Sunday May 31, 2009

Oh, oh! We can't get an adequate internet connection to publish the Coconut telegraph today so let's all take a day off. Bell south which is now AT&T said the problem is on their end and it will be fixed within 24 hours. We're sorry for any inconvenience.

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Sunday May 31, 2009

Saturday May 30, 2009

George Neugent and Alicia Putney both are great people who are caring, knowledgeable; stand for loving the Florida Keys and trying to do the right thing.  I applaud both of these people! 

[Volunteer fire department Boot Drive] I am not anti-volunteer by any means, I am however anti-misinformation. All of the equipment and training needed for the volunteers is provided by Monroe County. All of the trucks, axes, hose, nozzles, extrication tools, bunker gear, air packs, and anything else needed for the purpose of responding to emergency calls are provided through county tax dollars. Volunteers and volunteer corporations are not saddled with the responsibility of providing these things. They all come from the taxes that we pay.
 
Training for volunteers is provided at little to no cost to the individual. All fire training is provided free of charge to the volunteers in Monroe County. As a matter of fact the second part of what is referred to as, "Minimum Standards" for firefighting is scheduled to begin in July. All of the students will be volunteers. None of the students will pay anything for this class, nor did they pay anything for the first half. Basic Medical training is also provided, often free of charge, to volunteer firefighters. This basic training course is called First Responder. Any volunteer that decides to continue to EMT certification or higher may have to pay upfront for these courses, however they are often reimbursed the cost of tuition and books upon successful completion of the class.
 
All of this goes to say that if you want to give a dollar to a volunteer firefighter with a boot in his hand, then go ahead and do it. Do not however feel obligated to donate. The money collected by volunteer firefighters through boot drives goes to whatever they feel like buying. Pizza, hamburgers for the “5th Tuesday of the month dinner”, whatever. Just remember that you already "donated" by paying your tax bill. 

[Bitchology post--You sound fat] That’s funny because that’s just what I was thinking. She’s a fatso who has nothing, but her bitch status and mini intellect.

[Boot Drives] What they were collecting for at the intersection is irrelevant. It is very distracting to motorist. We have enough to watch out for at this crazy intersection without having to look out for people in the street. I'm sure there must be a law against it if it were only enforced.

[Tax Increase] I find it interesting that people are whining about Obama and taxes yet we all sit here silent when our commissioners stuck another tax increase on fuel which means there’s a chance our local businesses that run vehicles will increase their prices. Next we will all smile when they add another penny sales tax on us for sewers. Those are not Obama tax increases, folks; that’s your local government. Don’t forget years ago we already increased our taxes for the sewers and guess what? We bought Hickory House with that money. They will no sooner rob from that fund then use their heads and make other plans.

No increase in taxes for sewers that plan has already been tried and failed. The definition of insanity is when you keep trying to do the same thing over and over expecting different results. Those tea-bag protests really had an effect on our local government didn’t they? They made fools of you.

[Stabbing at Marvin Key] It sounds like she could have been stabbed when she stepped on a ray, seeing as there wasn’t anyone else around except her two girlfriends.

[George Neugent and Alicia Putney] Do not put the two together. 70% (and rising) of Alicia Putney's No Name Key neighbors are adamantly against her. I guess at 70%, you can call us the vocal majority! 

It's a big County, try not to pin everything on little ole No Name Key. We've got enough to deal with and overcome with the Putney's and the mess they've made here.

[More bar wisdom] The guy behind me in court for my DUI hearing got a DUI on a lawnmower at 1 am. He is my new hero. Drunk Redneck Lawnmower Ride

[Creditgate] It looks as if the Bubba's are getting ready to throw Monique under the bus to save their own skins.  Why else would Randy's attorney tell the authorities where the loot was stashed? Remember, though she married a Bubba, she's not one of them and is therefore expendable.

[Pokey Drivers] All winter long I could not wait for Spring so that the irritating left-lane drivers and 5-10mph under the speed limit drivers would leave.  It is now the end of May and I realize it was not the snowbirds who were the moron drivers--it was the locals!  Would you people please get a sense of community and learn how to drive?  It's very simple.  On a 4-lane highway, stay out of the left lane unless you are passing.  On the two-lane, if you have no one in front of you and a long line of bumper to bumper traffic behind you, that might be a clue you are driving too slow. 

[From the Right] I don’t know if Judge Sotomayor is a racist or not. Let’s assume that she is not. Lets assume that she is simply justifiably proud of ethnicity and her accomplishments. We do know that she proudly admits that she is a member of The National Council of La Raza.  The National Council of La Raza, is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.  La Raza promotes driver's licenses for illegal aliens, amnesty programs, and no immigration law enforcement by local and state police.  It promotes free education and health care for illegal Hispanic aliens. La Raza is connected to organizations that advocate the supremacy of Latin’s and the reparation of several southwestern states to Mexico. The Judge has said that she believes “...that a wise Latina woman would be more likely to reach a better conclusion than a white man who hasn’t lived her life”. I don’t know if all of that proves that she holds racist views, but I do know that all of that certainly should disqualify her from being a Supreme Court Justice. I’m a conservative thinker, but I most certainly would object to any Supreme Court nominee who was an avid protestor in “Right to life” marches, or who was committed ACLU member or who was a lifetime member of the NRA. It’s just simply wrong for any devoted advocate for any cause to sit on the Supreme Court. Advocacy is the life blood of our judicial system, that’s what lawyers do, but in order for our system to protect us, our judges, who interpret and apply our rules, must be innocent of bias, and must avoid acts that might even suggest the perception of bias. Supreme Court Justices must have the highest standards.  Judge Sotomayor absolutely has crafted a life that demonstrates her fealty to the Latin ethos that surpasses simple ethnic pride. What if Sotomayor had been a white male who was proud of his Southern heritage and sported a Confederate cap as a golf cap, and had a license tag that proclaimed that he was a “Son of Dixie” and was a civil war re-enactor. Suppose he was inordinately fond of watermelon and fried chicken,  bragged about it, and proudly displayed the Confederate flag? Ethnic pride has no place in the Chambers of the Supreme Court. Frankly we don’t know if Sotomayor is a bigot or not, but we do know that she believes that a Latin female is more likely to render a just decision than is a white male. We know because she told us. A reading of the entirety of her words on the issue only serves to illuminate the depth of her belief system in that she denigrates the decisions of a number of white male justices.  Even Obama said today that she probably regrets her poor choice of words.  I applaud her exemplary career, it's Obama that deserves severe criticism for exploiting her ethnicity by his patently political decision to nominate her rather than any one of the number of highly qualified constitutional scholars that are in his circle of acquaintances. Obama again waged identity politics by pandering to what he believes to be the “Latin” voting bloc.  Obama was touted as being post racial: he’s not. The partisan and ethnic crap is supposed to stop at the steps of the Supreme Court, all Americans deserve better.

(Part II) If Obama’s socialized medicine scheme is going to make health care so cheap for everybody, how come he and his crew are scurrying around trying to find new ways to tax us to pay for it?  Give me a freaking break!

[Higgs Beach] How right you are, the beach is not even ADA compliant, what will the taxpayer's have to ante up to bring the beach up to being compliant? You bet the money will be coming out of your pocket along with all the residents of Monroe County.  Yet TDC will waste $485,000 on a beach that for most of the time is closed to swimming because of fecal levels being high.  Give me a break, folks. Wake up and get some common sense on how your tax dollars along with bed tax monies are being wasted and spent.  $485,000, I know is set aside for beach recovery, but it sure would help being spent on sewers that do also service the tourist who pay for TDC DAC 1.

[Big Pine Academy FCAT Scores and Data] Congrats to our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and to Mrs. McDaniel, Mrs. Sizing and Mrs. Thompson. Here are the percentages of students performing at or above grade level for each area:

They must being doing something right.

[Bible] This a good site and can answer many questions about the Bible and what is meant. I use it to get to the bottom line on quotes and misquotes.    www.GotQuestions.org

[Fox hunting] That was the funniest post in a while. Thank you for the laugh!

[Fire Station] They poured the driveway for the new Big Pine fire station yesterday and today they had the sprinklers on trying to make it grow--or is it to cure the concrete? Is that fat guy giving the double digit salute?

[Short Term Rentals] We haven’t heard anything about short term rentals for a few days.  I remember that the supporters claimed that they had a plan that they had carefully prepared which would remedy all the problems.  Nobody that I’ve talked too has seen the plan. I wonder why they haven’t posted it here or anywhere else.  I looked at the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce web site, but didn’t see any mention of the issue or the plan.  Does anybody know if the plan even exists? (Ed: It was posted here in the last week or so.)

[Crook] A 34-yearold Big Pine man was arrested Thursday after allegedly using a stolen ATM card to spend $1,000 at Winn-Dixie. Mark Szymansky was charged with two counts of fraudulently using someone else’s identification, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and grand theft. Szymansky allegedly used the ATM card at the Big Pine Winn-Dixie eight times, spending more than $1,000.

The guy wanted his own private plane.  http://www.costaverde.com/727.html

[Slamming and Damming the Putneys]  My gosh I bet neither one of these caring people knew they had so much clout or power as running the County Commissioner's,  the Planning Commission, plus the Court Systems, along with attorneys,  Building Department, any developer that wanted to build on No Name Key, BPKC, Last Stand, GLEE all of which are still in existence other than BPKC (sadly).  Federal and State agencies, and at last running Big Pine Key and No Name Key. My, oh, my your post does seem to give them lots of clout and power.  These people do give unselfishly of their time, effort and brain power. Yes they are involved (thank goodness), but certainly they are not greedy, corrupt, nor manipulative or trying to control. I do agree there was lots of misconduct and a path of bankruptcy by the "Gang of Three", but the knowing voter's took care of that at the last election.  We now have elected officials that do represent the citizens. 

The next ABATE chapter meeting includes annual elections. It will be at11:00 am, Sunday, June 7 at the Disabled American Veterans in Marathon.

Pictures and Video of the 2009 Leesburg BikeFest held in Leesburg, Florida. Custom MotorCycles, The Rats Hole Bikini Contest, Roaming Video and much more. http://www.BlingMasterTV.com/2009leesburgbikefest

[Anti-Semite]  This person seems to be full of hate and bitterness. I think the "from New York" comment hit a nerve.

Here is the reality of the Chrysler meltdown. This is my family. How can this be happening in America to an American who fought for this great country?! Stop the madness!

[Defending Bitches pick one]  What’s your point?  As a single mom who works a full time job, has no tattoos, all her teeth, her own home, car, and changes her own oil and fixes her own roof.  What do you think we have to do to survive in this land of “run from responsibility” especially after being involved with a few Keys men.  Get a life, you need to pick one.  Does the truth hurt?  I’d write more, but I have to go back to work. 

[Whose Telephone Number] To the person asking about phone number 915-781-0407 I did a reverse number look up by going to people search, it will ask you name or number put in number and hit search. That particular number has had many complaints and sorry to say but it's a collection agency.

(915) 781-0407 is Unpublished or Unavailable. Type: Land Line Provider: Southwestern Bell, Location: El Paso, TX http://whitepages.aol.com/reverse-lookup

[The number 915-781-0407] It only took 15 seconds on Google to find the answer to this question and it did not involve any special search services. I'm sure it took you longer than that to compose and email your question. I was going to post the answer here but after thinking about it I am not willing to reward your laziness and /or lack of intellectual horsepower. So there!

[Whose Telephone Number] It’s a land line out of El Paso Tex.  Go to anywho.com then click on reverse lookup.

That 915-781-0407 number from yesterday: http://msn.whitepages.com/search/ReversePhone?full_phone=9157810407&localtime=survey

[915-781-0407 phone number] Collection Agency - GC Services

[Whose number is 915-781-0407] Just Google it. It looks like a collection agency.

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Saturday May 30, 2009

Friday May 29, 2009

[Stabbing at Marvin Key] There was no brawl. Yes there were fights here and there, but nothing major. The incident that occurred with the girl that got stabbed had nothing to do with the fights that were occurring earlier that day.

The girl was walking with two of her friends, when she was grabbed and slammed in the water and she thought she was drowning. She was stuck down in the water for quite a bit until her two friends grabbed her from the water and seen blood all over her and rushed her to the nearest boat. Once they had her on the boat they realized she was stabbed three times--in the breast, thigh, and wrist. None of the three girls could identify the attacker.

[Creditgate] School Auditors say over $300,000 is missing from programs Monique Acevedo oversaw, but they can only pin $180,000 on her. The investigator said that Acevedo both requested expenditures and approved the requests.

4 Virus warnings today: “United Postal Services of America. Postal tracking number XXXXXXXX”

Expedition 20 will mark the start of six-person crew operations aboard the International Space Station. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1374.html

[Galleon Bay and No Name Key] The lawsuit for Galleon Bay is back in court to determine the liability and damage for regulatory taking of 13 platted lots on No Name Key. Beginning on April 13, 1997 until July 19, 2001, annually the Board denied building permits to Galleon Bay.
 
Many wonder why Big Pine Key and No Name have the most restrictive land use regulation in the county.  Attached is a map showing the relationship between Ms. Putney's oceanfront home and Galleon Bay. Galleon Bay was owned by the same family for decades before Ms. Putney arrived on the scene. However, the Putneys were determined to stop all development on No Name Key. Thus, the Key Deer Protection Alliance was founded by Mr. Putney and Ms. Putney became the self-appointed land use advisor to the County and groups such as the Big Pine Key Civic Association, Protect Key West and Florida Keys, Inc., d/b/a Last Stand, GLEE, and other environmental groups no longer in existence. She also acted as County’s unofficial liaison to state and federal agencies and environmental groups. The Board gave Ms. Putney full control over Big Pine Key and No Name Key; however, the buck stops with the Board as they cannot delegate away their duties and responsibilities.
 
For nearly twenty years, Ms. Putney served on every committee, board, or task force that had anything to do with land use and sewers for Big Pine Key and No Name Key.  She served on the Planning Commission where she drafted detrimental land use regulations for No Name Key and Big Pine Key.  On the Galleon Bay issue, she appeared numerous times before Planning Commissions and at every Board of County Commissioners meeting for Galleon Bay over the four-year period. She wrote petitions, drafted memorandums, harassed and coerced County staff, wrote and spoke many misstated facts and cited incorrect law, she enlisted others to lobby the Board--all to deny Galleon Bay building permits, stop electricity and sewers to No Name Key.  She, through various non-profit environmental groups, sued the county when the Board did not follow her advice.  You do recall the Walgreens lawsuit, don't you?  That suit was lost at the district court of appeal level, but only after you spent a lot of money because she did not want Walgreens on Big Pine Key.
 
Soon the taxpayer will be delivered a huge bill; the best guess is around $10 million, so Ms. Putney can have a private estate with no neighbors. This fight was never about the endangered species, the environment, or having a solar community; it was about greed, corruption, conspiracy, manipulation and control. Many class action lawsuits are still pending for regulator taking of Tier 1 land on Big Pine Key and No Name Key. Don't think that this could not happen to your community too.
 
Misconduct by elected officials will continue until County staff feels safe to report wrongdoing.  County staff should be more vigilant and the County Attorney should read and verify the law before letting the Board adopt it into legislation. Commissioners should stop doing favors for friends.  It is indeed sad that those whom we elected to represent all citizens have led us down a path to bankruptcy and lawsuits for years to come. Soon the County will be bankrupt and it will not be paradise anymore. ~mpalmer90@live.com

Salsa sense. Marijuana and Cocaine Should Be Legalized, Says Latin American Drugs Commission | CommonDreams.org

[Monique's Booty] So they found a bunch of the stuff Monique Acevedo bought illegally, stashed in the empty house of one of her subordinates.  Randy has maintained that since they made so much money he didn't notice all the new stuff that Monique brought home.  Do you think he noticed when it disappeared?  Yeah, right.

Hiding the loot, in my mind, removes any shadow of a doubt as to whether or not there was criminal intent.

[Can You Spell Bubba System] I wish sewers we not on my brain, but they are. They are there because I fear what the mismanagement by FKAA will cost my family and friends. Because I hate the idea of government waste, especially in a place that is already costly to live in. Because those monies could be used for better purposes like employing more teachers, paying those we have more money, ditto to fire fighters and police. Because I hate when an elected official talks like he or she knows what they are taking about when they don't. So why are sewers on my brain?

Because the FKAA has no proper oversight and only doles out the work to their friends. That's fine except it is our money. Read the reports, the State Auditor has found FKAA to be breaking our bidding laws year after year. Not only do they do it every year, no one there stops it. When you consider that the guy running the place makes like $ 200,000 per year and you see what is happening it just makes me want to puke.

Because Shark Key got sewered and no one knows about it or the fact that it cost us $50,000 per home, but cost nothing for the residents there. Talk about a political gift! Mayor Neugent made the motion to make it happen and yet Shark Key was not even on the waste water master plan. How should those of us on Big Pine that are not in the plan feel, to know that you are 'connected' and that the good ole Mayor will take care of you? He only whines “there is no money”, “we need taxes” and on and on. Nice guy. Good talker. He's worse than most because he's acting like he doesn’t know what he’s done. He's been there, what 11 years, and we still don't have sewers or even a plan in the Lower Keys--his own district. Every other place has one in the works or done, yet he can only whine and suggest more taxes. That's 11 years too long, I say.

This is one of the largest improvement projects in the history of the Keys and it is going to cost Lower Keys residents  a ton of money in connection fees and taxes, Those are our tax dollars not some tourist’s. I wish I did not have all of this sewer crap on my brain, but this is a big issue.  ~Protx@aol.com

Where in Iowa is Jeff? Home sweet home. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sin14yiUQY&NR 

[Volunteer boot drives are a hoax] What rock are you crawling out from under? Everything you said is a flat out lie. If you think you are right I dare you to call Chief Callahan and ask him to tell you everything Monroe County buys for the volunteers to train and get equipment.  He can't, and you are wrong.  I know people who personally buy equipment for a station because the County won't get them the storage units they need. And I know people who come to a station to give tools because the County won't buy them.

Who the hell are you? You sound like a career firefighter from some other town, or else a Monroe County paid firefighter who does not like volunteers and is just talking to make trouble. 

Readers, please disregard everything that poster said. It's all crap, and I want everyone out there to know it.

Everyone should also know that there are some Monroe County paid (they call themselves "career") firefighter/emt or paramedic who are known by all Monroe County FF/EMT-PM and volunteers alike to hate volunteers, and want all Monroe County to be 100% paid and get rid of all volunteers. Because, they think the volunteers are taking their jobs. 

And everyone should know that right now, there are a lot of Monroe County paid FF/EMT-PM who are very unhappy with their jobs because there’s no more overtime, the way the new chiefs are making many changes, and some people getting special favors. 

Right now, there are more Monroe County paid FF/EMT-PM who live north of MM126, so the culture of the dept is changing and there are some culture blending (or bending) problems.

So the next time somebody spouts off, ask them where they work, where they live, and do they think the volunteers should stop volunteering.

England has banned fox hunting. This inhumane practice is abhorrent to all right thinking individuals and has to stop.

Monique Acevedo had so much stolen stuff she had to store it elsewhere because her home was too full, but her husband didn't notice any of it.

The Vandenberg was a joke. What was up with the ferry getting to circle the ship only a quarter mile away? It blocked our view (what little you could see) in the 54 seconds it took the ship to go down. What a disappointment, at least the water was nice the rest of the day.

[Anti-Semite] The store was sold out and the cashier offered to look for the item--not the lady. Learn to read and then talk your trash. It's assholes like you that hide under rocks, work for a 6-pack and never travel more that to Key West or Marathon. If you don't know what you’re talking about keep your mouth on your crack pipe.

[Boot Drive Accident] I don’t think the man that was driving the vehicle that hit the Post Office truck was putting on makeup. The postal employee is still off work from the accident. You can make excuses and imagine anything you want, but the fact is the man that hit the truck said he was distracted by the people in the street. And it wasn’t just firemen collecting it was also the Rotary Club members. Please fact check before making wild accusations such as "Maybe they were putting on make up". Try the truth of "Maybe the man was distracted by the people in the street" as the man said.

A busy intersection during a holiday weekend, with many more cars and boats on trailers, isn’t the wisest time to have a boot drive on the main highway. It is not a slam on anyone; it’s just a way of asking people to be a bit smarter when planning these things. Setting up a table in front of Winn Dixie would be a much wiser and safer decision than having people standing in the middle of one of the most dangerous highways in America collecting money for safety equipment!

In case people are wondering, Dee, formally of Ginger Snips, is now currently at Bert and Frannie's in the Winn Dixie shopping center in Big Pine. Go check her out, same great prices and the shop is wonderful. Not only can you get great hair services with Dee, you can shop there as well. I was in there this week, the place is wonderful and everyone in there is a complete joy to be around, a really fun environment. Good luck, Dee. I am sure you will do fabulous there.

[George Neugent and Alicia Putney] There have been some pretty damning slams against George Neugent and Alicia Putney on BPK.com but no email addresses attached.  Did the policy change?

I have found both people helpful in many a situation and not deserving of the horrid comments. I assume for Alicia it is all about her neighbors that want electricity.  As for George, maybe that comes with the new job. 

Hang in there to both of you.  You are appreciated by the silent majority.

Advanta, my credit card that pays me 5% on every transaction, just sent me a letter saying that they lost their funding and will no longer honor their cards. In other words, I’m fired!

[Obama Bad] Communist China, our largest debt holder, tells the Obama team they're very worried and very concerned about Obama's out of control spending and non-stop printing of money. The Reds fear a devaluation of the dollar, hyperinflation and America's loss of its AAA credit rating.

Obama's campaign promise of taxing only the rich was a great con to get votes. Rumbles of a national sales tax on everything sold and made in America appear eminent. Whispers of taxing and regulating the internet in the name of homeland security are growing stronger. With the aide of a speed reader, a devastating cap and trade bill is on its way. It will tax every consumer who buys or uses any product or service.

Obama's quest for inferior European health care for all Americans needs billions, perhaps trillions in cash. Obama's vision and obsession to own, control and regulate private business, banks and financial institutions just keeps growing.

There can be no more excuses or blaming Bush for overspending by Obama voters. Your votes elected a president whose vision for America is unlike anyone before him. Be proud, sacrifice and pay up in your president's quest to redistribute your wealth to the poor.

Judge Scalia is one of the more right-wing Associate Justices on the US Supreme Court. Judicial activism is only bad if it's from the left, apparently.

[Latinas Aren’t Fair] I noticed that someone had to attack those people who have deep doubts about Judge Sotomayor’s qualifications to be a Supreme Court Justice. It’s no shock that the attacker either couldn’t or wouldn’t defend her against the suggestion that she was unfit to serve because of her bigoted words or her ultra left-wing rulings. Once again the Liberal Progressives have to resort to name calling because they know that they don’t have the facts on their side. Judge Sotomayor may be a wonderful human being with a compelling life story, but she’s proved that she cannot be an unbiased Judge. If you were an innocent white male who was defending himself against charges brought by a Latin woman, would you want her deciding your case?

Flash: Nira Tocco got a new ‘do. She looks great. It makes me want to go right out and buy a house from her!

People complaining about the boot drive must be new comers to BPK as we all know it's for the 4th of July fireworks. (Ed: Or they haven’t been reading the CocoTele to find that the Boot Drive was in Tavernier for fire equipment.)

Can anybody tell me what company or person belongs to this phone number: 915-781-0407? Somebody from this number keeps calling and hanging up. Southwestern Bell won't help me and I do not belong to any internet pay-to-find service. And there's no answer when called.

[A non-buildable lot is worth zero anytime] A non-buildable lot was buildable at one time. Where the rub occurs is when and why they were made unbuildable.  Those entities that made them unbuildable are the ones that will ultimately have to pay for them. A good example is Galleon Bay. (Get it George?)

[Pool Store] Everyone was quick to trashed the Pool Store (at the light) for their trashy, ripped awning, but no one’s said kudos to them for their new blue awning. It looks great!

[Party of No--Obama’s judicial selection] Putting aside your self imposed hatred for the Republican Party, have you ever heard of the term "Borked" and its origin? Ted Kennedy had a lot to do with the term when he succeeded in eliminating Robert Bork from confirmation to the Supreme Court. Most people were of the opinion that he indeed possessed one of the finest judicial minds on planet Earth. Yes, Teddy baby, that pillar of ethics and morality and a few of his crony low-lifes did this to our great country. The loss was certainly the country’s and  the gain was to a few criminals who always put there private and personal agenda above everything else, then cloak it in the disguise of patriotism and morality so air-heads like you continue to support them.

[Texting while driving, while skipping school] Katelyn Blaylock, 17, of Lutz, rear-ended a Tampa police officer's patrol car at a red light at Bruce B. Downs and Palms Springs boulevards at 10:53 a.m. Wednesday because she was sending text messages on her phone.

Officer Tanya Manning was not injured, but Blaylock and her front passenger, Alexis Suda, 18, also of Lutz, suffered minor injuries from the deployment of their vehicle's airbags. The officer discovered that Blaylock, Suda and the rear passenger, Ashton Longworth, 17 were skipping class from Freedom High School. Manning cited Blaylock for careless driving. Police delivered the girls to the assistant principal. The girls' parents also were notified.

Those Vandy supporters have proved their claims. They have sucked $10 million out of our pockets for what? A permit to dispose of trash? That was a joke from the start. Just wait until some nitwit wannabe diver gets killed!  For 10 million, a whole new ship could have been built or our poop bill paid for 20 years. Of course we won't have to poop anymore, because they plugged us for posterity!

[TIB Bank’s new roof] The same idiot must have commented on this roof as the fire station’s roof. The fricking roof is not on yet! Wait until it's finished to comment on it.

[Defending Bitches] Please pick one!  http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=%22american+psychiatric+association%22&form=QBRE

[Electricity for No Name Key] Do you know who said, "Electricity will come over Boogie Channel over my dead body". For years Ms Putney has taunted her neighbors with this retort. 

[Sotomayor pick]  The Sotomayor quote about a "wise Latina Woman" is often taken out of context to portray Judge Sotomayor in a less than flattering light. Here's more of the quote: 

“Justice O'Connor has often been cited as saying that a wise old man and wise old woman will reach the same conclusion in deciding cases. I am not so sure Justice O'Connor is the author of that line since Professor Resnik attributes that line to Supreme Court Justice Coyle. I am also not so sure that I agree with the statement. First, as Professor Martha Minnow has noted, there can never be a universal definition of wise. Second, I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life.

“Let us not forget that wise men like Oliver Wendell Holmes and Justice Cardozo voted on cases which upheld both sex and race discrimination in our society. Until 1972, no Supreme Court case ever upheld the claim of a woman in a gender discrimination case. I, like Professor Carter, believe that we should not be so myopic as to believe that others of different experiences or backgrounds are incapable of understanding the values and needs of people from a different group. Many are so capable. As Judge Cedarbaum pointed out to me, nine white men on the Supreme Court in the past have done so on many occasions and on many issues including Brown.” 

That second paragraph kind of changes the whole thing, no?

The notion that 50% of her cases from the 2nd Circuit Court that made it to the Supreme Court were not upheld is factually true, but belies a complete misunderstanding of how the U.S. Court system operates and is not indicative of bad judgment. The Supreme Court only accepts very few cases, most of which were split decisions in the lower court ( three judges on the Circuit Court ). What does this mean? It means that less than 1% of the 2nd Courts decisions were even made it to the Supreme Court to be reviewed, so 99% of the decisions of her court were allowed to stand. ( 380 cases, 6 go to the Supreme Court, 3 overturned, so .8% ) 

The reversal record for all the cases heard by the Supreme Court is 61%, so a 50% record is pretty good. 

[Mitigations Fee] One response out of many about ACOE mitigations fee rip off's. "Mr. Gutierrez will get to the end of this if it takes him the rest of his life.”

[Obama and Change] I just need to know when the National Anthem will be sung in Spanish at a ball game?  Will God Bless America be doctored to "Allah Bless America" and sang in Arabic?  What language will the Pledge of Allegiance be said at my son's school?  Let's have a real change and change America back to the way it was when I grew up.  With the way things are now, I can understand why Michelle Obama said she had never been proud to be an American.  It is quickly becoming something not to be proud of.

[Shitty Water] Two critical sentences in this week’s Keynoter.  First, $485,000 going toward Higgs Beach revitalization. Second, Health Department officials are warning residents and visitors not to get in the water for now. Tests are conducted twice weekly.

Does anybody else see the big question? Why are we even spending one cent to fix a beach that's on the "Do not swim here" list most of the time.  Has anybody asked the Health Dept for the specific number of times Higgs has been on the list in the last 36 months?  Is this really the best use of TDC, and anybody else's  money?

If the TDC has $485,000 to throw, then use it to do whatever the  1 cent gas tax is going to do so we can get rid of that 4 cent BS; or improve a bridge, or a road, or something that will benefit everyone in Monroe County.  $485,000. is big bucks right now, and using it for something frequently "fecal polluted" (and therefore frequently unusable) is obscene.

The first sign they put up has to be "No swimming today by order of FL health dept", otherwise it's the County who gets sued when people get sick.   

[From the Right] Chicago has come to the White House, what follows would make Capone’s scar twitch with envy: Chrysler has about 3200 dealerships. The decision has been made to close about 25% of them. That decision was made by Chrysler, (now managed by the White House), and Obama appointee, Car Czar, Stephen Rattner (former New York Times reporter). Rattner is married to Maureen White, former National Finance Chair of the Democrat National Committee. Chrysler and Rattner refuse to disclose the criteria that were used in deciding which dealerships were to be closed. But it is well known that many of the dealerships picked to be killed were very profitable. It is known that among the dealers being shut down are a dealership owned by a GOP congressman. Also on the hit list are the competitors to a dealership chain partly owned by Clinton White House chief of staff and prominent Democrat Mack McLarty. The other owner is Robert Johnson, founder of the Black Entertainment Television, a heavy Democratic contributor and good pal of Obama. Obama’s crew declares a hit on the competitors of Obama’s pals, now O’s pals can prosper. It’s a stunning fact that many Chrysler dealers who contributed millions of dollars to GOP candidates are being clipped, but that so far only one who contributed to the Obama campaign has been targeted!  It sure smells like Obama’s donkey barn. It makes me think about The St. Valentine’s day massacre.  By the way, dealerships don’t cost Chrysler a cent; dealers are the revenue producers, they sell the cars and generate the profit that’s needed to keep their 100k plus jobs alive and to resurrect  Chrysler. More dealerships means more car sales which means more cars manufactured, which means a living breathing Chrysler and all of it's jobs.  All the closings do is make the dealerships worth nothing at all, and it kills over a 100 thousand jobs.

(Part II) Attention all Obama voters who make less than $250K per annum!  You folks are about to get hurt real bad. No doubt you’ll remember how pleased you were that Obama promised to punish anyone who had more than you, whether they earned it or not. Income redistribution is the Democrat answer to trickle down economics. Well, now it’s evident that those pockets have been picked clean. Federal tax revenues are in the toilet, down 34% in just a year. It’s the little dudes like you and I who are now in his sights. First of all get ready for the battle on Cap and Trade. When it passes, and it probably will, everything that uses energy to produce or deliver anything will increase in price. No matter how much or how little you make, you can expect your cost of living to rise by about $2.5K per year, probably closer to $3K per year just from Cap and Trade added costs alone.  Our Dem leaders have discovered that tax revenues are in the pits so they’re working on new taxes on everybody. I mean everybody; it does not matter what income bracket you’re in. If you’re making $45K per year, now it’s your turn to give up a nice slice of what you earned to pick up tab for the dude who makes or has less than you. Welcome to the wonderful world of income redistribution. Congratulations you are now officially an over achiever. Our Liberal Progressive leaders know that the debt they’ve plunged us into is totally unsustainable. They know that they’ve got to increase revenues, but they refuse to follow the lead of JFK and Reagan who increased revenues by lowering taxes. They’re working on a national sales tax and worse a VAT (Value Added Tax).  They’re working on increasing taxes on all alcohol beverages, all sugar containing products including sodas, and all tobacco products. They’ve decided that they can be green and raise money by taxing meats and any food stuff that they deem to be unhealthy. Even though you and I will have to subsidize GM and Chrysler with tax money, it’s absolutely sure that car prices are headed skyward. Even with all of that there is a strident cry by Liberal Progressives to impose a federal sales tax, and/or a value added tax, on everything, repeat everything that changes hands in commerce. Some say it’s slated to be 10%, some say as much as 25%. The Obamists are in love with European Socialism and the value added tax is a big money maker in Europe. This new tax will not replace the income tax; it will be in addition to the income tax. It will be absolutely impossible for Obama to implement his socialized medicine scheme unless he magically increases revenues; he’s no Harry Potter so he’ll try to do it by imposing crunching new taxes. He plans to tax your boss and you for every cent of boss supplied health care benefits. For every 100 hours that you now work to keep your current lifestyle, you’ll have to work 120.

Video of the sinking of the Vandenberg. Sinking of the Vandenberg | KeysNews.com

[TIB's Modular Bank] You do know that's just tar paper on the roof and not the finished product?

[No Crosses] Did you see in the news last week where the Supreme Court doesn't want any crosses on Federal property?

Obama is a Muslim.  An Arab at Blockbuster employee says it’s true.

[Downstairs Enclosure] Big Pine Key woman fights for her downstairs enclosure. Woman fights for room | KeysNews.com

Mr. Harry Russell, Marathon High Principal, should take the vacating Key West Principal's position.  This way, all the Bubba buds will be in one city.  Then, would Dr Fred Colvard consider the open position at Marathon High since he held that position in the past?

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Wednesday May 27, 2009

[Sewers] Mayor Neugent vehemently opposed spending $1 million on the Vandenberg and slammed the former commissioners every time it was discussed, yet he was not in favor of saving $101 million on the sewer costs as proposed by the private company at the last Board of Commissioners meeting. 

This is unbelievable. What new math is he using now? This sewer project can save the county, at least, guaranteed 101 times the difference of the Vandenberg which the Mayor thought was too much money.  I have nothing against FKAA if they can meet the same terms and conditions as a private provider and guarantee residents a savings of $101 million.   It would appear from Mayor Neugent's comments that he is working for the FKAA instead of the residents who elected him.  I will watch and vote accordingly at the next election. 

The mosquitoes are back and, boy, are they ever hungry!

[Mitigation Fees] Last month I wrote a letter to Janette Hobbs manager of Keys Environmental Restoration Fund in Marathon who handles millions of taxpayer’s dollars gathered from mitigation fees generated from permits from the County and other government agencies.

Ladies and gentlemen of our fair county, it would appear these folks have got one of the best scam I’ve seen in years and Mrs. Hobbs should be commended for her tireless devotion to the guarding of the proverbial Hen House.  (I tried to misspell a few words so I wouldn't ruining my reputation) ~salkeylargo@keylargokey.com

[Calling all fishermen] The time is now for the great palolo worm hatching extravaganza! For those of you not familiar with this event, it is prime feeding time for tarpon. The palolo worm only hatch once a year around the full moon and it is spectacular. These tiny worms follow the falling tides out to the deeper waters to spawn. The hot spots in Bogie Channel are the Bahia Honda Bridge and the No Name Key Bridge and last night both were loaded with frenzied tarpon gorging on the worms and other baits carried out by the tides.  It last only 3 to 4 days but it's well worth a trip to Bogie Channel

[SammySam] We want to let everybody know, about the good service that Sammy is giving for DirecTV. We are not even his customers but we needed help; and here he was on Saturday and again today. Thank you Sammy.  As soon as our contract is finished with the people that never help us (the 800 number), we will be your customers, Thank you again. ~gloriasuarez333@bellsouth.net

[Brave firefighters collecting donations for 4th of July fireworks]  I'm not sure to which boot drive you are referring, but the Tavernier Volunteer Fire Dept boot drive’s money goes 100% to volunteer's training and equipment.  There are no fireworks.  I don't want anybody to get the wrong idea.  To be clear, the post about boot drive for fireworks was not talking about Tavernier.

How is No Name any different than the rest of the Keys, or for that matter America? If those people want power and are willing to pay for it, how can one or a few vocal people say no or stop them? Does anyone think JFK's dad went through the red tape these people have been subjected to when he wanted power on Little Palm for his kids’ visit? Hell no, it was done in record time. Speaking of Little Palm Island, if someone on No Name wants to live without power then I guess they could move to Cooks Island or another place that is off shore. Otherwise, how dare they tell a neighbor who is willing to pay for a utility that virtually everyone else has, that they can't have it or make up silly or dishonest reasons why. Everyone knows that the Tier System and ROGO will likely never allow another home to be built on No Name Key.

Geesh, it's not like those people are camping in tents, so why discriminate against them because one or two vocal zealots have the ear of the BOCC or whatever the reason is?  

Experts say an iguana problem on Florida's Marco Island is getting better. Six months after the trapper was hired a total of 225 iguanas have been captured and killed. They are killed because the iguanas are a non-native species and the State of Florida prohibits releasing any non-native species back into the wild once captured. Iguana trapper making headway |West Palm Beach News, South Florida Breaking News, Forecast, Video from WPTV

[Panhandling vs Taxes] What’s the difference?  A bum uses aggressive methods and it’s called panhandling.  The government does it and it’s called taxes.   I’m not worried about the extra costs involved in dinning out. I can’t afford it now. The next step will be the loss of my house.

[Supreme Court Justice] Title 28, Chapter I, Part 453 of the United States Code states a Supreme Court Justice must take the following oath: "I, (Sonia Sotomayor), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as (title) under the Constitution and laws of The United States. So help me God."

Wrong Mr. President, you are side-stepping the Constitution again. The courts must balance the scales and be blinded to everything but the facts and the law, especially in the Supreme Court. Ms. Sotomayor's outlook on the law, racial comments and her comments that judges make the laws should disqualify her. Write, call and email all Democratic and Republican lawmakers and demand they vote no to Sonia Sotomayor and her lifetime job of empathy!    

I saw George Neugent one day in Big Pine and he said that the County has made it impossible to build in Tier1 areas. Since then the price of those lands has gone to zero.  I wouldn’t say that's stealing them, but pretty darn close to it.

[Ultra Lights] Flying in an ultra light on floats is close to being the most fun you can have sitting down. I took a ride in the float equipped ultra light at Sugarloaf the other day. I’m a non current commercial pilot with an instrument rating, and I’ve got about 1200 or so hours in about 15 different types of General Aviation aircraft. I’ve flown in many helicopters, a war plane trainer, a bi plane, float planes, amphibious aircraft, light jets, gliders, even a powered parachute, but the float ultra light was my single biggest aviation thrill.

This could get addictive. If anyone is interested in exploring the idea of setting up an ultra light on floats club post here. If there’s any interest I’ll post my e mail address.

How to put on a bra. Video

[Bucket Drives] A postal vehicle was hit from behind at the stop light on US1 this past weekend. When the policeman asked what happened the driver said he was "Distracted by all of the boot drive people walking around". He was also a young man not an older person that may have not had quick reflexes. I suggest maybe going door to door or staging a fund drive at the Winn Dixie. Watching fireworks is nice, but two people involved in a crash isn’t worth a sparkler.

[Williams Pest Control Speaks] I've been reading this column this week and I see a lot of inquires about millipedes and one about carpenter ants. Keith gave me a big old rendition about millipedes to post here and I figured, oh, what the heck. The long and the tall of it is he can stop them from entering your home but cannot stop them from doing their thing and emerging from their habitat to pro-create; thus meaning, you'll still see a lot of them outside, but they'll be dead-goners all over outside after Keith does his thing. The carpenter ant infestations are a little bit of a challenge to treat. They nest in your walls and it's just a matter of playing hide-and-seek to find the little buggers. That's about it for this week, any questions or bug problems, call Chicken Little and I'll get Keith right on  it. You'll be glad you did. 745-4321

[From the Right] Sonia Sotomayor most certainly has had a stellar career as a student, a legal professional, and a jurist.  She appears to be a fine human being, a person of intellect and empathy. Hers is a true authentication of the American dream.  None of that suggests that she should be a Supreme Court Justice.  Most folks seem to agree, that all Jurists, especially those serving on the Supreme Court should be totally without bias, devoted only to interpreting the law and the Constitution, and to rule on Constitutional issues totally without regard to the consequences of their ruling or the identity of the litigants. Indeed the charge given to every jury by every Judge has similar language. Supreme Court Justices should be appointed solely based on their judicial acumen, not their politics.  Sotomayer is woefully lacking in all of the above.  Her words “…. a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived her life” offer deep insight into her bias in favor of Latins, especially Latin women.  To date she has had 6 of her opinions reviewed by the Supreme Court, of those 6, only 3 have been affirmed. Judge Sotomayor’s personal views may cloud her jurisprudence. Her personal views have been the topic of rebukes that she has received concerning her rulings. In a 2002 speech she said she believes it is appropriate for a judge to consider their “experiences as women and people of color” in their decision making. It's astounding, but she has said that she believes that appellate jurists should be "policy makers", not simply interpreters of law. She has actually said that gender and race of a jurist, should “affect our decisions. Lawyers who have appeared before her have described her as a “bully” who “does not have a very good temperament,” and who “abuses lawyers” with “inappropriate outbursts.”  Obama will win in the Senate and   Sotomayor will be elevated to the Supreme Court. That will diminish the Court, and it diminishes whatever legacy Obama will ultimately reap. He has squandered a chance to appoint brilliant Constitutionalists to the Court; he actually has several in his employ. Obama has practiced Peter Principle Politics to scratch the itch of Latin’s and Women. It’s a pity, but not a surprise. 

The only things old people have left are envy and desire.

[Air Force Cargo Plane]  It’s probably another photo-op that's costing the tax payers zillions of dollars. Somebody needs to start bitching and whining.

[Anti-Semite] The fellow in line who made the anti-Semitic comment probably wanted to know why some rude, self-centered person was holding up the entire line in order to get a bargain that she obviously overlooked. I would have asked the woman if she was from New York. 

[Won't tip 20-25%] If you can’t tip 15 to 18% you should be eating at Mickey D's, KFC or any of the fast food joints. Shoot, I even leave those folks a buck or 2, but I am in the business. As for the sever working for 3 bucks a hour, you are being underpaid. Check out the Federal minimum wage law. Even as a server with tips involved you are underpaid.

Carpenter ants were so bad at my house I had to use the vacuum to suck them off the walls. The next day I set bait on the top all my columns and used a jel-bait around my windows and inside the wall in a few spots where I felt they were going to build a nest. Carpenter ants are bad, but not as rough as a boss who under-pays and customers that won’t part with a tip.

Just when I had forgotten about the Bacon Grease Lady, she appears again--and just when I was eating lunch!

Mayor Neugent is a politician. His voters are screaming and hollering for him to allow the County to look for other bids for our sewers. So why is he digging in his heels when he has a chance to save his constituents up to $101 million that’s been proposed by a private sewer company? It sure looks suspicious. None of the reasons he’s given so far make much sense.

Two-week safety swim classes at Founder’s Park taught by Islamorada resident Colleen Hammon, a 25-year veteran swim instructor certified with the American Red Cross. In separate classes of 30 minutes each, Hammon teaches water safety and basic swimming skills to children of various ages and skill levels. There are four different group levels available.

The “Parent and Babies” for ages 6 to 23 months classes are at 1 p.m. and requires an adult to assist each child. The “Parent and Child” for ages 2 to 3 years is set for 1:30 p.m. and also requires an adult with each child. In “Level 1-2 Beginners” for children age 4 and 5 parent can assist if they want and the class begins at 2 p.m. “Level 3” begins at 2:30 p.m. for children 6 and older.
Photo: Grayden Ross, age 2, of Key Largo. Bulletin Board

[Making $3 an hour plus tips] Well, pity you. What do you think most of us old retirees make per hour after taxes? Tips depend on the food quality, the serving size, the cleanliness of the place, then service. If you're not making ends meet at home, you are in the wrong job or blowing the net income you are stealing. When the banks pay me 15 to 25% then I'll split it with you, okay?

Can't get to England?  Visit Foamhenge!  Enchanted Castle Studios

[Creditgate] If you think things are bad now, imagine what it would have been like if Lydia Estanoz and Luis Hernandez had been elected to the school board rather than Dick and Pribramsky.  Business as usual would have just continued.

[Fire Fatality] Key Largo and Tavernier and Islamorada Fire Departments all responded to a trailer fire this morning at 1am. Sadly, one of the trailer residents passed away in the fire.

[Carpenter Ants] Turn them in to code enforcement.

[Bitchology] It sounds like these men can't take a strong woman that can fight her own battles. They want a yes woman that is weak and afraid to say “boo” to her man. What kind of life is that? You go girl!

Sal, it's Shinola, a shoe polish, which you clearly don't know merde from.

[A message for Becky, you know who you are] Thank you so much for your support and caring during this difficult time.  You are an amazing person and a talented and awesome artist.  The painting you created in the memory of our son has a special place in our hearts and we are thankful for you coming into our lives.  You are one of many shining examples of most residents of Big Pine Key who showed their continual support for us.

[A message for Deputy Freddy Rodriquez] Thank you again for returning our stolen property. The perpetrator ought to be very thankful for not having to face criminal charges. This was our choice, because our actions were not selfish or vindictive, and only considered someone who does not have a voice on any issue at this time.

Long live Alicia Putney!

[Reason oceans are rising is because of all the artificial reefs]  Then the obvious solution is to import more sponges!

The White House. Overview - White House Museum

[Federal Taxes on Corporations] If you’d opened a lemonade stand you'd know it in spades. Businesses try like hell to keep their expenses down so they can stay in business.

Irritable Frog. BBC NEWS | Magazine | 'The Crazy Frog sound? That's my fault.'      and the  Video

[Carpenter Ants] The best dang way to get rig of them is to make a trail of sawdust to your neighbor’s house and put some pancake syrup at the far end.

Robin Williams the greatest! http://politicalirony.com/2008/11/30/robin-williams-on-obamas-election/

Playing in the sand.

[Bigotry I Think] Give a big thank you to the half truth, neocon, grumpy old, Me Party, Bushy, sore loser from the ditch for not posting yesterday.  He has either gotten a life or maybe he's just into the NBA playoffs.  On second thought, that couldn't be it because they are mostly a bunch of blacks with tattoos who probably voted for Obama.

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Wednesday May 27, 2009

Tuesday May 26, 2009

[Sewers] The State of Vermont just got $40 million stimulus money to upgrade sewage treatment systems including systems in Stowe and Jay that run on solar power and produce fertilizer for flower gardens. Is Monroe County asleep at the wheel?

[Boot Drive] Those brave firefighters were volunteering their time out in the hot sun collecting donations for our community’s 4th of July fireworks.  Every single time we drove back and forth that morning, we were happy to put a few dollars in the boot, smile and say "thank you" to them.  A donation is voluntary. If you don't want to put your money in, don't.  There was a big sign just before you came upon the Boot Drive. How could someone not see that?  Thank you to those volunteering their time for the drive, Thank you to those who donated, and I will be looking forward to those fireworks and what they represent. 

[Unions are Obsolete—Like it or Not] Here’s what I think is going to happen, but it’ll take three things to happen together. American manufacturing is in trouble. How many products do you see that say Made in America? American industry can’t compete internationally because of unions and health care costs. The only way we can bring industry and jobs back from overseas is if (1) fuel prices rise (it costs a lot of oil to get the foreign goods to the US), (2) unions become defunct and (3) the government takes over the burden of health care.

[Taxes] The poster who ranted about taxes yesterday sure is a tight wad. Not because he is against taxes, but because of the things he listed in his "personal boycott". He makes mention that he is going to be forced to pay for your home's sewer. What about his sewer? Does he live on Shark Key or Ocean Reef where his sewer is “taken care of” or is he just being a smug elitist? Does he not even live in the Keys and does not want to pay when he comes down?   My guess is he's just some cheap old fart who rents a home here, fishes off the bridges to subsidize his grocery bill and has a lot of time on his hands to bitch because he won't go any where that isn't free.

[Carpenter Ants] I have seen the recent swarm of Carpenter Ants on BPK.  How do you get rid of them if they get inside the house?

[Short or long post] Keep the length of blogs open to the writers.  Some folks just love to whine. They can skip the longer blogs if not interested or have attention deficit disorder. I have learned a lot from those willing to research and share facts like the sewer math writer. Sloan's blogs are long but occasionally the man says something worthy of consideration. And I enjoy knowing why folks are thinking about things as important.  Let the reader decide which blogs to read, please.

[Gas Tax] I wish to congratulate all local businesses owners that use vehicles. You’ve been awarded a wonderful increase in your operating expenses thanks to our commissioners. Sure, businesses are closing or barely surviving, but if we don’t increase your operating costs then you may waste it on employees or upgrading your equipment. Please feel free to raise the costs of your products or services to overcome this wonderful increase. Were all rich here and doing great. Please stand by because there is yet another increase coming for your business. People want you to pay for their home mandated sewer hookups. Sure local businesses will be again adding to the costs of their products, but what the heck, lets pay for the snowbirds’ homes the eight months they are not here. We just can’t give enough. I think we should all just send our commissioners blank checks every month because, lets face it, we have a few more Hickory Houses to buy and I’m sure that missing quarter million of school funds will need replacing. This County just loves business people. They can continue to soak them for every spare penny they have. They’re entitled to your money.

Next up: charging people $4 to look at our deer, $3 to walk on a bridge and $1.50 to view a sunset. God bless the money changers.

[Sewers] It makes me sick to see what other communities are doing with their sewers and the progressive systems they are installing while we here in the Keys don’t have a clue. We’re being forced to have a water supply company install whatever they want. It’s sort of an “earn while you learn” experiment for them. Other companies are forbidden to submit their proposals because the water company won’t allow it.

It’s been over ten years since we were ordered to sewer the lower Keys and we still don’t have a plan or a cost to homeowners (has anyone seen one). With such a massive undertaking you’d expect some kind of corruption, but not as blatant as this is. No bids, my ass! 

[Sal] Don't listen to a few critics who have to gig you to show how smart they think they are. They wouldn't know sarcasm from shine-olla.  At least, your blog is always entertaining and informative.  Keep it up!

[Bitchology post] You sound fat.

If the sewers are so great, let’s see some statistics to prove that the near shore waters, where the new sewers are, have shown some improvement in water quality.

[I won't tip 20-25% because it costs me an additional 4 cents to get to your restaurant] I know I speak for all the servers in the Keys when I say please let us know that you won't be tipping more than 15% no matter how good the service and food is since you had to pay a whole whopping extra 4 cents to bring your cheap ass to the restaurant.  That way we won't bust our ass giving you the service that we give to the folks that know we are only making $3 an hour plus tips.

[Arguments supporting downstairs enclosures] The real reasons for and against downstairs enclosures are to control you and the use of your home. Most pro enclosure people want them for renting out to make money and could care less about what that does to an area. Some want enclosures for simple storage or a personal hobby or work shop; others to increase their square footage to increase the value of their property. The fallacy of insurance companies not wanting enclosures is a joke, they do not pay off for any damage anyway. Can you imagine Shark Key with downstairs enclosures, they would shoot you instantly.

Why Krispy Kreme donuts are better than Dunkin Donuts. Eat one of these and you’re sure to need a pacemaker real soon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv8yEMRDe_w

[Long Posts] I find the older I get the longer it takes me to explain my thoughts. It’s because I’m aware of all the angles and I try to address them all in one post. I hope this is short enough for you MTV-generationers.

[Picnic Island] It was pretty cool that a whole lot of boats had 92.5 WEOW on their radios at the same time Sunday. Walking in the shallows from boat to boat sounded like big time quadraphonic sound. Party on! The Rude Girl kicked-ass with hit after hit never slowing it down for over an hour!

[Millipedes, big millipedes!] These may help control the iguanas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbFzqDz0hg

[Anti-Semite] Yesterday my wife was in Winn Dixie and after her items were rung up she asked the young lady if the reading glasses were priced 2 for 1. She said, “Yes.”  They went to get another pair but they found they didn't have another pair. When my wife got back to the counter a young man around 30 to 40 said “You must be Jewish.” She asked him what he meant by that and he would not answer. I will be back in town on June 11^th; if this piece of s**t has the nerve to explain to me what he meant I will explain what Jews really are. Maybe he will crawl under the rock he came out of. Another gutless piece of crap. He is probably just tough with women over 60. You anti-Semitic sob!  

[A Memorial Day Thought] When I was a kid, on Memorial Day the whole family used to traipse over to the graveyard and say a prayer at the graves of our dead family. These days most people seem to be cremated and there are no graves to visit.

[Bitchology] That bitch forgot to add that a bitch cares for no one but herself, therefore no one will care for her. It’s like going through life being proud that everyone thinks you’re an a**hole.

[Long Posts]  are ok, if they say viable things and detail the subject, but most long posts on are inept gossip with next to nothing important to say that could be said in a few lines. 

[Beheadings] If the graphic video of beheadings wasn't horrible enough to get under your skin, you need to watch those animals beheading an American, Eugene Armstrong, in 2004!  If this doesn't make you madder than hell against those barbarians, nothing will.  (And they don't play their awful music on this one!) http://www.truthtube.tv/play.php?vid=347

[Millipedes] I also had a very large problem with those millipedes. Hundreds of them invaded my house and garage and they had made my household unmanageable. I tried everything I could to get rid of them; I called Un-truly Dolan, Dorkin and every pest control company listed in the Yellow Pages. No luck. Then I contacted Lunatics Anonymous and they had the solution to my problem. They suggested that I follow the steps listed in their program and my millipede problem would just go away.

Three of the snakes died. One died from being bitten by an old scorpion, one was stomped to death by a visitor to my house, who didn’t know about my 3 step snake program and the third one was intentionally killed by my girlfriend who boiled it down to make snake oil. Also, each night before you go to bed it would be wise to pull back the sheets to make sure there are no stray snakes in your bed.

Any distractions at the light intersection ie: selling Sunday papers, collecting for organizations, political demonstrations etc. are very dangerous. Cars have enough to watch out for at this crazy intersection. I don't think any of them should be allowed. Another thing is that it is only going to add to the danger if they allow the deer folks to move into the former nursery building.

[How's the layout in today's column]  That looked workable.  (Sorry I didn't get back to you the same day, I was off gallivanting again.)  We just need a wide enough gap that it's noticeable on a fly-by when I scroll past the windy ones.

[Sonia Sotomayor] Obama’s nominating a female Latina to the Supreme Court. Get ready for the Party of No to start a food fight. Is she a judicial activist? Will she try to invent law from the bench?

[Federal Taxes on Corporations] Are you saying that if the poor corporations weren't taxed around 25% that the prices of their products would be 25% less and passed on to the consumer?  Yeah, right.

All airports aren’t created equal. Slide Show

Let's put Sal in charge of removing the illegals from the Keys.  He'll get immigration's attention.  He tells it like it is and fears nobody.  I wish he held a political office in Monroe County.  There would be a lot less Bubba System and a lot more Big Brother watching the wasted government spending.  My tax dollars wouldn't be putting illegals in free public housing or paying their health care.

[Mexican Drug War Beheadings. Warning GRAPHIC] It looks like the Mexicans have learned the terror tactics of the Muslims.  The sickness spreads. Video

[Choice] Everyone of us alone has the power to direct the course of our lives by choosing what actions we will or won't take. While sometimes it's easier to believe you don't have a choice, the reality is that you always have a choice to behave differently.  ~Francine Ward

Instead of running with scissors, can't we all learn to play well with others? North Korea Tests Nuclear Weapon 'As Powerful as Hiroshima Bomb' | CommonDreams.org

[Anti-Semite] A Chinaman works 24/7 and keeps his money home if he can; and the Jew works 24/7 keeping his bank and loan company open.

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Tuesday May 26, 2009

Memorial Day May 25, 2009

The current income tax system is a heavy burden, especially on low income earners and small businesses. Everyone pays hidden taxes on everything purchased. The burden is heavy, about 26 - 30% of the cost of every product or service you purchase, right down from a shoe lace or cup of coffee, to a house or car. The current federal income tax system hurts the lower income folks more than you realize. It is grossly unfair to low income folks. Here is why.

The federal government places a tax on corporate profits, but corporations do not pay taxes. It is treated as a cost, and included in the price of the product. Every product that we buy has embedded corporate income tax, about 25% or more. You don't see it on the cashier ticket, but it's there. Low income earners pay that tax just like everyone else, when they buy something. But it is a larger percentage of the low income earner's budget than of anyone else's. So, to all the geniuses who want their pet social programs (schools, socialized medicine, etc.) funded by all the "evil fat cats", guess again.

The interest expense paid on the National Debt is the third largest expense in the federal budget.  Social spending is the largest item in our federal budget. Combine it with what is spent on education in this country, and it makes the defense and military budget look like pocket lint. And yet there will never be enough spent on social programs, as far as most are concerned.

[Perverts Giving 100 Percent] Allan Mailloux, 45, was arrested for flashing motorists as he walked among rush-hour traffic in Madison, Wis., in January, on a day when the high temperature was minus -2°F.

Big Pine Key’s very own alligator killer, Timothy Goll, will serve two years for violating his probation many times. He's as true, clueless a**hole!

[Millipedes] If they are millipedes, about 1 1/2" long, little, skinny, black crispy things, kill them! They spread like a virus. Spray like crazy, they’ll only get worse. You see them after a heavy rain and they bring all their friends. We had an infestation after Georges and we had to kill them and there were so many that we had to sweep their carcasses with a broom. A friend of ours had them so bad that they filled garbage bags with them.

[The First Time] I don’t remember my first time (I’m a guy) because of the many failed attempts and pre-ejaculations I had. There were so many “almosts” that I forgot when the actual thing happened. I do remember the best f**k I ever had!

[Graphic beheadings] I couldn’t watch the whole thing either. I don’t have much of a morbid curiosity. The most surprising thing I noted was that God’s people used a knife to cut the heads off. I assumed that they used an ax or scimitar to sever the head in one fell swoop, not standing there trying to saw the head off the neck of the struggling infidel.

This is a very good site for Vista and XP help and modifications. http://www.howtogeek.com/

[Limit length of posts] Please do not place limits. I see the long ones and do not waste my time reading them.

[Chinese have too much self-respect to even ask for welfare] Really?  Well, when I worked as an intake clerk for Dept Social Services in NYC, there were just an many Chinese there on line as any other race/culture/heritage/whatever.  I wrote down their names and looked at their paperwork every day.  My cousin was (still is) a public defender for District of Manhattan (NYC). Chinese break the law and have no money just like everybody else. 

[Taxes] People sure do confuse me at times. First and foremost I know 4 people that attended the tea party to bring attention to the burden of additional taxes. Then these people tell me the County should raise yet another tax for sewers. This is after the raise of 4 cents we just got added to our fuel. It’s nothing more then a way for homeowners to collect their own personal welfare. "Pay my sewer bill for me I’m entitled.

Then we have folks that get upset because people visit our area and fish on the bridges. They want us to charge people to fish off the bridges For heavens sake, folks, these are Americans doing what we have done for thousands of years. There doesn’t have to be a price for anything you do. In a land known for freedoms we have a right to fish somewhere and not be charged for enjoying our planet. Maybe we should charge people to look at a tree. How about every person that uses the Big Pine nature trail paying a $2 fee per trail. We are burdening ourselves with more and more debt and its really ridiculous. We are becoming cold hearted and for some reason Americans are really becoming angry and hostile people looking to screw each other as much as possible. Here’s an Idea. Pay for your own sewers it’s your house or don’t complain about someone who’s getting to actually fish off of a bridge without paying a fee. It’s not your ocean, it’s a God given blessing not a government entitled revenue source. Don’t scream about government intrusion into your life then try to stick another government fee on people. I’m to the point where one more cent of tax increases will force me to consider a personal boycott of quite a few things. Donate to the 4th of July fireworks? Nope thanks for paying for my fireworks show. Donate to a local charity? Nope I’m already being forced to pay for your home’s sewer. Tip a waiter or waitress 25%? Nope, sorry I’m paying an additional 4 cents per gallon of gas just to get to your restaurant.

Wouldn’t it be great if local governments did the same? Maybe we should raise taxes to help pay the outlandish monthly stipend the head of the college in Key West gets for housing alone. There’s a little Acevedo in all of us it seems and we all have a Randy somewhere saying "No I didn’t know this was happening." Sure we didn’t (wink, wink).

[Sal] I saw someone comment today, well Saturday's Coconut Telegraph, I'm just reading it today.  Sorry Ed, I missed a day.  They pointed out that Sloan and Sal are back.  Let's keep Sal.  He tells it like it is.  He backs down from no one.  He has something interesting to say and he's funny as hell.  Sloan is lengthy and writes a 10 paragraph boring novel just to say one sentence and Sandy is an outright obnoxious sore looser.  Sal, keep on going.  I love reading what you have to say. ~thekeysguy@gmail.com

This big Air Force plane flew over Niles Channel yesterday. I don't see too many Air force planes around here, they're mostly Navy Planes.

[Boot Drive] There were 4 people, not 25. The do not stand in the middle of the road. The delays getting to the light were due to the volumes of traffic (holiday weekend visitors - a lot towing boats). Boot drives are held twice a year, for 4 hours each = 8 hours out of 365 days. The boot drive money pays for fire department volunteers to get firefighting, medical, and vehicle extrication training, and equipment and clothing.

If you don't want the inconvenience of a boot drive, would you consider sending a donation? When you see the MDA Fund Raiser in a few months, it's for MDA, not the fire departments. Since they advertise well in advance, you can plan your route accordingly.

[Millipedes] I just step on them. Problem solved.

[When will the views of the vast majority of homeowners on No Name Key be addressed?   When will Alicia Putney stop being the self-appointed spokesperson for the majority of people of No Name Key] When was the last time you presented the BOCC with a petition? When was the last time you all, as a group, asked your BOCC commissioner to schedule your group to appear at a sounding board? When was the last time your group lobbied the commissioners with well written letters, informing them how the County rules are in violation of state and federal laws? 

Bitching here on CT may be a frustration release for you, and is entertaining for CT readers, but does absolutely nothing to accomplish your goals, and is actually a waste of your time and energy. If you don't like George Neugent's decisions or behavior remind him he is up for election, and he answers to the voters. 

[Sal speaks] Poor old Sal, I could almost feel sorry for you. Your pathetic posts never change, always filled with vulgarities and ad hominem attacks. And then there is the little issue of grammar. In the past 3 posts alone you have not been able to construct a proper sentence. Take this last posting for example: "we love to f**k with you're brains, what little is left of them." Really Sal, you should have learned the difference between contractions and the possessive form by 3rd grade. Beyond the grammar issue you don't even get the colloquial expression right as the phrase is "f**k with your mind", not brains. Have you always been this hostile and illiterate or is this the result of you realizing that you are now just an impotent old man with diminishing mental capacities? It sucks to be you Sally. ~arthur_phrain@hotmail.com

[Long winded tomes] I agree that some of those postings are way too long to be displayed in their entirety on this page.  Anything over a paragraph (or so) should have a link on the last word to the rest of the post. It just seems to break up the flow of the page when you have these enormous lengths stuck in between all the normal ones. I can scroll past them of course, but the page will just look better if they were cropped.

[Bugs] Why is the first thing anyone wants to do with insects is to get rid of them?  Instead of killing millipedes, why not teach them to tap dance?

[I think it’s perfectly legal to steal private property] I wish the state would enact eminent domain on your property and see how you like it!  It’s okay as long as it does not affect you.  Listen to what you submitted. 

[Noi tireremo diritto. Slogans Mussolini and Barrack H. Obama]

Noi tireremo diritto.   We will forge ahead.
Noi tireremo diritto.  Nothing will stop us.
Noi tireremo diritto.   We will go forward.

What's Latin for the roller coaster is going uphill right now?

[Taliban video] That was truly disgusting; water boarding is nothing to those barbarians. They need to be bombed back into the 12th century (Oops, they already think they are in the twelfth century). That is why God gave us nukes!

[Boot Drive] Please explain what it's for. Can I stand in the middle of the highway with a shoe and collect money?

[From the Right] Yes, No, Maybe! A lot of folks seem to get caught up by silly catch phrases, neat little nuggets that are easy to grab onto and that seem to sound “cool”. Currently the Liberal propagandists have peddled the labels of “Yes” to label the Dems, and “No” the Republicans.  The idea is that “Yes” is always positive and is to be desired; conversely that “No” is always negative and always to be shunned. Lately the Republicans have been saying “NO” a lot, so have a lot of Democrats. We’ve heard a resounding chorus of “NO” from both parties to many of Obama’s nonsensical initiatives, like closing Gitmo. The Democrats insist on saying “Yes” to: nation crunching debt, higher taxes on everybody, higher taxes on sugar, beer energy, gas, cigarettes, cars, sodas. Increased costs of energy (cap and trade will increase your energy bill by about $3000. per year). Dems love to say “Yes” to punishing success and rewarding failure or mediocrity.  Dems are saying “Yes” to the death of the secret ballot in union elections. They  love to say "Yes" to the idea that America is worth hating.  Our Democrat friends are saying “Si” to illegal immigration, they shout “Yes” to paying for the medical care, and the education of illegal aliens. Aggressive enforcement of our immigration laws has stopped. “Yes” is the word for nationalization (socialization) of the Banking, Insurance, and Automobile industries. On Saturday on CNN Obama said: “Yes” it’s true that were out of money”. He said “Yes it’s true that we have a $1.7 trillion debt, and a national deficit of $11 trillion”. Nonetheless, he says that he’s going ahead with his $1.5 Trillion health care scheme. He says “Yes” that he will tax currently employer provided health care programs to pay for socialized medicine. On the other hand, the Democrats do know how to say “No”, they’ve always said “No” to any effort for tort reform which would slash the costs of medical care. By doing that they’ve said “NO” to affordable health care. They’ve said “No” to reform by always saying “Yes” to the lawyers. When dealing with Democrats, like dealing with little kids, the word "No" is often a life saver. 

(Part II) Stimulus bucks for Monroe County Education? If stimulus dollars are available for Monroe County, and I don’t know that they are, accepting them to simply to hire un-needed new teachers or to raise the pay of existing staff would be a wasteful and an irresponsibly foolish use of the funds. Expenditures like that are recurring expenses, we would be stuck paying those bills over and over again. It could only increase your taxes. Our tax base, our population and school enrollment is shrinking; increasing the amount of the payroll would be irresponsible.  The stimulus dollars are one time injections of money designed to kick start the economy.   If any money is available it should be used for unfunded government mandated infrastructure projects like our sewer project.

Long posts lose my attention quickly. That reminds me of a story about Mark Twain.  He wrote a long letter to a friend, and at the end, he apologized for it being so long.  "I would have made it shorter" he said, "but I didn't have the time."

[Spirit] The greatest natural resource in the world is not in the earth's waters or minerals, nor in the forests or grasslands.  It is the spirit that resides in every unstoppable person.  And the spirit of the individual benefits us all.  Choose to be unstoppable.   ~Cynthia Kersey

[Bitchology] When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch. Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart. It means I live my life MY way.. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me. When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch. It means I have  the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I 'should' be.

I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that! So try to stomp on me, just try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed. And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to wear it. Babe In Total Control of Herself

[Creditgate Fable] My name is Santa and I’m a Lunatic. Scandal erupts in the Lower Poles when one of Santa's head accountants accuses her of financial fraud. As mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and fraud emerges, which seems to implicate everyone from the book keepers to the tainted Saint herself. With each investigation and report, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer (and murkier and murkier). Her desperate struggle to conceal the truth about her arrest, uncovers yet another sordid secret that could mean the end of presents past.

Whatever happened to the Chicken Caprese sandwich the Square Grouper served for lunch? It's been forever since I've had one and I'm not the only one having a craving! That was my favorite thing there. It should have been on dinner menu too. Please bring it back.

[Winn Dixie]  If you think that the sea food department is an example of fresh fish, then I have some old bait you can have for dinner.  You can smell the seafood department half way across the store.  The rule of thumb is that if it smells like fish do not eat it, no matter what it is. In this land of fresh seafood from our back yard you should never have to settle for fish that has been shipped half way across the world, frozen, thawed, frozen and then thawed again.

[Disturbing Video of Islamist] Every America citizen should watch this video and see just who we are fighting.  These Muslim/Islamists are nothing more than animals and have been for eons. These pigs deserve nothing more than to be wiped from humanity. If you think they're not among us, you're sadly mistaken.  There are Muslim and Islamic cells in every major city in the country.  But, thanks to the liberal law makers and the ACLU, they have more rights in our country than a native born citizen. If you are not afraid for the future of our country your not paying attention.

[Millipedes] We started seeing them after heavy rains. We think they came in the 70 tons of mulch we got from the County.

[Winn Dixie, Fresh Fish] Are you kidding? Was that sarcasm or have you never had fresh fish? Here’s a clue: fresh fish doesn’t stink.  

[No Name Key] The next thing you know is that wacko snowbird will try to enforce cap and trade rules for all the folks who run generators on No Name key. They will have to pay carbon credits for contributing to global warming. To add to the insanity, maybe she can get Big Al to make an appearance (the ex VP, not Big Gay Al).

[Millipedes] If they are black, dark brown, they have arsenic in them, so have no natural enemies. The only way to get rid of them is with your foot or something hard - squish.  And if they touch your skin, even for a minute, you will feel a brief stinging burning.  Somebody told me they were not in the Keys until a lot of mulch was brought down for rebuilding land after a hurricane.  Of course, this info is only good if we're talking about the same worm.

The arguments supporting downstairs enclosures remind me of the train of thought that used to claim we didn't need sewers and landed us where we are today. Mostly it’s wishful thinking at work.

[Questions that haunt me] My take on them are in italics.
If you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting? 
Shoplifting would be if you were walking by hookers on the street and copped a feel.

Can you cry under water? 
Of course, if you knew what the reefs should look like.

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? 
It isn't how important the person but if they were killed because they were important they were assassinated. For example, if the mayor was killed in a robbery of a bank he would have been murdered, if the mayor was killed at a political rally he was probably assassinated.

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity? 
If your body doesn't go with your soul to heaven how can you expect your clothes to go with you?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box? 
Round boxes are much more expensive to produce.

What disease did cured ham actually have? 
Trichinosis, also called trichinellosis, or trichiniasis, is a parasitic disease caused by eating raw or undercooked pork and wild game infected with the larvae of a species of roundworm Trichinella spiralis, commonly called the trichina worm.

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? 
Because we were stronger and less lazy prior to landing on the moon.

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours? 
It isn't about how long our sleep periods are but how bliss full they are.

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing? 
Of course, since the proceedings are heard, unless everyone in the court room was deaf.

Why are you in a movie, but you're on TV? 
Being on TV is not referring to a specific media item, while being in a movie is. You can be in a TV show episode and you can be featured on the Big Screen.

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? 
Who pays to go up tall buildings? You "put money in binoculars" to see things from a perspective you couldn't see from the ground.

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway. 
So they don't see where you hid your valuables.

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural? 
Panties (pants, shorts, trousers) are put on over two legs, a Bra is put on over one chest.

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him? 
For the same reason "Does eat oats and mares eat oats and little lambs eat ivy."

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane? 
No matter how many dead bodies you have in your trunk you can't drive in the carpool lane.

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat? 
Because the writers decided so, and they need the job.

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs! 
Same answer as above.

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner? 
They don't sell Roadrunner in the supermarket.

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?Soylent green.

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? 
How may tunes can a mom or baby remember?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above? 

My mom couldn't sing so I don't know either.

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your ass? 
Aster is Greek for star which you ass will never be. For Hemorrhoid it's from the Greek haema or blood and rhoos or flowing. Gross enough for you?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Check your mouthwash.

[Gadfly Response to Peter Anderson] Ouch! What a week.  First, the editorial board of The Key West Citizen decides to label me a “complainer” for requesting, through the Freedom of Information Act, a copy of their financial contract with the Navy regarding the publishing of the NAS Key West Southernmost Flyer Newspaper. (I’ll give you a hint, borderline credibility issues regarding “pay for press” abound for our local dispatch, but you knew that already) 

And then the “Grand Duke” of the Navy League, sans conical hood and sheet, confirms the perverse ideology required for local membership in this pseudo military organization.  Welcome to Germany 1939!  What’s next, the 2010 Navy League Goose Stepping festival? (Don’t even think about it, I registered that name last night)

According to that self-anointed poobah, if a citizen does not support unethical military conduct, they are labeled as unpatriotic and face discrimination from its foolish followers.  What the heck are they lacing the draft beer with these days?  Is it fortified with simulated patriotism?

First of all, I need to confirm who this guy Anderson is.  Is he that “perp” that has clogged our local courts with legal matters and judgments since 1996? (Actually, at one point he became a revenue stream for the City of Key West so I can’t fault him for that.)

Can he be that chap with the “Hitchcockish” physique that consistently trolls the City of Key West meetings sniffing for additional ways to increase his protected dole?  Wait, I think I remember, is he the t-shirt vendor hawking FREE MONIQUE – PROUD MEMBER OF THE NAVY LEAGUE t-shirts on Duval? Or is he the challenged community business leader that headed these somewhat defunct organizations listed on www.sunbiz.org?

Conch republic foster children's fund, inc.
Chamber of commerce of the conch republic, inc.
Conch republic investments, inc.
Grass roots of America, inc.
Bayside park home owners association, inc.
Conch republic, inc
Key west international film festival, llc

The official conch republic store, inc. (Question: Does anyone know what happened to the funds collected by the Conch Republic Foster Children's Fund, Inc? I can’t find any documents.)

So, this creature dares to dictate to citizens what they must think, act and how to honor our present and former military families?   Is this the best spokesman the Navy League, NAS Key West and Habitat for Humanity can find?  Is this the disfigured face of patriotism our proud military has fought for? Whoever this guy is, he needs to get his facts straight.

I did not stop the Habitat for Humanity developments on Big Coppitt.  Missing and invalid environmental documents issued by NAS Key West were considered suspect by the DCA/ Florida Housing Finance Corp.  HUD stopped the project.  They are concerned for the life expectancy of the potential residents and so should you.

The County under the established Tier System has classified my vacant lot on Geiger Key buildable.  Unlike the developers of Enchanted Isle on Key Haven I never approached anyone about selling my lot.  Put that in your bong and smoke it!

I have no “personal agenda when it comes to trying to stop the Navy from flying training missions in the F/A-18 Super Hornet.” I just hate liars with no environmental research.

This one’s the best: “If he can harass the Navy into activating a program that buys property impacted by jet noise, he stands to make well over $200,000.”  That’s impossible, Jim Scholl retired.

All in all, I write this in jest.  The Navy’s lack of environmental disclosure regarding the F18 Super Hornet affects all of us.  Remember One Human Family?  (Please don’t tell me that Anderson claims that copyright also.)  Or are we promoting “One Military Family” these days sans the U.S Constitution? 

Navy League Notice. Please leave your hoods, sheets and the US Bill of Rights in the closet for the next meeting, group pictures will be taken.

Proud to be a real American. Happy Memorial Day! ~pcaruso@texas.net

[Sal, Sandy, Sloan]  It's your not you're.   You'll find the correct usage in your annals. (Ed: I’m afraid that many of these common errors are mine, do to my faulty public school education.)

A hero is someone who has given his or her self to something bigger than oneself.  ~Joseph Campbell

I am with you Randy, Pedro, all of them, need to get out of our lives(?).

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Monday May 25, 2009

Sunday May 24, 2009

[Outed] Congratulations to the new Independent Party member. You’ll fell a lot better now that you’re out. I see it this way: Republicans are the party of No, Democrats are the party of Yes, and Independents are the party of Maybe.

Jews are not the only chosen people. The Chinese are another chosen bunch. Given any opportunity, the Chinese will flourish and succeed. Like the Jews, you’ll never see a Chinaman on the dole. Like the Jew, they have too much self-respect to even ask for welfare.

[Essay Contest] How about posting the winning essay? They always tell us the winners, but never share the essays with us. I only want to read the winning essay. That’s all I have an interest in reading.

[Lousy Tech Support] Can’t read the screen? If you use Internet Explorer as your browser you can enlarge the screen so you can see it. No more teeny, tiny words. Look in the bottom right hand corner of the browser (open it first) and you’ll see a magnifying glass icon. Right next to it is 100% and next to that is a little down arrow head. Click on the arrow head and a drop down menu will appear. Click on the size you want to try, say, 150% and it will enlarge the view. If you don’t like it just go back to the arrow head and click on it again and select another size. When you open Explorer the next time it will open in the magnification you selected. Cool! Lousy Tech Support

[Local Boy Makes Good] This clip is from the Evening New showing Ryan Leeman, Winemaker for Big Pecker Wines as being declared by the Wall Street Journal as one of “America's Best Winemakers”.

Some of his Zinfandel is in all of the Big Pecker Wines. Ryan is the son of Keb who owns the Parrotdise Waterfront Restaurant on Little Torch Key. Lodi Wine Makes Wall Street Journal "It" List

[Against Monroe Country getting $2.7 million dollars for Monroe County schools from the stimulus program] The poster believes for that money to be effective and not wasted, the jobs and money have to be for something of "real need or provide a real service or for a real product." I believe Monroe County’s kids’ educations are a real need. Their educations will give them the abilities to provide educated services; and who knows, a kid may grow up and provide a real product designed by him or her. I truly think your stance is one of being trapped into the party of "No" mentality that even educating America’s children is to be looked at as not worth our country’s investment.

I would rather see my tax money go towards educating our kids and providing teachers with those jobs instead of spending it on bonuses for people that ran their own businesses into the ground. I think the money will be well spent on our kids even if temporary. You can’t unlearn a kid when the money runs out.

[From the Right] It’s very curious that yesterday a poster would tell us that he’s shedding his Republican hat to become an Independent. I’ve got to wonder what event(s) prompted his decision especially because the number of people who self identify as Republican has been growing rapidly over the last few weeks. Gallup has just reported that Republican’s and Democrat’s are now on exactly even footing, I think it’s 32% vs. 32%. The Republican ranks grew by about 6 or so points in only a month, and the Dems dwindled by a like amount. Maybe he decided that the Republican ideal of smaller more efficient government is not for him. Or maybe he just gave up on the idea rewarding accomplishment instead of rewarding failure. Perhaps the notion of keeping what you earn has just become old hat to him. It could be that he thinks bone crunching debt is a good thing, or that blaming America for all the world’s ills has become fashionable. I sure can understand that if he was pissed at the way Republicans went along with Democrat spending, I know I am.  I think that we Republicans deserved to get our butts kicked in the last elections. I also think that we learned a hell of a lot from it. You can see the change in the way our Republican legislators are doing their best to curtain the reckless Democrat spending. I think that is the proximate reasons that the Republican banner is on the rise. Well, this poster is a conservative thinker first and a Republican a distant second, but I’m sure that the GOP elephant won’t forget his face, and will leave a key under the mat to welcome him back to the herd when he’s ready.

[Boot Drive] Do we really need 25 people asking for donations at US1? I had a boot stuck in my window 3 times before I made the light. Is that really safe? Is it legal to stand in the middle of a highway?

I see where Mr. Gutierrez (Sal) made the big paper on Friday.  His article really cut down our county workers and commissioners.  He should be ashamed of himself. Our County staff has done a great job of keeping this place from getting over populated.  So what if they have to take peoples’ property from them.  I think it’s perfectly legal to steal private property.  In fact I think we need to start tearing some homes down and let the native plants grow back.  So, Sal, please stay in Tampa or where ever you are. And leave George Neugent alone.

[Noi tireremo diritto] No deviations, no doubts, no stops, nothing will stop us” “we must pledge once more to walk straight into the future”. Slogans of Il Duce (Mussolini) and Barrack H. Obama.

[News Barometer front page headlines: Keys Energy asked to run Power to No Name] Wow, we have a front page article, written by Steve Estes, regarding the request for power by a resident of No Name Key.  It's so important it's even above the fold.  But does Mr. Estes even attempt to interview the citizen who applied for power?  Absolutely not!  Mr Estes interviews Keys Energy, Andrew Trivette and Alicia Putney.  Does he interview anyone from the citizens group (NNKPOA) that represents over 70% of the residents who live there?  Absolutely Not!  Mr. Estes is not a journalist, and his views presented in his newspaper are unfairly portrayed as journalism.  His articles are written to support his opinion and do not belong anywhere except in an op-ed page. 

Talk about corrupt government!  When is this going to end?  When will the views of the vast majority of homeowners on No Name Key be addressed?   When will Alicia Putney stop being the self-appointed spokesperson for the majority of people of No Name Key?  If you read the News Barometer, you will only get half of the story, with lots of omissions, and it'll be biased with Mr. Estes’ own opinions.  Mr. Estes, When will the rest of No Name Key get to be heard?  ~fishcatcher83@gmail.com

 [Limit length of posts] Hell, yes! Please do limit the number of words for a post,  say, maybe, 200?  Anything longer makes me think, "thou doth protest too much."   

[Full Service Gas Station] Yeah, I remember!  And with a fill-up you got the gas pumped for you,  your windshield cleaned,  oil and fluids checked,  tires checked,  a free map if you wanted it, and greeted in English.  Yeah, I remember.

[Sal, Sandy, Sloan] We're back because we love to f**k with you're brains, what little is left of them. ~salkeylargo@keylargokey.com

[Like Spiders?] Here's one you can play with, feed and zoom in on! It’ll go to wherever you place your pointer. http://www.onemotion.com/flash/spider/

[Electrify No Name Key] Dear Beth, along with your other incorrect facts, and drivel Mr. Drew Trivette who is Director of Growth Management for Monroe County does not have the credentials or meet the educational requirements for his job either.  Would you please check out your facts before you run off at the fingers? 

[WARNING: Graphic beheadings—No joke!] (I only made it 40 seconds into the video before switching it off.) Many people who are realists are getting real sick of the pacifists who want to stop the US from torturing our enemies to save our lives and our troops’ lives. Wanting to send this out to the general public to wake them up made me nervous, but it should be seen. It is a film of beheadings by the Islamists we shouldn't be water boarding or torturing. I suggest we do a hell of a lot more than that.  Those people are insects and should be treated as such. Disturbing Video

[Any supporters for limiting length of posts]  Na, let them vent.  How about bigger or wider lines between the posts so when I scroll fast through the longwinded ones I don't accidentally miss some good stuff after them? (Ed: Thanks for the suggestion. How's the layout in today's column--of all days when we don't have any long-winded tomes.)

[Electricity for No Name Key] When will the County stop jerking those people around and give them electricity like everyone else?  It is mind boggling that the County let one bad neighbor control a whole community. I'm tired of reading about it, but if it were me I would have sued that nut a long time ago, got her house in a judgment, and thrown her off the island. Get a shark attorney from Miami and end this battle.

[Miss-Information Putney Strikes Again] The current News-Barometer quoted Miss-information Putney regarding the provision of commercial power to No Name Key.  She said a "biologist opinion" would be required.  Wrong. Using the County's public right-of-way, which is already scarified, does not create a "taking" as defined by federal law.  She also stated that bringing electricity to No Name Key would be development.  Wrong again.  I guess someone should report her for the unlicensed practice of law.  The state statute and Monroe County Comprehensive Plan clearly define what constitutes development. No Name Key is not so unique and special that it is exempted from the law, despite what Ms. Putney has told you.  Ms. Putney may have written the HCP but she does not know jack.  How many more pretend expert hats does she have in her closet?  ~yellowvw3@yahoo.com

The crescent Moon moves across the Gemini twins in the west as it waxes from Monday through Wednesday.

[Long Posts] So what if they're long? Long is good. Long is people thinking. Long is time to develop information. Long is people making an effort. What's your method of life - instant sound bites?  Instant soup, instant gratification, instant reading, instant opinion, instant, instant, instant... 

This is a no-brainer. You're in control of yourself. If you don't like the length - don't read it. Just scroll to the next post. But don't fiddle around with what the readers like.  I bet you love the Citizen Voice on the inside of the Citizen newspaper's page 1.  Everything's 1 or 2 sentences, no thinking required.

[Dead Reef] Sorry, but sinking another rusting hulk on the reef does not address the real problem that our reefs are dying, not because of cruising boats, but poorly designed and overworked septic systems. The money could have been better spent on saving what little is left. 

[Credit Cards] From the right's credit card posting is a perfect example of his/her limitations. Every concept must fit his/her rigid political position.

My point is that your need to slam the "dems" every which way is twisted in this scenario.

[Millipedes] For the last week or so, I have been seeing 1 1/2 inch long worms, in the yard and on the porch.  Mostly they are curled up when I see them.  Can anyone tell me what they are and how to get rid of them?

[Winn Dixie] I have to say it is a pleasure to shop at BPK W/D Seafood Dept. The service is great and the fish is fresh.

These tourists from northern Florida make the New Jersey tourists seem tame.

[The First Time] I've got to ask the gals on the CocoTele something. I have an old friend that claims that she does not remember at what age that she lost her virginity.  She doesn't even remember who it was with.  As a guy, I am incredulous. I remember every detail. It was pleasurable, and I remember every detail.  For a teenage girl not to remember something like this amazes me. Is it possible to not remember the situation, the pain, where you were at the time, the next day, etc?  I don’t believe she is lying.  She is now 59 years old.

[Long Posts] I like to read the Coconut Telegraph.  When I see the comments are longer than a paragraph or two I just skip over it.  I figure it is someone who is ranting and raving. 

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Sunday May 24, 2009

Saturday May 23, 2009

[Sheriff Peryam Gets Job Done]  The dignified and principled approach towards life held by Sheriff Robert P. Peryam is reflected in the integrity and ethical values upon which he has built a distinguished career in law enforcement. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department and the citizens that they serve are benefiting from the dedication and courage, which has characterized this man's exemplary career.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Department is responding to the needs of our citizenry in a manner that is above and beyond the call of duty. They bring great credit upon themselves and the law enforcement community at large. Sheriff Peryam's star is bright, steady and strong. We are blessed to have him as our neighbor, friend; and most importantly, the leader of the men and women who place their lives on the line every day, to protect us from those who would do us harm.

Good job by Ezra Marcus and US1 Radio on that bigot "Rev" Fred Phelps.  Ezra held his feet to the fire and asked the important questions.  I was curious to hear where this guy was coming from and how he justified his actions.  I'm glad to see that US 1 Radio did not buckle under pressure to ignore this guy. Ignoring news does not make it a non-news story.  We should be thankful to have such a top-notch news organization in our community.  Thanks, US1 Radio. Keep up the great work.

[Gadfly] The May 11 story in the KW Citizen on gadfly Paul Caruso stopping the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes carries Caruso's career as a gadfly to a new and unacceptable extreme. Caruso has a personal agenda when it comes to trying to stop the Navy from flying training missions in the F/A-18 Super Hornet. He owns a piece of unbuildable property (he knew it was legally unbuildable due to noise when he bought it for somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000) right next to Boca Chica Field. He is trying to sell this property for more than 10 times what he paid for it. If he can harass the Navy into activating a program that buys property impacted by jet noise, he stands to make well over $200,000.

Each and every one of us is paying for his machinations to profit himself at our expense. Every Freedom of Information request, every investigation into the charges he recklessly makes, every agency that must respond under law to his allegations costs us money - lots of money. He knows this. He uses this. It is his tactic to get the Navy to buy his worthless land. Worse, he would put at risk the lives of the young men and women who defend our nation. We train as we fight. Without that training, lives are put at risk. A gadfly? That is the kindest thing you could say about Paul S. Caruso. ~Peter Anderson

I enjoyed Sloan Bashinsky’s article yesterday. It was good to read his thoughts again. He was even lucid, with nary a mention of his dreams.

[Sal Raves] He wants the Audubon to give him US Army Corps records and he’s mad because they don’t have them.

[Essay Contest] The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored our annual essay contest.  The topic the students were asked to write about this year was “If You Were a Super Hero For A Day, What Would You Do & How Would You Do It?”  Seven (7) essays were read and evaluated by the Board of Director’s Essay Committee.  The essays were creative, interesting to read and we are proud of each entry submitted.

We would like to thank Principal Theresa Axford, Assistant Principal Marla Russell, Eighth Grade Language Teacher Victoria Fairbrother-Smith, and all of the eighth grade students who participated in the 2009 LKCC Essay Contest.  We would also like to thank Jason O’Brien of First State Bank who provided the US Savings Bonds.  The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff wishes to extend our congratulations to these students and to all graduating eighth graders at Sugarloaf Middle School.

[Bugs] If it's so great outside, why are all the bugs trying to get inside my house? ~Jim Gaffigan

[Contracts] I recently rented a car. When I turned it in the agent said the mileage was less that when I started. He looked on his computer and said this happened three rentals ago. They were too lazy or to stupid to fix it. He corrected it with the click of a mouse. I told him the car came from Monroe County. He said, "That says it all."

[Pave, widen the road, pave, dig it back up for sewers, pave it again] That's called job security for the highway dept.  Houston did it that way for years, phone cable, TV cable, fiber optic and everything else.

[Boot Drive] Sponsored by the Tavernier Volunteer Fire Department Annual Memorial Day Boot Drive. Today,Saturday, 9 AM -1 PM, US1  at the light at  McDonalds/CVS. If you're in the Upper Keys - please stop and support us.

[Electricity No Name Key] Friday’s News Barometer had a headline article about No Name Key resident requesting (of Keys Energy) electricity to his home. 

-There are federal laws which invalidate this LDR.

-Therefore, there really is no prohibition to bringing electricity to any of the homes on NNK.

Ms. Putney most certainly needn’t apply for, or have, electricity to her home.  I really don’t care what my neighbor does or doesn’t do and I guess she doesn’t really need air-conditioning while sitting in her summer home in Canada.  I only care when she starts telling me what I can or can’t do in my own home.  ~Beth@MacDanes.com

[I Don't Hate Jews]  So this poster saw some pictures of the military cemetery at Normandy and didn't see any stars of David. Clearly he has never actually been there. I have. Stars of David are represented on every appropriate grave and there were lots of them.  I walked row after row and saw one after another. I am not Jewish but find it absolutely heartbreaking that there are still revisionist historians out there who deny the American-Jewish contribution to the war effort. Save your money and go to see for your self; or better yet, use your internet skills to find the Normandy casualty lists. 

Really, Ed, I believe in freedom of expression, but this anti-Semitism is getting tiresome and a bit frightening.

[They're baaack] First it was Sandy, and now today we get both Sal and Sloan. Even though they all said that had left this forum it seems that they can't resist the urge to come back and annoy us with their loony rants.

[Williams Pest Control) In Mr. William’s defense he never told me that the spider was not poisonous. What he said was that there was no lethal threat to me or my grandkids which is all I wanted to know. Thank you to my learned colleague with attached link to point out the ignorance of my ways. Also thank you again Mr. Williams for stopping by and identifying the wolf spider for me. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day.

[Straight from the State .pdf Audit] Please look at all the purchases, taxpayers.  I don't have any school kids, so I don't have any way to verify if any of that work was really done.  So, ask your kids, was the work paid for really done?  Did they see any improvements?

I say this because, while the state auditors did a good job uncovering inappropriate buying according to the records they had, I wonder if they really had enough time to do all the following up necessary.  For instance, buying, then returning and keeping the money refunded.  If you see something, maybe Dennis Ward would want to know that.

Notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting of the Career Service Council on Thursday, May 28, 9:00 a.m. at the Historic Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St.  Key West, Conference Room 1 and 2. Re: Jethon Williams v. Monroe County.

Kudos to both Ezra and Chuck Thomas on the radio yesterday.  Ezra, you did a great job shutting up the Rev. Phelps. Chuck, you nailed it with the lets-move-on-to-something-more-important-like-American-Idol. Priceless!

[When will we revolt and say "enough" of this repressive type of local government and elect intelligent, responsible leadership who are looking out for our interests] That presumes that such a person is interested, available, or even exists. When we establish term limits (I think 3 terms is enough for the BOCC), including no re-runs (like the president, once out, can't ever run again). When all county residents are registered voters. When all registered voters pay attention to all the issues all the time. When all the registered voters get educated on the issues and actually vote. When more county residents speak up, attend the public meetings, call the BOCC, write letters to the paper, do everything they can to get their neighbors motivated.

This attitude, common in Monroe County, that it doesn't matter if I vote, needs to stop before any real political changes can be made. And it's not their fault, it's ours. Decisions are made by people who show up. We all need to show up.

[Out of the Closet]  Okay I did it. I am no longer with the GOP. I’m done, finished. I am now and Independent. After 40 years, I’m done because I can see no difference between the 2 major parties. Boy, I feel better now.

[Long Winded Tomes] Can we have some type of vote among all the readers here on the length of a post.  Some of these people feel they need to write a book to get one sentence across.  It was brought up on here a few years back to limit a post to a number of words.  Say 50 words or 100 words or even 200 words.  I bet some of these posts go over 2,000 words.  Enough already.  Any supporters?

[Memorial Day] This weekend, I join Floridians in remembering and paying tribute to the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom.  We are able to enjoy a life of liberty because of the courage and selflessness of those in the armed forces, many of whom died to preserve our rights.  Americans have, time and again, defended democracy to uphold the values that make our country the world leader it is today.  The United States has been a ray of light, giving hope to those held captive and oppressed around the globe, made possible by the patriotic spirit and valor of our brave service members. 

We honor our fallen heroes, including the Floridians who have died in combat since 9/11, our service members and veterans still with us today. We honor them by sharing their legacy and educating our children on our nation’s rich history. We honor them by participating in the democratic process by exercising our precious right to vote. We honor them by recognizing families of the fallen who have given their lives protecting and defending our freedom.  I encourage all Floridians to join Americans across our nation to commemorate Memorial Day and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

[David Rice can do nothing for us on sewers or he would have already helped his friend…] You should have stopped after the word "us".

More poison from China 2 more colors added to face paint recall

[Shark Bait] Do they use live dogs as shark bait or is that just a sick internet joke? 

[From the Right] (Special to Amazed at Dr. No) Deer liberal friend, Conservatives are very much in favor of job creation, we just believe that they should be real jobs, not Tony Soprano no work jobs. We need jobs that fill a real need and produce a real product or market place needed service. Jobs that are invented by government just to create a pay check are corrosive to the job holder and the taxpayer who is stuck with the bill.  My objections to the $2.7 Million in stimulus funds for the School Board should be easy to understand. I have previously stated them, but I’ll try again: Monroe County’s population is shrinking; high cost of living and high taxes are the common cause. We are losing students; we don’t need as many school board employees as we did in the past. When we spend the one time, short term, stimulus money on new hires, or even to keep existing staff, the stim bucks will soon be gone. When the stim bucks are gone next year, we’ll have to increase the school board budget. That one time $2.7 Mil windfall will suddenly become a $2.7 Mil albatross that we have wear around our neck ad infinitum. That means that taxes will have to go up again, which means that even more folks will want out of Monroe. It’s called a death spiral.  Real jobs are created by private businesses that make a profit. Real jobs have a real purpose, they fill a real need, they produce a real product or provide a needed service.  Government jobs do not create profit; they eat the profits created by businesses and the taxes paid by you and I; then they defecate waste. Federal stimulus money for Monroe County or anywhere else is not “free” money. It’s taxes, taxes, taxes, and debt. In the last half year we’ve burned so much money and taken on so much debt, 4 times what it was just a few months ago, that the US is on the razors edge of losing our world wide credit standing. Nations, institutions, and investors have begun to demand higher interest rates when they loan us money. Many are beginning to become reluctant to purchase our bonds. The US dollar is in real danger of losing its role as THE international currency.  It’s probable that the Yuan, the currency of the Peoples Republic of China will soon achieve primacy. While our ships of state, foundering in debt, sinks lower in the water, the liberals insist on bailing in even more debt.

(Part II) Are we all really happy with the new credit card legislation reform bill? Obama signed it with great fanfare and hurrah. It does some good things like reforming the credit card company’s ability to willy-nilly mess with the interest rates.  On the other hand it dealt out some surprises. For example; let’s say that you have a credit card that gives you rewards for using it, you know like airline miles, or cash discounts. It’s highly likely that you’re going to lose those rewards. If you worry about having good credit and if you pay your credit card bill in full every month, up until now, you’ve been free from interest charges. Kiss that good bye, get ready to ante up interest charges from the date of purchase, and get ready to ante up with big fees just to have the card. All of that costs the credit card company big bucks. If you’re slow in making your payments, if you’re a late payer, if you carry a hefty balance, up until now you’ve been a profit machine for the credit card companies. You've been paying fees and interest for the privilege of using the credit card company's money. You've been a profit machine for the credit card company.   No more. Those fees and high interest payments are going to be cut big time! So now, the folks who use credit responsibly are going to have to pay a lot more in order to subsidize those who don’t. And by the way, it hits every responsible credit card holder, rich, not so rich, and downright poor. And it hits them hard. Are we to believe that having a credit card is now a right?

[Sex drink] Honey, lay off the organic ingredients and stick to the vodka, Jägermeister, etc. and anyone looks good and performs well, including yourself, if you manage to hang on!

[Where’s Our Stimulus Money]  Why isn't The Citizen printing the real news so residents know what kind of report card grade to give our local and state officials?  Everyday the state lists all of the stimulus monies received and the counties who have applied and will be receiving these funds and for what projects. The local paper reported three or four lines about stimulus money from the Florida Department of Transportation for repair of five bridges in Monroe County recently.  This is drop in the bucket compared to the millions going out everyday.  Monroe County's need for funds is great and yet we're losing out at every level.  Why isn't a reporter tracking the stimulus money and reporting the facts? 
 
Two big announcements that the Citizen has not reported and I would like to know if Monroe County (for our FKAA partners) applied for any of this money.

(May 19) In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment in the State of Florida, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $88,074,000 million to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

(May 19) In an effort to improve water quality and create jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1,336,300 to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. A total of $39 million will be awarded nationally to states for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants, which will keep and create jobs to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment.

[18 Mile Stretch Closing] Due to resurfacing and other road work, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has scheduled to close the southbound lane of U.S. 1 Overseas Highway on the 18-mile stretch from Mile Marker 126 in Florida City to MM 106 in Key Largo. The closures will be from 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, Thursday, May 28, and Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4.  

This work is being performed in conjunction with FDOT’s Jewfish Creek Bridge/Overseas Highway/U.S. 1 construction project from Lake Surprise Boulevard (MM 106) in Key Largo north to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County Line (MM 113).

[Key Deer] In a 2001 KeysNews article Mick Putney, perpetual president and founder of the Key Deer Protection Alliance, said “The deer population has been steadily increasing over the years.” But in his Key Deer Protection Alliance spring 2008 newsletter Putney said “The increase in Key Deer numbers seems to be one of those urban legends which, after being repeated enough times takes on the appearance of fact.” In his same spring 2008 newsletter Putney said the Lopez study “put the total number of deer in 2000 at 700 – 800.” But the 2001 Lopez Ecology of the Key Deer study said “Current density estimates (450 -515) suggest that population increases [240%] over the last 30 years on Big Pine and No Name Keys have placed the deer population at or near carrying capacity”. 

Did they rely on the single approach strategy of land acquisition (takings and multi-million dollar lawsuits)? Yes.

The truth is that there are just too many deer. They are starving because their numbers have exploded and there is no management happening.  “The young, the old and the weak will starve, its Mother Nature’s way” is not the answer. Starvation is not the way to treat our little treasures. The Key Deer do need protection and we know who they need to be protected from!

[Subject Line of Your Emails] (Ed: Don't see your post? If you want your message posted all you have to do is write Coconut Telegraph in the subject line. If you want your classified ad printed all you have to do is write Classifieds in the subject line. If you want your event posted on the Bulletin Board all you have to do is write Bulletin Board in the subject line. Our spam filters delete everything else. It doesn't help you to write anything else in the subject line. Everything gets read.)

[Bubba] Randy Acevedo, Bookie Henriquez, Leon Fowler, Mike Henriquez, Pedro Fraga, Harry Russell: bubba success — whatever it takes.

The sheriff dept should enforce the no camping on right of way ordinance, such as the on the bridges on weekends when hundreds of people pitch tents and stay all night. You aren’t allowed park a motor home on the side of the road and sleep even if they are self-contained. But the tenters are allowed even though they only have a bucket and throw their waste in the ocean. They both bring their own supplies, not spending a penny in the county.

The fact of the matter is downstairs enclosures are a bad idea in this part of the world in which we live.  Mother Nature is not going to wait around and play legalistic games with us when the time comes.

If you need information on Monroe County’s American With Disabilities Act Accessibility Evaluation completed in May,  please contact Maria Graziano, Project Management Coordinator, Monroe County, by phoning (305) 292-4468, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711 or via facsimile to (305) 295-4321 or email to graziano-maria@monroecounty-fl.gov.

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Saturday May 23, 2009

Friday May 22, 2009

[Contracts] My mother passed away in another county in Florida and dad has to be placed in an ALF(?) home.  While trying to get their affairs in order I contacted DirecTV to discontinue the service, and was told that my dad had to fulfill the terms of the contract. So I guess if dad dies before the contract expires I will have to put the damn dish in the coffin.

[Waste Management Contracts] The Board should have gone out for bids - period. It’s the same old garbage as before. Part of the Board's explanation was that the Board did it wrong before (many aspects, stop/start dates, no coordination with other cities, etc.) so Waste Management is so screwed up now that the Board has no choice but to continue screwing it up for another five years.

When will you ever correct mistakes if you just keep perpetuating them forever? It’s time to change members of this Board and elect public officials willing to do the right thing for the taxpayers. I am tired of their incompetency killing my pocketbook and lowering my standard of living in the Keys.

[Democracy Debate]  Sorry, I have been out of town and un-able to respond to your latest claim that the USA is a democracy because Webster has added an addendum stating so.  The truth is well stated in our U. S. Constitution in articles I and II.  Our government was set up as a representative democratic republic.  At that time, democracy strictly meant majority rule.  Our founders were smart enough to realize that majority rule can lead to a mob mentality, often disregarding and destroying the rights of the minority, without respect to law.  They therefore sought to alleviate this by dividing power among the government branches, in an attempt to keep some sort of rule of law intact and to try to keep the nation on a relatively even keel; allowing for change, but at a slow, methodical process. 

The House of Representatives is the most democratic institution, with their members being democratically elected directly from districts of roughly equal population.  Thus being the "peoples" voice in government. 

The Senate members are democratically elected by each state, each state allowed two, regardless of population.  Thus being the "states" voice in government. 

The Executives, President and Vice President,  are not elected by democratic process, rather using electors from each state, with the number of electors equaling the number of representatives plus the number senators from each state.  The electors are not bound by the votes of the people of the state, but most always do cast all their votes for the popular winner in their respective states. 

Now the Judicial.  No input from the people at all, other than the Senatorial confirmation process.  Once in, they are there for life.  They can, and often do, supersede the will of the people by judicial dictate.  This is the ultimate example of how our country is not a democracy. 

All this only represents our federal government.  There are pockets of near pure democracy within our borders.  As an example, California is steadily moving in that direction, and we can see how well that's working!

All and all, I like what we have.  I like that we do not have to run to the poles to decide every single thing that comes along.  I want to hire someone to do that for me.  And if I don't like their decisions, we still do have a democratic solution to replace them. 

I do admit that the term democracy has come to mean any form of government that uses free and fair elections to elect the people's representatives.  But that is not the true meaning of the word.  So, in a modern, lazy definition, you could use the term democracy to describe the USA, but that would be factually incorrect.

[Creditgate] The newest Key West Citizen report on the unfolding saga in our school system seems to take the entire affair off the chart. It appears from this article that the School System’s own attorney determined Monique Acevedo did not have anywhere close to the legally required qualifications for the job her husband, Randy, our Superintendent of Schools, appointed her to take over a year before informing the School Board of what he had done. Randy appointed Monique without advertising the job, also legally required. As was seeking prior School Board approval legally required. According to what I just read in the Citizen.
 
I spent about an hour with State Attorney Dennis Ward in his Key West office yesterday, talking about various matters. One thing he said caused me to nearly fall out of my chair. When two of Dennis’ investigators went to see Judge Audlin about the case, he told them he knew Randy Acevedo, they belonged to the same civic club and were friends. Alden told the investigators he did not know Monique, but he did not view her as a flight risk, and would the State Attorney have any objection to no bail being required?
 
Well, if it had been me, I’d have said hell yes (in effect), I objected. Why? Because the jail is full of people who cannot make bail, who are charged with far less serious crimes. Maybe such as sleeping outside at night, open containers, marijuana possession, etc. But I was not there and I did not object. And I understand the investigators going along with it, because they felt Judge Alden would do it anyway and they didn’t want to get the State Attorney’s Office on his bad side, maybe, for what could well prove to be the most important criminal trial in a long time in the Keys.
 
After allowing Monique out with no bail, Judge Auldin resigned from the case. Well, that didn’t look so good to me, either. In fact, it looked real fishy to me. Fishy, because I used to clerk for a United States District Judge who presided over every criminal case in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Fishy, because I used to practice law. Fishy, because I could not imagine bail not being required. Fishy, because maybe the Acevedos, like a lot of people these days, are under financial duress and maybe could not easily make a proper bail, or perhaps not any bail. Fishy, because maybe the Acevedos are part of the Conch establishment.
 
I have seen citizen comments in the Citizen criticizing Dennis Ward for handcuffing Monique Acevedo when she surrendered at the jail, after seeming a bit reluctant to turn herself in, which, I also read in the Citizen, caused Dennis to acquire the assistance of law enforcement agencies in North Carolina to apprehend and ship Monique shackled back to Key West, which would have happened but for Monique getting on an airplane at the last moment and heading back to Key West. I have seen citizen comments in the Citizen complaining about Monique’s handcuffing appearing on the front page of the Citizen. I have wondered what those people were thinking? Were they nuts? Were they criminals themselves? Were they Conchs, who believe Conchs are entitled to different treatment?
 
Here’s what I think about the photo of Monique being handcuffed appearing on the front page of Key West Citizen. I think it was entirely appropriate. It sent the loudest possible message to adults in this community, and to our school children. It proved we elected a State Attorney who will not waffle when a high-profile case comes before him involving important Keys people. Dennis campaigned hard against corruption in government, and I campaigned hard for him: at candidate forums, to my large email list, and on goodmorningfloridakeys.com and goodmorningkeywest.com. I campaigned so hard that it got me kicked out of the Conch Bridge Club, the franchise for which is owned by former Chief State Attorney Prosecutor Jeff Oberby, whom I took apart in one of my posts last year. None of which Dennis put me up to do.
 
I am reminded of stories I have heard about a former Key West police chief by the last name of Peterson. A good police chief, by all accounts I heard. A police chief who discovered major corruption in Key West City’s government that was far too big for him to deal with, so he called in the Feds. Then, the City hired a new City Manager, who upon taking over that office fired Peterson. Peterson’s replacement quit very quickly and moved away because his family was receiving threats. Death threats, I believe I heard.
 
When I moved to Key West in late 2000, the Key West police’s biggest function seemed to be doing everything they could to run homeless people out of the area. Of late, they seem to be getting tough of bicyclists who run red lights. Our Mayor seems to be tough on head shops and doesn’t like the porno-prone T-Shirt shops on Duval Street. None of which seems to interest Dennis Ward. A former beat cop and detective; Dennis is interested in prosecuting serious crimes, of which I suspect there will be many in the coming days to keep him and his entire staff working overtime.
 
I don’t know about you, but I’m darn glad Dennis is our State Attorney. And I’m darn glad we have Steve Pibramsky and John Dick on our School Board. None of the three seem worried about being popular. What they seem worried about is doing their jobs correctly, and what better role models of elected officials could we have for our school children? I can’t think of any better role models.
 
My only advice to Dennis: next time, send your chief prosecutor in a high profile case to the judge to talk about bail, and maybe go along yourself, too. ~Sloan Bashinsky, citizen

[Sewer Competition] I don’t know what sewer system is better than another, but I think something of this magnitude should have every option explored. We all know that it’s a lot of trouble, but somebody’s got to do it. We don’t know if we can afford it. It’s that important to us so get off your collective butts and get some bids!

[Sewer News] The guy who has been updating us about the sewers for the last two weeks should get a job as a reporter with the Citizen as they seem to have totally missed this story. 

During yesterday’s BOCC meeting the entire county was told that we could save $101 million dollars in the price of the lower Keys sewers. And each home’s monthly bill would be cut in half! This is front page news. So where was the article today about this astonishing news? Why no newspaper articles?  Why no investigative journalism?  Who are the newspapers protecting?

It seems like every time there should be news about the sewers and these shocking cost differences, we instead read about Monique.  Do they think we are so stupid that they can throw her at us and make us forget the real story?

For how long did we read over and over about the Hickory House and Vandenberg, yet not one word about hundreds of millions of dollar savings on our sewers?  This kind of money makes the Hickory House and Vandenberg look like chump change. 

Wigington said that the County doesn’t want to get into the sewer business.  Too bad, you already are. 

Until this Keys sewer project, the FKAA was in the drinking water business.  They have been doing on-the-job-training trying to become a sewer company and are doing a really bad job of it to boot.  And Wigington is “afraid” to let any of these established sewer companies do this job? Which part is “scary”? Taking $101 million away from the FKAA or getting experts to do the job? 

And it isn’t just one low bid we’ve heard so far, but five.  Maybe one you can blow off and say they are just trying to lowball the job and would do shoddy work, but five? And heck, we’ve already gotten shoddy work from the FKAA. What have we got to lose at this point and maybe the people who actually put in sewers as a business will do it right. 

Instead of wanting to save 101 million dollars, instead of checking on the major projects these companies have sewered, Ms Wigington sat there and called the real sewer experts and their work “cheap”.

After Wigington and Neugent got done doing the sewer-two-step-shuffle, the FKAA got up and said they won’t go out for bids. Yeah, if I was pocketing an extra 101 million dollars on a job contract, I sure as heck wouldn’t want anyone bidding against me either.

Why didn’t the papers call Wigington out on this?

Why didn’t the papers call Neugent out on the partnership with the FKAA?

Why didn’t the papers call the FKAA out on their $101 million price difference?

Why didn’t the papers write anything at all about this?

 
Monique is caught, and that is a good thing.  But it’s long past time for the sewer thieves to get caught because with a 101 million dollar difference, I sure feel like someone is ripping me off.

[Creditgate] Straight from the State. The start of the last bell tolling for Mr and Mrs Acevedo. Look at Table 1 (top of page 4) $4800 for tires, $1500 for sportswear,  and $2900 to/for Manuel Perez Woodwind - who or what is that, anyway? Look at Table 2 (top of page 5) All that money spent by Director of Maintenance/Construction.  Whoever that person was/is, he sure spent a lot of taxpayer $$ on that school track.  I wonder, did anybody ever call the topsoil company to verify the purchases?  .pdf Audit

Obama says Gitmo and water boarding are a recruiting tool for al Queda and has made us less safe. Using Obama's own logic, Bill Clinton's rendition plan where real torture interrogation took place in the Middle East, must have been the reason terrorists came to America on 9/11. They didn't come because of Gitmo, it must have been Clinton's torturing that did it. Why weren't the Dem's panties in a knot then?

It appears Obama preserved renditions as a counter-terrorism tool. Say it isn’t so Dems. Talk about speaking with a forked tongue. The Dems say torture is okay as long as another country is doing it for you. Bush should have stayed with Clinton's plan.

A quote from former CIA agent Robert Baer "If you want a serious interrogation, you send a prisoner to Jordan. If you want them to be tortured, you send them to Syria. If you want someone to disappear, never to see them again, you send them to Egypt." All the while Clinton was trying to explain what the meaning of "is", is. Brilliant cover Mr. President, brilliant!

[Sewers] In Wednesday's Coconut Telegraph Mayor Neugent responded to residents concerns, including my own, over his never ending support of all things FKAA, the high cost or sewer work when FKAA is involved, his idea to increase our taxes and other points. His blog leads me to make a few brief responses.

On Wednesday the Mayor wrote "I can assure you that if that information (compelling reasons) exists, that would save residents millions, as you suggest, there would be no hesitation to go in that direction". Well Mayor, yesterday's presentation, the fifth such presentation of its type based on what your Administrator explained, and the promise of saving over $101 million plus being provided the money to actually do the work sounded pretty darn "compelling", to use your word. Your repeated attempts during the debate to protect FKAA and "concern" as you called it over whether FKAA would "allow" us to issue an RFQ were obvious to everyone watching. It is time for the County to demand that FKAA allow, if that is the term, us to seek quotes on the cost and the funding. Invite them to participate by bidding for the work rather than controlling it. It is time that you represent the citizens and not just the FKAA.

On Wednesday the Mayor also wrote that "The FKAA is building quality projects that will better serve the residents in the long run". How exactly does the Mayor know this to be true? The answer is, he does not and cannot. It is patently absurd to suggest that the FKAA is the planets' singular expert capable of building a quality system to serve us well for the long run. We do know that they and their friendly contractors are, however, the most expensive solution and we only need to see the $50,000 per home spent on Shark Key or their proposed monthly fee in the Lower Keys of $80 (a fee that would make it the highest in all of Florida) versus others who are offering a $40 per month fee. Shark Key, Mr. Mayor you might recall, was your own little pet project.  

The Mayor's comment that "composting toilets or portal-potties would fit just right as to the least expensive way to go for you (my) house" is interesting, especially in light of the fact that I've not read any mention of these devices of late in this blog. His mention of them can only be seen as his political ploy of threatening people and playing to their fears, neither of which are going to work any longer. The Mayor's mention of these devices also shows citizens how truly out of touch he is over central sewers--the point of this discussion, since neither device offers a sewer connection.  

How about you, Mr. Mayor, install a composting toilet in your own home and lead the way? Better yet, how about we have a discussion about all types of central sewer systems including grinder pumps and consider that they might just be the least expensive, practical, device, much less have a multi decade track record of reliability around the world; and that many firms are eager to install them in the Lower Keys at perhaps 1/2 the cost of gravity systems that you and FKAA love so much.

The Mayors comment "if you want the cheapest, post your address and I'll see that the FKAA gets right on it" speaks volumes about him as a politician and a man. Your threats are childish, predictable and show your profound ignorance. No one has suggested the cheapest approach only that the FKAA is the most expensive and has no funding for us; and that we want options considered. 

Mayor, don't threaten the people of Monroe County. It is not polite. Your rant misses the points that we deserve lower cost solutions to be considered and fair public bidding. Although we enjoy reading your ridiculous rambling missives it might be wise to stop blogging here as they tell us much about your bias, loyalties and ignorance that they likely place your political career at great risk.  ~ Protx@aol.com

When DOT comes to repave US1 here in Big Pine, are they going to do it like they did in Big Coppitt? Lay down new pavement, dig it back up to put sewer lines under the highway, then repave it again? Hopefully they’ll get it right the first time this time!

[Sewers] A mobile home park like Venture Out should have one sewer hook up.  A homeowner's community like that is an island onto itself.  The individual Keys are not chartered communities like a homeowners association.  It's going to cost individual Keys more to sewer than others.  I think that's why Commissioner Neugent regrets he didn't have Shark Key pay more than they did.  I bet when the job is all done and you average the costs, residents on Shark Key got a deal.  It seems off balance that a community like that would end up paying less than a community like Big Pine where home values and household incomes are lower. 

[Williams Pest Control came by this morning and identified the spiders as being non-poisonous] All spiders are poisonous (venomous], but fear of all spiders is unwarranted because most are either too small or possess poison that is too weak to harm humans. Only a few have bites that are dangerous to humans. However, the bite of these few species can cause serious medical problems and possible death under certain circumstances. The most dangerous spiders to humans in North America are the widow spiders (usually known as black widows), the brown spiders (also known as the fiddle backed spiders), the tarantulas, an innocuous-looking sac spider, and a funnel-web spider.

Many now discourage using the word poisonous when referring to bites and stings. Snakes and insects that inject poisonous venom into their victims are venomous, but a snake or tarantula is not itself poisonous because if you eat one it won’t poison you. A blowfish will kill you if you eat it, so it is poisonous; but it is not venomous. So I guess technically no spider is poisonous but all are venomous and it depends on your size and metabolism if you will be harmed by a spider bite. It also seems that if you are worried if that spider will harm you the best thing to do is eat it! Washington State University http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1548/eb1548.html

Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Townsend Alexander presents Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Steven Holmes and the NAS Workers Integrated Safety and Health committee the Secretary of the Navy Safety Award for small, non-industrial activity Thursday, May 21 at the air station. The award recognizes Navy and Marine Corps shore activities and ashore fleet operational support units for their quality occupational safety and health programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rachel McMarr)

If Mayor Neugent’s too lazy to get other bids for the sewer and garbage, etc. he should get a real job.

Monroe County Political graveyard. Seems there should be a lot more names here?  Give it time! http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/FL/MO.html

[Party of No] To my friend from the Party of No, I find it amazing you are upset because Monroe County schools are getting over $2.5 million dollars from the President’s stimulus package. You state the reason for your being unhappy with it is because we are losing students so we don’t need so much money. Well my right honorable friend, one of the reasons we are losing students is because of the high cost of living here and that means their parents are moving because of that and the shortage of jobs. Using the stimulus money is meant to help people keep their jobs and to create jobs. You see what happens when we create jobs, it brings in more revenue to the local government. People that have jobs usually eat out more and purchase more from their local stores which means it’s not just the people working for the school district that get the benefits; its also the local merchants. That’s what the stimulus is meant to do. Teachers will have more resources to teach our young and the entire Keys gets a shot in the arm. I never thought I would see Americans getting upset about jobs being created, but I guess there would be people whining if they won a million dollars and it was paid to them in $1 bills. I bet you are a conservative and are forced to vote the Party of No.

[Bigots] I feel sad again about our BPK bigot, it must be very hard for him knowing that four of his brothers were arrested in NYC. One of his brothers was quoted as saying “I hate those f**King Jewish bastards." Isn’t that just about the same thing that he said here?

[The Jew] I do not blame you for speaking up for your Religion, and your race. But you can be a lot more fairer. After all, the Jews do not make the sun rise no matter how clever they are. You are a fool if you believe that there would still be an Israel if it wasn't for the USA. The poster was right on the mark mentioning the billions of dollars Israel received in foreign aid. Where the hell do you think that came from? Not to mention all the latest hardware and technology. The main reason the Moslems hate the USA is because the USA supports Israel.

They know very well, if they can get the USA to turn its back on Israel. They turn the lower part of the Mediterranean into Jew soup.

If the Islamo-facsists will have their way in the USA, with president like Barak Hussein Obama, almost bending double in front of that Saudi despot, they probably will. Where will all the Jews go? They will probably bend with the wind and become Muslims, just like they all became communists in the Godless Soviet Union.

[Howard and the MM24 Gang]  We will be playing tomorrow at 6pm at Boondocks (mile marker 27.5).  

We've also added a performance to our schedule next Wednesday, May 27th at The Rum Barrel on Front Street in Key West.  This will be the three piece version of Mile Marker 24 Band.   Jason, Dave, and I will play at a celebration party for The Vandenberg.   She may not be on the bottom by then, but we know she's going to be going down - and we are celebrating!   7pm at the Rum Barrel.

What makes me laugh at this Short Term Rental fiasco is the lack of understanding among the rental property owners. They not only don't care, or ever will, about the permanent residents and what those rentals do to the neighborhoods. It's time we permanent citizens got together and raised hell with these gold diggers and maybe the Mayor's office too.  After all, we paid a life's fortune to be here so as not to be hassled by transits!  We need a Jaws scare!

(Ed: If you don’t see your submission it’s probably because you didn’t write Coconut Telegraph in the subject line. Our spam filters zapped it!)

I just found out that the Cyber Center will be back. Big Pine Shipping has taken it over and is setting it up next door to their shop at the Marshall Building next to U.S.1 Radio. It will be online for business Friday morning.

[Gardner Webb University]  I don't know, have never met, don't want to know or meet the Acevedo's, but Gardner Webb is an old, respected, and accredited Baptist College in Boiling Springs North Carolina. I don't know and don't care if the Ms. Went or graduated from GW, but the college is good and real.

So Mr Acevedo promoted his wife to a position for which she was not qualified, failed to get approval from the School Board (which by law has the ultimate decision), and indeed did not even advise them for a year that he had promoted her.

Randy, I'm sorry, but the "I didn't know anything wrong was going on" excuse will no longer work (as if anyone rationally believed that in the first place).  This is direct malfeasance on your part which, if not illegal, is blatantly unethical.

[Realtors] If people board your ship, steal everything, put you over board, and take or destroy your boat, that's Piracy! But if it is done on land, that's called a real estate maneuver to benefit the public!

[Wal-Mart Greeter] After landing my new job as a Wal-Mart greeter, a good find for many retirees, I lasted less than a day. About two hours into my first day on the job a very loud, unattractive, mean-acting woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.  As I had been instructed, I said pleasantly, 'Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?'  

The ugly woman stopped yelling long enough to say, 'Hell no, they ain't  twins. The oldest one's 9, and the other one's 7. Why the hell would you think they're twins? Are you blind, or just stupid?' So I replied, 'I'm neither blind nor stupid, Ma'am, I just couldn't believe you got laid twice. Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.'

My supervisor said I probably wasn't cut out for this line of work.

[A penny tax for sewers] With all the corruption and scams going on in Monroe County, do you really think that penny will see the light from the coffers of the rich and infamous? The sewage system will cost most of us our homes and properties because most of us will have to re-mortgage to pay it off. The kicker is that those frightening monthly poo and water bills will continue to drive us down.

[Saying no to free speech] Your solution to solving your opposition to other peoples’ beliefs is exactly the wrong way to look at the situation. You must give your neighbors a little more credit. If the average citizen is so ignorant that he can't see thru this utter nonsense, we certainly will not exist as a country. Let the fellow talk, then you can see for yourself what a fool he is. I don't think he will be able to influence you to see things his way. What makes you think that you see things the rest of us can't see? Unless we actually hear the person state his beliefs, how can one make a judgment? Censorship is the worst possible answer.

NAS Key West and area veterans will mark the nation's Memorial Day holiday at three ceremonies on Monday morning. At 9 a.m., the Key West Chapter of the Navy League of the United States will hold their annual ceremony at the Maine Memorial Cemetery Plot in the Key West City Cemetery.  NAS Key West Commanding Officer Captain Steven Holmes will be the guest speaker and the air station Honor Guard will render a 21-gun rifle salute.  

Friday, May 29 at 10 am a memorial ceremony will be held for veterans of the Vandenberg and Harry Taylor on the USS Mohawk museum ship at Truman Annex harbor.  The NAS Key West honor guard will provide honors.  

Monday at 11 a.m., American Legion Post 28 will host their annual Memorial Day Service at the Big Coppitt Key Cemetery.  Holmes will be the featured speaker and the NAS Key West Honor Guard will also participate in a traditional ceremony. Memorial Day Observances are free and open to the public.

The American Legion in Marathon has an event but I'm not sure of the location or time.

Fred Phelps and his followers are morons. They can't speak for themselves. They have to use quotes from the Bible, a book of fairy tales.

[From the Right] The Congress has rebuffed Obama’s first major initiative, his promise to close Gitmo.  Gallup just released a poll that says that 32% of Americans identify as Republicans vs. 32% identify as Democrats. If you add in those who are “leaner’s” it’s still dead even at 45%. Republicans have gained 6%; Democrats lost 5% over the last poll. 51% of Americans are now “pro life” vs. 42% “pro choice”. 66% of Americans support a smaller government (notwithstanding Gen. Powell’s attestations), only 25% support a more active government. It’s obvious that the GOP now can actually be called the party of the Grand Old Phoenix. Like the Phoenix it’s been reborn from its ashes, stronger than ever.  Even the Democrat controlled Congress is well on its way to being a major bulwark against much of the legislation that Obama considers vital. These are not happy times for liberal progressives. It's not a happy time for Republicans either, it's going to take a long time to heal the wounds inflicted on our nation by the liberals.

[Reckless Driving] Between 5:00-6:30 am when deer are most active and least seen; on any given day, police cruisers speed at 45 to 60 mph. With no lights or sirens (or using lights just to pass law abiding citizens only to shut them off at the light) they continue down US1 in Big Pine at 50+ mph right past the radar cop and school bus number 52 with children on board. Have we changed the speed limits in Big Pine or do the laws only apply to everyone else? 

[School Superintendant] Every day it becomes more evident that the Superintendent of our schools is incompetent and has no place running that show. ~usa33043@yahoo.com

[Bull sharks] I got run out of the water last week by 2 aggressive bull sharks west of Content Key. They showed up at 2 of the 3 areas I went to. If I had my power head with me they would have been dead. I can't feel sorry for the poor hooked shark; I wish he was in the hold of a long liner!

[Charter School] Speaking of schools with untrained, unqualified people and doing things without permission. For those disenchanted with the MCSD, schools do not think that charter schools are better. The local one is a mess due to their "Board of Education" and “administration". I use quotes because neither have a clue on what it is to run a school or really care about the children. The public and parents will not be able to speak freely at the monthly meetings; a time limit has been imposed. Why? Because too many parents spoke their minds and were concerned about what was happening or not happening at the school. The Board doesn't want to hear it unless it is good stuff or one of their own voices. Heck, they even put the new rules on the agenda one month prior to them even being approved by the so-called Board. You can check it out on their website; it's there in black and white. Lord forbid you speak up to get things fixed or find out why something has not been taken care of. Parents and staff have tried and have been blackballed and treated like garbage.

They also have unqualified and poorly trained people handling the children. They are expanding to 6th grade when they don't even  have the grades they have up to par. Just how do you have two teachers teach 4th, 5th, and 6th grade effectively, specially without the proper facilities? It's all about the money and their "we can do what we want because we are a charter school" mentality. That is straight from the board president's mouth.  Just go to a meeting and see what a joke they are and how poorly they treat the parents. Better yet talk to parents and PTO who are there trying to make a better school for the children. They are constantly used and abused. Those parents that are there and volunteer their time to fill in all the gaps can tell you what it is really like. 

Our next computer club meeting is coming up this Saturday, May 23, 10 am at the BPK library’s back room.  If you have a card table you can bring, please do so. Also, there will be a few TV tables available.

David Rice and George Neugent are twin pods of the same thorny bush. Rice can do nothing for us on sewers or he would have already helped his friend George get it done and take credit.  David's wife served on the FKAA Board until January 2009 when the Governor replaced her. So what can David offer now that he could not have done before? Please remember the last time he was on the Board he served only his interest - not the public's interest. There must be a better way than just recycling the same old Bubbas over and over on the Board. It’s time for reform! 

[Sewers] A big thank you to the person writing recently on the FKAA wastewater prices and comparisons.  I have learned a lot from these writings and I have gone online and checked out the information.  This person should be on the Board of County Commissioners because he gives a damn about costs of sewers for the Lower Keys and cleaning up the water.  I also went to the state auditor's website as the writer suggested and checked up on FKAA's annual audits. I found that violating the state's bidding law is not a new problem as FKAA has been cited every year for violating the bidding law. Holy s**t!  Why is Monroe County still doing business with FKAA?  Why can't Monroe County get the Legislature to remove FKAA like Key Largo and Marathon did because FKAA was overpricing their systems?  Why does George Neugent and Kim Wigington defend the FKAA and its overpriced systems? 

Something is wrong, very wrong with FKAA and the Commissioners.  Remember, it is your money that the County is taking from you and giving to FKAA without looking at any other options.  Why don't they want bids?  What is the Board afraid of?  Why are they defending FKAA and not representing our best interest?  We should be asking more of our elected officials and I will be more vigilant about how the Board spends my money, particularly on how they propose to solve my sewer problem that they created. 

[Virus] I just got the MS Error code 0X80244019 which says I have a virus that stops any updates from coming into my system, including Virus Program updates, OS updates and all programs Keep your virus software up dated daily!
Here is the Microsoft link to the fix it page http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/fe4d69c6-1bfd-48c9-a858-b11fc9687ff61033.mspx

[Sal Raves] Local office of the Audubon refuses public records request. Jeanette Hobbs manager of Keys Environmental Restoration Fund in Marathon handles millions of taxpayers’ dollars and refuses to comply to public records request. VIEW

[Bar Wisdom] The best way to get into shape is buying quart bottles of beer instead of the sissy sizes!

[Sheeple] Your post is just so much gibberish, it would be simple to take either side of your premise and destroy it's logic.

[Stupid Problem] What County employee referred to the "stupid iguana" problem? What do you mean it's not important?  I have helped pay your salary for the past 20 years and you deem to tell me I have a stupid problem! I have no problem with the sewers. What Navy noise?  You can find me under the furthest picnic table on Higgs beach.

[Downstairs Enclosures Doomed] The Citizen reported Thursday that the County Attorney's Office won the downstairs enclosure case.  What is wrong with this article?  The local government officials take an oath to uphold the constitution and to protect and service the citizens who elected them. In this situation, the Board directs the County Attorney’s office to use your tax dollars to fight and win this case in court. The County called it "winning," but the truth is that you lost.  Now, code enforcement does not have to prove anything about the downstairs enclosure (i.e. who did it; when was it done; was it permitted; etc.) before they fine you.  What?  Now the County can come into your home and automatically fine you for a downstairs enclosure.  Folks, don't believe it when Commissioners say it's FEMA fault. The County expanded the FEMA requirement for inspection before issuing flood insurance to include the right to inspect and fine homeowners who do not even apply for national flood insurance.  When will we revolt and say "enough" of this repressive type of local government and elect intelligent, responsible leadership who are looking out for our interests?

[No Bid Contracts] Wednesday the Board of County Commissioners renewed four waste management contracts for five years without bids. The renewals included a 25% increase.  I am very upset that the Mayor no longer serves the public's interest. Also, why did the Mayor keep referring to GLEE and “GLEE had approved, agreed”, etc.  I have no problem inviting non-profits to the table for discussion, but when you select a vendor that will get tax dollars, the County should be in charge. Non-profits have no loyalties, financial duties, or responsibility to the taxpayers and their interest is to get money.  I would bet that GLEE surely approved the vendor that will funnel the most money to GLEE.  Look for GLEE in the coming months to be approved by the County as County's consultant, management firm, recycle coordinator, or just fill in the blank with whatever… and receive your tax dollars to help these waste management companies with their recycling program.  Watch your pocketbook as it is your money that the County will give to GLEE who helped pick the vendor.   Why doesn't the County have a rule like other counties that "prevents any entity (person, organization, corporation, non-profit, etc) that participates in the selection of a vendor from receiving any compensation or thing of value related to that contract or vendor selection."    

Non-profits are certainly valuable in our society, but not when they are merely serving and feeding at the taxpayers' trough.

[Tree trimmers subcontracting for Keys Energy] These guys have it made. They trim trees and mulch for about an hour then they sit in their truck for a couple of hours. They have been on Loma Street on Big Pine for 2 1/2 days now doing a job that should have not taken more than a day. I guess this is one of the many reasons our electric bills are so high.

[Age] You are only as old as the people you party with!

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Friday May 22, 2009

Wednesday May 20, 2009

What has your commissioner done for you lately?  The Miami Herald reported that the Broward County Commissioners have voluntarily taken a five percent (5%) cut in pay to show citizens that they understand and want to lessen the burden for the dire financial circumstances many residents are experiencing just to survive.  The Broward County Sheriff's Office also announced that a total of 264 people, mostly deputies, will be let go in order to balance his budget shortfall.  The Broward Clerk of Court announced that current employees will take a mandatory day off, one a month, without pay and vacancies will not be filled in order to balance his budget.
 
All of this prompts me to consider what Monroe County Commissioners have done for its citizens recently?  The Board will decide whether to give four no-bid contracts for Waste Management on Wednesday.  Those no-bid contracts will have a 25% increase for the residents while other providers want to compete and say they can do it better and cheaper.  Likewise, the Mayor proposes to cut off ("end once and for all") all discussion of private/public partnership or options for cheaper and faster completion dates for all those who are slated to connect to the Cudjoe Regional Treatment Facility.  If approved, this item will certainly hit hard everyone's pocketbook for a very long time.  Instead of stopping the discussion, why doesn't the Commissioners get busy and come up with some plan and answers for those still waiting for sewer compliance?

[Sewers] I have never written into this (or any) blog, but I do enjoy reading it. I do not enjoy reading about what sewers will cost us and how the Mayor wants to limit our options. We worry about what it will cost us and whether we can afford it.  My husband works in construction and has told me over and over that Shark Key was sewered as political payback with no questions asked. If that is true then anyone involved should be fired or worse! Does anyone know who oversees all of this and who could investigate how this happened and whether it was legal or not?  

[County Hiring] Watch today’s BOCC meeting on Comcast channel 76.  Bring aspirin and all other available sedatives. It's going to be a barn raiser.

Bulk items are passed automatically, without any discussion. Here’s the worst of them:

Reduce rental rate charged to state Of Florida Juvenile Justice office space. The state told the county rent too high, could not afford it.  County loses ($43,379.50) per year.  Somebody better tell Tina Bowen in county budget dept to take that expected income out of her 10/11 budget plans.  And, uh oh, us taxpayers can expect to make up that lost income in our ad valorum rate.  See, it’s still our money, whether state pays the bill, or county, it’s still money coming out of our pockets.

Currie Architects Engineers (C27) – Key Largo Gov Center $78,647.33 extra fee as percentage of final construction costs  (total cost $10,873,859.23)

Currie Architects Engineers (C29) - Key Largo Gov Center $55,975.50 contractual fee because of project delays because owner (County) failed to get permits on time, and weather delays.  (Who at the county decided ok to sign contract saying county pays for weather delays. Thank Dave Kopel. Who knows, maybe he gets some.) 

Currie Architects Engineers - Key Largo Gov Center increase fee by 9%  (money info not provided by County staff on agenda) because final cost now known and over $10,000,000. (Interesting, Bulk item C27 pays Currie more because project went over budget, and C29 pays Currie because project went over time. Pretty slick.  Is it just me, did the County get hosed again?)

County is giving up cash income to outsource handling insurance claims, because nobody in house knows how.   Technical difficulty with agenda item – form says total Cost: N/A, and the Budgeted: YES.  How can something that does not cost anything be budgeted for? Next page, repeats budgeted YES, and gives the budget account code.  Somebody explain this to me, please.

Entering into grant to repay a citizen (private, from the way papers read) to rebuild their house to hurricane standards.  The details are buried way back on page 27.

Moving money around.  (interesting, but you have to know what all the codes mean)  (I wonder if all BOCC knows about all this money moving.)

Write off $40,890.52 Pigeon Key Foundation owes Monroe County for County generators that got damaged while PK was using them.  Technical difficulty – on agenda form, Total Cost $40,890.52  Budgeted: NO  Source of Funds: ???  (Left blank by County staff)  But that’s easy – it’s our taxes.  Somebody better tell Tina Bowen (Budget Dept) to include write off deduction in 10/11 budget details.  (Also, Bulk C22 – renews PK Ferry grant – FDOT grant money– which is still our taxes - $141,985.98 extends contract from 6/09 to 12/31/09 – 6 stinking months – 180 days. That’s $788.50 per day for a boat to take a few people to PK.  No wonder the state is broke.

County and FDOT “partnership” for $417,000. (FDOT pays 87/5 % and County pays 12.5% - but it’s  all our tax money) to pay for a consultant and a study – sounds harmless – until you get to Exhibit A (the version with April 10,2009 in lower left corner) 2. Activities … level of traffic service, include US1 travel time for “.. the concurrency management purposes pursuant to the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan.  Bang, there it is. Read: evacuation times and more development. 

Another traffic study, with a different company – same type of percentage split – just increasing by $51,000.  But again, it’s all from our pockets.

And here comes the winner of the worst of the Bulks. It’s the height of staff’s arrogance: Hire a new staff person $ 58,349.53  Technical Difficulty (first)  Budgeted: NO,   Cost to County: N/A  (how is it possible to hire and not have a cost to the County?),  Source of Funds ?? (Left blank by staff) but again, we all know, it’s on us.  Now, the job description has not yet been written. No job duties specified, so how can the salary be determined? (I’m wondering if there any job applicants already lined up, like maybe this is all for show, just to get an already chosen one on the payroll)  As to why at all, and why now – because some (exact  number unknown) citizens allegedly complained about permits taking too long.  So let’s not work from within, let’s hire – spend more taxpayer money – to satisfy what some people who want permits (like developers) want.  Another thing, if the county response to complaints is to hire, when’s the next County complaint session? I want to go just to see what job they will propose next.

Iguana be gonna. Take the survey please. Iguana Feeding habits

[Caya Place Townhouses and SkeeterS marine]  There seems to be a misunderstanding about SkeeterS marine closing because of the Caya Place Townhouse project. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The Caya Place project is only phase one of the complete redevelopment of the SkeeterS property on Big Pine. It has been and will remain the goal of 30 year business owner, Richard Beal, to redevelop the entire US1, 2.6 acres into a Vocational Marine Training Center along with the residential housing Caya Place. It has taken almost three years to receive county approval for only 16 of the housing units.

Now begins the long process for the rest of the property. Beal's Vocational school will teach students real time marine repair by using a skilled technician and a student to complete the repair of all the existing customers’ boats and engines. After completing Beal's course (s) students will be able to find a job in the marine trade and actually make money for their new employer.

Beal asks the community to please understand his plans and goals by being supportive and viewing the project’s objectives as a very positive advancement for Big Pine and the Keys. www.cayaplace.com

I have to apologize for my posting of the International Space station being a big waste of money. As this article shows, there is important stuff being done up there. Japanese astronaut uses adhesive tape to test 'flying carpet'

[Insurance premiums] You are paying the insurance companies to fight against national health care. The Medical industry spends more on lobbyist than any one else. That’s a lot of money wasted, trying to prevent us from getting better and cheaper health care. We are the most expensive in the world. Insurance executives get fantastic bonuses by refusing medical claims to you and I.

[We're from New Jersey, but I swear to you I only weigh 100 lbs soaking wet and I have all my teeth and don’t stink of perfume]  Great. Good luck in your business (Williams
Pest Control). Keep that sense of humor, it will serve you well.  If you have the good sense to advertise here that already tells people good things about you.

[Putney's Bad] To the person making the odes about the Putneys. I love them!  Keep them coming.  You are having fun with a very ugly problem that has plagued the Keys for a very long time.  It is also nice to see that not everyone is deluded by the false "nature lover" attitude that has divided these islands for some time.  I hope you succeed.

[Putney's Bad] A lot has been said about the Putneys over the last few weeks.  A few support them, claiming they’re a fine pair of eco-minded people who have made progress towards protecting No Name Key and some of the neighboring Keys.  Many others have attempted to expose the Putney’s for what they really are, and that quite frankly, is the worst of the worst. 

They have dictated the outcome of several environmental decisions, by any means necessary, to directly benefit them and them only.  The so-called protection of the environment is only a minor outcome of their misdeeds, not the goal.  Since the actual monetary cost of things is the only real issue anyone ever really cares about, let’s talk about the 800 pound gorilla in the room. 

The Galleon Bay settlement will cost Monroe County millions.  Millions of dollars, for one basic reason and on reason only:  So Mick and Alicia will not have neighbors.  This issue is not about development, or protecting sensitive lands or species, it’s all just a rouse, a pretext to prevent Mick and Alicia from having neighbors.  Galleon Bay is on legally dredged, scarified property, all of which is secondary growth, hardly “sensitive lands”.  Additionally, the proposed development was for 11 homes.  That’s it ladies and gentlemen, just 11 more homes on an island that only has 44 to begin with.  You!  Yes, you there, sitting at your computer, will help pay for this settlement.  As Monroe County taxpayers, you will bear the burden of keeping Mick and Alicia neighbor-free.   Our county is suffering financially, and millions of dollars will be spent to protect one house! The house of Mick and Alicia Putney.  Support them if you want, after all it’s your first amendment right, but I for one do not relish the idea of getting a second job just so Mick and Alicia won’t have neighbors.  

[New Local TV Show Comcast Channel 79] I'd like to see this show along with Conch Color broadcast (no accounting for taste, is there?) but will Channel 79 be available on the Keys or only in Key West/Stock Island area (without paying extra for the HD package, that is)?

[Bigots] Aww, the poor little guy read something that makes him sad so now he tells Deer Ed to ban or otherwise censor all similar posts. How about this idea: You go play on the Disney.com site and let the adults talk amongst themselves here on BPK.com. Go be sad someplace else.

Life doesn't give us chances. Life is our chance to give!  ~ Ziggy

[No signs allowed on the roadside, permit for merchandise displayed outside their own store] For once I agree Code Enforcement because it keeps the trash off the streets. We live in a very expensive area, realize this and the Keys will become the beautiful paradise it was once before the huckster trash and low renters moved in!

What’s an Upper Keys BPW? I see notices for their meetings on here.

[Ethanol] I spoke with Junior at True Value yesterday and he now has 90 octane without ethanol. You can use this for boat gas or whatever. So he now only has two grades of gasoline, 87 octane with ethanol and 90 octane without ethanol. He hopes that they will be able do this on a long term basis, but he says we are at the mercy of the oil companies and the useless idiots in Tallahassee.

[Florida's Sunshine Law] Networking services such as Facebook and Twitter have made it very easy to stay in touch and just as easy for public officials to unwittingly trigger the state's open records law. In an advisory ruling based on the clear intent of Florida's Sunshine Law, Attorney General Bill McCollum has warned the City of Coral Springs that if it creates a Facebook page, it must operate the site in a way that keeps all records accessible and all virtual meetings open to the public. The implications are important for both elected officials and those communicating with constituents on these semiprivate sites.

I wonder if the Monroe County Commissioners and other local politicians have been properly warned.  General Bill McCollum has opined that texting on your Blackberry creates a public record and his office is working on how to get the law updated to the current technology.  Makes one wonder if the politicians are using their Blackberrys to circumvent the public record law?

$2.7 million dollars is going to Monroe County schools from the president’s stimulus plan. This money will be used to hire employees who in turn will spend their money locally and have jobs that are not there right now. Man, I bet the republicans are fuming. Nothing makes Republicans madder then creating jobs for Americans. They like American corporations to send their jobs offshore to tax shelters. There’s some upset Conservatives this morning. Thank heavens Mrs. Acevado doesn’t have access to any of it.

[Stop Shark Finning and Shark Fishing In The Keys]  We saw a Bullshark at the reef with a big hook in its mouth.  Can't you people do something besides kill, maim, drink booze and talk trash? http://www.lesleyrochat.com/

[Stimulus Package] To my way of thinking, those are good legitimate hard questions. The financial situation our country and the whole world, for that matter, is in is an absolute puzzlement to me. How long will humans accept printing press money? I mean I really don't know. My god, our National debt is over $11 trillion and with Medicare and S.S. we are on the hook for about 60 trillion more. It may just as well be 71 trillion squared. The way I see it, we either repudiate the debt or reevaluate the currency, which in one sense is the same thing. It surely boggles this pilgrim’s mind. I wish someone could help straighten me out in my thinking, or will we continue forever accepting paper I.O.U.s?

[More harassment for Fishcutters] The two signs on the roof have been there for a long time, even before the previous owners had the place, now code enforcement is telling them that both signs are illegal and need to come down.

[Fishcutters’ Harassment] I heard that the new owners of the old Fishcutters Restaurant are the people that sold the Hickory House to the County.  I guess the County is just paying them back for the County’s bad judgment.   I heard that from one of the former owners of Fishcutters.  

[Idiot] I saw a guy just past the light on a motorcycle with no helmet—texting!

[Auto Design, I Think] In the past several years, the auto industry has redesigned vehicles into two categories, the Penis Extension and The Nerd Mobiles.  Take a close look and you can see where this is going. They are making sissies out of all of us. Why? To castrate not only our manhood, but our minds into drooling sheep by taking away our individualism and privacy.  Now they want to force recycling of older cars under the guise that those cars are inefficient gas guzzlers.

[Obama’s birth certificate] You republicans must be as dumb as a box of rocks. If you keep up with this stupid rant you'll never get Arnold elected to the presidency.

[Obama] I was thinking about all the flap regarding President O. I did not vote for our president. He is our president and I support him and must remind myself that he is only doing what he said he would do. That put him in office and he is keeping his word. Like it or not, he won. My party the “Rightys” did not do a very good job.

[Buying Big Sugar's Land] The St. Petersburg Times thinks it is a "good deal" to spend $536 million of taxpayer money to purchase perfectly good, revenue-producing, arable farm land and turn it back into swamp? This at a time when we are subject to budget cuts for our schools, fire and police protection and reductions in other necessary programs that our governments are obligated to provide to us.

I have a better idea and it won't cost a single cent of tax money. Let the environmental groups that have clamored for this "good deal" buy the land with their money. Surely, they must have at least 1 million members who are willing to donate $536 per member for what they deem to be a vital purpose. Let them put their money where their collective mouths are for once, instead of forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for their causes when we can least realistically afford to. If they want to save the land, then they should do it.

[Sewers]  As a homeowner for many years here, I am in support of the 1 cent tax.  It is too little too late, but we need to resolve the sewer issue.  If the Feds don’t want to give us the money then make them put up a toll road on the 18 mile stretch.  That would solve a lot of problems down here, crime, litter on the bridges and in our waters.  I will be voting against the Mayor due to his lack of yelling to get our attention on the sewer issue.  If he really was concerned about the Keys we should have heard him saying so over 10 years ago.   We could have had the sewers paid for had they taxed us a small nominal fee 20 years ago when we were first mandated to comply 9and had money).   “No pain no brain” that’s my motto for the Keys.

[Sewers] Upon Marathon’s Incorporation and within their charter a created sovereignty excluded them from the ILA with the FKAA.

Presently, for the county, the existing ILA only allows the FKAA the privilege to go out for RFQ. My L2 item also has with it a presentation, once again, by an outside source and for someone to make a compelling reason to go out for RFQ. The FKAA has met with representatives of these “outside corporations” of which the poster speaks, upon the County Administrator’s request, and THEY, the outside corporations, admitted it was doubtful they could do it for less! FKAA provides through a combination of vacuum and gravity the best system available and is presently working on alternative systems and extension of debt repayment. However, subsidy funding from the feds, state and other agencies is necessary here just as it is in Key Largo, Marathon and other areas for affordable hook-ups.

On the Marathon Collection System – the bid came in less because a “lessor” system was asked for and “BID” as opposed to what the FKAA was going to install. Another compelling reason for using the FKAA is that it has in place all of its billing, administrative and public works infrastructure. Marathon will have to create it or contract it out. Already a developer who was supposed to provide land and dollars for one of the 7 collection sites is in default.

And pump stations are not collection systems. Obviously the poster is not an expert either and I readily admit I’m not.

Marathon has a system designed with 7 collection systems as opposed to 1 central collection system in the Key Largo System. And yes, for many reasons the Key Largo System will probably be the least expensive system to operate in the county. Marathon’s proposed collection cost of 77$  per month will, if that is the final number, still be, for me, an unacceptable cost for very low, low, those on fixed incomes and middle income residents.

The density and numeration of commercial operations in Key Largo, Marathon and Islamorada is a big reason why cost per edu(s)(?) are less.

Edu(s) do not equate to hook-ups; if a commercial restaurant has 25 edus and only one hook up it is less expensive per edu to tie into the system.

The lower keys have a lot less commercial hook-ups and residential density than the other 3 areas in question, hence higher edu cost.

The FKAA (and you seem to pass over this) has to date, excluding Ocean Reef, Key Colony Beach, Key West Resort Utilities and Key West, all who have been in existence for decades, has installed and collected more effluent from sewerage to date than Marathon, Key Largo and Islamorada combined: FKAA has completed Layton, Conch Key, Bay Point, Little Venice with Big Coppitt coming on line next month.  And yes, if you’re part of the team I’ll cheerlead big time.  

As for I & I (inflow and infiltration) it is an inherent problem in all systems, vacuum systems to a lesser degree than gravity, due to settling, causing broken pipes. Vacuum systems don’t work at all when the integrity of the system is breeched.  Key West Golf Course and Sombrero Country Club now use, where ever possible a salt water tolerant grass due to this problem and flooding – Pas Pallum(?).  Key West recently had to redo all of its piping within the City at great expense in an attempt to reuse and eliminate I & I – talk about scare misinformation on your part.

The County Administrator can explore, and is expected to do so, for new information and ways to do things cheaper. And he should bring back that compelling information to the Board and the FKAA for discussion and direction. I can assure you that if that information exist, that would save the residents millions, as you suggest. There would be no hesitation to go in that direction. The FKAA is building quality projects that will better serve the residents in the long run. It seemed the recommendation of composting toilets or porta-potties would fit just right as the least expensive way to go for your house. You see cheapest might just not be what you really want. If you want the cheapest  post your address and I’ll see that the FKAA gets right on it.

The FKAA does have a plan. The Master Wastewater Plan, that which you mentioned in your missive and we have been administering it as we move forward. What has happened in the present, the contributions by the State and Feds of the $300M promised, only about 1/3 of the Fed money is forthcoming; the state has been more helpful up to 3 years ago when funding there ceased.

As recently as last week, in extended meetings with the Governor’s Staff, Florida Administration Commission’s Staff, and Cabinet Aides we expressed  not being able to move forward in the remaining areas without monetary assistance. And you really don’t understand at all the $25M that shook loose from the Feds, had to do with how it was set up 10 years ago. It had nothing to do with me. That’ll be about $6.5M for Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada. That’s  a start, however, it’s a long way from what is needed.

EDU(s)FKAA
350 Layton
150 Conch Key
470 Long Key
429 Baypoint
1700 Big Coppitt June
7500 Cudjoe regional
1692 Hawks Cay
375 Duck Key
150 Conch Key
~Neugent-George@monroecounty-fl.gov

[Sewers] As part of his L2 Agenda item for today's BOCC meeting in Key Largo, the Mayor is asking for a "compelling reason" to consider other sewer providers other than the FKAA. Here is one possible compelling reason-- it might save tax payers $100 million!

Why not have other firms including Intergra and Veoila? Firms other sewer districts in the Keys work with and bid for the Cudjoe system head to head with FKAA? They could start the process at the very next BOCC, or call a special meeting over this important topic. Ask each firm to list their qualifications to build a waste water system that is estimated by FKAA's figures to cost upwards of $ 200 Million. While they are at it, ask FKAA what type of track record it has in building, say, even a $ 10 million waste water project. Since they have none, how they are going to ramp up to $50 million to $200 million of work. Who will pay for their learning curve and additional infrastructure?

Ask all the firms how much funding they will bring to the table for the project. My bet is that everyone but FKAA will offer to fund the system; and in doing so we won't have to cry for money, won't have to increase taxes and can get the system built for a realistic, fair, price.

The money that these companies will provide and the reduction in costs over FKAA's inflated figures is why private firms must be allowed to bid for the sewer project in the Lower Keys. 

Having the money, saving money on the work, lowering connection costs for homeowners and avoiding more taxes should be compelling enough reasons for the Mayor and BOCC not to support L2.     

[Venture Out Sewer Hook Up Plan] It makes sense to me that a mobile home/trailer park would have only one hook up fee versus 500 or however many number of lots it possesses. The homeowners association is going to have to pay for design, engineering and construction to bring outflow to the single hook up. That's going to cost them. Besides, if you're paying for volume of sewage, what difference does it make if it's one hook up or several? But maybe we should ask Commissioner Wigington who lives at Harbor Shores on Stock Island about what they did. Whatever is good enough for Harbor Shores is good enough for me.

[Opinions] I think if you listed all emails of the people involved in the Cheap Housing scam, the Sewer Over Pricing scam, the Short Term Rental scam, the Route One Beautification scam, the Four Lane Route One scam, The Junk Asphalt Repaving scam, the Stupid Park Bench scam, the Red Lights in From of All Stores scam and any other plot to degrade and redevelop the Keys into the New Boca, we could write them with our opinions!

[7 Mile Tree] Not too many years ago the tree on the 7 Mile Bridge was lit. A guy told me they took their boat out and stopped under the tree and threw a rope with a hook up and clamped onto the bridge, then one of them climbed up the rope with the lights. How about a sky hook?

[Lighting the 7 Mile Tree] It was done years ago, but no one knows who did it or how. I drove by several times and saw it lit. I think it's a great idea, if you can figure out the logistics.

[7 Mile Tree] I remember a few years back someone did put Christmas lights on it, they were battery operated.

[Tree on the 7 Mile Bridge] You were beaten to the Christmas light gag, I don't know who did it, but several years ago the tree was lit up. Also a couple of days ago someone said something about the tree being there in 1978. I doubt it because we were still driving on the bridge then.

[Solar Christmas lights on the 7 Mile Tree]  Excellent idea!  If I had a suggestion on getting up there I'd sure help with that one.

[7 Mile Tree] Several years ago, there were lights on the tree on the old 7 Mile Bridge.  We saw them all the time. The story we heard was that a solar panel and batteries were used to light the tree at Christmas time. They were carefully taken up there by a very energetic veteran.

The Nature Conservancy takes care of the 7 Mile Tree.

[7 mile tree] Years ago someone would put up lights near that tree powered by solar. I believe it was in the form of a star.   I miss that sight every year.  Hope you figure out a way to do it again.

[From the Right] A couple of days ago a poster had his shorts all in a bunch about words. Words like Obamedicine, Obamaphile, and Baracked. The words are just short hand, quicker to say and write than the original. For example: It’s quicker to type “Obamedicine”  than “Socialized medicine that will cost more than our current system and will ruin our health care”.  “Obamaphile” is absolutely more succinct than “Doofus who has been suckered by a propaganda machine to believe that a populist socialist rock star should be the leader of the world’s most successful experiment in a Democratic Republic”  It’s clear that saying “we’ve been barracked” is quicker and easier than “that lying SOB, B.O. Plenty, has screwed you, me, and the entire American public again, and he’s just getting started”.  

(Part  II) You may think that all of this crap about socialized medicine is dull as hell, but its going to bite you so bad that you’re going to bleed. If you think that we need socialized medicine, and if you believe it’s a good deal that will give you free care, you’re just plain nuts. First off, they claim that around 40 million of us don’t have health care. That’s pure B.S., most of those don’t have it because they choose to spend their money on something else. Right now nobody can be turned down for care because they have no money. If even 40 million of us don’t have health insurance, that means that 87% of us do have it. Why in the hell should 87% of Americans who work hard and are responsible have to pay for the 13% who don’t? My wife is under 65, she pays $449.26 per month for private health care insurances. I’m on Medicare, it isn’t free.  I still have to pay a total of $324.94 for Medicare plus my secondary insurance.  Now remember that Medicare is tax supported, it’s government run, the government sets the prices. The fees that the government pays the Docs are so bad, that many Docs are reluctant to take Medicare patients.  Medicare is all screwed up; it’s full of waste and corruption. Google Medicare and corruption and you’ll get 1.4 million hits.  And still Medicare is only $114.32 cheaper than private coverage. What the freak happened to FREE? Medicare is $325 more expensive than free. The only reason Medicare is even that cheap is because it uses all the facilities and medicines that are now subsidized by the private fee paying customers. If we get socialized medicine, there is no possible way that your health costs can come down, they’ll have to go up to pay for the loss of the private fees. Think of the cost of the new bureaucracy! That sure as hell won’t be free. Every single American will be paying lots more in government fees, taxes, and rationed health services. Taxes on all the citizens of Germany, Canada, France, and Britain are much, much higher than USA taxes. If you make $30K or $300K, your taxes are going to skyrocket, you will suffer.  If you want less expensive health care, demand that the Democrats enact tort reform.

[Annual National Wildlife Refuge Photography Contest] Do you think you are good nature photographer?  Here is your chance to find out. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is conducting its annual Refuge Photography Contest, May 1 – July 15. ATP Oil and Gas is donating $5,000 for a first place cash prize and there are other top prizes being awarded. Winners will also have their winning photo showcased in future NWRA publications.

There are four National Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys – National Key Deer Refuge and Great White Heron NWR in the Lower Keys, Key West NWR off of Key West and Crocodile Lake NWR in North Key Largo. Though Crocodile Lake is mostly closed, there is a small butterfly garden and viewing can be accomplished along SR 905 and Card Sound Road and boaters have a view of the refuge’s shoreline along Lake Surprise. The other three refuges offer abundant locations for photographing.

For more information, photographers are encouraged to visit the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center on Big Pine Key to obtain a contest brochure or Bulletin Board

This is SammySam the DirecTV man. I would like to thank everyone who has given us the chance to provide satellite TV for them. Those who have called us now know that we aren’t kidding when we promise customer service and satisfaction. You also saw that there is no difference between the 800 number DirecTV packages and pricing and us.  On top of that we saved our customers more money than they expected. So when it comes to DirectTV, call Florida Keys Satellite your local DirecTV provider, or you'll be sorry!

[Exercise for People Over 50]  Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.  With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags.  Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute (I'm at this level).  After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.

[Problem with the Jews] Well sir, I’ve got to tell you it seems to me that one would be pretty hard pressed to find an ethnic group that size that has accomplished what the Jewish people have during there stay on planet earth.  Give credit where credit is due and stop your blind hate.

[Jews] Try not to let the grubby New York Jews sour you on the rest of the good Jews of the world. 

[Big Bigot] Impressive list of accomplishments by Jews, yes, but all done with American money.  Where would Israel be without America as its ally? It would be blown off the map. The truth is that the whole world hates Isreal.  Not to mention Israel is the cause of all our wars. I've added a little list of my own.

Benefits to Israel of U.S. Aid Since 1949 As of November 1, 1997
Foreign Aid Grants and Loans $74,157,600,000
Other U.S. Aid (12.2% of Foreign Aid) $9,047,227,200
Interest to Israel from Advanced Payments $1,650,000,000
Grand Total $84,854,827,200
Total Benefits per Israeli $14,630

Cost to U.S. Taxpayers of U.S. Aid to Israel
Grand Total $84,854,827,200
Interest Costs Borne by U.S. $49,936,680,000
Total Cost to U.S. Taxpayers $134,791,507,200
Total Taxpayer Cost per Israeli $23,240

It seems the Jews are the new topic of the week.  You posters are always crying about something.  First the blacks; then the illegals are the hot topic and now the Jews.  Do we have any illegal black Jews?  Wow, what a combo.

[Jews and Prejudice] After viewing it on Google video a thoughtful response to actor Marlon Brando’s comment on the late-night television talk show Larry King Live, some years ago that “We’ve seen the slit-eyed dangerous Jap, we have seen the wily Filipino...”

The narrator realizes he has never seen a wily Filipino and drives through Filipino neighborhoods, only to find that everything looks straightforward: the dry cleaner’s, the auto-repair shop seem innocuous, but probably hide a true guile. He asks a Filipino colleague what she would do if she saw a traffic accident and someone was wandering around looking dazed. “I would stop and help, I suppose,” she says. “Why?” the narrator asks, “To get something?”

He rents the movies The Godfather, 2001, and Gone with the Wind, and, not finding a single depiction of a wily Filipino, theorizes that the movie industry is secretly run by Filipinos—the hidden hand behind such films as The Logical Filipino, The Straight-Up Guy from Manila, and the adventure classic Deep in Wily Laos. He makes an appointment with a Filipino acupuncturist recommended by a friend. When he arrives at the office, the acupuncturist’s assistant cleverly slides a sheet of paper toward him and artfully offers him a pen. He listens to the coded dialogue in the office. Chitchat about the weather is really made up of complexly structured sentences in which the first letter of every word combines to spell out his mother’s maiden name. “It says here you want treatment for parvo,” the acupuncturist says, and then points out that parvo is a dog disease. “I’m worried that my dog may have it,” the narrator says. “So you’re here for anxiety. You want me to treat you for worry?” This is another dazzling chess play of words. The acupuncturist puts four needles in the narrator’s ears and three in his scalp. When the needles are removed, the narrator feels a remarkable calm. The tables had been turned. Now the narrator is indebted to the Filipino. Although he had anticipated wiles of some form, he had never suspected that they would be this sophisticated.

When the narrator gets home, Larry King Live is still on TV: “...the luckless Italian, the furtive Chilean, the horny Hawaiian, the pungent Norwegian, the strict Eskimo, the loud-talking Canadian…” The narrator needs to get away and books a ticket on WILY, the official Filipino airline, and flies to Hawaii.

When Jews were not aloud in hotels in Miami they did not protest, they just built a bigger and nicer hotel next door and allowed everyone in.