|
Formerly Larry Shaffer.com
 Please tell everyone our
Internet address, which is listed as follows:
http://RunesofAo.com/LarryShaffer.
The following letters, speeches, and columns were created by Larry
Shaffer in the pursuit of the interests, needs, and concerns of Marathon
citizens, voters, and locals. This is page two following page one. Another
page was added to speed up the downloading times. These are listed with the newest on top and
the oldest at the bottom. Please be aware that as the issues change Larry
sometimes adapted. Also, citizen, voter, and local input can cause Larry
to slightly modify his stand on some issues. His stance on the issues is
not set in stone.
Comments to the City Council 13MAY03
q
Mayor, Councilmen, Citizens:
q
Although redeveloping the Buccaneer Resort is generally a
good thing, we are not asking enough from developers/redevelopers.
o
Are we asking them to employ locals full or part time paying
decent wages?
o
Are we asking them to pay their impact on the
infrastructure?
o
Are they going to help us build our sewer/storm water
systems?
o
Will they provide adequate, low-cost, low-income housing for
their workers? Dorms are still a terrible idea.
o
Are they going to help beautify US1, our main street?
o
Are they going to help support our recreational parks and
our city marina?
o
Are they going to help improve the environment, the city’s
lifeblood?
o
Will they join us in preserving, protecting, and improving
existing, vibrant homes, communities, and businesses?
o
Will they use local businesses?
q
We have developers/redevelopers lining up for handouts from
our city.
o
Commercial and market-rate TREs are one reason and should
never be allowed in any form or manner.
§
Who gains and who loses? The developers/redevelopers gain;
the citizens and voters lose. Beware of any kind of TREs!
§
TREs are a gold rush without regard for the long-term
impact.
§
The law of unintended consequences will consume us all with
TREs of any kind. TREs of any kind are full of loopholes.
§
TREs encourage criminal behavior and back-room deals.
§
If we can’t manage our development and redevelopment without
TREs, then something is definitely wrong.
q
While limited and very restricted development/redevelopment
of existing businesses that have no impact on existing homes and
communities might be a good thing, any other type of development and
redevelopment is not desired.
o
First, we must build our citywide sewer/storm water systems.
o
Therefore, we need a moratorium on all
development/redevelopment until our infrastructure and regulations are in
place. Those regulations should benefit ONLY the citizens and the voters
NOT developers/redevelopers.
o
Please, give us back our city!
q
Thank you.
Letter to the Key West Citizen 26APR03; Free Press letter to the
Editor 30APR03
NOTE: My name is Larry Shaffer, PO Box 501833, Marathon, FL
33050-1833, phone 743-9648. My electronic business card is attached.
Citizen Editor:
Regarding Tom Tuell's Opinion Piece in 4.18.03 Citizen
I am Larry Shaffer, City of Marathon citizen and voter. I am a retired,
25-year US Navy officer. I am also one of Gulfstream Association
Directors. I've had to read and study a lot of Florida Statutes, laws,
rules, and regulations lately. Some are Chapter 720 - Homeowner
Associations, Chapter 723 - Mobile Home Lot Tenancies, Chapter 719 -
Cooperatives, Coral Key Village Prospectus (a successful cooperative just
east of Marathon), and numerous other legalese including ones on the
proposed Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
On the surface, CRAs could easily help mitigate Marathon's requirement to
build sewer/storm water systems citywide. The delays to build sewer/storm
water systems is simply criminal. The impact of not building citywide
sewer/storm water systems quickly is that real homes and viable
communities will be destroyed. This is something many
developers/redevelopers want, so they can impose their vision on the
citizens and voters of Marathon. Therefore, we needed to have sewer/storm
water systems built ages ago. I commend Key West citizens and voters for
biting the bullet on sewer/storm water systems. They are way ahead of the
game. Why is Marathon dragging their feet on this issue?
I must, though, take issue with Tom Tuell's statements about "a high
number of substandard dwelling units (taken a tour of Marathon trailer
parks lately?)" and other comments unknowingly encouraging the destruction
of homes and communities. Trailer parks, according to Tom Tuell, should be
developed/redeveloped into affordable housing. This is just what the
developers/redevelopers want. Affordable housing is not affordable. We
need to preserve and improve our trailer parks as adequate, low-cost
housing NOT destroy them.
Most trailer parks, Keyswide, and almost all parks in Marathon have or are
in the process of organizing into associations allowed and protected by
the law. They are filing their rights of first refusal should the park
owners want to sell out to developers/redevelopers interested in
destroying homes and communities. Existing park communities, either run by
responsible park owners or cooperatives (resident-owned parks), are not
the "blight" that was suggested by Tom Tuell's opinion piece.
Tom, please call me. The "local Hatfields and McCoys" as you put it have
united into a very large block of angry citizens and voters. I will show
you our success stories. Those parks that need improvements will be
improved, either by responsible park owners or the resident-owned parks.
You are welcome to see for yourself.
Further, a CRA must fit into Marathon's comprehensive plan which STILL is
not implemented. Delaying the implementation of the comprehensive plan is
just another way to destroy existing homes and viable communities.
Marathon's City Manager and one Council Member are behind closed doors
finishing off the comprehensive plan that should have been implemented a
year ago. And why, pray tell, is this being hashed out in closed sessions
between two city officials?
Bottom line, if a properly implemented CRA and comprehensive plan
preserves our existing homes and viable communities, as well as helps
build a sewer/storm water system that should have been built already, then
I am all for it. If a CRA and implemented comprehensive plan forces the
undesired destruction of homes and communities, then I am dead set against
it.
Signed Larry Shaffer
Gulfstream Association Director
Comments to City Council 22APR03
4.22.03 - City Council
ü
This dormitory ordinance benefits the developer. The
developer asked for it. It is time for the city to stop ignoring the voice
of its locals, citizens, and voters.
o
Any developments should provide for local jobs, full or part
time, as well as adequate, low-cost housing. Dorms off site will not do
that and don’t work. We don’t want dorms for our workers, especially off
site. Workers should be treated better than that. Please stop this now.
o
The city needs to dictate to the developer/redeveloper not
the developer/redeveloper dictating and steering the city. You’ve crossed
the line. We want our city back.
o
We need adequate, low-cost housing off site. Adequate
housing for employees must be on site, and dorms are not anywhere near
adequate. Dorms should never be off site, or even considered at all. What
are you thinking?
o
Remove the increase density, three-bedroom language from
this ordinance. It already exists in a previous ordinance. The developer
is taking advantage of this. Please pay attention to subtle attempts to
circumvent the will of the city and the voters.
o
Until the balanced comprehensive plan and the implementation
of the sewer/storm water systems, please place a moratorium on all city
development and redevelopment.
ü
Why is it that the city Manager and one council member are
working on the comprehensive plan behind closed doors?
o
Why wasn’t this comprehensive plan as stated a year ago not
now our implemented comprehensive plan?
o
The comprehensive plan should have been implemented long
ago. Not implementing the comprehensive plan and delaying it is just
another way that we can lose our homes and see the destruction of our
communities.
ü
Why is it that Key West has central sewer and storm water
systems long before the 2010 deadline?
o
Why can’t Marathon have their sewer and storm water systems
citywide in the timely manner that Key West put theirs in?
o
Delaying the sewer and storm water systems is just another
tactic to destroy existing homes and communities.
ü
The locals, citizens, and voters should influence the city
council and any considered developments and redevelopments.
o
Developers and redevelopers do not run the city.
o
The city council is answerable to locals, citizens, and
voters. We should drive the vision of our city.
o
The city is like a four-door car. Right now, the
developers/redevelopers are in the front seat driving. The city is in the
back seat taking notes. Locals, citizens, and voters are in the trunk
along for the ride of their lives. Shouldn’t the locals, citizens, and
voters be in the front seat with the voters driving? The city should be in
the back seat taking notes, while the developers/redevelopers are in the
trunk.
Comments for City Council 22APR03
ü
Along the last several months, I’ve seen the city shrug
their shoulders and ask what can WE do. I have some suggestions:
o
If you can’t pass a TRE ordinance benefiting park
communities and their like, then stop TREs of any kind. Kill them dead. It
is just a vehicle to damage citizen and voter interests, destroying homes,
and communities.
§
This future consideration of commercial/market rate TREs is,
again, just another way to destroy existing homes and communities.
§
We will fight this now.
§
We will fight this in the future.
§
We will fight this as long as it takes to get the voters
back in control of our city.
o
Lobby for changes in Florida Statute, Chapter 723 Mobile
Home Park Lot Tenancies
o
Cater to the needs, desires, and interests of the citizens
and voters
o
Help existing businesses, but don’t destroy homes and
communities
o
Pass proposals that influence the employment of locals full
or part time
o
Pass proposals that influence the adequate, low-cost housing
of locals NOT substandard or dormitory housing
o
Favor locals in the bidding process
o
Hire and house locals, paying a decent wage
o
Activate a fair and balanced comprehensive plan that
addresses citizens and voters desires
o
Build sewer/storm water systems now
o
Activate the original visioning plan
o
Listen to locals, citizens, and voters
o
MarathonMasterPlan.com is a contrived way to destroy homes
and communities. Where are the inputs from the black and Hispanic
communities at a bare minimum? I really think that you should listen to
the needs, desires, and interests of all minorities.
Comments for City Council 08APR03
4.8.03 - City Council
v
Mayor, Councilmen, Citizens
v
I am Larry Shaffer, one of the Gulfstream Homeowners
Association directors.
v
I have grave concerns for our city.
v
While I am not generally opposed to proper, restrained
development and redevelopment, I am against such development and
redevelopment forcing city citizens out of their homes and destroying
their existing, vibrant communities.
v
During late March, public documents reveal that the
Gulfstream developers are very concerned about specific language in the
city code.
v
Then, March 25th, a new discussion agenda item
was added during the council meeting about an LDR amendment to address the
concerns of the Gulfstream developers.
v
Now, apparently, the city wants the offending language in
the code removed.
v
This seems just like the increase in density approved for
the Buccaneer Resort recently. Minutes later after that approval, Pritam
Singh makes a presentation for redeveloping the resort with the approved
increase in density.
v
The appearance of impropriety grows stronger.
v
What is going on here?
v
Are we going to cater to the interests of developers,
redevelopers, and, specifically, the Gulfstream developers?
v
Or, are we going to do the right, moral, and ethical thing
and serve the interests of city voters and citizens?
v
Thank you.
Letter to many different statewide media outlets, all local
politicians, statewide senator and representative, governor, national
senators and representative 17MAR03
3.17.03 - OPEN LETTER TO ALL THOSE WHO MAY BE ABLE TO HELP US OR
INFLUENCE THOSE WHO CAN
1. My name is Larry Shaffer, a retired US Naval officer, having served 25
years through several wars and many armed conflicts. I live at Gulfstream
Trailer Park in Marathon at the Florida Keys. My mailing address is PO Box
501833, Marathon, FL. 33050-1833, telephone number 305-743-9648.
I've been a Florida resident for over thirteen years, having been a City
of Marathon citizen for over seven years.
2. Under Florida Statute, Chapter 723, I have very little recourse in
protecting my home here at Gulfstream. Any developer can buy the park and
force us out. And one Langdon S. Flowers Jr. is trying to do so. Even
though there are viable alternatives and locations for what the developer
wants, I and my neighbors could still be forced out of our homes and
community.
3. We are not stereotypes living in a trailer park. We are not "trailer
trash." We have city employees, post office employees, retired doctors,
lawyers, bankers, engineers, commercial fishermen, business owners, and I
could go on and on. We don't want to lose our homes and community. If you
think this could not happen to you or does not apply to you, think again.
If they can force us our of our homes and community, no one is safe.
4. Anything and everything needs to be done to fix this problem. I did not
serve my country for 25 years through wars and conflicts to be forced out
of my home and community. At a bare minimum, Florida Statute, Chapter 723,
must be changed to protect our homes and communities. We don't want
pennies in a silly, meaningless gesture of compensation. We want to live
in our homes and communities. Everyone has a responsibility, either
directly or by influence, to help us save our homes and communities from
out-of-control development on the backs of viable homes and communities.
Comments to Gulfstream Trailer Park Homeowners Association
21MAR03
Ø
3/21/2003
Ø
Most of us in the park want to buy the park using the co-opt
method.
Ø
We don’t want to leave people out of this process and the
end results.
Ø
All benefits should be available to all who pay their
association fees and the total fair costs of owning and operating the park
as a co-opt.
Ø
If people are paying lot rent, utilities, and the annual
garbage/maintenance fees now, they should be included in buying the park
as a co-opt, again, as long as they have kept their association fees
current.
Ø
As long as we pay our reasonable share, no one should be
left out.
Ø
If you can’t pay your rent now, then the association would
not be able to carry that cost.
Ø
Our costs will be razor thin as it is.
Ø
In so many ways, the co-opt method of owning and operating
the park works for all of us on so many levels.
Ø
Most of us want the co-opt plan, so that we all can own and
run the park as a permanent residential park, keeping our community
character intact.
Ø
We don’t want to let people fall through the cracks after
what may be years of effort.
Ø
Most association members don’t want to buy their lots
individually.
Ø
They want the association to buy the park at the direction
of the membership using the co-opt method.
Ø
We should be able to do the following based on the Kirk of
the Keys meeting Thursday and research conducted recently by an
association officer:
o
Get 100% financing like one park did and to include cash
reserves for future sewer costs, repairs as they come up, and improvements
we all agree upon.
o
Collect for closing costs and help those who cannot come up
with their full share immediately.
o
Fix the total cost to each unit/lot per month to no more
than 15% more of the existing lot rent plus the annual garbage/maintenance
fees as well as boat dockage as exists the day before closing.
o
We don’t want to unintentionally force people out of the
park due to pricing and fees that would be unreasonable.
o
Fix a reasonable monthly operating budget to include the
continual building of existing cash reserves that accrued due to our
initial financing arrangements.
Ø
The potential value of our park, once the association buys
and operates the park as a co-opt, could easily triple.
Ø
I urge you to vote for the co-opt method of buying and
operating the park. Most of us would gladly work the staffing requirements
to make this happen.
Ø
Thank you, and I think Karen and others have some thoughts
as well on this subject.
Gulfstream Trailer Park
Home Owners Association Incorporated Director Larry Shaffer
Letter to the Keynoter
Editor and local reporter 28FEB03
2.28.03 - Travis, this is Larry Shaffer. I live at Gulfstream in
Marathon. My telephone number is 743-9648. If you would like more
background about me, you can go to http://RunesofAo.com/roa/webdoc6.htm. An Internet magazine that I
publish includes an article each month that covers news at the park. You
can see the index at http://RunesofAo.com/roa/webdoc7.htm or the latest issue at
http://RunesofAo.com/roa/030103.htm. I would like to share some
insight on our problem. We could lose our homes.
Ø I served my country in the United States Navy as an officer for 25
years. I have been a citizen of this community over 7 years. I have worked
for the city of Marathon almost 3 years now.
Ø I never missed voting in any national, state, or local election. The
only way to stop me from voting is prying the ballot from my dead, cold
hands.
Ø When I moved to Gulfstream Trailer Park and Marina, the park owners
Frank and Roseanne Mauro interviewed me. I was impressed and grew to love
the best park community in the Keys. Frank and Roseanne did a great job. I
like them. Still, my impression, repeatedly, was that our park community
would never be in peril.
Ø I was shocked that Frank and Roseanne would ever sell to anyone who
would turn us out of our homes.
Ø Even though the owners seem to have the right to do this, it is still
not right. The city and the county must induce the state to protect parks
like ours, now and into the future. If government can go through hoops to
help developers and others, why can’t government save and protect our
parks?
Ø Must we force action by petition and vote?
Ø Must we, as tax-paying, law-abiding, voting citizens, go live with the
homeless at Boot Key? At least there, it seems, we would be welcome.
Ø I would like to say to anyone out there, please help us. We are not
going away. We are in this for the long haul. Please help us. Don’t pat us
on the back, shake your heads sadly, and hope we go away. We will not go
away. Please help us.
Ø Thank you.
Letter to the Editor for the Key West Citizen 24FEB03
2.24.03 - Validation: Larry Shaffer @ PO Box 501833, Marathon,
743-9648.
I live in Gulfstream Trailer Park & Marina in Marathon. The owners of the
trailer park announced at their annual residents party last weekend that
the park is under contract to be sold. The immediate concern was if the
new owners were going to build condos or keep the park as it is now. Of
course, this has generated a ton of rumors before and after the
announcement. Rumors do no one any good, as they most often reflect a
small part of the truth if any at all.
Regardless of that, there are things that residents and concerned people
can do. First, the goal is to save our park and homes and to induce the
City Council to protect parks like ours from any such possibility in the
future. Second, we must organize and get legal help. We need to do these
things even if the park's prospective owners decide to keep things as they
are. We must go to all City Council meetings and make our voices heard,
often and emphatically. We must tell our stories to the Keynoter and the
Key West Citizen. The Citizen is associated with the Free Press that
covers Marathon.
Most importantly, we must vote. If you were eligible to vote and did not,
now you might be reaping the results of not voting. Even if you are not a
full-time resident, your voice and action will do a lot of good. This is a
tourist-based economy after all.
If you can't understand why the owners would sell such a great park, think
about the rumors, rudeness, petty complaints, outrageous requests, loose
pets, cigarette butts at the pool, numerous rules violations, and so on.
I've lived here for seven years. I am a retired US Navy officer having
served my country over 25 years. I work for the City of Marathon. My
income is just barely adequate. Yet I want to live here and participate in
paradise. Still, I must worry about losing my home. Where could I live
then? Under Boot Key Bridge with the rest of the homeless? Something has
to be done to protect existing housing for those on fixed incomes. Many of
us have really, truly earned the right to a little bit of paradise.
To keep the download times short, we have moved the
older letters, speeches, and columns to other pages that can be accessed
by the links below.
[Page
One] [Page Two]
|
