Author Archives: M_Blank

Hoo Boy! School District

Posted on January 8, 2016 by M_Blank

Lots and lots of ink about the school district this week.  As we know, $20,000 went missing from the Horace O’ Bryant Early Learning Center.  Obviously, that is not good.  But the way the matter was handled made things exponentially … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubba System, School District | Leave a comment

Are SMART Districts the Answer?

Posted on January 7, 2016 by M_Blank

It’s obvious that Monroe County government needs to change.  Fortunately, there’s a new group that has an idea that might help – single member districts.  I talked a little bit about that here.  And here is a link to the SMART Districts … Continue reading →

Posted in BOCC, Bubba System, Single-member Districts | 1 Comment

Oh Key West – New Assistant City Manager

Posted on January 2, 2016 by M_Blank

So I saw this in the Blue Paper.  Key West City Manager, Jim Scholl, hired convicted felon**, Greg Veliz, as Assistant City Manager.  Supposedly he’s the only one who applied for the job.  Hmmm…$120,000 per year.  One applicant.  Sorry.  Does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubba System | 2 Comments

Financial Squeeze – Employment

Posted on December 22, 2015 by M_Blank

Let’s start with a few facts. The wastewater projects are, by far, the largest infrastructure project the Keys has going – $800 million. The wastewater projects in the unincorporated area will cost around $500 million. The two main wastewater utilities … Continue reading →

Posted in BOCC, Bubba System, Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District, Key Largo's contribution, Key West, Monroe County, Wastewater | Leave a comment

Kathy Reiztel – Whistleblower

Posted on December 18, 2015 by M_Blank

Update:  The Blue Paper’s story includes a link to Reitzel’s affidavit.  Warning:  it is awful.  If this is what people go through when they report wrong-doing, it’s no surprise the school district still has problems. Terrific story in the Blue Paper … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubba System, School District | 1 Comment

School Board and FKAA

Posted on December 17, 2015 by M_Blank

The School Board KeysNews.com (Key West Citizen) was the first out with a story about Tuesday’s school board meeting.  I have to say, I’m no more enlightened than I was before.

Posted in FKAA, School District | Leave a comment

Dean Residency Issue – Following Up

Posted on December 14, 2015 by M_Blank

Kirk Zuelch, the Executive Director of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) was specifically instructed by the board to send a packet of documents to the governor’s appointment office.  The governor’s appointment office could then review the documents and make … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubba System, FKAA, State government | 2 Comments

Another One for the Scandal Sheet

Posted on December 14, 2015 by M_Blank

From KeysNews.com (Key West Citizen):  Jury convicts former Cay Clubs president. Dave Clark was convicted of vacation rental fraud.  He’s looking at a long prison stay.  Sentencing in February 25. He’s not a government official, but this scheme is huge … Continue reading →

Posted in Monroe County | Leave a comment

Another Trip Into Bizarro-world

Posted on December 12, 2015 by M_Blank

I usually take weekends off from blogging, but there’s so much weird stuff going on today.  Is there something in the water? First I saw this strange note from the Office of Open Government. Then this crazy story in the Citizen. … Continue reading →

Posted in BOCC, Bubba System, Monroe County | 2 Comments

From KeyNews.com – Toppino vows to avoid conflicts

Posted on December 12, 2015 by M_Blank

Update:  It turns out the amount of Toppino’s subcontracts on Cudjoe Regional total well over $12 million.  It’s almost certain that Zuelch knew that when this article was written, and Toppino most definitely would have.  Yet they led the Citizen … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubba System, Conflict of Interest, FKAA, State government | Tagged , , | 1 Comment