9 CANDIDATES QUALIFY FOR MARATHON CITY COUNCIL RACE

Marathon City Hall

REFERENDUMS AFFECT THE RACE
The end of the official qualifying period on Aug. 9 for the 2022 Marathon City Council race found a total of nine candidates ready to compete for four open council seats in the Nov. 8 general election. In an effort to provide greater familiarity and communication between these candidates and our readers, the Marathon Weekly sent each prospective council member a series of questions concerning their backgrounds and stances on pressing city issues. The Marathon Weekly will continue to print each candidate’s responses in a Q&A series leading up to the election. The answers are printed exactly as submitted by candidates, with responses limited to 100 words.

Two referendums set for a vote on the Aug. 23 primary ballot could affect the terms served by the city council members elected in November. The first is a city charter amendment increasing the term of office for council members from three to four years, with each member allowed to serve two consecutive terms if reelected. The second is another charter amendment that would provide a mechanism to ensure more balanced turnover on the council. If the amendment is approved, the elected council member with the fewest votes in the November election would serve a shortened term, set to expire with current councilman Luis Gonzalez’s term. In this way, the council would only have two or three seats open during any single election cycle.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS:
What is your background here in the Keys, and why have you chosen to run for city council?

JEFF SMITH

My sister and I grew up on Grassy Key as children of a local teacher. I attended San Pablo School and Marathon High School. I returned home after college to work and raised my family. I am a graduate of Leadership Monroe County Class IV, served leadership roles in community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity and Crane Point. I served as the Chairman of the City of Marathon Planning Commission and served on multiple workforce housing committees. My love for our community and concern for our future is why I chose to run for City Council.

KENNY MATLOCK

I was born and raised in Marathon. My family moved to the FL Keys 175 years ago, specifically Marathon about 75 years. I have managed a successful local business for 15 years. I am a graduate of Island Christian School. My wife,  also grew up here, is a graduate of Marathon High School and we are raising our daughter here.  I am running for council because I believe we need a council that stands up for locals, and fights for them against corruption. We need to change our direction before we lose more of our small town feel.

INGRID TYREE

We’ve lived in The Keys on and off for 16 years, permanent residents for 3 ½ years. My husband and I have dedicated our time and energy to giving back to our community. When covid hit, our family had a discreet grocery program to help families get by. As time went on, we decided to do something for the kids. That’s when Rock Recovery started. I would paint rocks, put them out and kids would find them and get a gift card. Along with Grocery help and Rock Recovery, I also help with displaced homeless individuals. I am running for City Council to bring transparency, truth, and common sense to our community.

KEVIN MACAULAY

Almost 13 years ago, I moved to Marathon with a job at FWC, monitoring coral reef health.  I have dedicated my career to protecting, preserving, and restoring, this unique resource that is vital to nearly every aspect of our lives.  Just like the reef, the City of Marathon requires knowledgeable, resourceful, and responsible stewardship, as well as new ideas, and creative solutions, for our complex problems.  My love for Marathon, its residents, and the environment, runs deep, and I will bring my proven track record of research, hard work, and out-of-the-box thinking to tackle the issues ahead of us. 

LYNN LANDRY

I am a 32-year resident of Marathon.  My wife and I raised two children here that both have made marathon their home.  As a longtime resident of the city, it is time for me to step off the sideline (for all you sports fans) and get more involved.  

MIKE LEONARD

I bring leadership, experience, wisdom, creative thinking and willingness to look at new fresh ideas and above all I completely understand the need to focus on our local residents who are the BACKBONE of our Community.  When we were in the middle of the capital campaign for the new Fisherman’s Hospital you would be stunned at what our residents did or us! The support they gave my Board and I was nothing short of outstanding and the respect I have for all of our local residents is beyond reproach.  I also have had similar experiences as a mentor as I have watched them grow and mature.  In short, the residents of Marathon are the chief reason Marathon is a wonderful place to live and If elected I pledge to support their needs! My goal is to meet as many as I can as I walk the streets and ask them what they want!

ROBYN STILL

In 2016, I moved to Marathon with my husband and our youngest son who attends Marathon High School.  We own The Tackle Box, a local small business.  We are involved in many local community organizations, including Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Take Stock in Children, Presents in Paradise, Marathon Community Theater, and Zonta.  

I was appointed to the Marathon City Council in February 2022.  I have spent my life in public service.  I am running for Council to continue serving my community in ways that bring the voices of our community together with the Council to find new and innovative solutions.

RICHARD TAMBORRINO 

I arrived in the Keys in 2013 to become the Publisher of the Keynoter and Reporter community newspapers. After our parent company, the Miami Herald, decided to shutter the newspapers after Hurricane Irma, I became Publisher and Editor of the Key West Citizen and Free Press newspapers.

I’m running for Marathon Council because I view this as an extension of my public service work for the newspapers and because as a retired Keys businessperson, I can provide residents with responsible and thoughtful representation, my full attention to city business and be a voice for positive change. 

WAYNE QUARBERG

I came to the Keys in 1979 as head of a research project. Shortly after that, I accepted a position with Figg and Muller Engineering at their field office on Conch Key. Figg & Muller designed the Long Key, Channel Five, Niles Channel and the Seven Mile bridges. In 1981, I started and still own, Ocean Equipment in Marathon. My wife and I have raised five (5) children in Marathon. For the past 41 years, I have taken an active role in our community from Boy Scout leader to assisting coral restoration groups to board member of our local church. I am running to be the voice for ALL the people of Marathon and bring back our hometown community.