Weekly Dispatch - Sept. 7, 2026

From our KW NOW President, Darlene Thomas...
For 50 years, Gloria Steinem was the most recognized face and voice of equal pay, right to make choices about our bodies, gender equality.  While not perfect, thank goodness, she did not hold back on keeping the need for feminism in the forefront.

Join Key West National Organization for Women at 6:00 on Tuesday 9/8 at the end of the Edward B. Knight Pier (south end of White Street) as we read her quotes and remember accomplishments which now are slipping away and it is and always has been up to each of us to be LOUD. We will provide flowers, maybe tissues, and simply say Thank You Gloria!

Additionally, the Lower Keys League of Women Voters would like to invite you to their Constitution Day Event!  What does the Constitution have to do with our everyday lives—and with the future of our democracy?

Join the Lower Keys League of Women Voters on Thursday, September 17, at 11:00 a.m. at the Key West Campus Library of the College of the Florida Keys for a special Constitution Day
program. The featured speaker, The Honorable Edwin A. Scales, III, Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal, will provide an overview of the U.S. Constitution and how it continues to impact the daily lives of every American. Constitution Day is more than a commemoration. It is an opportunity to learn, ask questions,
participate, and reflect on the responsibilities we share as citizens.
That is at the heart of the League of Women Voters. The LKLWV works to strengthen our community through informed and engaged citizens, nonpartisan voter education, and meaningful civic participation. We believe democracy works best when people understand how their government works—and have the information and opportunity to make their voices heard.

Come for Constitution Day. Stay connected to your democracy.
At the event, you can:
• Hear from a distinguished member of Florida's judiciary
• Pick up a pocket Constitution
• Register to vote or update your voter registration with the League
• Meet members of the Lower Keys League of Women Voters
• Learn more about opportunities to become involved in our community
• Enjoy refreshments and connect with other civically engaged residents
The program will also be streamed on Facebook Live, with a viewing option available in the
UKC auditorium.
You don't have to be an expert in government to be part of the League. You simply have to believe that an informed, engaged public makes democracy stronger. If that sounds like you, we invite you to join the LKLWV—and become part of a community of
people who care about making democracy work.

Constitution Day
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Key West Campus Library | College of the Florida Keys
Bring a friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member. Everyone is welcome. We hope you'll join us—not just to celebrate the Constitution, but to help keep civic participation
strong in the Florida Keys.
Warmly,
Lower Keys League of Women Voters
Empowering voters. Defending democracy.

On September 13, the Keys Dems will hold their JAZZ IN THE GARDEN FUNdraiser at the Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela St. Key West. Tickets are $60 which includes 2 drinks (some restrictions apply.)  Live Music with the King & Queen of Key West Jazz, Larry Baeder and Terri White, who always bring some friends to join them. There will be a silent auction and candidates to meet. Click on this link for tickets - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jazzydems2026

We are going to need a few more poll watchers for the general election on November 3. Please contact me (if you haven't already) at Chair@keysdems.com ASAP as I am required to turn in a list by October 1.

We have a booth at Goombay (Oct 16 and 17) where we've invited our Democratic candidates to join us!  All we are missing are the volunteers needed to set up, work the crowd and get our candidates known, and break down the booth.  If you can help, please email me at chair@keysdems.com with "Goombay" as the subject and let me know which day(s) and time(s) you will be there!  Thank you!

Mark your calendars for our October Sunset Sail on the fabulous Argo Navis – 10-8-26 More details to come!!

September Keys Dems Meeting Dates
The Lower Keys Dems will meet on Monday, September 14th at 5:30 p.m. location yet to be determined.  It's slim pickins down here in September!  El Siboney will be under construction and other locations are closing for vacation!  Stay tuned!

The Upper Keys Dems meeting has been changed to a Meet and Greet by Keys for Democracy with our democratic candidates on Monday, September 14th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Shrimp Shack (81901 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada) RSVP is requested via text 305.632.6322 or email keysfordemocracy@gmail.com.  We hope you'll join us!

The Middle Keys Dems will meet on Wednesday, September 23rd at 5:30 p.m. with a Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person.

LOCAL MEETINGS TO ATTEND THIS WEEK (Sep 7 - Sep 13)
City of Key West Meeting http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Wed - Sep 9
Key West Bight Management District Board to be held at City Hall 1300 White Street Key West at 4:00 p.m. 

Thurs - Sep 10
Key West City Commission Special Meeting to be held at City Hall 1300 White Street Key West at 5:05 p.m.

City of Marathon https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/meetings
Tues - Sep 8
Marathon City Council Meeting at 9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, beginning at 5:30 pm

Monroe County Board of County Commissioners https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/
Tues - Sep 9
BOCC and Land Authority Regularly Scheduled Meeting from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Location:  Murray Nelson Government Center
102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

Tues - Sep 9

Budget - First Public Hearing @ Murray Nelson Government Center 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo beginning at 5:05 pm

Village of Islamorada Council https://www.islamorada.fl.us/Calendar.aspx
Tues - Sep 8
Regular Village Council Meeting  5:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada

Thurs - Sep 10
Village Council will meet for the First (Tentative) Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 at 5:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
 
Monroe County School Board https://monroe-k12.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1

Tues - Sep 8
Monroe County School Board will meet at Marathon High School - Media Center 350 Sombrero Beach Rd Marathon beginning at 5:00 pm

(Keys Energy): https://www.keysenergy.com/utility-board/
Wed - Sep 9
UTILITY BOARD OF THE CITY OF KEY WEST, FL
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING / PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING/ REGULAR MEETING @ 4:00 P.M.
1001 JAMES STREET – KEYS ENERGY SERVICES BOARD ROOM

Lastly, immigrants are being taken at breakneck speed in Marathon and all throughout the Keys.  These abductions throw the families into a frenzy of trying to locate their loved one, find the money to mount a legal battle to get them back and dry the tears of everyone as the absence becomes more acute. All of a sudden the families can't pay their rent, buy enough food for their family, pay the utilities. Not only is their economic support ripped away from the family--their moral support is now absent and in need to know what is happening with their case. It is an emotional breakdown as the significant others try to negotiate a legal system that is not only broken, but adversarial. 
Please join us today at Sombrero and Overseas Hwy to call attention to the crimes against our neighbors being committed in our names and with our tax money.  And on Thursdays - 4:30-5:30 @ FIRST HORIZON BANK--BIG PINE PROTEST RALLY

ICYMI - Rolling Stone Magazine published an article featuring the Key West Immigrant Support Network. Please read what KW is doing. I am so proud of them and all the help and direction both KWISN and Kristin have given us. Read it here--it is worth your time:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fDy1msx-Z5z7f7Ogq_frxzZKnjmTtftp/view?usp=sharing