A one-on-four evening.
We will not fold... we will not cower in fear of political retribution... we will fight.
Unfortunately, last night's Islamorada Village Council meeting was a one-to-four affair.
Our motion supporting a resolution calling on Florida to “immediately suspend the operation” of the detention center in the heart of the environmentally fragile Everglades did not gain a proper second from any of our four colleagues, essentially failing 1-4.
Council members can explain their lack of support for protecting our local waters themselves, but let me speak plainly: You cannot claim to be for protecting "the Everglades 100-million percent" while remaining silent on a hastily erected 5,000-person encampment built with no environmental impact study (as required by law).
While we hope voters will watch the video of last night's debate and judge for themselves, let us address some of the objections raised:
"It is not an Islamorada issue." Could not disagree more. Our local economy is absolutely tied to the health of the Everglades and Florida Bay! A recent Everglades Foundation study found the "sprawling wetland contributes some $31.5 billion to real estate, tourism, and other sectors of the local economy" in South Florida, valuing more than $1 trillion "over the next 50 years." [1]
We are "trying to equate the environment with the deportation of people." This is simply not true. Our resolution specifically "urges the State of Florida to identify and select an alternative more suitable location and environment for the construction and operation of a detention facility." There are plenty of alternate sites across Florida that are not in a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. [2]
"They have not poured any new concrete." Also, not true. Based on aerial footage, Friends of the Everglades scientist Dr. Christopher McVoy has documented at least 20 acres of new pavement poured since the encampment was opened last month. [3]
At one point during the debate I asked a colleague — who also claimed to be "all for the Everglades" — what part of the resolution she disagreed with... her response: "Pretty much all of it. This is not Islamorada business." Another member could not support it for fear of "political implications."
Cara Capp, Greater Everglades Associate Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, representing 1.6 million members nationwide, said it best in her letter to council supporting this resolution:
"... Environmental impacts like light pollution, water consumption, wastewater removal, and increased vehicle traffic are serious dangers to our national parks... advancing a development of this size without environmental review is reckless and counter to our investment in Everglades restoration... Immigration detention centers do not belong in our national park landscapes..."
Folks, despite last night's results, we will not back down on protecting the Everglades and Florida Bay.
Gov. Ron DeSantis' claim this will have "zero environmental impact" on the Everglades is not true. This ill-conceived, rushed detention camp is a direct and dangerous threat to Islamorada's waters and economy.
We will not fold... we will not cower in fear of political retribution... we will fight.
1-to-4 vote on a preliminary 23% property tax hike.
As reported by the Florida Keys Free Press, we debated "adopting a preliminary 23% property tax increase for the 2025-2026 fiscal year" last night. As noted, the "preliminary rate is typically set high for discussion purposes and later reduced after budget workshops and public hearings prior to final adoption before the start of the new fiscal year in October." [4]
I voted no. The mere, procedural suggestion we could raise property taxes by 23% is preposterous.
Just last week our Citizens Budget Task Force presented thoughtful, cost-cutting recommendations — including one member recommending a cut to the tax rate — for us to consider as the Village Council begins our annual budgetary process.
We are not interested in playing budgetary games.
Let’s go through the budget process with an eye for cutting costs first. Let’s hear from the public during our upcoming budget workshops (August 5, 6, 7). Let’s carefully consider and prioritize potential disaster recovery costs due to looming funding cutbacks at FEMA.
Then, after rigorous public input and serious cost-cutting measures, we should debate lowering property tax rates.
Land Use meeting to discuss instituting a program for transferring development rights.
We are still studying tomorrow's Land Use meeting agenda which includes discussion of "the transfer of development rights from one parcel to another location." Hopefully this can lead to some additional affordable and/or workforce housing options, which we desperately need in Islamorada.
Take a look at the agenda and let us know your thoughts. Land Use meeting begins Thursday, July 24, 5:30pm, Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.
As always, we will continue our vow to protect our waters and guard against overdevelopment.
Many thanks,
Capt. Steve Friedman
Village of Islamorada councilman
PS — The overwhelming amount of calls, emails and texts we received in support of our Everglades resolution were absolutely appreciated. Thank you. And a special shout out to Dylan Scottand Alina Davis who both used public comment via Zoom (watch here) to condemn the lack of support for our resolution, even after it was settled. Good trouble.
Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year, study finds, Everglades Foundation, 6/19/25
Councilman Steve Friedman's Everglades resolution.
Friends of the Everglades, myth vs. fact
Islamorada mulls 23% tax hike, Florida Keys Free Press, 7/21/25
I applaud your efforts Steve- thank you. Please keep at it
Too bad these cowards are afraid of political retribution from DeSantis and Trump