This past weekend was very busy for a few members of our Steering Committee as we attended events in Orlando. Our Vice-chair, Phill Dodderidge along with our 2 state Committee people – Debra Walker and Dakin Weekly were involved in the Election of a new Florida Democratic Party Chair. The winner was Nikki Fried! We are committed to revamping and rebuilding the FDP!

I was across town attending the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus annual meeting and attended panel discussions all day Saturday. It was extremely interesting, and I made some new friends!

However, we did not get back to our island home until after dark last night. Legislative update and ranting will happen later this week, Thanks to  Jason J. Smith for researching the info on Government meetings.  

Government meeting for this week
 
Monday February 27

• The FLORIDA KEYS ELECTRIC CO-OP Board will meet at 1:00pm  in the board room, 91630 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070
  For more info go to https://fkec.com/about-us/board-of-directors/past-board-meetings-agendas/
• The Monroe County Planning/Zoning Dept. will host a virtual (zoom) community meeting  at 5:05pm to discuss the a Land Use/zoning change at Ocean Reef Club.
  Please visit the Monroe County Website at www.monroecounty-fl.gov for meeting agenda updates and information

Tuesday February 28

• The Advisory Screening Committee for a City Attorney will meet at 10am at City Hall, 1300 White St., Key West, to take action on the selection of a City Attorney.
  Please visit http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for further information
• The Marathon City Council will hold a “workshop” meeting at 4:30PM in City Hall,
  9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL to discuss the 33rd Street Corridor, Parking Meter issue
  and Building Permit Fees. For more info: https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/meetings
   
• Monroe County School District will meet at 5pm in the Media Center at Coral Shores High School,  89901 Old Highway Tavernier FL
  For more information visit https://monroe-k12.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1

 
Wednesday March 1 

• THE ISLAMORADA YOUTH COUNCIL will be meeting at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, Florida 4:00PM
  For more information visit https://www.islamorada.fl.us/

Thursday March 2 

• The Islamorada Village Council will  meet at 3pm in the  3rd Floor Conference Room, located at 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida. 3:00 pm  to discuss the following pending litigation: Mary L. Barley, et al. v. Islamorada, Village of Islands, Case No. 23-CA-000034-P in the Circuit Court in and for Monroe County.
  For more information visit https://www.islamorada.fl.us/ 
• The Islamorada Village Council will hold their regular meeting at 5pm
  at Founders Park Community Center 87000 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key. There are some interesting things this agenda RE: Property Insurance and some development rights transfers. Here’s the agenda: https://islamoradafl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/110/files

 
Activist Groups meeting this week

Wednesday March 1

• The Key West chapter of Drinking Liberally will meet at 5:30pm in the back room at Brady’s (formerly Sally O’Brien’s, formerly Shanna Key) on the corner of Flagler and Bertha in Key West. Great discussions will be facilitated by Jeff and Stuart!
   

Good government starts at the local level with the involvement of an educated citizenry.

Democracy is NOT a spectator sport!

I hope to see you soon!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

Good morning, Democrats and Activists!

Seriously, it’s the damn GUNS!!! Take away the tax-free status of the NRA. They are nothing more than a lobbying group for the weapons industry!

Next – What is DeSantis real agenda? Looking at his past performance as a Congressman, He was a founding member of the “Freedom Caucus.” (he loves this word – I think he has it confused with Fascist) He voted against raising the debt ceiling and was not above holding the country hostage to force Spending cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
(Is he the one that made “Entitlements” a bad word? Look up the meaning of this word. “The fact of having a right to something” Oxford Dictionary.) We paid in; we have a right!

He voted to slash Social Security and Medicare and tried to repeal the ACA. Of course, he was all about cutting taxes for corporations, high earners, and heirs. Now he makes up fake issues like “Parental Rights Bills” (they have always had rights, just too damn lazy to ask questions), poking his nose into transgender folks’ health issues and demonizing Drag Queens. (I am unaware of anyone who was ever forced to attend a drag show.) This vicious language has caused violence and death. He is coming after all of us who disagree with him. Ahem, Fascist! His latest outright Racist move has been the attack on the AP course African American Studies. He threw out his dog whistle and went for the bullhorn!

WAKE UP FLORIDUH!

“the best way to neutralize DeSantis as a political force might be to spend less time on cultural conflict and more time making the clear case that, if given the chance, he would slash what’s left of the social safety net and use the proceeds to help the rich stay rich” Jamelle Bouie – New York Times ( in Saturday’s Citizen)

Kudos to the Government Watchdog team, who have been showing up at zoning and planning meetings to question the need for more big development in the Keys.

No Local Govt. Meetings This Week

I think since we got folks riled up about development from Marathon to Key Largo and talking back to elected officials at meetings, they needed a week off to figure out what just happened. Thanks to all who attended these meetings and spoke out!!! You made a difference. Don’t stop, because it ain’t over!!!
There is a great article in the Keys Weekly about it. https://keysweekly.com/42/traffic-concerns-swirl-around-key-largo-7-eleven-development/

Activist Group Meetings

Wednesday, February 1

• Key West Drinking Liberally will meet at 5:30 in the backroom at Sally O’Brien’s, 1900 Flagler Ave. Key West. There is plenty to talk about!

Keys DEMS Meetings in February

Monday, February 13

• The Lower Keys DEMS will meet at 5:30 pm in the back room of VFW Post 3911, 2200 N Roosevelt Blvd. Our Guest Speaker will be City Commissioner Sam Kaufman. Come early, get your spot, some food, and a beverage.

Wednesday, February 15

• The Upper Keys DEMS will meet at 5:30 pm in the sidebar area of Denny’s, 97630 Overseas Hwy, in the median. Our Guest Speaker will be Monroe County School Board Member Sue Woltanski. Come, get a spot, some food, and a beverage.

Thursday, February 23

• The Middle Keys DEMS will meet at 5:30 pm in the back dining area of Triton Seafood, 11399 Overseas Hwy, Marathon. Looks like tasty food, so come early. Speaker TBA

I discovered a new activist group on Saturday night when I attended the Annual Meeting of LAST STAND. (Please check out their website – https://www.keyslaststand.org/)

Friends of the Lower Keys is a group concerned with environmental and quality of life issues for Keys Residents. Check out their website – https://www.friendsofthelowerkeys.org/

So many people trying to save the planet and make the world a better place for all. None of us can just sit by and hope it will work out. Get off your butts and volunteer with us or one of these groups. None of us are getting paid. I do this to channel my rage at the insanity. Join us! You will meet the most interesting people!

Finally, the Keys Dems have a Fundraiser on February 15 in a beautiful old town garden. We have Debbie Mucarsel-Powell coming to tell us what she has been up to. Great apps courtesy of Roostica, wines to taste and maybe take home, and a live auction! Seating is limited, so get your tickets here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/redwineandbluekw

I look forward to seeing all of you soon!

The Key West/Tourist Season Crud is circulating. Be safe, be well, and get your rest!!!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

Please excuse the disjointed emails this week. I have spent more time out in the field talking to voters, meeting interesting people, getting petitions signed, registering voters, and walking in last night’s MLK DAY Parade in Key West than sitting at my computer.

Exhilarating! (Exhausting)

Thanks again to ALL the Volunteers who showed up to work the booth, helped at Nelson English yesterday, and joined us for the parade.

I am serious as a heart attack when I say we should regularly be attending local Government meetings. These are the officials who have the most impact on our daily lives. January 4th’s KW City Commission meeting made me sick to my stomach. It’s all about the money, big money! By showing up, speaking against this insanity, and demanding a return to reason, not greed, we can accomplish something. WE must be the watchdogs! Here’s your chance!

Be sure to check out the Legislative Report I sent out earlier this morning!

If the Floriduh Fascist Party can shake up meetings, so can we!

One last thought for this topic, zoning changes. Specifically, Major Conditional Use Changes! (Red Flag)

The code should read that ALL property owners within 10 miles of HWY Frontage changes are notified by mail no less than 30 days out about any meetings on the change.

For changes in Residential neighborhoods, ALL property owners should be notified by mail of major changes, and a majority must approve. (my opinion)

That’s it for today, folks. I gotta go to work!

Bert Sise/Chair

KeysDems