 Marathon Florida Keys Journal
City of Marathon, Florida Keys, Paradise
Volume 14 † Issue 6 † June 2008
[In The Keys] [Kitty Talk] [Internet Stuff] [Poetry Corner]
[Hockey Puck] [Twins of the Dark Star] [Subscribe] [The Dull Stuff] [Advertising]
Marathon Florida Keys Journal proudly presents our 14th year of quality publishing services. We continue to focus on the Florida Keys in paradise. The lead articles are the In The Keys section that offers opinions and even some editorializing. There are also articles concerning the local political beat. These articles may be published in other media outlets. They might edit them to suit their needs. We appreciate your visit and patronage. Please enjoy yourself while you are here and come back soon! Please do us a favor and sign up for our monthly reminder of the next upcoming issue of The Marathon Florida Keys Journal. Please click on our subscription link at marathon_journal-subscribe@topica.com. When you get a return email to confirm your choice, sign up at Topica, but bypass all those solicitations. In The Keys {for current news, see our Daily News Queue} [Coco Plum Beach] [NSWC] [Ileana Speaks Out] [E-Jokes] [Ileana On Gas Prices] [Council 6th]
[Save-A-Turtle] [Woods Corner Finally] [FIRM Newsletter] [China Pet Syndrome]
[Adopt Yanny!] [Council 13th] [Ileana On Education] [Vitamin D Newsletter]
[Wild Bird Center Newsletter] [New Marti Novel] [Bartus Special Guest] [Council 27th]
[Ros-Lehtinen Honors Veterans] [Land Trust Feline] [FIRM Success] [What's Happening!]
[Miscellany] [Finally] [ACRONYMS] ~Some articles have photos, go to http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/index.htm.~
~Events scheduled to be covered, go to http://runesofao.com/schedule/index.htm. Or subscribe by going to~
~webcals://calendars.office.microsoft.com/pubcalstorage/tn7rzq5z82741/L._E._Shaffer_Calendar.ics.~ Or view at
~calendars.office.microsoft.com/en-us/pubcal/viewer.aspx?path=/pubcalstorage/tn7rzq5z82741/L._E._Shaffer_Calendar.ics&tz=-240.~ April 30, 2008 - Marathon - L. E. Shaffer & M. Kisak: Coco Plum Beach is a wonder. Photos are located at  http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/. The City of Marathon's stewardship of Coco Plum Beach is definitely one of its best successful, ongoing ventures. Everyone involved from Community Services Director Susie Thomas to the staff are to be commended for their efforts. The passive beach has a beautiful entrance and parking lot leading to sandy beaches courtesy of a hurricane. The composting toilets are eco friendly. There is a couple of picnic tables to attract people. Dogs have the run of the beach. Looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, Coco Plum Beach is an absolute jewel. The horizon welcomes wondering eyes. There is so much to see and do at this beach. This is not to belittle Sombrero Beach. Each beach has its own personality and attractions. Coco Plum Beach is a natural paradise hosting all kinds of animals, birds, and plants. There are the nesting turtles. There are red mangroves. There is the wetland portion with its long trail. The far eastern portion is the de facto nudist area. Many naturists are seen picking up trash on the beach and back in the wetlands portion. During the dry season the beach looks more desert than wetlands. During the wet season you get the feel of what the Keys were like before humans set foot upon the thousands of islands. This then is one of the seven wonders in the City of Marathon. May 1, 2008 - Marathon - Jeri Sears: Near Shore Waters Committee [NSWC] Meeting. Ed. - These are Jeri's  notes, and she makes no claim as to the accuracy of her notes. Yet her notes all seem okay to me. O, well. 1. Dave Dipre - FWC - Officer Dipre reported that FWC has positions for 18 officers in Monroe county but only 9 are filed at this time. The removal of derelict vessels has cost $120,000 in the first 3 months of 2008.
2.Wet storage boat removal in Marathon waters - a new ordinance is being written to address this issue.
3. Anchoring outside of designated area - this issue is being addresses by the courts and the attorney for the City of Marathon.
4. Bench for bus stop - there will be 2 benches on US 1 close to the marina. The benches are on order. The bus route is going to be extended to Vaca Cut.
5. Marina Bath Facility - bids are due by 2 PM on May 7. The bids will be presented to the city council for approval.
6. Additional dingy docks - the existing survey has been amended and the state has been petitioned for a bay bottom lease for an additional 160' of floating dingy docks.
May 1, 2008 - US Congress - Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen: Natural Gas Cartel & Syrian Nuclear Facility 
Dear Mr. Shaffer: I wanted to take a moment to share with you an op-ed in Today's Washington Times authored by myself and Representative Hoekstra. I have also included an additional article titled "Iran Presses Ahead With Proposed Natural Gas Cartel" below for your information. Splitting a constitutional nucleus
Reps. Peter Hoekstra and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Washington Times, 1 May 2008, Inside "A" Section The Constitution clearly articulates that Congress and the president are to be equal branches of government. The underlying assumption is that both would cooperate to ensure our nation's security, and do so with mutual respect. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case. Regarding the current negotiations with the regime in North Korea to persuade it to abandon its nuclear weapons, the divide has rarely been greater. We regret to say the administration has deliberately attempted to sideline Congress in the fear that providing us with information about the North Korean regime's continuing lies and reckless behavior would undermine the current diplomatic approach. Last October, we voiced our frustration regarding the administration's withholding from Congress information regarding a nuclear facility in Syria constructed with North Korean assistance. That facility fortunately was destroyed the previous month by an Israeli air strike, following which an almost total official silence was imposed. Because this facility obviously had a direct bearing on the negotiations with North Korea, as well as on broader security issues, we believed it was crucial that all members of Congress be briefed as soon as possible so we could perform our constitutional responsibility to ensure the interests of the American people are protected. However, the administration restricted its briefings to a handful of senior members of Congress, including the two of us, leaving in the dark the majority of those on the foreign relations and intelligence committees. Last week, six months after we first called for Congress to be fully informed, the administration finally provided classified briefings to members of six House and Senate committees. We were told the delay in providing Congress with information on the Israeli strike was due to national security concerns - obviously a belief that the sensitive information would find its way into the media. However, following the long-postponed congressional briefings, the administration itself showed an unclassified video to the news media outlining how Syria had secretly built a nuclear facility to produce plutonium with North Korean assistance and how this facility was weeks away from becoming operational when it was destroyed. They were seemingly more at ease sharing the information with the media than with Congress. It is apparent the administration was reluctantly briefing members of Congress in an effort to salvage its rapidly sinking policy, one we believe has been unfortunately influenced by the desire of some within the administration to create a "legacy" of denuclearizing North Korea before the end of President Bush's term. We know from the Clinton administration - which ironically attempted to prop up its own legacy with a deal with North Korea shortly before Bill Clinton left office - that the corners cut and concessions made to secure last-minute agreements typically result in bad deals. U.S. concessions reportedly contemplated for a nuclear agreement with North Korea demonstrate this lesson has yet to be learned. Those reportedly now under consideration include the immediate removal of North Korea from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Yet, Pyongyang will not be required to fully declare and explain its assistance to the Syrian nuclear program or its uranium enrichment activities. There also are worrisome signs this agreement will have little verification of the assurances on plutonium offered by a North Korean regime that has repeatedly demonstrated a propensity for lying. One of Congress' basic responsibilities is to oversee the operations and actions of the Executive Branch. That includes foreign policy. The president has a similar responsibility to insist on vigorous verification of arms-control agreements. That is especially true for a state like North Korea, which has detonated a nuclear device and actively aided another rogue state's nuclear program. The Bush administration's failure to fully brief Congress on North Korea and Syria has done more than jeopardize the relationship between our two branches of government. It has denied the administration the benefit of congressional support that could have ensured an agreement with North Korea that avoided needless risks, instead of one that may be rushed, ill-conceived, and dangerous. Despite the administration's disregard for Congress, we will continue to do our duty and weigh any agreement presented to us on its merits. However, if the Bush administration hopes to achieve anything of worth in the balance of its term, it must take immediate steps to repair its relationship with Congress. We believe there is still time, and we stand ready to work with the President but as full partners to advance the interests of our nation. Reps. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida are, respectively, the senior Republican member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Copyright ? 2008 The Washington Times, LLC. Iran Presses Ahead With Proposed Natural Gas Cartel
By Patrick Goodenough
CNSNews.com International Editor
May 01, 2008
(CNSNews.com) - Iran has presented representatives of natural gas-exporting countries with proposals aimed at turning an existing informal forum into an OPEC-like structure. It dismissed U.S. objections to the plan as politically motivated.
The proposals were put forward at meetings in Tehran this week involving energy officials and exports from several key gas-exporting counties, including Russia, Algeria and Qatar. The countries met under the umbrella of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), a loose structure with no formal membership that was launched in Tehran in 2001.
About 15 gas-producing nations, collectively controlling almost three-quarters of the world's gas reserves and about 40 percent of gas production, have taken part in GECF meetings since then.
Iranian officials said the suggestions for a more formal structure would be discussed when the GECF holds an annual ministerial meeting in Moscow in June.
The official IRNA news agency reported that a draft "charter" for the envisaged gas body presented this week was drawn up along the lines of OPEC regulations.
The head of the Iranian delegation to the talks, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili -- who is also Iran's OPEC governor -- said the proposals included the establishment of a secretariat, likely to be based in Geneva or Vienna. OPEC has been headquartered in Vienna since 1965.
Russia, which has the world's largest natural gas reserves, first raised the "gas OPEC" idea in 2002, but since then it has displayed ambivalence, calling the idea "interesting" but also denying plans for a gas cartel.
While Iran, with the world's second-largest reserves, is taking the initiative, Russian media report that Moscow is promoting proposals of its own that differ somewhat from Iran's.
Both the United State and the European Union in the past have voiced opposition to the idea of a gas exporters' cartel that could manipulate or fix prices, and threaten security of supplies.
Tehran this week shrugged off the objections.
Deputy Oil Minister Ali Kordan, in an interview with Iran's Petroenergy Information Network, linked to the Ministry of Petroleum Web site, said U.S. opposition was "political" in nature.
Iran did not plan to use its economic resources as a weapon against mankind but to help the world, he said.
In its reports on the envisaged new organization, the Petroenergy Information Network uses the acronym OGEC.
Unlike the E.U., which already gets between one-quarter and half of its gas from Russia (with Algeria and Norway its other major suppliers), the U.S. is currently largely self-sufficient, but its gas usage is expected to grow significantly in the near future, with imports projected to rapidly increase.
The most outspoken opponent of a "gas OPEC" in the U.S. Congress has been Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
A year ago, she wrote a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging the administration to "make every effort to prevent this politically driven threat to the world's energy supply from being created."
Ros-Lehtinen cited Russia's use of its energy supplies to put political pressure on its Westward-looking former allies like Ukraine and Georgia, as well as Iran's stated interest in using the planned organization for political purposes - a stance enthusiastically backed by President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, another nation with gas reserves that would be likely to join.
Last July, the House unanimously passed a "sense of Congress" resolution, authored by Ros-Lehtinen, urging the U.S. and its allies to prevent the establishment of a natural gas cartel, which it said would be a threat to U.S. and world security.
With this week's developments in Tehran, Ros-Lehtinen issued a new statement Wednesday reiterating her concerns.
She said America should enlist the help of friendly nations that export oil to stop "this menace before it becomes a reality that, once established, may be with us forever."
Qatar could be key to the process. The small Gulf state is both friendly to the U.S. and a major natural gas player, with the world's third-largest reserves.
Speaking in Davos last January, Qatari Energy Minister Abdallah al-Attiyah cautioned that forming a gas cartel would not be a simple matter, because of the different ways that gas markets work.
Industry analysts note that, unlike oil that can be stockpiled, is shipped around the world by tanker, and can be rerouted easily, natural gas flows by direct pipeline between suppliers and specific consumer countries, and storage is difficult and expensive. (Liquefied natural gas is an exception as it can be stored and is transported by sea-going carrier. Still relatively small, global consumption of LNG is set to rise significantly in the coming years.)
Unlike the oil market, where cuts in output affect prices immediately, pricing for natural gas has usually been locked in in long-term contracts between buyers and sellers.
In her statement Wednesday, Ros-Lehtinen also said the U.S. should work with its allies to diversify natural gas sources and increase access to international markets through the construction of new pipelines.
Sincerely,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress |
May 2, 2008 - South Dakota - Kathy Zens: Cute Jokes That Can Be Told In Church. Larry - I received the following e-jokes today along with your newsletter. I got to thinking that maybe some of your readers would enjoy a joke or two from the list. I'm sure some will "see" their grandchildren in some of these. I know I did.
Sincerely, Kathy Zens, Beths' Mom Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 'Why is the bride dressed in white?'' The mother replied, 'Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.' The child thought about this for a moment then said, 'So why is the groom wearing black?'
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A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!'
While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!'
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Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.'
The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.'
The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!'
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An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'
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A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'
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A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem . A small child replied, 'They couldn't get a baby-sitter.'
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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?'
Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'
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At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.
Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, 'Johnny, what is the matter?' Little Johnny responded, 'I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.'
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Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, 'What do you think about all this Satan stuff?'
The other boy replied, 'Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad.'
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You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing! Take heed and pass these along to people who need a laugh. May 5, 2008 - US Congress - Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Energy Independence & Lower Gas Prices.
Dear Mr. Shaffer: As with millions of Americans, I am deeply troubled by the skyrocketing prices at the pump. In South Florida, the average cost of gasoline is $3.73 per gallon. A number of factors contribute to the soaring gas prices. Regardless of the reasons, working families are being hit hard by record prices at the pump. The purpose of this newsletter is to try and shed some light on why prices are so high, as well as to inform you of my work in Congress to address this important issue. I have also provided a few simple and cost-effective tips on how to reduce the amount of gas your car needs. I hope you find the following information helpful. Lowering Gas Prices and Reducing Dependence on Imported Oil We are now seeing record highs for the cost of crude oil, nearly $120 a barrel. The supply of crude oil around the world is not keeping pace with the burgeoning demand in such markets as China and India. Furthermore, oil-producing nations and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continue to limit production of oil in order to keep supplies tight and prices high. I have spoken out on numerous occasions against this form of economic extortion. I have also cautioned against the formation of a natural-gas cartel similar to OPEC. Last year, I authored a resolution (H.Res.500) that declared the establishment of a natural gas cartel to be a threat to U.S. national security interests. This resolution was passed in the House of Representatives in July 2007. I need your help in getting it passed through the Senate! Investing in our Energy Future I am a strong supporter of greater federal investment in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydrogen fuel cell power. Earlier this year, I voted in favor of landmark domestic energy legislation (H.R. 6) to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and increase its use of clean energy technologies. This bill also requires that automakers increase fuel efficiency for cars, pickup trucks and SUVs to an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020-the first increase in the federal auto fuel economy standard in 32 years. How to Beat High Gasoline Prices 1.Slow down. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying for an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas, as well. 2.Keep your car maintained and running smoothly. Regular tune-ups, clean air filters, properly inflated tires, and the right grade of oil ensures greater fuel efficiency. 3.Use your engine wisely. Avoid excessive idling, use of cruise control, and overdrive gears. 4.Be smart about driving. Carpool, utilize mass transit, or telecommute if possible. Sincerely,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress |
May 6, 2008 - Marathon - L. E. Shaffer: Marathon City Council Special Call Wastewater Meeting. The special call meeting was held at the airport Fire Station large meeting room. Several wastewater/stormwater project particulars needed discussed and voted. Photos are at http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/.
Financial wizard Cindy Lawson made a presentation to the council and those attending. WEC rep Ed Castle helped with project details. Ordinance 2008-10 adopts wastewater service rules and regulations. This ordinance led to lengthy discussions and public comments. The discussions also addressed wastewater utility operations and maintenance issues.
Operations and maintenance included cost estimates, staffing, and whether to hire in-house or contract operators.
Staff drafted testing protocols and procedures. Councilman Cinque was worried about placing more cost burdens on residents. New piping tests are covered under the contractor. Existing piping must be inspected to prevent leaks due to age or rain/high tide events.
Mandatory connections and utility bill was next up for discussion. A one-year notice will be sent out to all residents. Thirty days prior to system availability, a notice will be sent. Other timing aspects were discussed. The timeframe before code enforcement becomes necessary would be 150 days. Councilmen Cinque and Vasil objected to that timeframe. They suggested 360 days, which passed later on. All rates and fees will be set by resolution.
Fifteen employees would be needed to operate and maintain the system. Staff recommended in-house that would ensure control, low liability, and provide local jobs. Council opted for putting out an RFP for contracted operation and maintenance.
Public input was taken from Fred Endemann, John Whalton, Dolly Sadowski, and Bill Snoberger.
The council passed Ordinance 2008-10 with Vasil dissenting. May 7, 2008 - Marathon - Jeri Sears: Earth Day Raffle Thank You & President's Letter. Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys would like to thank everyone that donated prizes to Save-A-Turtle for our raffle that was held at Bahia Honda State Park for the Earth Day Celebration on April 12, 2008. The money generated will go to helping Our Friends the Sea Turtles through educational materials and donations to sea turtle research.
Sincerely,
Members of Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys
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Dear Supporters of Our Marine Turtles:
Our May meeting was well attended. We had about 30 people for our general meeting. Our guest speaker was David E. Vaughan, PH.D. from the Mote Marine Laboratory in Summerland Key. Dr. Vaughan gave a very interesting presentation on our coral reefs.
Our guest speaker for the June 2nd meeting will be Douglas Mader, MS, DVM from the Marathon Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Mader is one of the leading veterinarians for sea turtles. Dr. Mader is a Save-A-Turtle member.
Beach Report – Coco Plum 4 crawls with 1 nest and Sombrero 3 crawls and 1 nest. (Good start for Marathon)
We hope to see all of you at our monthly meetings that are held on the first Monday of each month at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. The board meeting starts at 6:30 PM followed by our general meeting at 7:30.
Have a safe month!
Jeri Sears
President of Save-A-Turtle
jermax_1@msn.com May 8/9/12/13, 2008 - Upper Keys - L. E. Shaffer: Woods Corner is Just About Ready for Residents to Move in. Photos are at http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/. Photos by Rick Casey. The only sources used to verify and confirm elements in this opinion piece were from the city of Islamorada, Monroe County agencies, and a number of state entities. Of course, this is my own opinion even if sourced and my opinion only. This workforce housing community could have been in place near the beginning of the year. The fault is squarely on city government in Islamorada and somewhat Monroe County. I noticed how Marathon waives fees, helps with permits, and seemingly cooperates in every way. Monroe County keeps delaying SHIP money. Islamorada has been an unmitigated nightmare. Beware of those trying to give you a helping hand. As I have written before, workforce affordable housing success takes land, money, and cooperation. The Land Trust bought most of the land for more than it was worth due to the city's inability to move properly on that element. The Land Trust got the money together in spite of that. The city's cooperation has not been close. At every point roadblocks were put into place by the city. Islamorada hired the Land Trust to help them with their workforce housing crisis, but they did not put anything into it, not one cent. Even their land contribution was conveyed to them without cost. I am very disappointed with city government in Islamorada. Beware of those who want to help you. What is the Land Trust's reward for eating everything that Islamorada was supposed to provide, the city council will cancel the non-profit Land Trust contract and blame the delays on them. The facts are disturbingly against the city. City councilpersons take credit for an affordable housing success putting them back into their positions after recent elections. The success, though, was engineered solely by the Land Trust in spite of the city's failure to connect sewers when required. The Land Trust carried the interest and debt on the workforce housing project in spite of the city's refusal to waive fees that are waived everywhere else in the county. The Land Trust did not pass on the increasing costs to the workforce families, which it could have. Those costs and infrastructure failures were squarely the responsibility of the city. Beware of local government that wants to help and support your efforts. The city failed to provide a fire hydrant and other city-required items and insisted that the Land Trust pay for it. The city council doesn't care in the least that they are holding up workforce families waiting to move in to their new homes provided by the Land Trust. Workforce families gave notice to landlords and depended on the Islamorada city council closing the deal, but no, those families are still waiting to move in. Where is all that rush to get workforce housing built to save at least 16 Islamorada workforce families? Where is all that help and assistance the Islamorada city council promised? The Islamorada city council can brag about not spending a dime, while the seed money the non-profit Land Trust needs for the next project is gone. Don't worry though. The Land Trust will continue to build workforce housing, even if delayed by the deleterious machinations of the Islamorada city council. While the Islamorada city council is solely for themselves, at least 16 workforce families were saved for the city's human infrastructure due primarily to the Land Trust. The Land Trust will go on to other successes regardless of Islamorada's contract or not. Beware of those promising you everything if only you will contract with them for affordable housing. Every time the Islamorada city council whined about delays and various problems, they simply ignored the fact that those delays and problems were caused by themselves. Go ahead, cancel the contract. Further exacerbate the next Land Trust workforce family housing project. Make no mistake, that is what the city council is purposely doing, and they know it. Despite all these things and more not mentioned, the Land Trust will go on no matter what roadblocks or how much time it takes to get past those organizations like the Islamorada city council that wanted to "help" the Land Trust. Lordy, lordy, save us from such "help" and "assistance". L. E. Shaffer
Marathon Florida Keys Journal Editor/Publisher May 9, 2008 - Florida Keys - Provided by Pete Worthington: FIRM 2008 Legislative Session Review. | Final Session NEWS From Tallahassee !! |
Last week was the "final week" of the 2008 Florida State Legislature's 9 week session. FIRM representatives attended the session for the week, and monitored the Senate's insurance bill 2860 with a FIRM eye on any new legislation that impacts all residents of Monroe County. Among the items we risked losing (sounds like insurance terms to me) were the ability to purchase wind-only policies, changes in premium rates, and the possibility of going back to "use and file" status- meaning forcing increased premium bills to be paid before the insurance company rate filings can be approved or disapproved by the OIR (think Florida Peninsula). Because of your membership and financial support, a few FIRM board members were able to spend the week reviewing the insurance bill data, working with experts to make our best case argument, and effectively lobbying with the House and Senate members to achieve our goals. They know who FIRM is up there in Tallahassee, and they are willing to listen to us. The GOOD news is that Citizens Property Insurance Co. (CPIC) will still provide wind-only policies; our current reduced roll-back rates will remain in effect through 2009; and, the "use and file" policy continues to be repealed until January 1, 2010. Further, the new bill eliminates the "code plus" building requirements for properties within 2500 feet of the coast. These properties will be required to meet the current Florida Building Code to 150 mph winds, which is the strictest state building code distinction. CPIC (Citizen's Insurance Co) will insure up to $2 million in stated value coverage on residences. Monroe has the toughest building codes in the state while many other coastal counties had very weak or no building codes. That is all changing!! Hurricane damage in these areas is paid for by all of us in increased premiums, so tougher building codes means less damage incurred by all policy holders statewide. FIRM helped achieve success in the most important parts of the bill. There is more work to do to ensure that Monroe County is continually treated with fairness and equity. The FIRM team and its members represented our county in Tallahassee and made our collective presence known. We are literally the mouse that roared !! Upon returning from the Capitol, FIRM immediately began a strategy to examine the hurricane models that insurance companies use to determine our rates and to strengthen Monroe County's position in preparation for the 2009 Florida State Legislative session. We are presently working on the condo rate situation.
FIRM continues to need and appreciate ALL your support. As long as there are legislative policies that are only temporarily extended, there will be work to be done and FIRM will be there for you. We sincerely appreciate and thank all of you, our FIRM members!!
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May 11, 2008 - Georgia - “A China Syndrome for Pet Lovers  and others” In the months since the pet food fiasco it has been found that many other things that are produced in China are less than expected. Now you cannot even trust the toys for your pets or children. I could really care less about our debt to China which according to the powers that be is the reason we cannot hold their feet to the fire. It is interesting that the United States can be held responsible for anything that goes wrong with our products up and to their being banned from several countries if they are found lacking. Lead Paint has been banned from use on anything that might be swallowed or ingested by humans for 50 years. I might add that I fault the American Companies who did not have written specks on the toys that they contracted to be made in China or at least specified the types of paint that could be used just in case there was a question. It seems that the problem according to those in the know is not that the debt owed to China is the problem but the legal system. How do we hold them responsible in our justice system. What about the American Companies that did not bother to properly check out the products they were having made in China. Seems to me that if they were held responsible for their products it would make made in America a more viable alternative. Unfortunately, that is never going to happen with the business leaders controlling what happens in our country these day. The bottom
line is profits no matter how they get them. Mattel is a prime example of what can happen. Even with this wake up call many manufacturers are still standing with their heads in the sand refusing to believe that they need to test for lead paint, formaldehyde release from fabrics and heavy metals. Although, China has attracted much of the attention in the past year it is not just in pet foods and toys but other products. There have also been recalls which include India and several Central America countries. Slowing the growth in Chinese contract manufacturing may not be in the future because too many U.S. companies have far too much invested in overseas production. It is a funny coincidence that the American consumer will blame the local store at which they purchased the product not the real culprits the manufacturer. This whole mess has left the retailers pondering whether the recent recalls of Chinese made products are a separate issue or just a part of a larger problem. Is the shift a part of the larger problem and if so there will eventually be a backlash from the buying public. If you believe in healthy pet products, toys and pet food ask questions is it is your right. Raise a ruckus and get what you pay for when you buy. If something isn’t right call that 800 number or write that letter. Keep their feet to the fire. May 12, 2008 - Marathon - Jacque Setmayer: Please adopt Yanny. Photos by Jacque Setmayer. Photos are at http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/. Yanny (Yanmar) was rescued from a boatyard here in Marathon. He was covered in oils and grease and hardly had any fur at all. His skin was raw and full of red bumps. I picked him up and took him home, as he had such a excellent personality and loves people. It took me 6 months to get him straightened out. He wore one of those big collars so that he could not bite or scratch his skin. Finally I had allergy tests done, and he is allergic to almost everything especially fleas. When I got him he had no fleas, his skin was so bad the fleas didn't even want him.
Yanny is a Main Coon Cat and needs a home very badly. He has a beautiful full coat now and has had no breakouts in 5 months. He eats a special diet of ZD can food and nothing else and needs to be an inside cat. I have to the 21st of May to find him a for real home. I have had him for a year now and have run out of places to keep him. He has been thru so much and he still has a wonderful main coon personality. He is a 18 lb neutered male. All test have been done, been wormed and loves to be brushed. He is between 3-5 years of age. He loves to play. There is more to his story, if you are interested in Yanny or in fostering him for me, please call me at 743-2876 day or night. Thank you! Jacque Setmayer. May 13, 2008 – Marathon – L. E. Shaffer: Marathon City Council held its regular meeting at Marathon Government Center EOC Room. Photos are located at http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/.
Council approved the agenda and consent agenda. An asterisk marks consent items [*].
Proclamations, Special Recognitions and Awards
1. Mayor Worthington presented the Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation.
Citizens' comments at time certain of 6:30 PM:
1. Lynda Berrigan spoke on staging areas. She represents a vocal few and not the residents of Marathon. She is for herself and the few of her friends she claims. One friend was identified as Randy Webb. Additionally, Lynda Berrigan has yet to apologize to Planning Commissioner Shaffer for calling him a liar in public.
2. Fred Endemann requested the upcoming sewer meeting be televised. Of course, this is the same group who wants taxes reduced yet again beyond the city’s capability to safely operate.
Special Orders and Presentations
1. City Manager Clyde Burnett presented his report.
a. Burnett covered an array of routine staff reports, meetings, and other announcements.
b. Staff provided a written wastewater update report.
c. Tabitha Young, representing Survival of the Fittest concert, requested city council approval to sell beer/wine at their May 24th Community Park event.
2. City Attorney Jimmy Morales presented his monthly report.
3. City Attorney Jimmy Morales requested an executive session for litigation update for June 10th 4 PM.
City Council Items
1. *Council approved previous meeting minutes. Items marked with an asterisk [*] are consent items approved when the agenda is approved.
2. Council appointed Claude Halioua to the Planning Commission appointment.
3. Councilman Bull made his appointment Rich Jones to the Near Shore Waters Committee.
4. Councilman Vasil led discussion on city manager vehicle. In general, the council directed to reduce energy consumption in vehicles and utilities through attrition. Michael Welber spoke about concerns about the city manager vehicle being a SUV.
5. Vice Mayor Bull led the discussion on the Marathon Manor. He reported on progress on possible uses of Marathon Manor, possibly affordable housing and city hall offices. Kevin Woodland against putting city hall at the Marathon Manor. Karen Wilkinson is against affordable housing at the Marathon Manor, because sewers should be the focus. She is in favor of slowing down. Her elitist comments do not represent the silent majority of Marathon residents.
6. Mayor Worthington led the discussion on building a handball court in the city park. Vice Mayor Bull spoke about the difficulties in placing a handball court in the existing footprint that would be safe and viable. Ginger Sands is not in favor.
Ordinances for Public Hearing
1. Council approved Carlisle Group’s Sea Grape minor condition use permit for the 84-unit affordable housing apartment complex located on Overseas Highway at approximately 71st Street, Ocean Marathon Shores, Edmonds Acreage Tract, nearest mile marker 51. Acting Planning Director gave staff report. Planning Commission denied minor conditional use requested due to the inability of the developer to complete the project in a timely manner as required by the Comprehensive Plan and prior city council timeline. Carlisle Group Lloyd Boggio spoke for the developer. Affordable Housing and Land Acquisition Committees Representative Frank Greenman recommended approval. Diana Jones says a traffic light is needed, because the Aviation Boulevard and US1 intersection kills people. City Attorney Jimmy Morales explained the legal issues involved.
Resolutions for Public Hearing
1. Resolution 2008-78 directed and authorized the city’s acquisition of the Little Venice Wastewater Utility Facilities owned now by FKAA. Community Services Director reported on the acquisition history. WEC Ed Castle reported on acquisition details. Financial Specialist Cindy Lawson reported that the money involved is essentially the current debt service. The net is about $2 million. That will be paid from a $10 million loan previously approved for wastewater/stormwater issues.
Resolutions for Adoption
1. Resolution 2008-62 asked and encouraged Marathon residents to conserve energy and protect the local environment by becoming more environmentally conscious, recommending five steps to take now to begin the process of reducing personal energy consumption Resolution 2008-79, directing city staff to conduct a cost analysis and feasibility study of having some or all of the city hall offices located at the new fire station. The motion was amended to remove “or all” from the resolution. Karen Wilkinson scolded the council, but she was really out of order. No – Mayor Worthington.
2. *Resolution 2008-80 authorized the BAT Construction contract for the Marathon Marina Boardwalk Project for $81,127.
3. *Resolution 2008-81 authorized Siemens Water Technologies for the purchase of SBR treatment plant for Service Area 6 wastewater treatment plant for $1,878,826.
4. *Resolution 2008-82 authorized Airvac Inc contract for the purchase of vacuum station equipment for Service Area # 6 wastewater treatment plants for $276,040.
Citizens' comments:
1. Fred Endemann spoke on wastewater/stormwater issues as normal. He is a persistent and frequent. Mayhap, he is running for city council? Actually, his rhetoric is beginning to fade into the white noise on the order of Joanie Nelson.
Council comments:
1. Vice Mayor Bull spoke on the dog park presented to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
2. Mayor Worthington said that he would always do what is good for Marathon residents.
3. Councilman Vasil asked for more participation.
4. Councilwoman Tempest encouraged people to check out the city website at http://MarathonFlorida.org.
5. Councilman Cinque encouraged people to get involved in city issues.
Adjournment
1. 9:01 PM May 15, 2008 - US Congress - Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Ros-Lehtinen Supports Quality Education for All Students.
Dear Mr. Shaffer: Making sure that our students have access to a meaningful education is one of my fundamental goals. As a former educator, I have been proud to support our students through my work in the United States House of Representatives and look forward to continuing this tradition. Strengthening Education At An Early Age I recently co-sponsored an exciting bill aimed at supporting the youngest of our students. H.R. 4449, the Prescribe a Book Act - establishes a Pediatric Early Literacy program to have health care providers encourage parents to read aloud to their children. The program also will have health care providers give each child between the ages of six months and five-years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep. By engaging parents with their children's educational development from an early age, we can foster better students as they grow and mature. I voted in favor of The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act. This legislation provides comprehensive child-development services to more than 20 million low-income children and their families to promote school readiness. This is an important step in strengthening our children's developmental education. Having children begin their schooling early ensures that they are prepared and eager to face the challenges that await them in life as well as in the classroom. Ensuring Access To A Higher Education No one can deny the crisis in rapidly escalating college costs. With my two daughters currently away at university I know this fact all too well. On behalf of students and families, I will continue to work to make college more affordable. I voted in favor of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act, H.R. 5715. This will give the Department of Education the authority to purchase student loans from lenders, increase the unsubsidized Stafford loan limit, and provide an optional grace period so that parents can defer certain loan payments until after their children graduate. I am also a supporter of House passed H.R. 4137, The College Opportunity and Affordability Act. This legislation makes college credits easier to transfer, strengthens Pell Grants, and simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These are all positive steps and action must continue. I will remain a strong advocate for our children and their education here in Congress and with your support we can guarantee our students receive only the best that we can offer. Thank you, and let us keep education a priority for of our families and our community! Sincerely,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress |
May 18, 2008 - California - Linda Hall: Vitamin D Newsletter.
 The Vitamin D Newsletter April 2008 1. Dear Dr. Cannell: I am a 54 year old obese African American woman who started my vitamin D journey by taking 2,000 IU/day. Being obese, over 350 pounds, that amount of supplementation didn't do much for me. I eventually increased my supplementation to 300,000 IU/day for 8 months. I have severe SAD; vitamin D has helped my SAD and gave me more strength and flexibility. When I saw my doctor my 25[OH]D was 242 ng/ml, with normal calcium. My doctor advised me to stop supplementing with vitamin D or to cut my dose in half. Over the years I developed degenerative arthritis in my knees. Finally my knees deteriorated to the point of bone rubbing on bone. Shortly thereafter, my specialist advised knee replacements. That is when I started injecting vitamin D directly into the area around my knees. The pain went away almost immediately but it took much longer for my mobility to come back. Now I can walk more easily for long distances and without pain. I did cut my dose down but was still taking about 100,000 - 150,000 IU of vitamin D3/week and injecting my knees monthly with 300,000 IU. My last 25[OH]D was 462/mg/ml, again with normal calcium levels. That's when I decided to stop taking the vitamin D3 unless I start to feel under the weather. At the end of March last year I weighed 347 pounds; in October I weighed 292 pounds. As long as my calcium is normal, is it OK to keep taking these amounts of vitamin D? Will injecting into my knees hurt me? Fay, Washington, D.C. Dear Fay: No, it is not OK to take that amount of vitamin D and injecting it into your knees is a first for me. The first sign of vitamin D toxicity is hypercalcuria (excess calcium in the urine), not hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood). As vitamin D must be transported in the blood to be hydroxylated by the liver, you should get the same effect for your knees by injecting it in your elbows and I don't recommend either. The amount of vitamin D you are taking and your 25(OH)D levels indicate you will calcify your internal organs, starting with your kidneys. I advise you get you 25(OH)D down to less than 100 ng/ml by immediately stopping all vitamin D and staying out of the sun. I'm glad you have lost so much weight and there is reason to think vitamin D will induce weight loss. However, one does not need the doses you are using to induce weight loss. Fay, what you are doing is experimenting with vitamin D as a pharmaceutical agent, not a supplement. It may be that future studies will show pharmaceutical doses of vitamin D (50,000 IU per day) have a treatment effect is certain diseases but, to date, no studies support what you are doing and other studies indicate you are taking toxic doses of vitamin D. Again, stop your vitamin D and stay out of the sun. 2. Dear Dr. Cannell: I have pericarditis and retired about 3 months ago. Once I started getting out and sunbathing in my bathing suit my symptoms disappeared!! Thank you very much. When I went to my doctor, he was amazed at my improvement but refused to believe sunshine had anything to do with it. He said he had never heard of sunshine curing pericarditis! Jeanne, San Diego, CA Dear Jeanne: No, like your doctor I have never heard of it either, but unlike your doctor I believe it is possible the sunlight cured your pericarditis. The majority of cases of pericarditis are infectious with viruses the most common agent. Sunlight will trigger formation of antimicrobial peptides, which are potent and broad spectrum antibiotics. Anyone who takes more than 2,000 IU per day knows that lower respiratory infections are less common and by sunbathing in your bathing suit your were getting about 10,000 IU per day. 3. Dear Dr. Cannell: For as long as I can remember I have been subject to missed heart systolic beats. I went to a heart specialist about it. He did ECG, etc. and told me that he thought anxiety might be involved as he had the same thing once . In any case my missed systole happened anytime, anxiety or no anxiety. When I got the message from you that vitamin D was involved in heart action I started taking 2000 IU a day. The missed systole stopped after about two months and it is no longer with me. Was it the vitamin D? Dan, Seattle, Washington Dear Dan: I don't know. If your vitamin D level was low enough to affect you blood calcium the vitamin D would help that. Without 25(OH)D levels, there is no way of knowing what your level was or if your level is in the ideal range now. I personally know of a patient with severe heart disease who refused to go to the hospital. He was on standard medical therapy plus 5,000 IU per day. However, both his severe congestive heart failure and his arrhythmia improved after he started taking 10,000 IU per day. A case report found sick sinus syndrome disappeared after vitamin D. Other than the case report, I'm not aware of any literature on the subject, one way or the other. Kessel L. Sick sinus syndrome cured by ... vitamin D? Geriatrics. 1990 Aug;45 (8):83-5. 4. Dear Dr. Cannell: Personally, I am at 6000 IU per day. After taking 4000 IU per day for 2 months I was still deficient at 15. So based on my weight (285 pounds) I bumped it up. And I haven't had a cold or flu in over 2 years. No bronchitis either and my bronchitis usually bothers me all winter. Thank you. What can I do to help spread the word? Bill, Boston, Massachusetts Dear Bill: Your case highlights the need to get repeat blood tests. I've been surprised at just how ineffective supplementation can be, especially in obese patients. One has to supplement, get 25(OH)D blood test, adjust supplementation, get another level, etc. Many obese people will need 10,000 IU per day to obtain a level of 50 ng/ml, but getting a 25(OH)D is the only way to know how much you need to take. And, levels will go higher in the summer due to incidental sun exposure. It is becoming widely known that adequate doses of vitamin D helps prevent colds and flu. I'm proud of the fact that the first time such a finding was ever published in the world's literature, it was published in this newsletter. As far a helping is concerned, the Vitamin D Council would like to run a national advertising campaign. We did run three ads in parts of California to the tune of $4,800. You can see the three ads on our YouTube Channel. We would like to run them all around the country but that would cost more than $200,000.00. We need contributions before we can run anymore. 5. Dear Dr. Cannell: I seem to be reacting to Vitamin D pills even at the 400 IU level with dry eye and mouth. Please address overdose symptoms for Vitamin D as any good advice column should do. Can you also address what a person like me should do to absorb Vitamin D supplements? Can a person get Vitamin D from the tanning machines? I hope you take my recommendations to heart. Your web site is valuable and could be more helpful to all. Roberta, Fairfield CT Dear Roberta: The symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are weakness, nausea, vomiting, pain in the joints, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The patient may experience constipation alternating with diarrhea, or have tingling sensations in the mouth. The toxic dose of vitamin D depends on its frequency. In infants, a single dose of 15 mg (600,000 IU) or greater may be toxic, and has to exceed .5 mg (20,000 IU) per day over a prolonged period to be toxic in infants. In adults, a daily dose of 1.0-2.0 mg (40,000 - 80,000) of vitamin D may be toxic when consumed for a prolonged period. A single dose of about 50 mg (2,000,000 IU) or greater is probably toxic for adults. The immediate effect of an overdose of vitamin D is abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting, not dry mouth and eyes . Toxic doses of vitamin D taken over a prolonged period of time result in deposits of calcium crystals in the soft tissues of the body that may damage the heart, lungs, and kidneys. For people who have trouble with supplements, I recommend sunbathing during the warmer months and sun tanning parlors in the colder months. Yes, sun tanning parlors make vitamin D, the most is made by the older type beds. Another possibility is a Sperti vitamin D lamp. 6. Dear Dr. Cannell: After reading your previous newsletter, I looked for and found a definite correlation between the average UV radiation in a state and the number of quality athletes the state produces per million population. Hawaii is way in front and the southern states way ahead of northern states. I've also found a correlation of multiple super bowl appearances/wins with team geographic UV radiation. I've also found a correlation between the per capita number of PGA golfers (with most annual wins) and UV radiation (not published yet). Thought you might find my website of interest: Sunshine and Peak Performance. Tonis, Greensboro, NC Dear Tonis: Good work. And once again, the first reference in the world's literature that vitamin D will help athletes was published by this newsletter. Can you imagine what will happen in professional sports when athletes realize that vitamin D improves their speed, strength, timing and quickness? 7. Dear Dr. Cannell: I am not able to raise my 25(OH)D levels past 38 nm/L and I am on 8,000 IU D3 a day now! (trying for 2 years) I have gut issues. So, I am thinking that maybe Calderol or Dedrogyl might be appropriate .Can you lead me to links on that aspect? I have fibromyalgia and osteoporosis. I would like to talk about this with my doctor. Mary, Quebec, Canada Dear Mary: You didn't give your weight so I don't know if you're not absorbing it or it is depositing itself in fat tissues. I suspect you are not absorbing it. The two prescription items you mentioned, Calderol and Dedrogyl, are both 25(OH)D. Although they are effective, there is no reason to use them unless your liver is not hydroxylating vitamin D. I suspect that your level would be fine if you started using a sun tan parlor twice a week. Or, you could go to 10,000 - 15,000 IU per day. However, at that dose, you should get your 25(OH)D level checked every four months. For malabsorption syndromes, a sun tanning parlor once or twice a week is ideal or a home vitamin D lamp like Sperti. 8. Dear Dr. Cannell: Thank you! I have been reading quite a bit on Vitamin D deficiency on your website. Very, very interesting! Thank you too, for the great work you're doing in getting the word out! I'll be spending a lot more time on the shores of Lake Mich. again this summer! I'm also supplementing with D this winter. About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with COPD, I had a respiratory incident last fall and was hospitalized and after that I started taking 5000 IU per day. I want you to know that I ran up the steps from the mail box this morning and yesterday morning. I haven't done that in years. I am a 55 year old female who smoked for almost 30 years. Very anecdotal but it's happening. I can breathe deeper too. I don't know how I can thank you. Debbie, South Bend, IN Dear Debbie: COPD appears to respond to vitamin D in two ways. It improves pulmonary function through an unknown mechanism and it prevents lower respiratory infections that usually exacerbate underlying lung disease. As far as helping, we need donations in order to run a national TV advertising campaign. 9. Dear Dr. Cannell: I have been taking 10,000 IU vitamin D per day for over three years and my arthritis and prostate cancer are gone (at least my PSA returned to normal) and I am paddling my canoe and starting to run again and feel much stronger now. I had my 80 birthday this July. Thank you for your website and newsletter. I think I'd literally be dead without it. Frank, Waterbury, CT Dear Frank: You're welcome. While there are no interventional trials using vitamin D in arthritis, cross sectional and longitudinal epidemiological studies suggest it would have a treatment effect. Professor Reinhold Vieth, in an open trial, discovered that 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day slowed the rate of growth of PSA. Other men with prostate cancer have written to me that their PSA returned to normal with higher doses of vitamin D although it takes up to a year. 10. Dear Dr. Cannell: I'm a physician and many of my patients have difficulty getting a normal 25(OH)D, even with 4,000 Units per day over 4 months. Did you read anything about resistance to vitamins D supplementation? Thank you for all your work. A bit of good news: in France the labs have put up the normal level of blood vitamins D from 20 ng/ml to 30 ng/ml. Doctor Philippe, Paris, France. Dear Dr. Philippe: The resistance is probably due to the relatively low dose and patient's body fat. Many larger adults need 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day to get adequate levels. I'm glad they have increased the lower limit in France. However, it should be 40 and not 30. Remember Bruce Hollis, in a crucial paper, showed that the kinetics of vitamin D's metabolism is not normalized until levels are above 40 and often 50. His discovery is compelling evidence that levels of 40-50 represent the lower limit of the ideal human range. Hollis BW, Wagner CL, Drezner MK, Binkley NC. Circulating vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in humans: An important tool to define adequate nutritional vitamin D status. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2007 Mar;103 (3-5):631-4. Epub 2007 Jan 10. 11. Dear Dr. Cannell: I am a family physician in Edmonton, Alberta Canada I was fascinated by the information regarding plausible causation of autism and vitamin D and would love to have more information on this. Over the past two years testing and then repleting patients with vitamin D has revolutionized my practice with so many conditions improving. I have been absolutely astonished at how many different diseases respond. Dr. Gerry, Edmonton, Canada Dear Dr. Gerry: You are not alone. One of the Kaiser hospitals in California is now drawing 25(OH)D levels on all of their subscribers. I know of at least 10 clinics doing the same and treating with adequate doses of vitamin D. They all report that a wide variety of diseases respond. The one exception is advanced cancers and that is to be expected as poorly differentiated cancers lose the ability to activate vitamin D and lose the vitamin D receptor. However, if I had an advanced cancer, I'd still take 20,000 IU per day. As far as autism goes, I have been unable to interest any autism researchers, even those drawing routine blood of the children, and even at my alma mater, UNC School of Medicine. I continue to believe that gestational and/or early childhood vitamin D deficiency is a major cause of autism. My paper is being distributed this month although I doubt any researchers will act on it. Cannell JJ. Autism and vitamin D. Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(4):750-9. Epub 2007 Oct 24. 12. Dear Dr. Cannell: I am a pain management physician in Grand Rapids MI. and I prescribe a lot of vitamin D. Typically I write for 50,000 IU as a weekly tablet and dispense this to a lot of my elderly patients with osteoporosis. Occasionally one of them takes it daily because they cannot or do not read their label on the bottle. My most recent patient to do this is a 75 y/o female about weighing 250 pounds. She has had non-healing venous stasis ulcers in bilateral lower extremities for over 5 years despite the best efforts of the local wound care clinic. When she received her prescription for vitamin D she proceeded to take it daily until all 13 tabs were gone. When I saw her at her next visit we caught her mistake, wrote her for a new RX and made sure she knew how to take it. However, since her accidental overdose, the wounds have started healing! The one on her left leg is completely healed and the right one is closing rapidly. Do you think the vitamin D could have had something to do with this? Dr. Mark, Grand Rapids MI. Dear Dr. Mark: I don't know but this is another example of the use of pharmaceutical doses of vitamin D (this one by mistake). Vitamin D upregulates antimicrobial peptides in the skin, which promote healing. After World War One, solariums were common treatment for non-healing war wounds. I think you should measure 25(OH)D levels on all your patients. If you do, I think you'll find that 50,000 IU per week is giving your patients levels between 50 and 70 ng/ml, which is fine. 13. Dear Dr. Cannell: I understand Dr. Marshall conducted a study and found vitamin D is bad for you. What kind of study did he do? Mary, Minneapolis, Minnesota Dear Mary: I have been inundated with letters asking about Professor Marshall's recent "discovery." Some have written that to say they have stopped their vitamin D and are going to avoid the sun in order to begin the "Marshall protocol." The immediate cause of this angst is two publications, a press article in Science Daily about Professor Marshall's "study" (which is no study but simply an opinion) in BioEssays. Dr. Trevor Marshall has two degrees, both in electrical engineering. Before I begin, I want to again remind you that I am a psychiatrist who works at a state mental hospital. In my duty to full disclosure, I must say that I have known a lot of psychiatrists in my life and a few electrical engineers. If I knew nothing else of a disagreement between two people but their professions, I would believe the electrical engineer, not the psychiatrist. In reading his two articles, Dr. Marshall's main hypotheses are simple. (1) Vitamin D from sunlight is different than vitamin D from supplements. (2) Vitamin D is immunosuppressive and the low blood levels of vitamin D found in many chronic diseases are the result of the disease and not the cause. (3) Taking vitamin D will harm you, that is, vitamin D will make many diseases worse, not better. If you read his blog, you discover that the essence of the Marshall protocol is: "An angiotensin II receptor blocker medication, Benicar, is taken, and sunlight, bright lights and foods and supplements with vitamin D are diligently avoided. This enables the body's immune system, with the help of small doses of antibiotics, to destroy the intracellular bacteria. It can take approximately one to three years to destroy all the bacteria." That is, Dr. Marshall has his "patients" become very vitamin D deficient. Again, Dr. Marshall conducted no experiment and published no study. He wrote an essay. He presented no evidence for his first hypothesis (sunlight's vitamin D is different than supplements). From all that we know, cholecalciferol is cholecalciferol, regardless if it is made in the skin or put in the mouth. His second hypothesis is certainly possible and that is why all scientists who do association studies warn readers that they don't know what is causing what. Certainly, when low levels of vitamin D are found in certain disease states, it is possible that the low levels are the result, and not the cause, of the disease. Take patients with severe dementia bedridden in a nursing home. At least some of their low 25(OH)D levels are likely the result of confinement and lack of outdoor activity. However, did dementia cause the low vitamin D levels or did low 25 (OH)D contribute to the dementia? One way to look at that question is to look at early dementia, before the patient is placed in a nursing home. On the first day an older patient walks into a neurology clinic, before being confined to a nursing home, what is the relationship between vitamin D levels and dementia? The answer is clear, the lower your 25(OH)D levels the worse your cognition. Wilkins CH, Sheline YI, Roe CM, Birge SJ, Morris JC. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low mood and worse cognitive performance in older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;14 (12):1032-40. Przybelski RJ, Binkley NC. Is vitamin D important for preserving cognition? A positive correlation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with cognitive function. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2007 Apr 15;460(2):202-5. Epub 2007 Jan 8. These studies suggest that the low 25(OH)D levels are contributing to the dementia but do not prove it. Only a randomized controlled trial will definitively answer the question, a trial that has not been done. So you will have to decide if vitamin D is good for your brain or not. Dr. Marshall seems to be saying demented patients should lower their 25(OH)D levels. Keep in mind, an entire chapter in Feldman's textbook is devoted to the ill effects low vitamin D levels have on brain function. Brachet P, et al. Vitamin D, a neuroactive hormone: from brain development to pathological disorders. In Feldman D., Pike JW, Glorieux FH, eds. Vitamin D. San Diego : Elsevier, 2005. It is true that in some diseases, high doses of vitamin D may be harmful. For example, in the early part of last century, the AMA specifically excluded pulmonary TB from the list of TB infections that ultraviolet light helps. They did so because many of the early pioneers of solariums reported that acutely high doses of sunlight caused some patients with severe pulmonary TB to bleed to death. Thus, these pioneers developed very conservative sun exposure regimes for pulmonary TB patients in which small areas of the skin were progressively exposed to longer and longer periods of sunlight. Using this method, sunlight helped pulmonary TB, often to the point of a cure. Furthermore, it is well known that sunlight can cause high blood calcium in patients with sarcoidosis. In fact, sarcoidosis is one of several granulomatous diseases with vitamin D hypersensitivity where the body loses its ability to regulate activated vitamin D production, causing hypercalcemia. Cronin CC, et al. Precipitation of hypercalcaemia in sarcoidosis by foreign sun holidays: report of four cases. Postgrad Med J. 1990 Apr; 66 (774):307-9. Furthermore, although medical science is not yet convinced, some common autoimmune diseases may have an infectious etiology. I recently spoke at length with a rheumatologist who suffers from swollen and painful joints whenever he sunbathes or takes high doses of vitamin D. As long as he limits his vitamin D input his joints are better. To the extent vitamin D upregulates naturally occurring antibiotics of innate immunity, sunlight or vitamin D supplements may cause the battlefield (the joints) to become hot spots. I know of no evidence this is the case but it is certainly possible. However, If Dr. Marshall's principal hypothesis is correct, that low vitamin D levels are the result of disease, then he is saying that cancer causes low vitamin D levels, not the other way around. The problem is that Professor Joanne Lappe directly disproved that theory in a randomized controlled trial when she found that baseline vitamin D levels were strong and independent predictors of who would get cancer in the future. The lower your levels, the higher the risk. Furthermore, increasing baseline levels from 31 to 38 ng/ml reduced incident cancers by more than 60% over a four year period. Therefore, advising patients to become vitamin D deficient, as the Marshall protocol clearly does, will cause some patients to die from cancer. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, Recker RR, Heaney RP. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun; 85(6):1586-91. I will not write again about Dr. Marshall's theories. No one in the vitamin D field takes him seriously. Personally, I admire anyone willing to swim against the tide and raise alternative theories. I have done the same with influenza and autism. However, I agree with the New York Times, An Oldie Vies for Nutrient of the Decade and Jane Brody's conclusion, "In the end, you will have to decide for yourself how much of this vital nutrient to consume each and every day and how to obtain it." I agree. You will have to decide for yourself. John Cannell, MD
The Vitamin D Council This is a periodic newsletter from the Vitamin D Council, a non-profit trying to end the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency. This newsletter is not copyrighted. Please reproduce it and post it on Internet sites. Remember, we are a non-profit and rely on donations. We would like to run a national advertising campaign about vitamin D and need about $200,000 to do so. Send your tax-deductible contributions to: The Vitamin D Council
9100 San Gregorio Road
Atascadero, CA 93422 May 23, 2008 - Marathon - Provided by Pete Worthington: Marathon Wild Bird Center Newsletter.
 Welcome to the Marathon Wild Bird Center’s online newsletter!
National icon lands in Marathon
It’s been eight years since we last admitted a Bald Eagle into our hospital, but on May 11, 2008, boaters around Duck Key noticed a juvenile Bald Eagle flying erratically prior to its attempt to land on a piling. Unfortunately, the bird landed in the ocean instead of on the piling and fortunately boaters were quick to respond and swiftly netted her out of the water. Volunteer Susie Ward retrieved the bird from the boaters and brought her in. A physical exam proved the bird to be emaciated and loaded with feather lice, while basic in-house blood work indicated that the bird was anemic--a potentially life-threatening combination. We have stabilized the bird, thought to be between two and three years old (they get their famous adult plumage of a white head, brown body, and white tail at age five) and she’s eating well. We plan to transfer her to a rehab facility upstate that features a 100’-long flight cage where she can be reconditioned prior to her release. See our report from the Key West Wildlife Center below for more Bald Eagle news.
Out and about in Marathon
Congratulations to Michelle Friedman (volunteer on hiatus) who returned from her new home in Connecticut to celebrate her 50th birthday with her Keys friends. Michelle has volunteered with us for more than five years and was tickled when Sweetie, our American Kestrel of Cuban descent, made a guest appearance at her ocean-side party! Also, a sincere thank you to Drs. Gerry Diethelm and Doug Mader for allowing some of our volunteers to attend their presentation about their trip to Antarctica in April 2008. In addition to whales and sea lions, their group got up close and personal with several different species of penguins. Their stories and photographs of the landscape were funny and breathtaking, respectively! Finally, thank you to volunteers Michele Rafferty and Dana Child for assisting Director Kelly Grinter at Switlik Elementary first annual K.E.Y.S. day--Keys Expo for Young Scientists. Betsy the Blind Brown Pelican also attended. Our theme was “Pick it up, even if it’s not yours!” referring to discarded monofilament, fishhooks, and other trash on our beaches, roadsides, and bridges. We urge everyone to pick up debris to help prevent wildlife from being harmed.
Good-bye Dr. Earl Van Buskirk
Dr. Earl has been with the Marathon Veterinary Hospital for more than a year now and has generously donated many hours of his time to aid our sick and injured wildlife. He got a lot of practice surgically removing fishhooks from birds’ bellies this year. Since we discovered that a lump of cotton fed to a cormorant will cause it to successfully regurgitate an ingested fishhook, we haven’t needed to surgically intervene for several years. However, this winter was different. Three cormorants came in with hooks lodged in their esophagus, a location that renders our new technique with the cotton useless. By bird number three, Dr. Earl had the procedure down pat and was in and out within minutes. The latest surgery performed by him earlier this month, with assistance from Dr. Sara Hall, was the removal of a six-inch shark hook from the belly of a Great White Heron. We were all surprised after anesthetizing the bird to find that the heron had “plucked” his own surgical area--most likely in an attempt to “remove” the uncomfortable foreign object itself. The surgery was quick and successful and we released the bird at the Sombrero Golf Course a week later. We’re going to miss you Dr. Earl--thank you for all your help and good luck back home in Washington State . . . burrr!
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Father’s Day is just around the corner. Consider making a donation to the Bird Center in honor of any of the special men in your life. Because we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your check is tax deductible. Please mail a check of any amount to Marathon Wild Bird Center, P.O. Box 501328, Marathon, FL 33050 or call 305.743.8382 to make a credit card contribution. We will use the money to support our work in Marathon. However, you can specify that we use it in Key West simply by writing a check payable to the Key West Wildlife Center. Remember: if you ever find a sick or injured bird, please give us a call at 305.743.8382. We answer this line 24 hours a day.
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Intern heading our way from California
Thanks to the generosity of former volunteers Bill and Judi Peters (Naples, FL) for loaning us their large, like-new pop-up camper, and Marathon local Fereta Wade for arranging accommodations with her employers Earthmark Corporation, owners of Knight’s Key Campground at MM 47, we are looking forward to the June 21st arrival of our latest college student summer intern, Sarah Barber. Sarah lives in Long Beach, CA and attends California State Polytechnic University of Pomona where she is working toward her BS in animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. She’ll be assisting us with all aspects of wild bird rescue, rehabilitation, and release during her three-month stay.
New study focuses on Least Terns
Least Terns are a threatened species caused by severe loss of their nesting habitat: undisturbed beaches. Since 1957, these tiny terns have taken to nesting on gravel rooftops throughout several states. The Florida Keys are no exception. As the southernmost end of their nesting range, Least Terns are losing ground here fast. Not since 2000 has the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission surveyed where these rooftop nesting sites are located. That census is sure to have changed for many reasons. In a collaborative effort, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center (Tavernier, MM 93.6), Marathon Wild Bird Center (MM 50), and the Key West Wildlife Center (MM 1) will be working together this summer to document existing sites. The project will assess each site for what material each rooftop is constructed of, what exists or doesn’t exist as a barrier edge on each, and what rooftop shade is or is not available. The two-part goal of this project is to prevent Least Tern chicks from falling off these rooftop nesting sites (usually as they seek shade from the summer sun) and to establish a protocol for building managers and maintenance crews so as not to disrupt the colonies between the months of May and July.
Key West Wildlife Center update
To a wild bird rehabilitator every new patient is exciting because we have to (1) determine exactly what species the bird is, (2) assess the bird’s injury or situation, and (3) make a determination if we are honestly qualified to provide the animal what it needs. This past month, Susan Prince, Key West Wildlife Center (KWWC) full-time volunteer facility director, and her staff were speechless when they received a call from the Key West Airport telling them that their assistance was needed--there was an injured adult Bald Eagle down on the runaway! After the initial excitement wore off, the crew reminded themselves that callers often report birds in need as a “baby osprey” or a “baby pelican,” when in reality it is a baby pigeon (big feet . . . osprey, big bill . . . pelican!). The group quickly learned to wait until they have the bird in hand before planning its course of rehabilitation care. However, this didn't dampen their spirits as volunteer Rudy Brancel took to the road and, low and behold, returned with an overheated, ragged looking adult Bald Eagle! Needless to say, because the bird is the country’s icon, the group quickly called Marathon Wild Bird Center Director Kelly Grinter for advice. Because it was late on a Sunday afternoon, Kelly instructed Susan to examine the bird carefully; preferably with one person to hold its hand-sized talons, another to gently control the head and, if possible, a third to manage the eight-feet worth of wingspan. They concluded that the bird appeared to have no serious injuries, but was simply overheated from being on the asphalt tarmac of the airport, a little thin, and a little ragged. A second call an hour later from the airport claimed that a second adult Bald Eagle had landed on the tarmac, but appeared uninjured. How odd! Instructions from Marathon were to treat the bird like any other overheated, dehydrated bird and to give it fluids and put it into a large, dark crate to rest. On Monday morning, Kelly headed down to the KWWC to confirm Susan’s diagnosis. Knowing male raptors are smaller than female raptors, Kelly determined the bird was most likely a male because it was smaller than the eagles she handled in the past. The bird was probably thin and appeared ragged because it may have just finished another successful breeding season (it’s a lot of work for a male eagle to keep his wife and kids fed prior to their fledging). After more fluids and a hefty helping of capelin (a tasty fish the eagle slurped down like spaghetti), the group made the decision to attempt to release it at the Key West High School track field. In the event it could or did not fly, it would be easy to re-catch at this location. We invited local newspaper reporter Tim O’Hara and photographer Rob O'Neal from The Key West Citizen to document the event—plus, we needed some more muscle to haul the big crate across the field to the release site! After a little coaxing by volunteer Rudy, the eagle ran out of the crate and took off, landing in a nearby tree to get his bearings. The release was a success! Later that afternoon a call back from the Fish & Wildlife Commission answered the question we were all still pondering . . . why the second eagle down on the runway at the airport? Southeast Coordinator Reese Collins enlightened us. It wasn’t the bird’s “mate” looking for it; it was more likely a rival eagle taking advantage of a tired, yet determined experienced eagle who just wasn't ready to give up!
Spread the word
Enjoyed this newsletter? Please forward it to a friend! And don’t forget to visit our web site at www.marathonwildbirdcenter.org for lots more information.
Marathon Wild Bird Center
P.O. Box 501328
Marathon, FL 33050
MM 50 at Crane Point Hammock
Phone: (305) 743-8382
Fax: (305) 743-8172
Website: www.marathonwildbirdcenter.org May 24, 2008 - Marathon - Capt Marti Brown, RN, MSN, ARNP: New Nautical Murder Novel.
"Murder at Stacy's Cove Marina"
 May 25, 2008 - Marathon - John Bartus: SPECIAL GUEST RACHEL MCGOYE IN THE KEYS!!!
 Special Guest This Week As the title of the message suggests, I'll have a very special guest this next week at my Wednesday (6/4) Dockside and Thursday (6/5) Sparky's Landing gigs. L.A.-based singer/songwriter Rachel McGoye will return to her home state (Florida--were you expecting Idaho?) and will be my guest on stage both nights. A graduate of the acclaimed Berklee College of Music in Boston, Rachel has followed her muse to the Left Coast where she has met with some real success. Her new CD, Beautiful Disaster, was released this past January, and has met with critical acclaim. For those who don't want to wait any longer, you can check out this talented musician at www.rachelmcgoye.com. Otherwise, keep reading for now. Proficient on guitar and piano, Rachel writes songs that are direct and honest; intimate in the same way her performances are. The new CD was produced by Steve Harvey (Temptations), and Rachel has been compared favorably to artists like Sheryl Crow and Jewel. Here's a little bit of Rachel's story, taken from her website: "Who says quitters never win? After independently releasing her acoustic debut E. P., What Day is It?, Rachel McGoye finally woke up and realized it was the day to quit waiting tables and become a full-time singer/songwriter. Five years in Los Angeles, several recycled and unsuccessful relationships, and a repeatedly stolen bicycle inspired her new full-length release, Beautiful Disaster (10Spot/Universal). Written from the heart of a small town, Florida beach girl, these self-penned songs are, actually, far from a disaster. This sophomore release attracts comparisons to today's most established and admired singer/songwriters, while having original flavor all of its own. Rachel describes it like one of her favorite treats, a fruit smoothie. 'Full of surprises, all natural, good for the heart, and refreshing.' The tinge of Folk, Pop, a little Rock, and touch of Soul will definitely have you addicted. Having studied at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music, Rachel has experienced a life of guitar and piano playing on multiple coasts. Though she doesn't miss the cold Boston weather, she does miss the lazy days of boating in Florida, but L. A. is home for now. She just wishes she still had her bicycle to avoid L. A. traffic and be more economical!" And as music critic Joe Clements wrote, "If you haven't listened to any of her music, I would encourage you to make the effort. Personally, it's a solid mix between Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and Fiona Apple. A soulful push of sound and a canvas painted visual by a creative ability to write a song, Rachel McGoye is sure to make you enjoy the entire album on first listen." Again, Rachel will be my special guest Wednesday evening June 4th at Dockside Lounge (35 Sombrero Blvd., Marathon; show starts about 6:00 p.m.) and Thursday evening June 5th at Sparky's Landing (on Sadowski Causeway, Key Colony Beach; another 6:00 p.m. start). Please come out and hear this remarkable and beautiful singer/songwriter, and you may be one of the lucky ones who saw her before she became too famous for our islands! May 27, 2008 – Marathon – L. E. Shaffer: Marathon City Council held its regular meeting at Marathon Government Center EOC Room. Photos are located at http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/.
Council approved the agenda and consent agenda. An asterisk marks consent items [*].
Proclamations, Special Recognitions and Awards
1. None.
Citizens' comments at time certain of 6:30 PM:
1. Fred Endemann spoke about wastewater meetings need to be televised. He spoke on Boot Key Bridge lack of information and the continuing bridge safety concerns.
Special Orders and Presentations
1. City Manager Clyde Burnett presented his report. He covered a number of routine items both informational and action.
a. Burnett requested moving August 26 council meeting, since that day is the primary. The council decided to hold that meeting at the airport fire station.
b. Community Services Director Susie Thomas reported the outcome of the FKEC meeting on wastewater Area 3. Since the property for a plant is no longer available, an alternate lot part of FKEC and city marine was suggested. An alternate location would be the Phase III portion of the Community Park. WEC Rep. Ed Castle helped with the presentation. Everyone on council expressed disappoint at the FKEC’s lack of cooperation and understanding. John Whalton asked for a delay to explore the reaction of residents to the new location. This time the delay council consisted of Bull, Vasil, and Worthington instead of Tempest. This item will be reconsidered at the next council meeting.
City Council Items
1. *Council approved previous meeting minutes. Items marked with an asterisk [*] are consent items approved when the agenda is approved.
2. Councilman Don Vasil proposed another wastewater/stormwater system O&M option. O&M stands for operations and maintenance. He proposed encouraging FKAA to continue the Little Venice operations in the short term and consider answering the city’s RFP for a permanent operator.
Ordinances for Public Hearing
1. Ordinance 2008-10 adopted a wastewater utility service policy.
2. Ordinance 2008-11 provided for an amendment to chapter 6 of the city code. City Attorney Morales explained that this amended the code to allow the city manager to waive fees in certain conditions.
3. Ordinance 2008-12 amended city code sections 26-27 to create an exemption to the right-of-way use-permit requirement for mobile food vendors. City Attorney Morales explained the ordinance. The council discussed this at length. David Schloper spoke on unintended consequences possible from this ordinance. Ginger Snead objected to the ordinance. Failed 3-2 with Tempest and Cinque voting yes.
Resolutions for Public Hearing
1. None.
Resolutions for Adoption
1. Resolution 2008-78 directed and authorized the city’s acquisition of the Little Venice Wastewater Utility Facilities owned now by FKAA. Kevin Woodland, city council candidate, spoke on his objections to this resolution.
2. *Resolution 2008-83 approved a minor conditional use permit amendment for the development of an 84-unit affordable housing apartment complex, located on Overseas Highway at approximately 71st Street, Ocean.
3. Resolution 2008-84 authorized the contract award for the Marina Bathhouse Project to Coastland Construction Inc. for $578,900. Deputy City Manager and Acting Ports Director C. J. Geotis presented the details for this resolution.
4. *Resolution 2008-85 approved certain purchases in excess of $10,000 and less than $25,000.
5. *Resolution 2008-86 amended the Solid Resources Inc. contract for debris removal monitoring.
6. *Resolution 2008-87 amended an Ashbritt Inc. contract for debris removal.
7. *Resolution 2008-88 amended a Beck Disaster Recovery Inc. contract for debris removal.
8. *Resolution 2008-89 amended a Phillips and Jordan Inc. contract for debris removal.
Citizens' comments:
1. Fred Endemann spoke again on televising wastewater meetings.
2. David Schloper spoke the council meeting times.
Council comments:
1. Vice Mayor Bull announced AYSO Soccer registrations May 31st at Community Park.
2. Mayor Worthington requested more attendance at the council meetings.
3. Councilman Vasil spoke about the big issues coming before the council.
4. Councilwoman Tempest announced the new affordable housing by Habitat for Humanity on 64th Street.
5. Councilman Cinque had no comments.
Adjournment
1. 7:30 PM May 29, 2008 - US Congress - Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Ros-Lehtinen Honors Our Nations Finest.
Dear Mr. Shaffer: Since the first days of our great nation, our military personnel have proved resolute in their commitment to both freedom and democracy. This powerful legacy lives on today through the efforts of those who bravely serve with our armed forces. I often reflect on the courage of my husband, Dexter, who fought, and was wounded, for our country in Vietnam. My step-son, Doug, and his wife, Lindsay, proudly follow in his footsteps having recently returned from tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I know from them, and countless other active duty service members and veterans, that we must never forget the sacrifices these men and women make. As such, I am delighted to continue to help here in Washington for funding and benefits so they receive all that they so rightfully deserve. o I am a co-sponsor of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act. This act will increase educational benefits available to all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001. It will increase the amount available to the veteran, increase the time in which they are eligible to use the assistance, and allow for voluntary matching dollar amounts from universities. o I recently voted for the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act to provide adaptive housing assistance for disabled members of the armed forces. As well, it will allow for a Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Scholarship Program to ensure there are enough qualified blind rehabilitation specialists for the Department of Veterans Affairs. o I also supported the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act to enhance availability of care for service members, improve services for dependents, and streamline the care process. o I have voted in favor of the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act to ensure that our veterans have access to the services they need. o I voted for the Veterans Suicide Prevention Act which was signed into law and will help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). o The Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act, which I voted in favor of, authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to private, nonprofit entities to conduct workshop programs to assist in the therapeutic readjustment and rehabilitation of our veterans. o I have also worked to ensure passage of the Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act to amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief and earnings assistance to members of the uniformed services. We can all agree that the brave men and women of our armed forces, both active duty and our veterans, deserve all that we can offer them. The fundamental goal they have endeavored for, to protect our country and its citizens, must be more than simply recognized; it must be met with equal commitment from those they have served with such remarkable distinction. To change Newsletter setting: Please email Newsletter.Ros-Lehtinen@mail.house.gov with the title "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" Sincerely,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Member of Congress May 29, 2008 - Marathon - L. E. Shaffer: Middle Keys Community Land Trust hires new executive for catnip. No funds were used in this highly specialized and sensational hire. Photos of the new employee are located at http://MarathonJournal.US/journal/press/. The talents of this new hire are above the claw of educated backgrounds. Her name is Molly, and she is most definitely Irish to the core. The Land Trust has been looking to increase its store of luck, and Molly fits the bill perfectly. She has started by greeting everyone that comes and goes in the busy Land Trust office. Recently, she was vacationing in North Carolina doing research on dogs. Her expertise has enhanced the desk of other employees. The productivity of all were increased by at least nine lives. When there is a particularly difficult problem, Molly is able to catnap on the issue. Then upon wakening and a good run around the office, she can meow about the solutions she dreamed about. Frankly, the Land Trust needs to be commended for hiring such a talented and skillful employee. May 30, 2008 - Monroe County - Provided by Pete Worthington: Good News on Insurance Rates.
 Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe
Press Release FIRM Scores Insurance Wins in Tallahassee
Bills passed during the 2008 Legislative Session extend some pro-consumer initiatives passed in 2007's HB1A, and present additional challenges for the future.
May 29, 2008 - Yesterday, Governor Charlie Crist signed a "homeowners' bill of rights" insurance bill, the most significant legislation regarding property insurance from the latest state legislative session (SB2860) which was introduced by Senator Jeff Atwater (R - Palm Beach) and amended by the House. Initially, the bill would have prevented Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (CPIC) from offering wind-only policies. In the Florida Keys, this would have forced all of those with requirements to carry windstorm coverage to utilize CPIC for all property insurance, eliminating consumer choice and limiting available coverages.
FIRM, working with the Office of Insurance Regulation and Representative Ron Saunders, helped to remove that restriction. Consumers can continue to select from a wide range of providers for most property insurance needs, relying on CPIC to fill the gap with windstorm coverage.
In addition, "use and file" has been repealed and current rates have been extended for another year. Both of these provisions were aggressively pursued by FIRM.
The following is a summary of key aspects of SB 2860 that will most greatly impact consumers in the Florida Keys. GENERAL PROVISIONS (FOR ALL PROPERTY INSURANCE COMPANIES) Use and File. The practice of insurers billing consumers for rates that have not been approved has been disallowed for another year, until January 1, 2010. FIRM will continue to lobby for permanent repeal of use and file, and in support of prior rate approval.
Mitigation. A Commission is being formed to bring consistency to the application of mitigation credits that are developed pursuant to the uniform home grading scale (which may be amended should the Commission find it necessary) by February 1, 2011. Policyholders will then have two years (until 2013) to obtain an inspection of their property and file for the new discounts. As of January 1, 2010, any buyer of a home with an insured value of $500,000 or more must receive a written disclosure of the structure's "windstorm mitigation rating" from the seller.
Claims Handling. Insurers must pay undisputed claim amounts within 90 days of the claim being filed.
Transparency. Insurance companies can no longer withhold documents from regulators containing what they may determine to be "trade secrets." Rather, they must submit such documents with each page clearly marked "trade secret" with the understanding that they will be treated with confidentiality.
Capital Build-Up Incentive Program
This program allows start-up companies to build the capital required to satisfy regulatory standards of solvency by offering funds from the state in exchange for surplus notes from the insurer. The program is open to insurers that commit to increasing their writings of property insurance, including wind. The upside for consumers is the potential to increase the ability of the private market to cover wind and other property perils; the downside is that this will in part be financed by reducing any CPIC surplus. The smaller CPIC's surplus, the greater the chance that CPIC will not be able to meet claims obligations should a catastrophic storm hit, which would force CPIC to levy assessments to make up any deficit. CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE PROVISIONS Rates.
- Rates in effect as of December 31, 2006, must remain in effect unless a subsequent rate was lower than the rate on that date. (Monroe County's current rate, reduced in October 2006, will still stand.)
- CPIC must make an actuarially sound filing on July 15, 2009 that would take effect no sooner than January 1, 2010.
Wind-Only Policies. A prior stipulation that would have prevented CPIC from offering new wind-only policies in the windborne debris regions (like Monroe) has been removed.
Homestead Distinction. For purposes of potential assessment or rate differentials, the distinction between homestead and non-homestead homes has been eliminated. This was a goal of FIRM.
Modeling Benchmark. The Florida Public Hurricane Model must serve as the minimum benchmark for setting CPIC wind-only rates. This was a goal of FIRM. FIRM is preparing to meet with the developers of the Public Model to determine how Monroe County's unique geography, topography, history and building code are reflected in its calculations.
Two-million Dollar Home Exemption. As of January 1, 2009, CPIC may not cover homes with an insured value of over $2 million unless the property owner's insurance agent stipulates that such coverage was unavailable in the private market. In that case, CPIC may offer coverage for the next three years, after which time the dwelling will be ineligible for CPIC coverage. Originally, the cap was million dollar homes. FIRM argued that the more expensive the home, the more likely it was to be well-built and have high deductibles, thus creating a lower risk.
Take-Outs. Policyholders may be "taken out" of CPIC by another insurer as long as the new premium is no more than 15% greater than that of CPIC.
Manufactured and Mobile Homes. CPIC coverage of manufactured and mobile homes constructed prior to 1994 is limited to actual cash value (not replacement cost).
Customer Relations.
- Consumers must have 180 days of written notice of any cancellation.
- Consumers who challenge a settlement must have access to all files pertaining to their claim and account.
Structural Considerations.
- Shutters. As of January 1, 2009, any home with an insured value of $750,000 or more must have shutters to be insured by CPIC.
- Wind Mitigation Rating. As of January 1, 2011, any buyer of a residential property (regardless of insured value) located in the windborne debris region must receive a written disclosure of the structure's "windstorm mitigation rating" from the seller.
- Code Plus. A prior stipulation that homes constructed after January 1, 2009 within 2,500 feet of the shoreline must be built to "code-plus" standards in order to be insured by CPIC has been eliminated.
Assessments.
- Assessments to cover existing CPIC deficits will now kick in when CPIC deficits exceed 6% of their projected direct written premium for that year.
- Emergency assessments may be required when/if regular assessments are insufficient to recover the existing deficit, and may be levied for as many years as necessary to eliminate the deficit. Such emergency assessments may not exceed 10% of the amount required to eliminate the deficit or 10% of the statewide premium, whichever is greater.
- If a new deficit is incurred after 2008, all CPIC policyholders may be levied a surcharge of up to 15% for a period of 12 months to cover the deficit.
- Should CPIC actually collect surcharges in excess of any deficits, the excess will remain with CPIC to offset any future deficits (and the potential for any future surcharges or assessments).
Challenges. CPIC may not file an administrative challenge or judicial review of any final order of the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Transparency. Information regarding CPIC rate filings after July 1, 2008 will be made available to the public via a website.
CPIC's Future. The Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Mission Review Task Force will be created to return CPIC "to its former role as a state-created, noncompetitive residual market mechanism." UPCOMING CPIC POLICYHOLDER FORUM Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and representatives from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will be in Key West on Thursday, June 12 to discuss how the latest legislation may impact consumers in the Keys, and to answer any questions from policyholders. The Policyholders Forum will take place at Key West High School from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 2008, and is open to the public. About FIRM Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe is a grassroots advocacy group that has effectively fought for insurance rates in the Keys that are neither excessive nor unfairly discriminatory. For more information, visit www.FIRMkeys.org. Robbie Hopcraft, FIRM What's Happening! Marathon's city budget process is about to begin. With the economic downturn, less tax collections, and ardent tax-cutter, the city faces some tough decisions and unfavorable results. It is time to pay for all the tax cuts or face voter revolt over lack of quality services that cover safety, health, welfare, and the environment. Miscellany: Coco Plum Beach has been a lot of fun this month. The Florida Keys is getting dryer and hotter. Water activities look especially nice. The only way to really enjoy the fabulous Florida Keys is to have access to a nice boat. Owning a boat is costly, but necessary. They say, whoever they are, that the two best times in a boat-owner's life is when you buy the boat and then sell the boat. Finally: Water is becoming a valued commodity exceeding even the evils of oil. States are now fighting among themselves. Think of where we would be without plentiful, clean water? Therefore, we must all get serious about conserving water anyway that we can. So, yellow, yellow let it mellow; brown, brown flush it down. Good words to save water. Shower with friends. That can be fun. Use bathwater to keep plants green. Try some cisterns, rain barrels, and gutter collection devices to save water. Dance with some local natives to entice rain to fall from the skies. Rain, where art thou? Lake Okeechobee is getting lower. We need the rain up that way and how. Dance longer, harder, rain... I expect that we should get used to water shortages; it will only get worse. ACRONYMS:| ACOE | Army Corps of Engineers | | AYSO | American Youth Soccer Organization | | BPAS | Building Permit Allocation System | | CAMP | Creative Arts and Music Program | | CWHIP | Community Workforce Housing Innovation Pilot Program | | DCA | Florida Department of Community Affairs | | ECMC | Educational Coalition for Monroe County | | EMS | Emergency Medical Services | | EOC | Emergency Operations Center | | FAA | Federal Aviation Administrator | | FDEP | Florida Department of Environmental Protection | | FDOH | Florida Department of Health | | FDOT | Florida Department of Transportation | | FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency | | FIRM | Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe County | | FKAA | Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority | | FKCC | Florida Keys Community College | | FKEC | Florida Keys Electric Cooperative | | FKSCA | Florida Keys Scenic Corridor Alliance | | FLUM | Future Land Use Map | | FRDAP | Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program | | FWC | Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission | | GIS | Geographic Information System | | GSG | Government Services Group | | H4H | Habitat for Humanity | | HOA | Home Owners Association | | HR | Human Resources | | HUD | US Department of Housing and Urban Development | | IS | Improved Subdivision | | ISD | Improved Subdivision Duplex | | IT | Information Technology | | LDRs | Land Development Regulations required by the Comprehensive Plan | | MCSO | Monroe County Sheriff's Office | | MGS | Marathon Garbage Service | | MHS | Marathon High School | | MKCLT | Middle Keys Community Land Trust | | MSTU | Municipal Service Taxing Unit | | MU | Mixed Use | | MUC | Mixed Use Commercial | | NIMBY | Not In My Back Yard | | NROGO | Non-Residential Permit Allocation System | | NSW | Near Shore Waters Advisory Committee | | PSA | Public Service Announcement | | PIO | Public Information Officer | | OVHOA | Overseas Village Home Owners Association | | RFP | Request for Proposal | | RH | Residential High | | RM-2 | Residential Medium - 2 [applies to Coco Plum community only] | | ROGO | Rate of Growth Ordinance | | ROW | Right of Way | | RV | Recreational Vehicle | | SC | Suburban Commercial | | SHIP | State Housing Initiatives Partnership | | SR | Suburban Residential | | SRF | State Revolving Fund | | TBA | To be Announced | | TBR | Transfer of Building Right | | TDC | Tourist Development Council | | TRIM | Truth in Millage | | TSA | Transportation Security Administration | | UR | Urban Residential | | URS | United Research Services or URS Corporation | | WEC | Weiler Engineering Corporation |
Kitty Talk
These journals are dedicated to Kitty GreyCat's spirit. She is at RainBow Bridge along with her human friends, Leo and Doris. We all loved you, Kitty! Click the cat graphic to visit her Memorial page. Kitty born June 6, 1982. Died July 9, 1997. Please use our email form linked below to make suggestions or offer praise. The cats have thoughts and meows that are badly interpreted by a human for publication here. So believe what you will, but enjoy nonetheless. All complaints, flames, and the like will end up in the litter box! >^..^<  Ebony: I meow that this month we promise to be serious and discuss strictly serious stuff, like dogs. Dogs are seriously alien to catkind. I don't like dogs of any kind. >^..^<
Abby: Ebony, you meowed a lot that time. I try to play with the little dogs, but they smell, have long yucky tongues, and want to play silly dog games. I mean, why would I want to chase after some bone? Digging holes to bury things too is anti-cat and just plain evil. >^..^<
Ebony: You know that they want to smell your butt all the time. I don't care for dog slobbers either. And what is this thing they do barking and howling. It hurts my ears. >^..^<
Abby: Then, Ebony, dogs have fleas and bugs. They scratch all the time, and even lick unmentionables. Us cats are delicate flowers, smelling good, looking good, and having proper manners and expectations. >^..^<
Ebony: Well, human bean invites dogs into the house. I meow to him over and over that we don't want any old, icky dogs in our house, but human bean don't seem to listen to us. Human bean is like some smelly dog. >^..^<
Abby: Then, human bean, has the evil in him to call me a cat dog. That was definitely uncalled for. Just because I like to fetch a little doesn't make me like some deranged dog thing. I act like a proper bred cat of royalty. >^..^<
Ebony: Use know that deranged dogs have bad breath too from eating too much greasy bacon. Dog food is enough to make a cat yuck up lunch and dinner. How can dogs eat dog food, because dog food isn't fit for anything but dogs. How can they eat that stuff? Even worse is garbage-eating dogs. Dogs eat anything disgusting. >^..^<
Abby: I think all sorts of bad cat thoughts about dogs. They play up to their humans faking being cute, cuddly, and affectionate. They are all just terrible fakers. Of course, they don't know any better with small brains. >^..^<
Ebony: I never liked dogs that act smart but are so dumb. They you got those terrible poodles who act dumb to get potato chips. Dogs even like cat snacks what are for cats only. They are so brainless and not see color. >^..^<
Abby: I hear dogs are coyote ugly and have rotten fangs. They drool too. On top of all that is the big piles of stuff they leave behind right out in the open for everyone to get sick and tired of for real, I meow for sure. >^..^<
Ebony: The only thing that dogs are good for is warming up us cats in wintry type place. Here in the Keys, there be no need for dumb, smelly, icky, and full of themselves dogs. Canine sounds like a mental disease. >^..^<
Abby: Yes, that is absolutely right! Dogs deserve neither consideration or four thoughts. Why, I can't even stand Ebony most times, but she a far sight better than any old dog. Puppies are even worse, peeing everywhere. >^..^<
Internet Stuff
Here are the latest DVD films from http://www.NetFlix.com: “American Gangster” is full of famous actors. The film is based on a true story. Drugs, money, and family help build an empire for the former driver for the last head guy. Everyone was on the take, even to half of the drug enforcement unit. Finally, cornered by the Feds, the empire comes crashing down, but everyone connected to this is brought down as well. You sit at the edge of your seat drawn into the lives surrounding the American Gangster. “Bee Movie” is a high-charged, fun film. This one is definitely 5-star. It has brass, way too much fun, and keeps you laughing. How is it that animation comes up with the funniest, natural, feel-good movie? The voices to the characters are a great match. Everyone in the family will like this whimsical look at life. There is even a morale stuck in there by shear accident. You can’t beat that! “Hero Wanted” follows the tortured aftermath of the loss of the character’s wife. Trying to live without her, he saves a little girl. Yet even that didn’t fill the void in his life, until he met a woman bank teller. He concocts a plan to impress her that goes terribly wrong. Vengeance follows. Living through a hell of his own creation, he finally reaches resolution. The trail of blood and death don’t seem to matter at all in the end. “Country Remedy” is a pleasant family movie about a doctor and his motherless son. They move to a rural town and try to fit in. Both sides adjust to the other through some comedy and a few tragedies. Both sides see the good in each other and plans change. This is a remarkable film in simplicity and entertainment. “Stargate: The Ark of Truth” doesn’t disappoint at all. The movie is true in every way to the saga that is the Stargate franchise. The film is visually stunning and character driven. The movie is exciting and interesting and a must see for Stargate fans. Others will like the move as well. It stands alone quite well. “P.S. I Love You” is a delightful film about love, lost and found. She fits into to this perfect union with her husband. Then he dies from a brain tumor. He has the time to setup a plan for her through letters and events. You follow the lovely journey from loneliness to rebirth. Life doesn’t stop, and one must go on. It is what love and life is all about. This helps sometimes. “I Am Legend” is an extraordinary movie of humanity, loss, and survival. A scientist cures cancer, but the cure mutates into a deadly virus. Most of humankind dies leaving a few million immune and few more million infected. One New York survivor, who lost his entire family, continues his work to find a cure. He loses his last connection to his family, his dog. Seeking revenge or maybe suicide, he goes out into the night. The night that is inhabited by the infected. A woman and a boy save him, but now the infected know where he lives. See the movie to see how it turns out. “There Will Be Blood” is a stark version of a popular novel on oilmen. The main character starts in a hole in the ground. Soon, he has hired others. He inherits the infant son of one of his workers. The boy becomes his partner and pseudo son. The deals get bigger and the well more numerous. The greed associated with all the money oil brings breeds a realistic, life-altering story. The film stretches across too much time, but that minor flaw doesn’t seriously damage the movie. “Captains Courageous” is an attempt at a remake of the classic film. There is certainly always a lot of risk in remakes. They have to take the story farther than the original and still stay true to the spirit of the first. This film does that in spades. All the acting is unforced and natural. The ocean is a character, and the setting is the fishing vessels itself. Good movie and remake. “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is an inspirational movie. The subtitles are a bit much, but pass that this is a great story. Completely paralyzed, the main character only means to communicate is to blink his one good eye. After adjusting to this horrendous ordeal, he sets about writing a book about his experience. While slightly emotional to watch, the film is quite good. “Gloria” the remake is a good try. The original is better in storytelling and acting, but don’t bypass this film. For a rainy day, it isn’t half-bad. The difference between the two movies is good enough for a viewing or two. “Help! I’m a Boy” is cute, but that doesn’t make this a great movie. The story is a bit old, even if the switch is a bit different. Kids will probably like the film, but the acting isn’t quite good enough for most adults. The story is a letdown as well. “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets” is even better than the first. To clear his family’s good name and reputation, Gates has to find the city of gold. Through fast-paced action and meticulous sleuthing, the gold city is found. This is a fantastic story that entertains splendidly, not a statement of history and glory. Just enjoy the movie and don't worry about the improbability of it all. And, by the way, page 47 from the Book of Secrets leads to another sequel, I bet. “The Visitor” isn’t your ordinary story of conflict, action, and resolution. The film reflects the solitude of life from a widower. He finds a young couple living in his New York apartment. He chooses to allow them to stay. From there they grow close to each other sharing their different lifestyles, enriching each other. Then the fear of deportation overtakes the young couple. Our ordinary hero tries to save them in vain. In the effort, he falls in love with the husband’s mother. Having gained everything that he wanted in life, the main character suffers the equal loss. “First Sunday” is a warm, funny movie with heart. There are a few life lessons as well. The characters are real but a bit overdrawn. Playing on some stereotypes adds to the human. The movie doesn’t take itself seriously so much as just having fun. The actors are all wonderful. Spend a pleasant afternoon to see this film and don’t hold back the smiles and laughing. "Atonement" shows the results of a child's misinformed accusation that transverses the lives of all involved before and during WWII. Set in prewar England the story plays out among powerful characters reflective of the times. The love between the two characters survives the child's accusation. The child grows up atoning for her actions. The film is very good, but the movement between perceptions and various times is a bit of a stretch. “The Contract” starring Morgan Freeman as the supposed bad guy is a gripping, action film set in Washington State. Freeman’s character is hired for some nebulous reason to covertly kill the current administration’s “obstruction of progress.” With his team, he sets about an intricate plan, but there are twists in this thriller. The local sheriff catches him and turns him over to the FBI. Now, no one knows who is supposed to kill whom. A father and son hiking in the woods to bond, but they end up with the captured assassin. The father is intent on getting the assassin back to authorities. Again, no one knows who is supposed to kill whom. You don’t want to miss a minute of this astounding, well-acted story. This one is good for repeat viewing; it is that good. "Day of the Dead" remake works by being slightly different, a little campy, and putting in a few plot twists. I was entertained, but not impressed. This is a good try, but somehow doesn't appeal to repeat viewing. Sometimes the original is just better notwithstanding present day tricks. “Day Watch” is the second movie in this Russian-made trilogy. This classic science-fiction story follows the death struggles in the balance between good and evil, light and darkness. The acting is outstanding. The plot is compelling. The wait for the third movie in this set is already too long. The subtitles don’t even slow you down, as the film is a can’t miss classic. "Lions for Lambs" starts with an interesting premise that lambs, our incompetent civilian leadership, lead the lions, our military. This political drama is okay, but jumps between too many subplots and preaches too much. Whatever happened to being entertained and to gentle persuasion? “Dan in Real Life” is a decent romantic comedy. The well-worn plot has widower meet fiancé of his brother. Of course, they fall in love, complicating the situation. The family setting was interesting, even if the brotherly dynamic was a stretch. Overall, this is a fun movie that entertains. Repeat viewing isn’t likely though.
Interesting websites we visited recently: http://www.att.com is now the website of my cell phone company. Rollover minutes are cool. http://www.ups.com helps me track all my packages. http://www.usaa.com is my online insurance company. http://www.comcast.com is my online cable company. http://www.clickbank.com is our credit/debit card processors. http://www.dhl.com is another tracking package place. http://www.papajohns.com equals pizza, yum. http://www.sunpass.com helps pay the tolls. http://www.netflix.com has loads of DVDs. http://www.fkec.com is the electric coop.
Poetry Corner
"Alone Together" inspired by the movie "P.S. I Love You"
May 12, 2008 Alone for no reason
Burdensome the
Effort for love
And plain friendship Even though we
Are all alone
We are all
Alone together It helps sometimes
Never far from
Stray thoughts
And window laughter What we chose
And what we want
Are not the same
But helps nonetheless We are never
Truly along
From Creation
We are all one Stretching back
Unbroken, unbidden
Through that
Fantasy time Just close your
Eyes & see the stars
For we all
Are star dust © 2008 L. E. Shaffer
Hockey Puck
NHL: The Florida Panthers are not in the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Redwings are in the Stanley Cup finals. PGA: Tiger Woods had surgery on his bum knee. He thinks that he will be ready for the US Open. NASCAR Sprint Cup: Dale Jr. finished Richmond at 15th and still 3rd in points, while Jeff finished 9th and 13th in points. Dale Jr. was leading with two laps left, when Kyle Busch crashed him. NASCAR Sprint Cup Darlington race resulted in Dale Jr. placing 3rd and 3rd in points, while Jeff placed 4th and 10th in points. eff finished the Charlotte 600 4th and is 10th in points; while Dale Jr. finished 5th and is 3rd in points. Both survived various troubles on the track. At Dover, Jeff finished 5th and 6th in points, while Dale Jr. finished 35th and 3rd in points. IRL: Danica Patrick was bumped out of the race late, while Dixon wins the 92nd Indianapolis 500. NBA: The Miami Heat are out of the ongoing playoffs. The old Lakers - Celtics rivalry reprises this NBA finals. NFL: The New York Giants pulled off a Super Bowl upset over the previously undefeated New England Patriots. MLB: The Florida Marlins are in first place and look like they are going to stay there for a while. Will wonders ever cease to amaze me and all of you! WTA: Venus Williams advances in the French Open. Serena is also doing well so far. Serena and Venus Williams finally lost in the French Open. NCAA Football: Ohio State disappoints again and loses the championship game. Book Three Twins of the Dark Star
Book One Tears from Ao, Book Two The Mountains of Ao and four poetry collections, Pages of Life, Visions of Life, Moments of Life, and The Book of Kalian Mysticism are available at http://RunesofAo.com/aobp/. The Runes of Ao project is ongoing. Book Three Twins of the Dark Star novel is a work in progress, but the writing goes very slowly because of the success of Marathon Florida Keys Journal. Falling Star poetry collection is a work in progress. A collaboration with K. Young on a novella called Dragon Embers is now published on the fan site known as Runes of Ao.com. Other dragon artwork is available as well. Finally, in collaboration with K. Young and Linda Hall, a group novel project is in progress and currently titled Starsongs. We currently are at an impasse.
The Dull Stuff
All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine, company, or its advertisers. Inputs, email, suggestions, and letters to this journal are subject to approval by the Journal Editor. Submittals may be edited for content and length and become the creative property for the one-time nonexclusive publication of: Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company
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www.RunesofAo.com/LarryShaffer/ Publication date: May 28, 2008
Author: L. E. Shaffer
Company: Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company &
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