No Saturday Edition
| Classified Ads Events Business Directory Contact Us Menu |
|
[“Recall Who or What”] There is no procedure for a recall of elected officials in Monroe County. Only charter counties have recall procedures built into their charters, if that procedure was adopted as part of the charter. Monroe is a Constitutional County, drawing its powers from the state and unless the BOCC authorizes a referendum, the state agrees with the authorization and the voters approve of a change to a charter county, with the requisite public scoping sessions and charter writing, there are no recall procedures. Anyone who was here just six or seven years ago learned all about this when the infamous Gang Of Three had a stranglehold on county government. The only way to rid ourselves of a seated commissioner is to convict them of misfeasance/malfeasance or have them step down. The ballot box is the only real solution. |
 |
| [Spell Check] Here are a couple options for all to consider. Let go of Internet Explorer, and take a walk on the wild side by downloading, installing and using Mozilla Firefox. It is an easy transition and Firefox comes with auto spell check whenever you type in an on-line form, unless the designer of the site specifically designates otherwise. If you wish to continue using IE you can also install Google toolbar which I read can do the same thing. I build Websites and have worked as an IT Tech in years past and I cannot personally recommend using Google toolbar. My experience has been that the toolbar can cause several problems. Hope that helps someone. |
 Dear commissioners, I live in Cuthroat Harbor Estates and am scheduled for the LPS instead of the gravity system that most of the residents are getting. I am ashamed to say that after leaving a public meeting at the Sugarloaf school I was in favor of this system and perfectly happy to go along with whatever was presented to us like a good little sheeple. I am embarrassed to say that when asked my opinion by my friends and neighbors I supported the LPS. (continued below in Long Winded Tomes) |
| [Why the Postal Service is losing money] The Post Office is not funded by taxpayers. It is set up to be a break even business which is what it would be if they were not being forced to pay 5 billion dollars (plus penalties and interest) a year to pre-fund health insurance costs 75 years in advance! No other government entity is forced to do this. This situation was put into effect during the G.W. Bush years by congressmen who own franchises such as Mail Boxes, etc. and The UPS Stores. These are the same people pushing to put the Post Office out of business to further fatten their own wallets. They want to have several private companies (which they would own) deliver our mail. Do you want multiple underpaid, un-vetted and possible criminals delivering mail by individual companies coming to your residence or accessing your mail box? Also not everyone can afford a computer and the monthly charges associated with internet access. Wise up, the cost of a stamp for the service provided is the best bargain around. Compare the increase in the price of a stamp over the years to increases in the costs of groceries along with everything else. It is the lowest. |
|
I got a nice holiday letter Friday from Comcast Friday saying they are going to raise their rates because they weren’t making enough money. I feel so bad for them and the wonderful customer (sarcasm) service they offer that I can’t wait to pay more. |
| Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
| People with loud voices really do like mobile phones, don’t they? |
 |
| [Missing Sewer Money] Yes the state authorized up to $200 million for Keys wastewater projects in four installments of $50 million, but only has allocated one of those, the one that kick started the Cudjoe Regional. There is talk that we may get another $50 million next year if we can put the money into shovel-ready projects that create jobs. The funding formula for Cudjoe area is $30 million state money (Islamorada got the other $20 million) about $38 million in user assessments, about $20 million in unused current infrastructure sales tax monies and the rest from the extension of the sales tax. |
 Sugarloaf Volunteer Fire Department will be escorting Santa tonight, Sunday the 22nd, from 6:30 to 8:30. Santa will start in the Bay Point area and then lower Sugarloaf handing out treats for the children. Monday night, upper Sugarloaf and Cudjoe Keys. Keep an eye out for the Fire Trucks and the Christmas music and you will find Santa. |
| I enjoy reading the recap of the words from the Citizen of the Day. Can someone explain exactly how they are chosen? I get the impression it’s from a walk around town stopping someone at random and giving them a quick interview. It seems very very few are native conchs though. (Ed: My recap is copied from the actual Citizen of the Day. I never cared about the person being interviewed or what they did, just what they had to say about why they liked it here.) |
 |
|
Grinder pump rationale: Captain, there are reefs in this area, don’t you think we should slow down and look at the maps? Captain’s reply: You impudent fool, I’m in charge here, full steam ahead. And who the hell is Drabinski? Points to make when contacting representatives. Link |
| Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
|
Your local Radio Shack store next to Winn Dixie has lots of great last minute Christmas gifts. Remote control helicopters and boats, and the newest iPhones. The iPhone 5C is only $49.99 with an ATT or Sprint agreement plan. The Garmin 50 GPS for the car is on sale for only $89.99. Lots of great stocking stuffers too. Shop local and support your neighbors. Open 7 days a week. |
| [Citizen Of The Day Says] Loves the weather, fishing and working. |
 |
| Hopefully Duck Dynasty’s 15 minutes of fame are up. Its getting pretty bad when you see Duck Dynasty cookies, pajamas, tee-shirts, posters and slippers in every aisle of every store. It’s a case of way too much oversell. More isn’t always better. |
|
I would like to say thanks to Jennifer at the office supply store, she is really happy that it is so busy for her. She is not a U.S. postal employee. She owns her business and loves being busy and thanks us for supporting her. Of course we always have to thank Steve Miller for being a part of all of our lives. He is our voice on the radio. He has the liquor store that we all go to. The new chain store seems easy to go to, but we like to spend our dollars with Steve. Local money stays local. Jack at the donut stand in the flea market has been making mini donuts for 30 years here. We like them. I have seen 25 year-olds telling their kids that they liked the donuts since they were small kids themselves and enjoyed sharing them. Merry Christmas and please share your blessings with your favorite store or waitress. If we are looking for Big Pine Citizen of the day, we have so many that it will take more than a week to name them all. |
| [Rockin’ Refuge Rangers at National Key Deer Refuge] The National Key Deer Refuge is pleased to offer some fun, nature oriented events that are designed for families or scout troops. Parents, are you looking for new adventures for your family? The National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR) is initiating a series of free, kid-friendly, nature-oriented programs on Saturday mornings on Big Pine Key. Our Refuge Ranger events are open to all children in grades K-6 who are accompanied by parent. The programs will run from 10 am-12pm and will have an indoor and outdoor (field trip) component. We’ll meet at the NKDR Visitor Center in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza on Big Pine Key. Pre-registration is required for these programs. For details, or to pre-register, contact … Events |
 |
| [Grinder Pumps] A veritable sh**storm. Link |
|
[Stolen credit cards] 40 million cards stolen by hackers of Target stores are available on online underground markets. Debit card users should only have on account what they are willing to lose, never overdraft or link to other more protected accounts which can be drained. Link |
| Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
|
The perfect gift to annoy that Duck Dynasty man in your family. Link There is nothing more gay than Duck Dynasty. It is nothing more than a ploy to sell more cheap stupid crap to dumb people. These guys claim to be cutting edge, half in the water mountain men. When in fact they are the frat boys who make fun of you. Hate fags and date rape intoxicated southern belles at parties. Just like the FSU quarterback. “We don’t support premarital sex unless some Jezebel with her siren song hypnotizes our star quarterback. He is not guilty she is.” |
| [Nasty Cat] Woman kicks snow in cat’s face, cat responds by almost tearing woman’s face off. Here’s one feline that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Now where did I put that Bushmaster? Video |
 |
| Only one person in the lower Keys wants grinder pumps everyone else doesn’t. The only thing that will get the BOCC to listen to the people would be an investigation by the State. Follow the money! |
|
[TP Dreaming] ”Fish on! Were getting stripped! Back it down Captran, BACK IT DOWN!” ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz!!! |
| [To Be or Not to Be] The New Port Richey Animal Control is shutting down and there are 35 dogs and 14 cats who desperately need somewhere to go before the final shut down on Dec. 31. “The County has made it clear that if they restart animal control services for the City, they can not absorb the remaining animals. The City does not want to euthanize, but can not continue to care for the animals for lengths of time once the Unit closes.” Link |
 |
| [FKAA’s latest challenge] They are reporting serious damage to the infrastructure across the Keys due to an overabundance of, what appears to be, failed attempts to make pancakes from eggnog being flushed down the toilets. Next step – they’re petitioning the state legislature for infrastructure funding to address this change in design that is needed (replacing grinder pumps with blenders). |
|
[Cold brewed coffee] How to make good, smooth cold-brewed coffee, which of course can be heated up afterwards for hot coffee. The cold brew method doesn’t release the acids and other ingredients that causes bitterness and dry mouth. No electronic powered coffee maker needed, just a French press and 24 hours, then pour in a ceramic cup and microwave. Any excess over 24 hours should be refrigerated. However if you depend upon the aroma of coffee filling the room, then the cold brew method isn’t for you. One forsakes the aroma heat causes for smoother, less acidic coffee that is gentler on the stomach than hot brewed. I have only one disagreement with the author’s method of using a paper filter that adds extra cost and unwanted cardboard taste. Instead just don’t pour or drink the grainy dregs at the bottom. Enjoy. Link |
|
Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
| [Spies like US] Documents released by Eric Snowden reveal GCHQ and NSA targeted charities, Germans, Israeli PM and EU chief for surveillance. In other words, tapping the communications of friends, allies and other non-threatening types for possible economic advantage purposes. Link |
 |
|
A little about the MARC House. Our Mission: To provide our clients with dignified, compassionate, professional care in a family environment for the duration of their needs. Who We Serve: The Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens is a non-profit agency that serves adult clients within Monroe County who have developmental disabilities that include mental retardation (I.Q. 69 or below), cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and traumatic brain injury sustained prior to age 18. Our Services: MARC provides numerous services for our clients. These services are designed to insure that each client receives training and support that enhances his or her individual abilities to understand daily community routines and learn social, self-care, vocational skills. Other services provide medical and therapeutic supervision and help to increase a client’s ability to develop friendships with non-disabled persons. |
|
|
| I don’t ever recall seeing what the parameters are for a “political zone“, but I would think a zone per se would be described by boundaries and not numbers, so unless I have faulty info you would certainly be admitted into the “Zone”; all you would be required to do would be to get your check book from the shelf and advance a nominal amount to the ol’ CT. It’s real easy and it’s the American way. |
|
Take your choice of an incineration or composting toilet. These systems are legal and used all around the planet, except in the USA because of the profit involved in commercial sewer systems. All ships use similar devices and the ash from any burner potty is dumpable anywhere! |
| [SpellCheck] I just tried right clicking misspelled word and like you said and other choices appeared. |
| Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
|
You know the economy is bad when Santa has to work two jobs. |
| [For Sale] Key West Round of Golf certificates. Does not include cart fee of $33.33 tax included. Will expire in next two months and I won’t use them. Good for nonresident guests. Actual cost on non resident is $97 plus tax. I would like to get $40 each for them. Classified Ads > Miscellaneous |
 |
| [“Why Sewer the Keys”] Because the effluent from septic tanks is leaching to the ocean as is the effluent from anything dumped in the ground anywhere or from poop processing plants and rice paddies and rivers in India and most Keys bars! |
 Dear Commissioners, I live on Big Pine Key and received notice we are going to go on a Grinder Pump instead of the Gravity System. We attended the FKAA meeting but to our surprise, none of you were present, nor were you present at the North region meeting at the Vineyard. It was clear from the crowds reaction that the vast majority did not want to be on grinder pumps and anger escalated because part of Port Pine Heights was switched to gravity while all other areas were not. The Florida Keys are unique in many ways from other locations where Grinder Pumps are used. This must be taken into consideration. (continued below in Long Winded Tomes) |
| [Repair] My wife panicked when I had to send her laptop computer into the shop for a new HD. She wanted to buy another as a spare not realizing all her data and pictures were on the old unit. Hopefully all her ‘stuff’ can be saved to a new HDD, if not it is history, and she will have lost all email addresses, auto-pays, pictures, and important documents. All it took was one day’s use too many on that old box. Back-ups to CD/DVD disc is important, but paper is starting to look good again! |
|
I’ve seen your Facebook updates, you’ll be getting a dictionary for Christmas. |
|
I never tried eggnog pancakes, but for years our favorite Christmas breakfast was eggnog french toast, something I discovered one year trying to figure out what to do with leftover eggnog (also know as lazy woman’s Christmas breakfast). No alcohol required. Good french bread works well, but any bread will do. Just dip bread in eggnog and fry it in a little butter. |
 |
| [“Bill Gates, why a little boy haircut”] Because as head honcho, he doesn’t have to impress anyone. Why did the late Steve Jobs for years fly to Japan for worthless alternative medicine treatments for his cancer when with modern medicine it could have been easily eliminated before it spread throughout his body? By the time he finally wised up it was too late, but he got a few more years with a new liver. |
|
[They’re Here!] At 2:00 Saturday afternoon the traffic was backed up to the BPK motel from the light. Stay off highway if possible. |
| [“Spell check on my PC”] Install the free Firefox web browser from Mozilla and use that with a website based email like Yahoo, or Gmail or even your own ISP email as most can be accessed via the ISP online websites also. This way Firefox is the program your using for spell checking that places a red squiggly line under misspelled words or those not in the dictionary. You then right click on the misspelled word to select the right one or add it the dictionary (like for names and abbreviations). If it can’t figure it out, then you do further research like pasting the misspelled word in Google search to see if it can figure it out or use a online thesaurus for correct words that are similar in meaning to find the one you want. Once one gets used to using Firefox, they can explore the over 6,000 various add-ons, persona’s and themes that makes Firefox the most versatile and powerful browser available. Internet Explorer may be the most used browser because it’s the default installed, but Firefox is the one most people use if they have a choice of browsers. |
| Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
 |
|
The EPA website on sewer treatment systems lists the individual grinder pump as the least desirable of all the choices. Make some noise people, remember it is supposed to be “Government of the People and for the People” Not Government to the people and at the people. www.dumpthepumps.com |
|
[The power of body heat] When a queen bee’s reign is over due to age or illness, the worker bee’s smother her with their bodies, raising her body temperature until she’s dead from hyperthermia. The Mall of America, located in Bloomington, MN, is one of the largest malls in the world. So large and so frequently packed with heat generating visitors despite single digit winters, it has no central heating system. In fact the Mall actually has to run the air conditioner to keep things comfortable. |
|
[“Why sewer the Keys”] I am not saying that we don’t need sewer treatment, I don’t thing that anyone is.What we are saying is put something in that will |
|
I’m too old to be pretending I like most people anymore. Statistically speaking, they won’t be worth bothering with anyway. |
| Traveling for Christmas? Do not buy gas in the lower Keys. I just drove from BPK to Atlanta today. Cheap gas: Marathon Circle K $3.32, Fl City HESS $3.29, in GA: RACEWAY at mile marker 18 on I-75 $3.03! |
 |
| Whatever happens to all of the tons of toys for tots that tons of people are obsessed with collecting every year at Christmas time? Are there really that many poverty stricken kids down here? Hard to believe. I had one or two toys when I was a kid and managed to survive. In fact, I turned out great just ask me! |
|
Eggnog French toast is awesome and easy to make. Just crack an extra egg into it, a little rum in it doesn’t hurt. Then just cook it like regular french toast. |
|
On the first day of Christmas, Mother Nature sent to me |
| Contact Us. Send us your comments and attach any stuff you want published to this email. |
|
[People vs Winter] For all you Piners & Keys Kids who may have forgotten why we are so busy around this time of the year. Merry Christmas Video |
| State and federal wildlife biologists have pretty much given up hope of eradicating some exotic species invading Florida such as the lionfish, tegu lizard, and Burmese python. They create a sanctuary they can’t protect, then they give up! It’s time to dump the academics, research and bullshit studies and send in the hunters. If they have given up controlling that which they were charged with protecting, it’s time for them to give up their tax payer paid paychecks and go get real jobs. Why do we pay these people? Link |
 |
| [The Future is Here] The Navy launched the X-47B from the USS George H.W. Bush on the morning of 14 May 2013 in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the first time that an unmanned drone was catapulted off an aircraft carrier. Amazing to watch. Link |
|
Walmart to install surface-to-air missiles on store rooftops to shoot down Amazon drones. Link |
| That Duck Dynasty nut belongs on Fox, not A&E. |
|
How to Fix the Lottery1. Create lots of numbers to pick from.2. Computerize the system3. Make people buy with cash4. Make people pay as much as possible5. Fix the odds so there are always more numbers than betters6. Stop the Buy one minute before the Draw7. Let the computer Draw the unpicked winning number for your brother-in-law, the priest.8. Let him cash in the Ticket but take the money in a Swiss Bank account!9. Pay off the big guys.10. Live happily ever after! |
 |
 |
|
Part 2) Obama has just announced yet another way to avoid the pain of Obamacare. This latest is a “hardship exemption” from Obamacare’s/Democare’s individual mandate that forced persons to purchase health insurance, to anyone who has had their prior coverage canceled and who “believes” that Obamacare’s offerings “are unaffordable.” Individuals whose health plans were canceled will now automatically qualify for a “hardship exemption” from the mandate. If they can’t or don’t sign up for a new plan, they don’t have to pay the tax. They can also get a special category of ObamaCare insurance designed for people under age 30. As many as six million Americans who purchase health coverage on their own have already seen their plans canceled, because they don’t comply with Obamacare’s newly-imposed regulations. The bungled rollout of the law’s healthcare.gov website has meant that only tens of thousands of Americans have been able to enroll in new coverage under the law. So merry Christmas. Deer friends, if Democare’’s benefit and income redistribution requirements made your old, cheaper, better health plan illegal, you now have the option of going without coverage without the government taking your money as punishment. Think about it, you can claim a hardship exemption because the law itself created a hardship. But you won’t have health insurance. Crazy! This means that by January 1, 2014, fewer people will have health coverage under Obamacare than before. This is only the latest is a sorry string of exemptions and changes in the law by executive fiat. Each of these on the fly exemptions and law changes are piling on proof that the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, aks Democare, is a total and massive failure that, as forecast, is actually delivering great pain to the people it was supposed to help. There is no question but that it is simply a failed product that never should have come to the marketplace. The administration said for months that the individual mandate would not be waived for anyone, even those with canceled policies, and it vowed a veto of any delay legislation coming out of Congress. Nonetheless in keeping with Obama’s rich tradition of uttering falsehoods, he has again changed the rules even though the game is in full operation. Now that the rules have again been changed, some families who have committed to pay thousands of dollars in insurance premiums will feel very personally betrayed by an untrustworthy administration. This exemption is going to strike many Americans as blatantly unfair and arbitrary. It comes in the last seconds of the 11th hour, after millions of people, including those with canceled plans, have already made their choices based on the rules they thought would be in effect. The irony is that the Obama has voluntarily opened another very big escape route out of Democare, and the most likely escapees will be young and healthy Americans who don’t want to pay high premiums for Obamacare’s expensive benefit plans. It has always been crystal clear that the risk pools in the exchanges were going to be unbalanced. with too little enrollment by the young and healthy relative to the old and sick. Without huge enrollment by young and healthy persons the entire systems is certain to crash. The young and healthy must enroll in droves in order to pay for the older and more medically challenged population. It is now evident that there will be tens of millions of uninsured in 2014 because of the employer mandate of Democrat. It is certain that Democrats will come under intense pressure from millions hurt by the employer mandate to exempt them from the individual mandate tax too. Ask yourself why would anyone would pay the uninsured tax in 2014, given what has transpired to date. The entire program should be repealed. Our legislators should take up a true bipartisan effort to actually reduce the cost of the delivery of health care.
Part 3) My personal thanks to those who have sent me e-mails at 1776ftr@gmail.com. I appreciate your comments, and I invite all to voice your opinions, pro or con. |
| Long Winded Tomes |
|
(continued from above …) Another letter to the commissioners (what will it take for them to listen) As you know, all of the keys and their waterways are areas of critical concern and most of Big Pine Key is a Federal Refuge. This is why the sewer plan was put in place to begin with, to treat sewage so that it would stop polluting our fragile islands and leach into waters, degrading our reefs, sea life and water quality. Nobody is disputing this. What we do take issue with is this completely short sighted plan to install hundreds of Grinder Pumps that will likely escalate these environmental problems rather then correct them. Why remove septic tanks then switch to a system that will do just as much damage and cost everyone far more. Gravity is the only long term solution, grinder pumps are a temporary patch with long term implications that will continue to cost everyone money. Grinder pumps have been a miserable failure in other parts of Florida where they backed up onto the land, waterways as well as homes during hurricanes and ultimately had to be replaced with a better system such as gravity or vacuum. We are at a far greater risk of that happening here and impacts will greatly outweigh those of the mainland due to our unique geography. We are on fragile islands at sea level, on rock and surrounded by water. Pipes break and leak and are not detectable on grinder pump systems and when we have another storm surge and the power is out for weeks, raw sewage will float right into the sea, from every direction. This is basically what happens now, with septic tanks. So why I ask you, would you choose to put so many neighborhoods on grinder pumps rather then gravity or even a vacuum system? The maintenance at so many hundreds of individual sites alone will be impractical if not impossible for the small FKAA staff. I can understand using a grinder pump when there is one home miles out from a neighborhood or a driveway several hundred feet long, then yes, it is appropriate, but we are talking about developed neighborhoods which are just like Port Pine Heights, that you chose to put on an inferior system, when we should all be on gravity. Aside from the main and most important Environmental reason, there are far more reasons why these grinder pumps won’t work in the Keys. A great majority of residents are seasonal, grinder pumps fail more frequently when not in use for long periods, what will this cost the tax payers and homeowners? Will our sewer bills keep going up as these pumps constantly fail? Many homes are rented both short and long term, there is no way to control who will flush what. Children flush everything, do we now need childproof bathrooms? Many lock their gates for security reasons while away. How will FKAA get into the many locked gates when the grinder pump alarms start going off and the owners are up north or their electric gate won’t open due to a power outage? We had no power for three weeks during Wilma but we could still flush with a bucket of water, try that with a grinder pump and you will need rubber boots. Fill your bathtub so you have water during a hurricane? Not anymore, drain it and it’s a backup right into your tub and shower! Insurance won’t pay for damages or cleanup. We were told at the meeting FKAA would send out trucks with generators in the event of a long term outage! LOL! This is not possible and you and FKAA know it. There is not enough staff or trucks to come close to addressing so many hundreds of grinder pumps during a power outage, this is pure insanity! *Then there is the issue of having to pay an electrician to put in 220 so I can install county equipment on my property and lose use of 100 sq. foot minimum not counting the trench length, where I can no longer have trees. Who will ultimately pay for maintenance, repairs etc. long term? We were told FKAA would, is that what the folks in Key Largo were told too? Will this all fall on the proud new grinder pump owners in the future after the warranty expires or will it show up on everyone’s sewer bill? The list goes on. You keep telling us grinder pumps are a good system that you fully support, but much evidence to the contrary raises too many questions to be ignored and makes me wonder how you came to that conclusion. Just what is good about them? Money seems to be at the forefront as always, yet there seems to be plenty of it from the recent list of projects and purchases that you all have approved and put ahead of what should be priority number one, a valid gravity sewer system to protect our environment, waters and reefs so tourists will actually still have reason to come. FKAA said they support Gravity in the Keys but need YOU to approve the funding which we have all been paying in taxes for many years. Our money is in your hands and it should be used for the number one priority issue in the Keys, a Gravity Sewer System to insure future land, water and reef quality. This is the whole point of a sewer project! I ask that you please choose Gravity Systems for ALL neighborhoods. It is by far, the best and only choice for the people and our Florida Keys. |
|
(continued from above …) Now that I have had time to hear “the other side” and do a lot of reading I feel we as a community have been sold a bill of goods. If the LPS is so wonderful why did the commission do a 180 on the Cudjoe Gardens area as well as a couple of other areas that were scheduled to have it. Was it because they just happened to find some “extra” money that could be used to “upgrade” these areas to the gravity system or was it for fear of a law suit or possibly was it because of the fact that the information presented by Walter Drabinski was correct and the right thing to do was put them on gravity. Regardless of the reason it is apparent to any 2nd grader that the LPS is an inferior system and is costing these home owners a lot more than it will cost a home owner on the gravity system. Those that are making the decisions and trying to sell everyone on this matter are either very short term thinkers or are doing so to line their own pockets. One day while Gianetti was working on the gravity portion of Spanish Main Dr. I spoke with the FKAA person on site and questioned him on the timeline for the LPS in our area. He stated that within a day or two they would be leaving the area and moving on to other gravity areas and the LPS lines would be the last to go in the ground. This was around the same time Walter Drabinski’s group was pushing hard for gravity. Within two days they had finished the gravity portion and to my surprise they were starting the LPS lines. I spoke with a friend that works for Gianetti and was told that the FKAA told them to get as much LPS lines in the ground ASAP. I am pretty certain this will be denied by everyone up the chain but I also know what I see on the streets. There is only one reason they would do that and that is so they would have more leverage to keep what is there rather than remove it and do it right. Sewering the Keys is the single most important issue that you have had to deal with in a number of years and you are going to shortchange your cconstituents by cheaping out and making some homeowners pay more on the LPS than those on gravity, give them an inferior system, make them give up some of their property and not to mention the environmental impact of the system. Your emergency plan of driving generator trucks around to run the pumps on our properties is laughable. I am certain I don’t have the education that you all probably do but I believe I have a lot more common sense and that is not an emergency plan. I have heard things from the commission such as “enough is enough we need to move on” and “once the train has started rolling everyone is going to want to get on board” so we need to end this now. Is this really what you want to do. Settle for something just because you are tired of dealing with it. I truly believe that everyone of you know the right thing to do is put in the gravity system for everyone not only because it would be more equitable but also because it is the better system for the environment. I know it is hard to change your minds once you are set on something but for the good of all I implore you to swallow your pride, admit an injustice is occurring and do something about it. |
I enjoyed the post from someone wishing Dr.Grider a Merry Christmas. Maybe this week it would be good for all of us to post a little line about someone who works here that is special to them. My first comment is not just for Dr Grider, its Chelsea that we all watched grow up for the last 20 years. She does a great job working for dad.
I wish the lady who is contemplating a run for the County Commission well, but she really should rethink her condemnation of the 30 day vacation rental ordinance. For many people the thought of returning to the bad old days of weekend renters is a nightmare. They remember the “weekenders” noisy and raucous arrivals in the middle of the night. They remember blasting late night partying, weekenders boat trailers blocking residential streets, bloated fish carcasses in our canals. and garbage and litter from the weekenders in the streets. They remember a dozen or so people jammed into a small “Jack’s shack”, roughing it for a weekend. The people who are weekend renters typically are here “on the cheap”. More likely than not they eat their meals in the rented houses. Their meals are made from groceries bought on the mainland. We all have seen them hauling down chest freezers in their boats. Our gas is expensive down here so they routinely fill their boats on the mainland and many bring jerry cans of fuel. These people do not give to our community, they only take. The bad old days of weekend renters should remain only an unpleasant memory.