Quote of the week:

"The past belongs to the future, but only the present can preserve it" ~ Irving R Eyster

Last week, the School Board approved an amended license agreement and scaled down the plan for improvements for the Coral Shore high school baseball field at Founders Park. That agreement is expected to be on the July 7 Village Council meeting agenda.  We will have all the facts, figures and opinions in our next newsletter. Along with all the ways a simple process was mishandled.

“We had a Dream”

The United States will mark 250 years as a republic on July 4, 2026.

This commemorates the 1776 Declaration of Independence and the enactment of the  Constitution.

This milestone is both a celebration of achievement and a test of whether the nation still lives up to its founding ideals.

The Founders of the United States recognized that liberty erodes when the citizens' vigilance fades.

The U.S. Constitution’s “checks and balances” were meant to protect against both authoritarianism and the dangers of unchecked majority rule.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential of America’s Founding Fathers, known for emphasizing liberty, vigilance, and the responsibility of citizens as essential protectors of democracy.

Franklin’s famous quote — “A republic, if you can keep it” — remains a challenge centuries later.

The Republic depends on citizens’ active participation, moral accountability, and trust.

To “Keep the Republic,” Americans must:

·       Remain informed and vigilant.

·       Insist on upholding constitutional principles.

·       Engage in civic life and community investment

As residents of Islamorada we should also subscribe to and uphold these principles!

Islamorada came to be as a local municipal government 28 years ago.

Are we fulfilling the “dream” we once embraced?

The first meeting of the Islamorada Council was held Saturday March 28, 1998 at 7:30 PM.   A longtime resident shared the souvenir “agenda” with me. Click here to see it!

What struck me – the 1998 message “We Had a Dream” from local historian Irving Eyster (1928-2014) in the very first Village agenda:

“For a long time the folks in this part of the Keys had a dream. They believed that through self-governance they could create a unique village atmosphere with emphasis on history, culture, parks and recreation, the environment, and less or simpler regulations”

Eyster went on to say:

“We now have Islamorada, Village of Islands, and are starting a new phase of our history. We have responsible and dedicated people planning our future, but each of us must help make it a success by offering our help.” 

Unfortunately, we appear to have taken our eye off the ball.

Do we still share a common vision of the Village we want to be — and do we still believe in our local government’s efforts?

The citizens here must decide whether to allow the Village principles to erode or strengthen our principles through active participation in government.

Are we willing to be those citizens needed to take on the responsibility as “essential protectors of democracy.”

Miami Attorney Gene Stearns played a  critical role in guiding our residents through the incorporation process back in 1996-1997. 

Once the Village became a reality through a voter referendum in November 1997, Stearns sent the Village Founders a letter of advice.  That advice, printed in the Village’s souvenir agenda should be reiterated often so we never forget:

• Be kind to each other. Don’t respond to meanness with meanness (or, as my mother used to say, two wrongs don’t make a right). Tolerate and encourage criticism.

• There is no room in public office for those with thin skins. Listen. Be respectful to those who lack the ability to articulate their opinions effectively.

• Avoid excessive political posturing.

• Before telling a citizen what to do, try doing it yourself, leading by example.

• Keep it simple. A bureaucratic answer is no answer.

• Plant lots of trees and shrubs.

• Acquire critical land for public use before price escalations make acquisition impossible.

• Every dollar you waste is a dollar which could have been used for a better purpose, either better public services, facilities or tax reductions.

• Include those who opposed you as soon as possible. 

• Hire good people and insist that public employees treat each citizen with the same respect you would want to be treated.

• Sometimes you have to say no.

• Always think about what it will be like in the future. 

• Keep your meetings crisp, with discussion of one subject at a time.

• Avoid all conflict of interest and all possible appearance of conflict of interest.

• Be ethical in all your dealings. 

• Keep smiling when all is falling around you (which from time to time it will).

• And finally, always remember, if it was easy they wouldn’t need you. 

The aforementioned guidance from Eyster and Stearn should serve as a reminder to all of us how business and government should be conducted.

“Each of us must help” – but how often do the folks in Islamorada show up for council meetings and workshops unless there is something on the agenda that directly and immediately would impact them?

When will residents learn that many decisions, though subtle as they may be, will have a lasting impact.

Include those who oppose you as soon as possible.  Instead residents here often fear retaliation just because they are not like-minded.

“Emphasis on the environment” – I think about all the hammocks that have been damaged. Sometimes on Village owned land, sometimes because we don’t consistently enforce the rules.

I think about the only living coral reef in North America that is just barely alive.

Encourage criticism. Listen. The Village has, over the past several years, restricted public comment as if it were a bother.

“Acquire land for public use.”  Conduct public meetings to discuss uses for the properties we have acquired. (It should be done before we purchase them)

Putting a “for sale by owner” sign on a $4 million Village property without any public comment is absurd.

Sometimes Council has to say no – even if it is a close friend.

Avoid conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest. We do a very poor job of asking council persons to recuse themselves if there is any possibility of a conflict.

The budget – how often we hear – “rich community” and thus do little to protect financial diversity in our demographics, ignoring opportunities to make costs more rational, eventually driving out all but the very rich.

Our Dream

We celebrate “our dream” and urge everyone here to refresh our memories as to the founding of our Village and our hopes for the future of the community.

Remember the words of Irving Eyster, our historian, when you want to energize yourself about our very special Village.

Enjoy the freedoms we have fought for.

This is the best country, the best in the world!

It’s not even close.

Tom

The Village of Islamorada welcomed Florida Bay Forever back into the Cottage , where they have an Eco-Gift shop alongside the Village's new Environmental Resource Center.

The Village created the Environmental Resource Center as a shared community space for local environmental nonprofits.

Florida Bay Forever will be there Wednesdays and Saturdays, welcoming visitors and storytelling about Florida Bay. On Thursdays and Fridays you can meet some of The Village's other nonprofit partners, making this a rotating hub for community learning, connection, and stewardship.

The Islamorada Library is hosting special events and activities for Summer Reading for kids.

Summer events:

Monday, June 22, 3-4 pm: Windell Campbell, puppeteer. Campbell's storytelling shows reach both children and adults with their memorable tales and the expert use of puppets.

Saturday, June 27, 12:30 pm: Movie Matinee

The Iron Giant (PG) is a giant robot from outer space — so what is it doing in Maine?

Monday, June 29, 2 pm: Movie Matinee

The original blockbuster filmed in Massachusetts half a century ago retains its bite: time to go back into the water with Jaws (PG).

Tuesday, June 30, 4 pm: Florida Bay Forever

The local nonprofit group shares the science and strength of a community through a unique program for our younger patrons.

Wednesday, July 1, 3-4 pm: Painting with Diana McGuirk

Join us for this all ages canvas painting class with Diana. All supplies provided. Registration is required.

RIDESHARE: On Wed, June 24, a seven member Task Force selected by Village Manager, Ron Saunders, will be having a public workshop to discuss components of a two-year contract with Freebee so the Village can continue providing Rideshare services in Islamorada.

During the Village Council selection process, ideas were discussed to make the service for both taxpayers and the riders even better.  Essential components of the proposed contract will be discussed by the committee at the workshop. The public is encouraged to attend and bring ideas.  

 

The proposed contract price from Freebee’s proposal to the Village was $665,000 with credits back to the Village for 100% of a new $2 ride fee and a guaranteed $60,000 advertising credit.  

The Village anticipates 50% of the net cost will be covered by a grant from FDOT.  The second year’s grant funding is uncertain.

Members of the Task Force: Alina Davis, Jamie Engel, Jonathon Lindback, Sue Miller, Kelly Reid, Rob Stober, Joe Wischmeier

Finally - the Monroe County School Board has the Founders Park baseball field on their Tuesday Agenda, June 23, at Coral Shores, 3 PM meeting.  

And we expect it on the Village agenda in July.

Let’s review:

Cost of Construction: The entire estimated $6 million cost of the upgrades are to be paid by the School District.

Location: On Village owned Park property leased to School District for $10/year.

Debate:  Who should have the right to provide final approval of critical improvements – the owner of the property, the entity paying for upgrades or both?

Who will use the field during the offseason? What limitations will be required to protect the condition of the field’s surface?

When fighting for artificial turf, the argument to Village residents was that this new surface would provide an opportunity for multi-uses.  Other school uses were outlined.

Owners’ Version of Lease (called the License and Use Agreement): January 2026 the Islamorada Council approved, 5-0, a License and Use agreement spelling out responsibilities for both the Village, as owner of the field, and the School District, who leases it for $10/year for use as high school baseball field (Jan – May season).

Tenants’ Version of Lease: On Tuesday the School District attorneys are presenting their own version of an agreement to the School Board – as the tenants. It’s quite confusing to figure out what they don’t like about the Village agreement.   

 

Design Build Contract: Over a year ago, February 2025, the School Board selected Keystar,  Inc, a Key West firm, to design and build $6 million baseball field upgrades at Founders Park.

The Village is listed as a party to the contract but has not signed on the signature page, yet Keystar has been working on the design for over a year.

Design Features: The design features have been debated.  But any changes the Village suggests come with a hefty cost to the Village… as change orders.

Deadlines: The deadline for completion of the project in time for the 2027 baseball season has passed.

Reduced Project Design: In order to have a ball field for the 2027 season, the School District staff and Village staff have been negotiating behind the scenes to split the project so that artificial turf can be installed now, delaying the other improvements.

Public: While Founders Park is a community park, the  public has not been included in deals being made.  

Compared to other School Fields: This is a high school baseball field, the only one in the county not on school property. And just like at the ballfields they do own, the School District is going to be paying 100% of the cost to upgrade the leased field at Founders. 

What about maintenance and replacement:  There is an agreement in the School Board agenda on Tuesday, “renegotiated by School and Village staff.” It suggests the Village taxpayers must share some costs of repairs, replacement and maintenance with the School District.

Do taxpayers in Marathon and Key West share maintenance and replacement costs with the School District at their local school athletic fields?

Extraordinary Costs: The School Board members have stated they are policy makers and do not get involved in the dollars and cents – leaving details up to staff.  Isn’t that a dangerous approach to governance? The costs suggested by Keystar for providing just the artificial turf and some fencing appear to be extreme.

The lifespan of the field surface is 8 – 10 years (maybe less with our weather conditions). It appears the School District thinks the Village should be responsible for paying a portion of replacement costs if the field is damaged by hurricane, or just worn out from use in the future. Why?  The Village is providing very costly land for just $10/year. Isn’t that enough?

ADA: The School District has allowed non-ADA compliant facilities to exist for nearly 25 years at the Founders Park baseball field – including the portable bleachers with no stairs and no railings.  

What will elected officials decide?

Village Council: We feel confident that the Village Council does not want major changes to their January agreement that would negatively impact Islamorada taxpayers.

We believe they will stick to the basics approved last January as promised.

School Board: We don’t understand why the School Board won’t even meet with the Village Council.

Why wouldn’t the Coral Shores baseball team get the same quality facilities provided for the other teams in Monroe County… at total School District expense?

Come on… the kids want to play ball and we all want a safe, well-maintained field for them. It should not be this difficult.