at Key Deer Bar & Grill.  For anyone wondering what's going on there, well I'd just like to say Betty (my mother) and I are no longer there.  I supposedly quit, and she got fired over a lame excuse.  The reason given to her by Rick a new partner, was that she didn't charge the band for their drinks.  Which, by the way, the bands have always drank for free, we just void the check at the end of the night.  Just ask any of the entertainment that plays there.  But she transferred the check to the next bartender, because the band was still playing when she finished her shift at 11 p.m.  But above and beyond that, we weren't getting our pay on time or when we did get paid we received 2 checks that were written on an account first from TIB bank, which wouldn't cash due to non-sufficient funds; and was eventually closed because of the longtime negative balance.  When we brought this to the attention of Clay and Rick (the business owners of Key Deer) they asked for the checks and said they'd cash them.  I cashed mine out of the drawer at the end of the night.  But they never cashed Betty’s or gave the checks back. Then on Aug 8 we each received a check. Mine was for 2 weeks, and hers for 4 weeks (which still did not bring her pay current)  written from Keys Federal, that yet again would not cash due to non-sufficient funds. Betty is still owed 11 days of pay and about eight weeks of paycheck stubs for her and about five or six weeks for me.  Supposedly they’re being sent by certified mail. --shelmt@yahoo.com

As for people’s fears about homeless people, a lot of what’s going on is pride and prejudice. But there is fear, as well, and I’m going to speak to the whole shebang.
 
I start by saying that everything dramatically shifted in Key West toward the chronic homeless immediately following 911. It was palpable. I witnessed it first hand. Before 911, we were allowed to sleep outside, even in doorways in Old Town. After 911, we were hunted like animals at night. Why? People were terrified, had no effective way to deal with their terror except by displacing it onto something nearby. Homeless people were nearby. GoodMorningKeyWest.com

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Tuesday August 21, 2007

Sunday August 19, 2007

[trimming along the canal to 4ft. of the edge by the property owner.] The law is flush with the sea wall. All canals have to maintain full width clearance for navigation. How the hell those stupid metal boat lifts got passed into law, beats me. They are killers. I can't wait until some kid gets his face mashed by an I beam. Also, cutting back canal growth pass the sea wall edge is illegal by the EPA. Cut it flush!

[On the subject of tipping]  I always use 20% as a guide for tipping a server, provided the service was acceptable. And I am pretty lenient with what I consider to be bad service. I go to a certain restaurant pretty often, and I can see the difference in the service level from server to server. One will constantly refill or offer to refill my coffee, another has her head planted in butt-land and you have to ask for coffee several times and have a hard time getting her attention. But this is no big deal to me. The second one is younger and while she is pleasant, she lacks the experience and focus, but she will get pretty much the same tip.  The question I have is this:  if I order something for takeout and I am not having it delivered; I feel that there is no tip involved whatsoever.

This question came about when the young lady who handed me my order was just assuming that she could keep the change.  I disagree with that. By virtue of handing me a bag, you are not providing service. Am I wrong? Another thing that irks me is the number of places that put out a tip jar that really has no business being there at all.  Is it necessary for me to tip you for simply doing your job? Is there an extreme skill level in handing me my laundry or selling me a soft drink (unless you are a bartender)? Waitresses, bartenders, delivery drivers, musicians are the ones that deserve tips; and once again, if they do their job well and provide service. So am I wrong?  Does the girl deserve a tip for handing me a bag? What about the cook who made this food? What do you think?

Type a doggy command and see what happens. Sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead, sneeze, jump, walk, beg, paw, wave, up, etc. It's also very cute if you type in a command that's not recognized. Make sure you type in "Kiss" too, but do it last. Click here: I Do Dog Tricks

[home repair experience]  After having several bad experiences with local auto repair shops (overcharging, work not performed, shoddy service, etc.) I was referred by a friend to Lube on the Move.  (They come to your location and perform the service work on-site)  I called them for my scheduled service and also requested a new battery be installed.  The service truck was 10 minutes early for the scheduled appointment, the service was done in a prompt, professional manner by a knowledgeable auto tech and the charge was in line with other local service places.  No sitting around in a greasy waiting area, no excuses for not getting the work done timely as promised and no sales pitch for extras.  I recommend Lube on the Move.  They can be reached at 296-5823

I like that cold wave Saturday. I turned my ceiling fan down to two and covered my shins with a cloth it was so cold, below 90, I think.

Hillman Wonders of the World

I’m glad that mankind is finally turning the corner on the planet’s health (read: global warming). I’ve been bitching about this for a long time and I am now optimistic that I’ll probably see some results of this change in thinking before I die. All we have to do is all think in the same direction and that is harmony.

You see, politics are the whole problem. Because of politics (which are necessary) we don’t live balanced with nature. We have to dominate to exist. What a pity. If we could live in balance with the planet we would be happier.

[Where do the insurgents get all their explosives] When Saddam fell and the American invaders failed to secure his arsenals, insurgents picked up about 500 million tons of bombs, artillery shells and ammunition that were, basically, left lying around.

[cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies] This rumor has been circulating forever.  Check it out on http://www.snopes.com

In the wake of this dog fighting ring involving NFL Superstar Vick and the NBA gambling referees, can anyone remind me what had happened to legendary MLB baller Pete Rose -- the costs, penalties, etc.? I just can't help but wonder why, with Vick, the courts have chosen not to charge him with federal gambling counts. A year's plea seems a sweet deal.  I think of some of the people I have known who it appears have done far less and have received far more penalties. 

[BBQ on Cudjoe] You're right, it is easy to miss. It's a little white wagon-thing like you might see at a street fair and it sits right there in the corner of the lot where that garden store is. Turn onto Blimp Road and it's on your immediate right. Definitely worth looking for.

I would really like to know how that fire ant killer works. You have to wet it. What does wetting do? Does it make the nodules swell an be tasty? Do the ants bring the morsels back to the queen?

Residents of Florida are much better without the Super Exemption in the long run, especially those in Monroe County.

One of Alaska's most active volcanoes could be working toward a massive eruption that could affect air travel but was not expected to threaten any of the towns in the area, scientists said Thursday.

Giuliani is a Democrat in Republican clothing and Clinton is a Socialist in Democrats clothing.  There are no good candidates to be found, but the worst of all possibilities is Clinton.

Adrienne and David of Injade are going out of town for the week, so this announcement is a bit early for you good rock 'n roll folks out there.... still we'll be in the boonies of Wisconsin at a national forest campground called Lost lake, with no internet access at all, thus the early notice!

Injade will be back at the Looe Key Tiki Bar next Friday night August 24^th.  And Saturday night August 25th we'll be at Sloppy Joe's in KW from 5:30-9:30. Sunday August 26th from 1:30-5:30 Injade will be poolside at Dante's in KW. So drink and swim by the pool with us on Sunday, and or any of these other dates. You know we love to party with you! Of course, Adrienne will be back at the Parrotdise Sunday night August 26^th, playing solo in a more mellow fashion. See you there!

[cell phone numbers released to telemarketing companies] They always were released, but you did not get any marketing call, just paper mail advertising.  The law says if a phone number is published in the public phone book, is fare game to all for any use.  Sounds to me it is time to teach these marketing whores a lesson. Any marketer who bugs my phone will get their email address published internationally in hope they get bombarded with irate feedback. I can play that game too!

Hatred is like acid, it eventually destroys the vessel which holds it.

My parents are coke heads.  I will be one too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeAIc4a1LwQ (lousy video)

To the fellow who is so well versed on the status of Generals in the US Army.  I am very impressed by this useless knowledge as I am sure so many other people are. "It was just a big lizard, get over it."  You are what is wrong with the whole situation.  I was in the army, and I served in Viet Nam and was decorated but had the sense to get out when my tour was up.  The words: "Wildlife Preserve" should have some meaning. This was not a nuisance animal roaming the canals and eating small dogs. It was a peaceful, benign animal protected by law.  I do not know what the outcome of the sentencing was but I am sure it was no where tough enough.  If I showed up at work and wore my medals of honor, I would still be an a--hole.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is  black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.  

[Fine points of the law] The New Zealand Herald reported in June that a prostitute may be eligible for worker's compensation based on her having been injured when the car in which she was riding plunged down a hillside. Because the driver was a john who was taking her to a site he had chosen for their encounter, the Prostitutes Collective trade union said hers were "workplace" injuries.

[Get over yourself; it was just a large lizard]  Well, that statement let everyone know what kind of person is responding about the army reservists.  I guess we are supposed to take your word, an anonymous poster,  that you served in the Army for 30 years, and therefore know more than the judge, who indicated he was in the military.  You've got to be one of Milo's Army buddies.  I think you need to get over yourself. 

[to the disgruntled restaurant patron] Did it ever occur to you that maybe you are an a**hole and the servers don't want to deal with you? Hold on, let me break out the violins.

[Stuffed Pig] If you know their name you can look it up on the County appraiser website.

Hugs not drugs. http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=19853

[it was just a big lizard] That statement is so wrong on many levels. I guess 30 years in the Army didn't produce a person that can comprehend the depravity of torturing animals. Will you be a character witness for Michael Vick? Anyway, I've just got 4 words for you.

I liked the idea of suspending the TDC until our sewers were paid for. But don’t get your hopes up because the hospitality industry has most of the commissioners in its pocket. They would never ask Tallahassee to back-burner the TDC under any circumstances.

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Sunday August 19, 2007

Saturday August 18, 2007

We got crabs, ointment too.

[Why do all you Keys people expect outsiders to pay for your sewers] Because we’re being forced, against our will, by the State. We already paid for our septic systems that were inspected by the County. The State should pay for what it demands.

NPR reported that there have been over nine hundred suicides of Iraq veterans and no one’s talking about it.

[Paradise lost] I left the FL. Keys 1 1/2 years ago after living there for 23 years and cried all the way up US 1. Now I know I made the right decision after reading the Big Pine Web site and the Key West paper. I do not know the Keys anymore thanks to Mr. Willi. I hope the commission meetings are overflowing with enraged citizens and the commissioners are truly listening to them. If not, there should be a county shake-up at the next elections, if not before. The only commissioner who truly cares about the Keys and its residents is George Nugent. He always did. Wake up people or your paradise will be no more. It’s on its way out now!

A good candidate for a lawyer to represent Michael Vick. Mama_’n_em Video

The guy that has lived here for under a year and feeds the fish is an arrogant moron.

Could someone please tell me if the people who own the Stuff Pig also own several rental properties?

[Killing alligator in animal refuge] There are about fifty Army Major Generals (2 star rank) that are reservists serving on active duty. I'm sure that they will be quite surprised to learn that they are not "careerists". They are the state Adjutant Generals. Any private that goes to Sergeant in 2 years is, at the least, a good soldier. The Army will not bump up just anyone fill a vacancy. I only served in the Army over 30 years, so what do I know? Get over yourself; it was just a large lizard!

[Fish Cutters Gossip] I heard the same thing, that they would not be re-opening.  I heard they are just saying that, Like PT's are doing. They have a sign that says Gone Fishing, but heard they were done for.

[The Duct Tape Bandit] Here's the news video link http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=44c_1187175321

I know the gay girl at Boondocks. She doe's always smile and she is a nice person. There is one thing you should know; she doe's have a girlfriend. I know her girlfriend too. They have been together for a while. So I guess your out of luck, but you could try Key West there are lots of girls down there. Good luck.

Here’s the truth about the gambling boat stuck in the mangroves. We have been in contact with the state of Florida trying to work a tourist angle. Mainly, making the old gambling boat the Mangrove Pie world headquarters. Everything was going ok until we got to the part about the off ramp and the bridge out to the boat and how to finance it. We suggested a one penny increase in the sales tax (what the hell, a penny here, a penny there, who cares). The boys in Tallahassee seemed to like the idea, especially if they could sneak the sewer deal in behind it. We felt that something was starting to smell, but figured as long as we were getting the first scoop of ice cream, it was ok with us. So if you see a bridge being built out to the gambling boat, you'll know the sewer deal is in like flint. Oh, yeah, the smoke that was coming from the gambling boat a few weeks ago was because we left a couple of pies in the oven too long, no big deal.

[I need a book] John Vieles’ books are available everywhere. When in doubt, use the library or check out stores that commercialize the "old Keys".

It truly must be nice to be so far down the canal system that the tides wash your fish entrails and septic water out to sea, leaving the water so clean you can see the little fishies frolic and feed. Please take the time to take a boat ride up to the other end of the system and I think you will be shocked how opaque and lifeless the water is.

On another canal note, the law requires the trimming of the growth along the canal to within, I believe, 4ft. of the edge by the property owner. I know there are a lot of people that don't own boats on the system, however, that doesn't relieve the responsibility. Please get the trees out of the canal. This is the law. Code enforcement is the next move, and from what I've heard, you don't want them to show up to insist that you comply. They will almost certainly find something else to write you up for.

If limestone is such a good filter that it can cleanse the by-products of Ocala and surrounding villages that it gets the water to exit Silver Springs at 99.95% pure, then I don't see why we need a better sewer system than what we have. There is nothing but porous rock here in the Keys. Or maybe the water from the spring is ancient water that has been circulating and filtering itself for millennia.

[Bigamy refined] Have you noticed that all the major Republican candidates have had multiple marriages? Every one except the Mormon!

Reggie Miller may join the Celtics!  If this happens I will become a groupie again and sit courtside watching him score three pointers and getting a ring this time.  That's what I'm talkin’ about!

The administration is at odds with Iran for allegedly supplying weapons to the insurgents in Iraq.  Refresh my memory, but didn't Reagan bag man Oliver North sell weapons to Iran in order to finance the Contras in Nicaragua?  What goes around comes around.  I'll bet you won't get this connection on FOX News.

The first word I should hear from my server is, "Hello" and not a napkin thrown down asking what I want to drink.  Why are some of these people in businesses where they have to deal with the public when they obviously hate people so much?  (This goes for nasty nurses too.)  Another tip for you unfriendly servers, don't carry my drink over with your fingers all over the rim of the glass.  Try holding the stem, you moron.  When someone requests ground pepper on their salad, it's your job to work the pepper mill, not place it on the table.  I'm not asking for a hug or for you to act like my new best friend.  From now on I am going to speak directly to the owner and not leave such generous gratuities for bad service.  My strong opinion is that they just want young stupid people and shy away from hiring the over forty servers.

[BBQ] I've read the positive reports on this site about a BBQ emporium on Cudjoe.  I thought that it was supposed to be near Blimp Road.  We went looking for Q tonight and wound (rhymes with injury) up at Coco's Cantina.  Now, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't BBQ.  What is the name of the BBQ house, where is it, and is really worth finding?

Is it me or does Rudy Giuliani have that same "sneaky, stooped" look that Nixon had? Now he's comparing himself to the first responders at the World Trade Center, saying he was there as much as they were. Don't even go there Rudy. You couldn't shine their shoes. You can pull that "America's Mayor" crap on the great unwashed, but you don't fool me.  Let's hope America has come to its senses and doesn't elect another Republican. And if we do, please don't let it be him. Go Hilary! Ahhhh, now I feel better. 

[GWB tax cuts have generated loads of bucks] Someone hasn’t spoken with the country’s States’ governors. What color’s the sky there?

Do not fear the end is not near at Lost Cargo Trading Post.  We have plenty of tomatoes right now. I've got some from the Carolinas and soon will get some from Tennessee and then we will be back in the Florida area again.

At first I thought that some of the talk about diverting funding from the TDC to Keys sewer projects was just plain crazy.  But then, if funding was stopped to the TDC, do you think that the Tourist would stop coming, or the fisherman find another destination or the nature lovers a better area of the country? I doubt it. Just look around and see what a great job the TDC has done over the years.  The Florida Keys are known world wide as a great place to visit. You could shut down that funding for 5 years and not notice a decline in the number of tourist coming to visit. Free up the needed money for our mandated sewers.

4 days from today all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be charged for these calls from telemarketers. To prevent this call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. This is the same number for your home phone’s Do Not Call list. You can also register on their website www.donotcall.gov . If, after 31 days, you receive a telemarketer’s call you can file a complaint at the website.

[Isn’t it hard enough and tiring enough to go from here to Miami] Those 2 inconveniences are equal; however Miami makes money on our trip there. We should be as kind to them and make some money for their "Inconvenience" by putting in a toll booth.

I just played a movie I haven't watched in years.  It is, in my opinion, the ultimate male bonding movie for those of us who grew up in the late 60s and early 70s.  It's called "Big Wednesday".  Watch it and tell me if I'm wrong.

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Saturday August 18, 2007

Friday August 17, 2007

[Boat Poker Run] You may enter anytime from 9:00 - 11:00 at Dolphin Marina and if you would like to come later, you can enter at Parrotdise after 11:00.  Also, we changed the finish time to accommodate everyone.  You may purchase a full hand between 3:00 & 3:30 at Parrotdise and all of the hands must be turned in by 3:30.  The stops (Bahia Honda, Old Wooden Bridge & Looe Key) will be closing at 2:30 so our dealers can get back to Parrotdise for the finale.  Hope to see you all there and I hope that helps for the ones who want to sleep in.  Bulletin Board

This is a good one if you’ve ever messed with animation. Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

I had a great pizza yesterday from 2 for 20 Pizza. I hadn’t eaten there in several months, I don’t know if they changed anything, but it sure was good. I woke up this morning thinking about it and had to tell someone besides my dog, although she is a good listener.

A poster asked what supporters of GWB’s economic policies think of the current stock market situation.  A good question!  I assume that the poster believes that GWB’s policies are responsible for the current market situation.  I also assume that the poster is not a Bush fan. 

Here’s the facts: 
In January of 2000, near the end of the Clinton administration, the stock market began a slide that temporarily bottomed out at about 8850 in September of 2001.  The market then began a rally until March of 2002; then it plummeted to a low of about 7591 in September of 2002, (about the time of the beginning of the GWB tax program).  Since that low, the market has reached historic heights, topping out above 14k a few days ago.  Since that historic high, the market has corrected to about 12850 at the close of business Thursday.  A correction of about 8% from it’s high.  Put another way, the market, right now, is about 70% above its 09/02 lows.  So, poster, to answer your question:  I like GWB’s tax cuts, the cuts have generated tons of new bucks for the treasury.  

By the way, I suggest spreading peanut butter between your toes, it might cut the bile, and make the foot in mouth taste a little better.

Thanks Mr. Neugent for standing up to Willi and not allowing them to cut the funds for lighting at the Sugarloaf school.  You’re right, we have been denied quality recreation for our youth for too long.  Which reminds me, when are we going to get Mariners Park developed?  The money has been set aside for many years.  I am under the impression that the permits have been released.  Never mind that all the families will be gone by the time it’s done. (Sorry about the cynicisms, it must be something in the water.)

[Highway toll]  I heard this morning that Mr. Saunders does not want the 1cent tax, as he wants some sort of bond issue to come into play first.  That sounds good to this single mom.  But then they talked about the Feds wanting to make the Keys a National Park. You can bet if they make us a park they won't have any problem putting up a toll booth.  Someone asked why workers should be exempt from the toll.  Cause they have to pay for the hook-up and the taxes to maintain the system. Again the lack of government decision making has cost us such a costly increase in this issue.  We should have started over 10 years ago with this project.  We would have been done by now and the reef would be healthier then it is.  But then 20 years ago I wanted to see a no growth moratorium placed on all the Keys not just Big Pine.  (First they would not let them develop BP, now they are shoving it down our throats.)  The sewers need to come, and quickly, but I won't be able to stay much longer. 

[Your Honor my client is a idiot and hopefully will never reproduce] Laughter might be unexpected in a Kentucky liquor store where a robbery just occurred. But that's how employees responded to the "Duct Tape Bandit" who hit Shamrock Liquors in Ashland and fled nearly empty handed. A man who had his head wrapped in duct tape to conceal his identity walked into the store last Friday. Store manager Bill Steele had some duct tape of his own, but his was wrapped around a wooden club that sent the robber fleeing. Store employee Craig Miller said he chased the man to the parking lot, tackled him and held him in a choke position until police arrived. An unidentified customer also helped, police said.

Kasey G. Kazee, 24, was charged with first-degree robbery. Kazee denied he was the bandit who robbed the store of two rolls of change. Kazee pleaded not guilty Monday in Boyd County District Court and was ordered held under a $250,000 cash bond.

[they’re following us home anyway] Islamic extremists embedded in the U.S. posing as Hispanic nationals are partnering with violent Mexican drug gangs to finance terror networks in the Middle East, according to a DEA report.  An El Paso, Texas, law enforcement report documents the influx of approximately 20 Arab persons a week utilizing the Travis County Court in Austin to change their names and driver's licenses from Arabic to Hispanic surnames.

Since drug traffickers and terrorists operate in a clandestine environment, both groups utilize similar methodologies to function. There’s an ongoing scheme in which multiple Middle Eastern drug-trafficking and terrorist cells operating in the U.S. fund terror networks overseas, aided by established Mexican cartels with highly sophisticated trafficking routes.

[disgusting catholic comments] I must have missed that one, and I looked at the last few days’ posts. Anybody know what the comment was?

Why don't they take everything off the gambling boat that can hurt the environment and plant mangroves around it?  It would eventually disappear.

[telemarketer to Ms Inc] I get junk mail addressed to F. A. Mily (a weird version of family)

[an aerobatic sewer system] Actually, I wouldn't mind paying just to see that one.  Let me know when you get it installed.

[take the TDC's money]  HA! HA! HA! Are you kidding? Once a political money-grabbing situation is formed, there is no way it can be touched. Politicians are for politicians and will bite the hands that feed them to the bone!

I read a good little paperback book about the history of the Keys and about Flagler building the railroad and all that. Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean.

Neal Boortz's Nuze:  Let's all refer to God as Allah.  http://boortz.com/nuze/index.html

How come no one has talked about the burning waste treatment system for homes? It is used all over the world on ships and in homes, and the ash is disposable anywhere. I bet if the gas company knew about this, it would be a great idea!

I agree that the TDC should be abolished.  Now how do we actually get together and do something about it? 

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Gun control is a sharp eye and a steady hand.  Gun control is grouping all shots in the 10” Ring.  They can have mine when they pry it from my cold, dead hands! 

I do not think a toll booth is the solution.  Have you ever gone to Miami to shop and tried to get back to the Keys at a certain time only to find too much traffic on the stretch or Card Sound?  How terrible it would be to sit for hours while people have to make change, ask for directions (and, yes, this happens on US1) just to get home?  Holiday traffic is always a nightmare. Now imagine having to sit behind all that traffic so the toll booth operators can see who does and does not have to pay.  Some would suggest something similar to a Sun Pass, but is there an alternative where you fly through without having to pay? 

Face it, getting to the Keys some days is hard and tiring enough without having to pay a toll, or wait for those that do.  The construction going on only adds to the problem. We are in hurricane season and they are doing construction on Card Sound and you all down here already have seen the Stretch, it has a long way to go!

This link shows how much the track of a storm can change. Ernesto from last year was supposed to take a similar track to what they are predicting Dean to take, but instead it hooked north. You can watch how the meteorologists keep changing the track. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/graphics/al05/loop_5W.shtml

Why do all you Keys people expect outsiders to pay for your sewers?  It makes me glad that I moved out of that place called the Lower Keys when I read all the verbal diarrhea posted on this website.  Ideas like: only Monroe County residents should be able to participate in lobster week, and let's make all the tourists pay a toll to pay for our sewers. Stuff like that makes me glad that I got out when I did.  Now that windstorm rates are through the roof, and nobody can sell their house because the prices are so disgustingly inflated really gives me great comfort that I am not surrounded by a bunch of pompous whiners anymore. 

Will UPS or FedEx take our properly packaged human waste and deliver it to Iraq?

[ask the federal Government for the toll] You mean the county government didn’t know that while they considered that option? Hmmm, believe them or you? Gee that’s a tough one, but I think I’m going to believe them.

Fred Thompson on illegal aliens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQLFfTd2l44

How can you not like the caveman? I have said from the first time I saw him on TV that he is my kind of guy. He is smart, he is a good looking caveman and he has all his teeth. That is more then I can say about half the man in the keys. I can't wait for the show. Maybe you could learn something from the show and that would be not to judge the caveman. The caveman rocks!

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Friday August 17, 2007

Wednesday August 15, 2007

To all my friends in Big Pine and at Overseas Lumber Supply, Joey and Leah had the baby on 08/13 and I am now a grandmother. I would like to introduce to you Jaden Christopher Patterson!

Dear Mr. Neugent, As for the toll booth, how high would the toll have had to be?  I feel that $10 per car is a reasonable fee for over 100 miles of highway.  Locals could get a Fast Pass or use there evacuation sticker to exempt them from tolls. Workers coming in could get one at a reasonable rate.  Why does Dade want a cut of the pie?  Where does the money go when we ride on the Turnpike? 

In all reality we could start the toll tomorrow by shutting off access while the stretch in under construction by converting all traffic to Card Sound road.  There we wouldn't have to worry about where the toll sits and how much traffic backs up.  We didn't ask the Feds to upgrade the stretch it was shoved down our throats.  In a hurricane the stretch should have been a two lane exit road and Card Sound could have been an entrance road into the Keys. For all the money put into the upgrade of the stretch we could have paid over 3 times for a new sewer system.

Doesn't this country benefit from the reef and the unique and fragile environment that would be saved by supporting us in our endeavor to install an efficient sewer system? Why is it in our history to slaughter the Buffalo, slaughter the Indian, and now slaughter the environment?  By the time the sewers come in there will have been too much damage to the reef to help save it.  

Also you did not address the issue of other goverments putting taxes in place at an early time in order to help offset the cost of improvements.  Will you, in the future, consider this type of thinking in your desire to serve the people?

As far as the big three go I hope I am still here for election time.

[Sewer Lottery] Kudos to the thinking man who wrote “the county line toll booth exempting residents and environmental impact fees”.  My thoughts exactly, but I've also been thinking we should request the state to permit us to conduct a lottery for funds appropriation.  The money can be gathered without all this belly-aching and providence could smile on some individuals as well.  We wouldn't need to raise those taxes then.  It could literally be a win-win situation!    

The Boat Poker Run sounds like a lot of fun, but it starts too early. Why doesn’t it start at a civilized time like eleven or noon? If it started later I’d go and so would my neighbor. I’m sure there would be a lot of others who would like to enter if it was held latter in the day. i work all week and have a lot to do on Saturday mornings.

Satellite TV is the only way to go in the hurricane prone keys. I run the dish receiver and TV on my toaster-size generator.

I think it’s cool that Commissioner Neugent and Administrator Willi take the time and care enough to have contact with their citizens through this forum.

[Canal critters] Are you people serious in Eden Pines? I have lived there for a little under a year now, and I sit on the seawall at night and feed my left over food to the crabs, tarpon, and, oh yes, nurse shark almost on a nightly basis. And we can’t forget the other small fish, snappers, grunts etc. They love it. So what do fish in the wild eat to survive—other fish! So please know what your talking about before you start your bitching about something perfectly fine. Sit on your seawall in the evening and look for longer than 3 freakin’ minutes. We have lots of sea life there and occasionally we throw our carcasses in the canal, but all you have to do is poke its eyeballs out, it sinks and the natural process of the underwater world takes place. Everything eats everything down there. Take half an hour to watch and then let us all know that you were wrong.

Put your politics aside.  This kid did a great job on this video.

Has the Gambling boat stranded on the Saddlebunch Keys changed direction? It looks to be positioned differently since the fire. Maybe it is lighter and the recent high tides moved it.

[Dish or Direct TV]  I have had all three including Comcast, Direct TV and Dish Network.  By far, Dish Network is the absolute best!

I found this beautiful summer poem and thought it might help make your day.  It did me, and it's very well written.  Enjoy!  "Summer"  a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre: Shit, it’s hot!

[Dish or Direct TV]  I haven't tried Dish, so I can't comment on any comparisons other than the ones you can look up in their statistics.  I have had DirecTv for years and it just keeps improving and adding features.  Lots of options available, but plenty to keep you busy with just basic service.  The only weather related difficulty comes if a really deep cloud cover with dense rain moves into your direct line of sight from dish to satellite, and that rarely lasts more than a few minutes. 

[Is Fishcutters really closed for good]   No they will re-open in early December.  

[Dish or DirecTV] I used to have DirecTV, but switched to Dish when they had a better deal on the High Definition receiver.  I have regretted going to Dish ever since, their help line is staffed by people from India and I can’t understand a word they say.  Also, the HD receiver goes down and has to be unplugged and plugged back in to re-boot which takes about 10 minutes (this happens at least daily).  I cannot get their web site to automate my payments, so I have to enter credit card info every month, and they don’t respond to e-mails.  I can’t wait until my 18 month commitment is over, so I can go back to DirecTV, as I would never go back to cable.  

I can't believe it. After I tried to wake you all up to a serious problem the only thing that stuck in a poster’s mind was that you can't make a mobile phone call from an airliner (it is possible now).

I know most of you are hung up on this sewer BS. Let me tell you, if only the half of what I see is true, the best sewer system in the world will not be able to get you out of the shit that is coming down. You think Tom Willi is a crooked, useless bum? He wouldn't make a pimple on a gnats ass compared to the things that have been done already to you all. Not as individuals, but as a people. You say, "Well it doesn't affect me." On the long run it will, when all the good men have been pushed aside. Do something! Remember, in order for evil to succeed, good men just have to do nothing.

Does any one know what happened to Paul Carbonell? I heard that he was in an accident doing 100+ miles and hour. Did he live? I’m not home right now and I’m trying to get the scoop.

[Where does nutrient rich water go?] Where do you think it goes? Read this link http://www.keywestwastewater.com/future.htm Deep injection wells may not be the best if it is not done correctly. If done incorrectly it can dump the waste into the aquifer. This is obviously not good. But what we have is also not good.  

[Mangrove Pie] After I read this I am even more excited about trying it myself.
Mangrove: Any of certain shrubs and trees of the families Rhizophoraceae, Verbenaceae, Sonneratiaceae, and Arecaceae that grow in dense thickets or forests along tidal estuaries, in salt marshes, and on muddy coasts. The term also applies to the thickets and forests of such plants. Mangroves characteristically have prop roots (exposed, supporting roots). In addition, in many species respiratory, or knee, roots project above the mud and have small openings through which air enters, passing through the soft, spongy tissue to the roots beneath the mud. Mangrove fruits put out an embryonic root before they fall from the tree; the root may fix itself in the mud before the fruit separates from the parent. Likewise, branches and trunks put out adventitious roots which, once they are secure in the mud, send up new shoots. The common mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) grows to about 30 ft (9 m) tall and bears short, thick, leathery leaves on short stems, and pale-yellow flowers. Its fruit is sweet and wholesome.

[Where does nutrient rich water go?] Deep injection wells. There are many hundreds of them in Dade county and the Keys. Common sense tells me that the treated water will eventually make it to the ocean.

[DirecTV or Dish] I have Dish down here and DirecTV on the mainland. Both have DVRs. I prefer Dish because the fast forward is faster; the repeat is faster; there is an option with Dish to start over. Dish also seems to give better channel choices although it may depend on the area and they give you more information in the guide such as the year it first aired and a star rating on movies. Overall, the Dish remote is more intuitive. When I got DirecTV they started to send me a stupid magazine then started to automatically charge me monthly for it. When I got Dish I asked about putting it on vacation. They said no problem. Then when I tried to put it to sleep they told me I couldn’t do it until I fulfilled my 18 month commitment. DirecTV also said “no problem.” We’ll see. And finally, it seems that I lose the Dish signal more often in cloudy weather than DirecTV.

The day a cable or satellite company offers the customers to choose their channels instead of giving me 180 stations of garbage, I will choose that company.

[irritating commercials] I think the stupidest commercial is the one with Sally Field telling how awful it is for her to "have to set aside time every week" to take her osteoporosis pill. That’s really aggravating to have to "set aside time" to take a pill! You only have to take the pill she's selling once a month--tremendous time savings. It must save 30 seconds a month.  I saw her on TV on her show the other night. During one scene she was sitting in a kitchen doing nothing. My wife and I both said at the same time, "Take your pill now, Sally.”

Someone wrote that we can use our oceans like an aerobatic septic system? Maybe in theory, but I believe a recent study found fecal bacteria at the reef. Other methods for non-FKAA citizens: aerobatic, the anaerobic septic those select individuals may already have and I bet there are other methods. Country folk without the possibility of FKAA should not have to hook up.

[To be posted very low on the refrigerator door.]
Dear Dogs and Cats,
The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

 For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door: To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"nature.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3  Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a "gazillion" dollars for college.
And finally,
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Monroe Association for Retarded Citizens moving fundraiser. Sunday, September 2nd at Boondocks Restaurant & Bar mile marker 27.5. Join us to help raise funds for the MARC House moving fund. 11am - 4pm. Mini golf passes $10. Pig roast with free draft beer $10. Music by Steve Green 11am-1pm. Caffeine Carl and The Buzz 2pm-4pm. Bring the whole family for this fabulous Labor Day weekend  fundraiser. All funds raised go to the MARC May Sands moving fund. For more information contact  Gordon Ross 294-9526 ext. 16 or gordonkw1552@aim.com               Bulletin Board

The one penny sales tax may be the easiest to apply, but there has to be something else to do? Do we have a tax that is collected for schools and new construction of schools? Our population is on the decline, we have several new schools. Could that tax be sunshined or retired and be funneled into the sewer funds? No new tax.

Think of the single mother that is trying to get her children ready for this school year. Books, clothing, lunch money, shoes, etc. A pair of jeans for her child would cost say for instance $25 for that one item, the cost of those jeans would be $2.15 in taxes (with the “easiest” tax increase). We need to look at this more ways than just the easiest way.

How many taxes that have been placed on us have been removed, retired or sunshined? I am a landlord, and this cost for sewers will not be passed along to my renters. I truly believe in employee housing and do my part to keep my properties affordable for our workforce people. The more money that goes into the coffers of our government the more they spend. There has to be a halt someplace, let that halt come from our commissioners. Let us look at other ways of finding a source of income for our sewer needs. Let’s all put on our thinking hats.

[sewer tax] At a time when Keys businesses are having a very hard time keeping and attracting quality employees someone came up with the great idea of a Tax Increase. Are we really that dumb to think raising the cost of living here will help in the search for employees? All it will do is mean that earnings for them will have to go up thus everything we buy will increase in cost. Sure we can save $5,000 now, but in a few years that same $5,000 will cost you more because you will have paid over that amount in the future because you raised the taxes. How short sided? A toll bridge into the Keys or guaranteed low interest loans over the period of a mortgage is the only fiscal responsible thing to do. Tax increases in an area that's already considered as high cost is a poor idea. In fact, its making you more dependent on Government and that’s never a great idea.

It's pretty sad when a major bank on Big Pine Key can no longer afford its Cable TV bill.

[Sewers] Anyone who lives in Monroe County or on this planet necessitates the need for sewering, so we all share that responsibility. The least number I have read or heard to sewer Monroe County is $200 Million and $500 Million. We are mandated by State to be done with the sewering in 2010. We will not reach or exceed the cost of the project by a toll booth tax. I do agree that we have overdeveloped and exceeded our carrying capacity for the islands that we call home.

If you really want to pay for a sewer system and make those that necessitated it pay for it. This is the only plan that makes sense. First of all, we will define those that necessitated it as the people who own businesses and developers that prostitute our limited precious resources to line their pockets with profit and the tourists they draw.

First, you put a toll booth at the county line and collect a $1.00 per person waste disposal fee (homesteaded residents and workforce families would be exempted by using an ID card or vehicle tag). Second, put a nominal per person environmental impact fee on hotels, dive operations, fishing charters and other direct tourism businesses. All the money would be pooled and set aside for sewer projects only. When revenues exceed the cost of the project, the excess funds would be used to update, repair and maintain the system for the long term. It’s the over development and excessive tourism that is partially responsible for our failing reef as well as farm runoff and other sources of pollutants.

Who are we to point the finger at others when we aren’t doing our part first?

I’m glad political activists and politicians read this column and sometimes post too. I would never contact one of them on my own. I don’t want any of them to know who I am. Monroe County citizens can be heard here without fear of being labeled a kook or pain in the arse. That’s why voting is anonymous too. Thank god for BPK.com.

Remember when you are complaining about a $1200 a month rent that it probably cost the owner of the same apartment about $2000 a month to own the place.  You are not even paying the taxes and insurance, not to mention the mortgage payments.  

High frequency radio forecasts from the Coast Guard is being fazed out. (So much for boating, eh?)Answer 8 questions about your use of this service:  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/marine/hf.php

I want a toll booth to pay for the sewers. I can’t afford the new sewer connection, but I can afford a dollar to come home. Don’t listen to the politicians. A true representative of the people will fight for us and not accept the BS Tallahassee spews. A toll booth will solve all our fininancial problems.

[Dish or Direct TV]  Throw out the boob tube and get a life. Out of 900 channels, less than 20 are worth viewing to me.

[Andrew Trivett's qualifications] He must be doing something right, his appointment to that position at the BOCC was prefaced by recommendations from 3 very prominent speakers (a builder/developer, a restaurateur, and a mobile home park owner.) They all worked with him recently and found him "easy to work with" and worthy of this promotion. I believe the vote was 5-0. Later at that same meeting, the same 3 speakers spoke favorably on another issue, re: the "Rezoning of Lucky’s Landing." Thanks to Mr. Trivet's "easy to work with" nature, Luckys Landing is no more. This group of 3 called "Crown Four" (?) will now proceed to build many high rise condos on the site. Lets face it, who really needs a resume or qualifications if your "easy to work with."

Why don't we abolish the TDC and use the money to pay for our sewers? I read that the TDC's budget is well over twenty million dollars a year to advertise for tourists. Obviously reducing or eliminating advertising budgets for hotels, bars, restaurants, etc. by using tax money that could be much better spent on sewers.

Hey, Big Pine Grind guy. Stop blocking me!

Dam, that canal water in Eden Pines looks terrible lately. It’s so dark and murky I wonder how the fish stay alive in there. It looks like a septic tank.

Some really good photos. Aviation slide show

[What happens to the treated nutrient rich water that comes out of a central sewer treatment plant] It goes into a 92 ft (I believe that is the depth of Key Largo's deep injection well) for reuse.  That is what we hope will happen to our treated water. Sell it to County water trucks, fire department and people who want to reuse it to water lawns and plants.

[home repair contractors]  Keep in mind that landscapers and lawn service people are also contractors.  In this area we have a real problem with landscape bandits.  These are the people that drive around in old pickup trucks, cars, vans and whatever, with a lawnmower hanging out the back.  They, for some reason think that it is legal for them to provide lawn care without reporting their income, without paying taxes, etc. They are worst then illegal immigrants. They undercut the prices of the reputable companies (some of which are advertised on this forum). They even tell you to leave the payee blank on the check, (oh, I wonder why?)  Would you hire an electrician or plumber or carpenter who did this?

They do not carry liability insurance. Guess what happens when they hurt themselves or others or damage property?  You are liable for their damages.  Even if you can find them again you are still responsible because you hired them illegally. Use caution here and use the yellow pages and the Bigpinekey.com Business Directory to find a reputable company and save yourself a lot of grief later on.

[One cent sales tax would be the easiest to apply] So we should always go the easiest way? Don’t put the toll booth on Dade county property, put it farther south. I’m sure there’s more to it then I can imagine, but I tend to believe that’s why we elect county officials to do the hard work needed. Why not tax only specific services not everything we purchase? Add a tax to county fishing licenses, building permits. End the mini-season if the waste is not worth the trouble. Use a little imagination. The "easiest way" is something most of us tell our kids not to do. This is not intended as an insult;  it just means raising prices on everything is not the answer.

I hear that a County employee what's to run for County Commissioner for Sonny McCoy’s seat in Nov 2008 because they see how Sonny’s lasted in politics so long because of the crooked people he hangs with. -- Roadsuper5@aol.com

The commentator on NASA TV just identified 4 spacecraft currently docked to the ISS space station.  Two Russian Progress supply ships, 1 Russian Soyuz crew transport ship and, of course, our American space shuttle.  I guess it really is a space station.  I wonder how much valet parking costs?

[Weather resistant sewer systems] First, there is something called a generator. Second, with the technology we have and the innovation of the human race it is feasible. The question is will lazy, cheap politicians and shady contracts do a good job? If you feel what we have works there is no helping you. What do you think happens with your septic tank when there is excessive rain and storm surge?

I talked to a guy in Austin from India and he was telling me it takes months to get hooked up to the electrical system so a lot of people do it themselves, resulting in a lot of electrocution deaths in the process and a lot of fires from the home-made hodgepodge of connections.  This gives quite a visual!

Hurricane Dean tracking. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/083540.shtml?5day?large#contents

A scene you will probably never get to see. This is the sunset at the North Pole with the moon at its closest point. And, you also see the sun below the moon.  An amazing photo and not one easily duplicated.

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Wednesday August 15, 2007

Tuesday August 14, 2007

What do you think happens to the treated nutrient rich water (effluent) that comes out of a central sewer treatment plant?

If you really want to pay for a sewer system and make those that necessitated it pay for it. This is the only plan that makes sense. First of all, we will define those that necessitated it as the people who own businesses and developers that prostitute our limited precious resources to line their pockets with profit and the tourists they draw.

First, you put a toll booth at the county line and collect a $1.00 per person waste disposal fee (homesteaded residents and workforce families would be exempted by using an ID card or vehicle tag). Second, put a nominal per person environmental impact fee on Hotels, dive operations, fishing charters and other direct tourism businesses. All the money would be pooled and set aside for sewer projects only. When revenues exceed the cost of the project, the excess funds would be used to update, repair and maintain the system for the long term. It’s the over development and excessive tourism that is partially responsible for our failing reef as well as farm runoff and other sources of pollutants.

Who are we to point the finger at others when we aren’t doing our part first?

[home repair] There is a website called  Angies List. It lists the good contractors with defining grades in 8 different categories: price, punctuality, complaints etc.

I live in Eden Pines and had nothing but problems with Comcast.  Any time more than three drops of rain fell I would lose the signal and cable service would be down for hours.  A big storm would take it down for days.  Of course, by the time the service tech would get out, a day or two day later, everything was dry and they couldn’t find any problem.  I finally went to Dish 500 and don’t have any problems.  The video and audio signal is excellent and the only time I experience a problem is when we have a major storm cell over the island and then It’s only for a few minutes (maybe 10 or 20)  until the signal returns.  I recommend a dish system.

[you can't make a cell phone call from an airliner]  Thank heavens for small blessings!  I get to hear enough half-conversations everywhere else I go, I'd hate to be hostage next to some cell-addicted junkie chatting up everyone they know on a cross country flight.

No new taxes guy.  Go get a low interest loan yourself and buy a house. Otherwise pay your rent increase.  We’ll rent to someone else.

The White Crowned Pigeons seem to like the dead pines to hang and look around. I’m glad someone has found a positive use for them.

[When taxes go up so do rents] What, $1,200 a month for a 1 room place isn’t enough? When peoples’ home insurance costs dropped did rents? No!

Final day for Big Pine Soccer registration Friday Aug 17, 1-4 pm at Sugarloaf School. For further info call Michelle 872-0442
Bulletin Board

I'm tired of paying Comcast almost $100 a month for digital cable & DVR, so I'm taking a survey, Dish or Direct TV to replace it?  Please give me some feedback.

We haven’t raised the rent in a couple of years, but we’re going to raise it our newly vacated house by $200; and we’re going to put the money in a separate account so when the sewer comes due we won’t be in a bad financial position. And if we can get the state to pay for their mandated sewer we’ll use the money and go to Paris.

I, Mangrovejim of Cudjoe will attempt to make a mangrove pie, so that when it makes it to the food channel and Good Morning America and Diane Sawyer asks me where I got my inspiration, I can tell her it sure wasn't no burning bush on Tarpon Belly, but the good old Coconut Telegraph. Bake on!

[If they raise taxes rents will have to be raised] Good. If they raise taxes and make it more expensive to live here then salaries will have to go up. It’s hard enough to get teachers, policemen, firemen and others to afford to live here so you think raising the cost to live here is the answer? Then store prices have to go up, less things get sold and then we will need another tax increase. See the chain reaction?

No tax increases.

Since we are looking at all of Tom Willi's shady deals and actions, has anyone looked at Drew Trivett's resume?  Does he have the qualifications required to be Growth Management Director?  Is his salary in line with the maximum allowed for that position?  Both answers are "NO".  His only ability I see is he knows how to say: "Yes Tom".

Iraq was allowed to hang Saddam Hussein after they took his power away.  Can we fire Tom Willi and then hang him?
--funinthesun_34@hotmail.com

I have to agree on the stupidity of the TV commercial these days, but the one that irritates me the most is the stupid people on the one about NetFlix movies.  I can't stand to look at it and have to put the TV on mute or I'll throw something at them!

Press 1 for English. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEJfS1v-fU0

[Mile Marker 24 Band] We are pulling out of the Keys today and are so excited to start the next leg of our summer tour. It is a beautiful day in the Keys but we are heading to the Midwest where we hear it is wonderful right now.

[Hometown Democracy Initiative] I read an article from The Pelican, a newsletter explaining how many Boards of County Commissioners (all over the country, not just the Keys) are financially tied to big developers. It was quite enlightening. I mailed away my signed petition right away. Citizens should have a voice in what happens where they live. The website is  http://www.floridahometowndemocracy.com

Well you’re in luck, The Three, of which you speak, are all up for re-election in about a year.

Before I address the question on the Toll, please allow me to speak on renters vs the homesteaded population and property owners. To the Renter, you are exactly correct, although you don’t pay property taxes directly, you do pay property taxes indirectly. However, I do know that many property owners who have rentals, especially during the rise in property values which they benefited from (and also suffer from), have tried to hold off on passing that cost on immediately to the renter.

As for the Toll, Governor Bush asked me to pursue that issue shortly after I became a county commissioner. I can say that now that he is out of office, what I found out was that although it would produce revenue, the price of the Toll had to be so high to produce enough to matter it became cost prohibitive. The folks in Key Largo were not happy at all in that they felt they would be paying more than their fair share due to so many working in Florida City and Homestead; and those from those areas working in Key Largo. There were also many other hurdles to get over such as:  where do you put the Toll booth? How much traffic does that stack up on busy holidays? Did you know that 11 of the approx. 18 miles of the stretch are in Dade County? They wanted their piece of the pie? And then the Feds wanted a chunk of the dough for road improvements and on and on and on.

So, for me, it still looks like the one penny sales tax is the easiest to apply.

And, we’ve got to do this so that we can keep the “hook-up” fees as low as possible for property owners so that they don’t pass that cost on to renters.
--Neugent-George@monroecounty-fl.gov

Would you rather eat a tree mangrove pie or a fruit mango pie?

To everyone that goes out to Picnic Island with dogs, please make sure your cute doggy doesn't take a dump in the water when everyone is swimming around. Yesterday while a group of us were sitting by our boats a turd went drifting by. That's disgusting and the next time it happens I'm going to pick it up in a bag and empty the bag in your boat!
Oh yeah, on the subject of dogs. Shut them up so we don't all have to swim around and hear them bark while everyone is trying to relax.

It’s come to the stage that every Big Pine property owner should realize what's in store for them. It's no longer a commercial redevelopment issue. It's truly the taking of Big Pine by the government. I did not want to go public, but now have no choice, after finding out the true lack of concern for our island and it's property owners by our government.

RE: Monroe County / Caya Place / Skeeters Marine Redevelopment Emails

Susan (Grimsley, county attorney),
I truly don't understand. Just so you understand exactly, Dr. Feagin has interrupted the HCP multipliers to be something that is simply not defined within reason of the true use of my properties use. To be very clear, the entire HPC is only an overview. All I'm asking is for someone, anyone to review my properties existing use of the 20 plus years and consider just why we couldn't ask for a vote from all commissions DRC, PC, BOCC. Then we could take that vote to Fish and Wildlife as an approval for their review as the HCP states, and possible approval. As you know, or maybe not, my property has been cleared and fenced for a very long time.

If anything that was written in the Big Pine Master Plan is to become reality, just where is a better place to allow development than on US1 and completely fenced land?

Simply saying no to what I propose is not the answer as my entire life has been spent paying for the future. I have stated many times before, people who are not vested in Big Pine have no business controlling our future from afar. We, as property owners must have a say in our future. If government doesn’t understand the words "for the people" we are all lost.

Talk is cheap, action comes with people who want a real future for all, not just a select few.

Again, all I ask is to take it to a vote. If that can't be done, just rip up the Big Pine Master Plan and await the complete extinction of the working class and small business in the lower keys.

You stated, by violating the ITP, the county could have adverse consequences. Well it seems to me we are way past that point with the loss of the wonderful working people we have already forced to leave because of no quality of life and none possible in their future. 

Let's do something about it now. --Richard Beal, SkeeterS marine / Caya Place

I want to remind everyone that this Saturday the 18th is the 1st Annual Boat Poker Run sponsored by the Big Pine and Lower Keys Rotary Club.  Come out an join the fun.  Registration begins at 9:00 at Dolphin Marina and the other stops are Bahia Honda, Old Wooden Bridge Fish Camp, Looe Key Tiki Bar (they will be opening at 10:00 that day) and the finale will be at Parrotdise Waterfront.  You can purchase up to 5 hands and they are $30 for the 1st hand and $25 for additional hands.

Don't have a boat?  That's ok.  Just come to Parrotdise between 2 and 3 to buy a hand.  Hands must be turned in by 3:00.  Hope to see everyone there. Bulletin Board

Bum Farto is not going to be taking anybody fishing any time to soon. Just how long have you been gone, Bimini Ray?

Here comes a bit of a blow!  I sure hope it takes out a few of these ugly cookie-cutter projects spreading like a cheap hooker’s legs. Come on down Dean. Lower property values only help us poor working folks.

I totally agree that it is shameful that the County Administrator, Tom Willi of Monroe County, would do what he did. Are you emailing, calling or doing anything to get your point across to Tom Willi's bosses?  They are the 5 members of Monroe County BOCC. Call them and tell them of his behavior and your concern that something like this does not happen again?   Make sure you have a very good informed vote and get the word out to other voters here in Monroe County.  It is your privilege and duty to vote. That is what makes us different from other countries, so please make sure you cast your vote. Get informed the best way you can.

Weather resistant sewer systems you say. Up in Grand Rapids, MI, every time it rains any appreciable amount, their public system overflows raw sewage into the Grand River, only to be enjoyed for the next week by everyone living down stream. There is, of course, a fine that must be paid, but it is so low that the city government gladly writes the check instead of improving the system. A power outage and 12 inches of rain will likely have the same effect here.

[Get another Waste Management System]  Ha, there is no other choice!

Place a bucket of clean, fresh water in your yard, then wait a week or two. It will be green and have all manner of bacteria swimming around. Turn off the filter in your pool and see what happens. It will help to get the water out into the open ocean as soon as possible where wave action will introduce oxygen to the mix and promote the natural process of decay.

The water at Silver Springs comes from an underground aquifer? Do you think? It's the origin of the water that is held in that aquifer that is in question. I'll bet you think the water in your tap has been there all along too.

Key West did not hire Tom Willi. Unincorporated Monroe County hired him. Murray Nelson was behind bringing Tom Willi down.

[Where did Mr. Mayor make that money] Mario DiGennaro has these businesses; all of them are in his wife's name. They are Global Health Connection; New Aquarius Trailer Park (located in Aquarius Mobile Home Park, 451 SE 8th Street, Homestead) American Ortho-Med, and Ortho-Med Europe.

[Hurricane Dave] He is back in Big Pine after a long recovery from his burns in the propane explosion. Go Dave!

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Tuesday August 14, 2007