As a group, residents are probably accustomed to land use lawyers and their associates giving spin on how our comp plan is flawed and the need to “fix bad law.”

 I am told that the Islamorada Comprehensive Plan was put together 20 years ago after hundreds and hundreds of residents participated in the effort. Their effort resulted in  a well-constructed long-term “comprehensive” plan based on our Village Mission statement which emphasizes protecting, planning and preserving.    

None the less about four hours into the Village Council meeting on December 9th, new mayor, Don Horton, provided a fascinating land use lesson. A lesson extremely slanted in a clearly pro-development direction. 

It has been clear, for the last year, that the majority of the council, which we elected last November, believe that “property rights” apply only to applicants seeking added land use rights.

Forget the property rights of neighboring property owners and those who would be impacted by increased density, noise and potential environmental degradation. 

Forget the overall detriment to the Islamorada community as a whole, like the increases in traffic and infrastructure requirements facing us as an island community.

So the lesson Mayor Horton proclaimed:

When the Village created their own zoning and future land use maps back decades ago, following incorporation, they made “mistakes we need to fix.”

Yes, we have all heard this refrain from land use attorneys and businesses on behalf of their paying clients over the last several years.

We disagree with this premise.

We incorporated this Village to be able to make our own decisions about land use, taxes, and infrastructure. 

From 1998-2003, the Village had about 18 public meetings to create a Comp Plan, often standing room only, with residents pouring over maps and text to assure that our new Village Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Regulations and land use maps did exactly what the community wanted.

Primary goals were established. They still stand tall on the wall of the Village meeting room – our mission as a community. 

The Village Mission:

·       To Protect the Residents' Right to Quiet Enjoyment of Life

·       To Plan for Enhancing Our Village Character

·       To Preserve Our Community; Its People, Natural Resources, and Pride

·       To Provide Basic Services to Support our Quality of Life

This is our litmus test. No mention of improving the bank revenues of property owners, developers and their attorneys.

Back decades ago, the village land use decisions were made in a crowded room with loads of people demanding what is best for all residents and our environment.

Sadly, only a handful of residents now attend Village Council meetings.

Tuesday night with two members of the public present (one being a land use attorney representing the applicants), Mayor Horton and three others voted with virtually no discussion to “fix mistakes” made 20 years ago.  Those “mistakes” were decided by a huge consensus of residents in order to preserve things like important high-quality hammocks. 

And the Village knew back then by changing some zoning, they would create nonconforming uses. They thoughtfully established regulations back then to allow the nonconforming uses, that resulted from map changes, to legally continue. 

But Horton says those map changes were “mistakes”. We say, not mistakes, but carefully decided land use decisions to match our goals and mission as a community.

Tuesday the “mistakes” that the Village Council aimed to fix were to change Conservation zoning to Mix Use Commercial zoning. 

For 20 years this community has loved these nonconformities, a tennis club on Lower Matecumbe and a riding stable on Upper Matecumbe. 

We think both uses that were in question last Tuesday are just great. They existed long before Islamorada incorporated… and continued with no objections. 

Why now, 20 years after the 18 public meetings with packed rooms of our residents (and founders) is it necessary to change land use maps from conservation to mixed use commercial?

We understand that the Islamorada Foundation now has a contract on the Lower Matecumbe Tennis Club property to continue the same type recreational use.

We cheer and support that.

We also understand, at the present time, there is no plan to eliminate the riding stables on Upper Matecumbe.

Both properties are in the middle of amazing high-quality tropical hammocks that the residents of the Village, 20 years ago, felt were absolutely worth saving for generations to come. The community and council worked diligently back then believing it was worth taking special precautions to protect these environmental treasures.  A conservation zoning classification was chosen to do that – while providing provisions so our much-loved existing uses could remain forever. 

We are saddened to think that this council thinks those early diligent residents made “significant mistakes” that need to be fixed now.

We strongly oppose the premise that only 3 votes can change the core of our environmental principles. 

We think that 20 years ago our residents showed amazing vision. Don’t let that vision become clouded.

It’s obvious, that elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

There are no out-of-pocket costs for county residents who use the life-saving service.

Each new helicopter can transport up to two critically injured or ill patients at a time. Trauma Star is staffed with highly-trained flight nurses, flight Firefighter/Paramedics, and helicopter pilots.

Trauma Star provides nearly 1,400 flights annually, three to four flights per day, one of the top five busiest air ambulance programs in the United States.

The total cost for the three helicopters is $53,149,100, which will be spread out over several years. The funding comes from sales tax: the infrastructure penny tax approved by a referendum.

From TreePeople.org: Trees need people and people need trees! When people plant and care for trees so they thrive, trees provide canopies of shade, reduce energy costs, look beautiful, provide food and shelter and so much more!

Let’s all protect our existing native trees and plant lots more.

FDOT Highway Beautification Policy - "to conserve, protect, restore, and enhance Florida's Natural resources and scenic beauty when constructing and maintaining the State Highway System."

Let’s Pick a Mayor!

There will be an important decision made by our Village Council at the meeting on December 9th. Council will elect a new Mayor and Vice Mayor.

We are told that, in typical council fashion, the winners have already been decided. Don Horton will be elected Mayor and Anna Richards, Vice Mayor.  What a shock! Collusion!?

One source suggests the embroidered shirts have already been ordered.

Does it matter who the mayor is?  Haven’t we heard over and over that the position is purely “ceremonial”?  

Let me give you the facts: The Village Charter says the mayor and vice mayor “shall have the same legislative powers and duties as any other council member.”

In 2020, with three new members of council, the Village Attorney explained the jobs to the council and the public before the vote. He commented: “The roles of Mayor and Vice Mayor are ceremonial; both positions have the same duties as the rest of the Village Council; the Mayor is the head of the Village for purposes of signature duties, service of process and appearance at functions.”

We think there is something else rather important… the Mayor presides at Council meetings. We have witnessed a previous Mayor routinely concede more speaking time to his friends on issues he supported. Abuse of power?

The Village Charter and Village Code: Numerous mayoral powers are spelled out:

• Special Council meetings may be held at the call of the Mayor

• The Mayor and Vice Mayor are authorized signatories for the village's bank accounts.

• The Mayor appoints council members as committee liaisons.

• The Mayor, Vice Mayor, or in his/her absence the Manager, has the sole authority to declare a state of local emergency.

• At Quasi Judicial hearings the mayor shall keep order and may direct a party conducting the cross examination to stop a particular line of questioning

Village Council Meeting Procedures, approved by a majority vote of council, includes the word “mayor” 50 times. These are some examples:

• The Mayor shall decide on all questions of order.

• The Mayor may limit repetitive comments to ensure efficiency of the meeting.

• The Mayor shall preserve order and decorum at Council meetings.

• The Mayor shall have the right and the authority to require an unruly person to leave the Council Chambers

• The Mayor and Staff decide what items should be in the Consent Agenda, those are then without necessity for discussion. (We think the consent agenda has been abused for years to hide poor decisions and to hide major expenditures.)

• Meeting agenda items may be removed from the agenda by the Mayor, Village Manager or Village Clerk

These powers can have a profound effect if not judiciously executed.  We’ll be watching.

It is often mentioned that traditionally the person elected Vice Mayor becomes the Mayor the following year. But in fact it is not automatic. The Vice Mayor has been selected as Mayor in just two of the last four years. 

The Mayor is a position of trust within the community and should be treated as such.

In 2022, the council voted 4-1 to not allow public comment before the vote for Mayor. Why not? The council wanted to make a choice not popular with the public.

We know that between 2020 and 2024 one member of council was mayor three times.  After not being elected mayor a 4^th time, he resigned. His successor on council was selected by a majority vote of council. Not the residents. Not democratic.

Shouldn’t special elections be held to fill council vacancies as they arise, especially weeks after the November election?

Election of Mayor by Voters

We think the position of mayor is not simply ceremonial. It is important enough that the mayor should be elected by voters to a two-year term. The mayor, being selected by voters, has become increasingly popular in council-manager form of local government. Election of mayor by voters allows voters to have more direct input in the political process so they may review the qualifications of the candidates.

Being a business associate or relative of a sitting council member should not be a factor. Unfortunately, it is.

Eliminate SEAT #s

We also energetically support the top 5 vote getters being seated on the council.

Irrelevant seat numbers for council positions encourages seat switching at the last minute, encourages gamesmanship, and pits neighbors against neighbors, often with attacks by opponents running for the same seat.  

In conclusion, pay attention to the election process and know what power you are ceding to your representatives.

Changes in our election process is long overdue. Participate in the process and let your voice be heard.

It’s obvious, that elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello