Why Key West Should Not Annex Wisteria Island Ethics Com

Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
KEY WEST, FLORIDA • JUNE 29, 2007
Did Police Chief Give
City Commissioner’s Son
Preferential Treatment?
Ethics Complaint
Filed Against
Bethel, Kolhage
MAULDIN WAIVED DRUG-USE
GUIDELINE THAT WOULD HAVE
PREVENTED HIRING OF JOSE
MENENDEZ’ SON AS A POLICE
OFFICER
COMPLAINT: HOW COULD THEY
NOT KNOW THAT THE PURPOSE
OF THAT LAVISH DINNER WAS TO
INFLUENCE THEIR VOTES?!
by Dennis Reeves Cooper
Police Chief Bill Mauldin
may have given Key West Police Officer Manuel “Manny”
Menendez preferential treatment when Mauldin waived
departmental policies concerning the use of illegal drugs to
allow Menendez to attend the
Police Academy in mid-2005.
Officer Menendez, 36, is the
son of City Commissioner Jose
Menendez.
The “Past Illegal Drug
Use Guidelines” provided to
all Police Academy applicants
states that the KWPD will not
consider for hire any person
who has any history of usage
of illegal drugs, including
heroin, crack cocaine, opiates,
methadone, LSD and PCP.
On his application, Menendez
CHIEF ALSO STONEWALLING ON
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST FOR
VIDEO OF LIE DETECTOR TEST
admitted that he had last used
cocaine in 2003.
Mauldin also waived
the drug policy when Manny
Menendez applied to become a
parking enforcement specialist
for the KWPD, a civilian job, in
January 2005. The department’s
Past Illegal Drug Use Guidelines for civilian employees
prohibits the hiring of anyone
who has used cocaine within
five years of the date of application. Menendez’ admitted
cocaine use had been less than
two years earlier.
Menendez’ applications
for both jobs, a copy of the Past
Illegal Drug Use Guidelines
and Mauldin’s signed waivers, which made it possible for
See MANNY, page 4
by Dennis Reeves Cooper
Local activist Erin Herwig has sent a complaint to the Florida
Commission on Ethics asking for an investigation of possible
unethical activities that may have occurred at a May 10 dinner
party attended by three Key West City Commissioners and the
potential developer of Wisteria Island.
The complaint alleges that the purpose of the dinner, scheduled just five days before a scheduled City Commission vote on
the annexation of the island and hosted by an associate of the
developer, was to influence the Commissioners’ votes.
Herwig filed complaints against City Commissioners
Harry Bethel and Danny Kolhage. Commissioner Clayton Lopez was also at the dinner, but was not included in Herwig’s
complaint.
“We suspect that Mr. Lopez was duped into attending the
dinner,” Herwig said.
See ETHICS, page 7
page one commentary
Why Key West Should Not Annex Wisteria Island
by Barbara Bowers
In case my tongue-incheek commentary on June 8
(“Feed Christmas Tree Island
to the Dogs of Development”)
wasn’t clear enough, let me
get straight to the point; six of
them, in fact. The Key West City
BARBARA BOWERS PRESENTS THE CASE AGAINST
ANNEXATION
Commission should not annex
Christmas Tree Island, whose
proper name is Wisteria Island
because:
1. Wisteria Island is on
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) injunction list, which means the
federal government has recognized the island as a habitat for
endangered species. Unless the
city wants to give the residents
of Key West a conservation area
that the white crown pigeons
love, it would have to take
on the federal government to
change zoning regulations.
2. The City’s Comprehensive Plan calls for protection
of wildlife habitats, which
is mandated under Florida Statutes 163.3178 Coastal
See WISTERIA, page 5
THE ISLAND’S OLDEST INDEPENDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
RHONDA LINSEMAN
Second Organ Recital To
Honor Marion Stevens
A recital of 18th century
English organ music honoring
the late Marion L. Stevens will
be performed Sunday, July 1st,
4pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church. The performance will
feature the French Trompette
that she generously gave to St.
Paul’s for the Mutt organ.
The recital will include a
variety of music representing
this great period in English music; Joseph Lowe will be playing
the newly restored Mutt organ
featuring the Marion Stevens’
French Trompette in music by
Berg, Bennett, Hayes, Stanley,
Handel, Greene, and Croft.
The recital is free, although donations will be cheerfully accepted. Compact discs of
the recital will be available.
The recital and CDs are
made possible by a grant from
the Marion Stevens Fund.
A garden reception will
follow the recital with wine,
soft drinks and light hors
d’oeuvres.
The next recital is set
for Sunday, September 2nd at
4pm.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page NEWS BRIEFS
How Much Is That
Doggie In the
Window?
The Florida Keys SPCA (FKSPCA) is partnering with Fastbuck Freddie’s to celebrate the Dog Days of Summer. Fastbuck
Freddie’s, located on the corner of Duval and Fleming Streets
and known for their captivating window displays, is featuring
the dogs awaiting adoption at the FKSPCA. Come by and see
the photographs, read about these lovable canines, and find out
how you can adopt your own best buddy. You can also find out
how you can help the FKSPCA build a new hurricane-resistant
animal shelter.
Also at Fast Buck Freddie’s, each Friday for the next six
weeks, between the hours of 2 and 4pm, you can meet a few of
the dogs available at the shelter. Or, come out to the shelter at
5230 College Road to see the whole gang. For more information
on any of the dogs at the Stock Island animal shelter, please call
294-4857.
Fourth of July Picnic
This year’s Fourth of July Picnic to benefit Hospice and the
Visiting Nurse Association will be at Bayview Park, 4-8pm. The
event will be emceed by radio personalities Bill Hoebee and Rude
Girl. Great Events is handling the catering and Skipper Kripitz
is pulling together a fill roster of all-star entertainers. Admission
is $5 (children under 12 feww) and the picnic buffet is $20 ($10
for children under 12).
www.kwtn.com
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
Was Mauldin Pressured by Former
City Manager or Commissioner
Menendez To Give Manny a Job?
He Won’t Say
MANNY, from page 1
Menendez to be considered
for both jobs, are included
in Menendez’ personnel file,
which KWTN obtained as a
public record from the City’s
Human Resources Department.
KWTN also sent Chief
Mauldin an email on June 19
asking about other employees
for whom he may have signed
drug waivers. At press time, he
had not responded. The email
also asked Mauldin if he had
been pressured by either Commissioner Menendez or former
City Manager Julio Avael to
give the younger Menendez
preferential treatment. He has
not responded to that question
either.
Before Mayor Morgan
McPherson abruptly stripped
Avael of the title and responsibilities of City Manager on
June 6, Avael had outraged the
majority of the City Commission by giving Mauldin and two
other City employees special
$10,000 raises.
When Manny Menendez
was hired by the KWPD as a
parking enforcement specialist,
his own driver’s license had
reportedly been suspended. On
his application, he explained
that he had been unable to pay
the fines.
One of the requirements
to become a Key West police
officer is to successfully pass a
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CELEBRATE THE FOURTH WITH A FIFTH!
lie detector test— a Computer
Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA).
Reportedly, during Menendez’
CVSA session, Detective Dan
Allen asked Menendez about
his drug use. Sources report that
Menendez became irate, yelling
at Allen that he didn’t have to
answer that question.
“Don’t you know who my
father is?” he reportedly yelled
at Allen.
Sources inside the Police Department say that the
CVSA sessions are routinely
video recorded. KWTN has
sent Mauldin three different
Public Records requests asking
to view the video of Menendez’
session. At press time, he had
not responded to any of the
requests.
Mauldin is required by
Florida’s Public Records Law
to respond to all Public Records
requests and, if he does not intend to provide the documents
or other material requested, to
explain why.
Stay tuned.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
What County Commissioners Think
About Losing Wisteria Island To
the City: “That Would Be One Less
Lawsuit For Us”
WISTERIA, from page 1
Management…”it is the intent
of the Legislature that local government comprehensive plans
restrict development activities
where such activities would
damage or destroy coastal
resources, and that such plans
protect human life and limit
public expenditures in areas
that are subject to destruction
by natural disaster.”
Because Wisteria Island
is already a protected wildlife
habitat in Monroe County, why
would Key West annex it just
to follow the same restrictions?
Legally, the DCA would have to
reject any zoning proposal inconsistent with the City of Key
West’s Comprehensive Plan.
3. If local, state and federal
restrictions on endangered species prevail over the rights of
Wisteria Island’s owners, the
Bernsteins may be able to sue
Key West, if annexed, for the
“governmental taking” of their
property. Don’t laugh: This situation is taking place in Marathon right now. A lawsuit filed
on April 4, 2007 has resulted in
a special master recommending that the City of Marathon
pay the owners of Shands Key
(Rodney Shands and family)
$3,000,000 in compensation
for their 8 acre island because
the government—and Monroe County’s Comprehensive
Plan—curbed development
there, claiming the property as a
wildlife habitat in 1986. What’s
amazing is that the Shands fam-
ily purchased the island from
the federal government in 1956,
regulations restricting development were enacted in 1986 and
Marathon only became a city
in 1999. Apparently, the City
of Marathon has no power to
change the zoning that came
along with the island, and even
though the special master suggested that Marathon allow
minimal development in place
of monetary compensation, the
city could not do that; it is now
in court facing a judgment to
pay $3,000,000. Basically, the
City’s hands are tied; it can’t lift
the restrictions, nevertheless, it
is liable for monetary compensation to the owners.
Even County Commissioners George Neugent and
Dixie Spehar have Wisteria
Island nailed: When asked
about the prospect of losing it
to a Key West annexation they
agreed, “It’s one less lawsuit
for us.”
4. If Key West annexes
the island, the city’s jurisdiction and responsibilities would
encompass roughly 800 acres of
bay bottom, too. This includes
the floating suburb of anchored
vessels surrounding Wisteria
Island, about the size of Old
Town. If annexed, hundreds of
boaters could claim the right
to vote in city elections and
demand services. For instance,
city police would be obligated
to respond to every boating accident, robbery, domestic dispute,
you get the drift. Imagine that
expense to tax payers.
5. One thousand signatures have already been
gathered opposing annexation
and/or development of WisteSee WISTERIA, next page
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Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
New Developments Could Delay Vote On
Annexation Until After City Elections
FROM page 5
ria Island and more people are
signing the petition every day.
6. The City Commission
claims that Wisteria Island
would become an important
tax base if it were developed. Of
course, given the above reasons,
it’s hard to believe that zoning
could be changed, but let’s just
say it could be developed. After
all, some people are betting big
bucks they can change the laws,
which under Monroe County,
limit Wisteria to two structures.
The prize under Key West zoning laws may be as many as 400
units on the island. More likely,
though, less than 200 luxury
houses are the development
goal, and based on Wisteria
Island’s bigger sister island,
Sunset Key, gross tax revenue
to the city would be less than
the $300,000.
“Last Stand thinks it’s
a bad idea,” said Al Sullivan,
president of the organization
that just won a lawsuit to stop
developer Pritim Singh from
selling and/or distributing
transient licenses to residential
properties in Old Town. “The
Walsh folks would just create
another gated community with
its back to Key West. The costs
seem to outweigh the benefits
to the community at large.”
And even the Walsh folks,
who developed Sunset Key and
are the intended developers of
Wisteria Island, have yet to buy
the 20 or so rustic acres that
sit a mere 1000 feet offshore
Key West from the current
owners. The risks of not being
able to rezone it from a state
of protected wildlife habitat
in Monroe County are simply
too great.
I hope the Key West City
Commission acts as prudently
as the Walsh folks and refuses to
annex this big White Elephant.
At the very least, perhaps they
will follow Commissioner
Verge’s suggestion that Wisteria
Island annexation be put on a
non-binding referendum in the
next election, you know, just to
learn what their constituents
might actually want.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Barbara Bowers, a longtime Key
West resident, is a freelance
writer.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
by Dennis Reeves Cooper
Four of the seven members of the City Commission— Commissioners Bill
Verge, Mark Rossi, Clayton
Lopez and Jose Menendez— all
said publicly this week that they
would vote to put a non-binding referendum on the ballot in
October to let the people of Key
West have a say on the Wisteria
Island annexation issue. Verge
said he would ask the Mayor
and Commissioners to approve
the referendum at their meeting
on July 17.
The final vote on annexation is also tentatively set for
July 17. But if the Commission
votes to send the issue to referendum, that would effectively
delay any Commission vote on
annexation until after the City
elections. And that would mean
that proponents of annexation
would lose a sure “yes” vote.
Commissioner Harry Bethel,
an outspoken advocate for
annexation, is not running for
reelection.
If the issue does, indeed
go to referendum, it is sure
to become a campaign issue
for Commission incumbents
and challengers alike. Up for
reelection are Mayor Morgan
McPherson and Commissioners Rossi and Menendez. Both
Rossi and Menendez have
announced challengers. Two
candidates, so far, are running
for the seat being vacated by
Bethel
STATE PARK?
In the meantime, a group
of residents calling themselves
the Committee to Save Wisteria Island are working to raise
funds to purchase the island
from the current owners, then
donate the property to the State
to be operated as a state park.
Bruce Ritson, a retired accountant, is the spokesperson for the
group. He may be contacted at
[email protected].
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page Ethics Complaint:
The Purpose of the
Lavish Dinner Was To
Influence Politicos’
Votes on Annexation
ETHICS, from page 1
Lopez told Key West The
Newspaper last week that,
when he and his wife arrived at
the restaurant on Sunset Key, he
was surprised to see the other
two commissioners there. “In
fact,” he said, “I was a little
uncomfortable finding myself
in that situation.”
“I and my fellow citizens
are asking how could any of
those commissioners, ‘with the
exercise of reasonable care’, believe that they had been invited
to Key West’s most exclusive
resort for a lavish dinner at an
extremely high class restaurant
to dine with three representatives of the company proposing
development of an island which
was scheduled for a final vote
on the issue of annexation in
just five days, for any other
reason than to influence their
vote?” Herwig wrote in her
complaint.
“The lame excuse that
the party was for the purpose
of recognizing the service of
one of the commissioners who
wouldn’t be leaving public office for another five months just
doesn’t wash.”
Commissioner Lopez
said that he was told after he
arrived at the restaurant that
the event was to honor Commissioner Bethel’s years of public
service.
All three Commissioners
who attended the dinner have
denied any wrongdoing. All
three have said that the subject
of annexing Wisteria Island
never came up. And they all
said they planned to report
the dinner as a gift as required
by law.
Complaints to the Florida
Commission on Ethics can have
serious consequences. In 1995,
Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow was indicted on bribery
charges. He was subsequently
acquitted but, then, a citizen
filed an ethics complaint against
him on the same charges.
Three years later, the
Ethics Commission found him
guilty of influence peddling.
He was fined and publicly
reprimanded.
www.kwtn.com
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
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Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page www.kwtn.com
What’s On At the Tropic
FROM previous page
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Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 10
www.kwtn.com
opinion
hal o'boyle
Real Men Love Hummers
The Prince of
Produce
by Rhonda Linseman
Last week we reported that Eduardo Boza had
hampered fire fighting efforts during the June 16th
house fire on Stock Island. Fire fighters repeatedly
warned him not to proceed, but he chose to proceed
anyway, and drove his Hummer over an essential
water hose, crushing it beyond use and repair. Boza
was arrested on June 21 on a warrant charging him
with criminal mischief, failure to obey a fire department order, and obstruction of a fire fighter.
The liberal Hummer-haters movement has
waned, and the idea that the Hummer is the symbol of gas-guzzling American style consumerism
is a tired argument. I agree. The recent incident on
Stock Island, however, merits a quick revisit of the
motivation behind Hummer ownership, especially
on a tiny island. Are they essential for navigating
our mountainous, rocky, off-road terrain? Please. Not
even the dirt roads on Big Pine are wide enough to
accommodate them.
Without question, every person deserves the
right to drive the vehicle they prefer and can afford.
But with this freedom of choice comes the task of re-
ON THE SONNY SIDE
ceiving free speech from those who are curious about
the particularly obnoxious choice to drive a Hummer.
I’m picking on Hummer drivers because, while other
vehicles are obnoxious in their own right—hideously
priced mid-life crisis sports cars, for example—they
don’t scream at the rest of the world in quite the
same way.
A Hummer is more like a bully who probably
feels like a powerless child on the inside. A Hummer
says, “Can you see me? HEY, I said LOOK at me. DO
it. Do it NOW. See me? I’m big. I’m really big, and I’m
shiny, maybe even fluorescent canary yellow. Ooh,
baby, I’m so very shiny and I go wherever I want
because I’m SO shiny and big and expensive. SAY
IT. SAY I’m BIG and SHINY and EXPENSIVE. Say
it right NOW. Yeah, that’s right. What’s that? Don’t
crush that fire hose? I do what I want. Now get out
of my effing way.”
Even recent Hummer television ads recognize
that Hummer ownership is, at its core, the ultimate
symbol of testosterone. No need to order steak. I’ll
have a salad. I own a Hummer and I can eat a salad
See HUMMERS, page 23
EDITOR’S NOTE: This column first appeared in
Key West the newspaper in February 2006.
by Hal O’Boyle
The sign reads “Super Mercado,” but the word
“super” lends a grandeur to the establishment that
exists only in the mind of its owner. The whole store
would fit into the frozen food section of a typical Winn
Dixie. I was doing my first tour of Vicky’s (Viquez, as
it is spelled here), the biggest super market in Santa
Barbara de Heredia, Costa Rica. I will be doing a lot
of shopping there in the next year or so.
The layout of the place was vaguely familiar.
Only the guy wearing the bullet proof vest and pistol
at the door caught me by surprise. Rows of shelves
are stocked with packages. Glass front freezers and
coolers line the back wall. A long glass cooler displays
fresh meat and fish. The meat isn’t wrapped in neat
packages. Bins in the cooler overflow with chicken,
fish, pork and beef. The bins are sorted by animal
and body part, priced in Colones per kilogram, large
numbers representing small money.
The meat looked fresh. Four butchers worked
the busy counter. I struggled to remember the Spanish word for “five-hundred,” “gramos” was easy. I
gave up and ordered six hundred grams of chicken,
600 being one of the few numbers larger than 10 that
I know in Spanish.
provide for the convince of all it’s citizens. Therefore
SeeO'BOYLE, page 24
government strives to arrive at a consensus and for
what ever reason maintenance and expansion have
been compromised. Always in the mix is the political
will of the people and it is always the hope that the
decision reflects the will of the majority and is not the
whim of just a few of its citizens.
T H E
N E W S P A P E R
The most expensive project in the keys is our
wastewater treatment program. Again, our elongated string of Islands and its bridges exacerbates
Key West The Newspaper is published every
the problem of sewering and greatly affects its cost.
Friday, all year 'round, 52 weeks a year.
But compound that with a politically driven decision
Free distribution weekly: 9,500
process and we have a terrible waste in the waste water
News tips and letters to the editor are welcome.
program. The pivotal cost effecting sewer plants in
Phone: (305) 292-2108. Fax: (305) 292-1882.
the keys is to operate Million gallon GPD facilities.
Editorial and advertising office:
And when we build small plants everywhere we cre422 Fleming Street
ate several problems. Ultimately one has to increase
Mail: P.O. Box 567, Key West FL 33041
the operating cost to the home owner. Second is the
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decision
to place YOUR
these wastewater
plants in view of
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the importance
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Send
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third level of treatment which is the removal of the
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fine particles, nitrates, and phosphates. Tertiary
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political
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Gronvold
wastewater.
Contributors
Michael
Barnes,
Bob Smith,
Sonny McCoy is a Monroe County CommisHal
O’Boyle,
Sonny
McCoy,
Barbara
Bowers,
sioner and a former five-term Mayor of Key West.
Meryl Berman, Harry Skevington
The Importance Of Waste
by Charles “Sonny’ McCoy
It is certainly easier to criticize than to accomplish
something. We were witness to decades of postponing
capital improvements and what is even worse, local
governments did not have an aggressive program
of preventive maintenance. Governments are now
trying to play catch-up with an expensive program
to build an infrastructure to provide for the needs of
a very long, narrow string of Islands that is home to
the citizens of Monroe County.
There is a need to provide comparable county
services approximately every fifty miles or less. And
at a minimum, to build courtrooms, libraries, and
the myriad of service departments accessible to the
citizens, without imposing an undue hardship for
those living anywhere along these Islands. The cost
of duplicating government service has strained the
budget process and with the state government imposing costly unfunded mandates, the results have been
to postpone or eliminate many of the capital needs
and maintenance of a community basically clinging
to our one, long, Main Street: US1.
To complicate matters, many of these government services have been scattered instead of concentrating the services and offices in a location were
citizens may go to conduct their business instead
of searching and hoping to find the right office. A
central location to conduct all the citizens business
is of coarse the most cost effective but it does not
Key West
West
Key
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 11
www.kwtn.com
ENTERTAINMENT • EATING & DRINKING • NIGHTLIFE • ATTRACTIONS • EVENTS • ARTS • SHOPPING • MAP
Cool Breeze Back Hobex and Stoltz At the
Green Parrot Bar
At the Schooner
COOL BREEZE is back at the Schooner Wharf Bar tonight and
tomorrow night, Friday and Saturday, June 29-30, 7 ‘til mid-
Live Music On the
Island! Complete
Listings & Info
Pages 11-20
BLUE-EYED SOUL—
Hobex, above, returns to the Green
Parrot tonight and tomorrow night,
Friday and Saturday, June 29-30,
starting at 10 o’clock— with with
special 5:30 “Sound Checks” on
both afternoons.
FUNK GUITARIST BRIAN STOLTZ
will be in the house Tuesday and
Wednesday, July 3-4, starting at
10pm— with a special “Sound
Check” Tuesday afternoon.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 12
www.kwtn.com
more entertainment
entertainment
more
Mighty Joe Plum
At Finnegan’s Wake
MIGHTY JOE— Three guys make up the band called Mighty Joe Plum. And they’re at Finnegan’s
Wake tonight and tomorrow night, Friday and Saturday, June 29-30.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 13
more entertainment
Michael Dixon Band
at BottleCap Lounge
THE POPULAR MICHAEL DIXON BAND will be at the BottleCap Lounge tonight and tomorrow night, Friday and Saturday,
June 29-30, 9 ‘til midnight. Then the DJ takes over with high
energy dance music.
www.kwtn.com
OILY’S AUTO REPAIR
MIKE YOUNG, CERTIFIED ASE TECHNICIAN
5669 5th AVE, STOCK ISLAND• 296-6656
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 14
www.kwtn.com
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 15
www.kwtn.com
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 16
www.kwtn.com
what’s hot
The Reifersens
RICHARD WATHERWAX
by Valerie Ridenour
You’ve been hearing the
Reifersens for a few years now.
I heard the new incarnation.
Two of the original members
are still with the band, drummer
extraordinaire Jim Clark, whom
we call Jimboni, and trumpet
virtuoso Alex Okinzyck. Add
the amazing Chris (Little Boy)
Flowers and guitarist/vocalist
Robert ‘Doug’ Douglas and you
have a fantastic new band.
We were at the Key Deer
Bar and Grill, formerly Captain
Dan’s in Big Pine. Newcomer
Doug is a smoking hot guitar-
ist and has a wonderful vocal
sound, big and deep with an
amazing falsetto. He’s a vocal
artist and a half. The first tune
was “Cross Cut Saw”, a Freddie
King classic, proving that this
incarnation of the Reifersens
plays monster blues. Alex
played a fine trumpet solo. He
switches off between trumpet
and flugelhorn to get the exact
sound he wants. Chris is playing key bass along with piano
and B-3 sounds. His bass rocks.
Jimboni is always right in the
pocket, playing exactly what
you want to hear. Doug’s lead
burns down the house. This is
an amazing band.
Alex and Jimboni add
harmony vocals. An old Temptations number “I Wish It Would
Rain” is romantic, adding a new
dimension to Doug’s talent.
Chris Flowers is the perfect
addition to this band. Now we
hear “Keep On Using Me” (till
you use me up). You want to
hear this one. Doug’s solo is
divine. Chris and Alex create
an almost orchestral sound.
The dynamics are wonderful,
something we rarely hear.
We get a change of pace
now with “I Shot the Sheriff”.
Alex and Jimboni harmonize.
Chris solos. Now Alex sings a
fine original from his forthcoming CD, “Under the Cow Key
Bridge”. He’s also a strong
singer. Chris shines. They
swing it big time! Next comes
“Hoochie Koochie Man”. It’s a
trip. Ask for it! On “Big Legged
Woman” (in a short, short mini
skirt) everybody gets down.
Chris’s technique is flawless.
The sound is mixed right.
“Ain’t No Sunshine” is
killer. Doug’s lead, like his
singing, is sensuous. Chris sets
the piano sound on fire. Alex is
fine, and Jim is perfect under it
all. Check out the Reifersens.
You’ll thank me! Stay cool.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 17
www.kwtn.com
RIDENOUR REPORT
by Valerie Ridenour
This has been a beautiful week. I had a lovely card
from Bobby Pazo, thanking
me for my review, and telling
me that’s the first mention he’s
ever had about his music. I find
that hard to believe, because
he’s really wonderful. He also
insisted on treating me to lunch.
Bobby, you’re as nice as you are
talented. He celebrated his sixty
sixth birthday last week. When
you go out to Grand Key to hear
him, you won’t believe it. He
looks years younger. Thank
you, Bobby!
Another special phone
call came from a deep voiced
Frenchman who told me the
correct spelling of a phrase I
was having trouble with. Thank
you, mon ami. It’s been a great
week, n’est-ce pas?
Do you love Mexican
food? Then take yourself to
Chango Loco. It’s on Bertha
Street, just around the corner
from Shanna Key. It is clean as
a pin and offers real Mexican
cuisine like quesadillas, nachos,
burritos, fajitas, chile rellenos,
with lunch specials and heavenly salads. I had one topped
with delicious guacamole. My
partner had wonderful fajitas.
The manager is Hector Ruiz.
Our waiter was his nephew,
Jesus. Both were gracious to
the nines. Prices are reasonable
and they deliver too!
David Tortolano’s Cosmo
Recording is a state of the art
studio right here in town, well,
on Stock Island. It is good
FRANKO RICHMOND
enough that I don’t need to
run off to Nashville to record a
new song. Bubba System just
recorded there. Their new CD
is being mixed.
Chad Allen, Howard
Livingston’s son is also recording there. We were treated to
a tour and listened to product.
Chris Flowers (L.B.) played live
for us. We heard everything
from Chopin to blues to Dave
Brubeck’s “Take Five”. We
were thrilled! I was impressed
with the quality of David’s
recordings. We were royally
entertained by Chris, Michelle
Dravis, Rob, who played every
instrument, and the beautiful
Adrienne. The wonderful Paulie Walterson, Bubba System’s
drummer was there. It was old
home week for me. David, you
did it right!
The first time I heard
“Take Five” was in Boston, the
night Dave introduced it!
Our beloved concert pianist Franko Richmond is off to
Germany for treatment of his
cancer. Please say a prayer for
him. He’s not only sublimely
talented, He’s a wonderful human being. Thanks to all who
helped.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 18
www.kwtn.com
NOW PLAYING
PLEASE NOTE: Entertainment schedules are always subject to last-minute changes and, sometimes, club schedules are
not available at press time. TBA stands for To Be Announced.
NAPT stands for Not Available At Press Time. Band times are
noted before the names of the bands in each listing. Please alert
Valerie Ridenour to errors and/or schedule changes. 872-1561.
[email protected] NOTE: Schedules are subject to change
without notice. To be sure the band of your choice is playing,
you may want to call the venue before you go.
AQUA: 9pm, SAT, 3:30
– 6: 30, Mike Emerson Trio * TUES
– MON, the Aquanettes
BEAR BOTTOM BEACH
CLUB: FRI & SAT, 6 – 10, Randy
Mac; 10 – 2, Matt Avery * MON &
TUES, 5 – 9, Acoustic Johnson *
WED, 5 – 9, Taz; 9 – 1, Matt Avery
BLUE HEAVEN: FRI, Din
Allen * SAT, Chris Case * SUN,
Din Allen
B.O.’s FISH WAGON: FRI,
6pm, Barry Cuda & the Sharks
BOONDOCKS: FRI, 40 ft
Sharpie * SAT, Full Moon party
with the Moondogs; * SUN, Gillis & Gordy * MON, Barry Cuda
& Friends * THURS, Tropical
Dreams
BOTTLECAP: SAT, Michael
Dixon Band; WED, Beef Chili & the
Con Carnes
THE BULL: FRI, 10:30 – 1,
Elvis; 1 – 5, Yankee Jack; 6 – 10,
Jeanie Falcone; 10 – 2, Caffeine
Carl * SAT, 1 – 5, Yankee Jack; 6
– 10, Jeanie Falcone; 10 – 2, Caffeine
Carl * SUN, 1 – 5, Yankee Jack; 6 – 9,
Elvis; 9 – 1, 40 ft, Sharpie _ MON,
1 – 5, Yankee Jack; 8 – 12, Baby T *
TUES, 10:30 – 1, Elvis; 1 – 5, Yankee
Jack; 8 – 12, Dawn Wilder * WED,
1 – 5, Jeanie Falcone; 8 – 12, Dawn
Wilder * THURS, 1o:39 – 1, Elvis;
1 – 5,Yankee Jack; 6 – 10,Dawn
Wilder; 10 – 2, Jeanie Falcone
CAPTAIN TONY’S: FRI &
SAT, noon, Rob Sweet; 4:30 Gary
Hempsey; 9 – 2, Carl Peachy Band *
SUN, noon, Bed Taddiken; 4:30, Tim
Bender; 8:30 – 12:30, Gary Hempsey
* MON, noon, Liz O’Connor; 4:30,
Rob Sweet; 8:30 –12:30, Carl Peachy
Band * TUES, noon, Rob Sweet;
4:30, Gary Hempsey; 8:30 – 12:30
Gary Hempsey * WED, noon,
Ben Taddiken; 4:30, Tim Bender;
8:30 – 12:30, Carl Peachy Band *
THURS, noon Liz O’Connor; 4:39,
GaryHempsey; 8:30 – 12:30, Carl
Peachy Band
CHEESEBURGER: FRI,
Nick Norman; SAT, Hershel Lester;
* SUN, Alphonse * TUES, Jim Wist *
THURS, Jim Wist; Rob & Tom
CONCH REPUBLIC SEAFOOD RESTAURANT: FRI, 2 – 6,
Joel Nelson; 7 – 11, Black & Skabuddah * SAT, 2 – 6, Joel Nelson; 7 – 11,
Zack Seemiller * SUN, 6 – 10, Melvin
Newton * MON, 6 -10, Zack Seemiller * TUES, 6 – 10, Melvin Newton
* WED, Din Allen * THURS, 6 – 10,
Black & Skauddah
COWBOY BILL’S; FRI &
SAT, Skarekrow * WED & THURS,
Shurman
DANTE’S: FRI, 4 - 8, Yvon
Agbo * SAT, 1:30 – 5:30, Captain
Blues Band * SUN, 1:30 – 5:30,
Monks Of Funk
DURTY HARRY’S: FRI
– SUN, 8”30, Durty Rita * MON
& TUES, Duo * WED & THURS,
Durty Rita
EIGHT O’ONE; drag shows
nightly
FINNEGAN’S WAKE: FRI,
SAT, Mighty Joe Plum * THURS,
Fremont John
GARDEN OF EDEN: Every
night--DJs Timber & Lars.
GEIGER KEY MARINA:
FRI, Yankee Jack * SUN, Chris
Case
GRAND KEY: FRI & SAT,
Bobby Pazo * Weekends on the
deck, Jim Wist
GREEN PARROT: FRI &
SAT, 10 – 2, Hobex
HALF SHELL RAW BAR:
FRI, 5 - 7, Caffeine Carl
HOG’S BREATH: FRI &
SAT, Kenny & Cuda Show;
HOGFISH: FRI, Terry Cassidy * SAT, Steve Neill * THURS,
Fremont John
IRISH KEVIN’S: FRI, 11 – 3,
Dan Ligouri; 3 – 7, John Solinski;
7 - !!, Matt Quinton; 11- close N.Y.
Pauly * SAT,11 – 3, George Victory; 3
– 7, Nick Norman; 7 – 11, N.Y. Pauly;
11 – close, Matt Quenton * SUN,
12 – 3;30, Zack Seemiller; 3:30 – 7,
Nick Norman; 7 – 10:30, NY Pauly
10:30 – close, John Solinski * MON,
10:30 – 2:30, TBA; 2:30 – 6:30, Nick
Norman; 6:30 – 10:30, John Solinski;
10:30 – Close Matt Quenton * TUES,
10:30 – 2:30, Reddawg; 2:30 – 6:30,
Nick Norman; 6:30 – 10:30, N.Y.
Pauly; 10-30 – close, Matt Quenton
WED, 10:30 – 2:30, Reddawg;2:30
– 6:30, Nick Norman; 8:30 – 10:30,
Matt Quenton; 10:30 – close, N.Y.
Pauly * THURS, NAPT
CONTINUED on next page
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 19
www.kwtn.com
NOW PLAYING
FROM previous page
ISLAND DOG: FRI & SAT,
11:30 3:30, Steve Green; 8pm,George
Victory *SUN, 5pm, George Victory
* WED & THURS, Brad Fresharra
LA TE DA: Cabaret, FRI &
SAT, Broadway Three Ways Piano
Bar, FRI – SUN,Debra & Patrick
* MON, Bobby Nesbitt * TUES
– WED, Black & Skabuddah *
THURS, Debra & Patrick
LAZY GECKO: FRI, Parachute Adams * SAT, John & RED
* TUES, Parachute Adams * WED,
Zack Seemiller * THURS, Nick
Norman & Joal Rush
MARGARITAVILLE: FRI
& SAT, Stars On the Water * SUN
& MON, Zack Seemiller; TUES
– THURS, the Nace Brothers
REDFISH/BLUEFISH :
SUN, Tony Roberts * THURS,
Dave Aaron
RICK’S: FRI, 11 – 3, Pete
Frazier; 4 – 8, Pete Frazie; 8 – 12,
UncleBob * SAT, 12 – 4, Alphonse;
4 – 8, Ben Taddiken; 8 – 12,Yo
Adrian * SUN, 8 – 12, Yo Adrian *
MON, 11am, Pete Frazier; 8 – 12, Yo
Adrian * TUES, 11 - 4, Alphonse; 4
– 8, Uncle Bob * WED, 8 - 12, Uncle
Bob * THURS, 11 – 3, Alphonse; 4
– 8, Yo Adrian; 8 – 12, Uncle Bob,
Every night, Karoake
RUM BARREL: FRI, 4pm,
Zack Seemiller; 8 – 12, Queen
&Yvon * SAT 4pm, George Victory;
8 – 12, Corey Heydon * SUN, 4pm,
Vinnie Mustache; 8 –12, Corey Heydon * MON, 4pm, Vinnie Mustache;
8 – 12, Ron * TUES, 4 – 8, Yvon Agbo;
8 – 12, Raven & Bubba * WED,
4pm, Raven; 8pm, Corey Heydon
* THURS, 4pm, Chris Case; 8 – 12,
Larry Baeder Combo
SCHOONER WHARF:
FRI, noon – 5, Michael McCloud
& friends; 7 – 11, Cool Breeze; 9
– 1, Magic of Frank Everhart *
SAT, noon – 5, Michael McCloud
& friends; 7 – 11, Cool Breeze; 9
– 1, the magic of Frank Everhart *
SUN, noon – 5, Michael McCloud
& friends; 7 – 11, Calypso Latin
Party; 9 – 1, magic of Frank Everhart * MON, noon – 5, Michael
McCloud & Friends; 7 - 11, Caffeine
& Pepper; 9 – 1, Magic of Frank
Everhart * TUES, noon – 5, Raven
& Bubba;7 – 11, Corey Heydon,
9 – 1, magic of Frank Everhart *
WED, Michael McCloud & friends;
7- 11, picnic with Gary Hempsey
& the Firecrackers; 9 – 1, magic
of Frank Everhart * THURS, noon
– 5, Michael McCloud & friends, 7
– 11, Unpaid Bartabs, 9 – 1, magic
CONTINUED on next page
DIN ALLEN AT
BLUE HEAVEN
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 20
www.kwtn.com
Behind Bars
RICHARD WATHERWAX
BARTENDER
OF THE WEEK
CHRIS is a bartender at
Kelly’s Caribbean Bar. His
specialty drink: A Kelly’s
Happy Hour Super
Margarita.
Tell us who your favorite
drink server is. PO Box 567,
KW 33041. Fax 292-2108.
Email: kwtnblue@bellsouth.
net
now playing
of Frank Everhart
SLOPPY JOE’S: FRI 12 – 4,
Black & Skabuddah; 5:30 – 8:30,
Fremont John Trio; 10 – 2, Poptart
Monkeys * SAT, 12 – 4, ZackSeemiller; 5:30 – 9:30 Fremont John Trio;
10 -2, Poptart Monkeys * SUN, 12
– 4, Barry Cuda; 5:30 – 9:30, Bubba
System; 10 – 2, Pop Tart Monkeys
* MON, 12 – 4, Barry Cuda; 5:30
– 9:30, Black & Skabuddah 10 – 2,
Candiflyp * TUES, noon – 4, Brian
Roberts; 5:30 – 9:30, Black & Skabuddah; 10 – 2 Candiflyp * WED,
12 – 4, Terry Cassidy; 5:30 – 9:30,
Chris Case; 10 – 2, Candiflyp *
THURS, 12 – 4, Terry Cassidy; 5:30
– 9:30 Zack Seemiller Band; 10 – 2,
Candiflyp
SUGARLOAF LODGE:
TIKI: SAT, Dave Aaron * Restaurant, SUN, Divas three
SUNSET PIER: FRI, 1 – 5,
George Victory;6:30 – 8:30, Robert
Albury; 8:30 – 10, Raven Cooper
* SAT, 1 – 4, Caribe; 6:30 – 10:30,
Raven Cooper * SUN, 1 – 5, George
Victory; 6:30 – 8”30, Robert Albury;
8:30 – 10, Raven Cooper * MON, 1
– 5, George Victory; 6:30 – 8:30, Joel
Nelson * TUES, 6:30 – 8:30, Rolando
Rojas; 8:30 – 10:39, Joel Nelson *
WED, 1 – 5, George Victory; 6:30
– 8:30, Robert Albury; 8”30 – 10:30,
Raven Cooper * THURS, Robin &
James
TURTLE KRAALS: THURS
5 – 7, Caffeine Carl
VIRGILIO’S: FRI & SAT,
George Victory * MON, Marty’s
Party * TUES, Skipper’s League
Of Crafty Musicians, Pat, Debra,
Lonnie Jacobson, & Skippo; WED,
George Victory * THURS, Caribe
WILLIE T’S: SAT, 1 – 4, Chris
Case; 5:30 - 8:40, Barry Cuda
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 21
www.kwtn.com
Local Favorites
ART
New Jim Warren Images
To Debut At Wyland
With more than three decades devoted to creating surreal, fantasy and environmental
art, Jim Warren might be said
to inhabit the crossroads where
Salvador Dali and Norman
Rockwell meet. He will showcase the latest products of his
individualistic imagination at
Wyland Galleries of Key West,
623 Duval St., from 6 to 10 p.m.
Friday, June 29, and noon to 10
p.m. Saturday, June 30.
While Warren won’t divulge details of the original
paintings he plans to unveil,
his recent work includes surrealistic snow scenes that reflect
a departure from his more
characteristic water ’s-edge
fantasies. The images, the artist
explains, were prompted by a
recent Alaskan cruise.
“Just looking through pictures or anticipating going to an
area is enough to inspire me,”
says the soft-spoken Warren. “I
try to always better myself and
try new things so as not to get
bored — or be boring.”
“Boring” is the last adjective that might be applied
to Warren’s work. His offbeat
viewpoint leads him to create
paintings that combine elements of satire, whimsy and
a compelling environmentalism. His career has taken him
through book and album cover
art — including a Grammywinning image — to fine art,
commissions and widespread
critical acclaim.
“I set out in the beginning,
during high school, to do paintings that were story-like — such
as I had heard in songs and seen
in movies,” says Warren, who
counts the Beatles and the Beach
Boys as creative influences
alongside Dali, Rockwell, Andy
Warhol and Monet.
As well as viewing Warren’s latest canvases, show attendees can gain insights into
FANTASY IMAGES— Jim Warren has earned widespread acclaim for fantasy images like “Survivor”, shown here.
his style and technique as he
gives a rare painting demonstration.
Despite a career that spans
30-some years, the artist retains
an undiminished passion for
painting. He draws great satisfaction from the ability to touch
and influence people through
his work.
“I want them to be inspired and uplifted,” Warren
says, “the way I was with the
artists and musicians that inspired me while growing up.”
Keys art lovers are invited to meet Jim Warren and
discover his intriguing new images Friday and Saturday, June
29 and 30, at Wyland Galleries’
623 Duval St. location.
For more information,
call the gallery at (305) 292-4998
or visit www.wylandkeywest.
com.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 22
www.kwtn.com
THEATRE
Kids on Stage:
Special Production of
Cinderella Tonight
A performance of the play
“Cinderella, Cinderella” will
take place tonight, June 29 at
5:30 p.m. at Peace Covenant
Presbyterian Church. Adapted
and revised by Earl Halbe with
original music and choreography by Elizabeth Halbe, the
show is the culmination of a
summer theatre workshop for
young actors, taught by the
Halbes.
The version of Cinderella
being presented tonight features magical mice which guide
the Godmother, Cinderella, and
the Prince at every turn.
Haley Rodnon appears
as Cinderella. Nena Guzman
is the Fairy Godmother, and
Alli Griffiths, Geri Sue Root,
and Danielle Heymann are the
nasty Stepmother and Sisters.
Chris Blandino portrays the
King. Brock Guzman Prince
Harry, and Takoda Porembski is
Duke Ferdinand. Brittany Mira,
Jordan Maun, Kylan Schultze,
and Liam Boles are the Magical
Mice who save the day.
Admission to the play is
free and there is plenty of parking. The Church is located at
2610 Flagler Avenue. Information: 294-0687.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 23
www.kwtn.com
Rhonda: What Inadequacies Are
Hummer Owners Trying To
Compensate For?
RHONDA, from page 10
among steak-eating Neanderthals because it’s clear that I’m
the ultimate man.
It’s actually rather ingenious to use the inferiority
complexes of potential hummer buyers combined with the
humorously obnoxious nature
of Hummer ownership to sell
more Hummers. Now people
can say “I know it’s obnoxious. That’s why I got one.”
Ultimately, though, they’re still
choosing to be the playground
bully. They’re still getting back
at the world for something.
Is my mild disdain a
result of my inability to afford
a Hummer even if I wanted
one very badly? It’s possible.
But seeing Hummers take up
our tiny island roads and tiny
island parking spaces and
blocking out our island sun like
skyscrapers, fuels my Hummer
contempt and confusion.
There’s just got to be more
to it. It can’t really be simply
that Hummer drivers are hoping to detract attention from
their unusually tiny, um, brains.
Now that would just be silly.
A note to women who
drive Hummers: Feel free to
write in with additional insight.
We also welcome letters to
the editor in defense of island
Hummers.
Rhonda Linseman answers e-mail at Rhonda@kwtn.
com
Countdown To Fantasy Fest
NEW FANTASY FEST
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
The Market Share Company, the organization that produces the annual Fantasy Fest
celebration here, has named
Ashley Hoover, pictured above,
Assistant Director of Fantasy
Fest®. Her duties include media relations, coordinating
events, copy writing for press,
online and printed materials,
securing sponsorships and acting as a media liaison. Hoover
comes to the company from
her most recent position as
an event planner in St. Louis,
Missouri.
Prior to accepting her
new position, Hoover spent
six years in event planning
and public relations. Her extensive background includes
coordinating and executing
ground breakings and grand
openings for multi-million dollar developments; producing
creative fashion events; serving
as a media spokesperson and
garnering local and national
media coverage for clients in
a variety of industries. Her
work on the grand opening of
Westfield West County in St.
Louis, Missouri, earned a Maxi
Award nomination. Hoover
received a Bachelor of Arts from
Lindenwood University in St.
Charles, Missouri.
PARADE APPLICATIONS
AVAILABLE
Float Builders: Let the
dormouse out of the teapot
for the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade® Saturday,
October 27, at 7 pm. Get those
creative juices flowing and
start thinking Gnomes, Toads
and White Rabbit Tea Parties™
-- this year’s theme. The Official Entry form is available,
so download now or “Off With
Your Head!”
All applications are due
Friday, August 10, in the Fantasy Fest Office. This is the
second year of the COMPETITIVE ENTRY PROCESS with an
accelerated and firm, deadline.
Entrants must submit payment
and a themed design with photos of previous years’ entries
if they have entered before.
Notification of acceptance fol-
lows two weeks later. Receipt
of application and fees do not
guarantee entry. Payment returned if entry is not accepted.
Entrants who have won awards
in previous parades are grandfathered in automatically, but
must submit application and
payment by deadline.
To download the application, please go to www.
fantasyfest.net and click on the
Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest
parade link. If you would like
an entry form mailed or faxed
please call 305-296-1817 or visit
Fantasy Fest’s new location at
1111 Twelfth Street, Suite 211
(behind K-Mart).
Fantasy Fest and the
theme “Gnomes, Toads and
White Rabbit Tea Parties”
are produced by The Market
Share Company for the Key
West Tourist Development Association with assistance from
the Monroe County Tourist
Development Council.
FLOAT DESIGN
WORKSHOP
This year there will be a
design workshop held at The
Studios of Key West Armory
Building, 600 White Street, at
6 pm. This is an opportunity
for interested entrants to get
resourceful tips on designing
and building a float from previous award winners.
We Also Offer
PRESSURE
WASHING
SERVICES
Houses,
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 24
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O’Boyle: If God Eats, He Eats
Fresh Tomatoes
O’BOYLE, from page 10
I toured aisles stacked
with products I will probably
never try including loaves of
bread hard as bricks, lots of
cookies and sweets and enough
canned goods and dried beans
to pull the country through a
nuclear winter. Then I noticed
the little side-room produce
section. It was about the size
of a large tool shed.
Fruit and vegetables covered three walls. The table in
the center left just enough room
to walk around it. The table
featured tropical favorites,
papayas as big as footballs,
pineapples even bigger, guavas
and oranges. But what had
caught my eye was a display on
the right-hand wall dedicated
to the Prince of Produce, the
King of Crops, the Hermaphrodite of the Harvest, the noble
tomato.
Ever since childhood
summers on my grandma’s
stoop with a tomato in one hand
and a salt shaker in the other,
I’ve had a fervent attachment
to the pulpy red fruit.
For many years I’d resigned myself to the disappearance of the delicious vine
ripened tomatoes of my youth.
To one used to the pale shrinkwrapped, ethylene-gassed fare
of my homeland, the pile of
firm, ripe orbs on display here
in Santa Barbara looked like a
shrine. Every specimen showed
the deep yellow-red, the plump,
mature firmness and the classic,
sunken, Buddha’s belly-button
stem scars of the truly fine eating tomato.
Without having given it a
thought I had stumbled into the
native land of this wonderful
treat, solanum lycopersicum.
Cultivated by Central America’s native Mayans, the tomato
is a member of the nightshade
family, which includes eggplant, spuds, and a number of
uniquely poisonous plants like
belladonna. It features history
and legend as flavorful and appealing as a good pizza.
The tomato is scientifically a fruit although served
and used as a vegetable. The
term “vegetable” has no scientific definition. Always ready
to make the language fit Uncle
Sam’s need for revenue, the
U.S. Supreme Court ruled the
tomato a vegetable for tax purposes in Nix v Hedden in 1893.
Fruit was exempt from tax.
Because of its close relations in the nightshade family
most Colonial Americans believed tomatoes were poisonous. Thomas Jefferson is among
those enlightened souls who
knew better, cultivating them
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at Monticello. The Puritans
shunned the red orbs for their
reputed effect as a powerful
aphrodisiac. I live in hope and
lay on the ketchup.
Legend has it that the
matter of the wholesomeness
of tomatoes was put to rest
in 1820, when Colonel Robert
Gibbon Johnson announced
that at noon on September 26,
he would eat a basket of tomatoes in front of the Salem, New
Jersey courthouse. A crowd of
some 2,000 is reported to have
gathered to witness Johnson’s
death. They were shocked, and
likely disappointed, when he
survived.
By the 1830’s the tomato
had gone from poison to wonder drug. There followed a
tomato craze of sorts. Tomatoes
were said to cure diseases from
dysentery to cholera. You could
buy tomato pills at the local
pharmacy. It is doubtful that
tomatoes cured any diseases. It
is not too far fetched, however,
to think that eating tomatoes
could have had a salutary effect on patients who had given
up such popular remedies as
mercury and bleeding.
By the time the tomato
mania ended the bright red fruit
was an established part of the
American diet. I’m delighted
to find they are even more of a
staple of the Central American
diet.
I was ready to pay any
price, but when I finally did
the math to see what this precious commodity was worth I
had to do it twice in blinking
disbelief. The sign said 220c.
That’s 20 cents a pound in dollars. I resisted buying the whole
pile, but only just. If God eats,
he eats tomatoes like these every day. He eats them on fresh
baked corn tortillas if He can
find them, but I’ll leave those
for another column.
Hal O’Boyle writes from
the suburbs of San Jose, Costa
Rica. He answers email at
[email protected] His articles are
archived at www.the-extremist.com
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 25
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BARNES LAW: Q&A
Renting a Home or Apartment— Part 4
“What are my rights and
obligations as a tenant?” Part
4 of a Series
by Michael Barnes
Your most important
right as a tenant is to what the
law calls quiet enjoyment of the
property you have leased from
the landlord. This means that,
with some exceptions, a tenant
has the same rights to the house
or apartment he is renting as if
he owned it.
Within the four walls of
your house or apartment – or
on the surrounding grounds if
they are part of the rented property – you may invite anyone
you wish to come in or carry on
any activities that are legal and
not expressly forbidden by law
or by the lease you have signed
with the landlord. If you live
in an apartment building, it
is usually understood that
you have the right to use the
public areas of the building,
such as the halls, vestibules,
elevator and basement laundry
rooms.
One major difference is
that of course you do not have
the right to destroy or radically
alter rented property, as you
would if you owned it. If you
were to cut down the landlord’s
shade trees to make room for a
croquet court or knock out the
front wall of his conch house to
install a picture window, any
court would view favorably
his suit to dispossess you and
to recover damages.
Generally speaking, the
landlord does not have the
right to enter the property
whenever he pleases without
your permission. But he does
have the basic right to collect
his rents and to enforce any
other terms of the lease, and
he does have the right to come
onto the premises to demand
payment of the rent or to make
repairs in an emergency. And
he may, with your permission,
visit the premises at reasonable times, usually during the
daytime, to make sure they are
being kept in good condition.
If the landlord should force his
way onto the rented premises
or harass you unreasonably
with constant demands and
complaints, a court may well
find this a breach of your
right to quiet enjoyment of
the property. In this situation
you might bring an action for
trespass against the landlord,
sue him for damages or cancel
your lease and move elsewhere.
A landlord never has the right,
without your permission, to enter your rented house or apartment simply to check on your
housekeeping and to snoop.
If your life style is so extreme
as to represent a health hazard
or to constitute a continuing
nuisance to nearby tenants,
however, he may take legal
steps to have you evicted.
Under the terms of your
lease or the laws in your locality the landlord is required to
provide you with services and
may be responsible for certain
kinds of repairs. If you live
in an apartment building, the
landlord is required to supply
water and heat and to keep the
public areas of the building safe
and in good repair. If you live
in a rented house, however,
more of the responsibility falls
on you.
For example, if a visitor
to your apartment slipped and
fell on the icy sidewalk in front
of the apartment building and
injured himself, a court would
probably find that because the
landlord was responsible for
MICK BARNES
maintaining the public areas
in and around the building, he
would also be responsible for
any damages your friend might
have incurred in the fall.
If, on the other hand,
the same friend were to slip
and injure himself on the icy
pathway in front of your rented
house, the responsibility would
probably be yours. This places
the burden on you to make
your apartment safe as well.
Sometimes this distinction may
not be clear between you and
the landlord.
Say that you invite a
friend to your house for lunch.
Imagine that the chair, upon
which they sit, breaks and
causes them to fall to the
ground.
If you didn’t know that
the chair was likely to fall, you
would be more likely to escape
a charge of negligence by your
friend. If you had reported the
problem to the landlord and he
or she failed to make the repair,
they could be responsible as
well.
For your protection, it is a
good idea to regularly inspect
your property for dangerous
conditions. If you find them,
fix them or put up some visible
marking or barrier. Be sure to
go the extra step to warn those
who come to your property.
Be especially careful to
put the landlord on written
notice as we encouraged in a
previous article on this subject.
Just because you are renting,
you can’t escape liability for
things that you know about that
present a danger to others.
Next week Part 5 “What
are some of the landlord’s rights
and obligations ?”
Michael R. Barnes practices law in Key West , Florida
. His comments are provided
as a pro bono community
service and are not offered as
legal advice for a particular set
of circumstances. The law is
continually changing. If you are
concerned that you may need
a lawyer, you are encouraged
to contact one about your legal
rights and responsibilities and
follow his or her advice for your
individual situation.
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 26
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MILITARIA WANTED
Civil War, Spanish American,
WW1 & 2, swords, medals,
helmets, daggers, uniforms,
old guns, any country. Silver
dollars, too. Cash, Collector.
Contact John 296-9899.
Help Wanted For
Busy Kitchen
OILY’S AUTO REPAIR
MIKE YOUNG, CERTIFIED ASE TECHNICIAN
5669 5th AVE, STOCK ISLAND• 296-6656
Line Experience with
Knowledge of Grill
& Sautee.
Apply at Finnegan’s Wake
320 Grinnell St.
the community
If your club or organization has something
special happening, let us know:
• [email protected]
• PO box 567, Key West FL 33041
• Fax 305-292-1882
To help us help you, try to get the
information to us by noon on Tuesday before
Friday publication.
5th ANNUAL KEY WEST
CHILDREN’S FISHING TOURNAMENT—June 30th, 9am at
the White Street Pier. Open to all
kids 15 and uder. Free bait and
tackle. Refreshments and prizes.
Sponsored by Key West Masonic
Lodges, City of Key West, Conchy
Joe’s, Pepsi, KW Fire Fighters,
Five Brothers, and HTA. More
info: (917) 815-3609, Larrybaed@
keywestmasons.com
DIVE ALIVE LOBSTER
RODEO AND EXPO—Mon., July
23, 10am-7pm at the Dive Campus
of FKCC. Free event to help recreational divers refresh their dive
skills and knowledge in a fun and
controlled environment. SCUBA
and snorkeling skills stations,
games, and safety briefings. More
info: www.divealive.org
CRIME STOPPERS 5K
RUN/WALK—July 4, 7:30am, Be-
gins and ends at Smather’s Beach.
$20 early registration fee, $25 fee on
race day. Sheraton Suites will host
a pre-registration on July 3 from
5-7:30pm. Info: Barbara Wright
305-296-7182.
CELEBRATING AND
SAVING KEY WEST’S CATS
EVENT—Sat. June 30, noon4:30pm at Voltaire Books, 330
Simonton St. to benefit the Stand
Up For Animals Shelter. Cat
adoptions, book signing at 3pm
by Hemmingway scholar Carlene
Fredericka Brennen, author of
Hemingway’s Cat: An Illustrated
Biography. Info: 305-296-3226.
FLORIDA KEYS TROPICAL FRUIT FIESTA—Sat., June
30, 9am-2pm, Bayview Park.
Homegrown fruit contest, fruit
tasting, expert speakers, kids’ fun,
bilingual plant clinic, fruit auction,
food, t-shirt sales, and more. Free
admission. Info: Monroe County
Extension Services 292-4501
WINNING OVER DEPRESSION SERIES—6 week
series begins June 7, 7pm at Key
West Church of Christ Fellowship
Hall. Class size is limited, reserve
your seat by calling 305-296-3111
or e-mail: [email protected]
Cost of materials: $15.
SURVEY SEEKING
HEALTH CARE ANSWERS—
WomanKind is seeking volunteer
to log on to www.womankindkeywest.org to complete a brief survey
CONTINUED on next page
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 27
www.kwtn.com
the community
FROM previous page
that will help determine ways to
design diagnostic and wellness
programs to benefit employees of
businesses and individuals without
health insurance. Survey takers’
identity will remain confidential.
KEY WEST POPS NEEDS
VOLUNTEERS FOR 9TH SEASON—all different skills can be
utilized. To volunteer or for more
info: 305-296-6059 KWPopsInfo@
comcast.net
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
AT TROPIC CINEMA—All areas
of operation. Flexible schedules,
free passes, pop-corn, and t-shirts.
Info: Lori Reid, 305-433-4183 or
[email protected]
CITIZENSHIP CLASSES-Literacy Volunteers offers free
Citizenship classes for intermediate English as a Second Language
students. Info: 294-4352.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
AT WILDLIFE CENTER--Key
West Wildlife Center has reopened to accept injured animals.
Volunteers and donations are
needed. Questions and info: 305292-1008.
WANT TO BE A LITERACY VOLUNTEER? More than
100 students waiting to be tutored.
You do not have to speak another
language to be a tutor. Info: Mary
at 305-294-4352.
GRANTS AVAILABLE
TO WRITERS, MUSICIANS,
ACTORS, ARTISTS--Contact the
Florida Keys Council of the Arts,
305-295-4369.
BOATING COURSES--The
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and
the U.S. Power Squadron conducts
boating courses throughout the
year. Info: Vince 305-296-1126 or
1-888-470-5566
FREE SPAY/NEUTER
CLINICS--The Florida Keys SPCA
free spay/neuter clinics are held
at the FKSPCA Animal Shelter,
5230 College Road, Stock Island.
Microchips for $5 and free rabies
vaccinations are available for all
pets. Cats and dogs in heat or
pregnant and puppies and kittens as young as eight weeks can
be spayed or neutered.Appointments are required for rabies and
for spay/neuter. Call292-4600 to
register. The clinic is sponsored
by Key West Kritter Patrol and the
Florida Keys SPCA.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-AIDS HELP, INC. needs volunteers to help with transportation,
office work, special events, etc.
Call 296-6196.
THE YMCA of Key West
offers a variety of programs for children, adults and families, including
skating, bocce, computer classes
and more: The YMCA Center is
located at 1011 Virginia Street .
Call for info: 305-295-YMCA.
LA LECHE LEAGUE—
Free monthly meeting for pregnant
and breastfeeding moms; mother
to mother support with accredited
volunteers who give current information and encouragement in the
art of breastfeeding. Non-denominational, non-profit. Held 5 - 6 p.m.
the second Tuesday of the month
in the auditorium at the Key West
Library, 700 Fleming Street . Info:
Liz 294-4463 or Eva 295-8597.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-The local unit of the American
Cancer Society seeks volunteer
drivers to provide transportation
for cancer patients to treatments
and licensed cosmetologists, or
hairdressers, to help cancer patients
feel good about their appearance
while undergoing cancer treatment. Info: 292-2333 x 112.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE-To find out when the bloodmobile
will be at a location near you, call
your Community Blood Center at
305-294-7668.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS--on Tuesdays at 6pm ‘til 7
and Saturdays 10-11am, at United
Methodist Church (Old Stone),
600 Eaton Street. Info: Mary at
305-294-6931.
WOMEN’S SUPPORT
GROUP--Facilitated by counselors
in confidential, safe environment.
Relax with a cup of tea while helping yourself and others with problem solving stress reduction. Free,
5:30 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday;
for location and information, call
WomanKind, 305-294-4004.
Magda
Key West THE NEWSPAPER June 29, 2007 Page 28
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