by special interests will dominate the process in typical Key West style. The Navy should take it back for home porting a ship or two, or be very involved in the decision making going forward. Just like Truman Annex, some of this property will get fences and bushes to restrict access, or maybe a guard house to scare away those who don't know any better. To bad the state didn't get the whole thing to expand Ft. Zack State Park and cut the cronies out altogether.

Why spend one cent here? The Navy will take it back in a heartbeat if they feel they need to. National security outweighs an amphitheater or a recreation center. Lets get serious. This is why it is the Navy who make stipulations as to what can go where and what can't. Lets not be doing the ostrich routine and face the facts. The local economy would do far better if we concentrate on getting some Naval ships based at the southernmost point in the United States. More work for civilians, plus more naval personnel supporting the local economy. Doesn't that make sense?

Residents and regular tourists have trouble parking in old town, but a ONE WEEK event that gets a handful of spectators to watch a bunch of fat rich over sponsored white guys buzz on their boats they are barely qualified to kill themselves in ..... I suppose this is what keeps the strip clubs in business.

They paved paradise and put in a parking lot new Submitted on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 2:06pm by WeCanDoBetterKW Citizens wanted a green park - what they were offered instead was a mega-yacht marina and a staging area for cruise ships, Duck Tours, and for the gas guzzling, eco-unfriendly boat races. It should be no surprise, as Mayor Cates is a strong supporter, as well as Mark Rossi who is the VP of the racing association sponsoring these races (is he allowed to vote to allow the races?). Barry Gibson as well as William Spottswood - all on the board of this association. The hell with the citizens and their park. Pave the whole thing so the boats and racers will have the 'hard surfaces' as stipulated - they are not allowed to ruin our "park" grass. Did you citizens really think you were ever going to get a real park? A beautiful park like other cities are able to create? Instead of green grass you get asphalt, parking spaces, and roads. Get real - Key West is all about the mighty tourist dollar, what you want does NOT matter. And do we really need the power boats any longer? - our hotel occupancy numbers are through the roof. All these boats contribute is a lot noise, carbon emissions, and probably a lot of injured or dead sea-life. One day there will be an incident and lawsuit that will make duck tours look like nothing. Way to go Key West.

After 15 years, the commission almost has a plan. The most revealing point is that Rossi's main concern is that the boat races are accommodated in the manner in which they are accustomed. As usual, the citizens have been accommodated in the manner in which we are accustomed.