All Politics is Local - Part 1

Letters from the Chair
Written By Helen Dodderidge

Good morning Democrats!
 
I hope you all celebrated your mothers yesterday. Without them, you would be nothing! Just Saying!

This past week has been nuts if you have been following the news. I am trying to understand why CNN would even consider allowing the ex-pres., a known serial liar, rapist, traitor, and national embarrassment to take up precious airtime spouting his crap! Do they think FOX is on the ropes and they want to get that market share? Is it really all about the money?

And that seems to be it, doesn’t it? It is all about the money. This past week I attended a special meeting of the Key West City Commission called to get public input about the latest effort on the part of Pier B to change the terms of the lease. Listening to the various speakers made the differences clear. One side only talks about making $$$. The other side (to be clear, the side I support, so this is my opinion) was adamant the city adhere to the voters’ wishes and demand Pier B stick to the terms agreed upon. In my view, quality of life for our full-time community and long-term health of our environment appears to not be a concern of the other side.

I have seen this over and over. This is the same battle that is being played out in Key Colony Beach and their issue would never have been contested if citizens had not shown up for these meetings and asked questions.

From small towns to Washington DC, we must hold our elected officials accountable. And do not start me on the Supreme Court! We do not need guns and bullets to fix this, we need people to pay attention and VOTE. We need to elect folks with integrity and courage as opposed to the power-hungry, corporate & NRA owned toadies we see in the news.

Here are some ways YOU can make a difference.

Local Govt. Meetings this week

Monday May 15

  • The City of Key West will hold the second of 3 hearings regarding the “noise” ordinance at 10am at City Hall. This one is supposed to hear the concerns of the commercial interests, but since they all showed up for the residential hearing, both sides should be there.

 
Tuesday May 16

  • The Key West City Commission will meet at 5pm in City Hall, 1300 White St. They will take comments and decide on a resolution regarding Pier B’s continuing land grab for bigger ships. Be prepared to comment! For agenda and details: http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Wednesday May 17

 
Thursday May 18

  • The City of Key West Planning Board will meet at 5pm in City Hall, 1300 White St. Can you say, “Zoning variances”? for agenda and details: http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

  • The Key Colony Beach City Commission will meet at 9:30am in the Banquet Hall of the Key Colony Inn. The agenda seems intentionally vague, but if you want to keep up with the Outrageous repairs/replacement of City Hall, be sure to attend. For details and agenda: https://keycolonybeach.net/citydocs-1/

  • The Village of Islamorada has called a special “Land use Meeting” for 3pm in the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy, Plantation Key. This is where zoning and variances are changed. For details and agenda: https://islamoradafl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/247/files

Activist meetings This Week 

Wednesday May 17

  • The KEYS DEMS – Upper Keys group will meet at 5:30pm in the sidebar of Denny’s, MM 76.5 in the median. We will talk about Legislation and the new Petition to protect women’s rights in Florida. We will have petitions with us. Join us in this effort.

  • The Lower Keys League of Women Voters will meet at 6:30pm in the backroom of VFW Post #3911, 2200 N Roosevelt Blvd., Key West. This is the Gun Violence Prevention Team, and they have free gun locks to give away!

Folks, I ask that you step out of your comfort zone, attend a meeting, and get involved. Your skills, experience and valuable time will help us beat back fascism. The time to act is now!
If Lawmakers refuse to listen to their constituents, they will be faced with ballot initiatives. And get voted out of office. We have to make this happen.

We are working three petitions that will affect us locally and statewide.
#1. The Single Member District for Monroe County BOCC Elections
#2. The Clean Water for Florida Petition
#3. The Floridians Protecting Freedom Petition preventing the state legislature from interfering with a woman’s right to control her reproductive healthcare decisions.

Come to a meeting and get petitions or let me know if you want to walk a neighborhood and get them signed.

We are ready to do the work! Join us.

If you are more of a “behind-the-scenes” person but want to be involved, please email me. We will put you to work.

We are recruiting volunteers for this next election cycle. Email me.

Pride Fest Volunteers – please reach out to me again so I can set the schedule.

Get the latest booster shot – Covid is still hanging around!
See you soon!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems
 
Website – www.keysdems.com
Facebook – Florida Keys Democrats
Instagram - @keysdems
Twitter - @DemsKeys

PS – an ask from Politics Girl - https://youtu.be/QCWRcs9ax8E
PPS – Please share this with your friends and bring them with you to meetings.

Helen Dodderidge
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All Politics is Local - Part 2
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The BIG Petition is launching today!