Tfet highest •po in t in Key West FREE V o l . I l l , No. 5 Key West, Florida May 1978 w FOR SALE La Plaza Grocery 1206 White St. 296-9300 GREAT OPPORTUNITY! NEED TO SELL ^IMM TOYS and THINGS Upstairs At the Harbor House Arcade Front Street, Key West SPANISH, FRENCH, PORTUGUESE, ENGLISH Group or Individual 294-8110 KEY WEST, FLORIDA From the Editor BOB DANIELS Hello - We have an article and an editorial on the Salt Ponds this issue. We devoted a lot of space to report the attempt of the County Com- mission to place the new weather station there because we feel very strongly that there should be no construction in thes& ponds. Please read the ^dithrial and the article and see if you don't agree with us. I It ' s no fun^to try and run a mketing of the Greater Key West Chdmb&r of Commerae tjtiese days. Th'erejare two hostile "camps divid- li-ng the group and little that one group wants is -pl>easi-ng to 'the cjthdr group. I've patched President Biljly •Appelrouth in action at two big meetings and I feel-'he's been doing a good job of giving each side a fair chance to present its point of view. I really doubt that the Chamber will accomplish much of •anything until on,e or the other of the camps dividing the Chamber pre- vails or until - miracle of miracles a compromise between the groups is achieved. Books like Island Renovations, Inc. found help in its efforts to keep the South Beach concession. We'll bring everyone up to date on this affair next issue. Go and see The Real Inspector Hound at the Greene Street Theatre if you haven't already. It is a thorough delight. I called the Gerald Adam's School' and spoke with a teacher there whose, students had written letters of complaint to the mayor about the stink and the flies com- ing from the dump. The teacher, Ms. Lillis, said that the situation had improved somewhat. I will check back with the school the beginning of their next school year. The County jail is a real hell- hole. I'm glad that the' Grand Jury reported this to the public* but I wonder why didn't they choose to investigate -it instead of leaving it for the incoming Grand Jury? In any event, the Sheriff is trying to get some other temporary facili- ties for some of the prisoners, but this will not be a final solu- tion. We need a stockade here. We have too many prisoners who are picked up on minor offenses, stashed away in that dark pit of a County Jail, and thrown in with profes- sional criminals. I hope that the pressure is kept up on the County Commission by the Sheriff to correct this disgraceful condition. The cover this time is by Cecelia Johnson. cjou*- mis IS OUR SUBSCRIPTION ft** HERE IS $ 1 0 . 0 0 FOR MY SUBSCRIPTION TO 11 ISSUES OP SOLARES HILL. NAME ADDRESS_ CITY STATE ZIP Our mailing address 821 Duval Street Key West, Florida 33010 Phone numbers are 294-1044 & 294-2400 In Marathon call 872-2915 by Phoebe Coan photo by Kim Wise "I'VE TRIED to be good to Key West, and Key West has been good to me," says Bob Daniels, sitting one afternoon on a folding beach chair in front of the B & B Bike Shop on Fleming. Known to children as "Uncle Bob," he also has a experiences as landlord and friend to young people...aside from keeping many an ailing Key West bike on the road make him a likely candidate for SH. PEPPERY HAIR - sparkling eyes - way with wild animals which not too many people possess. A matter-of-fact benevolence, a desire to help others (that has extended into organizing many groups), and his he once was commander and is a lifetime member of the American Legion. Now at 70, he's still game for adventure ."and perpetrating a little craziness of mind," according to his son. Solares Hill is a community newspaper published- every month on the slow of Solares Rill, Key Vest's highest point, by Solares Hill Company, 821 Duvni Street, Key West, Florida 33040. Annual subscription rate (11 issues) iB $JQ OQ EDITOR BILL HUCKEL ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . RICHARD MARSH EDITORIAL CONSULTANT. ..'... BILL WE STRAY COPY EDITOR. . DONNA MARSH ART DIRECTION TOM POPE LAYOUT. . . WALT With a little help from our friends . . .Solares Hi l l Co., Inc. ©Sola re s Hill 19 7 R -he// 'en ^ AT TH* SO en /Jdt>K /A/ AA1-P AT VOIT SIMPLE. I'll SAY END OP TUB fS&AZ) KEY QONT LOOK X XflCfJi- UJA*JTT~0 W TH£A-t TUB &OOKSTOZJS OKI /JAID AT LOCAL. "BUY A FEW se.ijv> 'EM ro Years ago Bob used to take his 1st grade boy for rides up the Keys before school in the mornings. Now Ray, his son, has been looking for someone to take a truck innertube with a sail on it, out to Boca Grande. None of̂ his young friends have a willing spirit, "But Dad does," asserts Ray. BOB FIRST came to Key West in 1929 from Minnesota. He met a girl, La Dorna Louise Saunders, from Key West while in Miami, and came for a week's visit. He ended-up staying., and marrying, her. Frank Saunders, her father, had a grocery on Southard and Grinnell. She's in Colorado now...he stays on. "I like Key West and I like the people," he says. Daniels has been in the bike busi- ness -since getting out of the Army in '44, when he bought out Gould Curry's business on Simonton Street. For $100 he got seven rental bikes and a handful of tools. BOB HAD BEEN tinkering since an early age, he used to repair bikes as a kid. The man who had the bike shop in his home town got angry because Bob was getting so much business and charging only ten cents for flats while he was charging fifteen cents. The cops were called since Bob was only 14 and operat- ing without a license. He had learned in early days from the big workshop that was in the family's barn. He'd even built a little car (though it had no engine) and always .did his own mechanical work. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY of '45, the bike shop moved to its present site, and he has passed along this mechanical know- ledge to his two sons. Frank, who has always repaired biked good naturedly, runs the B & B, Ray (who used to have a pet shop) has Ray's Bike Shop on Tru- man. Bob has always had pets of some kind and is as protective as a mother hen with them, sensing any discomforts or possible disturbances from those who may not understand animal signals and needs. HE HAS LIVED with chickens, turkeys, ducks, raccoons, monkeys, rabbits, sheep, and other animals. t The sheep came from Cuba, and at one time he had five. One tenant didn't believe there were sheep in the back yard until he got rammed by a ram." Bob sold the flock eventually, and next day the market advertised "spring lamb." / He's had some exotics, for sure. There was the Wooly monkey (Suzie) and a silver langor (Trixi). NOW HE LIVES with Sassy, a dog (little fellow with wrinkled up face and very .enormous round black eyes) , ROSIE'S "1894-8898 \ ' you [ H FREE PARKING Open 11 AM to 9 PM Tel. 291-4000 a EL GACIQUE HjESTAURANT specializing in SPAOTSH FOOD & 6CBAN SANDWICHES 125 Duval St. •^block from National Bank "For that special friend, a special gift" Phone 294-3929 Hours: Mon-'Sat 10-5 Closed Sundays If you'll go a little out of your way to find us, We'll go way out of our way to serve you! WE DELIVER Pots, plants, baskets, and macrame NEW ADDRESS! 1514 BERTHA ST. GIFT CERTIFICATES MASTER CHARGE VISA LAYAWAYS and Kinky, a kinkajou, from South Amer- ica, also known as a honey bear. . "They're a lot of fun, real friend- ly if you don't abuse them. If you do, they won't forget it," Bob says of his long-haired friends. In the late 1920's, Bob was into charter boats and captained his own for four or five years. "There were just a dozen of us operating then and every- one worked together." He helped organize and became the first president of the still existing Charter Boat Association. HE AND THREE other captains kept a fish car with live fish in it for in- digent people who would come to get the seafood. Fish were distributed accord- ing to how many family members were in- volved. Daniels recently went to Boulder, Montana, to a uranium mine which is not in operation now, but is open for healing purposes. Seems that the gases that still hang in there are beneficial for many ailments, especially arthritis, which has been a real problem to Bob. "You go there into that mine for one and a half hours a day, sit down and breathe that air. People have gone there in wheel chairs and walked out, " he declares. General Omar Bradley was there and apparently benefited. Bob was consider- ably helped, too, with his emphysema problem. CONCERNING BIKERS, Bob says that he'd like to see people riding with the traffic and obeying traffic rules and using lights. As for the bikes, he says a tire wiper cuts down on the glass problem. He advises against jumping curbs (it bends the rim), and suggests oil on the chain and a complete lubrication twice a year, adding, "A new bike should be waxedi" Summer Hours>s 12-9 Ctosed Sunday MOVIE•STARS have rented bikes from Bob and people have asked to buy their rental slips for autographs. But he is not sentimental that way and doesn't like sensationalism either. He and his second wife, Dorothy, were very active in the American Cancer Society and helped keep it going for many years. He also organized a walking blood bank. "We had a drive and typed people's blood. Then when it was needed we'd make the contacts. That was the only way you could get blood in Key West, in other years." "The cancer stricken often are im- mediately indigent, even back 20 years ago when things were cheaper. Now more are being helped," he says. Every Friday, either Bob or his wife would drive patients to Miami for ; treatment. There were no cancer society doctors here, and no free treatment in the past. DANIELS SPENDS a lot of time these days sitting out in front of his shcp. Friends come by, among them Monkey Joe. At night Bob sits with his.pet, Kinky, who is nocturnal, and watches the even- ing hours pass by. There was a spectacular sunset splashed against the sky up the street from us when I spoke with him and his son, Ray, that evening about the Fogarty House which he had rented as a rooming house for two years in 1969-70. "It was a catch-all," said Ray. "We got all the people nobody else want- ed to rent to. It was the time of the first wave of hippies to Key West. We ended up feeding half of them, too." THE BOYS and their dad also ran a restaurant adjacent to the old Fogarty House, Daniel's Native Sea House, which featured fresh fish, crushed ice fruit drinks and salads. "Most of the time we got along pretty good," says Bob of his tenants then. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR SUNBUR O MEDIUM? • PAINFUL? • RARE? •WELL-DONE? •PEELING? • NONE OF THE ABOVE? Of course, a handsome bronze tan is the ideal tan for your skin. But for those imes when you forget to use any of our beautifully effective Aloe and Paba suntan lotions, stay out In our tropical sun too long, and wind up with a burn, • there's Key West 80% Aloe Ton-A-Ray. Feel the stinging burn fade as you smooth this luxurious cream over your burned skin. Apply often enough and you may help prevent peeling. You will even turn your red to fan. There's nothing like it any- where. Key West 80% Aloe Tan-A-Ray ... $6.50. To pre- serve the tan you have now, Key West 40% Aloe Tan-A-Rdy... $3.15. AFTER SUN OISTUIUZING LOTION gh»»t Cone»nlr«tlon lo* Extract lor Instant from sunburn lor •ll-o«*r Alo* moisturizing anytime. 524 Front Stre®t»Ksy West, Florida 3 There was a complaint once at Pogarty House about a ghost in the at- tic. When Ray offered to change the fellow';j room, he backed down...saying there would probably be a worse one in another room. ONE TIME, "Dutch" (a roomer there), was the creator of giant soap bubbles which he sent floating on Duval Street. He used glycerine (made bubbles stronger and more able to reflect colors) and wafted the bubbles from a bent wire hanger. The enormous size of one foot across, and three feet long, amazed people. "AT FOGARTY HOUSE, the biggest prob- lem," claims Ray, "was where to put all the extra bodies that ended up in the halls at night. Many took showers there. We never really objected unless they left a real mess." He recalls that once he rented a room to a couple of guys of whom some- one said: "Hey, you got some strange people up there." He checked, and through the already opened door saw_ these guys chanting-, with candles lit. About 20 people were there, bones through their noses. They killed a chicken. Voodoo drums were sounding in the stillness of the night. "We asked them politely to leave," says Ray. BOB NOW OWNS 822 Fleming, which is the bike shop, and up above, another "easy going apartment house." His standards for tenants are "good vibes and nobody who will tear the place up." "FATHER HAS a natural ability with wild animals," says Ray. "He trains them on word command. They become his babies." There was Mr. Bad, the badger (as far as they know, no one has been able to train a wild badger before or since) who would roll over, sit up and do somersaults on command. He would lie on his back and leave his tummy vulnerable, showing complete trust. Bob has taken other animals no one could train and done wonders with them. I saw Kinky eating an apple and then kissing Bob in his ear, and on his cheek. When Bob was small, chickens would perch on his shoulder, and al- though his mother prohibited animals, Bob finally did get a cat and later a raccoon. HE GAVE his sons three rabbits for Easter once and built a fine hutch for them. The rabbits had babies, and they ended up with about 80 rabbits. Ray says he got to know each one since he fed and watered them and gathered weeds and herbs for them. "When Pop came home we'd let them all out. Thumper was the most enormous one and at 10 o'clock at night - a ritual - he'd thump the floor of the cage for 20-30 minutes. Nothing could change his behavior." IT IS Bob's desire to tame a wolver- ine (badger family, but ten times mean- er) and a Tasmanian Devil, which will attack unprovoked. He says you can do it if you "get them young, be kind to them - don't fear them or let them know you're afraid of them. The worse thing an animal can do is bite you. A bite usually means you're not paying atten- tion." Both Bob and Ray agree that you must never disturb a wild animal while he is nibbling (Bob gets a nip every once in a while himself); and they both advise not to give alcohol to animals. Bob even had a pet grouper for about -three months. It came into the live well of his boat. He would feed the. fish, pat his head, and talk to him. Ray intoned, "There's no generation gap between Dad and me. We're buddies." u"Ac t—\ AMI line of sporting goods Key West's team outfitters Located . Cocktails in the popular WEST INDIES LOUNGE \,•'•'"• . ' ; : ; \ N o o n ' t i r 2 £ m . ••.••;./:;"/ AT THI SANTA MARIA MOTEL {305] 296-5678 1401 SIMONTON ST. KEY WEST, FLORIDA M P M BETfLE'5 NUR5ERY o r j W $r patio EPISCIA "PINK BROCADE" $3.25 THE FUNCTION STORE roll £em! our natural bamboo matchstick or tortoise roilups (complete with all hardware) dross up every room from early attic to donghia deluxe, choose unobtrusive natural matchstick or our dramatic Vj"-slatted wood- burned tortoise bamboo, measure your windows & roll 'em to last buck's! sue matchstick 2'.'2 3 3 ' i \ 4 and 6 x x6' • x 6 ' x 6 ' X 6 1 now, (or < 71 roilups. tortoise 39.00. 8.50 10.00 11.50 13.25 sliding glass matchstick tortoise 12.50 ' 15.00 17.50 20.00 i doors, 24.00, «e deliver in key west! call 294-2007 to order. 524 duval. open 10-7 pm every day 8 THE TOP FLORIST SHOP "a beautiful edding tradition" CORNER OF TRUMAN & WHITE jil \ 1 Call us for a Consultation Appointment 294-4651 FOOD CENTER invites you to visit our new soup and sandwich shop ®Conch Chowder Lime Pie, etc. 296-23217 O 1 Caroline St. SON JONFS TiNNIS & CHUISi SKOPPE Duvms?. i Apparel and Accessories by * CHRISTIAN DIOR • DUNLOP CONNORS CONVERSE AND ALL MAJOR BRANDS OF RACQUETS **> 1 Endangered Salt Ponds photos and a r t i c l e by Richard Marsh TKK NEWLY FORMED Key West chapter of the National Organization For Women, the Monroe County Commission on the Status of Women, American Association of University Women and the Human Rights Ad Hoc Committee are organizing a inarch and ral ly with local and na- tional known speakers to kick off several days of events in support of rat i f icat ion of the Equal Rights Amendment. Colorful posters with the following message read in part: EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (ACTUAL WOREING) "EQUALITY OF FIGHTS UNDER THE LAW SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX." IMACIl'E.' Women who represent E'1% of our population and who are 90% of the single parents, do not have the protec- tion of equal rights under the United States Constitution. People have been struggling for this right" since 1923 when another bill, which said "Men and women shall have equal rights through- out the United States and everywhere subject to its jurisdiction," was pre- sented to the United States Congress and was defeated. This oa cured just after women had won the -right to vote. The time is NOW, after 55 years, for the United States to recognize that WOMEN " MUST BE FREE to participate fully and equally as citizens of this country and that their rights must not be denied by any unjust State or Federal law. COME AND JOIN US Thursday, May 11, at 4 p.m. on the County Court Bouse steps and show your support for a basic Gap!. 6Q6'6 RESTAURANT Fresh daily, right-from-the-ocean SEAFOOD Raw Oysters Shrimp Steamed in Beer Conch Chowder Lobster & Turtle Steak- Homemade Key Lime Tie DESERVEDLY FAMOUS FOR FRESH SEAFOOD Open 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Daily 908 Caroline St. 294-9005 right for women. The march will proceed \< from the County Court House steps down > Duval Street to Mallory Square. At the square there will be a rally with speakers,} For further information, or if you wish to donate your time and/or money to organize this demonstration, -please phone 294-7474. photo by Kim Wise The Fogarty House looks awful these day a. There has b&en widespread damage to it by vandals, garbage and bottles are lit- tered in the yard, and the fence pickets are routinely broken off. , It would be nice if the city could find some way to force the owners to clean- it up. continued on page 29 Kitchen Gallery- open 10 to 6-2940770 sears town key west GOURMET COOKWARE Utensils, Tabletop Accessories Locally Handpainfed China AND Many Personal and Gift CIVILIZING THE SALT PONDS IN THE BEGINNING Key West was strictly for the birds. A collection of shallow salt ponds, mangroves, and spots of dry ground bred.mosquitos. Killifish and other small, shallow water fish and marine life fed off the • mangroves and mosquitos and mosquito larvae. Herons, egrets, roseate spoon- bills, shorebirds like plovers and sand- pipers, and migratory waterfowl feasted freely on the banquet that abounded here, thanks mainly to the island-building red mangroves. Indians came here to trade with Cuba, but apparently were only seasonal visitors with no fixed settlement on the island. The European explorers were welcomed with arrows and did not press the matter. The Indians came later when the white invaders moved into Florida and pushed the Creeks, Catawbas, and Seminoles, who pushed the weaker Calusas and Caribs south through the Keys. Un- substantiated rumor has it that there was a final pitched battle on Key West which left the island strewn with bones, hence one of the Spanish names for the island -- Cayo Hueso ar Cayo Huesson, the Isle of Bones. No one ever testi- fied to seeing the bones, and reliable historians doubt the story. Pirates liked Key West, but only because no one else did. They were . left alone here to lie low while the heat was on, until Commodqre Porter chased them out when the United States claimed possession of the Keys. THE KEYS were not specifically in- cluded in the 1819 treaty with Spain which gave Florida to the United States. Nobody really wanted the Keys until the U.S. recognized the military importance of this "Gibraltar of the Gulf," and a sharp businessman bought the island for $2000. Even then, a yellow fever out- break in the 1820's nearly caused the 11 i I n i r MrsBiddlds CANDY STORE AND ICE CREAM PARLOR HOMEMADE KEY LIME PIE island to be abandoned by the Navy, until Porter identified the origin of the fever as the Cuban islands. Since then, Key West grew slowly and naturally, with the exceptions of the wrecking, cigar, shrimp, and vari- ous military booms, when there were sudden fluctuations of the economy and immigrants. Between the booms, things slowed down to a comfortable Caribbean pace. DEVELOPMENT of the island started near the harbor and spread slowly through- out the,rest of the island. Wet places were bridged, then filled, as land was "reclaimed" from the sea and the salt ponds, as if the water had stolen the land from the people and the people were only recovering what was rightfully theirs. The birds kept moving over as the settlement spread out. STAN BECKER'S CANOE^IRIPS • • • I I I I I I I I I 1 I I 1,, l - . l L , corner simonton&front 9am to 4pm INCLUDES LUNCH EQUIPPED CANOES GUIDANCE EXPLORE THE LOWER KEYS WITH AN EXPERIENCED LOCAL NATURALIST , PER PERSON RO.BOX62 BIG PINE KEY, FLORIDA 33043 OR PHONE (305)872-2620 Harbor House 423 Front Street Jewelry restored • made to order • ANSA-RITE Telephone — Answering Service WE ANSWER YOUR PHONt WITH A VOICI THAT CARES. . . COURTEOUSLY AND INTELLIGENTLY WE TAKE MESSAGES, ORDERS, SERVICE CALLS, AND GIVE CALLERS ANY INFORMATION YOU WISH. AND Cm A LOTI BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN t WOMEN HAVE RELIED OH OUR smvia cot YIAM. * COURTEOUS * PROFESSIONAL * W/AXE UP SIRVICV * PROMPT * COMMERCIAL * CLASSIFIED ADS * EFFICIENT * RESIDENTIAL * '2* HOUR SERVICI: * EXPCRIENCCD * OCCASIONAL * PART TIME SERVICE LATEST & MOST MODERN EQUIPMENT, MalA « •»««*« , PERSONAL SERVICE TO SUIT YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEIOt " W k « l A« ColU An CONFIDENTIAL" ro« eomnm — otTAiis— ABOUT out MANY SCHVICtS — CAtl 294-1044 or 296-8866 DAILY SPECIALS Where You Get Good Value Every Day SPECIAL EVERY DAY 10:30 AM TO 3 PM Lunch ....$1.19 Choice of Chicken, Shrimp, Fish or Hamburger Choice o i f r . Fries, Mashed Potatoes, Corn or Salad SPECIAL EVERY DAY 10:30 AM TO 10 PM Hamburger Deluxe $1.35 Quarter-Pound Burger on a Toasted Bun, with Cole Slaw and Fr. Fries SPECIAL EVERY DAY 10:30 AM TO 10 PM Chicken Dinner .......$1.59 With Cole Slaw, Fr. Fries or Mashed Potatoes, Roll and Honey SPECIAL EVERY DAY 10:30 TO 10 PM Fish Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.79 WitrTcole Slaw, Fr. Fries or Mashed Potatoes, Roll, and Tartar or Cocktail Sauce DINING ROOM -^ TAKEOUT SERVICE EAT IN UNLIMITED TAKE OUT ily cI^staurants 1102 Key Plaza, US #1 Ph. 294-2204 10 shrrmp, I'tirSfcr 5h>m crabs, rot/p£rt snappir, Conch f j£wfi'5h ivfe ship anywhere in -/-fje US- A- A Traditional Old'e Pirates Bar Beer: Imported & Domestic Wine and Wine Coalers Chess and Darts Pin ball and Pool Sandwiches and Pizza Cable TV Live Parrots Hermit Crab Races Sunday Nights "Sur fe r" — Manager Ph. 305-294-7234 615 DUVAL STREET, "OLD TOWN" Southern Comfort Waterbed Island Waterbeds & accessories Hammocks Pyramids Etc. 511 K>«vaISt. 294-2260 LESSONS A SALES * REPAIRS ' t f THE ^ A S N A B Y PRICED UBSSONS- WlTH- EMPHASIS ON CREATIVITY RNER Of • SOUTHARD ̂ DUVAU 60O DUVAL. STREET KEY WEST. FLORIDA 33040 MEMBER AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY The original 1500 acres of Key West has grown to about 3000 acres, excluding the man-made islands, as shown in the comparative maps. 1829 to m i : Atmwt TwK» lt» Siz» Most people agree that this is good, but public opinion is increasingly vocal in saying that this is enough. Both locally and nationally the public is becoming aware that our country, "beauti- ful for spacious skies," does not have unlimited land and resources, and that the time has come to call a halt to un- limited growth and development. WE HAVE HAD 400 years of expanding, cutting down trees, clearing land, and filling in wet spots to make room for a vigorous, growing" population to live, work, and grow food. There has always been enough room left over to play, stretch the legs and the imagination, and simply get away from it all. It has been a healthy and necessary growth for the culture which we have developed into the American way of life. But now the time has come to review our culture and philosophy. We have settled the land from sea to sea and - .thereby accepted the responsibility for its care. The health of the land, and S$C From Key West., The Last Resort, © 1978 Key West Book and Card Co. Used with permission. NOW THAT YOU'VE TANNED YOURSELF SILJ.Y... Have (or give) an invigorating massage with this JAPANESE MUSCLE RELAXER! Made of soft rubber balls, wooded handle, and with a flexible metal band to bounce you back into shape. At GEMINI BOUTIQUE, 517 Duval St., open'until 12 midnight, telephone 294-2260. Also at SOUTHERN COMFORT, 511 Duval. - MALE and FEMALE yoga pants shirts * shorts swimwear (lip-flops welry hats bags jeans waterbed.s 517 DUVAL 294-2260 Open 7 days, Mon-Sat till 12, Sun till 6 therefore of its people, rjeemed incapable of harm because of its enormity and robustness. Now that the land is no' longer so many times larger than its population, its human inhabitants must take upon themselves the active care of the property they depend on for their life and welfare. IN KEY WEST it is time to stop re- placing nature with man-made structures. A quarter of our island is relative- ly undeveloped, except for the airport. The area bounded by South Roosevelt Boulevard on the south and east, by Flagler on the north, and by Bertha on the west, contains the airport, the Key West-by-the-Sea condo, a few motels, the high school, a subdivision, and several other buildings. These struc- tures surround, and the"airport runway goes through, what was originally about 340 acres of natural salt ponds. Illegal fill for a projected marina complex called Islands in the Sun has seriously impacted or destroyed part of the salt ponds between the east end of the runway, the canal, and South Roose- velt Boulevard. The Army Corps of En- gineers is attempting to get a.court decision' to force the owner to restore the area as much as possible to its natural state. THE SALT PONDS are not as healthy • an,d productive as they would be if the airport runway, South Roosevelt Boulevard, and other developments had been carefully built; that is, if culverts had been in- stalled' under the runway and the road to allow regular flushing of the ponds with tidal action. The ponds have apparent- ly been seen as merely wet land, which needs only to be filled to become usable dry land. . PROPOSED WEATHER STATION MONROE COUNTY wants to, fill, a por- tion of the salt pond south of the air- V ^ O l l " Fine Art Prints . «Originals* Reproductions to- »«jr 11 Expert Custom Framing W€l|i for all your framing needs, IntOfOCt Large selection of moldings and • n iCI %S9 1 mats. Needlework—Photographs in your -̂ Shadow/boxes. own home. carvtPt-ETE ARTIST'S MATERIALS OEPARTfVlEWT Farrington Galleries 7U dova! 294-6911 poking in 11 - i aticl 0, used doffimo and antique Specializing in. r ° Imported Clothing Moroccai\ Imports t Indonesian Imports' Indian imports'1 ^ 601 Duval Street port runway (see map) to build a weather station, which it will lease to the Weather Service. Applications for fill permits have been sent to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of En- vironmental Regulation (DER). A recent alternative plan requests permission to build the weather station on pilings with minimal fill. Since the pond in question is severely impacted by the airport runway, South Roosevelt Boulevard, and the county access road off the Boulevard, and the pond is not considered.to be significant- ly productive for wildlife (although birds currently feed, roost, and ap- parently nest and breed there), it would be difficult to hold off the bull- dozers solely on the basis of its bio- logical productivity. Not many people sleep, lounge, or reproduce in the kit- chen, but how many of us would willingly allow the removal of our living rooms and bedrooms simply because we don't eat our main meals there? The birds may feed primarily in the more biologi- cally productive ponds, but a good selec- tion of herons, egrets, and amphibious surface feeders and divers may be ob- served standing, roosting, .and paddling around, snacking on whatever is available. THE MAIN ARGUMENT in defense of leaving this pond undeveloped is that the pond is valuable for people. Al- though there are several places in the salt ponds where even the uninstructed bird watcher can get close to rare and unusual birds without even wetting his feet' or walking far from his car, no other pond exhibiting such a great variety of birdlife is so accessible to so many people. Any time of the day (although some times are better than others) you can park your car anywhere on the parkway on the land side of South Roosevelt Boulevard (cabled the Old Bridle Path) the galley fllley LUNCH & DINNERS • LUNCHEON SPECIALS DAILY BEER & WINE - SNACKS TO DINNERS SPECIALIZING IN LOCAL SEAFOOD INFORMAL OUTDOOR DININQ 294-S387 613Va Duval Street, Key West The Cook's Bazaar 611 Duval ' 296-6656 between Bertha and the Highway Patrol Station, walk a few feet to the bushes, and see sights that photographers and avid bird fanciers travel hundreds of miles to see. It is' just as easy to visit the mini-salt pond on Rest Beach. Some 200 different species of birds may be seen around Key West at one time or another, most of them in the salt ponds. A partial listing- accompanies this arti- cle. NO ONE has been heard to disagree that the Weather Service needs a new station. The only argument is its lo- cation. Richard Urbanak, Chief Meteorologist at the local station, explained that the Weather Service needs to "co-locate" its two operations at the Key West airport - and at the Naval Air Station for greater efficiency. Neither of the facilities currently in use is adequate. Combining both operations into a new facility at the Key West airport with sufficient space should be done almost immediately, Urbanak said, because the Key West sta- tion is scheduled to receive a new type of communications system in February 1979. It would be impractical to install the new system in already inadequate quarters. But why does the county insist that €C) S2S Fleming 6>t 2?6-207| floor Sanding | and Finishing vmyte and carp&fs ~ . 1 ' END OF SEASON SALE May 1st. to 20A. - BIG DISCOUNTS Kare nigs - tapestries Antiques — Woiks of Art Tws to Sat 12-4; Srat to Mora 4-7 421Siai<(iitoaSt., S*yWEsilFX3364f USA Close May 21$t Reopen Dec 1st. WORLD WIDE TRAVEL SESViCE At 8 R A I L STEAMSHIP KEY WEST ; S14 Southard St 296-5T22 MARATHON Dixie Plaza 10980 Overseas H wy 743-5274 NIBBLES II 400SIMON-TQHST. Key West, Fia. 294-7040 GFBttffiJS , SC5-2fl!KiS38 1018 TRUtthN KVE. EY WES GLASS WORKS stained j&iss shades and uinJouts, custom aJ,i at ass supplies, cfosses the new weather station be located in the salt pond? Because it's in the air- port master plan which was approved last year, according to County Commissioner Jerry Hernandez, and any one objecting to that location should have said some- thing last year. Because that is the only place ap- proved by the Federal Aviation Authority, according to County Development Director Jack Burke. Local environmentalists would like to see the new weather station placed anywhere but where the county wants it/ except in another salt pond. WHAT ABOUT those pads near the east end of the runway, suggested one of the regulatory agency staff members I spoke with. What pads? Sure enough, on an aerial photo of Key West taken about 1960 there appear an unusual northerly-running runway and three cir- cular pads lying north of the east end of the present runway. I tramped around the area and found the pads, the old runway, and a 40 x 40 foot building founda- tion that looks like it was laid several years ago and abandoned. I could not be sure whether these pads were on the airport property or private property. They appear to be in- cluded in either the Conley or the Con- text-Marks (Islands in the Sun) parcels or both. The most recent assessment of the Conley parcel, which is about 50 acres, is $128,000, making i t worth about $256,000. This value is specula- tive, since under current environmental regulations there is l i t t l e that can legally be done with that property. This area seems a logical alterna- tive site for the new weather station, subject to FAA approval. The site is already filled, and purchasing a few acres of this parcel should be cheaper than filling in part of a salt pond. ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE seems to be the ideal loca t ion : the County's com- pound jus t e a s t of the terminal b u i l d - ing where impounded vehicles are kep t . Orbanak says that i t makes no difference to him where the new s t a t i o n i s bui l t , and he guesses that bui ld ing the s tat ion where the county' s compound i s located would save $75-80,000, s ince there would be u t i l i t i e s close by to *BXRDS KNOWN TO OCCUR ON SALT POND OR IN THE FRINGE GROWTH,, FOB FEEDING OH BREEDING. Those marked "*" are thought to hveed there. Pied-hilled Grebe, Frown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron (white morph), Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Reddish Egret (including the rare white phase), Cattle Egret, 'Louisiana Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shovelev, Leaser Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, Sing-neaked Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Tur- key Vulture, Bald Eagle, Ospvey, American Kestrel, *Clapper Rail, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Semipalma ted Plover, Wilson's Plover, Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Willet, Greater lellowlegs, Leaser lellowlegs, Short-hilled Dowit,-' cher, Sanderling, American Avocet, *Black-necked Stilt, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Gull-billed Tern, FoTstep's Tern, Roseate Tern Bridled Tern, *Least Tern, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Blaok Skimmer, ^Mourning Dove, * Ground Dove, *Smooth-billed Ani, *Common Nighthawk, *"Killykadiak", Belted Kingfisher, *Gray Kingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Water Pip- it, *Black-whiskered Vireo, i'ellov-vumped Warbler, *Prai?ie Warbler, *Yellow Warbler *Red-winged Blackbird, * Common Graekle, Svamp Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow. Any Sofa & Chair $78: .- chair only $30.* Sofa only $5 0.* STOP - throwing good money out of the window for new furniture, call us first for a tree estimate on furniture reupholstery. EXTRA 10% DISCCUNT WITH THIS ADVERTISEMENT BANKAMERICARD MASTERCHARGE CUSTOM wmimm INTERIORS HOURS-Tues-Sat-9:3Q-5:.00 296-3453 CXfer expires 6 /20/78-*plas our fabric De Marco Tile J)\s±r>bub>rs Stock l&iand, Hey mfc and 0uBrry ti zzo, Cuban fdef si Us, Mheswest g , tools and iiisfailalions. hook into (which there are not at the proposed site), and ahyTill^Trequxred by the building code would be much less than in the pond. Also, it would be more convenient to private air traffic. ACCORDING TO the DER, the proposed site is in a salt pond which is not biologically productive enough to save. The DER is considering approval of the fill with mitigation, which means that damage to the environment would be al- lowed if an off-setting improvement is made. In this case, the DER would require the county to do one of two things to make up for the damage caused by con- structing the weather station in the salt pond: culvert South Roosevelt Boulevard to open the pond to tidal action, or improve the tidal action from the Gulf through the canal that runs in- to the salt ponds from the north and passes under North Roosevelt Boulevard and Flagler. County Development Director Jack Burke says that all the county has to do is culvert the access road and con- nect the disputed salt pond with the pond directly to the west. Culverting South Roosevelt would be prohibitively expensive, he says. BUT ENVIRONMENTALISTS say that con- necting the two ponds would damage the pond to the west. The disputed pond is not productive because it receives fresh water from rain runoff from the runway, and, since it is not'open to tidal flush- ing from the ocean, it is not salty enough to support salt water life and not fresh enough to support fresh water life. If the two ponds were connected, the disputed pond might be improved some- what, but damage to the other pond would not make it worthwhile. APPLICATIONS FOR fill permits are currently under consideration by regu- latory agencies. Their decisions will be made according to various rules and Key Plaza P E T ^NDER NEW OWNERSHIP 296-6912LIT ps mem »©© FOR YOU i Plus our full line of colorful varieties of birds and fish We do dog and cat grooming "The Full Service Pet Store' SELF-EXPRESSION T« A white ibis, foreground with the down- ouwed beak, and a reddish, egret in the white phase feed together in a muddy pond (or a wet mudhole) just west of the access road to [the projected weather station. The reddish egret is rare, and the white ibis is a species of special concerA. The white ibis is as easy to identify as a pelican. His beak and the front of his face are a bright red. guidelines. Staff members I spoke with seemed genuinely concerned, but they em- phasized that even though they might 40O SIMONTOM STREET KEY WE5T/F1CRI0A 33CMO (305)304-6260 Tine Hand-Clafted • * Silver* £&, Gold 210BcDuvalSt.,- • 'TCey'West mm BREAKFAST LUNCH AMP DINNER PINING ON aup, opeM AJR F"ip* gentlemen's quarterly '*fqr well-known lals^l 14 FABRIC WORLD 613 SIMONTON TEL.294-1773/KEY WEST.FLA. YftCHT CORflL SflNDS 32* Deep sect fishing • ftdyentur* the out islands • Scuba dive and snorkel th# living reefs flLt of HflLF DRY CHftRTIRS Flexib le arrangements to suit your needs * Transportation provided • " ' • Groups or split parties accepted • "»'Families and-children welcome r rocts and reels, fighting chairs, radios, finders, and more. The Cora! Sands is a o a c i o u 5 ' comfortable boat, saiety inspected and insu red . TSUPHONI (305) 294-7896 0RIMC YOUR CRITIEftfiS OPERATED BY T W O COAST GUARD LICENSED CAPTAINS Bolh scuba certified personally favor denying the permit for intangible reasons like esthetics, edu- cation, scenic beauty, and appeal to tourists, scientists, and bird watchers, they were required to judge by the rules. Reddish egrets in the rarely seen white phase perah in the wasteland at the east- ern end of the airport. Photographers and bird watchers travel hundreds of miles to see a reddish egret in the white phase. This bird disappeared from Flor- ida for several years and was never very numerous in the state until relatively recently. Now it occurs frequently in the Keys, but rarely elsewhere in Florida- Its range in the United States is con- fined to Texas, Louisiana, and the Florida Keys. It breeds in March and April. This pair was photographed April B this year. Its scientific name, Dichromanassa rufescens, means "two-colored queen be- coming reddish." It is categorized by the Audubon Society as rare, which means that it is not endangered or threatened, but may become so. However, there is one variable factor that may influence the decisions A DIAMOND Diamonds are for everyone, especially mothers. Choose from our fabulous se- lection of diamond jewelry... from the modest to the magnificent, 275PO BEACHCOMBER JEWEtERS House of Fin* Diamonds PHONE WS-296-6S11 • P.O. BOX 1519 KEY HAZA SHOPPING C£KTHR KEY WEST, R.OH0A 33040 of all government agencies involved in the fate of the sal t ponds — public reaction. No one is going to pay attention to a staff person of a regulatory agency in Marathon, Vero Beach, Punta Gorda, or Tallahassee who says, "I think the Key West salt ponds should be protected from development because the birds are pretty." But anything tha t one or a dozen or a hundred residents of Key West have to say on the subject will be heard. One agency staff member t o l d me tha t when a permit application i s under con- sideration the developers and those with a vested interest in development are extremely vocal in support of the per- mit, but that the agency rar/ely hears from the general public. Apparently as a result of our March a r t i c l e on the weather station, in which we printed the address of the Army Corps of Enqineers, the Engineers received more mail oppos- ing the filling of the s a l t pond than supporting i t . So far the Engineers have not made a decision, but public reaction will be a factor when they do. A RECENT EXAMPLE of public pressure affecting a governmental decision is what happened to the proposed ci ty or- dinance regulating garage sales . Both" the Key West Citizen and So lares Hill editorialized strongly against the or- dinance, which had passed unanimously on i ts first reading. Key West residents were so adamant- ly and vocally opposed to the ordinance that the City Commission, with obvious embarrassment, quickly withdrew the ordinance. Commissioner Bruce Esquinaldo explained, "Actually what we did was to take a hot potato and throw i t into cold water as fast as we could." The people spoke, and their govern- ment listened. LOCAL BIRD WATCHERS, beach s t ro l lers , and many residents, whose es thet ic senses were offended, wrung the i r hands in silent distress while the Rongo town- WET THE WATER SPORT PEOPLE PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION SCUBA ... SAILING ... SWIMMING Located at the Sun & Surf Motet 508 South Street Key West, Florida 33040 305-296-5612 houses were being constructed on Rest Beach. The same people are wringing their hands over the proposed incursion of- a weather station into the salt ponds and the precedent that its construction will set. This time, however, they are not silent. Some have written protests to the Corps of Engineers, the City Com- Black skimmers, foreground, and laughing gulls faae the early morning sun in the salt pond northeast of the Key West-by- the-Sea aondo. Black skimmers, a species of special concern, can be seen feeding on the ocean close to shore, in the salt ponds, and in Garrison Bight. They fly just above the surface of the water and skim the water with a fixed lower man- dible, or jaw, picking up fish and other food on or just beneath the surface. Some of the laughing gulls shown here -- those with the black heads -- are coming into their breeding plumage. mission, and the County Commission. The Florida Keys Audubon Society has sent a written protest to the Engi- neers. Its "Keys Kingfisher" newsletter dated 23 March 1978 says, "The area is one of the few remaining natural wet- lands in Key West and is important to both resident and migratory bird popula- tions. The area is well known to bird- ers from throughout the U.S. and enjoys considerable recreational useage by local birders." THE FLORIDA KEYS Citizens Coalition, representing about 4000 county residents, including several hundred in Key West, protested the fill. Here are excerpts from their letter to the Army Corps of Engineers. "This project would permanently alter a portion of one of the few re- maining parcels of natural wetlands in Key West. The application states that this project will veolain land in an artificial salt p.ond. This is an error. This site is located in a natural salt pond area, and is part of approximately 40 acres of natural salt pond south of the airport runway, all of which are environmentally sensitive and important... The letter mentions an adjoining parcel for which the Engineers previous- ly refused a fill permit. "This salt pond is an important bird sanctuary for many types of wading birds, waterfowl and other species. It is the habitat of a number of rare and unusual birds....Key West and the Lower Keys are important areas for bird- watchers from all over the United States and many other parts of the world. This specific area is part of one of the few accessible wading bird observa- tories in the Florida Keys. It is a stopover on the Eastern Flyway and a feeding and roosting area for several resident species.... The value of this natural attraction to the tourist-based economy of Key West is incalculable.... "It is a fish breeding area, and a protected area for small and larval fish " THE LETTER suggests that alterna- tive sites be investigated. Public opinion started the Spanish- American War and stopped the Vietnam War, elected President Nixon in a land- continued on page 22 15 HERE NOW! BIRD IN HfiND where the unusual is usual . 400 front street • !*»} 29M324 • tey west., florida 33040 SAIL THE BEAUT!FUL WATERS OF THE KEYS BEYOND Ul.S. 1 HOURLY HALF DAY FULL DAY r/ernoon. ' etc. (The food situation was as bad as ever and corn bread seemed to be the only oommodity in supply, and not too good supply at that. Watson received his pay for the. past two.months: 940. This did little to lighten his dark mood.) DECEMBER 7: Our Lieut. Col. under- took to drill us, but made an ass of himself. He knows no more about tactics than my old grandmother. After hum- bugging us a while we went back to camps.. (This portion of the diary ends with his entries for Christmas and New Tear 's Day.) DECEMBER 25: Christmas Day, and a very dull one, but I had a tolerable continued on page 29 At! vessels comply ^ — wrth U.S. tes! Guard J ^ safety regulations Tropical f Trips Invites yea tc SAIL1N6, SNORKELING, REEF TRIPS 3 Moonlight Sails, Sunsst Sails - — — Group or Extended Charters Available P.Q Bex 1153, Key West. FioriiJa 33040 294-2131 EXTERIOR SHUTTERS MAKE THE MOST OF KEY WEST LIVING M0VEABU LOUVER white fin* shutters. Custom mode to filyoir windows or doors. All prices based on size. Frames 11 IB" thick; 1 '/< legyn . 16"x59" 14.88 w . U"x63" « M m . 18'W 39.49 m. 18"x8O" 3S.M>«. 1 8 " X 8 4 " M . 4 « M I . (Shutters with 2 V i " towers cfc* ovaitoble of ocfcfitkmai cost.} CM! M YOUR WtNDOW SIZES FOR EXACT QOOTL DARBY & MITCHELL U.S. 1 , STOCK ISLAND 294-7377 OMNI LE BARON NEW YORKER NEWPORT ST. REGIS ASPEN SPORTSMAN WAGONS SAPPORO RAMCHARGERS S © KEY WEST CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DODGE INC. Big Gars •Smal l Gars •Pickups Vans • Impor ts •Wagons YOUNAMf IT WESELUT . SElTR I N T I T O R i D E WITH PRIDE & PLEASURE From9amto8pmlVlon.-Fn. and , From 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays (There is no longer a need to take a valuable day from work) Complete financing & insurance service is available 1720 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Key West 294-5178 o 1 n Tit m mm. m © 20 OPEN 9 AM -11PM 310 Front St., Key West, Florida • Ph. 294-2042 Unterof TrumaiiciwcLSutumW, Closed t J -A pleasant aUo^kerfc-to eajotj Watch for the editorial 21 by Bill Westray 1uaL ktu lime pit YOU CATCH'EH WE COOK'EM 3100 Flagler Avenue ni\T ni . , no rtP Board of County Commissioners at ON TUESDAY, Ayr*! 18, the ^ r a Alternate sites their Marathon meeting, voted to in J facility at the Key for the new National Weather Service (N ) ̂ ^ y ^ ^ ^ West International Airport. The aec south- rather than f i l l in a P«tion^f SJ^Se^ioaisBionerB heard west corner of the airport, came * environmentally the writer's presentation argumy o^"- sensitive salt pond }°^ ion . project was first aroused last f^fwhen^everafleyiest Stu/ali^ts express , concern about the Possible loss of the ew gaining acrej^of^alt famong'thfbir^study 2S£n!ty because of their easy species l i s t . ASSOCIATE EDITOR Richard Marsh collaborated with natural- i s t Thurlow Weed in an article in November to inform our read- ers of the county plans to f i l l the si te, and to voice our ob- jections to i t . We reported at that time that the project seemed to violate the City of Key West bird sanctuary ordinance, and that i t had been adversely reported on by the Florida De- partment of Environmental Regulation ODER). _ I t was a surprise to receive an Army Corps of Engineers (C of E) "green sheet" in February, indicating that the salt pond location for the weather station was s t i l l being pushed by Monroe, County. AFTER CONSULTATION with Marsh and Weed, I commenced my own investigation and quickly concluded that the site was not only environmentally deleterious and technically substandard, but would set a dangerous precedent for filling the few remaining acres of salt pond south of the airport along South Roosevelt Boulevard. In 197 4, private owners of parts of these same salt ponds had been denied fill permits by both DER and C of E. Our con- cern was that if the county weather project were approved, the private1owners might then reapply with the argument that they should be treated the same as the county. We had visions of high rise condominiums or townhouses all along the southern edge of the airport runway. AFTER EXAMINING airport maps and doing a preliminary on- site survey, I concluded that alternate locations certainly ap- peared feasible. Several inquiries were made to county offi- cials about alternate sites, and the vague, guarded replies pro- duced the inference that alternate locations were indeed feas- ible, but were not being considered for political reasons. EARLY IN MARCH, the influencial Florida Keys Citizens Coal ition (FKCC) and the Florida Keys Audubon Society took strong positions in opposition to the salt pond site with C of E and DER, and called for public hearings. Decision on the hearings is still pending. Meanwhile, Marsh, gathering material for his articles on wildlife habitat in the Key West area, suggested that a county- owned site behind Key Bowl Lanes appeared usable as an alter- nate site. He passed this information on to me for further in- vestigation. Suddenly, there appeared on the county commission agenda for April 18, a resolution calling on DER and C of E to approve the salt pond location in spite of the opposition. Pressed for time, I made a concerted effort to complete my investigation before the commission meeting. The alternate site behind the bowlingilanes was examined and measured and indeed looked high- ly suitable. LOCATING THE project file proved somewhat more difficult. Initial, inquiry was made in the office of the Senior County Planner, where one would normally expect to find the file, but the planners had had no part in the project. Henry Weinkam, senior planner, was out of town on other business, and his as- sistants were only vaguely aware that the project existed. I next went to the Planning and Zoning Director's office, Kermit Lewin, and got the same result...no files, little know- ledge of the project. At the suggestion of Lewin1s secretary, I then went to the airport manager's office, George Hoagland; there I found the files. Hoagland was absent but his secretary was most cooperative. . I FIRST REVIEWED the airport master plan, having been told previously by a county commissioner that the weather station lo- cation was included in the master plan. It was not. No refer- ence to a new weather station is contained in the master plan. However, the master plan did state, "Any construction as pro- posed by the master plan is not expected to affect the local wildlife or behavior patterns of any animal or bird specie's in or around the airport." I next reviewed the project file, which became important as much for what it didn't contain as for what it did include. Nothing in the file indicated that any alternate sites were con- sidered! The consulting engineer's report started with the premise that the salt pond site was "it," and then proceeded to develop a site plan around that location. In its environmental section the plan stated that aquatic and plant communities would not be significantly affected. The plan ignored the effect on birdlife in its conclusions, in our • opinion the most serious environmental concern. Nothing in the file indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval was either sought or obtained. Indeed, in its initial letter to the county in 1976, the NWS established a criteria for the site: that it must be within a 1,000-foot cable run from the present weather radar tower. The salt pond site,being some 3300 beeline feet from the radar tower, requires relocating the radar. ARMED WITH the knowledge elicited from the project files and the on-site inspections, I proceeded to the Marathon meet- ing where I joined Dr. Arthur Weiner, chairman of the FKCC. When the subject resolution came up, I secured permission to speak to the commissioners. I started by expressing concern that alternate sites had not been considered. County Mayor Purie Howanitz replied that the salt pond site had been selected and approved by the FAA. This was refuted, based on my review of the file. The Mayor then stated that the remote location was selected to avoid radio interference. Again this was refuted on the basis that the consulting engineer's report stated that there had been no frequency interference from the weather radar in the past and that none was expected in the future. I THEN RECOMMENDED that the commissioners direct the senior county planner to investigate the county owned site behind the Key Bowl Lanes. Speaking on behalf of the FKCC, it was pointed out that the salt pond site, besides being important as a wading bird and waterfowl feeding and roosting area, does not meet the criteria originally set by NWS in their initial letter to the county in 1976. This required that the weather site be within 1,000-feet cable run of the present weather radar tower. The salt pond site would require about a 3000-foot cable run, be- sides requiring extended runs for water lines, electricity, sewerage, and access road. The site behind the bowling lanes would need no filling of wetlands, therefore Corps of Engineer approval would not be re- quired; it is about 1000 feet from the radar tower with no in- tervening structures. Water, electric and sewer connections would require a much shorter run and a much shorter access road would suffice. THE ALTERNATE SITE would also be much more accessible to pilots desiring weather briefings. I ended by stating that I thought considerable money and time could be saved by using the alternate site, and that this would preserve the salt ponds as a very important bird sanctuary. Commissioner Jerome Shipley stated that he had already been investigating the site behing the bowling lanes and that a re- presentative of the consulting engineers had indicated that it looked promising. Shipley then proposed the resolution that the county investigate the bowling lane site and other alterna- tives, which was adopted unanimously. (commissioner Jerry Hernandez was absent.) ON THURSDAY, April 20, representatives of the consulting engineers for the new weather station, examined the bowling lane site in more detail, and advised Commissioner Shipley that the alternate site appeared quite suitable. They are now proceeding to develop the new site plan. As was said earlier, one of the concerns that the Florida Keys Citizens Coalition had expressed in opposing the salt pond site to the Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, was that approval of the salt pond site, even to meet a public need, would set a dangerous prece- dent that, might allow owners of the privately-owned adjacent salt pond .areas to secure fill permits. SOLARES BILL has-learned that private.owners had submitted applications to DER for fill'permits for three salt pond parcels around the airport. One of these is for the 2.5 acres immediate- ly south of the weather station site for the construction of townhouse apartments.* - The- other two applications were projects so large that they had to be sent to Tallahassee -for processing. .. Copies could not be viewed in the local DER office. ' IN SUMMARY, we feel that the salt pond site is far^from the,, best site for the weather station, and that alternate sites, not having an environmental impact, have not been adequately studied and documented. We;have an uneasy feeling that the site selec- tion might have been contrived using public need as an excuse . •'.-...'. continued on page 31 208 DimX ST CUSTOM SANDALS MADE IN ONE DAY o Serving Dinner 6-11 P.M. Daily Closed Tuesdays Beer & Wine 425 Front Street 294-6707 KEY WESTS MOST INTIMATE RESTAURANT MASTER CHARGE BANKAMERICARD AMERICAN EXPRESS FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS FOOD.-"PALACE NOT JUST A GROCERY ... BUT A SOCIAL CENTER 522 Fleming St. • Ph. 296-5663 Open 8 am - 7 pm Mon-Sat 8 am - 6 pm Sundays 23 22 mangrovesj the builders of islands like Key West,Dead and dying red mangroves> the builders of islands like Key West, show the result of the illegal fill at the eastern end of the airport runway. The fill project for a resort complex sailed Islands in the Sun was stopped by the Corps of Engineers* who are trying to get a court order to make the developer restore the site as much as possible to its original condition. Salt Ponds continued from page 15 , , . . . . . ., c J local public opinion can cause the city slide and threw him out of office, and and the county to preserve the salt ponds forced the City Commission to reverse from development. The state and federal itself on the Garage Sale Ordinance. governments can be prodded into provid- National public opinion caused the • ing grants for public purchase of en- government to concern itself with pro- vironmentally endangered lands for pub- tecting the country's environment, and lie use. There are many alternatives from which to choose for the purpose of re- serving land for public enjoyment. We will investigate some of those possibili- ties in the June/July or the August issue. Home of the World-Famous Rosin Baked Potato" STEAKS KEY BAR-B-QUED RIBSNATIVE SEAFOOD PLUS SOME ALL NEW HICKORY HOUSE SPECIALTIES KEY WEST'S NEWEST SALAD BAR CONCH CHOWDER • CONCH FRITTERS GREEN TURTLE STEAK -STUFFED DEVILED CRAB Located adjacent to King's Point Marina STOCK ISLAND^ KEY WEST, FLORIDA - 294-1788 HARBOUR SHORES « " « K •„<„„ Ocp, MAJOR CREDIT ^Sjjft, ' CABOS ACCEPTED BEVIS-LEWIS •3,600 YOUR CHEVROLET 0LD6MOBILE \ The Cabaret at Poor Richard's features Live Entertainment Nightly 11 :30-1 :30 Phone 294-0717 . Visit your beauty aid supply store The store that cares about your hair and gets your hair looking its best HEADHONTER 906-C Kennedy Drive 4-4906 THE DECK ^Formerly THE SANDWICH D E C K ) Fresh Quiche Daily Fresh, Shrimp Daily Escargots Shrimp Coquille Plus regular menus for lunch OPIN 11:3O -4:00 Monday-Saturday (Closed Sunday) CHEF RENA BOREL 124DUVAL PH. "294-7677 2 5 ; Old Island trading Post "There should be special awards for restaurants hat manage to combine quality food with historic urroundings, buildings that proudly proclaim their leritage and encourage diners in their own remem- wance of things past . . ." "The Pigeon House Patio is clearly among the ront runners in Florida's historic house-restaurant weepstakes." — TV. Y. Times Sunday, January 22,1978 Lunch 11-3 Dinner from 6:00 294-1034 301-303 Whitehead St THE FULL MOON SALOON AND LUNCH ROOM poetry IT'S TOO BEAUTIFUL DOWN HERE WeU; now your mama disowned you A?id your queen, she dethroned you And all your friends seem to say "Hey, man, what ever happened to him?" So you head for the little Keys Stop in at the Southernmost And your Pa says "Son, it's good to see you But I just can't be your host." So you try to make the best of it You invite guilt and seek regret • But those blue skies that pleas.e And that ocean breeze won't let you. Lord, it's too beautiful down here For a man to cry in open fear And that Key West sun just evaporates my tears Before they appear. Lord, it's too beautiful Down here. Well, now you can contemplate leaving So you can commence grieving In a place where the sun don 't shine And the sky won't welcome you. But, it's easier said than done - Key West won't let you go.' Not with her lovely Atlantic Nor her sun-setting smile in the Gulf of Mexico. ' Xes, Lord.' It 's too beautiful down here , ' . . . For a man to cry in open fear And that Key West sun just evaporates my tears Visit our showrooms and browse through our large inventory of wicker and raltan furniture and the largest selection of fabrics in the Kevs. Custom Draperies & Slipcovers Rattan & Wicker Furniture Wallpaper Lamps BITNER-MOSELY INTERIORS For your complete professional interior decorating service. 1025 White Street Key West , Telephone 294-1278 Before they appear. Lord, it's too much, much •Too beautiful down here. by Ronnie Sands Ronnie Sands, who is the son of well- known Key Wester, "Pop" Sands, has just returned to Key West after a twenty year absence. GREEN PAPER Seagull sails across the sky Men below don't wonder why No, oh, oh, oh, time to. Blossom grows upon the vine Turns to grapes, then turns to wine Man who drinks it thinks it fine? Hell no, no time to! Sun comes slowly out the sea Think all men would look to see Breathe the morning virgin air Take the time to .stop and stave. Green paper keeps 'em running round Keeps 'em dashin' 'bout the town- Makes 'em old before their young Nervous chewin' on their tongue Never stop to see a bird To view the sky would be absurd. Don't you know you mustn't do it If there is no money to it? Oh, oh, oh, green paper. Cram it all into one day You know there is no other way Measure of the time and just In green paper do they trust Oh, oh, oh green paper. by Jody Adams SAUSAGE SHOP NOW OPEN 24 HOURS EVERY DAY Serving Breakfast - Lunch •- Dinner Phone 305-296-9908 917 Duvai Street Key West, Florida 33040 msseam MISTER H 0 0 FROKT STREET KEY WEST THE RETURN OF THE BALLOON MAN photo and a r t i c l e by Richard Marsh TIMOTHY WEGMAN, the Balloon Man, i s back in business, licensed and legal this time. We wrote about him two years ago when he and a partner were ar- rested and ja i led for sel l ing bal- loons a t Searstown without an oc- cupational l icense. The fine was about $15'more than he gained from his heinous crime. (Newcomers to Key West may be surprised to learn, tha t se l l ing balloons in public without a.license is considered a major threat to the security and moral well-being of our c i t izens . Only banjo-playing on the sidewalk and a two-year-old swimming nude pose greater dangers to the public safety, except for the one or two days each year; —; chosen by a mysterious process known only to the City Fathers — when the paddy wagon roves up and down Duval Street ar res t ing unlocked bicycles to save us from City Hall only knows what unimaginable fate.) BUT THE Balloon Man got his revenge. There i s no law (yet) against going from door to door •giving away balloons, so that i s what he did. I wrote an a r t i c l e about the balloon he brought to our house .("It Was A Gas While I t Lasted," June 1976) , and Bil l Huckel raged in an e d i t o r i a l about the "ponderous seriousness" with' which the police dealt with a "nit-picking si tuat ion." WEGMAN WAS sculpting a flock of his tame clouds one day l a s t month in front of the picturesque Fine Crafts Gallery - Nibbles build- ing at Eaton and Simonton. Like autumn leaves t rying to fa l l up, like t ropical f ish swimming and dodging around an aquarium, l ike a l i t t e r of roly-poly puppies squirm- ing and.tumbling, l ike the New Year's Eve crowd on Duval Street or the THE AQUARIUM Green Turtles Sharks Eels LARGE SELECTION OF Reef Tropical Fish Daily shark feeding 3 pm Also next door... SHELL WAREHOUSE QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN SHELLS ON HAND AT ALL TIME SHELLS FROM FLORIDA AND AROUND THE WORLD SPECIMEN SHELLS AVAILABLE MALLORY SQUARE Free Parking and Free Admission For Shell Warehouse winter people at Mallory Sunset or the disco dancers at the Monster, the balloons floated and jostled in a bunch tethered to the tamarind tree, fleeing each other, yet joined almost umbilically, and softly re- turning again and again". WEGMAN BOUNCED up and down This must be the place! Wheels, 1209 Truman Mon-Sat & 294-6542 cuue MARKO Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-2:30 Fri.-Sat. 10:30-3:30 Dance Contest Every Tuesday Night! AL PORTER on piano for your dining pleasure - DINING — ENTERTAINMENT Casual Dining Directly On Ths Ocean 5 TILL MIDNIGHT Featuring * Native Seafood * Prime Beef & B.B.Q. • SALAD BAR* STEAK PIT* BANQUET FACILITIES 294-1500— 294,2262 iH THE OCEAN MOTfeL AflEA - FOOT OF SIMOMTON ST. if" 27 It requires up to 80 times as much, lond and over 100 les os much fossi l fuel to produce meat as it does to duee tubers or rice. If the U.S. were to adopt a whole- ds vegetarian diet the cost of feeding a family would I at least 50%. Moreover, the nation's farmers could indon the use of farm chemicals and sti l l be able to >ply our domestic food needs with only 5% of the mtry's arable land; the remaining land could be used raising crops for export and for refurbishing our vast sstlands with trees that could be used for building reriafs, fuel, recreation and exports. from "Vegeterian World" No. 12: ) SOUTHARD ST. 294-9103; AMERICAN portsmens 3420 N-Roosevcli B l M Key Wtfsl i^^y£\BS) and WTHS. The county has no plans t o engage in commercial originations. Tele-Media, on the other hand, would broadcast all of the above plus local programming, a 24-hour movie channel, probably a Spanish-language station, an educational station, and as-yet-undetermined channels beamed to t h e earth-satellite receiving station. A 20-channel, five-directional system i s Tele-Media's present goal. Notes and Antic-Dotes continued, from page 7 CLIMAX CAME when a quartet of Navy m e n sang old sea ditties including the ancient chantey, "Blow, Blow, Blow the M a n Down." The irony of the whole situation w a s too much and the audience responded w i t h whoops of laughter. TO CAP the climax, announcement was m a d e next day that a local physician had be e n hospitalized with a broken leg. He h a d aspired to take part in the drama and t o advise on action. He climbed one of t H e higher battlements at West Martello, surveyed the scene, made a magnificent gesture appropriate to his role of pride a n d toppled down a steep embankment. "Pride cometh before" ~ and all that. Robert Watson continued from page 19, g o o d dinner. I had one drink of whiskey i n the morning. There was some serenad- i n g last night, but I took no part in it f o r I did not feel merry as my thoughts w e r e of home. We have been very busy t>u±lding winter quarters since last d a t e , and they are now finished and REAL HOME COOK1N 'Conch Fritters - Fish & Chips Conch Chowder Scallops Shrimp KeyllmePle- ' " ' . "Mollory Square ot Sunset Pier SSSSSS5SSS5SSS52 296-3178 quite comfortable. JANUARY 1, 1864: Bitter cold all day, ndthing but corn bread to eat, and to make matters worse, I am barefooted and have been for some time. We have had no snow yet but it has been raining for the past five days. (NEXT MONTH: WAT'SON 'S TRANSFER TO THE CONFEDERATE NAVY AND THE END OF THE WAR.) Some Remarks continued from page 8 RIDERS NEEDED TO SHARE EXPENSES PLANS'ARE being made to organize a group of Key West gays to attend the 3rd Annual Florida Gay Conference to be held Saturday and Sunday, May 27 & 2 8 at Florida State University in Talla- hassee. Here's your chance to raise your consciousness by exchanging ideas and learning from various workshops on al- ternative gay lifestyles. Speakers will include the dynamic Rita Mae Brown. Transportation and lodging are being arranged. For details please write 1716 Bertha #1, Key West, or drop by anytime. RECORD and TAPE SALE $7.98 LIST PRICE NOW. THRU MAY AT THE Environmental Circus 518 DUVAL STREET Summer Hours 12-9 ClosedSunday oxy APPAREL BIKINIS si 51 31 SI i 31 i l 3) n\m ol 31 si 5t 31 51 Lyly's Back At THE CHINA STAR RESTAURANT Come in and enjoy the'relaxing atmosphere of our tea.room, or tropical garden. For a real- ly different; surrounding, you wiU: love our waterfall. Take advantage .of our convenient, talerout service. HOURS 11:00-2:00 Lunch 5:00-10:00 Dinner 294-4596 Simonton & Truman the f <>f pinky ; 5 ^ MOTHEft NATURES BOUNTV, HcoMitfoCKfe JUKE S&tr PICTURE SliCW J"H€W TIME 9:00 P.M. _ CLO/CC TUE/CAy/ _ C 2 O DU" PliCNE 2943§26 KEY WEST'S HOROSCOPE KT Emma COTESKT Emma Sun in Taurus, after 20th in Gemini Venus in Gemini, after 21st in Cancer Mercury in Aries, after 15th in Taurus Saturn in Leo Jupiter in Cancer Mars in Leo Uranus in Scorpio, retrograde Neptune in Sagittarius, retrograde Pluto in "Libra, retrograde The new moon in Taurus on.May 7th occurs in the twelfth house of the chart of Key West. There will be much behind the scenes maneuvering going on. Legal matters, and federal government and agencies will be getting the impact of this aspect. Key West's natal sun in the sign of Capricorn conjoining Uranus may bring some sudden and unexpected oc- currences. Some surprises may be in the offing. This may concern some secret deals that have been made in the past, which will now see the light of day. Jupiter in Cancer is bringing posi- tive vibration to our public image; not only in the area of recognition and fame for the City of Key West, but in monetary profits. The full moon in Sagittarius on May 22 may bring some final agreement between the governing board and the Humane Society on the problem of the care and housing of small animals and pets. This area of contention may find an amiable solution. Key West continues to be aspected favorably in the 10th house of business careers and national exposure. This very positive aspect continues through Septem- ber of 1978. FGLL SERVICE SALON EDREN 6 GREENE ST. KEY WESTER HOTEL UPSTAIRS POOLS1DE 294-6326 294-5326 in OPENING SOON! Anxirnt Mutlntt Seafood Restaurant & Raw Bar C0MPL1MENTAR Y GLASS OF WINE SER VED WITH DINNER Serving... Broiled Lobster, Stone Crab (in season) Fried Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops Fish Stuffed with Crab Oysters and Clams on the Half Shell Steamed Shrimp — Corn on the Cob Conch Chowder — Conch Fritters Salads.and Sandwiches NOW SERVING BREAKFAST FROM 7 TO 11 Open Man.-Sat. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 132DUVALST 294-0505 Editorial continued from page 21 in order to set a difficult—to-deny precedent for private de- velopers to secure fill permits. Of course the submission of the private applications for fill permits at this time may have been pure coincidence, but regardless, if the latter are approved, the people of Key West will surely be the losers of a valuable natural resource, OUR CONCERNS SEEM WELL POUNDED. . *It was recommended in the DER appraisal that this request be denied, because this was a highly "valuable feeding and roost- ing habitat for birds and is still biologically significant." SALT POND UPDATE y AS WE WENT to press, the County Commission in its Planta- tion Key meeting on April 25, reversed the position, taken at its April 18 meeting, and in a sharply divided decision, voted to press for the salt pond site for the weather station at Key West International Airport. Commissioners Hernandez, Kerr and Howanitz voted for the salt pond site with Commissioners Shipley and Schloesser dissenting. The vote came after consulting engineer Andrew Daniluk pre- sented a proposal for an alternate site on county property, just west of Key Bowl Lanes, which he described as a "viable site." But he went on to state that the salt pond site still seemed "ideal," seeming to ignore the problems associated with secur- ing fill permits from the Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER), and in spite of the question- able availability of adequate electrical power, water, telephone service and sewer facilities. WHEN PRESSED -by Commissioner Shipley for the negative as- pects of the alternate site, Daniluk could give none, stating vaguely that NWS would prefer to have the new facility out of public view. Daniluk described a meeting he had in Vero Beach, on April 20, with various state and federal regulatory agencies involved in giving the fill permits for the salt pond site. He said that he felt he could resolve their environmental concerns, and that he had received off-the-record assurances from C of E and DER representatives at the meeting, that they would probably ... approve the salt pond site if there were no better alternate. However, this would be only after a public hearing to be held in July. COMMISSIONER KERR then stated that NWS must have afirm commitment from the county by June in order to meet their equip- ment installation deadline of February 1979. In the discussion, it developed that they planned to re- locate the present weather radar to the salt pond site in order to avoid a 3000 foot cable run, but if the alternate site were selected, the radar could remain where it is. Commissioner Shipley, supported by Schloesser, pressed for an immediate decision to approve the alternate site* next to the bowling lanes, because it would require no fill permits or other approvals by any other agency. Schloesser added that the commission could make a final decisioij and give a firm commitment to NWS at that meeting. COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ, however, opted for the original site for various-seemingly invalid reasons, and was joined in the split vote by Kerr-and Howanitz to go ahead with the salt pond site in spite of the obstacles. As the salt pond site was approved, Schloesser concluded, "This motion is essentially saying to the weather bureau, we don't want your station." 31 -foe, dheesa. cup .50 milk, coffeb i a ferrier n rttnra Key West Pro Dive Shop. Inc. 1605 North Roosevelt Boulevard Key West, Florida 33040 296-3823 DAILY TRIPS "Professional SkinciSving School" S A L E S - SERVICE - RENTALS - AIR COMPLETE SafOTHMi OF MAJOR E p i P i E i T flrmu Lftd J THE LAST \ / * THING YOU NEED ISA LOST CUSTOMER DUE TO AN UNANSWERED TELEPHONE! Courteous, inexpensive, (not a machine) answering service. Save a customer, cali NOW! key West telephone Answepinq Senvice (305) 294-5586 BUYERS 1851 LOWE HOUSE 1885 SAWYER HOUSE DUVAL STREET STORES SEASONED BUSINESS SHOPPING PLAZA MOTEL GUEST HOUSE (CONVERSION) HP-2 BUILDING SITE MANY MORE!!! SELLERS HIGHEST PRICES NOW BEING PAID I HAVE PRE-QUALIFIED LOCAL AND OUT-OF-TOWN INVESTORS WHO ARE IMMEDIATE BUYERS OF CERTAIN: HOMES • STORES • APARTMENTS • BUSINESSES • MOTELS • OFFICES • WAREHOUSES • • • - . ' • • . • CALL NOW FOR INFORMATION NATIONAL MARKETING PROGRAM TAX DEFERRED EXCHANGES SALE LEASE BACKS

1978-05 Solares Hill Newspaper, Vol. III No. 5, May 1978

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Florida Keys History Center

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Collection