And a parent and an Islamorada resident and taxpayer.

Why does Islamorada government continue to punish Lower Mat?

Many Islamorada canals were dredged in the 1950s–60s without adequate tidal exchange.

A canal restoration effort by the Village on Lower Matecumbe has demonstrated immediate, dramatic improvements in water quality at four locations with new culverts connecting dead-end canals to improve circulation.

A fifth location is a part of that culvert project.

It is the most important part.

It was planned and engineered to provide a culvert under U.S. One at MM74 connecting the oceanside and bayside canal systems.

The mayor of Islamorada announced in a video last week that the project connecting ocean and bay waters was done.

That is not true! It is a disaster.

Marine experts have been gushing with enthusiasm about the remarkable results we will experience when this culvert under U.S. One is completed.

We are anxious to see the results. We have received extraordinary grants to make this happen.

But in the interim, the contractor hired by the Village at nearly $9 million, seems to have created a huge problem. (See the photos later in the newsletter)

We deserve to know who is responsible for overseeing this contract.

How have we allowed this absolute disaster to go on for nearly a year along our “Scenic Highway” through Islamorada?

The bike path/Heritage Trail has been completely destroyed.

No public acknowledgement of the status or “I’m sorry” to the folks impacted by the Village or the contractor.

The Heritage Trail is part of the Florida State Park System. From their website – “90 miles of multi-use trails link the Keys, offering visitors a spectacular way to experience the islands.”

Not so spectacular now – in fact not even usable.

For Lower Matecumbe residents is was their way to bike, walk, or jog to Annes Beach, the Channel Two Fishing Bridge, and points north on the island.

There are subdivisions and condos with nearly a 1000 homes within a mile of this section of the bike path. Residents are unable to use this section of bike path.

An occasional photo op of politicians is printed in the local papers when grants are awarded to fix the problems – but residents’ complaints with the reality of the situation, seem to fall on deaf ears with no photo op or media coverage.

Is Lower Matecumbe the forgotten island?

One trip past that totally disgusting stretch of right of way should cause great embarrassment to those entrusted to remedy and oversee this situation.

We get regular reports from FKAA with apologies for their comparatively minor disruptions along U.S. One.

No such reports from the Village or the contractor.  When do the folks near MM74 get an apology?

They are due more than just an apology.

They need their bike path and quality of life restored.

They deserve some answers.

Tom