KEY WEST OVER PEOPLED

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This morning’s Citizens’ Voice printed an interesting comment re the number of people presently in Key West. The thrust being too many. Basically, the writer commented….. how many people can fit in Key West?…..the island is too crowded…..traffic a mess.

Quite frankly, I have had the same thoughts several times since the first of the year. Long traffic lines at lights, cars moving at a snail’s pace, tourists walking every which way when crossing a street, bicyclists driving every which way. Where are we going to put all these people if the upward trend continues?

The thought occurred that maybe no cars in Key West might help. Have parking lots on US 1. Figure out how to get everyone into Key West. Also, close down Duval and make it a walking thoroughfare with outside tables, etc.

Neither of my solutions bears merit nor would either fly. Never the less, something has to be done. Otherwise, we will not have to wait for higher water levels to bury Key West. The sheer weight of people on the Island will do it!

One solution that would help is to build more parking garages in convenient places, The City Commission thinks and builds everything. Rarely taking parking into consideration. Parking has become a horrendous problem, especially since the new parking regulation which only permits permitted Key West residents to park on the streets.

Stopped by Pier 1 yesterday to pick up the two lamps I bought the other day. They had to be ordered. I found the staff at Pier 1 very congenial and helpful.

Spent a good amount of time at the Chart Room last night.

Met Mary Jo and Greg. They are from someplace in Indiana. Snowbirds. Though Mary Jo considers herself half a Conch. They bought a home on Eagle Street four years ago and spend six months a year here.

Mary Jo was a cardiac operating nurse in her other life. Now retired. Her job was to travel where ever to pick up hearts and lungs for transplants. Then rush back to the operating room. A heavy responsibility.

Greg still works. A police officer, he is Chief of Detectives. He and I talked long about police issues facing us today. It was interesting to hear from the other side. There is a reason for everything.

David joined us. Then lovely Charlotte. Charlotte from North Carolina. She visits Key West about six times a year. She works for United Health Care. I am always on her re the screwed up drug program they provide.  To no avail, of course. Charlotte is also a marathon runner. All over the country.

David, Charlotte and I went to dinner together afterwards at Hot Tin Roof. A good time!

My weight is stalemated again. At 31-32 pounds. Spoke to a doctor friend about it. I was told my body is in starvation mode. It stores everything I eat. Admittedly, I eat little. To get the metabolism working properly again, I have to increase my physical activity. Should be easy. Means starting at zero. I have gotten lazy in my old age. Also, I should increase my caloric intake a bit.

We shall see.

Syracuse/Pitt at 4. Pitt a 3 point favorite. I will probably watch the game from home. I have Sloan in earlier and Keith and Jennifer at some point.

Enjoy your day!

GUANTANAMO BACKGROUND

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I mentioned yesterday that Raul Castro wants Guantanamo back. Otherwise, there cannot be successful reconciliation talks. Someone wrote me and commented that Cuba has not cashed U.S. rent checks for a log time. I did some checking.

The story.

A lease was entered into between the U.S. and Cuba in 1901.The U.S. leased a 45 square mile area on Guantanamo Bay. It was “to be used for a coaling station.”  A place to refuel Navy vessels. The U.S. was given complete jurisdiction and control over the area per the Cuban Constitution. The U.S. Senate tacked on the Platt amendment in approving the agreement. The Platt amendment gave the U.S. the right to maintain a military base on the island.

Fidel Castro came to power. He wanted Guantanamo back. For 55 years, the U.S.  government has sent a check each month for $4,085 to Cuba as the rental payment per the agreement. Castro has refused to cash the checks. Castro and Cuba refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the 1901 lease.

I have taken the time to set forth the background information I discovered because of Raul Castro’s position yesterday that Guantanamo was to be returned to Cuba as a condition of any reconciliation.

The Charles Eimer’s wrongful death case has been settled. For $900,000. A good result for both sides in view of the questions involved. Darren Horan did a top notch job as attorney for the Eimer’s family in obtaining the settlement. He never gave up.

I learned the City only carries $1 million in liability coverage. Stupid! How can a city such as Key West have so little? The City is pinching pennies where big dollars can be involved. Key West wastes money on over priced construction projects, because of poor judgment, etc. At the very least, the City should carry an excess policy for $5 million. Otherwise, taxpayers continue to be at risk. An excess policy is relatively cheap.

On my tuesday blog talk radio show, I mentioned rising sea levels and the danger to islands. Especially here in the Florida keys. It is anticipated islands will be encroached upon. Some may disappear. This morning’s Key West Citizen coincidently carried an article re the topic.

Key West is the third ranked city nationally with population vulnerability because of anticipated rises in sea level. The sea level has risen in the keys 9 inches in 100 years. The article mentioned that experts expect the level to rise 3-7 inches by 2030. Then, 9-24 inches by 2060.

Interesting. The problem is many do not believe such will occur.

Busy morning yesterday. A haircut with Lori. I was there 1/2 hour early for my appointment. The problem is parking under the new rules. I left early in case I had a long walk from the car to Lori’s. I lucked out and found a spot a half block away.

Then to Tammy’s for a manicure. Parking a problem again. The shopping mall’s lot full. I had to park on the street in front of Bank of America.

Key West has a distinct problem. Too many cars and too few parking places. Too many cars also for the number of streets in Key West. The problem easy to recognize. The solution not.

I end on a happy note. About a week ago, I advised I was stalemated on my diet. Had been stuck at 27 pounds for two weeks. The problem corrected itself. I lost 3 more pounds this week. The total, 30 pounds in 11 weeks. What a good boy am I!

Enjoy your day!