The following statements are responses submitted in writing by the Councilmen prior to the 11/4/2020 election 

Affordable Housing:

"We need affordable housing and the permits that go along with them. Property is scarce and permits are just as scarce since we’ll never really have what we need to fulfill the needs. I will continue to work forward on both issues, supply of permits and the demand for logical project sites."

Highway Congestion:

"There are no real good answers here. As long as the TDC continues to advertise we’ll have more traffic in the Keys. A toll road might help and putting the weigh station in Key Largo before drivers get to our community might help."

Public Involvement:

"I enjoy talking to the public and can almost always find an answer to their questions. I’ve done this for over 30 years so I’m used to it. And, the public should get more involved in the workings of the Village."

Water Quality:

"We need to back fill the canals that are too deep for proper flushing and then we need to maintain them."

Environmental Protection:

"The Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Land Development regulations provide us great direction in protecting our environment regarding hammock properties, infill to existing well developed neighborhoods and future development in our Village."

Tourism/Residents Imbalance:

"Our economy is based on Tourism so we have to take the good with the bad since commercial businesses depend on tourism we should be careful not to alienate one side or the other."

Vacation Rentals:

"We cannot make changes to our Vacation Rental program as the DEO will throw out our program if we do. We do need better enforcement for the protection of the vacation rental areas from interlopers who would destroy the quiet enjoyment of our Keys."

Costs of Local Government:

"The costs seem to go up every year as if certain departments think they deserve and increase be it in salaries, equipment or supplies. A more careful look at expenditures might be very worthwhile."

End of BPAS Allocations in 2023:

"This is difficult area because we don’t know just where the State (DEO) is going to take the matter. Every property owner has a bundle of rights regarding their property. One of those rights is the right to develop (build) on their property. Owners of undeveloped property will surely challenge the rights taken away in 2023. The Village will point the finger at the State who will point back at the Village and only the courts will decide."

Issues to  revisit: 

"We should re-visit the 2 year vs 4 year term for council members."

300’ swim zone:

"With cooperation it may succeed. The cultural differences are very distinct and not easily sorted out. I’d like to hear other ideas."

The Fills: 

"Yes I’m satisfied with progress. We need paved parking, parking meters (revenue to pay to clean and run the fills) and then re-visit what is needed at the point."

Fills by Memorial Day 2021: 

"I’d like to see paved parking with parking meters and someone to manage the usage of the area."

Toll:

"This is not a bad idea but it will take a long time to get approval through the county and FDOT."

Transferring development rights from a former mobile home park as market rate homes.  

"Do you think we should assure allocations from mobile home parks are transferred as affordable even if it requires a change in our LDRs?

"Yes."

Government more transparent: 

"Our government is transparent now. But it’s up to the people to pay attention to notices and public hearings and attend. Ask questions, talk to your neighbors, get involved. An informed citizen is an educated citizen."