Islamorada

A Monroe County circuit court judge berated Islamorada and one of its attorneys for rejecting a liquor license that no village code, zoning or regulation prohibits.

Circuit Court Judge Luis Garcia said the village should have approved the application filed by Two Martini's LLC, which wants to open an upscale wine, cheese and liquor store in the center of town. "In this case, all of the substantial, competent - that is to say, relevant - evidence supported the approval of the application," Garcia wrote in an Aug. 14 ruling. "The village attorney had made clear just how wrong he could get it."

The judge was referring to village land-use attorney James White, who in January advised the council that it must evaluate more than just the application's compliance with the village law, but the proposed liquor store's compatibility with the safety, health and welfare of the community. The council cannot employ such an arbitrary standard, the judge wrote. If the village wants to keep liquor stores away from churches, for example, it must write a specific ordinance prohibiting it, he said.

Two Martini's owner Michael Thaler proposed opening the store in the former Islamorada Tackle Building at Mile Marker 81.6 bayside, adjacent to the Helen Wadley Branch Library and across the street from the Florida Keys Hurricane Memorial and Matecumbe United Methodist Church.

In overturning the village staff's recommendation to approve the application, the council deemed the liquor store detrimental to the community based on pleas from former Islamorada sheriff's Capt. Joe Leiter, Matecumbe United leaders and nearby residents and business owners.

Village attorney Joe Serota said regulating liquor stores is a difficult issue. "We have great respect for Judge Garcia," Serota said. "That doesn't mean that we agree with him all the time. We don't agree with him here."

The Village Council has until the middle of next month to appeal the decision or approve the application. Two Martini's could be open within two or three weeks of receiving a liquor license, Thaler said. Mayor Dave Boerner said he is not likely to support an appeal. "Sometimes you have to carefully pick your battles," he said, "and I think Judge Garcia has given a message here."


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Starting in October, Islamorada residents will have to curb how much garbage they throw away. There is now no limit to how much garbage residents can put out to be collected every week, but beginning Oct. 1, they will be limited to six 32-gallon cans or six bundles, or a combination of both, said Bruce Williams, general manger of Onyx Waste Services, the village's solid-waste disposal company. Each bundle must not exceed 4 feet in height and 50 pounds, he said.

Williams said the excessive amount of trash Onyx was collecting in Islamorada has placed the company almost $200,000 behind in revenue since 2003. He's seeking some reimbursement from the village government but in the meantime, the Village Council approved his request to restrict how much people can put out for his company to collect.

Williams said residents will be able to go over the new limit, but it will cost them $2.25 per can or bundle. “We are developing a way for them to pay for extra trash, but we haven't figured out a way to collect the money yet,” Williams said.

Those who have questions about the new policy can call Williams at 853-3433.

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A 52-year-old man is recovering from extensive injuries he suffered after an encounter with a shark in the Keys.

The unidentified man received extensive injuries from under his arm to his waist after the shark attack.

Rescue crews airlifted the Islamorada man from Mariner's Hospital to Jackson Memorial Hospital after being attacked by the shark while swimming near Founder's Park.

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Wednesday, East Coast Poker Club opened a card room in Islamorada. They are in the old Anthony's Clothing building next to Lorelei restaurant at MM 82 bayside.

They are starting up a Texas Hold'em Poker league with players awarded points that can earn you a place in periodic tournaments with various prizes. I haven't seen all the particulars on the types of prizes and such but am hoping for the best.

Read More Here

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