We continue to work diligently to educate the public regarding local issues that impact quality of life, our fragile environment and our limited infrastructure.

We continue to make rational suggestions. Is anyone in Village Hall listening?

There was an important agenda item during the Nov 10th Council meeting regarding the Baseball field renovation.

Why is this important? Let me count the ways. 

While the issue is not in the Council agenda for a decision, just a report, with no public comment, we have been led to believe that the Council may waive their meeting procedures so they can actually vote on this controversial issue, without appropriate public notification. 

That is wrong on many levels.

This adds to the procedural missteps that have plagued this project since 2021.

We are prepared to list the procedural violations and are forwarding them in a letter to Village Council and Village Attorney.

It is incumbent on the VILLAGE ATTORNEY to opine on the legitimacy of these proceedings.

The failure to adhere to our own laws is a concern and we seek the Village legal opinion on the record. An immediate opinion is both appropriate and necessary.

If the Village Attorney needs more time, we understand. Then postpone the baseball ”discussion” until such time as the Attorney can provide his opinion.

Bottom line, the baseball field project needs to be resolved by adhering to all requirements of Village regulations, all in the Sunshine.

• Did the Baseball Design Committee follow public notice requirements for meetings that have been taking place since at least 2021. It does not appear that they did.   

• Islamorada is a party to the proposed Design Build contract but has never signed the contract – yet the contracted designer is hard at work without a legally signed contract.

Consider these factors:

The Interlocal Agreement signed by the School District and Village, requires a Baseball License and Use Agreement.  A first step.

The terms in that agreement need to be succinct and agreeable to all parties before a design can be determined. It must be carefully negotiated with School District approval with very specific terms as to the allowable uses as well as all capital costs, operational, maintenance, and replacement costs during baseball season as well as the remainder of the year. Who is entitled to use all of the facilities, when. Who does the maintenance. 

The draft of the license document provided in tonight’s agenda needs significant improvement and school board agreement before design decisions are appropriate.

We do not think the public and Village Council have been provided all the facts and data regarding the use of our community park.

• Have we heard all the pros and cons about artificial turf versus real grass? 

• Have we weighed the cost, safety and environmental concerns?

We’ve been told repeatedly that the costs are school board costs, not Village money. Isn’t the School Board funded by our taxes?  Of course it is.

Check your tax bill – school taxes are listed. We pay both school and village taxes.

The Islamorada Taxpayers are entitled to a Voice!

And consider the fate of the Baseball Task Force:

Our Village Manager appointed 5 members of the community to a Baseball Task Force to help sort out the facts. 

• These community members put in significant time and energy.  

• A majority of task force members proposed the need for a community survey to assure the taxpayers of Islamorada have a voice. 

• There is no report from the Task Force in the agenda this week. 

• There is no discussion of a survey.  

Why did we have a Task Force?

If we are incorrect with any of our assertions in any of this editorial, please help us correct the record.

Our goal is to report the facts and we will gladly correct any part of our assertions and publish the replies.

The taxpayers of Islamorada own Founders Park.  We all deserve a very loud voice.

Hear us!

As a community we must do better. Remember, elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello