Need A Loan? Call Us ! 305-296-8535 KeysBank.com Kurt Ani Lori Brian Smith Lewin Madruga Bailey Barroso (305) (305) (305) (305) (305) 942-4821 304-4187 308-3210 304-6991 393-4669 NMLS#: 518207 NMLS#: 812476 NMLS#: 812674 NMLS#: 812459 NMLS#: 812460 Member FDICMember Equal Housing Lender WWW.KEYSNET.COM WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 6, 2013 VOLUME 60, NO. 11 ● 25 CENTS WINDSTORM INSURANCE FIRM unveiling study plans By RYAN McCARTHY “I think all of us are look- Grassroots watchdog group hosts Government Center near mile aired on Monroe County [email protected] ing to this analysis as the first marker 48.5 from 5:30 p.m. Comcast Channel 76. step in us not having to be three public meetings starting today until 7:30 p.m. The others are The three main compo- It’s not often you hear the here anymore,” she said. Feb. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 nents of the study would be head of an organization say its “That’s why we’re so eager to the long haul. annual membership meetings p.m. at the Murray E. Nelson the vulnerability of Keys main goal is to no longer exist. get the results of the study.” Carruthers said it’s likely this month to give the public Government and Cultural buildings to wind damage, But that’s what Fair The grassroots nonprofit that separate companies specifics of what the study Center, mile marker 102 bay- historical and projected storm- Insurance Rates in Monroe convinced Citizens Property would perform different will entail and the mechanics side; and Feb. 26 from 5:30 to surge damage, and natural President Heather Carruthers Insurance Corp. to fund the aspects of the study. Citizens of getting it done — and 7:30 p.m. at the Harvey catastrophe analysis using says she’s hopes a planned three-pronged study that they is footing the bill while FIRM inviting the public to help. Government Center on data from the first two studies. $485,000 windstorm insur- hope will keep Keys wind- is overseeing the work. The first is scheduled for Truman Avenue in Key West. ance rate study will result in. storm rates manageable for FIRM is holding three today at the Marathon The meetings will also be ● See FIRM, 2A LAST OF THE WRECKS? CRIME FRONT Zecca gets extension for trial Guard Station Islamorada Attorney cites commander, was arrested his caseload, Dec. 21 for what federal authorities say was an unsuc- communication cessful attempt to pay $20,000 or a kilo of cocaine By RYAN McCARTHY for the murder of Marathon [email protected] Realtor Bruce Schmitt. Zecca faces federal Marathon resident Dennis charges of murder for hire, Zecca will wait at least conspiracy to possess and another 90 days before stand- attempt to possess with intent ing trial on four federal to distribute cocaine, and charges that could land him transfer of a firearm to a con- in prison for life. victed felon. William Aaron, Zecca’s In his “unopposed motion Miami-based attorney, request- for first continuance,” Aaron ed the continuance on Jan. 30. cites the seriousness of the Zecca’s two-week trial period case, difficulty communicat- Keynoter photo by KEVIN WADLOW KEVIN photo by Keynoter was scheduled to begin on Feb. ing with Zecca and a heavy 25 in Key West. outside caseload as reasons Zecca, co-owner of the for the extension. Marathon Marina and Boat- A diver (above) is yard and a former U.S. Coast ● See Zecca, 2A surrounded by marine life that has MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS enveloped the ‘Spiegel Grove’ since it was sunk off Key Still no answer Largo 10 years ago. Three years ago, the ‘Vandenberg’ (right) on hotline issue was scuttled off Key West. Now the ing him would be channeled military says Aide:‘I had to the superintendent or allowing its former no idea what’ board chairman. ships to be used as Instead, they went to Amy artificial reefs no was happening Reno, a part-time assistant interning with the district longer will happen. By SEAN KINNEY through Florida Keys Com- Story, 3A [email protected] munity College. She wasn’t even working anymore when Photo by ANDY NEWMAN Recent scrutiny of the the hotline went active. Monroe County School Gentile hasn’t offered any District’s waste, fraud and reason for why Reno was KEYS ENVIRONMENT abuse hotline and Ken involved even though on Gentile, the staff member April 21, 2011, he set her up who put it together, has as an EthicsPoint user, revealed a system that, at according to district e-mails Report: Ecological Reserve a winner best, functions poorly and is obtained through a public were right. were heavily fished, “began omy is tied to the health of our set up to ensure complaints records request. Designation Catches for both recre- to reform inside the reserve.” oceans. They are not mutually against Gentile are not seen Initially, Gentile said, leads to more, ational anglers and commer- The report spearheaded exclusive.” by his bosses. “The reports should have cial fishing boats have by the National Oceanic and Holly Bamford, assistant Gentile, formerly the been channeled to the board larger fish remained steady, says the 164- Atmospheric Administra- NOAA administrator for the chief internal auditor and chairman. This was an page report finished in 2012. tion’s Centers for Coastal National Ocean Service, now the director of finance, instruction given to the ven- By KEVIN WADLOW “Overfished species such Ocean Science says Key said, “The findings in this rolled out the anonymous dor. I am investigating with Senior Staff Writer as black and red grouper, yel- West fishing docks reported report are good news for hotline system in September the vendor why this was not [email protected] lowtail and mutton snapper $56 million in landings in NOAA management efforts 2011. Complaints, more than accomplished.” increased in presence, abun- 2011, up from $40 million in to enhance fisheries and 70, were logged but rarely Asked how his investiga- Supporters of the Tortugas dance and size inside the 2001 when the reserves were other natural resources in the investigated. tion was progressing, last Ecological Reserves predict- reserve and throughout the enacted. Florida Keys.” When he unveiled the sys- week Gentile said: “The con- ed that creating 151 square region,” says a summary from “This research shows that Information from the tem, run by vendor tact at EthicsPoint went on miles of no-take waters the Florida Keys National marine reserves and economi- report can be applied else- EthicsPoint for $5,000 per vacation. He was going to would lead to larger fish, and Marine Sanctuary, which over- cally viable fishing industries where, Bamford said. year, Gentile assured the look into why this happened. more of them. sees the Tortugas Reserves. can co-exist,” Keys sanctuary The Tortugas Ecological School Board, its Audit and Amy was a temporary A dozen years later, a Mutton snapper spawning Superintendent Sean Morton Finance Committee and the new federal study says they groups, which previously said. “The health of our econ- ● See Tortugas, 2A media that complaints nam- ● See Gentile, 3A INDEX Printed on 100% Classifieds . .6B recycled newsprint Off to Living . .3B CONTENTS © 2013 A great run regionals KEYNOTER PUBLISHING CO. Business . .7A The Marathon High girls Key West High and Coral soccer team’s playoff run is Opinion . .6A Shores High are sending over, but no one’s hanging numerous wrestlers to the Sports/Outdoors . .1B her head. Story, 1B state regional starting Friday. Story, 1B Crossword . .4B 7786790 22222 2A Wednesday, February 6, 2013 KeysNet.com Keynoter NEWS BRIEFS BANKING MARATHON Murphy addresses Tavernier group Schmitt: I did Nardone passes The Tavernier Community at age 65 Association changes locations nothing wrong for its Thursday meeting that The longtime office in features Monroe County FDIC claims prove that,” Schmitt said The FDIC said the fail- Marathon. Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Tuesday. “Anybody who ure of Orion Bank cost the Realtor dies They have as the guest speaker. Keys Realtor knows me knows not to put agency about $880 million. locations on The session shifts to the any stock in these claims.” Williams, 53, is serving a from cancer Big Pine Tavernier Volunteer Fire OK’d bad loans “I’m not hiding from six-year sentence at a feder- Key and Department on Marine this very unfortunate situa- al prison camp in Alabama By RYAN McCARTHY Cudjoe Key, Avenue, off Jo Jean Way. By KEVIN WADLOW tion,” he said. “I am willing after admitting to fraud in [email protected] as well, and Murphy, a former TCA Senior Staff Writer and able to stand up and be his efforts to hide bad loans employ NARDONE president, will speak on [email protected] counted for what I did.” and falsely make the bank Marathon lost a longtime roughly 20 county issues affecting the Aultman, retired to appear healthy. leading lady of the real estate agents. Upper Keys and answer Named in a federal civil North Florida, could not be The board and its loan business Saturday with the “Century 21 was trying to questions. It starts at 7 p.m. lawsuit seeking $53 million reached for comment. committee barely discussed passing of Exit Realty and give us a franchise. We bought and is open to the public. from the failure of Orion “The former directors details of large loans even Florida Keys Rentals co- Exit instead because we were The unincorporated area Bank, Brian Schmitt of were victims of a fraud per- after regulators warned that owner Paula Nardone. impressed with their formula.