KBCS awards day 1988<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
During a break in award ceremonies, Christina Pelleya, Alexandra Dailey, Jamie McCaughan and Madilyn Portuondo did their imitation of “Seven-teen” magazine models.<\/p>\n
The Cap League Champions<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Cap League Champions Twins: front, from left, Alex Borrero, Marisa Huerta, Gilberto Diaz, Ruben Diaz, Xavier Gaya, Alec Pesant; back, Jochi Rasco, Coach Xavier Gaya Sr., Duilio Baltodano, Marcela Hine, Cristina Figueredo, Daniel Lacuna, Steven Borrero, Robbie Moscoso and coach Steven Borrero.<\/p>\n
Bill Baggs development criticized<\/p>\n
Residents tell state to raise entrance fee to generate revenue<\/p>\n
A proposal to construct 30 cabins and a marina at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park met with opposition at a public hearing sponsored by the state Department of Natural Resources.<\/p>\n
Several Key Biscayne residents took to the podium to criticize the plan, citing traffic tie-ups and overcrowded conditions already existing in the park. A delegation of about 40 residents attended the meeting held at Florida International University. It was one of four sessions planned in the state to gauge citizen reactions to plans to develop 11 state parks.<\/p>\n
Representing the state were Ney Landrum, director of the division of recreation and parks for DNR, and Betty Castor, who serves on a board that makes policy for the DR and reports to Gov. Bob Martinez.<\/p>\n
Park already “disturbed”<\/p>\n
Randy Lewis, director of communications for DNR, explained the Bill Baggs plan would only use seven percent of the lowlands in the park and cabins would be built on spoil land.<\/p>\n
The DR contends that environmental considerations that limit use in more pristine areas are not in effect in Bill Baggs because the state views it as already “disturbed.” The DR has been actively trying to persuade environmentalists to allow intensification of use in such areas in order to generate revenue so that the state may continue to acquire more pristine land.<\/p>\n
Lewis noted Bill Baggs is the most heavily visited park in the state with 800,000 visitors annually. It is also the only park that breaks even with expenses equal to revenue. DNR would like to spend $1,512,000 for improvements in the park, which would be partially financed by the increased revenue from the cabins, marina and a bicycle concession. The following needs have been pinpointed: $35,000 for entrance road improvements; $231,000 for parking and paving improvements; $144,000 for upgrading and adding restrooms; $450,000 for repairing the seawall; $60,000 for utility expenses; $279,000 for bike trails; and funds for the addition of another park attendant and toll collector.<\/p>\n
Lewis noted DR will request park fee increases that would raise entrance into Bill Baggs to $3 per vehicle, up from $1 per car and driver and 50 cents for each passenger. For the first time, there is also a recommendation to charge out-of-state visitors higher fees. In the case of Bill Baggs, this increase would result in a $6 charge per out-of-state vehicle.<\/p>\n
Key Biscayners seemed amicable to raising fees in the park but stood firm on any additional development that, in the words of one speaker, would only exacerbate an already impossible traffic situation. Marion Hodgson recommended the park be closed until DR is able to do something about the intensity of cars on the island on weekends.<\/p>\n
“We were promised traffic problems would be alleviated by the construction of the higher bridge but all that has done is allow more people access to the Key,” said Bea Gray who has lived on Key Biscayne since 1951. “This proposed construction will impact on the Key to where there will be daily fights in the park. It’s an unpopular plan for the people who live here.”<\/p>\n
Hop Potter, of the Key Biscayne Council, also warned that any additional intensity of use in Bill Baggs “is bound to encounter stiff opposition.” He told Landrum and Castor of the lines of people who wait outside the gates on weekends when the park\u2019s often closed by 10 a.m., because the 4,000-person limit has been reached. Added with concern of increased traffic, several citizens spoke of their dismay of what is happening to public lands.<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s fishing tournament<\/p>\n
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Austin Tellam collects his prizes for making the best catch in the boy’s division of the Chief Harmon Memorial Children’s Fishing Tournament held last weekend.<\/p>\n
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Rotarians Resolve<\/p>\n
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To serve and to have a good time. Paul Kopp, above, Rotary district 699 governor, during the 12th annual installation dinner of the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne. The evening of fellowship and business was held at the Rusty Pelican. Pictured, from left are Joe and Ana Rasco, Charlie and Carol Miller, and Alis and George Freeland.<\/p>\n
Afternoon shower floods Key<\/p>\n
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The lot between Crandon Arcade and the Key Executive Building has always been swampy, but since the owner removed the vegetation there in preparation for filling and building, it’s harder for the water to be absorbed. After Saturday’s torrential down-pour, the lot filled with water.<\/p>\n
While some Key residents were alarmed by Saturday afternoon’s thunderstorm, others managed to remain amused. The storm, caused by high humidity, temperatures in the upper 80s and an easterly breeze which moved inland, developed in the north part of Dade County and moved through the county and out to sea.<\/p>\n
“About four inches of rain fell in a one-and-a-half hour period,” said Tony Bushell, manager of Crandon Park. “It was the worst flooding we have seen in 15 years.”<\/p>\n
Although flooding may have been the greatest cause for concern among most residents, such as Bob Hinckley, co-owner of One Stop Plant Shop, who had to sandbag the doors so the water would not creep in. According to Bushell, 30-35 miles per hour winds blew over two lifeguards and about 40 trees were knocked down.<\/p>\n
Metro approves ITC Stadium as residents file lawsuit against Crandon development<\/p>\n
County commissioners and the International Players Championship Inc. reached an agreement Tuesday which paves the way for construction of a $1 million clubhouse at the International Tennis Center financed with county funds while postponing a decision on the financing, construction and operation of a permanent stadium until Dec. 31, 1990.<\/p>\n
As tournament director Butch Buchholz was celebrating the commission’s decision, saying, “I’m glad it’s all over and we have the tournament,” several Key Biscayne residents were still voicing opposition to the tennis development and filed a lawsuit in circuit court calling for a temporary and permanent injunction against the development.<\/p>\n
During last month’s meeting, commissioners agreed to allocate funds from the insurance replacement fund to finance the $1 million clubhouse. In providing the money, commissioners said they wanted assurances that an estimated $12 million for phase three of the project, construction of a 2,000-seat stadium, would not come from the county. They also requested expanded information on conditions under which tournament promoters would be required to pay back le $1 million loan if the tournament were to leave Key Biscayne. The commission resolution noted the county has no assurances from the WITA or ATP that the tournament will remain on Key Biscayne and if it were to leave before 1999, the PC would refund the balance of the $1 million to the county. If the tournament were forced to leave Key Biscayne because of default on the part of the county or failure to receive permits or approvals for construction, the reimbursement payments would not apply.<\/p>\n