February Meeting to be at the home of
Cindy and Jeremy Emmet
1020 Southard St
Tuesday, February 21st at 5:30pm
Please join us as we host Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley. The Commissioner will be bringing us up-to-date on the recent traffic study and several other items of concern to our neighborhood.
In addition we will also be joined by former Monroe County Mayor Shirley Freeman who has been appointed by Jimmy Weekley to the City Manager Search Committee. Shirley will give us her perspective on her role in this effort as well getting our input on this important process.
Friday, February 17, 2012
FSNA - Meeting Notes - January 23, 2012
A big Thank You to Norma and Dick Klein for hosting our January Meeting.
And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting.
Our first speaker was Mosquito Control District Biologist Coleen Fitzsimmons. Coleen updated us on current dengue mosquito control efforts. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is pursuing trials for the release of genetically engineered males in the control of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for the spread of dengue fever. Due to the difficulty in controlling these mosquitoes, this technology could potentially assist in the reduction of both the mosquitoes and disease in Key West. While the District is still undergoing review from both Federal and State agencies for permitting, they hope that trials can begin in Key West in April 2012.
Coleen explained that these males would pass on an “autocidal” gene that kills their offspring early on in life, thus reducing the Aedes aegypti population. The gene is tetracycline-dependent, and these mosquitoes can only survive in the presence of tetracycline. Studies done in the Caymans showed an 80% reduction in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This experiment only targets Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and will not harm the other mosquitoes that live and breed in the Keys, thus not upsetting the balance of nature.
The field trial area, once approved, will cover approximately 6x6 city blocks between the Key West Cemetery and Garrison Bight Marina.
The second speaker was Key West Utilities Manager Jay Gewin who gave us an update on the results of the City's Recycling Study. Jay said the City of Key West has hired Kessler Consulting of Tampa, FL to conduct a Solid Waste Master Plan for the City.
This plan seeks to accomplish the following goals:
Jay indicated the city would eventually go to one pickup per week, with three large cans – one for garbage, one for recycling, and one for yard waste.
Phil Schaeffer made an additional plea for everyone to vote regarding the .5 mil ballot referendum for the Monroe County School Budget. He also reminded everyone about the Charter Review and Redistricting Committee Meeting on Thursday, January 25th at 5 pm at Old City Hall. And he told everyone about the Key West Cemetery Stroll being held on March 24, 2012, where small groups of visitors will be escorted to gravesites where they will meet interpreters who will tell the stories of the deceased in brief monologues. He asked that if anyone is interested in volunteering for this event to please contact him by email at keywestphil@gmail.com.
The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at the home of Jeremy and Cindy Emmet at 1020 Southard Street at 5:30 pm.
Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com
And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting.
Our first speaker was Mosquito Control District Biologist Coleen Fitzsimmons. Coleen updated us on current dengue mosquito control efforts. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is pursuing trials for the release of genetically engineered males in the control of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for the spread of dengue fever. Due to the difficulty in controlling these mosquitoes, this technology could potentially assist in the reduction of both the mosquitoes and disease in Key West. While the District is still undergoing review from both Federal and State agencies for permitting, they hope that trials can begin in Key West in April 2012.
Coleen explained that these males would pass on an “autocidal” gene that kills their offspring early on in life, thus reducing the Aedes aegypti population. The gene is tetracycline-dependent, and these mosquitoes can only survive in the presence of tetracycline. Studies done in the Caymans showed an 80% reduction in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This experiment only targets Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and will not harm the other mosquitoes that live and breed in the Keys, thus not upsetting the balance of nature.
The field trial area, once approved, will cover approximately 6x6 city blocks between the Key West Cemetery and Garrison Bight Marina.
The second speaker was Key West Utilities Manager Jay Gewin who gave us an update on the results of the City's Recycling Study. Jay said the City of Key West has hired Kessler Consulting of Tampa, FL to conduct a Solid Waste Master Plan for the City.
This plan seeks to accomplish the following goals:
- An analysis of our solid waste and recyclable materials to help us learn the composition of our waste flow.
- It will also analyze our waste stream by season, and by type of commercial customer. This information can provide insight for billing modifications to help increase recycling.
- It will also help us quantify what materials aren't being captured for recycling.
- Recommendations for amendments to the City's existing curbside (solid waste and recycling) and municipal solid waste (MSW) haul-out contracts.
- These recommendations will include ideas to increase recycling along with remedies for any deficiencies in our solid waste contracts compared with other Florida municipalities.
- Kessler Consulting will also propose approaches to future contracts/bids to help us achieve our goals for customer service and recycling.
- A comparison with other municipalities in Florida in regards to our customer fees for services.
- A staffing analysis of the City's operation of the Solid Waste Transfer Station on Rockland Key that will include opportunities to increase efficiency.
- A study of the City's solid waste/recycling ordinances that will include recommendations of possible amendments that will help increase our City's recycling rate.
- Recommendations that will increase our material recovery, and establish a pathway to reach maximum recovery/zero waste. These guidelines will be specific to Key West and our unique geography and community.
- Assistance with establishing Best Management Practices for the City of Key West in solid waste/recycling.
- Analysis of our commercial billing structure that could result in a more equitable payment structure among types of businesses, along with incentives for increased recycling.
- Project outreach including community meetings to help obtain resident and business participation in the study.
- Creation of a final Strategic Solid Waste Master Plan document, which will be used for staff and City Commission assistance in budgeting, management, and will be available for the public via our website.
Jay indicated the city would eventually go to one pickup per week, with three large cans – one for garbage, one for recycling, and one for yard waste.
Phil Schaeffer made an additional plea for everyone to vote regarding the .5 mil ballot referendum for the Monroe County School Budget. He also reminded everyone about the Charter Review and Redistricting Committee Meeting on Thursday, January 25th at 5 pm at Old City Hall. And he told everyone about the Key West Cemetery Stroll being held on March 24, 2012, where small groups of visitors will be escorted to gravesites where they will meet interpreters who will tell the stories of the deceased in brief monologues. He asked that if anyone is interested in volunteering for this event to please contact him by email at keywestphil@gmail.com.
The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at the home of Jeremy and Cindy Emmet at 1020 Southard Street at 5:30 pm.
Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Election Day - Tuesday - January 31st
A REMINDER - .5 mil Referendum
Rob Smith-Martin: VOTE YES
Rob Smith-Martin: VOTE YES
While the January 31st Presidential Primary is for Republicans to vote for their candidate there is also the non-partisan School Board .5 mil referendum on that ballot so everyone needs to vote - including Democrats and Independents.
• Absentee Ballot - if you still have an Absentee Ballot be sure to get it back to the Supervisor of Elections by the close of voting on Tuesday. You can carry it into their office.
• Early Voting - you can vote by going to the Supervisor of Elections Office on Whitehead and Southard tomorrow, SATURDAY the 28th, from 8:30 - 4:30 and Vote Early.
• or you can vote at your normal polling place on Primary Election Day - Tuesday, January 31st - 7am - 7pm
To get into the enthusiasm for making your YES VOTE please come and join the Rally at Salute! at Higgs Beach on Monday evening!!
• Absentee Ballot - if you still have an Absentee Ballot be sure to get it back to the Supervisor of Elections by the close of voting on Tuesday. You can carry it into their office.
• Early Voting - you can vote by going to the Supervisor of Elections Office on Whitehead and Southard tomorrow, SATURDAY the 28th, from 8:30 - 4:30 and Vote Early.
• or you can vote at your normal polling place on Primary Election Day - Tuesday, January 31st - 7am - 7pm
To get into the enthusiasm for making your YES VOTE please come and join the Rally at Salute! at Higgs Beach on Monday evening!!
January Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association Scheduled
At the home of Norma and Dick Klein, 524 Frances St on Monday, January 23rd at 5:30pm - Please join us for the first meeting of 2012!
Mosquito Control District Biologist Coleen Fitzsimmons will update us on dengue mosquito control efforts. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is pursuing trials for the release of sterile males in the control of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for the spread of dengue fever. Due to the difficulty in controlling these mosquitoes, this technology could potentially assist in the reduction of both the mosquitoes and disease in Key West. While the District is still undergoing review from both Federal and State agencies for permitting, they hope that trials can begin in Key West in 2012.
Then Key West Utilities Manager Jay Gewin will give us a report on the results of the City's Recycling Study.
Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley will close out our meeting by providing a summary of the Traffic Carrying Capacity Study along with several other items of neighborhood interest.
HELP NEEDED: We need folks to host our 2012 meetings starting in February. Can you provide us with a venue for the meeting? If you are interested in helping the Neighborhood Association by doing this please contact Perry Johnston for more information and available dates.
Mosquito Control District Biologist Coleen Fitzsimmons will update us on dengue mosquito control efforts. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is pursuing trials for the release of sterile males in the control of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for the spread of dengue fever. Due to the difficulty in controlling these mosquitoes, this technology could potentially assist in the reduction of both the mosquitoes and disease in Key West. While the District is still undergoing review from both Federal and State agencies for permitting, they hope that trials can begin in Key West in 2012.
Then Key West Utilities Manager Jay Gewin will give us a report on the results of the City's Recycling Study.
Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley will close out our meeting by providing a summary of the Traffic Carrying Capacity Study along with several other items of neighborhood interest.
HELP NEEDED: We need folks to host our 2012 meetings starting in February. Can you provide us with a venue for the meeting? If you are interested in helping the Neighborhood Association by doing this please contact Perry Johnston for more information and available dates.
A Message from Liz Lumb
Please accept a big wonderful thank you to all for being so kind and thoughtful during my recent illness and wishing everyone in the Frances Street Neighborhood Association a Happy New Year!
Frances Street Neighborhood Association Meeting Notes - December 27, 2011
A big Thank You to John Padget and Jacob Dekkerfor hosting our December Meeting. And to Chuck Sherman for moderating the meeting.
Our first speaker was Robin Smith-Martin, Monroe County School Board Member, who discussed the item on January’s ballot regarding the .5 mil referendum for the Monroe County School Budget and the urgent need for its passage.
Robin said Monroe County has 8,405 students in 17 public schools and 6 charter schools. Monroe County ranks 8th out of 67 schools in Florida, and continues to make improvements. However, with a budget of $80 million dollars funding must come from somewhere to keep the schools on par. The solution is Flexible Funding, the transfer of monies from the Capital Fund to the Operating Fund. To do this, every four years, it is necessary for the voters to approve this transfer. The approval of this referendum will not result in any increase in taxes to the voter. All they are asking is for the permission to transfer the money from one account to another to allow for the funding of vital school programs. Robin urges all to Vote Yes on the referendum.
The second speaker was Phil Schaeffer, Member of the Key West City Charter Review and Redistricting Committee, who gave an update on the proposed changes to the City Charter and to the District electoral process in Key West. Phil was appointed by Commissioner Jimmy Weekley to be on the Committee. Perry Johnston is also on this Committee as an appointee of Commissioner Teri Johnston.
One of the Committee’s actions has been to make the Charter more responsive to the will of the voters without being in conflict with State regulations. The Committee handled this by recommending the City Commission vote for critical items such as annexation, height limits, etc. based on a Super Majority of the Commission as they can no longer put these decisions on the ballot for voter approval by referendum due to conflicts with Florida State law.
The Committee must also recommend new District boundaries for the City Commission seats due to the change in the city’s population as a result of the 2010 Census. At this time we have 6 elected Commissioners in 6 distinct districts and one at-large Mayor. As many feel this makes for a more parochial Commission, one answer is to come up with 4 larger districts with Commissioners elected by the voters in those districts, 2 at-large Commission seats, elected by all the Key West Voters, and a Mayor also elected by everyone.
The Committee is also considering recommending the change of the election cycle to correspond with the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections to encourage better voter turnout.
The next meeting on Redistricting will be on Thursday evening, January 25, at 5 pm in Old City Hall. Phil encouraged anyone interested in the future of their city to come to this meeting and express their opinions. The final recommendations by the Committee will be presented to the City Commission for approval. These recommendations will then be placed on the ballot as individual referendum items in the 2013 election.
NOTE: While the January 31st Presidential Primary is for Republicans to vote for their candidate there is also the non-partisan School Board .5 mil referendum on that ballot so everyone needs to vote - including Democrats and Independents.
• Absentee Ballot - if you request one before the deadline at 5:00pm on January 25th you will get one by mail in time to vote in the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary on January 31st.
• Early Voting - you can vote by going to the Supervisor of Elections Office on Whitehead and Southard from January 16 thru January 28th
• or you can vote at your normal polling place on Primary Election Day - Tuesday, January 31st
The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by Dick and Norma Klein, 524 Frances Street, on Monday, January 23, 2012, at 530 pm.
Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com
Our first speaker was Robin Smith-Martin, Monroe County School Board Member, who discussed the item on January’s ballot regarding the .5 mil referendum for the Monroe County School Budget and the urgent need for its passage.
Robin said Monroe County has 8,405 students in 17 public schools and 6 charter schools. Monroe County ranks 8th out of 67 schools in Florida, and continues to make improvements. However, with a budget of $80 million dollars funding must come from somewhere to keep the schools on par. The solution is Flexible Funding, the transfer of monies from the Capital Fund to the Operating Fund. To do this, every four years, it is necessary for the voters to approve this transfer. The approval of this referendum will not result in any increase in taxes to the voter. All they are asking is for the permission to transfer the money from one account to another to allow for the funding of vital school programs. Robin urges all to Vote Yes on the referendum.
The second speaker was Phil Schaeffer, Member of the Key West City Charter Review and Redistricting Committee, who gave an update on the proposed changes to the City Charter and to the District electoral process in Key West. Phil was appointed by Commissioner Jimmy Weekley to be on the Committee. Perry Johnston is also on this Committee as an appointee of Commissioner Teri Johnston.
One of the Committee’s actions has been to make the Charter more responsive to the will of the voters without being in conflict with State regulations. The Committee handled this by recommending the City Commission vote for critical items such as annexation, height limits, etc. based on a Super Majority of the Commission as they can no longer put these decisions on the ballot for voter approval by referendum due to conflicts with Florida State law.
The Committee must also recommend new District boundaries for the City Commission seats due to the change in the city’s population as a result of the 2010 Census. At this time we have 6 elected Commissioners in 6 distinct districts and one at-large Mayor. As many feel this makes for a more parochial Commission, one answer is to come up with 4 larger districts with Commissioners elected by the voters in those districts, 2 at-large Commission seats, elected by all the Key West Voters, and a Mayor also elected by everyone.
The Committee is also considering recommending the change of the election cycle to correspond with the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections to encourage better voter turnout.
The next meeting on Redistricting will be on Thursday evening, January 25, at 5 pm in Old City Hall. Phil encouraged anyone interested in the future of their city to come to this meeting and express their opinions. The final recommendations by the Committee will be presented to the City Commission for approval. These recommendations will then be placed on the ballot as individual referendum items in the 2013 election.
NOTE: While the January 31st Presidential Primary is for Republicans to vote for their candidate there is also the non-partisan School Board .5 mil referendum on that ballot so everyone needs to vote - including Democrats and Independents.
• Absentee Ballot - if you request one before the deadline at 5:00pm on January 25th you will get one by mail in time to vote in the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary on January 31st.
• Early Voting - you can vote by going to the Supervisor of Elections Office on Whitehead and Southard from January 16 thru January 28th
• or you can vote at your normal polling place on Primary Election Day - Tuesday, January 31st
The next Meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be hosted by Dick and Norma Klein, 524 Frances Street, on Monday, January 23, 2012, at 530 pm.
Margaret Schaeffer
for the Frances Street Neighborhood Association
keywestmargaret@gmail.com
DECEMBER MEETING REMINDER
The next meeting of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association will be at the home of John Padget and Jacob Dekker, 611 Frances Street, at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, December 27.
We will have brief presentations on the following topics:
- Monroe County School Board Member, Robin Smith-Martin, will discuss the .5 mil Referendum on January’s Presidential Preference Primary on January 31st regarding the Monroe County School Budget and the critical reasons for its passage by the voters.
- Phil Schaeffer, Member of the Key West City Charter Review and Redistricting Commission, will provide an update on proposed changes to the City Charter and to the District electoral process in Key West.
P.S. Jane Vetter has made a donation from our contributed funds on behalf of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association to the Southern Homeless Assistance League (SHAL) in memory of Nils Muench. If you wish to make a personal donation in Nils' memory please contact SHAL's Executive Director, Wendy Coles.
If you missed our recent blog posting celebrating Nils' extraordinary life please visit the blog here.
We will have brief presentations on the following topics:
- Monroe County School Board Member, Robin Smith-Martin, will discuss the .5 mil Referendum on January’s Presidential Preference Primary on January 31st regarding the Monroe County School Budget and the critical reasons for its passage by the voters.
- Phil Schaeffer, Member of the Key West City Charter Review and Redistricting Commission, will provide an update on proposed changes to the City Charter and to the District electoral process in Key West.
P.S. Jane Vetter has made a donation from our contributed funds on behalf of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association to the Southern Homeless Assistance League (SHAL) in memory of Nils Muench. If you wish to make a personal donation in Nils' memory please contact SHAL's Executive Director, Wendy Coles.
If you missed our recent blog posting celebrating Nils' extraordinary life please visit the blog here.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
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
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.
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
Obituary
DR. NILS LILIENBERG MUENCH
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
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.
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
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.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 8, 2011
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
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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.
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.
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
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
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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
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
Sunday, March 20, 2011
FSNA MARCH 2011 MEETING NOTICE
AGENDA
FRANCES STREET NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
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
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
Monday, February 14, 2011
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. ### |
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