Despite the coming holidays, it’s still a busy time in Key West

Business doesn’t slow down in Key West, not even for the holidays.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to discuss what’s happening in the city.

Public workshops about North Roosevelt Boulevard are coming up – one for businesses tonight and one for the public on Wednesday.  

Johnston said, “We’re in a fact finding mode right now. Sitting down and talking to the businesses. What would help them be more successful? What would beautify the entrance to the city of Key West more? And that’s how you start with public workshops.”

Tonight’s meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Services Building on Northside Drive. Tomorrow night the workshop for the public will be at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.

For more information, click here: https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/calendar.aspx?month=11&year=2022&day=29&CID=0&Keywords=&startDate=&enddate=&

World AIDS Day will be held on Thursday.

Johnston said, “That starts with a march leaving from City Hall at 4:30 where we read the names of all the individuals who have succumbed to AIDS and then we wind up at the AIDS Memorial for a memorial of those who have lost their lives. This year we are reading the names unfortunately of 13 more individuals who have succumbed to AIDS.”

The tree lighting was held last night.

Johnston said, “And hats off to Community Services because every year they get out and decorate that entire park. They made it look spectacular. It was a nice time. Beautiful evening.”

Today is Giving Tuesday, so remember the non-profits in the Keys.

Johnston said, “This is a time where we do reflect and reflect on our good fortunes and also remember those who are less fortunate to help them out during this time of the year.”

Citizens in Key West also always have compassion for the recent mass shootings – one in a Walmart in Virginia and one in Club Q in Colorado Springs.

Johnston said, “Along with all of the good feelings of the holidays, we still need to remember that we have had over 600 mass shootings in the United States this year and it’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy that’s part of all of us. The solution is in all of our hands. The Club Q shooting I think is indicative of the hateful feelings that are cropping up here in the United States and the discrimination and these are all things that we have to keep in mind. Key West has been a beacon of inclusivity and compassion and lovingness and openness and live and let live. We need to maintain that in the city and we need to reach out to other communities who have experienced things of this nature with compassion. Our One Human Family motto, it’s not just a billboard. It is how we live our lives and we’ve got to do that as Americans. We have got to be compassionate and we have got to be accepting of all religions of all races of all lifestyles and live in peace and harmony.”

The last meeting for the year for the Key West City Commission will be December 6.

The search for a new City Manager will continue. A City Attorney search is also going on as well.

Johnston said, “We are also bringing back the six month rental ordinance. We’ve got several items moving forward, important items. Please get involved.”

The holiday parade will begin at 7 p.m. on Truman Avenue on Saturday.

Johnston said, “Please come out. The weather’s going to be beautiful. It’s one of the most happy events that we have in the city, so please join us.”

For the December 6 agenda, click here: http://keywest.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=9423&GUID=42D459A4-73BF-4962-8BAF-A237E0477713