7 Days to The Flagler centennial The 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first train to FREE JanuaryBayview 14 Park Key West is Jan. 22. In our special section today, we look th back at that historic day and its significance still. WWW.KEYSNET.COM SATURDAY,JANUARY 7, 2012 VOLUME 59, NO. 2 ● 25 CENTS STATE LEGISLATURE Session opens on Tuesday By KEVIN WADLOW Tallahassee on Friday. “All of Since a redistricting plan the annual state of the state Senior Staff Writer those affect Monroe County, Don’t expect Keys-specific issues must be approved in time to address Tuesday morning. [email protected] of course, but not any more to get major play in Tallahassee plan for 2012 elections, that Saunders, as House than everybody else.” is expected to be the main Democratic Party leader, will Any issues specific to the The session begins two County will keep Ileana Ros- Rivera’s congressional dis- priority in the session’s open- deliver the party’s response. Florida Keys likely must take months early in 2012 so law- Lehtinen [as its congress- trict. Ros-Lehtinen has said ing weeks. “I don’t know what I’ll be a back seat in the Florida makers can finish work on the woman] or whether we’ll be she’d prefer the Keys remain Monroe County’s two saying because I don’t have Legislature session that statewide election redistrict- moved into somebody else’s in her district. state legislative seats — anything to respond to yet,” opens Tuesday in ing plan required after every district,” Saunders said. “I really have not gotten a Saunders’ House District 120 he said. Tallahassee. national census. The session The Florida Senate’s pro- good indication what’s going and Senate District 39 now In December, Scott issued “Redistricting, gambling is scheduled to finish March posed redistricting would to happen,” Saunders said. held by Democrat Larcenia his proposed $66.4 billion and the state budget are the 9, about the time the 60-day keep the Keys with Ros- “Committees are meeting Bullard of Miami — are not budget. It calls for $1 billion big three items,” state Rep. session normally commences. Lehtinen, but the Florida Monday and Tuesday so we expected to change signifi- more in education spending Ron Saunders (D-Key West) “The big question in redis- House plan could move the may know more then. We’ll cantly, Saunders said. said after arriving in tricting is whether Monroe county into U.S. Rep. David have to wait and see.” Gov. Rick Scott will make ● See Session, 2A DRIVING THE BASKET FLOOD INSURANCE FEMA: No negotiation on inspections Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and U.S. County lawsuit Sen. Bill Nelson. against agency In 1990, three environ- mental groups sued FEMA is imminent and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, claiming By RYAN McCARTHY that allowing flood insurance [email protected] in endangered-species habitat violates the Endangered No wiggle room, the Species Act. The feds and Federal Emergency Manage- three groups settled in 2010. ment Agency told Monroe The main component of County on Friday. that settlement: FEMA has Come this Thursday, the mandated that Monroe county will be formally noti- County be responsible for fied it’s on probation in determining if vacant parcels FEMA’s National Flood in the Keys are in endan- Insurance Program as of May gered-species habitat. If any 10 — putting more than are, those would be deemed 5,000 property owners at risk unbuildable and the county just three weeks before the could be on the hook for the start of hurricane season. land’s market value if the That’s the result of a Friday owners sued claiming their afternoon conference call land was taken through regu- Island Christian between county and FEMA lation. County officials say School guard officials — a session apparent- the overall price tag could be Shaka Smith (in red ly brought about through the ● See FEMA, 3A and white), a intervention of U.S. Rep. seventh-grader, gets bumped in mid-air MARATHON but makes the layup — and foul shot — during his 17-point 4 chief hopefuls game in Thursday’s 56-52 loss to Redland Christian. visit on Tuesday Story, 1B applicant puts you under Following that, pressure and I’d like to see Keynoter photo Hernstadt to how they do. If they’re by KEVIN WADLOW selected, they’ll be called on make decision to do that from time to time.” The city received 93 appli- By RYAN McCARTHY cations to replace William TRAGEDY AT MOLASSES REEF [email protected] Wagner, who’s Islamorada’s fire chief. Marathon shared Marathon City Manager him for three years before cut- Details emerge in fatal capsizing Roger Hernstadt will let his ting ties on Sept. 30. bosses and the public have a The four finalists are from stern of the Get Wet, said Lt. crack Tuesday evening at his Florida and have wide-rang- Duo wasn’t Jeff Fry, senior investigating top four candidates for the ing experience in fire rescue. trapped officer for the U.S. Coast vacant Marathon Fire Rescue “Each of them brought Guard. When the boat start- chief position. one or more unique qualities below deck ed to move, water moved Hernstadt told the that attracted me to them toward the stern and appar- Keynoter the decision on through their resumes or By KEVIN WADLOW ently caused the Get Wet to whom to hire is his alone, but interviews. They also repre- Senior Staff Writer sink quickly, stern-first. he wants the City Council and sent a cross range of cities [email protected] “The exposed hatches residents to have a chance to they’ve worked for, from combined with weather con- ask them questions first. large to small,” Hernstadt As winds increased the ditions allowed the vessel to “I just think it’s important said, adding he expects to seas at Molasses Reef, water take on a lot of water very to get as much input as possi- select a chief by Jan. 16. poured over the transom of a fast,” Fry said. ble, and that includes the Following are the finalists: Key Largo dive boat Dec. 18. Aimee Rhoads, 36, a men- council’s reaction to the can- ● William Amador of Water was “down-flood- tal-health counselor from didates as well as anyone in Tequesta in Palm Beach ing” into the hull through The ‘Get Wet’ is salvaged following its capsizing. Final the public who comes to lis- “exposed” hatches at the investigation into the fatal event could take months. ● See Capsize, 2A ten,” he said. “Being an ● See Chief, 3A INDEX Printed on 100% Classifieds . .5B recycled Where working newsprint Lady Eagles Living . .2B CONTENTS © 2012 is a pleasure Business . .5A KEYNOTER PUBLISHING CO. win Keys native Tim Maloney Obituaries . .2A The Island Christian takes over management of School soccer squad Opinion . .4A all Publix stores in south rolls over Calusa Prep, Miami-Dade and the Keys. Sports/Outdoors . .1B 8-0. Story, 1B Story, 5A Crossword . .3B 7786790 22222 2A Saturday, January 7, 2012 KeysNet.com Keynoter NEWS BRIEFS Hatches were an issue OVERLINE Thousands lose power on Friday From Capsize, 1A said. “will be closed until further Snorkeler dies “We’re notice,” the business web- Federal Way, Wash., died after looking at site says. The approximately 29,000 Keynoter Staff Marathon-based commer- being trapped beneath a hard every Aimee Rhoads is sur- account holders at Keys cial reef boat. Crew aboard deck cover in a forward area aspect of it, vived by her husband, Pat, Energy Services, as well as A Massachusetts man another Marathon dive boat, of the 25-foot boat. She was so it’s and daughter Rowan, age 3. numerous Florida Keys who fell unconscious while Spirit, spotted Devasthali on her first scuba-diving trip. going to be “She will be missed by Electric Cooperative mem- snorkeling at Sombrero floating on the ocean sur- Another passenger, Amit a lengthy many,” Pat Rhoads said in bers in the Middle Keys, lost Reef off Marathon on Jan. 1 face over Sombrero Reef, Rampurkarl, 27, of New process.” an online post at www power Friday afternoon due RHOADES died two days later. about six miles offshore. York remained hospitalized Fry said .ScubaBoard.com. to what Keys Energy said Vinayak Devasthali, 28, The crew brought him in Miami this week, Fry he has not yet been able to “Aimee was a coun- was a problem on the end the of Norwood, Mass. was aboard the Spirit and began said. Four other passengers take a statement from the selor-therapist with a non- Electric Cooperative. being treated at Kendall rescue efforts while the U.S. and the crew escaped with hospitalized Rampurkarl. profit organization and The power went out Regional Medical Center Coast Guard responded. minor or no injuries. No criminal or civil used her job as a way to about 1:20 p.m. and came when he died Tuesday, the Devasthali reportedly Boat captain John charges have been filed. reach out and help people back on about 15 minutes Sheriff’s Office said. The regained consciousness at Nathaniel was able to “We’ll make a determi- in need,” Rhoads said. “I later. Miami-Dade County Med- Fishermen’s Community retrieve both Rhoads and nation of what happened can’t even begin to tell all Keys Energy supplies ical Examiner’s Office per- Hospital before being air- Rampurkarl from the for- and consider if there are of you what an incredible electricity from the Seven formed an autopsy but a lifted to Kendall.