Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the city.
The State of the City address is being quite well received throughout the city.
Henriquez said, “We are doing another State of the City this Wednesday for the Key West Chamber, so I’ll be able to present it again. But only being in office for five months, I really didn’t know whether to do a PowerPoint presentation or a video, and I felt like a video would keep their attention more than just a PowerPoint presentation and I just wanted to give an update to everyone on all the different things that are going on in the city, and try and give them some deadlines and when projects were going to be completed. So that was my goal, and hopefully I was able to educate everyone on everything that was going on.”
The Eaton Street project could possibly be completed by the end of this month.
Henriquez said, “To give you an update on that for this week, starting today through Monday the 31st Eaton Street will be closed in three block segments, beginning at White Street and moving towards Simonton Street for paving. So during this time, there will be detours and possible traffic delays are expected. So if you can avoid Eaton Street in any way, please do, but the city contractors will assist with access to any homes and or businesses affected by the construction work. So this week should be the last week. It should be paved by March 31, so we’re very excited about that.”
The NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular will be next weekend.
Henriquez said, “So the last time we were here, I was able to go down Duval and experience that as well. It is spectacular. It’s going to be a spectacular weekend on Saturday and Sunday to see the Blue Angels perform, and at 1:55 they will fly right down Duval. It looks like Duval Street closes, even though it’s really not closed because there’s so many people on the street waiting for the Blue Angels to fly over. It is something spectacular to see.”
There was a proclamation for Vietnam Veterans today.
Henriquez said, “I am very excited and honored to be able to do that. So the city of Key West, Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the Florida Keys Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honor the Vietnam veterans. It’s the 50th anniversary commemoration. I will be honored to read a proclamation.”
A tabletop exercise also happened today.
Henriquez said, “When I was speaking to our chief of police and our city manager in reference to the incident that happened in New Orleans, when that gentleman took his truck and was driving down the street, I had questioned them and asked them where is the city at? Do we have a plan? I don’t want what happened with New Orleans, where the mayor was giving one message and the government was given a different message. I wanted all of us to be on the same page. What do we need to do? How do we simulate this information? So Gregory Barroso with the fire department, he has created a tabletop exercise which is going to simulate a discussion exercise that prepares our city to respond to a large scale emergency. So they’re going to give us two different scenarios, and then all of the directors, the fire department, the police department, the city, we’re all going to be in the same room having a simulated discussion on what our plans are and what are we supposed to do and how we’re supposed to respond. So I just think it was refreshing. We have a lot of new people here, a new city manager, new mayor, and just that way we have open communication, and at least we know we have a plan in place, God forbid, in the event something happens here.”
The Key West Ambassador program, the class 42 held a roundtable discussion today with the mayor and city commission.
Henriquez said, “That’s exciting, too. So usually that’s their last class before they graduate, so it gives them an opportunity with everything that they learn throughout their session, you have the mayor and the commissioners there, and they’re able to ask any questions or any concerns that they may have. So this is the opportunity, instead of going in front of the City Commission and speaking for three minutes, they actually are in a room for an hour, and they’re able to interact with the mayor and the commissioners and ask them any questions that they may have. So it’s great. I love that class. It’s really wonderful. That’s the last class before they graduate, so it’s exciting.”
The Taste of Key West is from 6 to 9 tonight at the Truman Waterfront Park.
Henriquez said, “That is usually very, very, very well attended. So I will be volunteering out there and trying to make sure everybody’s doing the recycling that they’re supposed to. Then Tuesday, we have a HARC meeting starting at five. Wednesday, we have a Parks and Rec board meeting starting at five in the city chambers. Thursdays are our planning board meeting. And then Friday we we’re going to be plogging at the new Douglas Community Center, which is at 8:30 Emma Street. On March 31 at 5pm the community meeting will be held at City Hall, in reference to the possible rental increases for the Garrison Bight Marina. So there should be an item in reference to this on our May commission meeting, but I know that will be a big discussion and it’s next Monday at 5pm in the chambers.”