CHAMBER CHOWDER© 510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West www.keywestchamber.org Chief Sean Brandenburg Message from President Michael Morawski our board of directors and those who serve on chamber committees along with our Y Executive Vice President Virginia Panico and her staff have been non-stop: On President’s weekend, our Executive Vice President Virginia Panico along with board members, as well as our business members, joined our Mayor Teri Johnston, Commissioner Key West Police Department Chief Sean Brandenburg is welcomed by chamber President Mike Jimmy Weekley, City Manager Jim Scholl, along with Morawski at the February chamber luncheon. other city departments and chamber members along he new Chief of Police Sean on a 15 million dollar budget, almost all the 500 through 700 hundred blocks of Duval Street Brandenburg has been on the of which goes to salaries and benefits. for the 11 week weekend only turn of Duval Street Key West police force for 17 Chief Brandenburg touched upon into a pedestrian walking zone kickoff party. Virginia T has participated on the Duval Street committee and years, and if he doesn’t appear familiar, some of the distinct challenges facing it’s because he was on the night shift, the department, first and foremost with city staff, Commissioner Weekley, the Mayor quite literally. Brandenburg came to the recruitment and retention. The high cost and her office, to ensure that an idea confronts the department after serving 12 years in his of living and a starting salary of only logistical challenges with actionable solutions as the home state of Indiana and started with $55,000 effects the number of candidates. trial feedback comes forward. the KWPD night patrol. He moved onto “We are hopeful of sponsoring six Our marketing committee is doing an incredible the K9 unit (nights), Sergeant (nights), candidates in May,” said Brandenburg but job with our social media presence. As a reminder to Detective Sgt of Narcotics, and became they have no applicants for dispatch. those that haven’t viewed our Facebook page I would Lieutenant (nights). Brandenburg has “We also have to face the also been on mounted patrol and the ‘Fergusson Effect.’ While the police continued on page 34 SWAT team before finally becoming an have a good relationship with the administrative captain and now chief. community, potential applicants see Born and raised in Indiana, Chief how much police officers are scrutinized Table of Contents Brandenburg has an Associate in Law nationally, and it scares them away. It’s Business Spotlight . 2 Enforcement from Vincennes University. a battle between perception and reality,” He attended the Indiana police academy explained Brandenburg. Financial Literacy Challenge . 4 . and has a Bachelors in Criminal Justice There has been a slight reduction in Conflict Resolution Seminar . 5 from Indiana University. Also, furthering crime for 2018, and the KWPD is still Business Trends . 6-7-8 his education, Brandenburg participated looking for ways to positively deal with Business After Hours . 9 at the FBI National Academy in Quantico the homeless vagrant situation with long with the top 1% of police administrators term solutions. “We can’t arrest our way Welcome New Members! . 8 and completed five master level courses through the problem. It’s too expensive.” Student Scholarship Opportunities . 10 receiving a masters certificate from the Also, narcotics will always be an issue in Community Calendar . 11 University of Virginia. Now the new the community, including the national Chief oversees 99 sworn positions and 28 problem of heroin and fentanyl. However, Cruise Ship Schedule . 11 civilians in the department that operates substance abuse is also a culprit as Chamber Calendar of Events . .12 . continued on page 3 4 Tiger in the Woods Golf Tournament . 12 . Page 1 Chamber Chowder March 2019 VOL. 22, NO. 3 Spotlight Shines on ... Mel Montagne, Insurance Office of America “If it’s free, it’s for me!” Information from the Key West Chamber of Commerce o you have an upcoming Family/High School Reunion, a Key West Wedding, or Business Retreat? D The Key West Chamber of Commerce is offering FREE VISITOR INFORMATION for you to place in your welcome bags! Your welcome bags can be stuffed with visitor’s guides, coupons, maps, Each month, the Key West Chamber of Commerce spotlights a business or professional person whose business brochures for shopping in the Key card is drawn at the Business After Hours. This month’s winner is Mel Montagne, Insurance Office of America. West area, different accommodations for hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts, nsurance is big business in the Keys, and At IOA, Montagne mostly deals with Key West museums and attractions, there is no one better to help navigate the ins some high-value insurance and focuses on the restaurants, watersports, eco-tours, I and outs than Mel Montagne, Vice President commercial side. Several of his clients are condo sunset cruises; you name it! of Sales with Insurance Office of America (IOA). and homeowners associations and coverage can be Have an event coming up with out Insurance runs in his family. Following his parents’ up to 70 to 80 percent of their budget. Montagne of town guests, give us a call today! We footsteps who were also in the business, Montagne is acutely aware of the high cost of insurance in are here to help you and your visitors’ attended the College of Insurance in New York, Monroe County and has made it also his mission Key West stay more enjoyable and worry one of the few insurance schools that existed in to keep South Florida rates under control. He is free. The visitor information packets the 80s. After graduating in 1984, Montagne the President of the Board of Directors of FIRM, are free for pick up in the Key West returned to his hometown Miami and worked Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe and has been Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Lobby until receiving a job opportunity in the Keys in volunteering countless hours for years helping or only a nominal charge if shipped. 2000. residents stay in their homes. Montagne was always an islander, born in “There’s much misconception about the Keys If you would like your business coupon Cuba in 1961, his family moved to South Florida that everyone is wealthy and spends most days or brochure included in our welcome in 1962. He has never returned to Cuba, but his fishing,” said Montagne “But that is not true. I sell bags and presented in our Visitor’s Lobby parents raised him fluent in Spanish. Settling in insurance, and I can’t sell a product if no one can please join our Rack Card Program. To Islamorada in 2000, he felt at home with his afford it.” Montagne has led the charge in Tallahassee advertise with your business card it is wife, who is also in the insurance business and helping Keys homeowners tamper high insurance only $5.00 a month, for a brochure just raised his three daughters in the Keys. Now his costs. “Back in 2006, the genesis of FIRM when $10.00 a month. oldest will be graduating from Florida State premiums began to skyrocket and we got the 10% For more information on FREE STUFF and getting her masters in Risk Management. rate cap,” said Montagne and since then they also from the Key West Chamber or Insurance is in their blood. have been vital with flood insurance reform as well. joining our Rack Card Program please “I learned a long time ago insurance is a big Montagne splits his time between three contact Shay at the Key West Chamber ticket item and what you get in return is just a piece IOA offices serving all of the Florida Keys. (305) 294-2587 or by email: info@ of paper that’s just a promise,” said Montagne. “I try The IOA office is located at 2816 N Roosevelt keywestchamber.org. to uphold that promise the best I can.” Blvd, Key West, FL 33040. The Chamber Chowder Heartily Thanks These Businesses for Their Generous Support of this Issue of the Newsletter Ernest Hemingway La Concha Horan & Higgins, L.L.P. House Museum Crowne Plaza 608 Whitehead Street 907 Whitehead Street 430 Duval Street Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 305-294-4585 305-294-1136 305-296-2991 Porter Allen Old Town Key West Insurance Company Development 513 Southard Street 201 Front Street, Suite 301 Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 305-294-2542 305-294-3225 Page 2 Chamber Chowder March 2019 VOL. 22, NO. 3 “Chief Brandenburg” cont. from page 1 4 President’s Message cont. from page 1 4 Brandenburg talked about petty theft of alcohol encourage you to do so. In addition, like On Feb. 19th our Workforce Housing as a common crime. and follow, our page. By doing so, you can committee met with school board member Brandenburg will continue promoting take advantage of linking your videos, like Andy Griffith and discussed the proposed community policing initiatives. For example, the one from Lau Estevez on Sunday Feb. housing project at the Sugarloaf School site the “Eye on the Island Program” will keep 24th. I don’t know if you saw and shared, as well as the timetable for moving school developing when the police leave hangers on the but I did and my friends loved it. What an resources housed at Trumbo Point. Many businesses’ doors during neighborhood patrol. image of the Keys in February. If you’re not Also, Brandenburg explained the importance of felt that as one of the largest employers part of this magnificent site you’re missing maintaining full time mounted police.