ISLAMORADA CANDIDATE QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Coronavirus and the budget

An aerial view of the Fills in Islamorada during the Fourth of July. The area was closed off to the public during the holiday weekend as a COVID-19-protection measure. DAVID GROSS/Contributed

Four seats are up for grabs on the Islamorada dais in this year’s election with current council members either running for other offices, terming out or electing not to run for re-election. As a result, new faces will be seen come November.  

Each week, the Upper Keys Weekly will pose a question to each candidate in the race on a village issue. Candidates have the opportunity to respond to the question in 100 words or less. 

This week, the question focuses on the Fills, the three small islands connecting Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys, as the village prepares a master plan to the Florida Department of Transportation. Earlier in the year, Islamorada and FDOT came to a 5-year agreement that gave the village the ability to maintain and improve the area, which has seen a lot of activity and issues over the years. Recent discussions surrounded options for a barrier along the Fills to control vehicle parking. The village also discussed the possibilities for public bathroom facilities for each parking location, a permanent boat ramp and a proposed no-swim zone in the launch area to prevent potential accidents.

QUESTION: Besides a barrier, what amenity or policy would you look to implement at the Fills to create a fun and safe atmosphere for visitors and locals? (Answers are as submitted by the candidates.)

SEAT 1

PETE BACHELER

The Fills need paved parking with meters that would pay some if not all of the area’s clean up expenses. Further, on busy weekends, there is a need for oversight to control activity and errant users. The need for restrooms should be carefully evaluated as bathrooms may create more problems than the village needs. Finally, an occupancy load should be determined, and the Fills closed when it reaches capacity. Maintaining safety is paramount.

FRANK LAVIN

Indian Key Fills, should be restored to original size, maintained by the state, and designated as a scenic area on this All American road. A new boat ramp and limited parking for enjoying the sights – ocean, bay, sunrise, sunset, offshore islands, coastal birds. The state owned and maintained this area for years and never added amenities. Florida provides state parks throughout the Keys with amazing facilities for both visitors and locals. A majority of people utilizing the Fills in recent years have created a maintenance problem that can be resolved with limited short-term metered parking. Parking tickets with hefty fines, towing in all other areas would eliminate unsightly barriers.

SEAT 2

CHERYL MEADS

A Master Plan needs to be crafted to deal with the situation going forward at The Fills. It is my belief that we should have a citizens advisory committee, headed by an architect, to help create the Master Plan. Furthermore, we should work to secure grants from the state and the TDC to help rehabilitate the area, such that taxpayers will not be left on the hook for all of the costs associated with cleaning it up. In this regard, we can be more financially accountable to the public, and allow the citizens to have a say in the process.

MARK GREGG

As a council policy, our first priority at the Fills should be to serve the needs and wants of the residents, and then accommodate our visitors. After repairing and restoring the erosion damage, native salt tolerant landscaping with a walkway/bike path would enhance the appearance. An elevated observation platform for sunsets is possible. The boat ramp and parking areas should be designed with the needs of our local guides in mind with regulated parking free to all residents. Generally, any environmentally friendly low impact use or amenity that does not create an ongoing maintenance expense would be preferred.

SEAT 3

JENNY BELL-THOMSON

I am optimistic about the current plans to enhance this area of our village. When it reopens to the public, we must ensure the protection of our investment. Enforcement of our codes has to be a priority. I will propose hiring two code enforcement officers who will work weekends to monitor the area and enforce illegal parking, garbage, noise, and other nuisance abatement ordinances. Paid parking spaces and bathroom use could be used to partially offset the cost. On holiday weekends I would request overtime funds for special detail deputies to provide traffic enforcement in the area.

BUDDY PINDER

After over a decade, the village is finally creating a master plan… the dream “wish list,” but why should village residents have to pay to create a scenic park with expensive amenities for day trippers that trash this beautiful area? Let’s do what is needed to control the number of people using and abusing the Fills for hours, with no restrooms, reduced number of time limited metered parking, no swimming in boating channels, no grills, no boardwalks or piers, no walkways under the bridges. With enforcement of the no parking, except in a couple metered parking areas — no ugly and expensive barriers would be needed. We need to keep it simple. Village of Islamorada residents should not be burden with this expense.

SEAT 5

LARRY ZETTWOCH

I’ve always considered the Fills the “Southern Gem of Islamorada.” We have many options to care for the area properly. Improved, clearly designated parking spots providing easy access to natural picnic areas and chosen for minimal environmental impact would be a great first step. Next, implementing app-based parking fees commensurate with those world-class views will generate offsetting funds for the protection and maintenance of the area. However, no solutions will fix the problem unless enforced. Train, and certify village Fills attendants to enforce anti-littering and parking — with the authority to ticket and tow. Fills visitors must Respect Islamorada!

DAVID WEBB 

The state-owned property known as the Fills presents significant economic, environmental and safety challenges for the village. The residents of Islamorada will be asked to spend over $500,000 in 2021 for initial infrastructure improvements which will promote even larger numbers of visitors to the Fills. The safety risks of people swimming where boats are operating at high speeds are significant. Additionally, the number of fatal accidents involving vehicles entering and exiting U.S. 1 from extremely confined parking areas will likely increase. The Fills do not have adequate room for safe recreational activities. No further development should be undertaken.

 

Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.