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Community alliance

Advocacy For Residents, Education and Preservation

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  • High School Sports:

    1 Sep 2026 10:18 AM | Anonymous

    A pathway to personal growth, teamwork, and achievement!  The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) published statistics that show that last year 311,233 Florida high school students participated in sports at their school. Across the country, 8,415,684 participated in high school athletics, with hundreds of different athletic programs included in the statistics.

    According to their website, Coral Shores has:

    • 22 varsity sports,

    • 14 junior varsity, and

    • 9 freshman sports.  



    This does not include cheerleading, Canettes, and Special Olympics. No wonder the high school is short of space.


    Bass Fishing as a school sport? We found it interesting that in the U.S. there are 1027 high school Bass Fishing teams with 7,694 total high school participants. But no saltwater fishing teams? Coral Shores does have a popular Fishing Club!


    Besides the Fishing Club, there are 36 other clubs and organizations that encourage student participation at Coral Shores.


    The high school sports at Coral Shores include swimming and diving, utilizing the pool at Founders Park. There is a synchronized swimming team at the Founders pool, but it is not a school sponsored sport. There are just 31 schools across the country that do have synchronized swim teams.


    How lucky are the young people in our community to have so many opportunities to participate!

  • Quote of the week:

    1 Sep 2026 10:16 AM | Anonymous

     

  • On this day in 2013:

    1 Sep 2026 10:15 AM | Anonymous


    On this day in 2013: 64-year-old Diana Nyad began her fifth attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. The 110-mile journey ended nearly 53 hours later when she reached Key West.  Just think - that is more than 12 times the distance of the Swim for Alligator Lighthouse!

    Congratulations to all swimmers who brave open water swims of any length!


    To keep Nyad swimming in a straight line and the shortest distance to her Key West destination, her support boat deployed a 10-foot streamer with a long pole to keep the streamer away from the boat. The streamer was designed to remain about 5 feet underwater, so that Nyad could swim above it, much like a lane line in a swimming pool. At night, the white streamer was replaced by a string of red LED lights.
     

  • From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

    25 Aug 2026 10:58 AM | Anonymous

    And a parent and an Islamorada resident and taxpayer.


    In a case that typifies the cronyism this village continues to apply to their decisions: At last week’s Council meeting, there was an appeal filed by prior Councilman Mark Gregg.

    Gregg challenged the determination by the Village that a home he owns across from Founders Park is a single-family home.

    He contends it is a duplex. 

    Nearly 10 years ago, he appealed the original decision of the Planning Department.

    The council, at that time, agreed with the Planning staff and voted 3-2 denying Gregg’s claim the home was a duplex.

    Deb Gillis was on that council and voted against the majority, siding with Gregg that the home should be classified as a duplex. 

    At that prior hearing, Don Horton, current council member, represented Gregg.

    Now years later, Gregg filed a new request and asked the current Planning Director to revisit the prior decision of Council because of new information.

    What was the new information???

    Village Planning Director, Jennifer DeBoisbriand, rejected the request stating there was not sufficient new information to warrant a change in the decision. 

    Gregg appealed DeBoisbriand’s decision to the council and requested a Public Hearing before Council. That appeal was heard last Thursday.

    The Village Attorney, in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety, suggested Councilman Don Horton should recuse himself. Horton did and left the room.  

    Horton has had a long-standing business relationship with Gregg having previously represented Gregg in the original appeal a decade ago.

    Horton’s resume was included in the agenda as an expert at the previous hearing.   The 5-page document (attached) described Horton’s qualifications and personal construction background,  first as a Building Department employee with the County, the Village, and then in private practice.

    It is public record.

    Unfortunately, this type of conflict will arise again for several current council members who will be voting on development issues… issues pertaining to current and former clients continues to be a concern.

    Two people testified during Gregg’s public hearing last Thursday, stating, under oath, that they had been in the house in question prior to Gregg’s 2015 purchase. 

    Both provided sworn testimony that the structure was a single-family home.

    Gregg acknowledged that he continued the multi-family use of the house, though losing the prior case, and that he only paid wastewater, stormwater and solid waste assessments for one unit and only had a single water and electric hook-up, and one address.

    No matter.

    The council voted 3-1, with Vice Mayor Mahoney opposed, to overturn the prior decision and the recommendation of our current planning director.

    They voted to accept Gregg’s word that the home has always been a legal duplex.  

    I ask again, what was the new information that warranted this reversal?

    In exchange for the favorable decision, Gregg agreed to numerous conditions being placed on the property – no TDRs to be transferred, no increase in the footprint of the home, no second floor, no vacation rentals.

    But do conditions like this matter? Does Gregg have something else up his sleeve?

    When the Crooked Palms Distillery’s use was changed from a bank to a distillery,   there were 20 conditions required after lengthy negotiations by the prior Council.

    Less than a year later, the current Council removed all of the conditions.

    Why??

    Crickets…

    It is because of these types of decisions that residents question the council members’ ability to apply rules to their friends and business associates. Is it a logical concern?

    Elections have consequences.

    Tom

  • Who is running for Village Council?

    25 Aug 2026 10:57 AM | Anonymous


    Village Council election on Nov 3, 2026

    Seat 1: Anna Richards versus Joe Wischmeier

    Seat 2: Steve Friedman versus Deb Gillis (Gillis switched Seats August 11)

    Seat 3: Corie McGraw-Abel versus Sue Miller

    Seat 4: Don Horton versus Tom Raffanello

    Seat 5: Sharon Mahoney, elected, unopposed
     


    Here's Tom!

  • How can you contact Members of the Council? From the Village website:

    25 Aug 2026 10:56 AM | Anonymous

    • Don Horton (Seat 4), Mayor, Don.horton@islamorada.fl.us

    • Sharon Mahoney (Seat 5), Vice Mayor, Sharon.Mahoney@islamorada.fl.us

    • Steve Friedman (Seat 2), Council Member, Steve.Friedman@islamorada.fl.us

    • Deb Gillis (Seat 3), Council Member, Deb.Gillis@islamorada.fl.us

    • Anna Richards (Seat 1), Council Member, anna.richards@islamorada.fl.us



  • Baseball at Founders Park:

    25 Aug 2026 10:55 AM | Anonymous


    Baseball at Founders Park: The question: With the recent retirement of Patrick LeFere, who will assure upgrades to the CSHS baseball field will be completed in time for the 2027 baseball season?   Apparently LeFere’s project responsibilities have been assigned to various school district department heads pending a replacement for LeFere. Superintendent Tierney reportedly will be responsible for oversight of the Coral Shores baseball field at Founders Park.


    There may be a real time crunch based on the current permit status.  While the permit application for the improvements were officially submitted to the Village building department a month ago, it appears as if there are still issues remaining before work can get underway.
     

  • Wastewater Rate Study Finally Presented

    25 Aug 2026 10:52 AM | Anonymous

    Increased cost, on water   bills; new $17 million loan

    Wastewater Rate Study Finally Presented

    The news is not good, though expected. August 20, the rate consultant, Raftelis, explained the need to increase the rate property owners pay monthly for wastewater through FKAA water bills, and also the need to borrow funds for needed repairs and upgrades.

    According to the report, the consultant is recommending a 6% increase in what property owners pay monthly (on FKAA water bills) based on water consumption, to cover the shortfall in wastewater operating expenses currently experienced.  


    A $4.61 increase monthly is projected for typical household (per EDU) or $55.32/year.


    Over $38 million is needed for capital projects for repairs and upgrades to the wastewater system. Over $17 million is expected to be available via grants.  Another $17 million will need to be borrowed, creating an additional annual debt repayment cost of over $1 million/year.


    Little statistical information was provided in the study presented regarding the number and distribution of EDUs as was expected to be reviewed. Raftelis simply indicated during the discussion that they found no irregularities that would have indicated a need to address EDU distribution.


    Key Largo Versus Islamorada Costs

    For several years there has been discussion about turning our wastewater operations over to the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District, (if they would take Islamorada).  


    We found the cost comparison in the Raftelis Rate Study related to typical monthly customer costs reflected on FKAA water bills interesting.  
     

  • TRIM Notices were received by property owners last week.

    25 Aug 2026 10:49 AM | Anonymous

    It shows your property’s current taxable value, proposed tax rates and budget hearing dates.  It is not too late to show up at public hearings or to contact elected officials to voice concerns.


    TRIM notices for the Village are based on a millage rate of 2.8. Not only does this reflect a significant increase in the tax rate, but the taxable value of properties within the Village also increased by over $491 million since last year.  At the budget workshops, the Council seemed to be aiming for a millage rate that would result in a nearly 10% increase in revenue over the current year.


    On the November 2026 ballot, Florida voters will decide whether to increase homestead exemptions to exempt $150,000 of taxable value in Fiscal Year 2027 and $250,000 in Fiscal Year 2028, in an effort to help property owners who live here..


    Budget Reduction Exercise Requirement

    This year HB 1329 was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor.  It forces local governments to conduct a budget reduction exercise, starting in 2027, identifying strategies that could reduce the new fiscal year’s budget by 10% compared to the current budget. The effort cannot compromise essential public services such as law enforcement, fire services, or legal obligations.


    This year the Village seemed hard pressed to limit a budget increase to JUST a 10% increase. A 10% budget reduction exercise could be a real challenge here.

    Final Islamorada Budget Hearings: Sep 10 and Sep 17 at 5:30 PM.

    Voice your thoughts!

  • Tavernier Publix Update…

    25 Aug 2026 10:48 AM | Anonymous

    Tavernier Publix Update…work is moving right along.   Publix’s website currently lists “The Market at Toppino Cove” at 92501 Overseas Hwy,  Tavernier, FL 33070 as a “Coming Soon” location. Here comes more people and more traffic.
     

Your Chance to Speak Up!  


Attend a Meeting - Get involved!

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 5:30 PM

ISLAMORADA VILLAGE COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM

Where: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida 33036

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 10:00 AM

Code Compliance - Zoom

Where: Zoom

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 5:15 PM

NEAR SHORE WATER REGULATION CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

Where: Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida

Meet the Islamorada Community Alliance

If you have suggestions about what you'd like to see on this site and information that is important to you, please let us know.

Our vision

To enhance the community of Islamorada by preserving the quality of life of the residents as well as the beauty and vitality of the native ecosystems and to stop any further degradation of our community from over-development.

Mission statement

To provide the Islamorada residents with information about events occurring in our community that will impact our quality of life, preservation of our native ecosystems, land development, lawful and transparent governance.


CONTACT US

ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com
 Islamorada Community Alliance

P.O. Box 1507

Tavernier, FL  33070-1507


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Our vision

To enhance the community of Islamorada by preserving the quality of life of the residents as well as the beauty and vitality of the native ecosystems and to stop any further degradation of our community from over-development.

Mission statement

To provide the Islamorada residents with information about events occurring in our community that will impact our quality of life, preservation of our native ecosystems, land development, lawful and transparent governance.

DONATE TO THE ICA

Your tax deductible donations allows the ICA to keep you informed about important events that will impact and help protect our quality of life, our neighborhoods, property values and native ecosystems. Your donations make this possible and are most appreciated.

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Contact Us

ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com

Islamorada Community Alliance

P.O. Box 1507

Tavernier, FL  33070-1507




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