![]() Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission have proclaimed December 11th as Bicycle Action Committee Day in honor of the efforts of that organization.
According to the 2020 census, over 14 percent of the commuters who live in Key West travel to work by bike. That’s 24 times the national average. However, statistics show that cyclists are disproportionally affected by roadway collisions. Richard A Cahlin, founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Bicycle Action Committee “have shown significant leadership across the State of Florida advocating for bicycle safety, and the Bicycle Action Committee has provided generous support in the funding, design, and production of jerseys to improve awareness and safety of bicyclists in Key West,” reads the proclamation. Cahlin and the City’s Multimodal Transportation Coordinator Ryan Stachurski accepted the proclamation. The committee, said Cahlin, works with participating cities, raising funds from the private sector to create the high visibility jerseys. “We want them to slow down, yield, and create a safe space for cyclists,” he said, noting that proceeds from the jerseys goes right back into the community to fund its bike initiatives.
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![]() The City of Key West wants to remind residents aware that they cannot block off parts of the public right-of-way for private parking. Now that season is getting into full swing, City officials have received complaints that some residents are posting signs or even using cones and barricades to reserve parking spaces along the city streets. The right-of-way is public property, and cannot be marked with private "No Parking," "No Trespassing," or other signs. Nor can this area be blocked with cones or other obstructions. The City's Code Compliance and Parking Enforcement officers will be addressing this illegal use citywide in the coming weeks. Anyone who has tried to reserve city right-of-way for private use is warned to take down the signs or remove the blockage immediately. Cones or other illegal blockades will be removed. Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission this week proclaimed the William Weech American Legion Post 168 as the newest recognized historical marker in the city.
The William Weech American Legion Post 168 was chartered in 1946 and has served veterans and active military residents and visitors to Key West for more than 76 years. The Post broke ground for its home at 803 Emma Street in 1951, during the era of segregation, in partnership with the VFW Walter R. Mickens Post 6021. Its members support a mission to enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military and our community by devotion to mutual helpfulness. Since its inception, Post 168 served as host to more than ten thousand black military personnel deployed in the Florida Keys. “Black service members hold an essential role in the success of the United State military,” reads the proclamation, “shaping the successful outcome of individual missions, and paving the way for progress towards achieving equality in the armed forces and American society.” An historic marker for the Post was unveiled in October of this year. Post 168 Commander Valerie Littlefield and Glenn Hayes, Post 168 1st Vice Commander, accepted the proclamation. “There are people that take the easy road and have a hard life,” said Commander Littlefield, “and there are those who take the hard road for an easy life. Veterans are known for taking the hard road. Veterans are known for service. Veterans continue to serve and that’s what we intend to continue to do.” Though every entry into this year’s Holiday Parade was a winner the moment it brought a smile to a child’s face, and this year’s judges had a hard time choosing winners!
Island Grove Dance Studio received the Mayor’s Cup, and Harpoon Harry’s Restaurant was awarded with the Vice Mayor’s Cup. There was a tie for the Commissioner’s Cup between the Key West High School Marching Band and the joint float effort by Garcia/Jones Construction, Casa Construction, Key West Body Scrubs, and the Garcia Law Firm. Honorable Mention saw a four-way tie: The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, the Basilica School of St. Mary’s, the joint effort by the City of Key West Building Department, Code Department and Licensing Department, and the Horace O’Bryant Bucs Remix. The City of Key West wants to thank the community for this amazing effort. In addition to the hundreds of people who volunteered their time to be a part of the parade, we appreciate the behind-the-scenes volunteers for their tireless and continuous help each year. Gratitude also to the city employees who volunteered their time to make this another memorable parade. See concepts for the future of Mallory Square and offer your opinion!
In September, over 1,500 visitors and residents shared their experiences at Mallory Square and their ideas about its future. With that knowledge, the planning team has developed two concept alternatives. The concept alternatives are bold designs intended to stimulate discussions by contrasting different approaches to the Square's seating, planting, paving, shade, circulation, programming, and more. You can review these concepts and provide your input by taking the survey. The Mallory Square Planning Team will be out in the community to share the concepts and hear your feedback. Join us at one of two upcoming events: Annual Holiday Concert & Bazaar WHEN: Friday, December 9th from 5 - 9 p.m. WHERE: Custom House, Front Street Sunset Celebration WHEN: Saturday, December 10th from 4 – 7 p.m. WHERE: Mallory Square Meet the planning team, learn about the concepts, and share your opinion. Visit: https://mallorysquare.engage.sasaki.com/ to learn more and take the survey! ![]() The City of Key West Building Official Raj Ramsingh is working with the Engineering Department to carefully assess the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center to ensure complete public safety. In recent months, parts of the facility – especially the entry and changing rooms – have shown signs of deterioration. “We’re doing a structural analysis to make sure the facility is safe,” said City Manager Patti McLauchlin. The community center and pool were renovated in 2011 and its roof was renovated in 2018. The facility, located at 300 Catherine Street, was built in the 1950s. The initial safety assessment should be finished with the next two weeks, says Engineering Director Gary Volenec. At that point, the City will decide whether to close it until the deterioration is shored up, or whether it’s safe to continue public access while addressing the problem areas. The City of Key West wants to hear ideas from the community regarding renovations to Bayview Park, and we’re convening another public workshop. Everyone is invited to the workshop on Wednesday, December 7th from 3 to 5 p.m. The workshop will be convened in the commission chambers at City Hall, 1300 White Street.
The historic park is home to several war and veterans memorials, tennis and basketball courts, a ball field, a bandstand, and the Boys and Girls Club. This workshop will help the City with feedback from the community on the best ways to give the park a facelift. Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission, during the recent commission meeting, declared the week of December 5th as Irreverent Warriors Key West Silkies Hike Week.
The Irreverent Warriors organization is a force that unites the veteran community and drives healthy culture within its members. Through creative engagements, events, and strong veteran-based support networks they are known as the catalyst for improving the veteran outlook. The organization’s mission is to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. During Silkies Hike Week you will see veterans dressed in the tiniest of shorts (aka silkies), and on Saturday, December 10th hundreds of veterans will hike throughout Key West helping veterans connect with the aim of eliminating the 22 veteran’s suicides a day. The proclamation was accepted by Rodney Martin, Petty Officer Second Class, United States Navy and local coordinator. “On my last ship,” he said, “we lost three sailors to suicide and one of them was close to me. Twenty-two a day is a very high number. This organization gives veterans a chance to come out of isolation for a good day of positive vibes, good times, and laughter and just to let them know they’re not alone.” Petty Officer Martin accepted the recognition wearing his sillkies, the military workout garb. “Don’t be shocked or alarmed,” he said, “when you see 100 veterans dressed exactly like this because it’s for a good cause!” ![]() The City of Key West offices will be closed Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, November 28th. There will be no bus service on Thursday, November 24th. This long-standing tradition allows our drivers to spend Thanksgiving with their families. Normal bus service will resume on Friday, November 26th. The official Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 28th at 6 p.m. at Bayview Park. Santa will be on hand for his first appearance on the island! The Key West World AIDS Day Service will be held at the AIDS Memorial, at the foot of White Street and the Edward B. Knight Pier, on December 1st at 5 p.m. The service begins with a candlelight Memorial March from the Key West City Hall down White Street to the Memorial. Marchers will assemble at 4:30 p.m. The traditional reading of the names of all of those previously remembered on the AIDS Memorial will be done by a roster of community leaders. Thirteen new names will be added to the memorial this year. Candles will be given out. The Lighting of the Menorah will at 5 p.m. on December 18th, also at Bayview Park. ![]() This year’s Holiday Parade is going to be fantastic, judging from the entries. Due to the community’s enthusiasm, all the slots are now filled. The City is happy that so many people want to participate, but we are no longer accepting application. But you can still participate by coming out on Saturday, December 4th beginning at 7 p.m. to enjoy the family event. |
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