PAGE ONE COMMENTARY: FKCC Faculty Passes Vote of No Confidence in Provost Randy Charles

THE DAMAGE DONE TO FKCC BY DR. CHARLES SEEMS TO BE THE FIRST THING COLLEGE STAKEHOLDERS HAVE AGREED ON IN YEARS. SO WHY WON’T THE PRESIDENT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders

By now most of us have figured out why the Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) Board of Trustees chose Dr. Larry Tyree to replace the previous embattled college president— he’s a nice old man with his head in the sand. Or is he? Time will tell.

We know that the faculty at FKCC is not happy with the college’s provost, Dr. Randy “McBoyfriend” Charles. Last week they passed an official vote of no confidence in the provost, with 18 voting no confidence and one abstaining.

The vote was an attempt to get the attention of President Tyree, after a meeting before the vote proved fruitless.

Members of the faculty called the initial meeting with Tyree to discuss serious concerns about the provost’s ability to lead. Faculty reports from that meeting indicate Tyree was not at all receptive to their concerns at that time, and even seemed aggressive, which surprised many.

Proactive Infrared Study Is Helping to Prevent Power Outages

Special Report

If you live in Key West, you know that periodic power outages are inevitable here. Unlike cities and towns on the mainland, where power can be brought in from a number of sources, the Keys are connected to a power source in Miami with, literally, a long extension cord. When something happens to that cord anywhere along the way, we have a power outage.

Granted, most of the outages don’t last very long, but they do cause a lot of inconvenience for just about everybody. Most of us are somewhat tolerant— and some of us aren’t.

To try to reduce the number of outages here, Keys Energy Services (KEYS) is using high-tech infrared video cameras to identify “hot spots” in transmission and distribution equipment that could cause future power outages. But now, once these hot spots are identified, they are repaired.

Brady Infrared Company, a company hired by KEYS to perform infrared testing on transmission and distribution equipment, recently identified 177 heat anomalies, or “hot spots,” which would have resulted in power outages if left uncorrected. During the study, a special infrared video camera was used to detect these anomalies, which are a red flag for future equipment failure. Repairs included cleaning, replacing, realigning, recrimping, and/or rewiring electrical connections.

“Knowing that a component may fail gives us the opportunity to complete corrective maintenance to achieve the highest reliability possible,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO.

GAYFLY: The Happiest Place on Earth

by Scott McCarthy

No, not the Magic Kingdom. That place sucks and I’ll never go back.

Key West. I think that Key West is a great place and I do believe that people are generally happier here than other places. There are a few miserable wretches on the island who should be run out of town on Flagler’s rail. However, by and large it is generally a happy population.

Key Westers live in shoeboxes with no closets that cost a million dollars. Now those same shoeboxes are worth a fraction of that. Still happy. Mosquitos, tropical storms, and humidity that you can cut with a bagel . . . still happy.

I hear many reasons for this happiness: the latitude or longitude, the constant sun and warmth. Could be, but I think it’s the booze.

RHONDA: Welcome to p-p-p-Paradise

by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders

My mom and dad (my stepdad, not the guy in the box on my shelf, regular readers) were down visiting for a few weeks. I felt bad when they first got here because we had a few chilly, overcast days.

When they left Michigan, though, it was -4 degrees and their porch still had four feet of snow drift on it from the most recent blizzard. So, somehow, they were able to cope with the Key West clouds and chillier-than-usual breezes.

I really do feel bad for visitors who come to Key West to spend a few days in paradise but, because of unlucky timing, are here during one of our infrequent winter cold snaps. Before I lived here, it happened to me. That’s why I understand fully.

I understand why, when the locals are hunkered down inside, hovering around their open ovens and space heaters, visitors from the north are walking down Duval in bikini tops. It’s not just because they’re drunk or because cold weather-dwellers are accustomed to existing comfortably in lower temps; it’s also a form of denial.

On the Madness of Banning Raw Milk

by Sally O’Boyle

In 40 of the 50 United States, raw milk sales are restricted, if not downright illegal. (www.farmtoconsumer.org/raw_milk_map.htm#) Raw milk. That’s like, you know, milk straight from the cow, the way God created it. Seems patently ridiculous on the face of it, and, well, it is. Here’s the justification for criminalizing the drinking and selling of raw milk:

According to the CDC, there have been “1,505 reported illnesses” including “185 hospitalizations and 2 deaths”* from raw milk since 1993.

That’s it. That’s the whole justification. I don’t mean to sound callous, but 2 deaths in 20 years? This is cause for nationwide panic and armed raids on dairy farmers and raw milk drinkers?

FILM: What’s on at the Tropic

by Phil Mann

Until this week, the Tropic had managed to show all ten of this year’s Best Picture nominees, except one. That omission is now corrected.

The last film is 127 HOURS, the harrowing true story of Aron Ralston, who was trapped in a crevice with his arm wedged under a rock and lived to tell the tale. You know the outlines of the story–man cuts off arm to save life–which certainly isn’t the best marketing tag line ever devised. But if you allow yourself to be put off by this gristly aspect, you’ll be doing yourself, and Aron Ralston, a great injustice.

In a world of whiners and downers, it’s a hurricane of fresh air to meet a man who is upbeat in the worst of circumstances. And who is self-reliant enough to figure his way out of it. He got himself into the problem, by going off into the remote Utah wilderness without telling anyone where or when he’s heading, so there’s no hope of rescue. On top of that, he rushed off so fast he forgot to bring his best multi-tool, instead having only a crappy giveaway knockoff with a dull cutting edge.

THEATRE: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Opens at the Playhouse Next Week

The Waterfront Playhouse continues their smash 71st season with the Broadway hit, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” opening Thursday, March 3 and running to March 26th. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, this hilarious musical has a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yazbek.

“Theatrical pizzazz!” says The Daily News. “Scoundrels” is directed by WFPH artistic director Danny Weathers, with musical direction by Michael Fauss and choregraphy by Penny Leto and Christine Marguerite, the same team responsible for such hits as “Reefer Madness,” “Urinetown” and last year’s “The Full Monty,” which sold-out every performance.

“Scoundrels” features a stellar cast in a show that will have audiences laughing, humming and guessing. The New York Post calls it “one of the liveliest, funniest musicals in years.”“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is sponsored by Rudy Molinet and Marquis Properties Realty, with the gala opening night party sponsored by Nikki McCausland and catered by Conch Republic Seafood.

IT'S THE LAW: Sexual Harassment Part 4

by S. Brandon Dimando & Michael Barnes

What can I do as an employer to prevent sexual harassment and protect against sexual harassment claims?

Despite widespread publicity and recognition of sexual harassment, most businesses have not taken effective steps to address it. Many employers are seriously unprepared to protect both their interests and those of their employees.

Given the history of sizeable jury verdicts in sexual harassment cases, this lack of employer preparation seems unwarranted if not financially irresponsible.

The courts and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) have consistently held that companies must take affirmative and effective steps to prevent sexual harassment and, failing to prevent it, to intercede immediately. Employers are liable when their supervisors create a hostile environment.

Teacher of the Year

School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Burke announced this week that Seana Cameron has been selected as the 2010-2011 Monroe County School District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Cameron is a fifth grade teacher at Poinciana Elementary with 23 years of teaching experience. She is a National Board Certified Teacher with a Masters Degree in Elementary Childhood Education and was selected for her outstanding academic success, excellent instructional methods and her contributions to the profession. She is also a published author and has worked on several educational projects both in Key West and New York during her career.Mrs. Cameron will be Monroe County’s representative in the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year selection process this spring.

PAL Boxing Tournment

It’s time again for one of the most popular events sponsored by the Key West Police Athletic League–amateur boxing! This year’s theme: Showdown on the Rocks! Showdown on the Rocks pits local kids and adults against boxers from all over Florida. The event begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26th at the Key West High School gym. Weigh-ins begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under. Ring seating is $15. In addition to boxing, there will be lots of food, drinks and music.

This tournament is a vital fundraiser for PAL, a program that offers kids a structured environment, discipline and a variety of skills. Since its inception in 1993 PAL has been dedicated to providing a variety of youth activities that help kids get involved in their community. All of the funds raised by the Showdown on the Rocks go to support youth sports and education programs.

Tickets are available at the Key West Police Department. For more information call Ricky at (305) 797-8740 or Steve at (305) 587-9273.