This is an editorial written by the Key West Citizen Editorial Board today. If there was ever a call for CHANGE, this is it:

The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher. It’s clear from Friday’s Finance Report that my opponent, Jim Scholl, is almost entirely funded by big developers and companies with pending business before the County.

As we near Election Day, I want to make something clear: Monroe County needs serious oversight, and the recent situation with Two Oceans Digital is proof of that.

One thing was clear from Wednesday's County Commission meeting: our residents are worried about how more development will affect our infrastructure. And they’re right to be concerned. 

At Tuesday’s Hometown! Key West debate, my opponent, Jim Scholl, claimed that I’m trying to buy your vote. The truth, however, is that big developers are the ones trying to decide this race—and the proof is in the campaign finance reports.

Join us and Plogging the Keys next Friday, October 11th, for an Early Bird Clean Up starting at 8am at the corner of White Street & Atlantic Blvd.

I’m focused on making real changes to our county government by bringing transparency, accountability, and responsible spending to the forefront. Corruption is holding us back, and I believe it’s time for a change.

Join us for a Meet & Greet in Key Largo at the infamous Caribbean Club, 104080 Overseas Hwy, on Friday October 11th from 5-7pm.

At the September BOCC meeting last week the County Commissioners voted on whether or not to change the language of the established Comprehensive Plan to give the developers of the proposed Publix in Tavernier, along with 86 affordable housing units, the ability to accept the 86 early evacuation ROGOs without having to do the required 1-1 exchange for regular ROGOs.

Last Week the Monroe County Board of Commissioners held a special ROGO workshop where they brought in utility and school department heads to discuss whether our current infrastructure can handle additional development.

After the release of the Grand Jury report on recent indictments it is appalling to read about the current Board of County Commissioners’ gross negligence and lack of oversight that allowed a drug theft scandal to fester within the Trauma Star and Monroe County Fire Rescue services.

News broke today about retired Monroe County Administrator, Roman Gastesi, being indicted in the Trauma Star scandal for attempting to cover up the theft of over 600 vials of narcotics, including Fentanyl.

As predicted, the County Commissioners passed the full 20% increase for the Waste Management non ad valorem tax for residential solid waste collection, distribution and recycling rate for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

The Florida Keys, known for its stunning beauty and unique lifestyle, faces skyrocketing property insurance costs. As a board member of FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe), I see firsthand how difficult it is to get the state to address Citizens Insurance exploiting our island chain.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning, Friday July 26th, to hear me at 7:50am on Morning Magazine on 104.1, US1 Radio, with Joe Moore & Chuck Thomas!

I have been on the board of Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe for the past two years. I have learned so much about our home insurance crisis and the root cause of why our insurance rates are so high.

The topic of how many ROGOs the Monroe County BOCC are going to ask for from the State at the end of the year has become an all important subject of interest for everyone in the Florida Keys.

I attended the BOCC budget meeting on Tuesday, and, just as I had suspected, the budget increased by $49 million for 2025. While the County Commissioners were thrilled that the millage rate decreased by a mere 1%, overall, the total tax that will be collected through property taxes increased almost 9%.

With the Primary Election coming up in just 6 weeks and the General Election happening on November 5th, we felt this was a good time to explain some key points that are important for voters to know.

I hope you and your family had an amazing 4th of July weekend. We certainly did with the Key Largo Parade, Big Pine Fireworks, and the Key West Key Lime Pie Drop! Now it’s back to business. I've often spoken about wasteful spending at the county level, and here's a clear example.