KEY LARGO: FEATURE Missed opportunities F FLORIDA KEYS Page 43 R E E Local nurse helps in her native Cambodia PressWednesday, September 19, 2012 ◆ Volume 25, Number 44 ◆ 56 pages FREE Page 20 MARATHON: CLUB Passing the baton District to make stragglers Group helps people connect find their voice BY JOSH GORE Page 21 Free Press Staff KEY LARGO: BUSINESS KEY LARGO — The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District is preparing to send 143 resi- dents to county code compli- ance for failing to connect to its sewer system, according to a clerk’s report at the Sept. 11 board meeting. See COMPLIANCE, page 7 New bike shop offers sales, repairs Page 38 Slight tax hike INSIDE THIS WEEK for Marathon Business & Real Estate ..........38-39 Crossword .................................. 22 Faces & Places ...........................31 BY JOSH GORE Football Contest .........................36 Free Press Staff Horoscope .................................. 25 Keys Cruisin’ ..........................21-36 Mystery Photo ............................24 MARATHON — No public Opinion ...................................... 40 ROBERT SILK/Free Press comment was made last week Sports & Recreation ..............43-46 Michael Reckwerdt, right, who had held the largely honorary position of Islamorada mayor since the at the city of Marathon’s first Tides .......................................... 46 spring of 2010, relinquished the gavel last week, handing it over to former Vice Mayor Ken Philipson, of two public budget hear- TV Guide ...............................32-33 left. The surprise move, which received unanimous support from the Village Council, came less than ings. two months before the November election. See story on page 10. See TAX, page 16 364083 4 BARS TO CHOOSE WATCH ALL FROM WITH 32 TV’S SHOWING ALL COLLEGE & NFL GAMES THE GAMES BEER & WING SPECIALS HERE! JOIN US EVERY MM104 Bayside • (305) 453-9066 • www.jjsbigchill.com SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2 • UP FRONT State says sanctuary enforcement insufficient BY ROBERT SILK remains concerned that we much territory. Free Press Staff are so far below critical staff- The sanctuary funded a September 19, 2012 • Free Press September 19, ing levels that our current similar number of officers MONROE COUNTY — resources are incapable of in 1999 as well, according to The Florida Keys National providing a sufficient enforce- spokeswoman Karrie Carnes. Marine Sanctuary, a division ment presence.” In 2003, however, the num- of the National Oceanic and Wiley submitted his com- ber reached as high as 19, Wiley Atmospheric Administration, ments in late June as part of wrote in separate letter to has come under sharp criti- the public scoping for the NOAA Deputy Administrator cism from Florida’s lead on- ongoing sanctuary review of Eric Schwaab. the-water law enforcement its regulatory and marine zon- Over the winter, sanctu- agency. ing plan. ary managers released the FWC/Contributed “Despite numerous com- Under an agreement Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “Condition Report 2011 for mitments from NOAA for between the two agencies, the which provides enforcement services in the Florida Keys National Florida Keys National Marine the staffing of sufficient law FWC provides enforcement Marine Sanctuary, say resources are below ‘minimally acceptable’ Sanctuary,” the first such enforcement services, en- in the 2,900-square-nautical- levels. report since the sanctuary forcement levels have fallen mile Florida Keys National was established 22 years ago. well below what can be con- Marine Sanctuary, which was said. The funds pay for five enforcing the federal sanctu- It outlines the health of the sidered ‘minimally accept- established in 1990. This year on-the-water patrollers, a ary rules. coral reef ecosystem and the able,’” Florida Fish and Wildlife the sanctuary is spending lieutenant, a dispatcher and The number of FWC officers fisheries in sanctuary waters Conservation Commission $1.5 million, or 30 percent of a third of the salary of local the sanctuary is funding now and cites a reduced number Executive Director Nick Wiley its $5 million budget, toward FWC Capt. Pat Langley. is similar to the seven that of corals, queen conch, long- wrote in a recent missive to that enforcement, sanctuary The funds also cover the NOAA was funding in 1990, spined sea urchins, groupers, the sanctuary. “... The FWC Superintendent Sean Morton cost of patrol boats for those when only 100-square-nauti- sea turtles and other keystone officers, as well as fuel, repairs cal-miles off of Key Largo and species. The report will guide and office space. 5.3-square-nautical miles off the sanctuary’s regulatory and HYPNOTEC INC. 364137 In addition, the FWC has of Looe Key were part of the marine zoning review process, CHANGE YOU WILL BELIEVE IN! 29 other officers who work National Marine Sanctuary Morton has said. STOP SMOKING, LOSE WEIGHT, PHOBIAS, STRESS & SELF HYPNOSIS. the Florida Keys, but they’re program. The Florida Keys In an interview last week, chiefly charged with enforc- National Marine Sanctuary WWW.HYPNOTEC.NET 786-351-1031 ing state laws rather than covers nearly 30 times that See SANCTUARY, page 3 369203 Call for Details and Showing Appointment Ken Craig Reda Stephens 305-367-3969 • WANTED • NEW DEAD OR ALIVE ONLY — CLEAN — BROKERAGE BOATS TWO – SEVEN YEAR OLD POWERBOATS & PRE-OWNED 2012 13’ BOSTON WHALER SUPER SPORT 40 HP MERCURY OB “IN STOCK” “UN-NAMED” 2007 22’ PANGA LX SUZUKI 90 HP $23,995 2012 17’ BOSTON WHALER SUPER SPORT 60 HP MERCURY OB “IN STOCK” “LIL SEA STAR” 2011 25’ HUNT HARRIER DOWN EASTER VOLVO IB 300 HP $179,900 2012 32’ BOSTON WHALER OUTRAGE CUDDY TWIN 300 HP MERCURY OB “IN STOCK” “FISH ON” 2007 26’ ROBALO CENTER CONSOLE TWIN YAMAHA 250 HP $74,995 2012 16’ MAKO CC PRO 40 HP MERCURY OB “IN STOCK” “UN-NAMED” 2006 26’ EVERGLADES CENTER CONSOLE TWIN HONDA 225 HP $79,995 2012 18S SEA RAY SPORT BOAT 135 HP MERCRUISER I/O “IN STOCK” “UN-NAMED” 2010 27’ BLACKWOOD CENTER CONSOLE TWIN MERCURY 300HP $109,000 2012 177 SCOUT SPORT 70 HP YAMAHA OB “IN STOCK” “COLLEGE FUND” 2006 29’ SEARAY - AMBERJACK TWIN MERCRUISER $64,995 2012 210 SCOUT SPORTFISH 150 HP YAMAHA OB “IN STOCK” “MAHI” 2006 29’ TIARA CORONET TWIN CRUSADER 385 HP $99,000 2012 221 SCOUT WINYAH BAY 250 HP YAMAHA OB “IN STOCK” “MAJORITY OF ONE” 2008 30’ TIARA OPEN TWIN CUMMINS 330 HP $229,000 2013 245 SCOUT XSF 300 HP YAMAHA OB “IN STOCK” “RED BARON” 2007 32’ INTREPID CC TWIN MERCURY 275HP $129,500 2013 275 SCOUT XSF TWIN 150 YAMAHA OB “IN STOCK” “LATE NITE BITE” 2002 43’ TIARA EXPRESS TWIN CAT 660 HP $309,900 “HOOKED UP” “SCARAB” “MIZUNO” 2010 52’ SEARAY NEW CABO 40’ 2011 DEMO 2003 42’ TIARA 2007 WELLCRAFT 2004 37’ INTREPID SUNDANCER INCREDIBLE HANDLING EFFICIENCY C-12 CATS, IMPECCABLE! TRIPLE 250 HP YAMAHA’S TRIPLE YAMAHA 225 HP-4 STROKE JUST 192 HOURS, CUMMINS POD DRIVES. $359,000 NOW JUST $124,900 INCL. TLR! JUST REDUCED! LOADED & READY BUY OUR DEMO & YOU SAVE BIG! 3 UP FRONT 2012 • Free Press September 19, Childcare struck with funding double whammy BY JOSH GORE the grant program. When she which took effect July 1, have “The kids have somewhere to sized childcare funding for- Free Press Staff receives comments from the given more money to counties be.” mula. grant reviewers, it should shed that had a budget surplus of tax Boza has scheduled a meet- “Should you send a 9-year- FLORIDA KEYS — A loss of some light, she said. dollars last year and no wait- ing with the Boys and Girls old home alone?” Boza said. funding for afterschool pro- But Romain said she told ing list for families, while leav- Club to figure out if it can “I say no.” grams is leaving working par- principals there was a possi- ing Miami-Dade and Monroe provide some relief to parents [email protected] ents with few options for their bility the money would not counties with deep cuts. who need a safe place for their Staff writer Gwen Filosa con- elementary-aged children. come through. According to numbers pro- children to stay. tributed to this report. For the past five years, Key “There’s no guarantee,” she vided by the Early Learning Of his 388 students, 78 Largo School has used funds said. “You take your chances.” Coalition of Miami-Dade/ received afterschool supervi- from the 21st Century Grant, Hoar has begun meeting Monroe Counties, funding to sion under the 21st Century NEWS TIP? which is federal money direct- with YMCA officials to put cover 46 children will imme- Grant. ed through a state application together an afterschool pro- diately be cut from Monroe Boza, too, is worried about CALL 853-7277 process, in order to provide gram. She said the Upper Keys County, and money for 359 the ramifications of the sub- afterschool programs for stu- group seemed receptive. But will be eliminated over a six- dents. The grant expired at she said she doesn’t expect the year period. “Celebrating the end of last school year, YMCA to match what the grant “The time to get involved REMEDY’SRREMEDYEEMEMEDDYY S 40 years of serving the and administrators were told terms and doesn’t know how is now,” said Evelio Torres, Keys Health” Vitamins, Herbs, Tinctures, last week that it will not be many of her teachers might president of the Miami Dade/ Essential Oils, and More! NUTRITION renewed. participate. Monroe division of ELC. At an “WE ARE THE MANUFACTURER.” Key Largo School Principal On top of losing the fed- information meeting last week Julia Hoar said 300 of her 900 eral grant, a new state fund- in Key Largo, Torres urged resi- Vitamin C (Buffer C) 1000 mg - 50 count students last year took advan- ing formula for subsidizing dents to ask state leaders to BUY ONE GET ONE FREE tage of the free afterschool childcare centers is expected change the formula.