WWW.KEYSNET.COM WEDNESDAY,MAY 29,2013 VOLUME 60, NO. 43 ● 25 CENTS KEY LARGO New fire agency takes over By DAVID GOODHUE vehicles the department owns. Ambulance Corps is now in charge, its attorneys can figure out Marilyn Beyer said they were [email protected] The Key Largo Fire- how to acquire the land fed up with the department’s Rescue and Emergency issue remains over property ownership through eminent domain. leadership, in particular Chief The ousted Key Largo fire Medical Services District The new department is Sergio Garcia. They said department will use the rest board of commissioners says land on which the south fire ly leases the land and all the headed by the leadership of Garcia, who has led the depart- of this year to try getting in the property belongs to the station sits. The county equipment from the depart- the Key Largo Ambulance ment for 15 years, ignored key the good graces of the board public. But the Key Largo Property Appraiser’s Office ment for $1 a year. But effec- Corps. The new chief is the recommendations made in two that oversees its budget in Volunteer Fire-Rescue says it’s valued around tive Monday, a new fire Ambulance Corps’ chief, independent consultant reports. hopes of providing fire serv- Department’s board is con- $200,000. The department also department — the Key Largo Don Bock. Commissioners Jennifer Miller ice for the community again sidering charging the special owns two special response Volunteer Fire Department — The district severed ties and Tony Allen are against by April. taxing district more than vehicles, two boats and com- took over. The district is seek- with the former fire department ending the contract and starting In the meantime, there is the $1,000 a month. puter scheduling software. ing a one-month extension of in March. Commissioners Bob matter of land, equipment and The department owns the The taxing district current- the $1 lease agreement until Thomas, George Mirabella and ● See Fire, 2A MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND LOWER KEYS Truck impounded in hit-and-run From 2001 to 2006, he was Pedestrian arrested in Monroe County 13 struck, killed times. His first, on July 21, 2001, was for driving under the Sunday morning influence, DUI-property dam- age, leaving the scene of an Keynoter Staff accident and driving with a sus- pended license. State troopers have impound- Subsequent charges include ed a pickup truck they say might several violations of probation, be the auto that struck and killed possession with intent to sell a pedestrian walking along U.S. cocaine, marijuana possession, 1 at mile marker 5.5 Sunday smuggling contraband into jail, morning. The driver fled. aggravated battery and operat- The Florida Highway Patrol ing a vehicle with a revoked says the victim was homeless license-habitual offender. and his identity isn’t known. A Troopers say they believe Monroe County Sheriff’s Office the vehicle that struck the deputy reported seeing the vic- homeless man was traveling tim prior to his death walking at northbound and swerved to the U.S. 1 and North Roosevelt right, striking the man from Boulevard in Key West. behind. The victim landed on Keynoter photo by KEVIN WADLOW A passing motorist spotted the auto’s windshield, then fell Boaters enjoy Sunday in Cowpens Cut, north of Plantation Key.Saturday and Sunday were great for being out on the the body alongside the road at on the grassy shoulder of the water but Monday was a washout. 6:15 a.m. and called authorities. northbound lane. The truck impounded, based After hitting the victim, the on a tip troopers received, is a driver got back on the road, 1996 GMC Sonoma owned by swerved to the left, crossed over 14 in water after capsizing Joseph Symington, 33, of Big the center median and into the Coppitt Key, Lt. Kathleen left southbound lane of U.S. 1, 18-foot skiff in Atlantic Ocean waters water when a bilge pump The name of the boat opera- McKinney told US1 Radio. then fled, troopers said. near Tavernier Creek, said failed, then overturned, he said. tor was not available Tuesday Troopers have not said The person killed was the overturns off Ensign Peter Bermont, Three good Samaritan ves- but he reportedly lives in the Symington was driving. second pedestrian struck and spokesman for U.S. Coast sels reached the scene and Tavernier area. No criminal Symington served three killed by an auto in the Lower the Upper Keys Guard Sector Key West. helped remove five adults from charges were filed and alcohol years in state prison, from Keys in four days. On May 23, Boaters near the scene and a the water. The Coast Guard was not involved. November 2006 to September Donald Huskey, 69, was struck By KEVIN WADLOW response boat from Coast crew collected the other three Windy weather with occa- 2009, after being sentenced to and killed at mile marker 10. Senior Staff Writer Guard Station Islamorada adults and five children, all of sional gusts over 20 mph kept five years on convictions of The driver of the Dodge that hit [email protected] pulled the skiff’s passengers — whom were taken to shore at many boaters close to shore fleeing a law enforcement offi- him wasn’t charged. including five children — from Harry Harris Park. during the three-day weekend, cer with no regard for safety, There have been 12 traf- Fourteen people wound up the water. “When 14 people are in the said Officer Bobby Dube of the driving with a suspended or fic fatalities south of Florida in the water Sunday when a “An 18-foot flats boat is water, it’s a major concern,” Florida Fish and Wildlife revoked license, and aggravated City this year. flats skiff overturned off the not meant to hold 14 peo- Bermont said. “The initial noti- Conservation Commission. battery with a deadly weapon. Upper Keys during one of the ple,” Bermont said Tuesday. fication was that up to 20 peo- A sunny Sunday brought a year’s busiest holiday week- “This was an instance ple could be involved.” large fleet of vessels to the ends for boating. caused by a disregard for A salvor successfully Sandbar anchoring spot off No one was injured in situational awareness.” refloated the flats boat, MEMORIAL DAY the capsizing around 5 p.m. The boat began taking on Bermont said. ● See Boating, 2A MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS 487 seniors to graduate next week from Key West High School, beginning at 8 p.m. on the orifics are for students who Commencement 63 from Marathon High football field (inside the have achieved a weighted speakers Garcia School and 164 from Coral auditorium if there’s rain). grade point average above Shores High in Tavernier. Raschein is the speaker for 4.0 by taking Advanced and Raschein Those numbers are as of Marathon, as well. Placement and dual-enroll- Tuesday and could change In Key West, graduation ment college classes. By SEAN KINNEY as exam scores and credit is June 7 beginning at 8 p.m. Suma cum laude is [email protected] hours are tallied. at Tommy Roberts Memorial reserved for those earning a Last year, the district Stadium on Kennedy Drive. 4.5 or better, magna cum High-school seniors graduated 547 students. The U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, a laude applies to those with a throughout the Florida Keys year before, there were 580 Democrat who represents 4.25 or better and cum laude is are finishing their final graduates. the Keys and part of Miami- for those with a 4.0 or better. exams today with an eye At Coral Shores, students Dade, will give the com- The last day for students toward the crowning will be recognized June 5 mencement address. is June 6, followed by the last Photo by PETE BACHELER achievement of their scholas- beginning at 7 p.m. in the The schools will bestow day for teachers on June 7. A Monday Memorial Day ceremony at the Hurricane tic careers: Commencement. school gym. The speaker is the academic distinctions of Each school is hosting a slate The Monroe County state Rep. Holly Raschein summa, magna and cum of senior activities. For more Monument in Islamorada included the laying of a wreath School District expects to (R-Key Largo). laude in addition to the tradi- information, visit each of the to honor the military veterans and others who died in the hand out diplomas to 487 Marathon High students tional honors of valedictori- schools’ Websites through 1935 Labor Day hurricane.The Matecumbe Historical Trust students Keyswide: 260 take the walk on June 6 an and salutatorian. The hon- www.keysschools.com. organizes the ceremony each year. INDEX Printed on 100% Classifieds . .4B recycled newsprint Depot Living . .2B All revved up CONTENTS © 2013 on the go Business . .7A KEYNOTER PUBLISHING CO. An 8-year-old Marathon Marathon’s Office Depot, Obituaries . .2A boy has quickly mastered a staple since 1998, is motocross racing and Opinion . .6A moving down U.S. 1 to is moving up the ranks. Sports/Outdoors . .1B a much smaller spot. Story, 1B Story, 3A Crossword . .2B 7786790 22222 2A Wednesday, May 29, 2013 KeysNet.com Keynoter NEWS BRIEFS LOWER KEYS PROM ROYALTY Governor signs Everglades bill Woman jailed Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed House Bill 7065 intend- for violent episode ed to maintain a tax that helps pay for cleaning water that on Front the child’s father having a runs off from South Florida Cops: Child Street at 9 domestic-violence injunc- farms into the Everglades.