Garrett Starkey Pole Vault in Paradise is this weekend — Page 1B 75¢ Friday January 10, 2020 ◆ Vol. 144 ◆ No. 9 ◆ 18 pages CAYO CONCH Bill targets plastic bags issue BY TIMOTHY O’HARA the prohibition of single-use Key West Citizen Law proposed to bring home rule on single-use sacks plastic bags. The City of Key West and gle-use plastic bags. courts have ruled on the side State Sen. Linda Stewart, A state bill has been filed Monroe County have passed The City of Coral Gables of the state. D-Orlando, has filed a bill “City making progress this legislative session, which a law prohibiting the sale passed such a bill, but in 2008, Until that issue is resolved, this session that would return makes me happy.” starts Tuesday, that would and distribution of single-use the state Legislature revoked Monroe County (govern- that power back to local gov- return home rule back to plastic straws and there has local governments’ authority ment) Attorney Bob Shillinger ernments, where she said it WORLD local governments for the been discussion by at least the from passing such legislation. told the County Commission belongs. prohibition of single-use Monroe County Commission The issue led to Coral Gables late last year to hold off on US: Iran downed plastic grocery bags. on expanding that to sin- suing the state, but so far the proposing any regulation on See BILL, Page 5A Ukraine jetliner Two U.S. officials said Thursday it was “highly KW mayor likely” that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed a Ukrainian jet- points out liner late Tuesday, killing all 176 people on board. TRAIL progress The crash came just a few hours after Iran launched a ballistic of the city missile attack against Iraqi military bases MIX BY PRU SOWERS housing U.S. troops amid Key West Citizen a confrontation with Washington over the U.S. While it’s sometimes easy drone strike that killed to complain about opera- an Iranian Revolutionary tions at Key West City Hall, Guard general last week. when you look at the breadth The officials, citing U.S. and depth of what the 23 intelligence, spoke on the departments and 524 full and condition of anonymity part-time staff achieved in to discuss sensitive infor- 2019, it’s significant. mation. Page 3A Key West Mayor Teri Johnston gave her second FLORIDA annual “State of the City” report at the Drivers block man city com- after altercation mission meeting this Quick-thinking motor- week and ists used their vehicles Photos provided outlined a to trap a man who fled The sculpture ‘Bridge’ is the red, open-pyramid shape created by James Mikhel Emerson. notable list after hitting a 78-year-old of project Johnston school crossing guard progress who was helping middle Crane Point set to install public art this week over the past year. She sin- school students cross a gled out the new manage- road in Clearwater on BY JILL ZIMA BORSKI ment team of City Manager Wednesday afternoon. Key West Citizen Greg Veliz and Assistant City Gregory Olson, 68, is Manager Patti McLaughlin charged with leaving the he Florida Keys Sculpture Trail for praise, as well as each of scene of a crash involv- continues to take form as two the administrative and public ing injuries, driving with T more sculptures are set to be safety departments. a suspended license, installed along the Overseas Highway, an “After 15 months on the and failure to obey a All-American Road. job, my enthusiasm and traffic control device, This week, “Bridge,” by a New York art optimism have not waned Clearwater police said on student and sculptor, will be placed at for one second. We have an Twitter. Page 3A Crane Point Museum and Nature Trail incredible community that’s at Mile Marker 50. Heavier than initially inclusive and we enjoy a tre- ON THE RADIO thought and needing a crane to move it, mendous amount of appeal the county’s Public Works Department and potential here,” Johnston is tasked with moving the monumental read from her report. artwork. Johnston, who is running Crane Point, a 63-acre tropical oasis for reelection in November, of hardwood trees, nature trails and has tried to create a more educational displays for adults and chil- strategic and organized work dren, has a local contractor installing environment during her first a concrete pad at its southwest high- term. Toward that end, the Hometown! chairman Todd way frontage to accommodate the red, city manager’s office has insti- german talks about tomor- open-pyramid shape created by James tuted succession planning, row’s workshop for prospec- tive candidates on “Winning A ceremonial red ribbon cutting at the Key West International Airport was held Mikhel Emerson. The sculpture uses con- outlined formal goals and Campaigns.” in July 2018 to celebrate the installation of nine sculptures created by seven temporary iconography (visual images objectives and put in place Art Students League of New York Model to Monument program artists that and symbols) in a classic pyramid to pro- staff performance reviews. Also on today’s show: were gifted to Monroe County by the late Jacob Dekker, left, and John Padget, The city is also going to put • J.W. Cooke — Citizen sports center. Liz Young, Florida Keys Arts Council executive director, is also pictured. See ART, Page 7A Jim Mooney — Islamorada • See PROGRESS, Page 7A Councilman • Heather Carruthers — Monroe County Mayor • Richard Tamborrino — Citizen Publisher and Editor • Mindy Conn — School Numerous activities throughout Keys will affect US 1 traffic Board • Carol Tedesco — Publicist CITIZEN STAFF roadways. Ride, set for Friday and • Steve Estes — News Monroe County Sheriff’s Saturday, throughout the Barometer With the winter tourist sea- Office spokesman Adam entire Keys. NEWS: 7:30, 8:30 a.m., noon, son comes myriad activities Linhardt said motorists from This year, 44 wounded 5 & 6 p.m. and events designed to make Key Largo to Key West can warriors will participate — all Evening Edition 5-5:30 p.m. the most of the wonderful expect most of the heavy military veterans. Patriotic Florida Keys weather and traffic to occur on Friday banners and yellow ribbons landscape. and Saturday, Jan. 10-11, will line U.S. 1 and down- There are multiple events and urged motorists to plan town Key West. Residents taking place up and down the accordingly and take note of are encouraged to come out island chain this weekend, the times and days of events. and show these warriors your Nick Kraus photo and later this month, that Highlighting the weekend’s patriotic support. Participants of a previous Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride make are expected to impact traffic activities is the Wounded their way down Duval Street. This year’s event takes place Friday along U.S. 1 and other area Warriors’ 15th annual Soldier See TRAFFIC, Page 7A and Saturday throughout the Keys. INDEX ◆ CITIZENS’ VOICE – 2A CLASSIFIEDS – 4-8B COMICS – 9A CROSSWORD – 7B DEVOTIONAL – 8A KEYS CALENDAR – 2A OPINION – 4A SPORTS – 1B KEYSWIDE CLASSIFIEDS ◆ keysnews.com/classifieds FOR CLASSIFIEDS ◆ 305-292-7777, Option 3 2A THE KEY WEST CITIZEN ◆ FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 PAGE 2 IN THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST: an evening of contrasting mono- • Movie night fundraiser AROUND THE KEYS logues, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. The American Legion Auxiliary and Editor’s note: To have your event listed in Around the Keys, e-mail 12, in the Helmerich Theater, 533 the Sons of the Legion will host a the who, what, where and when to [email protected]. Eaton St. Needed are 16 actors, screening of “The Peanut Butter any age, any gender. Monologues Falcon” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, will be provided. For information, at 5610 College Road. The movie • Writers’ meeting St. The event is free and open to call 302-540-6102 or email is free and open to the public and The Key West Writers Guild will the public. [email protected]. refreshments will be available for meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Sat- purchase. urday, Jan. 11, in the Conference • Toastmasters • Home tours Room at 2601 S. Roosevelt Blvd. Key West Toastmasters will meet at Old Island Restoration Foundation’s • Discovery Saturday For informations, call 904-403- noon Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Gato annual Key West Home Tour will The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery 0866. Building, 1100 Simonton St. For be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday Center’s Discovery Saturday information, call 305-295-7501. and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 18. children’s program will feature forts • Library speaker Visitors are welcome. Five historic homes and buildings and cannons from 10 to 11 a.m. The Friends of the Key West Library will be featured. Tickets are $35 on Saturday, Jan. 18. Fort Zachary will host Rowan Ricardo Phillips, • TheatreXP auditions in advance, $45 on the days of Taylor State Park rangers will host author of “The Circuit: A Tennis Key West’s TheatreXP, in association the tours. For information or to the program. To register, call 305- Key West Toastmasters will meet at noon Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Odyssey,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. with The Studios of Key West, will purchase tickets, visit http://www. 809-4750. The Center is located at Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St. 13, at Tropic Cinema, 533 Eaton hold auditions for “Twice Told Tales.” keywesthometours.com. 35 E. Quay Road. Citizens’ Voice TODAY IN KEYS HISTORY Today’s Weather Report is Sponsored By... “Citizens’ Voice” is a forum for readers to tell us what’s on your mind, in 50 words or less.