The Key West Post

Food Pantries & Outrage Politics in Key West: If you received e‑mails asking for campaign donations after false accusations that commissioners refused to help food pantries, that was no accident—it was part of a calculated plan. The tactic is familiar: first, say something outrageous to get voters angry. Then, climb on the soapbox and beat down the strawman you created. The goal is to demonize your opponent so you look better. 

Grand Jury Report Update by City Manager Brian Barroso: At the December 2, 2025 City Commission meeting, City Manager Brian L. Barroso presented a detailed update on the City’s progress in addressing the recommendations issued by the grand jury last spring.

Trump Accounts for America’s Kids Gets $6.25 Billion Gift: President Trump joined lawmakers and philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell to announce a landmark $6.25 billion charitable commitment supporting Trump Accounts. It's a new savings tool created under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The Dells’ gift represents one of the largest direct investments ever made in American families, designed to give children a financial head start toward long-term...

Greg Veliz Appointed Interim District 5 Commissioner: The Key West City Commission voted on December 2, 2025, to appoint Gregory Veliz, former City Manager and current Executive Director of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, as interim District 5 Commissioner. The appointment fills the vacancy left by Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover's passing in November. Veliz was sworn in before the evening session and began serving immediately, continuing until the August 18, 2026, election

City Manager Installs Primary Color Bike Racks Against HARC Rules: Recent discussions in Key West have focused on unapproved primary color installations in the city’s historic district. At the Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) meetings on October 28 and November 18, 2025, commissioners addressed the primary color arch, fences, and bike racks. These items remain under review, with possible ordinance or guideline changes pending. One board member noted that staff

Florida Department of Transportation District 6 staff presented their tentative five-year work program to Monroe County commissioners on October 15, 2025, outlining priorities and funding through 2031. The overall District 6 (lower South Florida area) program totals about $4.15 billion, with Monroe County’s share estimated at roughly $600 million.

Photo of the Day: Key West Rotary in 1920-Members of the Rotary Club at the ground-breaking ceremony for Bayview Park, early 1920s. In the photo, in order, are George A.T. Roberts, George V. Perpall, Clifford Hicks, George Knowles, Sebastian Cabrera Jr., Dr. J.M. Renedo, Dr. William R. Warren, Dr. J.Y. Porter Jr., Charles Ketchum, J. Frank Johnson, Henry Thompson, Warren Watrous, B.C. Moreno, George Waite, L. Russell Warner, W.L. Bates, William H. Maloney, Dr. Cornelius Kemp

The District 5 seat on the Key West City Commission became vacant following the passing of Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover on November 19, 2025. Hoover had represented District 5 since 2018 and was widely respected for her dedication to civic service. Under Section 2-31 of the Key West Code of Ordinances, the City Commission was required to appoint an interim commissioner within fifteen days of the vacancy.

The last time Key West faced the unusual task of appointing an interim city commissioner was in 1995, when District 6 Commissioner Emery Major was suspended and later removed from office. Governor Lawton Chiles issued the suspension on June 30, 1995, after federal investigators uncovered evidence of election fraud and bribery tied to Major’s 1993 campaign. The suspension created a vacancy that required immediate action under city law, much like the current District 5 process

The Future of Key West 2026 Elections: Turnout and Tension-Key West politics reveal a striking contrast between uncontested victories and hard-fought campaigns. Nearly 30% of city leadership entered office without voter input, while other races—like Commissioner Lissette Carey’s—showed how turnout and credibility can decide outcomes. As the 2026 elections approach, Mayor DeeDee Henriquez faces her first real challenge against Commissioner Sam Kaufman, setting up a contest tha

Key West School Violates Parental Rights: Key West parent blasts Horace O’Bryant Middle School for “egregious violation of parental rights” after daughter held during dismissal.

School Board Member Sue Woltanski's Liberal Ideology: After attending the State Board of Education meeting on 11/13/25 near Tallahassee, Woltanski posted a blog article mocking everything they said and voted to approve. Thankfully, the meeting was recorded and people can watch the video and compare it to the liberal twist she puts on what actually happened at the there. She makes a list in her blog of the "troubling moments" at the meeting. Only a liberal like her would ca

Immigration enforcement in the Florida Keys has taken center stage over the past year, blending local politics with national priorities. In November 2025, federal agents staged roadside stops in Key Largo, detaining individuals from cars and buses while a helicopter circled overhead. These visible operations signaled a renewed emphasis on border security in the Upper Keys.

Photo of the Day: Joseph Bum Farto; In 1975, federal authorities launched Operation Conch, a covert investigation targeting corruption within Key West’s municipal government.

Key West Organizations Help Feed Community: Florida’s economy in November 2025 is still growing faster than the national average, but food insecurity is a major issue due to recent SNAP benefit cuts during the government shutdown. Food pantries across the state are strained, serving more people than usual. Lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, refugees, asylees, etc.) can receive SNAP, though recent federal restrictions narrowed eligibility. Food pantries, which ar

District 4 City Commission Race Heats Up: The "One Human Family" has two distinct communities in Key West, and District 4 in the center of the island is a perfect example of the differences. Key West now has a third candidate running for the District 4 City Commissioner seat. Juan Llera, born in Cuba, and Sarah Compton from Missouri, are two outsiders hoping to lead District 4 residents in Key West. Commissioner Lissette Carey, a Key West native, has yet to announce a re

Remembering Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover

District 2 City Commission Seat Draws Two Candidates: With Commissioner Sam Kaufman launching a mayoral bid, his District 2 seat will be open in the 2026 election. Two longtime Key West business owners have stepped forward, one with political experience and deep Key West roots, and the other a newcomer to Key West without political experience.

Sue Woltanski has filed for re-election to the Monroe County School Board, District 5. Though school board races are technically nonpartisan, Woltanski has long aligned herself with liberal policies. Just days before announcing her campaign, she published a blog post criticizing conservative leaders and organizations like Moms for Liberty as “far right” and accused them of “taking over” education.

How U.S. Presidents and the Military Defined Key West: While Key West champions "One Human Family" today, its historical motto might have been "One Military Family." The island's deep military connection, dating back to the Navy's 1820s establishment, has shaped its identity. During the Civil War, Key West, the sole Union city in Florida, strategically disrupted Confederate shipping. This vital role continued through two World Wars and Cold War aviation and submarine operatio