Want to Travel to Cuba?

If you want to travel to Cuba, today is the day to make your voice heard.

The Latin American Working Group - one of the nation's longest standing coalitions dedicated to foreign policy - has organized a CubaGO! campaign for today, September 30.

Call your representitive and let them know that you support the Freedom to Travel to Cuba legislation currently in committee.

People supportive of allowing travel to Cuba for all US citizens are asked to call their representitive's office and deliver the following message:

Co-Sponsor and support the “Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act” HR 874.

As a constituent I believe that:

• All Americans should have the RIGHT to travel to Cuba
• A MAJORITY of Americans, a majority of Cuban Americans, and Cuban political dissidents want the travel ban to end
• Major religious and human rights groups say ending the travel ban will help the Cuban people
• After 50 years, it is time to CHANGE our policy toward Cuba – starting with ending the travel ban for all Americans

Key West is the closest point in the United States to Cuba - a mere 90 miles.

Key West's representitive in Congress is Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Unfortunately she continues to support the Cuba travel ban.

If you want to see an end to the travel ban, call her offices at the following:

Washington, DC Office
Telephone: 202-225-3931

Miami, Florida Office
Telephone: 305-668-2285

Next, call your senators. You can reach Florida's senators at:

Nelson, Bill - (D - FL)
(202) 224-5274

and

LeMieux, George S. - (R - FL)
(202) 224-3041

And help spread the word. Tell your friends, family, and associates about today's CubaGO! campaign.

Danny Glover can't do it alone:

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Time for Change: Key West Needs a New Mayor

Morgan McPherson has had 4 years as mayor of Key West.

Thank you for your service.

But now, it is time for change.

Key West needs a change in leadership.  Key West needs a mayor with no special interests, is open to discussion and compromise, and has intelligent ideas for the future of Key West.

The island needs a mayor who will listen to the people - not just the developers.  The Bahama Village lease at the Truman Waterfront was voted on by the citizens.  Years later, the mayor continues to assail the BCCLT.  It would be better to have a mayor that could help and encourage the BCCLT's and Bahama Village's efforts.

Key West needs a mayor with new ideas.  During his tenure, McPherson has put forth very few.  One was his "Big Idea" for affordable housing.  Another, his vision for a "world class" waterpark at the Truman Annex.  The Big Idea has had little discussion in years.  If it is still on the table, why isn't it mentioned on McPherson's campaign website?  Truman Annex waterpark idea seemed out of touch with reality.  Does an island surrounded by warm, beautiful water really need a "water park". Most residents think not.

And too often the Mayor either doesn't articulate his idea clearly or is deliberately trying to be vague.  Recent statements about Key West needing another industry remind this writer of his devotion to real estate and development.

Lately the Mayor has been mentioning making Key West a carbon neutral city.  Sounds like a bunch of election year jawboning.  Regardless, experts in the eco field have dismissed this notion - saying it would be impossible for Key West to be carbon neutral due to the high number of planes, boats, and cruise ships versus its very small amount of land.

Key West is a wonderful place.  Anyone who lives here or visits will tell you.

Thank you Morgan for your service.  But now it is time for change.

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Flying to Key West About to Get Cheaper

Flying in and out of Key West, while convenient, usually comes with a high price.

The Key West leg of a flight often doubles the price of air travel.

For example, the best price for flying from Key West to Miami in January 2010 will cost you at least $258 round trip + taxes & fees. And that's for a 35 minute American Airlines flight.

And yet during busy season, most flights to and from Key West are sold out well in advance.

Thankfully, things are about to change with AirTran's announcement that they will provide service to Key West starting on December 17, 2009.

AirTran will fly one of their modern 737s - part of AirTran's all-Boeing fleet of planes - to Key West via Orlando.

Here is a picture of the AirTran 737:

AirTran prides itself on providing discount air travel, inflight ammenities including WIFI and XM Satellite radio, and its young fleet of planes.

AirTran has begun taking reservations for Key West. Already their regular prices are lower than the competition. Future sales may provide even greater savings.

Here is a sample of AirTran flight prices versus the competition (competition fares were provided by Orbitz):

Key West to Orlando – December 17-20, 2009, roundtrip, taxes & fees additional
Airtran	American Air	Delta	Continental	US Air
$238	$304	$426	$631	$667

Key West to Orlando – January 17-20, 2010, roundtrip, taxes & fees additional
Airtran	American Air	Delta	Continental	US Air
$238	$338	$338	$720	$558

Key West to San Francisco, December 17-20, 2009, roundtrip, taxes & fees additional
Airtran	American Air	Delta	Continental	US Air
$558	$555	$818	$550	$943

Key West to San Francisco, January 17-20, 2010, roundtrip, taxes & fees additional
Airtran	American Air	Delta	Continental	US Air
$398	$486	$702	$420	$729

Key West to New York City (Laguardia) – December 17-20, 2009, roundtrip, taxes & fees additional
Airtran	American Air	Delta	Continental	US Air
$484	$324	$324	$410	$344

Key West to New York City (Laguardia) – January 17-20, 2010, roundtrip, taxes & fees additional
Airtran	American Air	Delta	Continental	US Air
$324	$324	$324	$399	$560

This looks good for travelers to the Key West Airport.  Future sales will likely bring even more savings.

And with AirTran's extensive route map, you'll have many destinations to fly to.  Here is their latest route map, with Key West now included:

Good luck AirTran.  Welcome to the party.

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