The Key West Ambassadors Academy graduated its 37th class during this week’s City Commission meeting. They join more than 600 citizens who now have a better insight to the workings of City government. Each class of the Key West Ambassadors Academy has been a special blend of dedicated, involved citizens.
During the City Commission meeting, City Manager Patti McLauchlin congratulated Class 37, noting the dedication it takes to volunteer their time for 12 weeks of delving into the inner workings of city government. “Great job,” she said. “I want to thank you for your time and interest and all your dedication. I sincerely appreciate it, and you’re going to come back and share with me some of the things we can do to improve the City of Key West.” Two current city leaders -- Commissioners Clayton Lopez and Sam Kauffman – were elected after finishing this program. Other alumni have served as commissioners as well as sitting on a variety of other City boards. The Key West Ambassadors Academy was established in 2003 by then City Manager Julio Avael. Class 38 is slated to begin in mid-January. Applications will be available the first week in December.
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Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley is convening a workshop to gather input from the community regarding ways to make Lazy Way more user friendly.
The workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 11th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Schooner Wharf, located on Lazy Way. Lazy Way is the single lane street that connects William and Elizabeth streets. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input and ideas on making Lazy Way more pedestrian-friendly, with easier and more inviting access for bicyclists and walkers to visit and enjoy the area. This initiative is part of the city’s efforts to create more pedestrian-friendly streets throughout Key West. In January 2020, the City conducted a survey of close to 4,000 residents, the majority of whom live in Key West year-round. One of the biggest concerns in the survey was traffic, parking, and congestion. The survey was followed by a series of focus groups with residents and employees to identify solutions. A popular suggestion was to create closed or shared streets, as many cities have done throughout the country and the world. While we as a city try to respond to the needs of residents, the City also wants to honor the needs of the tenants of the Historic Seaport. ![]() The Key West City Commission approved the budget for fiscal 2022/23 that will provide various improvements to our island’s numerous parks and recreational facilities as well as additional public safety personnel, which will enhance the City’s safety and quality of life. Following two budget workshops, the commission approved a tentative ad valorem tax rate of 2.0822, which equates to $2.08 per $1000 of assessed property value. The adopted budget addresses many strategic priorities identified by the community including road and sidewalk improvements, traffic and pedestrian improvements, efficiency and resiliency efforts, and a continued focus on citywide cleanliness and affordable housing initiatives. It also addresses increased personnel and operational costs and continues to provide assistance to youth recreational leagues and local non-profit organizations. After the final classroom session of Class 37 of the Ambassadors Academy, City Manager Patti McLauchlin awarded class members Bill and Toni Crowley with Extra Mile Challenge Coins.
The couple has made outstanding volunteer efforts in the City’s push to keep Key West beautiful. They participate in the Early Bird plogging events on Fridays. They were part of Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover’s team during National Cleanup Day last weekend. They will be the captains of a team participating in the September 24th cleanup organized by Coast Love. They’ve even adopted a spot for cleanup at the VFW in partnership with the Southernmost Coconuts Castaways. Many Ambassador Academy alumni invest their time in the regular cleanups held around the island, and the City appreciates their dedication. Brighten the Square!
We want your input on enhancing Key West's most iconic public square. Mallory Square is beloved for its nightly Sunset Celebration, an iconic event that brings together the best of the Keys' natural beauty and unique culture. This is just one of the many roles this public square has played in its history, from anti-piracy outpost to auction house; shipbreaking yard to fishing pier. Today the City of Key West is asking, how can we realize the full potential of Mallory Square to support the Keys' culture, commerce and community? Click here https://mallorysquare.engage.sasaki.com/ to join the planning process! Help write the next chapter in Mallory Square's story. From September 2022 to May 2023 the City of Key West will be conducting a collaborative master planning process to guide future improvements to the square. The planning process will be community-centered, relying on input from both residents and visitors at all stages of development. Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commissioners honored one of our local heroes by proclaiming October 1st Roosevelt Sands, Jr. Day.
Mr. Sands was born in Key West in 1930 into a respected family of community leaders, who have over generations advocated for civil rights, housing, healthcare and employment opportunities for African Americans and the Bahama Village community. Throughout his life he has continued that honorable tradition. He served during the Korean Conflict and for many years after as a Sergeant in the Army Reserves. In fact, at the age of 91, he is still known to many as Sarge. Mr. Sands worked as an occupational specialist at Key West High School for more than 20 years. Over his decades of public service, he has mentored countless youth, shared his wealth of Key West history, and served the City as a member of the District VI historic naming committee. In addition, he served on the Key West Housing Authority Board from 1970 to 2022, as a champion for safe, affordable and essential public housing. With the example of Mr. Sands and the Sands family, several generations of Conchs have grown to become educators and legislators, striving to make the world a safer and more just place. “Thank each and every one of you for helping me grow and defend this wonderful city of ours,” said Mr. Sands. “I only hope that I have done something for someone to say ‘I hope my son’ or ‘I hope my daughter will be just like him.’ Thank you so much, Key West. I love you.” Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commissioners have proclaimed September 17th as National Cleanup Day.
“National Cleanup Day recognizes the need to protect the health and beauty of our city as well as our nation,” reads the proclamation. “The City of Key West takes great pride in its environment and supports a clean, safe community, now and in the future.” The cleanup joins together the community, the City, and non-profit organizations for a cleaner environment, which promotes positive community values, property values, and the economic vitality of Key West and the Florida Keys. Julie Brown, a member of the Mayor’s Beautification Committee, accepted the proclamation. She noted that there will be several locations around the island where groups can gather at 9 a.m. to help keep Key West beautiful. The cleanup will be followed by a picnic, she said. “It’s a good way to get to know your neighbors,” she said. “Please join us on that day. For more information, and to sign up, contact Brown at [email protected] or at 305-797-3385. Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission on Wednesday commended the Little Conch Baseball 14U All Stars for earning the honor of claiming the 2022 Babe Ruth South State Tournament Championship, where they advanced to the 2022 Southeast Regional Tournament in Tallahassee.
The commendation noted that the stands were filled all season with youth baseball supporters. The commendation shouted out to Coach Ray Garcia and his assistants for finding “great success throughout the season and are expected to continue the Conch legacy of excellence into high school and beyond. These young athletes exemplify what can be done by working hard together with a common goal of continuous improvement.” Key West City Manager Patti McLauchlin, during this week’s commission meeting recognized Saint Fort Hyppolite for his 20 years of service to the City of Key West.
Known by his coworkers as Hyppo, he started as a maintenance worker and later promoted to maintenance technician. “Hyppo has made a tremendous difference while working for many years in the cemetery,” said McLauchlin. “His contribution to the cemetery has been fantastic and has kept the cemetery looking good. He will get a job done that should take a day in a couple of hours and ask what to do next, always with a big smile on his face. Hyppo is an outstanding employee and is a great value to the City of Key West.” McLauchlin presented Hyppo with a gold watch and a challenge coin commemorating his 20 years of dedicated service. Mayor Teri Johnston and Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover have proclaimed September 10th as World Suicide Prevention Day.
Commissioner Hoover has been a tireless advocate of raising awareness for years. She encouraged the community to join in the American Society for Suicide Prevention walk on November 19th. Already, a good number of staff have signed up to walk for the City of Key West team. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death Florida, she noted, and over 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable mental health condition. Suicide rates have increased 30 percent over the last two decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 3,135 people died by suicide in Florida in 2020. Organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide through research, education, advocacy and resources. “It is important to recognize suicide as a preventable public health problem,” reads the proclamation, “to address the disparity in access to mental health care for underserved and underrepresented groups, and to advocate for a comprehensive suicide, mental health, and substance use crisis response system to build on the historic new 988 phone number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.” |
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