The recent roar of motorcycles in Key West underscored the island's dependence on tourism. Businesses beset by tough economic times looked to the annual Poker Run to get them through until the next event, Fantasy Fest, draws tens of thousands of visitors to the city.

This undeniable economic dependence on tourism and its impact on residents' lives is a perennial topic for candidates at election time, and the upcoming municipal elections are no exception.

Many candidates are encouraging economic diversification -- along with improvements to the product offered to tourists.

Mayoral perspective

Mayor Morgan McPherson warns against "putting all our eggs in one basket, albeit the basket we have is great."

While he encourages the city to continue courting the cruise ships, he also wants to better market Key West's historical significance, while exploring other income avenues. Those avenues include citywide Wi-Fi, and even medicinal plant -growing and -research centers.

McPherson said he wants to see the city become a "carbon positive" town that participates "in cap and trade sales of carbon credit."

Candidate Craig Cates said the tourism industry is the "most important civilian industry in Key West," and he supports the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and its track record of leadership.

"Of course, a balance is needed and other industries should be encouraged," Cates said. "I'm very proud of our city as a great place to live and as a quality tourism destination, and as mayor I'll work hard to keep it that way."

Mike Mongo is campaigning on a platform that seeks to provide jobs for local graduates, and he wants to do that by implementing Wi-Fi "and a content-management center with jobs for graduates to do things such as e-mail and Facebook for corporations."

Mongo wants to see "compatible and complementary industry on the island to lessen the pressure we are placing upon our valuable tourism industry."

Candidate Sloan Bashinsky said Key West needs to stop wishing its main industry wasn't tourism and instead embrace and promote the island's unique atmosphere.

"There is something about Key West that is similar to the earth energy found in the Himalayas and Andes, where people pilgrimage to open themselves spiritually," Bashinsky said. "Beneath the glitter that so many people see as Key West is something truly profound. The city could, if it goes about it sincerely, become a destination for pilgrims wishing to open up spiritually."

District 1

Both candidates say economic benefits could be realized from upgrading Florida Keys Community College to a four-year institution, and both cite the U.S. lifting its embargo on Cuba as an event that will forever affect Key West.

Candidate Tom Milone warned that Key West is too reliant on tourism, especially with uncertainty about how a different policy on Cuba will affect this island, 90 miles to the north.

He proposes lobbying for more civilian Navy jobs for locals.

"Federal employment pays well and provides good benefits, including a pension plan," he said, adding that city officials should encourage and assist.

"A university would help our tourism industry as well," Milone said. "Conferences, short courses and seminars would be attended by academicians and professionals from out of town, who would stay at our lodging establishments."

Jimmy Weekley, a former mayor and commissioner, commended the tourism council for its work, but he, like McPherson, also wants to see the city encourage a "research center to study sea plants and tropical plants to help find cures for diseases."

Weekley also suggested more recruitment for films and commercials to be shot in Key West.

District 3

Candidate Billy Wardlow said Key West needs to continue marketing its unique tourism, and that marketing should include fishing, cruise ships, interesting tours and the relaxing atmosphere.

He said the cruise ship industry must be preserved, but added he would support "an industry being developed in Key West as long as it's a green industry, eco-friendly and has a recycling system."

Tom Lavender emphasized that "Key West's industry is tourism," and he said that various associations are doing a good job of marketing the destination.

He pointed out that the island's location makes a manufacturing industry difficult because of associated transportation costs and distances.

Lavender said he would like to see Key West marketed as a stopover, or resting place, before or after a trip to Cuba.

District 6

Candidate James Marquardt has several ideas for economic diversification and improvements to the current tourism industry.

He said he would like to see tourism expanded into areas where it does not currently flourish, such as Petronia Street. He also wants to construct and operate a permanent desalination plant and trash-to-energy facility to reduce the island's reliance on mainland utilities.

Marquardt suggested developing the city's beaches for use as concert venues and art shows.

"I would like to see a floating barge with either films shown or live music performed," he said. "Residents can relax on the beach and tune in a portable radio to a frequency for the film."

He also proposes hosting local art shows at local beaches, and on downtown streets the first Saturday of each month. He said comparable events occur in Santa Fe, N.M., and Laguna Beach, Calif.

Incumbent Commissioner Clayton Lopez said he explored alternative industries during his first term as commissioner, but learned that most "simply aren't practical."

He said some people whose small businesses flourished had to leave town to expand.

"Transportation hubs, freight terminals, lack of affordable space to expand, all led to their decision to leave," Lopez said. "Tourism is and has been our staple for many decades. Our island community, with its accepting people, beautiful surroundings and glorious weather give us a unique edge in the tourism industry, and that's where we need to focus our energies."

mbolen@keysnews.com