Islamorada

During the week ending Sunday, 11-19-06, seven sewer failures were reported and sewage backed up into one home, Village Manager Gary Word wrote in a Nov. 21 e-mail to the Village Council. The number of backups actually was higher than that — either two or three, according to Orlando Hernandez, the village's utilities manager.

Word on Monday said billing would begin as expected. More than half of the 420 homes to be connected already are, and most are not experiencing problems, he said. "We are not happy with the reliability of the system as a whole, but the service is available for people and there is no reason not to connect," he said.

Sounds like there are 7 - 10 reasons not to connect!

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Registered voters have begun receiving mailed petitions calling for the village to unincorporate. "Paradise Lost, Unincorporate," the petition screams in large, bold-faced lettering, before launching into a scathing analysis of Islamorada governance. "A committee of voters has been established to abolish the villages of Islamorada," it reads. "... Anyone who signs this petition will remain confidential from the village government until the forms are turned over to the Florida Legislature."

The unincorporation effort is the product of Bob Page, a former Village Council candidate and longtime village critic. Page did not respond to repeated attempts for comment. "There are a number of citizens in the shadows that don't want to come forward on the unincorporation," said Paul Bates, one signatory of the petition. "Bob has instituted and brought it by himself forward on behalf of those who don't want to take the wrath of Islamorada."

Under Islamorada code, a referendum would be held if 10 percent of registered village voters signed the petition. That would require about 530 signatures. "I think there is at least a simple majority that is going to vote for unincorporation once it makes the ballot," Page said.

Read more here

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Return to Islamorada by John F Dillon

Anyone who has ever sailed or operated a small boat will find something they can relate to in this funny,historical,and sometimes serious,novel. If you Know the Florida Keys,you will recognize many locations, if not, you will want to see them when you finish this great read. The characters are well developed, they will have you laughing but also tug at your heart. The authors use of historical flashback makes this book not only humorous but educational. Buy this one you will love it.

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Florida Keys Holiday Festival
Friday, Dec. 1, 6-10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Founder’s Park, MM 87. Holiday parade, Christmas tree lighting featuring an appearance from Santa and real snow. For information: 664-4503.

A Lignumvitae Christmas
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. at the historic Matheson House, a short boat ride from Robbie’s, MM 77.5 bayside. $15 donation covers boat ride and tour. For information: 664-2540.

Pops in the park family holiday concert
Saturday, Dec. 23, 4 p.m. at Founders Park, MM 87. Concert of holiday favorites. Local amateur musicians invited to participate. For information: 853-7294.

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A free concert, featuring marches of famed American composer John Philip Sousa, inaugurated a new million-dollar outdoor performing arts amphitheater in the Florida Keys Sunday and Sousa's great-grandson was featured at the event.

Festivities featured Keith Brion and his New Sousa Band at the TIB Amphitheater, situated at Islamorada’s Founders Park. Located at the heart of Founders Park, the amphitheater takes advantage of the abundance of nature that already exists there: Florida Bay, the sky and the great lawn.

About 300 guests can be accommodated comfortably in the amphitheater layout, either seated or leaning against grassed tiers. Overflow seating on the great lawn can accommodate thousands more. Backdrops, dressing rooms and service enclosures necessary for performances are designed as collapsible fabric shrouds. The shrouds allow for performance specific “alternate tunings” as required and are stored onsite. The stage is 42 feet wide by 30 feet deep.


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November 28, 2006 – Tuesday *
Near Shore Water Citizens’ Support Committee’s Sub-Committee Meeting
(Regarding Sand Bar Issues)
7:30 AM at Tropical Café, 90701 Old Highway, Tavernier, FL

November 28, 2006 – Tuesday *
Special Call Village Council Joint Meeting with Charter Review Committee
5:30 PM at Islamorada Fire Station 20, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Second Floor, Islamorada, FL

November 28, 2006 – Tuesday
Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting
6:30 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

November 30, 2006 – Thursday*
Special Call Joint Meeting
Village Council and The Workforce / Affordable Housing Citizens’ Advisory Committee
5:30 PM at Islamorada Fire Station 20, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Second Floor, Islamorada, FL

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Outboard technician - Islamorada Boat Center in the Florida Keys has an opening for an experienced full time technician. Continuing education provided, top pay, incentive bonuses. Phone, email or apply in person. Date available: August 12th.2006. Salary: negotiable. Call 305-664-2777 iboatsales@aol.com Date Posted: August 10, 2006.

More Florida Keys Jobs

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A plan to replace the Upper Keys' most famous party spot with an upscale resort named Ocanos has won approval from the Village Council. Demolition of Holiday Isle Resort could begin as soon as April, said Bill Fountain, representative for developer Ceebraid Signal Corp. Ocanos will feature 151 hotel condominium suites, a spa, 16,500 square feet of retail space, two restaurants and an oceanside pool. The marina, currently run by Holiday Isle, will remain operational and is not slated for redevelopment.

The project, the biggest redevelopment proposed in the village so far, received approval with relatively little opposition at Tuesday's council meeting. Adam Schlesinger, Ceebraid's executive president, attributed the smooth passage to months of dialogue between the company and village officials. "It happened simply by communicating in order to reach an understanding of what is important," he said.

Ceebraid has pledged to keep all of the Holiday Isle charter fishing fleet, a reversal from early plans that drew communitywide criticism and sparked Councilwoman Cathi Hill last June to call for a moratorium on marina redevelopment. Schlesinger said the company changed those plans not because of community response but because it came to understand the fleet's importance.

At the meeting, Hill, who continues to support a moratorium, said she is sad the fleet still has no security. "I believe there will be a fleet there at Holiday Isle. I just don't believe it will be the fleet we have now," she said. Schlesinger said his company has no plans to replace the present captains with captains of its choosing.

Despite her concern, Hill voted to approve the site plan. So did Councilman Donald Achenberg, who congratulated the developers, "on such a beautiful project." The only no vote came from Councilman Dave Boerner, who criticized a planned two-acre parking garage at the front of the property, comparing its appearance to that of a castle wall.

Before the vote, the council secured a pledge from Ceebraid to build 30 dormitory-style employee housing units on the property, up from the nine proposed in the site plan. Construction of the rooms is contingent upon the village making a requisite change in its land-development laws.


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Price $315,000
Location 84961 Overseas Hwy. #14, Islamorada, FL 33036
MLS# 534979
Info Phone# (305)289-6515

Great opportunity to purchase a direct oceanfront property with a cute 1 bedroom, 1 bath Park Model Trailer at the unheard of price of $315,000. Includes oceanfront common area peninsula, plus boat ramp rights, plus common area boat dockage, plus an oceanfront tiki. Must see to appreciate. Won't last long! Re-development opportunities as well. This is truly a Keys dream location!


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The Papa Joe's Restaurant building has stood on the southwest corner of Upper Matecumbe Key since 1937 when it was built as part of the Fowler's fish camp and marina. But come this winter, soon-to-be owner Mike Forster plans to level the old two-story wooden building and replace it with a more modern, if somewhat less authentic, look-alike. The new building won't be made out of the sturdy Dade County pine that has helped Papa Joe's stand for the past 69 years. But it will upgrade the old property.

In recent years and especially recent months, the Papa Joe's building has fallen into disrepair. Its decrepit state is visible from the outside. But according to Forster, a former village councilman who owns the popular Mangrove Mike's Cafe, it is equally as visible within. Holes in the floor, for example, provide a view of the foundation below.

Forster and partner Wells Gable, who entered into a $2.5 million contract to buy the property last May, had been planning to rehabilitate the old restaurant site. But a legal battle involving property owner Arthur Chote and former tenants Patty Gehrkens and Gilles Fumat delayed their scheduled September property closing until Dec. 21. A court order earlier this month gave Chote undisputed possession of the site.

He had been planning to relocate Mangrove Mike's Cafe to the Papa Joe's site this fall. The new tentative opening date for what he will call Mangrove Mike's on the Bay is May 1. "As time went on, it just got worse and worse and worse, so it just didn't make any sense to rehab it," Forster said of the Papa Joe's building. The separate Papa Joe's bar and marina buildings will remain, with marina operations expected to open quickly after the purchase is finalized.

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Islamorada Restaurant Bakery-$10 Cert

Price:	$3.00
You Save:	$7.00 (70%)

Each certificate is emailed to you and you immediately print it from your computer. When you're in the mood for good times and great cuisine, be sure to check out Islamorada Restaurant & Bakery. The restaurant is located in one of the area's most pleasant settings, and is known for its delightful staff and superb cuisine.

The menu at Islamorada Restaurant & Bakery features a wide array of great selections, made from only the freshest and highest quality ingredients, with something sure to please every member of your group. Islamorada Restaurant & Bakery has established itself as one of the area's favorite culinary destinations, and is sure to offer you a pleasant and unique dining experience every time you visit. Please stop by in soon!

Average entree: $10.00 and under.
Location: 81620 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL
Questions? Call us 800-979-8985 or email info@restaurant.com.

November 20, 2006 – Monday *
Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee’s Southwind’s Park Sub-committee Meeting
11:00 AM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

November 20, 2006 – Monday - CANCELLED
Workforce / Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting
5:00 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

November 21, 2006 – Tuesday - CANCELLED
Code Compliance Hearing
1:30 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

November 21, 2006 – Tuesday *
Executive Session (Bates v. Islamorada)
4:00 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL
Executive Session (Cobb v. Islamorada)
4:30 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL
Regular Village Council Meeting
5:30 PM at Islamorada Fire Station 20, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Second Floor, Islamorada, FL

Holiday Isle Arts & Crafts Show
November 24 to November 26
This festival features unique works by artisans and craftsman.
Contact: (305) 664-2321

Islamorada Fishing Club Junior Derby
November 24 to November 25
All species count for points in this competition for anglers ages 3 to 19, with the most points awarded for bonefish and permit.
Contact: (305) 664-3864
Email: Trice_J@bellsouth.net

Keys Community Concert Band Presents Pops in the Park, “We Love the USA.”
November 25
Local musicians are to present a free outdoor concert at Islamorada Founders Park, mile marker 87, bayside on Plantation Key. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended.
Contact: (305) 853-7294

Christmas festival and auction
Saturday, Nov. 25, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Island Christian School, MM 83.4. Pancake breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. followed by auction at 10:30 a.m. Free admission.
For information: 664-2781.

This really contrasts (with the prior post) the range of homes in Islamorada.

Location: Islamorada, Florida
Price: $7,900,000
Bedrooms: 6
Size: 7,600 square feet
Agent: American Carribean

The Water View probably adds a $1 million to the above value.

MM 82 - Upper Matecumbe
Prime Location in Islamorada!

Structure: Single Family
Bedrooms: 1
Baths: 1
Offered @$430,000.00
Agent: Kim Bagnell Thaler
Phone: 305-664-1072
Cell: 305-393-2787
E-mail: kimbagnell@msn.com
More Photos
Description:Warm and inviting true Keys Conch home is ideally situated in the Heart of Islamorada. Completely renovated; new kitchen with stainless steel appliances, Travertine floors and much more. Active building permits to enlarge home to a 3 bedroom - 2 baths.
Additional Features
* Ground level concrete home
* New kitchen and appliances
* Surrounded by tropical landscaping
* Just steps from wonderful restaurants and shops.

It's always feeding time at Robbie's of Islamorada, where the 100 or so tarpon lined up like miniaturesubmarines below a bayside pier don't have to worry about getting a hook in the mouth to get a meal.To get the giant tarpon to leap up in the air at the marina on this island in the Florida Keys, tourists offer dinner in the form of dead herring tossed from a bucket or dangled a few inches out of the water. The hungry tarpon have been the marina's star attraction for decades, attracting visitors who want a close encounter with the fish nicknamed the "Silver King."

You can watch their webcam here http://www.robbies.com/videos.htm

Islamorada Gold, by Charles A. Boudreau, is an action/adventure novel set in the Florida Keys and built around a diver's search for a sunken Spanish galleon and its treasure. Tripp Adams gave up a great job to set out on his life long dream in search of this sunken treasure ship.
Along the way Tripp meets up with some great people, including a new love interest, that help him achieve his dream. Captain Mike knows the water and is there for Tripp at every turn.

Throughout Islamorada Gold, the reader is introduced to the beautiful, underwater world of corals, tropical fish and sharks.

The one thing you can count on when you have treasure, bad people are close by. Everything was going great until Tripp made a few simple mistakes. The crews' efforts are challenged by a greedy pawnbroker and his henchman, none of whom are above murder, theft or kidnapping. The pawnbroker "Fatman" is being pressed by Miami Cuban Mafia whom he owes a lot of money to. Very bad events can be caused by very simple actions and Tripp puts his crew's life in jeopardy.

ISLAMORADA, VILLAGE OF ISLANDS
Future Meeting List

November 13, 2006 – Monday Landscape Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting6:15 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

November 14, 2006 – Tuesday – DATE CHANGED TO NOVEMBER 28, 2006Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting6:30 PM at Islamorada Public Library, 81850 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL

Islamorada bus stops Bus stops are scheduled to be created at the following locations. * indicates locations for bus benches donated by Upper Keys Rotary Club.

1. Shell station near Gulf View Drive (southbound)
2. Hampton Inn and Suites (southbound)
3. Matecumbe United Methodist Church * (northbound)
4. Lor-e-lei Waterside Dining and Seafood (southbound)
5. Sunset Inn (southbound)
6. Southwinds Park * (northbound)
7. Whale Harbor (southbound)
8. Holiday Isle (southbound)
9. Treasure Village (northbound only on the Old Highway)
10. Plantation Key Government Center * (both sides of U.S. 1)

Islamorada residents will see designated bus stops appear in the village in the next two months. At its Oct. 26 meeting, the village council directed staff to install signs, trash receptacles and three benches donated by the Upper Keys Rotary Club as part of a plan to develop regular bus stops. “The hail system is difficult at best,” Vice Mayor Reckwerdt said. “You have to blend community safety and the needs of the business community that rely on the people who ride the bus to work.”

Residents and council members said having buses stop when hailed is unsafe because buses pull off the highway onto the gravel shoulder and can re-enter traffic suddenly.The Julia Garcia Transit (JGT) bus makes six round trips from Florida City/Homestead to MM 50 in Marathon each day, serving an estimated 500 passengers daily.Islamorada has no paved bus stop areas, so when passengers need to enter and exit the bus it has to pull to the side of the main highway, sometimes blocking traffic or kicking up gravel near the roadways.

Public Works Director Zully Hemeyer said a larger project to create 10 paved bus stops would cost nearly $400,000, including engineering work, paving and other infrastructure.The council supported the idea of permanent off-road bus stops, or “bays,” which could be budgeted next year through infrastructure funds.“I think these stops are a good start but we’d need more,” Reckwerdt said.

Councilman Don Achenberg suggested the village contact larger resorts to discuss the possibility of creating bus bays and requiring new projects to add them.“With larger resort planning, we should require they have a bus pull-off,” Achenberg said.Councilman Dave Boerner asked Hemeyer to identify other safe stops for the bus because the 10 stops where signs will be installed are too far apart to replace the hail system.

Mayor Chris Sante agreed. “Until we can identify a couple of more stops, it will have to remain a quasi-hail system,” Sante said. Signs and trash bins, expected to arrive in 45 days, cost about $1,200 for all 10 locations, Hemeyer said. “It’ll be a nice thing for the community, especially the people that have to wait for the bus,” Hemeyer said.