Breaking News: Is CNN Broken?

Yesterday's reporting of the earthquake in Hawaii was the perfect example of how bad of a job CNN and the other major news networks are doing of keeping the American public informed. Of course the earthquake was newsworthy - but why did all the news channels turn into 24hour Earthquake Headquarters? Why is the news bent on scaring us? Why can't the news inform us? The major news networks are scared of the Internet taking away their viewers. I'd say they are doing more damage to themselves. The news today is broken.

Somehow the CNN, MSNBC, FOX are all hooked on the same monkey: don't tell the viewer in intelligent, distilled, salient, and verified report of the world's events. Instead, show them the most alarming event that they themselves don't understand (burning anything seems to work), then show a confusing and useless bunch of clips and guests who speculate on what is going on. No longer does it seem important to CNN to cover the days events. If anyone is dumbing down America, it must be the news.

It is such a fear driven news reporting style, that one wonders who is screwing this up this badly. Don't the reporters of America want more stories told? (by the way, why do these reporters speak like everything is a panic! somebody get Wolf Blitzer out of the situation room! His bullshit style seems to have infected all the networks. And please, end the Situation Room. Seventeen televisions playing at once is a moronic idea). The last thing I want to see is a reporter who knows nothing about a situation, spending too much time playing the same clip and guessing like a fool. If I wanted to see the live feed I would do so! I don't want the news to become the live feed.

Imagine if your favorite newspaper printed pictures and stories about things they just found out about, 5 seconds ago, without being able to confirm or figure out the story. How useful of a newspaper would that be?

Isn't there enough other things occurring in the world that we should hear about? Shouldn't the networks cover more? All the while, there are a zillion other things that are happening in the world and remain unreported.

What does this serve? Certainly not my hunger to know what is going on in the world. Certainly not the general American intellect.

And all the while, CNN has a flashing "Breaking News".
It should say "Broken News".

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New Hotel Map for Key West Visitors

"Season", as the locals call it, is just around the corner. And that means visitors will be looking for hotel rooms.

Even though Key West is a small island, roughly 2 miles x 4 miles, there are lots of hotels to choose from, and if location is important to you - like being in the Historic District or by a beach, then it can be hard to decide which hotel is in the right place for you.

The folks at Key West Travel Guide have created an excellent solution - a Key West hotel map that shows you where each of the hotels, guesthouses, b & b's, motels, and other lodging choices are located. The map is a very cool view of the island - combining a satellite image of Key West with a map overlay. If you click on any of the map markers or hotel names, a "info window" pops up on the map showing you a picture and description of the accomodation. Plus, in the "info window" are links for more information about the property and discounted reservations.

This is a great tool for people planning a Key West visit. Stay where you want to stay and get substantial savings on your room reservation.
Check out the map at http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/key-west-hotel-map.html .

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TAMPOA Double-speak

I was checking out the TAMPOA website and was amazed at their ability to speak out of both sides of their mouths.

On their newsletter page, under the heading "Security and our Community", TAMPOA says:

"Please be advised that, although the Truman Annex and Shipyard communities are
gated, the general public is allowed to enter the property freely and to access
places such as the Little White House. Please note that the Association does not
monitor who enters or exits the communities."

But on that same page, Tom Tukey, president of TAMPOA, wrote in his "President's Message" that they were hoping to achieve just the opposite.
Here is what TAMPOA thinks the City of Key West should agree to:

"During the day, the traffic on Southard Street would be controlled and slowed
by “arms.” "

and

"...for the first time we would be allowed to install gates at both ends of
Southard Street and close them totally during the night. That meant that our
security would be significantly enhanced."

Doesn't sound very free and accessible to me. No wonder the citizens of Key West are so upset (me included).

To contact TAMPOA & let them know how you feel, here are the e-mail addresses of their Board of Directors, as published on the TAMPOA website:

2006 Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Tom TukeyE-mail: tmailto:ttukey1@aol.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Jim HallE-mail: dietcoke53@aol.com
SECRETARY
Paula RyalsE-mail: paryals@comcast.net
TREASURER
Harold BerryE-mail: hrb99@aol.com

DIRECTORS
Frank SerioE-mail: frank@theserios.com

Phil WilsonE-mail: pewtar@aol.com

Rebecca BaumannE-mail: rbaumann@nc.rr.com

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Closed Door Session for City Leaders

The Key West City Commission will be meeting today in a closed door session to discuss the Southard Street/TAMPOA/Truman Annex situation.
It seems to me that TAMPOA is trying to control much more than Southard Street. Sounds like this is really about the Truman Waterfront. Does TAMPOA really think they are entitled to control what happens next door at the new Truman waterfront? Does Truman Annex not realize that the rest of the island has a say in what happens to the Truman waterfront. Personally, I would like to see a vibrant waterfront - with a marina, shops, a restaurant, some affordable housing, a new senior center, and a small park (I don't think we need a big park, especially since next door is the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.) Most of all, I don't want to see a big empty park that would further insulate Truman Annex.
I hope our commissioners see this whole power struggle for what it really is.

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Manics in the Annex

The battle between Truman Annex and the City of Key West is reaching the boiling point.
Last week Truman Annex, a "gated" community in a dispute with the City of Key West over control of the lower part of Southard Street, put up a limited access sign and started checking the drivers heading through their "Truman Show"-ish neighborhood.

According to published reports, last week three Key West City Commissioners (Lopez, Verge, and Rossi) along with the City Manager of Key West, confronted a Truman Annex security guard who was reportedly demanding identification from people driving into the Truman Annex neighborhood. (Truman Annex now denies that the guard was demanding identification) It was reported that a shouting match occurred between Commissioner Lopez and the security guard. A shoved clipboard? The security guard called the police, according to the report, and the Chief of Police showed up. The Chief reportedly told the security guard to remove the restricted access sign and to cease stopping traffic and checking ids. Traffic was backing up due to the checkpoint.

The next day, the local press reported that a civil complaint against Commissioner Lopez was in the works - reportedly to be filed by the Truman Annex Master Property Association lawyer Bill Anderson. Also, it was reported, Anderson threatened to file a civil complaint in federal court against the Police Chief if he shuts down the checkpoint again. In the same story from the Key West Citizen, a local newspaper, Truman Annex plans to "defy a police order prohibiting it from stopping cars at the Southard Street guardhouse, with plans to resume the checkpoint..."

I went the next day, and although a guard was in the guardhouse, he did not seem to be stopping traffic or demanding identification. People were once again heading to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and the Truman waterfront and the new Eco Center without being interfered with. And the military personel who regularly use that road to get to their facilities were able to go without interference from a private security guard. And I thought to myself, "well, self - maybe TAMPOA is coming to their senses. Doubtful, but maybe."

I'm amazed at TAMPOA's hubris - setting up control over lower Southard Street before the courts have yet to decide the matter. TAMPOA has adamently said that their title searches have shown they own the street, but so far they have not revealed the proof to the rest of the island.

If it is proven that Truman Annex owns and has control of lower Southard Street, then the City of Key West must take the street back through eminent domain. Why? Because it is the best route to the State Park and the Eco-center and the military base and the new Truman waterfront property. The street is wide enough to handle the traffic, and it has traditionally and historically been the route to that area.

Here is the main point as I see it: the City of Key West will probably have to use eminent domain one way or another, no matter the traffic route. The Bahama village streets that are being suggested (mostly by TAMPOA) are too narrow, especially as you near the park. To make those streets ADA approved, the buildings that are too close to the street will probably need to be removed to allow sidewalks. If the city is unable to purchase the buildings from the current owners, then they will likely have to use eminent domain.

I understand that TAMPOA feels it has a legitimate contract with the City of Key West (that the previous commission worked on). But there is one thing that the Manics in the Annex don't get: the citizens of Key West don't want to lose Southard Street, much less any street. If the previous City Commission made an agreement with Truman Annex, it made a mistake. And to prove my point, this should go on the ballot. Let the people of Key West decide what should happen - especially since the citizens will be footing the bill for eminent domain. I guess that TAMPOA will finally get to see where the majority of opinion actually is. I, for one, certainly don't want to see the Truman Annex neighborhood decide the character of our island. And that is apparantly what TAMPOA wants to do.

Today the local paper Key West The News published "A Message from TAMPOA". It is a long, two page letter detailing the TAMPOA case against the City.

In that letter, the TAMPOA board of directors revealed that much of this dispute is about controlling the new Truman Waterfront, given to the City of Key West from the Navy. Somehow, Truman Annex believes that they should have control of what happens at the park! Let me quote from the article:

"And most importantly, tell them you want a PARK, NOT AMORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAFFIC..."

Well let me respond: I actually do want commercial development in that huge waterfront area. Yes, there should be a park, but there also should be places to eat, drink, rent a boat, dockage, a marine store, and whatever else will make it a vibrant new part of the island. So the control of Southard Street issue may not really be so much about the street but rather the property outside of their gated world, the Truman Waterfront.
Of course, if the City does not bow down to the Manics in the Annex, TAMPOA has threatened the city with huge lawsuits. In that same "Letter from TAMPOA", the issue of damages to Truman Annex is mentioned and I quote:

"Legal costs and appraisal fees will easily exceed a million dollars and TAMPOA already has expert research that pegs damages for the loss of access control at numbers that are three to five times the amount of the Duck Tours decree."

If I were on the city commission, I would be looking for a legal team that has the teeth and skills to fight this battle. TAMPOA, and it's president Tom "it's not your cat" Tukey, has shown that they have an arsenal of attorneys all to willing to bill hours for his causes. The city needs to get itself a savy lawyer(s) and get ready for battle. This will certainly get uglier.

One thing I don't doubt: the "Manics in the Annex" seem insecure without gates.

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Truman Annex Battle With City Of Key West Continues

For those wondering, looks like the dispute between TAMPOA (the Truman Annex Master Property Owners Association) and the City of Key West is still not resolved.
Even though TAMPOA claims to have ownership of the portion of Southard Street that runs through Truman Annex, I have yet to see their evidence.

I commend the Key West city officials and representatives who have continued to fight TAMPOA. TAMPOA has shown themselves to be a tenacious adversary. I wonder if their attitude has been driven by their president Tom Tukey. (If you weren't aware, Tom Tukey was the guy (along with his wife) who was ordered by a judge to return a neighbor's cat - a, er, "cat" fight that put the cat's owner through her own little hell, with expensive lawyers and legal maneuvering pointed at her. Fortunately the rightful owner of the cat won.)

To me, Tom Tukey is doing the residents of Truman Annex a disservice and should be removed from his leadership position. Truman Annex residents: Send a clear message to the rest of the island that you care about the whole island of Key West (which I am sure many of you do).

TAMPOA claims that if you allow full public access to the streets in that neighborhood than theirs' would not be a gated community and they would lose property value. Is that what you came here for?

I should point out a recent comment added to this blog by a visitor, posted under the name "Southernmost Commish":

Thank you Cayo Dave for your support. There is much happening lately,
including selectively preventing individuals from entering Truman Annex. Also,
we are awaiting the judge's decision on the TAMPOA motion to exclude the Bahama
Village Consortium legal team from these proceedings. The problem for them, as I
see it, is that this sharp team of legal professionals are now part of the
city's legal advisors. So... the issues that remain, in fact are: the city's
motion to dismiss TAMPOA's lawsuit and the BVC's motion to disclose the
information they claim to have proving ownership. On several occasions, TAMPOA
has SAID they own the street... There's an old saying that I subscribe to that
says "Saying it's so, doesn't make it so." If they had this proof and are truly
over this issue as they claim, it would have been produced long before now, and
eminent domain would have begun.

I implore our City representatives to not give in to TAMPOA. If you need to, use eminent domain!! This is exactly what eminent domain should be used for. And while they are at it, rip out the rest of the gates. If the city of Key West is going to have to pay any damages (because TAMPOA says they'll no longer have the added value of being a gated community), than I say "Get you money's worth" and rip out all the Truman Annex gates...open up all the Truman Annex streets, and allow people, to come and go as they please.

Float a bond if you have to! But you may find that damages are not what TAMPOA is claiming.

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WOW! Key West Commissioner Isn't Backing Down To Truman Annex Leadership

This is a must read for those interested in the dispute between Truman Annex and the City of Key West over access to Southard Street, you should read what was published in a local free press - Key West The Newspaper. Here is the link: http://www.kwtn.com/06_06_23_TAMPOA_commission.htm

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Key West Chronicle Blog Threatened With Libel Lawsuit

Comments have been posted on two posts of mine threatening a libel lawsuit. Here and here.
The posts were in reference to Tom Tukey the president of TAMPOA, and the Truman Annex dispute with the City of Key West.
Seems someone is quite offended by my opinions, and has threatened to sue this blog. Incorrectly, they have published the name of someone with his telephone number in a comment, and threatened to sue. In the words of the anonymous comment poster, " You shall regret what you have done." I am going to immediately remove the comment that contains the phone numbers and name of the person the commenter believes owns the blog.
Let me say, that this blog is my opinion of events that transpire in Key West. Anyone with opinions as to what I should do? Is calling someone a dickhead grounds for libel? What about calling someone an overprivilidged a-hole?
You opinions are appreciated.

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Truman Annex Residents Alienating Themselves from Key West

Well, maybe we have hit a new low. Why? I'm not sure.
Wasn't life good enough in Key West, Florida a decade ago? Things seemed more laid back. I remember all of my friends rented or owned houses with pools. Today, you are lucky if they have a yard. And we all had the time, especially in the summer, to relax even more. There were plenty of boats to go around amongst us, and nearly every day there would be someone who said "Jump onboard, let's go to Marvin Key!". Today, it is a rare opportunity when you get to go out on the water for fun.
But suffice it to say, when you invite a bunch of sharks to a party, don't be surprised when they eat everything...Including you.
In my opinion, Truman Annex's leadership have brought island politics to a new low (not an easy thing to do on our quacky island), and in doing so alienated themselves from the rest of the island of Key West.
For reasons that make no sense to me, the leaders of Truman Annex are going to hit the city of Key West into what promises to be a very expensive lawsuit. All of it, over a road that runs from Old Town, through Truman Annex, to the new waterfront property give to the City of Key West from the Navy, right through the Truman Annex development. It depresses me that Key West has such a community. Are they unable to live on the island with a communal spirit? It is no surprise that most Truman Annex residents live in a strange duality (embracing our island with a bear hug...crushing it to death)....most of them don't live here for most of the year.
Key West City Commissioner Lopez is right: every time that the city of Key West has attempted to negotiate with the Navy for the land, the residents of Truman Annex have threatened lawsuits.

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Key West Must Get Serious About Affordable Housing

This week, the Key West City Commission will debate permitting dormitory-style housing for workers. This is a lame attempt at making a dent in the affordable housing problem on the island. It seems that the city has little interest in making its workforce a permanent part of the community. In the past, Key West was made up of its workers - making it a vibrant community.

Basically, the city of Key West needs to look at other communities that face a similar situation. The best example may be Aspen Colorado.

Dormitories may be useful for service industries and seasonal workers. But if you want professionals (including nurses, teachers, administrators, captains, and other middle income workers) you will need to do much more.
The city continues to do little to solve this problem. Most notably, Key West commissioners have largely ignored the recommendations of experts and committees who have studied the problem.
With a growing worker shortage, Key West businesses (and the city itself) are on a disaster course. The city seems incapable of solving their serious dilemma. There is an exodus of employees in the Keys, and if this continues, employers will find it more and more difficult to operate and prosper.

What should be done?

• The city and county need to purchase and build housing for the working class. This is going to be very expensive. However, doing nothing will end up costing far more - namely the Key West economy.
• This property should remain designated for affordable housing - in perpetuity. Stop screwing around with deed restrictions that expire! (We have already seen too many past efforts at affordable housing end up on the open market prices that only speculators and the rich can then afford.)
• Workers can purchase the property from the city, and in the future may only sell the property back to the city.

Dormitories sound like a sad excuse for an affordable housing solution. It sends a message that Key West doesn't care very much about making skilled workers a real part of the community. Sticking them in what sounds to me like a worker prison is not going to keep them in town.

Today, most of the island has been bought up by the rich and those with enormous credit, squeezing out anyone with less. Funny, only the rich seem to think the place has improved, as social cliques start to look more and more like those found in places like Greenwich, Connecticut.

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