It’s July 1st and that means the 2025 budget meetings are about to begin. I’m hearing that there will be no tax or budget increases, even though consistent, large increases have become the expectation. Why do I think this will be the case? It is because WE are shining a very vocal light on these expenditures.

Each week our team is getting more energized and ready for Election Day! You can show your support for my campaign by requesting a Yard Sign TODAY!

The June BOCC meeting was canceled due to the Juneteenth holiday, so I expected the May meeting to cover both months' agendas and last all day. However, the meeting ended in just 3 ½ hours, finishing before 12:30pm. While the commissioners may enjoy having the afternoon off, I'm concerned that not enough time was spent discussing two months' worth of agenda items that are important to the public.

With the November election less than 5 months away, it’s time to start thinking how you will vote this year.

Today was the Key West Chamber of Commerce’s debate forum for all candidates running in the Keys. We answered questions from our peers about our plans if elected, how we would solve relative issues to our positions and how we can make our home of the Florida Keys a better place.

Last month, I had the incredible experience of diving the Vandenberg for the first time. The sheer vastness of the ship, the vibrant fish, and the remnants of coral made it an unforgettable adventure. The Vandenberg was intentionally sunk 15 years ago as an artificial reef to both provide a habitat for sea life and protection against future storms.

Happy Pride! Looking forward to a great week of festivities and seeing everyone out and about! Don't forget to join us for our Pride Celebration and Fundraiser on Thursday June 13th from 5-7pm at the amazing Aquaplex.

In just days, we have to close our books on another quarter of the campaign. This is an opportunity for us to show the strength and momentum we have built. I need to ask – can you make a contribution to help us show our strength?

At this month’s BOCC meeting, Sr. Director of Strategic Planning & Libraries, Kimberly Matthews, presented the County staff’s current progress and plan for public participation in determining the number of ROGO permits Monroe County will ask to be awarded by the State of Florida at the end of this year. Community feedback on this decision is essential in determining how many ROGO permits to request.

Thank you so much to everyone that was able to attend our event at The Gardens Hotel! We are so happy for the amazing turnout and that so many in the community care about the future of the Florida Keys.

Last week the State of Florida rejected the Tavernier Overlay District, keeping developers from building the unnecessary Publix in the previous CEMEX plant property. The State cited that this development exceeded the standards applicable to the Tavernier community, and were inconsistent under the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan, that our commissioners themselves enacted, to protect an area of critical concern.

At this month’s BOCC meeting County staff proposed a tentative increase of the non ad valorem tax for residential solid waste collection, distribution and recycling rate for the fiscal year 2024-2025 of 10%, or $45.71, for a total cost of $502.86 per household. This was the amount the staff felt was appropriate for the increase in costs for Waste Management.

Join us for a Pride Celebration and Fundraiser on Thursday June 13th from 5-7pm at the amazing Aquaplex.

At the April BOCC meeting the topic came up regarding creative ways to use TDC funds going forward. 40% of all TDC funds collected must go towards promoting tourism in the Florida Keys, and the 3rd and 4th pennies are reserved for DAC projects, and brick & mortar spaces, such as parks, museums and public facilities.

Join us for our fundraiser at the beautiful Gardens Hotel on Wednesday May 22 from 5-7pm. Enjoy the luscious gardens for a meet & greet with Chris Massicotte to learn more about how he wants to create a sustainable future for the Florida Keys and make the CHANGE that is necessary to better the lives of our residents.

We have 6 months to go until November’s election, but there is a lot of work left to do. This campaign is important to me because I know I can make the change that is necessary in our local government to better the lives of our residents.

At this month's BOCC meeting, CEMEX Construction proposed a Small Map Amendment, which would allow them to obtain the 86 building permits necessary for their workforce housing units, but not require them to follow the rules of the existing Comprehensive Plan

Join us for a fundraiser at the beautiful Gardens Hotel on Wednesday May 22 from 5-7pm.

As we celebrate 42 years of the Conch Republic, it’s important we discuss the future of our island’s environment to ensure it is protected over the next 42 years. To kick off the week-long celebration, I attended Ocean Fest where I met so many organizations, conservationists, scientists and volunteers who are trying to preserve and restore what’s left of our precious coral reef.

Last week I watched the City Commission meeting where they discussed the first of several reports on the water quality. While there was not an abundant amount of information yet, as this is only the beginning of the testing phase, I think it’s important to help keep local citizens aware of what is going on with our ecosystem.