UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette By Republicans, For Republicans

Vol. 1, No. 3 www.keysgop.com/upper-keys August 2020

Primary races August 18 - please vote! CANDIDATES INSIDE The Upper Keys Republican Club is 250 words. The article submissions pleased to present our third edition of are unedited for content. The Upper the Upper Keys Republican Gazette. Keys Republican Club does not This third edition is a continuation of endorse candidates in primary races. our Candidates Series leading into BACHELER, pg. 3 BELL-THOMPSON, p. 3 the Primary elections. In this edition, No candidate was excluded by the we asked Candidates to tell us why Upper Keys Republican Club. they are running in approximately

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSION DAVIS, pg. 3 FORSTER, pg. 2 DISTRICT ONE I was born and raised in . I understand the reasons we live in the Keys and I understand our economy. My wife Cheryl and I have been married for over 48 years. We raised three daughters here HAMMOND, pg. 6 HASKINS, pg. 5 and our granddaughter is growing up here. We spend our time supporting numerous local non-profit organizations, actively serving on many boards throughout Key West and the Keys. We truly enjoy our community and diligently support all the good work that LAVIN, pg. 3 MAJESKA, pg. 2 Craig Cates goes on here. I started and owned several businesses in the Keys, and I understand the difficulties business owners face every day. As Mayor, I had an open-door policy. I focused on the city’s budget and keeping our community affordable for its residents while balancing quality of life with our thriving tourism industry. I worked diligently to keep taxes MARTINEZ, pg. 2 ROSSI, pg. 5 low and as a former businessman was instrumental in bringing the city’s taxes to a rate lower than unincorporated Monroe County. The preservation of our rich Keys history is a priority for me because I understand that our history guides and molds our future and is something of great value. I bring 9 years of governmental experience to the County Commission with Continued on pg. 2 SCHEU, pg. 6 ZETTWOCH, pg. 4

Articles in this publication reflect the opinion of the author and do not constitute the position of the UKRC or the Republican party of Monroe County. We encourage all members to provide content. Submit your article of up to 500 words to UKRC to ukrc@keysgop. com for edit and inclusion in the newsletter. Each article should be structured to promote and demonstrate Republican principles. UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette Page 2

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSION

DISTRICT THREE DISTRICT FIVE

Eddie Martinez In spite of multiple requests, for information to include in this publication, no response was Mike Forster Robbie Majeska received from the candidate nor his campaign. Mike Forster is considered by many I moved here in 1998 to raise in our community a friend but more my family in a community where importantly family. His passion to everyone knew your name. I did not Cates serve goes beyond the endeavors want to raise my children in Miami Continued from pg. 1 of feeding those in need during a where no one even knows their fiscal responsibility as my priority. time of crisis, it is the driving force neighbor. I am proud to say I made I understand that government works behind his desire to be an elected the right decision, with my daughter for the citizens, and I will work to official. graduating from Stetson University improve all our services. Forster has served as an and now working on her Master’s I am asking for your vote so we Islamorada Village Councilman at Atlantic University and can continue to work together to for 12 years over the course of five my son currently attending Florida Keep the Keys Moving Forward. elected terms, including time as the State University. I believe my Council’s Mayor and Vice Mayor. family flourished in our community. He also served on the Chamber I have been very involved in of Commerce Board of Directors my children’s schools, and very and has spoken before the Senate involved in our community. I have Appropriations Committee to been a Boy Scout Leader and my fight for the environmental and business has sponsored many financial needs of Monroe County Little League Teams, supported the and the surrounding area. As a Wild Bird Center, Marr-Velous Pet community official, Forster has Rescue, Wild Kingdom spent years cultivating relationships Program, Coral Shores High School Monthly Meeting with key members of state and Marine Biology and others. federal governments. Whether For the past 8 years I have Key Largo Civic Club it’s protecting the environment, been elected and served on the or via Zoom promoting the sports fishing capital KLWTD Board and I am proud l of the world or championing of the work I have done there and AUGUST 26, 2020 Continued on pg. 3 Continued on pg. 4 UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette Page 3

ISLAMORADA VILLAGE COUNCIL

SEAT ONE SEAT THREE

Jenny Bell-Thompson Ms. Bell-Thompson was contacted for inclusion in this publication, but Pete Bacheler Frank Lavin declined to participate.

I’m Pete Bacheler, and I’m Frank has immersed himself in SEAT FOUR running for Village Council Seat the Islamorada community for 1. I came to the Keys 35 years many years. He is an Islamorada ago and created a private land-use Chamber of Commerce member planning company to assist the and has participated in numerous public in maneuvering through luncheons and after-hours events the maze of applications involved to engage with business owners with building and zoning issues. In and discuss ways of improving our conjunction with this, I also manage community. Additionally, for the a small commercial apartment past two years, Frank has attended office complex on Plantation Key all Village Council meetings and at MM89.2B. My partners in the budget workshops. One of the most Ken Davis property are in Miami. I am a part- important issues is the budget of our Mr. Davis was contacted for owner of a commercial apartment/ Village. inclusion in this publication, but office building on Plantation Key, Professionally, Frank has managed declined to participate. where I reside. projects worth millions of dollars. I’m an active member and past As a small business owner, he president of the Upper Keys Rotary understands budgeting and spending Forster Club, a graduate of Leadership money in an efficient manner. As a Continued from pg. 2 Monroe County and a past board council member, Frank will ensure children’s initiatives, Forster is an member of LMC. I have served on your tax dollars are spent wisely active leader committed to exacting many committees and boards within and a percentage be placed in a fund change for the better. the Village, and I have been the for future emergencies. He believes in Monroe County, and chair of the Village Land Planning Frank has always looked for ways he’s asking you to believe in him. Agency (LPA) for the past six to give back to the communities he Vote for Mike Forster as the next years and a proud member of the has called home. In 1988, Frank was District 5 County Commissioner, Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. a founder of the Jackson Heights and give him the chance to continue Continued on pg. 4 Continued on pg. 7 changing lives! UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette Page 4

ISLAMODA VILLAGE COUNCIL Majeska a Continued from pg. 2 SEAT FIVE the accomplishments achieved with our visits to Tallahassee and Larry Zettwoch, also known Washington D.C. As a Monroe as “Larry Z,” built his home in County Commissioner my goal Islamorada in 1987. He served his is tackling issues such as: traffic, country and community for over 40 canal restoration, building permits, years including 32 years in the Air government spending, unfunded Force, and now as an Islamorada state mandates, land takings, and volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic. taxes. I want to see our money Larry began diving at Plantation being spent wisely. I am not going Yacht Harbor in the 1980’s. As to vote on issues because that is he taught others to dive, he began how “things have been done.” I volunteering with the Islamorada will vote in a manner that will Library, then the Islamorada Moose, help the community and our local now serving on both boards. Larry businesses. Larry Zettwoch also teaches CPR classes monthly. Quality of Life is My #1 Priority. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Masters of Arts and Teaching, and a Law Degree. During this time, he taught elementary school, flew with the Kentucky Air Guard, and in 1978 was hiredby Bacheler Piedmont Airlines, finally retiring from American Airlines in 2012. Continued from pg. 3 In Larry words: “I’m interested in Islamorada Council Seat 5 because I have been an adjunct instructor I wish to continue preserving the uniqueness of our Village, be a good at The College of the steward of the Florida Keys waters and use common sense in decision for the past 20 years. making on the Council. “As a commanding officer and captain, I’m used I’m not here to change things to working with a team and facilitating the decision making process to “For the better” I’m running to achieve a common goal. Those same skills will be used to work with maintain our sense of community fellow council members as we improve the health, safety and enjoyment and small-town atmosphere of this community.” while respecting property rights. Let’s work together to continue making Islamorada a great place to live, I agree with the current council’s work, and retire. direction of listening to the citizens’ concerns and addressing their needs and want to continue in that manner. Republican Party of Monroe County I’m a solid conservative and want to maintain a tight budget as laid CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS out by the most recent workshops. • Pick up candidate signs and literature NOW OPEN I spent four and a half years • Find information on local GOP meetings and events mm on U.S. Navy submarines and 91.6 • Meet & work with staff from the Trump campaign ocean side promise to keep the Village afloat WE NEED YOU! Sign up to volunteer for opportunities such as: staffing the HQ office, making phone calls, and in the black. door knocking, envelope stuffing, event prep, Get Out The Vote efforts, last-minute Election Day tasks... I ask for your vote for Village and so much more! Council Seat 1. 91655 | TavernieR | 305-204-4954 UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette Page 5

KEY WEST MAYOR

Rick Haskins Mark Rossi

I’m Rick Haskins and I am a 5th generation conch, a Hello, my name is Mark Rossi and I am running for navy veteran, and a business owner running for Mayor Mayor of Key West. I love Key West and the diverse of Key West. I am running to be the representation population that lives here. I also want to make it that our community deserves, a leader that will hear livable for All! My priorities will be “Quality of Life” everyone not just the selected few. and “Keeping Your Taxes Low.” Growing up in Key West I learned that the spirit Strong leadership you can depend on: I understand of our island is to be welcoming, accepting, and the value of responsible tourism and the military accessible to all those residents and visitors who are contribution. I will take care of our seniors. I will not inspired by our community. As Mayor my priorities waste money on poorly planned projects like Mall on will be to bring back business to prosper, protect our Duval. I will listen and bring all sides together: in valuable environmental assets, and find pragmatic Key West we are about Diversity not Adversity. solutions for affordable housing. I am a supporter of employee housing paid for by It is apparent that the city is facing a looming budget employers, not taxpayers. I also own and build crisis and Key West deserves a savvy business leader employee housing, so I understand and know the who will maintain the right priorities. The city is struggles associated with it for the hard-working men planning to continue to reduce revenue without a and women of this community. plan for replacement while simultaneously adding I will work with all levels of government and the new expenditures. Pet projects and unnecessary community to protect out fragile ecosystem. spending should not come before the necessities I will always be accessible to all. We need to get of our city works. It is not the right time to try to back to being civilized to one another and not just talk limit our commerce as we continue to be masked a about it as a slogan. pandemic that has hobbled our island’s economy that I am a proven leader with experience through numerous our residents depend on. hurricanes, business ownership, and involvement in I am proudly endorsed by the South Florida Rotary and numerous nonprofit organizations. Benevolent Society and the Key West Fire Fighters I am married to my best friend, Dr. Terri Beers Rossi, Union. I believe in being the representation Key West who practices right here in the City of Key West. deservers and always remaining accessible for all. I would appreciate your support and vote for Mayor of this fine City of Key West. UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette Page 6

STATE COMMITTEEMAN

BIO: When I tell people Originally from I’m running for State Atlanta and attended Committeeman the Samford University first question they in Birmingham, ask is, “What is Alabama. I received that?” In short, each a BS in Business County in Florida with concentrations has an elected Party in Finance and Committeeman and Economics) and a Committeewoman Master’s in Business that represents the Stephen Hammond Administration Republican voters of Casey Cass Scheu (MBA). I have their County to the worked for four Fortune 100 companies and owned Republican Party of Florida (R.P.O.F.) three small businesses. So who am I, and how am I qualified to get the job Candidate Statement: done? As your State Committeeman it has been my honor to My family came to the Florida Keys in 1984 and represent ALL Republicans throughout this wonderful settled in Key Largo. I graduated from Coral Shores in county. Whether we are in Tallahassee, the Panhandle 1990 and married my high school sweetheart in 1993. or here in South Florida, Monroe County is my passion. Just before Hurricane Andrew in 1992 my father and For the past 5 years I have traveled the state representing I created a small electronics company. Fast forward all Monroe County Republicans. Along with our to 2020…We have 4 children, 2 in college and one Committeewoman, Kathy Ovide, and our Chairman, graduating from Coral Shores in 2022. I’ve been to 6 Nick Mulick, we have achieved successes rarely seen. continents over 30 years as a defense contractor. I’ve In 2016, the Republicans swept the elections here in worked on the Curiosity Rover that’s on Mars and Monroe County and nationally. I am especially proud several projects for the International Space Station. to have been endorsed by District 5, Board of County I’m currently semi-retired and own a small business Commissioner Sylvia Murphy. Rarely does Sylvia that specializes in equipment, processes, and supplies endorse anyone so this is an honor that is appreciated. used in servicing manufacturers of advance circuit In Monroe County we raised an unprecedented amount board designs and repairs. Current customers include at our major fundraiser of the year. Over $100,000 was NASA, Intel, DRTI, D.O.D. and Qualcomm. raised. I, as your Committeeman, was involved through I was raised in the Keys and raised my kids in the every step. As your state Committeeman one of the jobs Florida Keys. I built a home from the ground up and we do is assist in electing Republicans to county offices facilitated the construction of a 20 room age/income and higher. Also, helping our residents in time of need. restricted living facility in the Upper Keys. I am very During this COVID crisis I have had many calls to assist versed in the practices of the building department and with many issues. State unemployment checks were code enforcement. I have seen the transition of the delayed. Along with our State Representative, Holly building department to the “Sustainability” department. Raschein, and other contacts made throughout this state, The changes are overwhelming. In 2005 I entered the Florida Keys political world I have gotten answers and assistance has been given Continued on pg. 7 Continued on pg. 7 UPPER KEYS REPUBLICAN Gazette Page 7

Lavin Continued from pg. 3 foster a dedicated clientele. He recently joined Berkshire Beautification Group, a group formed by friends and Hathaway Homes Services-Freewheeler Realty in neighbors to improve the quality of life for all residents. Islamorada, and has made a full transition to living and Professionally, Frank has been involved with numerous working in the Keys! non-profit, condo, and co-op organizations. While He is running for City Council because we need leaders on these boards he has served in various leadership who know how to balance a budget, keep our community positions, including President, Treasurer and Secretary. safe and most importantly preserve our quality of As a Realtor, he transitioned his real estate and design life so many more generations can enjoy living in our careers simultaneously. His experience has helped him community.

Hammond Scheu Continued from pg. 6 Continued from pg. 6 Keys. to all. When contacted I am quick as an Upper Keys Republican As State Committeeman I will to respond. These are critical Club member. I then joined the rally the troops when those fighting issues and often urgent and quick Republican Party of Monroe’s the good fight need assistance and responses are required. Our team Executive Committee. I have motivate those who may need works well together, and together served as the UKRC President for a reminder. The Republicans of we will continue to move Monroe 10 plus years. As a REC Member Monroe deserve a Committeeman further to improve our “Grand Ole I Chair the following committees: that will champion the core Party”! Candidate Search Committee, principals of the Republican Party. I am involved, knowledgeable, Candidate Funding Committee, and Fifteen years of leadership in the conservative and committed with a Information Technology Committee. Republican Party with a proven proven track record. I have all of this Last but certainly not least, I am the ability to organize individuals makes PLUS my involvement includes: Chairman for the Trump 2020 Re- me uniquely qualified and the best • Strong supporter of President Election Campaign in the Florida candidate for State Committeeman. Trump and the Conservative agenda • Delegate to the 2020 Republican National Convention – Volunteer Flags & Swag Tampa RNC 2012 • President of the Southernmost Republican Club (SMRC) - 2 years • Member of SMRC – 15 years • Secretary of the REC – 4 years • REC Executive Board – 5 years • State Committeeman – 5 years • Elected to the State Executive Board of the RPOF representing CD 26 – 4 years • Chairman’s Appreciation Award – by Chairman of the REC 2016 Show your Republican pride and support your local club by purchasing your flags and swag from the Upper Keys Republican Club! (Cash or check only, please) FINDFIND US AT THETHE KEYKEY LARGO LARGO CIVIC CIVIC CLUB CLUB ON ON AUGUST AUGUST 26TH 26

Prepared and paid by Upper Keys Republican Club, c/o Nick Mulick, 91645 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070. Not endorsed by any candidate or candidate’s committee.