Friday, November 6, 2009

Tim Brown embraced Key West as his family

One cannot choose one's family, so when community is embraced as family, you know you are special. [The] Key West community was chosen and dearly loved by King Captain Timothy Brown. His kindred spirit to the ocean, the arts, and the beauty and fascination of Key West and its people completed him.

Timothy was most happy here and that brings us, his biological family, much comfort. We, the biological family of King Captain Timothy, wish to express our deepest gratitude to [the community]. The love, support and comforting words of compassion during our time of loss has helped to move us forward. He truly loved and adored you all. ... Thank you for helping us celebrate his life.

Tyna Brown Oslie

Grand Prairie, Texas

Oft repeated quote is a transcription error

In 1995, when I was the new city attorney, Duck Tours sued the city [of Key West] so I asked the commission in an executive session for instruction. Only one misreported phrase, rather than the entire transcript of that 1995 session, was shown to the jury in the 2005 Ducks trial, and I've been maligned by the constant repetition of the phrase ever since.

At the 1995 executive session, I reminded the commissioners that Historic Tours of America didn't need the licenses they had because they had a franchise. I asked if they wanted to give licenses to the Ducks by creating more, or by taking some away from Historic Tours. I also asked if, instead, I should just continue to let the case wind its way through the courts. This last question was somehow mistakenly transcribed as "charge on ahead and grind them into the dirt."

At the 2005 Ducks trial, the misquoted phrase was presented to the jury by asking Carolyn Walker, "So you didn't hear Ms. Covan, the city attorney, ask for and receive instructions to grind the Ducks into the dirt; is that right?" She agreed that she did not. (And we assume she never saw me murder the grocery clerk and she doesn't know if I still beat my dog.) The question was not asked of anyone who was at the session.

When I received the transcript of the 1995 session after the 2005 trial, the court reporter said she was embarrassed because she was a "baby court reporter back then and made so many mistakes in it." But, even if that macho phrase had been mine, it would not have caused the jury verdict. The problem was that only that phrase was read. Had the jury been allowed to hear the whole transcript, they would have known that there was no prejudice or animosity expressed against the Ducks by anyone at that 1995 executive session.

Diane Tolbert Covan

Key West

Trustees' spending amounts to robbery

After reading your editorial on the new Keys college administrator, one has to wonder if any of the Board of Trustees ever went to school -- and if they did, was simple arithmetic a course any one of them passed? They certainly did not get MBAs.

After this Randy and Monique Acevedo thing, don't you think we've all had enough? Perhaps the local schools should start classes in robbery, bunco and other crimes. Possibly get Randy to teach a class or two, with Bernie Madoff lecturing on finance and investing. Monique could handle all the tuition funds.

John V. Hanks Jr.

Key West

City cleanup crews did a remarkable job

After reading "Moving a mountain of trash," we all need to thank the cleanup crew, but my first thought, "There goes my letter."

County Commissioners need to revisit some guidelines on Fantasy Fest. I am sure many wish it would go back to the Ernest Hemingway Days.

To the cleanup crew, a big thank you to a thankless job.

Elizabeth M. Sullivan

Washington, D.C.