For as long as we can remember, the Village Mission statement has adorned the wall of the community center, often quoted during council meetings. We hope it will be returned.

Also missing: Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech print from Rockwell’s iconic Four Freedoms series, illustrating the democratic right to voice one’s opinion without fear.

March 21st at Founders Park Beach! Come enjoy FREE BBQ Pork, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw.  11AM–3PM (or till it's gone!  Founders Park Beach; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM FREE for Islamorada Residents | $15 for non-residents

At the Council meeting on March 12, Planning Director, Jennifer DeBoisbriand, provided an update regarding the Village Comp Plan review project.

The latest draft from Able City East was received on March 11 and is available on the Village website. Click here.

DeBoisbriand indicated a public workshop has been tentatively scheduled for Wed Apr 29. Members of council and the public can submit comments and suggestions regarding the comp plan draft to the planning staff prior to the workshop or at the workshop.

At last month’s Council meeting, DeBoisbriand suggested there would be just one public workshop. Once any changes to the draft are incorporated as a result of the workshop, an updated version of the draft will go before the LPA for their review and approval.  The Council will then hold two public hearings to approve the amendments.  

Able City East, as part of their $112,000 contract with the Village agreed to provide recommendations for amendments to existing land development regulations and other planning-related documents that support the Comprehensive Plan.

On the March 10 agenda for discussion is the recommendation from the Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee as to a “Plan for the Allocation of Early Evacuation Workforce Housing."

The Council directed the planning staff to move forward with work on the changes to regulations recommended: Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee’s report.

member Natalie Goodwin, a Coral Shores student, made a presentation to the Council Tuesday describing the efforts of the committee this year.  Included was a request to allow free entry to Founders Park for all county students with a student ID. At the Thursday council meeting, the council passed a motion to approve that recommendation.

Each month Aaron Cutler, construction manager, updates the council and the public regarding the status of the pipeline replacement project.  As the current project work moved from Plantation Key across the Tavernier bridge the traffic back-ups got significantly worse northbound approaching Tavernier Towne and Mariners Hospital.  Cutler indicated this phase of the work will take about 6 more weeks.  “Thanks for your patience.”

Once the work there is completed near the end of April, the FKAA will go back to trench in 4 or 5 areas of the new pipeline to connect to the old pipe.

NEXT UP - Fills and Lower Mat: The next segment to be undertaken according to Cutler will be from Indian Key Fill down to MM72: the Fills and Lower Matecumbe.

addition to the March 12 agenda by Sharon Mahoney with explanation and sketch by back country guide, Richard Black. The plan would improve the deteriorated condition of the existing ramp, double the width to allow for a two-boat wide ramp with t-dock - to benefit residents, visitors and guides.

A cost analysis will be presented at the April council meeting with possible grant sources.

Asta Kraskouskas Mary Bonde Gloria Avner

Visit the amazing art exhibits. Thank you Emily Rother, Village Cultural Arts Coordinator

Vice Mayor Mahoney has located places in Homestead where some of the chickens can reside happily forever after!

Anyone have a chicken coop that wants a couple extra hens? Send Sharon an email at sharellen@netzero.net.

Remember - do not feed wild chickens.  It is against the law!

It does not take long to figure out that in Islamorada there are two clearly defined entities. These two sides are on a collision course.

This week’s concern: Does anyone really care about trying to fix the high cost of living? Even just small bites?

A couple weeks ago I reported: property taxes in Islamorada have increased 58.2% in the last 5 years, from $11,544,900 in 2020-21 to $18,264,500 in the current 2025-26 budget and yet the population has decreased slightly. 

I submit that the Village spends more because we have more money to spend as property values escalate and the millage rate is not reduced.

It is not monopoly money, it’s our tax dollars. Our budget process continues to be shrouded in non-layman’s terms. You can’t question what you can’t understand. That is an old government practice.

How about a novel idea of returning some money to taxpayers. Re-assess your programs and identify programs and persons who have either completed their tasks or programs have been overcome by events.

Begin here:

Competitive bidding is intended to keep costs low, creating a process that promotes selection of the most qualified suppliers, protecting taxpayers from extravagance, favoritism, and fraud.

We have been ignoring and or coming up with ways to avoid this process for years.

We are addicted to favoritism and extravagance.

Some officials have labeled the Village “a town of rich people.” They have no idea about what residents have to do just to survive economically.

In the Village “Purchasing and Procurement Manual,” we are directed to comply with competitive bid requirements. In the current budget we anticipate receiving over $12.5 million in grants, all requiring competitive bidding. We are obligated to comply. 

Is there in-house punishment for failure to follow rules? Anyone? I think not.

In 2025, competitive bidding was waived by the Village Council a couple dozen times!   And even when there is competitive bidding, is the selection process fair or are they able to play favorites?  

I caution Council to play by their own rules and stringently apply competitive bidding procedures to our expenditures. We have not done this in good faith.

I strongly support a Florida DOGE analysis for a Village that has not been truly analyzed for a quarter of a century. Common sense.

Tuesday night the Village will amend the Village procurement policy manual to add FDOT competitive bid requirements that follow F.S. 287.057 – competitive bidding required for all services over $35,000.  It has always been required! This is a reminder.

We believe that competitive bidding goes a long way in assuring the best services for our community and the taxpayers who fund them.

Can the Council, Manager and general counsel assure that competitive bid requirements are being adhered to when applying for state and federal grants?  

It is their job and their promise to govern for the “greater good.”

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello