FSNA - December Event Notices

Commissioner Jimmy Weekley Announces Traffic Carrying Capacity Workshop
Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30pm
at the Ferry Terminal Meeting Room on the Key West Bight

There will be a presentation and discussion regarding the City's Traffic Carrying Capacity Study.
Everyone is invited to attend and learn of the status of this important effort.

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December Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association Scheduled

At the home of John Padget and Jacob Deckker, 611 Frances St
Tuesday, December 27th at 5:30pm

Please join us following the Christmas Holidays for our last meeting of the year! We will send our agenda as a meeting reminder later this month.

Help Needed: We need folks to host our 2012 meetings starting in January. Can you provide us with a venue for the meeting? If you are interested in helping the Neighborhood Association by doing this please contact
Jan Oostdijk-Rutgers for more information and available dates.

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Frances Street Neighborhood Association
Meeting Notes - November 15, 2001

A big Thank You to Jay Scott and The Studios of Key West for hosting our November Meeting. And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting.

Before the meeting started, and while there was still light, Jay Scott offered everyone a tour of the newly renovated Residences on Ashe Street to see the progress that has been made. These residences will be used for visiting artists to spend a month in Key West immersing themselves in the community and sharing their talents with us.

Our first speaker was Kim Gable, Extension Agent and University of Florida Horticulturist who spoke to us about the rugose spiraling Whitefly infestation in Key West. Kim explained that this infestation is not limited to the Gumbo Limbo tree, but has infested fruit trees, palms and other ornamental plants and shrubs. However, as annoying as it is, thus far, it has not caused severe plant damage or plant death.

For small plants it is best to wash the plants with a strong stream of water, followed with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil once a week for 3-4 weeks. For larger plants and trees one should again wash the leaves with a strong stream of water. If you decide to use a systemic insecticide, this can be applied as a drench, as a granule or as a tablet. They may take several weeks to be effective but are long lasting (9-12 months). However if used on fruit trees remember you have put a poison into your tree and you cannot safely eat the fruit.

Kim indicated there has been signs of the appearance of natural predators starting to play a part in controlling this infestation and nature may eventually strike a balance in the control of the infestation. Please visit the Monroe County Extension Service website for more information http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu

The second speaker was Phil Schaeffer, who gave a brief update on the upcoming kick-off meeting of the "Historic Key West Cemetery Friends Committee". Phil said that a small group has been meeting with the Sexton to overcome the controversy that arose over the closing of the Frances Street gate. This group is forming the Historic Key West Cemetery Committee whose volunteer members will engage in the enhancement of the Cemetery by Monitoring and Education Programs. Volunteers will be trained as general guides to inform cemetery visitors on the history of the cemetery and its natural environment. The program will focus on the hours when the Sexton is not on duty to provide a visual presence to deter unlawful or negative activities from occurring (weekend days and evening between 5-7 pm). Those who are interested can take it a step further and be trained as docent guides, or help in restoration projects. The first meeting will be Monday, November 21st at the Harrison Gallery at 825 White Street at 530 pm.

Our last speaker was Jay Scott, the Executive Director of The Studios of Key West. Jay told us about all the different opportunities one could take advantage of at The Studios of Key West from classes to concerts to exhibitions. The Studios of Key West is celebrating their Fifth Anniversary in 2012 with a Gala Soiree on February 18th and a Birthday Bash on March 3. For more information on all of these activities please visit their website at www.tskw.org

The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by John Padget and Jacob Dekker, 611 Frances Street, on Tuesday, December 27 at 5:30 pm.

Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com

First Meeting of the Friends of the Key West Cemetery Meeting Scheduled

Monday, November 21st at 5:30pm

Historic Key West Cemetery Friends Committee

A Committee of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation
Dr. Diane Silvia, Executive Director

Please consider joining us at our first organizing meeting on Monday, November 21st at the Harrison Gallery at 825 White St at 5:30pm.


We would really appreciate an RSVP message. Just acknowledge if you will be at the meeting by sending a quick email to KeyWestCemeteryFriends@gmail.com. If you can't make the meeting but still wish to participate at some level let us know that too!

The purpose of this meeting is to establish our group and its volunteer members as a working committee that will be engaged with enhancing the Historic Key West Cemetery by becoming involved in one or more of the following efforts:

Participate in the Cemetery Monitoring and Education Program

• Volunteers will be trained as general guides to enlighten and inform cemetery visitors on the history of the cemetery and its natural environment. This program will generally focus its efforts on the hours when the Sexton is not on duty to assist in providing a visible presence to deter unlawful or negative activities from occurring in the cemetery. This would be both weekend days and all evenings from 5:00 -7:00pm, although volunteers may also work at other times as well if they wish. An online calendar will be available for scheduling purposes. Members of the Cemetery Friends Committee will wear clearly marked items identifying them as a cemetery "VOLUNTEER" to cemetery visitors for both security and safety reasons.

• Volunteers who wish to can also be trained as a Docent Guide by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation staff to assist them in accommodating school class and other group tour visits.

Participate in the Cemetery Maintenance and Beautification Program

• Volunteers can engage in light clean-up while on duty as a Monitor or at any time on their own. This effort will be directed at collecting bottles, cans, paper debris, etc. New Volunteers will be provided with specific instructions and guidance on the “DOs and DON’Ts” of this activity.

• Volunteers can participate in Team Cleanup Projects. These would be 3 hour cleanup sessions of limited areas of the cemetery, determined by the Sexton, that could really use our attention and help. The first of these Team Cleanup Projects will be on Saturday morning December 3rd from 8:00am to 11:00am. You can volunteer for as much or as little time as you wish during this cleanup session.

• Under the direction of Dr. Silvia, volunteers can also participate in tombstone and monument cleaning and restoration. Training and materials will be provided and the schedule for this activity will be flexible.


This is just the beginning of what we envision for the future of this committee as we look into beautification of cemetery grounds stressing the incorporation of native plants along with other traditionally important Key West flora. We also hope to initiate fundraising activities and events to raise money for restoring damaged stones and markers in accordance with the preservation plans of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation.

Again, please consider joining us at our first organizing meeting on Monday, November 21st at the Harrison Gallery at 825 White St at 5:30pm. We would really appreciate an RSVP message.

Just acknowledge if you will be at the meeting by sending a quick email to

KeyWestCemeteryFriends@gmail.com. If you can't make the meeting but still wish to participate at some level let us know that too by send an email to us.

Historic Florida Keys Foundation
Old City Hall 510 Greene Street Key West FL 33040
305-292-6718 www.historicfloridakeys.org

WELCOME BACK!

The first meeting of the season for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by Jay Scott at The Studios of Key West on Tuesday, November 15th, at 5:30pm. We will meet outside in the Mango Treehouse Garden, off of Southard St at the back of the Armory building. Enjoy this beautiful setting with a glass of wine, available with an opportunity to make a donation to the Studios!

Our agenda will start with Extension Agent and University of Florida horticulturist, Kim Gable, who will talk to us about the very annoying infestation of the rugose spiraling whitefly. Then Phil Schaeffer will update us briefly on the coming kick-off of the "Historic Key West Cemetery Friends Committee".

Following their presentations we will hear from Executive Director - Jay Scott, on all that is new at the Studios! He will bring us up-to-date on their coming programs and special events, as well as provide us with a sneak preview of the work that is being done on the two houses on Ashe Street. At the end of the meeting folks who are interested can go on a "field trip" with Jay to visit these properties to see first-hand how this renovation is progressing.

ACCOMPLISHED RESIDENT DIES OF CANCER

A sad message to deliver about our good friend and neighbor . . . . .

BY GWEN FILOSA
October 7, 2011
http://keysnews.com/

Nils Lilienberg Muench, a scientist with a doctorate in physics who for 30 years supervised technical research for General Motors after serving as a naval officer, a chief scientist for the Army, and a defense analyst under the John F. Kennedy administration, died Thursday in Key West. He was 83.

The cause was cancer, his son said. "We believe in living long but not dying long," said Karl Muench, a Houston resident who was in Key West Thursday. "This is a celebration of a life well-lived rather than a mourning. What's to be sad about? He was in charge of everything his entire life. He was a handsome guy, a good athlete, had a sense of humor and was smart as hell."

After calling suburban Detroit home for almost 30 years, Muench permanently moved to Key West in 2005, into the Old Town house he had bought in 1993.

In the Keys, he continued his embrace of adventure through sailing and diving, and his commitment to leadership as a member of the Key West Historical Architectural Review Commission (HARC), to which he was appointed by the mayor in June 2006.

"He was an incredible man with great integrity and passion for historical preservation," said Rudy Molinet, a Realtor and HARC chairman. "He was the conscience of the board. I just watched him and he taught me the importance of being fair and treating people kindly. He was a very kind man. He had a lot of passion in a quiet way."

Nils Muench beat back cancer twice in the past 17 years, having undergone experimental treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C., along with chemotherapy and radiation treatment. A week ago, Muench traveled to Houston to meet with doctors, who gave him the sole option of more chemotherapy, his son said. He declined and returned home to enter hospice. "He said, 'Nope. I'm going to go out with my boots and spurs on,' " his son said.

Inside Muench's Margaret Street home Thursday, the modest and clean-cut decor included several photographs of himself in action on a sailboat. In one shot, Muench is part of a crew on The Slingshot, trying to break 40 knots per hour, his son said.

He was born on Feb. 27, 1928, in Houston, to two artists who struggled through the Depression. In high school, he entered the Navy ROTC and was already showing signs of an innovator in the making.

"He built his first sailboat when he was a kid and dragged it down to the pond in Houston," his son said. "He built his own car. He figured out how to make it run on kerosene. He had two tanks, starting it with gas. He was 14." He received his bachelor's degree in physics in 1949, a master's in physics in 1950, and his doctorate in physics in 1955, all from Rice University. After serving in the Navy as an officer, he received a law degree from the South Texas College of Law. He never practiced law, but became certified to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, his son said. "He was a very competitive person," Karl Muench said.

Photo courtesy of Karl Muench
Nils Muench, seen after a sailboat race in Mackinac Island, Mich., in the 1970s, died last week in Key West.

Muench married Lee Allen in 1950, and the couple had Karl in 1956. His career took the family to Huntsville, Ala., then to Washington, D.C., before they landed in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where he invested 30 years in General Motors. Lee Allen Muench died on April 22, 2008.

In 1999, Rice University honored Muench with its Distinguished Alumni Award, announcing that, "He has devoted himself to a career of service to American industry, government and education, distinguishing himself in both research and management." Muench spent a large part of his career in industry at the General Motors Research Laboratory. GM recruited him in 1963 as head of the physics department, rising to the position of executive director of research for all of physical sciences at General Motors. Before joining General Motors, he was a senior research executive in the production research division of the Humble Oil Co., now Exxon, in Houston.

Later, he took the job of chief scientist at the Army Rocket and Guided Missile Agency in Huntsville, Ala., and then moved to Washington, D.C., to serve as a senior member of staff at the Institute for Defense Analysis. "He was involved in studies that determined our primary strategic defense systems," his son said.

After taking mandatory retirement from GM in 1993, Muench joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he served for two years as director of research of its Leaders for Manufacturing program.

He kept up a whirlwind of service and adventure, from his devotion and skill in sailboat racing to his writing of scientific articles for publications.

In Key West, Muench took up a number of community causes, including saving the Australian pine trees at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. He was a frequent writer of letters to the editor of The Citizen.

Muench enjoyed the city's rambunctious spirit, his son said. During the annual Fantasy Fest celebration, he would invite friends to his house to watch the Masquerade March, a mostly locals' casual parade of costumed characters.

He also is survived by granddaughter Jennifer Muench of Houston and companion, Wendy Coles, executive director of the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League. He will be cremated and buried at sea, his family said. A private service will be held.

gfilosa@keysnews.com

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Obituary

DR. NILS LILIENBERG MUENCH

Dr. Nils Lilienberg Muench, Ph.D., 83, died 2011-10-6. Nils lived life to the fullest, contributing much to our nation and world. Nils earned his master's and doctorate in physics at Rice University, receiving the award for best thesis on both. Nils also earned a law degree and was certified to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

He served as a naval officer and as chief scientist of the Army Rocket & Guided Missile Agency. In private life he was a researcher for Humble Oil (Exxon), part of the defense think tank IDA, and co-leader of MIT's Leadership for Manufacturing program, but Nils spent the majority of his career, more than 30 years, as technical director of GM Research. During that time, Nils pursued his love of sailing, racing three of the most successful boats on the Great Lakes. Nils also raced on other people's boats in the SORC, World's Cup, Maxi Boat Circuit, a world speed record attempt, and was part of a Stars and Stripes America's Cup team. Nils also liked to play tennis and ride his Harley. Nils had loved Key West, Fla., since his submarine days in the Navy, raced sailboats in its waters, and bought his home there in 1993, moving to Key West permanently in 2005, where he was involved in local causes such as saving the Fort Zachary pines. At the time of his death, Nils was a member of the Key West Historical Architectural Review Commission.

Nils lost his wife, Lee, years earlier and is survived by his longtime companion, Wendy Coles, and only son, Karl.

Nils will be cremated and buried in the sea which he so loved. A private celebration for a life well-lived will be held.

FSNA Meeting Notes – May 17, 2011

Notes by Margaret Schaeffer

A big Thank You to Jane and Tom Vetter for hosting our May Meeting and to Nils Muench for providing the wine.

And to Phil Schaeffer for moderating the meeting.

Our first speaker at the May meeting was Jim Young, the Manager of the Key West Code Compliance Department. Jim was invited back to discuss the Sound Control Ordinance as it applies to Leaf Blowers. He once again clarified that domestic power tools can be run every day of the week, 8 am – 7 pm Monday - Friday, and from 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The only way there can be control of Leaf Blowers is to have a City Commissioner get an Ordinance passed. Jim said that Phil Schaeffer had referred him to many cities and towns throughout the United States, including Florida, that have anti-leaf blower ordinances, and this was an option. (Jimmy Weekley did try to do this at the June Commission Meeting, but failed in his attempt).

One of the Meeting attendees mentioned he used an electric blower that was significantly lower in sound decibel levels, and recommended this option over the gas blowers.

The Bicycle Tour that comes through the Southard/Frances Street area was also discussed, as the tour leader brings large groups of bicyclists through the area using the sidewalk, and is rude and insolent when asked to control his tour. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done as he has a tour license, and bicyclists can use the sidewalks when they cannot use the bicycle lanes.

Transient rentals were also discussed and Jim explained that certain homes were grandfathered in for transient rentals. He said he would forward these addresses and here they are below:

New Transient Rentals:
617 Fleming Street – Units #3 and #7
817 White Street
624 Elizabeth Street
1003 United Street – Unit B
1318 Newton Street
1400 Albury Street
310 William Street
619 William Street

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The second speaker was Steve Torrence, Community Affairs Officer for the Key West Police Department. Steve discussed how the Police Department is stretched due to the need to police lower Duval, but they are doing their best to patrol the neighborhoods, by foot, bicycle and horse patrol. Our local Officer was supposed to join us at the Meeting but was out on a Call (it turned out he apprehended the burglary suspect). We did have the Horse Patrolman, Christopher Delsantithere, and we all got to meet him and his horse, CB.

Steve did indicate that Bars like Rick’s and Sloppy Joe’s used to pay for their own Security, which saved the Police Department’s manpower, and it would be helpful if once again this was mandated by the City. Off-duty police would provide this Security.

Door-hanger helpers sought - Keys Action to Break the Cycle of Dengue Community Clean-Up Weekend

Lots of volunteers are sought to place 10,000 door-hangers across the island of Key West April 15 to 17, the Keys Action to Break the Cycle of Dengue Community Clean-Up Weekend.

The door-hanger encourages property owners to eliminate standing water and cover or turn upside-down any containers that can collect water from rain, sprinklers, hoses and other sources.

For more information or to volunteer, call 305-809-5612 or just show up at the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., at any of the following dates and times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 15; 9 a.m. to noon April 16; or noon to 4 p.m. April 17.

Mosquito Control's daunting job

Each week, like clockwork, a Mosquito Control employee stops at my house and sets up a mosquito trap; the next day, she comes back to collect the trap and see what it contains. Apparently this week she found plenty, because this morning there were FOUR M.C. employees scouring the immediate neighborhood to find possible breeding sites. They told me that while the trap caught only two Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (the dengue fever vector), there were 150 Culex quinquifasciatus mosquitoes inside the trap. Obviously, the former will be able to breed wherever the latter is, so M.C. wants to find those places before rainy season.

One suspected place was my cistern, but when checked, it was found to be "clean." I know my gutters are OK because they have rusted through in the low places where water used to collect. I cannot help but wonder if breeding isn't going on in the cemtery. M.C's response to my query always is the same, "We put tablets in every flower vase once a month." But, could there be a cement burial container that is cracked and holding water in the cemetery somewhere near my house?

It is said that the city once smashed in many of the cisterns in town, so maybe there is one such cistern under a neighbor's house that the current owner knows nothing about. Mosquito Control is doing a terrific job trying to figure all of this out, so please be helpful whenever its employees are poking around your house.

Thanks, Rob Sprogell

A Familiar Neighborhood Friend Passes

Stanley Edmund “Ropes” Higgs, 81, a lifelong Key West Conch, passed away on Sunday morning, March 20, following a sudden decline. Stanley grew up in Key West when it was very different than today and he treasured his memories of wonderful times and dear friends. Before a fractured hip and age slowed him, he avidly enjoyed boating, water-skiing, sailing, photography, flying, cars, stereos and dogs. Stanley was an accomplished do-it-yourselfer and was handy at anything he set his mind on. To the end, he was sharp as a tack and kept a wry sense of humor.

Stanley spent many hours walking out to sit on the bench in front of Mangia Mangia with his little dog where he engaged many of us in pleasant conversation.

Shortly before the New Year, Stanley lost his beloved Girlie, who barked at him for the past fifteen years. Many recognize Stanley from the decades he spent with the U.S. Postal Service. A few of his longtime friends remember him from his days at Evans Sporting Goods. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Edmund “Old Rope” Higgs, and his brother Hillary. Stanley was one of the few old timers left who could remember what he was doing on Labor Day, 1935, when the Great Hurricane struck the Upper Keys. As Stanley told it, the weather in Key West gave no hint of the devastation, but said that his father, a fisherman, learned of the storm before coming home from the docks. For the rest of the day, Old Rope never let go of him. Stanley’s remains will be interred in the Higgs family vault in Key West Cemetery.

There will be a celebration of Stanley's life at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2011, at the Kennedy Cafe. Friends of "Ropes'" are invited to share stories and memories over breakfast. Please RSVP to RopesKW@Aol.com.

SPECIAL MEETING: FSNA and the Strategic Plan

A Special Meeting just for members of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association to discuss the Key West Strategic Plan is being offered by Perry Johnson. Perry, a member of the Strategic Plan Committee, will make this presentation on April 11 at 5:30pm, the location to be announced. This meeting will introduce you to the Strategic Plan and give you a chance to provide suggestions and comments so that your input can be included before the final plan is presented to the City Commission in early May.

Please respond to Perry Johnston at john4031@bellsouth.net if you are planning on attending. We need your reply to determine the numbers for the meeting venue.

MARCH 2011 MEETING REPORT

FSNA Meeting Notes – March 21, 2011
Notes by Margaret Schaeffer

A big Thank You to Jeremy and Cindy Emmet for hosting our March Meeting.

And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting.

Our first speaker at our March meeting was Jim Young, Manager of the Key West Code Compliance Department. Jim explained that the City of Key West Code Compliance Department has the responsibility of investigating complaints and ensuring compliance with the City Code of Ordinances, building standards, zoning issues and licensing regulations.

His main discussion at our meeting was the Sound Control Ordinance. He clarified that construction can occur every day of the week, 8 am – 5 pm, including Sunday, and that the only limitation is that on Sunday only hand-held tools, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc, can be used (large construction equipment cannot be used). He also explained that the department must receive a complaint from a citizen or the City Manager before they can act. Once they get the complaint they can issue a citation, and there is a hearing before a magistrate, who decides on the validity of the infraction and the penalty to be charged. However, the department does try for conciliation before they issue citations – they try to have neighbors work things out with each other.

When asked about Special Events he explained that groups apply for a one-time permit that exempts them from the normal noise ordinance rules (like the recent Conch Fest in Bayview Park). He also said he is asking his officers to spend more time out on the streets to look for problems such as graffiti.

Finally he said if you have a problem call 809-1000 for the police or 809-3740 for the Code Compliance Department (Inspectors work until 10 pm Wednesday – Sunday). You can also contact Jim via email at jjyoung@keywestcity.com.



The second speaker was our City Commissioner, Clayton Lopez.
Clayton opened the floor to questions and concerns.

- The Bicycle Tour Company that is abusive to residents was mentioned. He said he would check on whether the owner had a tour operator’s license.

- The City Pool being closed on April 1 was a concern. Clayton said this was an important priority for him and they hoped to have all the work done by June. The constraint was the budgeted money that had to be used by the end of October, forcing them to start work as soon as possible.

- He told us to email him at claytonlopezkw@gmail.com on any quality of life issues before they evolved into real problems.



Our third speaker was Phil Schaeffer who gave us an update on the proposed Friends of the Cemetery. He said the group would be part of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation and work under their auspices. The purpose of the Friends group would be to educate visitors, provide conservation, restoration and financial assistance, monitor problem areas, and engage in beautification efforts.

We would work with the City Manager and the Sexton to set clear ground rules and we would not be a contentious organization. Volunteers will be needed for an array of activities and recruitment will commence once the ground rules are set as a part of our discussions with the City staff.

The next official Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be on Monday, May 9th at 5:30pm.

We need a host home for this meeting.

Please contact Jan Oostdijk Rutgers at jan@jangeorge.com if you are willing to host this meeting on May 9th.

Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com

Dengue

Hello! This is my first time Blogging!

My son, 15months old, had Dengue Fever about 4 weeks ago. It started on Feb.13, Valentines day weekend and my poor heart sank as his fever reaced 104 and only came down to 101 with ibuprophen. This lasted for 5 days consistently. He didn't really sleep, and neither did I. He didn't eat and he preferred to be carrried as standing on his legs hurt him terribly.

It was a horrendous ordeal, but he has survived.

My husband, Michael, had it also in November 2010. His fever lasted longer, and he was in tremendous pain. I have known him for 14 years now, and never experienced him so down.

Our three year old daughter and myself have not gotten this bite, and I doubt we will. I am super vigalent now about keeping us guarded.

I am now selling avon, because they have a deet free Bug Guard in easy to carry wipes. These work great and I feel comfortable putting it on all of us. If you want a sample, email me, or check out my online store at www.youravon.com/heatherbarnes

I would love to hear about your experiences with Dengue. I am so grateful we have a venue to get info out about this mosquito. We need to Band Together to get rid of these critters!

Be Bite Free!
Heather Barnes

FSNA MARCH 2011 MEETING NOTICE

AGENDA
FRANCES STREET NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

March 21, 2011

Welcome Frances Street Neighbors:

The next meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be at the home of Jeremy and Cindy Emmet at 1020 Southard Street, at 5:30pm on Monday, March 21st.

We will have brief presentations on the following topics:

• Code Compliance Director, Jim Young will discuss the current code compliance rules and how they relate to our various community concerns.

• Key West City Commissioner, Clayton Lopez, will give us an update on District 6 and other community issues.

See you March 21st.

Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 2011 MEETING REPORT

FSNA Meeting Notes – February 28, 2011
Notes by Margaret Schaeffer

A big Thank You to Jan Oostdijk-Rutgers and George Rutgers-Oostdijk for hosting our February Meeting.

And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting.

Our first speaker, Police Chief Donie Lee, gave us an update on the Key West Police Department’s new crime prevention program with residents and businesses. He wants to break down the barriers and have the police talk to the people in the neighborhoods.

This outreach consists of several new programs begun as of January 1:

• Police getting out of their patrol cars and walking the neighborhood for at least an hour a day in order to talk to residents and business owners. He said, “no introverts wanted” on his force. They have to document these visits to prove they are fulfilling this new duty.

• The Mounted Police Unit is now full-time with two Officers on horseback, 7 days a week, patrolling the neighborhoods. Jimmy Weekley later told us the Mounted Patrol won 5 ribbons in a recent competition with seasoned Mounted Patrols from around the state.

• The Police Bike Force has been increased to patrol the neighborhoods.

• He has added one more motorcycle policeman.

• He is gathering data to utilize the police more effectively.


He also discussed the recent break-ins on Frances Street and said they caught two of the burglars and hoped these men were the source of the recent crimes.

Chief Lee encouraged the members to email him with any problems they had in the neighborhood and that he would be quick to act upon these requests.



The second speaker was our City Commissioner, Jimmy Weekley.

Jimmy started off by saying Donie Lee was the most active Police Chief we have ever had in Key West, and that we were very fortunate to have him as our Police Chief.

He then gave us several community updates:

• The Frances Street Cemetery Gates should soon be open as 5 out of the 6 Commissioners passed his ordinance. There was to be one more reading on March 1 (Update: The Ordinance to keep the Frances Street Gate open except for an hour before or after a funeral was passed at the March 1st Commission Meeting).

• A Residential Parking Ordinance was being worked on. Residents would purchase tags for a minimal fee allowing them to park in Residential parking spaces. These spaces are going to be painted a different color and they will be able to be read from the street side to avoid confusion. Once this is done parking will be strictly enforced by the Parking Patrol.

• The first draft for the Strategic Plan for Key West will be submitted on March 2. Jimmy encouraged everyone to be part of the process. He is planning on holding a District Meeting in March or April to get input from the residents.

• Jimmy discussed the request by Jim Scholl for $6 million from the Federal Government to fund a study to widen the Channel for large ships and indicated he was against this as were several other Commissioners. He felt Key West should try to attract the smaller boutique cruise ships instead of bringing the hordes of passengers that make it unpleasant for locals and tourists alike. (Update: At the March 1stCommission Meeting Jim Scholl was instructed not to include this request for funds to do the study to widen the channel as part of the request for Federal Funds).

• Jimmy discussed the renewal of Jim Scholl’s contract. He said the Commission had several seats up for election and the Commission felt it was better to wait until after the election, and just extend Jim Scholl’s contract for one year. He also felt Jim Scholl would not ask to remain City Manager past 2012.

• Jimmy discussed the Key West Bight Plan and said they intended to make the Bight more inviting to tourists and residents with more lighting, landscaping, and a new plaza. He said a plan by the Half-Shell Raw Bar to build a garage was rejected, as it would obstruct the view of the water.



The Meeting adjourned with a request from Chuck Sherman for some suggestions for topics to discuss at upcoming meetings. He also indicated a petition was available for those concerned with the noise from Leaf Blowers.

The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by Jeremy and Cindy Emmet, 1020 Southard Street, on Monday, March 21st at 5:30pm.


Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com

FSNA FEBRUARY MEETING NOTICE

AGENDA

FRANCES STREET NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

February 28, 2011

Welcome Frances Street Neighbors -

The next meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by Jan Oostdijk-Rutgers and George Rutgers-Oostdijk, at JANGEORGe Interior Design, 600 Frances Street, at 530 PM on Monday, February 28.

We will have brief presentations by the following:

• Key West Police Chief Donie Lee will give us an update on the status of community policing. If you have any particular issues that you would like the Chief to address please let me know by email in order to get that information to him ahead of the meeting.

• Key West Commissioner Jimmy Weekley will give us an update on community issues including Duck Tours, the Frances Street gate, and parking.

See you February 28th.

Margaret Schaeffer

for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association

keywestmargaret@gmail.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BURGLARY SUSPECTS NABBED

Last week saw two suspects in several neighborhood burglaries apprehended in two separate arrests. Chief Lee describes the arrests in a Department News Release below.

Even with these arrests you should still take heed and please be sure that your doors are locked at night, even if you are up and about and in the house as a number of these burglaries occurred while the residents were at home!

Meanwhile thanks again to the great work by the KWPD!

KEY WEST POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE: Date of Record: February 9, 2011 The Key West Police Department has taken another serial offender off the street, and Chief Donie Lee says he hopes it will have a positive effect on the number of burglaries on the island. Eric Stephen Blatch, 42, is facing felony charges of burglary and grand theft. He is suspected of burglarizing at least three Old Town residences. Blatch was arrested Monday morning after a resident of a Bahama St. home awoke to see a stranger in his house. The victim chased the intruder through his house, through the yard, and down the street. The victim called the police and was able to give a good description. Within ten minutes, an officer saw the suspect wearing the clothing described by the victim and realized it was Blatch, a serial offender who had recently been arrested on another charge and was out on bond. A "be on the lookout" was issued and Blatch was arrested. After the arrest, detectives were able to link Blatch to two other burglaries - one on Elizabeth St. and one on Frances St. - and Blatch was charged for them as well. In all three cases, residents were at home when the burglar entered the house. "It's always beneficial when we are able to identify these serial offenders," said Key West Police Chief Donie Lee. "One arrest can often bring an exponential decrease in the number of crimes that occur." This is the second arrest in two weeks that detectives believe are responsible for many local burglaries. While visitors to a local guesthouse were reporting a burglary, two other witnesses came forward and told the officer they had stopped a man from climbing through the window of another room in the same guesthouse. Detectives recognized the description of the suspect and issued a BOLO, and the culprit was arrested the next day. "These cases are a good reminder that locked doors and windows reduce opportunities for burglars," said Lee. ###

IMPORTANT NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT

On Tuesday, January 25th at 11:00pm while Liz Lumb was checking to insure that her back door of her home on Frances Street was locked. She turned around and looked into her dining area and saw an intruder inside her house. She quickly stepped out into her back yard with her phone and called 911. The police responded immediately with eight cars surrounding her house however the intruder had escaped.

Fortunately Liz was not physically harmed during this incident and nothing was taken. Liz did relate that a month or so earlier her neighbor on Angela Street had a similar experience with an intruder in her house while she was at home.

These are very serious incidents and we will ask Chief Lee to come to our next meeting to bring us up to date on this story.

Meanwhile take heed from this and please be sure that your doors are locked at night, even if you are up and about and in the house!

FSNA Meeting Notes – January 24, 2011

Notes by Margaret Schaeffer



A big Thank You to Dick and Norma Klein for hosting our January Meeting, rain and all!

And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting!!

Dianna Sutton, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, discussed the role of the Foundation in the Florida Keys Community. Its primary role is to insure the continuous viability of charities in the Florida Keys. It assists 251 non-profits in the Arts, Education, Environment, and Social Welfare to enhance the quality of life in the Keys and to preserve this unique and magical place.

The Foundation is a local organization dedicated to the local community. It helps non-profits build endowments; provides personalized service to assist you with your philanthropic goals through numerous Donor Funds; handles the financial management and administration to maximize your charitable donation; offers tax advantages; and pools donations to maximize the impact of gifts. It encourages volunteerism in the community by recognizing a nominated individual from each of the Keys Charitable Organizations at a yearly Luncheon (there were 330 Volunteers recognized this year).

John Padget mentioned that if you are 70 years old in 2011, with an IRA maturing, you could get a tax deduction by donating to a Foundation like the Community Foundation. For a tax credit for 2010 you can make your donation up to January 31, 2011.

Our second speaker, Police Chief Donie Lee, had to cancel as he went to Miami to attend the funeral of the two police officers killed in the line of duty last week. We hope to reschedule him for our next meeting.

As there was extra time Chuck Sherman asked the members what topics they would like discussed at future meetings.

Suggested Topics were:

• Parking – meters, towing, etc
• Duck Tours
• Blowers vs. brooms (problem has arisen again)
• Wisteria Island
• Cruise Ship Channel Dredging
• Strategic Planning Committee Report

Also noted was that the Key West City Commission Meeting of February 15 will discuss opening the Frances Street Cemetery Gate based on an ordinance to be introduced by Commissioner Jimmy Weekley. Jimmy Weekley proposes leaving the gate open except for two hours before and after a Funeral.

The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by Jan Oostdijk-Rutgers and George Rutgers-Oostdijk, at JANGEORGe InteriorDesign, 600 Frances Street, on Monday, February 28th at 5:30pm.


Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com

Meeting Notes of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association

December 27, 2010 - Notes by Margaret Schaeffer

A big Thank You to John Padget and Jacob Dekker for hosting our December Meeting!

And to Jon Allen for moderating the meeting!!

There were a number of topics discussed at this meeting:

• Florida Keys Mosquito Control District : Dengue Fever

Coleen Fitzsimmons of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (http://www.keysmosquito.org/) discussed the serious situation Key West faces from Dengue Fever. In 2010 there were 62 reported cased, most of which occurred in the Old Town area. The Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti, the most common container breeding mosquito (it breeds in all kinds of open containers, pools, fountains and birdbaths with still water, bromeliads - really anything that could hold standing water). There are 4 types of Dengue Fever, and if you get one you will not be immune to the other three types. And your second exposure to Dengue can be very serious, possibly resulting in the hemorrhagic form.

The mosquito lays its eggs in an open container, and the eggs lay dormant waiting for water to be introduced. The larvae can hatch in 5 days in the summer, and 2 weeks in the winter – therefore they have a very rapid developmental cycle. These mosquitoes are active day biters, preferring to bite humans. Coleen recommends not wearing perfumes and skin creams or any type of makeup that has perfumes added as these will attract the mosquitoes.

The Mosquito Control District has been working on educating the citizens of Key West to make sure they do not have containers with standing water around their home as this is really the only way to rid Key West of the Dengue threat. Brazil accomplished this by fining individuals that did not comply, but the Key West Mosquito Control District does not want to resort to this tactic. In addition they are spraying from a helicopter with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a very safe larvacide that should kill breeding larvae before the summer rains. Once a month Mosquito Control District agents also walk through the Cemetery to put pellets in the open containers at each gravesite to prevent larvae from breeding there.

At home you should not allow water to accumulate in open containers, you should flush your bromeliads once a week with fresh water, you should apply repellents with DEET if you will be spending time outside, and avoid perfumes, etc that might attract the mosquitoes.

If you have a mosquito problem in your yard or from a neighboring yard and need help please feel free to call Coleen at 305-292-7190.


• Waste Management : New Recycling Rules

Margaret Lara of Waste Management discussed the new recycling rules and the Master Plan that will increase city wide recycling (go to Keywestcity.com for more information). You can now recycle plastics #1-#7, including lids (but lids should be loose); “gable-top” milk and juice containers; “aseptic containers” used for soups, milk and juices; clean aluminum foil and foil containers. Household batteries can be recycled – they should be placed in clear zip-lock type plastic bags, and taped to the outside of the recycling container (in order to be seen by the Waste Management driver). Paints, household cleaning products, pesticides and fertilizers, and electronics must still be brought to the Hazardous Waste Collection Site on Rockland Key (behind Waste Management/ Toppinos) the last Thursday of every quarter (March, June, September and December). For further information on how to dispose of non-recyclables visit the Waste Management website at www.thinkgreenfromhome.com


• The Studios of Key West

Jay Scott, the Executive Director of The Studios of Key West (http://www.tskw.org/) discussed the exciting array of programs, workshops, concerts, etc for the upcoming year at the Studios of Key West. He also gave us an overview of the new Capital Campaign to convert the two houses on Ashe Street (607/609 Ashe Street) donated to the Studios of Key West by the Rodel Foundation into “Artist in Residence” suites and studios. This will enhance the residency program and continue the Studio’s goal to make Key West “a community that is serious about being involved in the creation of art on a national and international level”.

The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be on
Monday, January 24th at 5:30pm at the home of Dick and Norma Klein, 524 Frances Street.