In an effort to provide greater familiarity and communication between the Key Colony Beach City Commission candidates and our readers, the Marathon Weekly sent each of them a series of questions concerning their backgrounds and stances on pressing city issues. The Weekly will continue to print each candidate’s responses in a Q&A series leading up to the Nov. 8 election, in which two candidates will win commission seats. Have a question you’d like to see answered by the candidates? Send it to alex@keysweekly.com for potential inclusion throughout the series.
Answers are printed exactly as submitted by candidates, with responses limited to 100 words.
This week: Key Colony Beach is surrounded almost entirely by water. What actions, if any, would you like to see taken by the city to preserve or improve the quality of our nearshore waters?
FREDDIE FOSTER
The solution to the is the reduction/elimination of stormwater intrusion. The reduction and mitigation of stormwater intrusion started years ago, with Phase One on the south side of 10th street currently in the queue to be completed. This work was approved and funded last year when I was the Chair of the Utility Board. This leaves the remainder of 10th street, work on 9th street, all of 11th street, and the swells on 12th street.
An important aspect of this project, continuous, clear, and concise communication from city officials to all property owners.
JOHN DENEALE
I’ve been working on marine environmental issues for many years, including reviewing the Fl. Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s previous Restoration Blueprint and offering suggested changes (some of which were incorporated into this latest draft). And I’ve expressed my desire to serve our City as next year’s Municipal Representative on the Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
KCB has always prided ourselves on improving water quality with the first sewer system city wide in the Keys (1960’s) and the first advanced water quality treatment facility. We recently upgraded the plant to the new advanced water standards which significantly improved the water quality in our canals. Last year, I authored one of the first canal maintenance plans in the Keys to ensure navigability and water quality. To continue to improve our nearshore water quality, we are currently working on finishing our stormwater system with a $2.6 million appropriation from the state.
BETH RAMSAY-VICKREY
The most important thing we can do to protect our marine waters is be part of the conversations, and strengthen our partnerships with the Sanctuary and FWC.
As someone who grew up here, I know what our waters used to look like, and how they’ve changed.
