| Responding to a totally inaccurate recollection of
history by a former Assistant City Manager (July 20
Guest Commentary in the Key West Citizen),
Last Stand's president sets
the record straight in this July 27 letter in the Citizen: |
State plan for beach was resolutely
rejected
Last Stand would like to comment on [former Key
West Deputy City Manager] John Jones' [guest column] in the July
20 Citizen. Mr. Jones states that in 2002 the state Department
of Transportation (DOT) presented a redesign of South Roosevelt
Boulevard that included paving the historic Bridle Path in order
to shift the roadway and provide parking adjacent to Smathers'
Beach. He states that the general population approved the
design.
On the contrary, our community was very unified in its strong
and vocal opposition (See Key West Citizen, March 31, 2002).
Outrage at the unpopular plan was expressed by the City
Commission, civic organizations ranging from the Chamber of
Commerce to Last Stand, almost 100 individuals who turned out
for the March 18 meeting, and later in newspaper articles,
editorials and cartoons.
This wide spectrum of opposition spoke loudly and clearly the
wishes of the people, and the DOT finally listened and relented.
Mr. Jones suggests returning to the rejected plan that would
destroy the Bridle Path in order to provide more beachside
parking.
The Bridle Path was built by the WPA to beautify Key West and
try to pull it out of the 1930s depression by making the island
attractive to tourists. Today, the Bridle Path between the Salt
Ponds and South Roosevelt continues to welcome visitors with
breathtaking ocean vistas. For 80 years, Key Westers have
enjoyed the double rows of tall coconut palms on the sandy path
with its quiet mangrove edges where wading birds still feed.
The Bridle Path is part of old Key West, its history and
heritage. Last Stand remains committed to protecting the Bridle
Path, our environment, and our quality of life, and we reject
both Mr. Jones' interpretation of history and his suggestions
regarding paving over the Bridle Path.
Albert Sullivan, president
Last Stand |
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