LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE KEY WEST CITIZEN, APRIL 26, 2008

Commissioner's legacy should be moving on

As reported in the Tuesday edition of the Key West Citizen, Mr. [Sonny] McCoy has announced his intention to run for a third term on the County Commission. He is quoted as saying "We have some nice projects coming on line." (Like the Key West Airport project destined to bear his name, now millions of dollars over budget due to cost overruns and mismanagement and the subject of a grand jury investigation.)

Further, he is quoted as saying "... Mostly my concern is working on infrastructure projects and making sure the Keys have a good wastewater system."

This begs the question: Where was Mr. McCoy's concern for "infrastructure" during his last two terms on the commission while the commission was recklessly spending money until we are now faced with a massive budget crisis and the "infrastructure" is in tatters? And where was his concern for "wastewater systems" when money designated for that purpose was diverted and used to purchase the defunct Hickory House restaurant and to sink a ship that few taxpayers will ever see or benefit from?

Finally, the article quotes Mr. McCoy as saying, "I want to leave something behind. I love this community, I have generations before me and I will have generations after me. I want to help the people of the Keys and protect their quality of life."

Really? I suggest that if he really wants to help the people of the Keys and protect their quality of life, the best thing he can leave behind is a vacant seat on the County Commission.

Chuck Chartrand
Big Pine Key