PAGE ONE COMMENTARY: Why You Should Vote Yes to Authorize City Officials to Sell the Half-Acre Pier House Spa Property

FOR SOME REASON, THE CITY OWNS APPROXIMATELY 75 PIECES OF PROPERTY THAT ARE NOT BEING USED FOR CITY OFFICES OR OTHER CITY OPERATIONS. THE CITY RENTS OUT MANY OF THESE PROPERTIES— AND SWEETHEART DEALS ABOUND

SELLING MORE CITY PROPERTY COULD HELP SOLVE THE CITY’S FINANCIAL WOES

by Dennis Reeves Cooper

Sometime back in history, Key West voters amended the City Charter to prohibit the City Commission from selling city-owned property or buying additional property without first putting the question before the citizens by referendum.

That may seem to be a cumbersome way of making buy or sell decisions. But the rationale for placing such restrictions on an elected body seems painfully obvious: The majority of the voters back then just didn’t trust their elected representatives.

And they don’t now.

Yes, There are Some Rules During Fantasy Fest

Key West’s biggest party of the year is upon us. While you’re busy putting the finishing touches on your costume, it’s good to remember a few crucial pointers.

• Artificial or toy weapons: You’re better off not using them at all. But if your costume simply must have one, make sure it’s very clearly a fake. Law enforcement officers will be watching for anything resembling a weapon, from water guns to artificial swords or knives that look at all realistic. Replica weaponry may be confiscated. In addition, laser pointers are not allowed during the event, and they too may be confiscated.

• Public nudity: Is absolutely prohibited in Key West. Male and female genitalia must not be exposed. Female breasts cannot be exposed. The only exception is that breasts painted with body paint will be considered covered, but only within the Party Zone and only during Fantasy Fest. However, body paint cannot be applied in public; it must be applied in an enclosed area, out of the public view.

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Smith-Martin Admits That He has Limited Experience as a Financial Consultant

by Rick Boettger

Last Wednesday, School Board Candidate Robin Smith- Martin finally responded publicly to allegations published in Key West The Newspaper (KWTN) last week. If you missed the commentary, I’ll tease you with the headline— “Background Check: Robin Smith-Martin Exposed as an Inept Businessman, Irresponsible Investor, and Tax Scofflaw.”

At a Key Largo Candidates Forum two days after publication of our commentary, Smith-Martin opened his presentation by waving a copy of KWTN and comparing it to the National Enquirer. I was shocked when I heard that because, only days earlier, he had sent me an email saying “KWTN has historically served an important function in our community’s democratic process, in terms of public accountability.” In fact, he encouraged me to uphold that tradition. I did.

In Key Largo, he also went positive when— in response to persistent questioning about what, if anything, he could deny in our expose— he finally admitted that the commentary was accurate. Although he conveyed an annoyed attitude about the piece, he never denied a single allegation, or fibbed in response to direct questions.

BITCHIN’ PARADISE: Fantasy Fizzle

by Kimberley Denney

My first Fantasy Fest was 1998ish. The only hotel available was the Days Inn, and my friend Liz and I drove down from Ft. Lauderdale on Friday, not knowing how much fun we had already missed. Or that it would be imfuckingpossible to get a cab back to the hotel after the parade. We did the whole flashing for beads thing, then spent weeks scouring the internet in a panic for any possible evidence. I think we’re safe.

And by the way, at this point isn’t flashing for beads a little passé? I mean, you can buy those crappy beads anywhere; they aren’t pearls from the sea.

What stands out most from that first parade night is a guy I met with a very original costume. It was black, and he was holding a black box that contained beads. So yeah, new to Fantasy Fest, I stuck my hand in the box. I felt around. There were beads alright. There was also a little (okay maybe not so little) surprise: it was his dick in a box well before Justin Timberlake came up with the concept (if you don’t know what I’m talking about go to youtube and search “dick in a box”. You’ll be glad you did). It was funny and obviously left a lasting impression. Where have all the good times gone?

RHONDA: Freewheeling

by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders

Enjoy them while they’re little because they grow up so fast. Yawn. Whatever. You’ve been given variations on that advice a thousand times. But it doesn’t matter how often you hear it from your parents, your aunts, your friends, and for that matter, every grandparent- aged person you pass in the grocery store while your kids are babies. The truth is that you won’t really know what they’re talking about, not really, until it happens to you.

And you, patient readers, have struggled with me through the coming-of-age of my first born. I hope it’s because you can relate in some way, and not because you think I’m nuts and you just can’t turn away for fear you’ll miss something fascinatingly horrible.

This is a recurring column theme, I know and I’m sorry. This week, it’s because I’m having a hell of a time coming to terms with how the child I just gave birth to a few years ago can get into a vehicle alone and transport himself safely to another location. And it’s all legal. How is this possible?

BOETTGER: Amendment 4: People Power

I believe passing Amendment 4 is the most important issue on next week’s ballot. It gives We the People control over runaway development and rapacious developers, who opposed it with millions of dollars in advertising campaigns full of outright lies.

County commission candidate Sloan Bashinsky has been the biggest local champion of of Amendment 4 since he first learned of it in 2006, and has followed it carefully ever since. “It started in Dade, Broward and Palm counties, as the result of runaway development greatly assisted by local elected officials in the developers’ pockets— mainland versions of our deposed Gang of Three on our county commission,” he says.

In a nutshell, Amendment 4 says any local comprehensive plan change approved by a local government has to go to referendum in the next general election. That is, be voted on by the people.

What’s on at the Tropic?

by Phil Mann

Since the current world seems so dystopian (etymology, from Greek: “bad place”) it’s only appropriate that we indulge ourselves in a little dystopian entertainment. It might make us feel a little better, since we haven’t gone as far into the dark world as the imaginations of novelists and filmmakers can take us.

NEVER LET ME GO, based on the multi-award winning novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, posits a world where human clones are raised to be organ donors. The novel, and its faithful movie adaptation, focuses on three of these special persons, played by Carey Mulligan (An Education), Keira Knightley (The Dutchess, Atonement), and Andrew Garfield (The Social Network).

Some critics have complained: why do they accept this fate? But we might ask, why do people join the Army? That question may be an undercurrent in the movie, but it’s more about the humanity of these farm-raised creatures, and the manner in which they relate to their unusual lives.

Rotary Club Bringing Reggae Moon-Splash to Town November 20

The stars are aligned — both astrologically and here on earth— as The Rotary Club of Key West brings Reggae Moon- Splash to town with three great bands for one night, all under a full moon!

Ky-Mani Marley: Son of the legendary Bob Marley, he does several Wailers classics in his show. He also has a new book out, “Dear Dad,” and a single “Country Journey” that’s hit #1 in BMC Reggae chart.

Well known for his electrifying performances, many have compared Ky-Mani to his famous father in concert. This is his first show in Key West.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE! Letters: "Time to get it right."

To the Editor:

Individual excellence and personal achievement does not require the endorsement or approval of others. It rises up from within and manifests itself in the ideas and behavior that stimulate, attract and motivate others to live exceptional lives.

Authentic leadership is a quality that cannot be purchased nor acquired at a college or university. It cannot be learned from a book nor bestowed upon an unworthy candidate. Its characteristics are not clearly delineated nor readily defined. However, most of us are keenly aware when we are in the presence of an extraordinary individual. Their tangential energy has been changing the course of human events since Adam and Eve.

Memorial Event for Carolyn Fuller Set for November 6

Carolyn Gorton Fuller died last August at the age of 88. She was a longtime Key West resident and well-known around town. She was also a frequent columnist for Key West The Newspaper. Her family has scheduled a memorial event— a gathering of family, friends and neighbors— for Saturday, November 6, at Carolyn’s home at 905 Angela Street, from 4 to 8 p.m.