Author Archives: M_Blank
Monkey Math – Emergency Services Surtax
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is considering an additional sales tax to pay for fire service. The proposal has been put forward by commissioner Heather Carruthers, who likes to call it a tax “shift”. Here is the county’s story: the county … Continue reading
Posted in BOCC, Fire and Ambulance, Monroe County, Taxes
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More About Greg and Danny
Update: It’s not entirely clear whether it’s Danny Kolhage or Dan Kolhage who’s involved here. My understanding is that Dan is the son of Danny. Danny is the former Clerk and current county commissioner. All these bubbas are so enmeshed … Continue reading
Posted in Bubba System
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More About That “Vow”
When Richard Toppino was first appointed to replace Melva Wagner on the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) board, KeysNews.com published a story: Toppino vows to avoid voting conflicts. I don’t think much of the story or the “vow”. I wrote … Continue reading
Posted in Bubba System, Conflict of Interest, FKAA, Public Records
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Update on Greg Veliz and Danny Kolhage
Update 2: The Kolhage involved in this particular situation might be Daniel Kolhage (former City of Key West commissioner) rather than Danny Kolhage (current Monroe County commissioner). It’s hard to say. Research ongoing. Update: Looks like Greg and Danny got … Continue reading
Posted in Bubba System, Key West
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Connecting the Dots and Following the Money
I was gobsmacked by the governor’s decision to appoint Richard Toppino to replace Melva Wagner on the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) board. Governor Scott couldn’t have picked a worse candidate. It’s not because Richard Toppino is a bad guy. It’s not because he’s … Continue reading
Posted in Bubba System, Conflict of Interest, FKAA, State government
Tagged Conflict of Interest, Florida Keys, Rick Scott
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Monroe Park Reality Check
The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (District) is still hemming and hawing over Monroe Park. Here’s the story from the Free Press. (And another letter on KeysNet.com.) The District board tends to get stuck in vacillation-mode sometimes. The only thing that … Continue reading
Posted in KLWTD, Wastewater
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Single Member Districts Endorsed by Key West Citizen
A citizens group, SMART Districts for the Florida Keys, has proposed a solution to inefficient and corrupt Monroe County government. The idea is to replace the current “at large” districts with single member districts. Under the current system, county commissioners … Continue reading
Posted in BOCC, Bubba System, Key West, Monroe County, Single-member Districts
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3406 North Roosevelt Boulevard Corporation
In yesterday’s post about “Connecting the Dots“, I mentioned 3406 North Roosevelt Boulevard Corporation (NRBC). It turns out that NRBC is a corporate entity that contracts with Monroe County to provide administrative services for the Tourist Development Council (TDC). It’s … Continue reading
Posted in BOCC, Bubba System
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Monroe Park
I somehow missed this excellent letter on KeysNet.com. It was published on Friday. The state law requiring advanced wastewater treatment puts the onus on the property owner not the local wastewater utility. In other words, it is the property owner who is required … Continue reading
Connecting the Dots – Kolhage
Monroe County Commissioner, Danny Kolhage, has been tied into the bubba system for decades. He served as the Monroe County Clerk of Court for almost thirty years, he served on the Key West City Council, and he currently serves on … Continue reading
Posted in BOCC, Bubba System, Monroe County
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The Real Poop 