Key West Recycles...Gardi's Three Year Old Observation

Working At the Speed (and Expense) of Government

Key West Wastes $379,000, and 3 1/2 Years to Address the Obvious
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 30, 2012

Folks, I'm not really an "I told you so" type of guy. ;)  OK, OK, yes, I am and this one takes the cake.  Our esteemed daily, the Citizen is heaping accolades upon the Key West City Commission today for their epiphany about recycling.  (See Here)  Give me a break.

Three and a half years ago I penned a piece on the front page of Key West the Newspaper about this obvious problem.  (See Here) Yes, that was February 13, 2009 within which I stated the following about Waste Management;

...they get paid per ton of trash they haul, and they incur additional costs if they actually collect the recyclable material.  Their incentive is to haul trash, and enjoy a low recycling rate regardless of whatever pretty PR they push…and it all gets back to their contract with the City.

FCAT Follies Exposed by Insightful High School Students

Education Revolution, Scores Big
Florida Board of Education Continues to Fail to Make the Grade

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 28, 2012

This latest winner was sent to me from Rick Roach, the School Board member from Orange County that had the fortitude to take "and fail" the FCAT (See Here.)  and says it is all about holding people accountable.  Somehow students are held accountable, as are teachers.... but the failures at the State level that can't get the quarter billion dollar boondoggle known as the FCAT together somehow escape scrutiny from the main stream media.

Fortunately, we have talented students that have a grasp on the issues (and should be running the State Board of Education) that can articulate the failure that is the FCAT, and in turn the Florida Board of Education.  Education Revolution gets a passing grade from Naked Conch with their latest production!  Enjoy!

Lack of Local Reporting is the Leading Cause of Apathy

Happy Go Lucky Coverage Lulls Public to Sleep

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 27, 2012

In a recent editorial, the Key West Citizen reviewed the most recent election results and pondered rhetorically...

Do these results indicate that the electorate disagrees with the prosecution of the former superintendent or the board's subsequent actions? Maybe, maybe not. With only 30 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot, it certainly doesn't indicate a mandate, but is certainly cause for pause.

The battle between laughing and crying I experienced as a result of the Citizen's thought provoking editorial was painful.  Maybe if our local daily newspaper actually served up a healthy dish of actual reporting the Keys might have a better informed electorate, and voters might be inspired to show up at the polls.  But when coverage is limited to the latest finger pointing, lacks any detail whatsoever, and is rife with inaccuracies and omissions, it's no wonder the voting public is lulled into apathy.

Naked Conch Streaming Hourly Isaac Updates from Sugarloaf

Hourly on the Hour

Plus we'll try to do some recorded out and about during the day.

Check it out on our ISAAC in the Keys Page.

Grand Jury iPad Report Released

Naked Conch Makes Full Report Available

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 23, 2012

After months of speculation, the scandal that broke in late February of this year reaches it's crescendo.  In this post election release, names are named and recommendations made.  Is Naked Conch vindicated in it's long standing suggestion that the County has no accountability when tracking assets? (Enjoy video here.)  Does the report uncover the gory details of the Clerk's mismanagement and cover up of such?  (Refresh your memory here.)   Or is it much ado about nothing?   You decide...take the poll below the report.

Gardi Comes Clean on Name Change

Y an I, Gardi?  What are you hiding?

With Nothing to Lose...I'll Come Clean!

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 19, 2012

I found it amusing that what seemed to get the most attention from the public during my recent campaign for County Clerk was the fact I changed my name in 2005, from Gardy to Gardi.  As I explained to Gwen Filosa during an interview on the subject only a week before the election, my wife and I changed the spelling because we both preferred the true Italian spelling and we wanted to honor our Italian heritage.  My family had Americanized the name in the early 1900s after having immigrated to the States. Simeone became Simon, Saveria became Sarah, Maria became Mary, Vittorio became Victor, and yes, Gardi became Gardy.  Filosa's article ran five days before the election and can be found here.

Clearly the results of the election would indicate it didn't have an effect on the outcome, but what is most interesting is the number of people, including close friends who have made an issue out of it, insinuating that there is some deep, dark and sinister reason behind the name change.  I attribute that to Filosa's success at writing the article to create that impression, as she conveniently left out a few critical components of the story.  But admittedly, Filosa didn't know everything.

So to that end, I will now come clean and expose the full detail of how Gardy went back to Gardi...and let the chips fall where they may.

SUFA Challenges Madok to be Honest

Linda Gottwald Corrects Misinformation Presented by Clerk of Courts Candidate Kevin Madok

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 12, 2012
After having reviewed the latest Clerk of Courts forum put on by the Marathon Chamber of Commerse, Linda Gottwald of Stand Up For Animals took exception with facts presented by Candidate Kevin Madok. She recently sent this letter to numerous news agencies in response.

During the Aug. 6 Election 2012 Candidate Forum, Clerk of the Court candidate Kevin Madok stated that "law enforcement agencies had to be brought in to help with the subpoenas and records requests" during the clerk's audit of Monroe County's animal shelter contractor, SUFA.  This is untrue. We challenge him to name a single requested document that would support this statement.

Mr. Madok is either misinformed, dishonest or blindly obedient to his superiors.  None of these characteristics will serve Monroe County well.

Key West Citizen Finally Draws Attention to Foreclosure Fraud

Gwen Filosa Picks Up Story as an Aside to Campaign for Clerk

As if I was trying to hide it....sneaky old me, keeping that dirt secret by writing about it in a Newspaper!
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardy Gardi -  August 9, 2012 (Oooohh, a secret name change too!)
It was great to see the Citizen finally address the foreclosure fraud that is going on in our County, and throughout our Country.  Although as is typical, there were a few inaccuracies, but that's to be expected.  As someone who has tried desperately to draw any and all attention about the issue to the public forefront, including writing a six part series in Key West the Newspaper, it is good to see the issue brought to the public's attention....finally.  For those interested in the series it is compiled conveniently here.

Madok Pulls a Gentile - Claims to be CPA When Applying to Clerk's Office

Does it Again in 2010 in Application to Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District....ahh, no biggie.

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 8, 2012

Kevin Madok, candidate for Clerk of Courts (and my opponent), used the title CPA next to his name, and listed under licenses, "CPA - State of California," when applying to the Clerk's Office in 2004.  Only problem is, he wasn't a CPA.  According to California he only was a CPA from 1988 - 1990, and his license is canceled.

Madok used the same title again in 2010 when he applied to the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District, where the field was narrowed to himself and Sal Zappulla.  Zappulla got the job.

"Just Enough to Get By" Attitude of Local Government Needs to Change

Clerk Enters Discussion of Access to Online Records

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 4, 2012
What do you call the person who graduates last in Med School?
Doctor.
That is the attitude that permeates so many of our local government officials.  If it is not an obligation, or requirement, why do it?  Let's do just enough to get by.  I say we can do better.

Recently Clerk Danny Kolhage entered the fray of the debates between Clerk of Courts candidates because he wanted to correct the “level of misinformation” circulating.  I thank Mr. Kolhage for offering his perspective.

Key West Chamber's Clerk of Courts Forum

One of the Better Forums... Good Format, Great Questions!

Although some answers leave a little to be desired!
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi -  August 5, 2012
Thanks to the Key West Chamber of Commerce, and the Monroe County Bar Association for hosting such an informative Clerk Forum.  While there have been many, this one seemed to cut to the chase and gives a clear comparison of your choices for Clerk of Court.  Enjoy.

www.mattgardi.com
Paid for by Matt Gardi, Republican, for Clerk of Courts

Guest Post: Red Flag Raised with Campaign Donations

Candidate for Sheriff Bill Grove Takes a Look at Specific Donations to the Ramsay Campaign

- Naked Conch - Posted by Bill Grove -  Aug 2, 2012

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Rick Ramsay recently offered an explanation of such donations at a candidate's forum held by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce.  The video is available here.  Ramsay's comments regarding donations begin approximately 15:00 into the video.

Rick Ramsay's campaign has taken contributions from many corporations including thousands of dollars from companies with current and pending contracts with the sheriffs office. While it may not be illegal these contributions raise some interesting questions.  The most glaring example is a South Florida company who currently has the 2 million dollar a year medical services contract for the jail. This company has a reputation of having significant political contacts and many news stories across Florida about inappropriate influence over sheriffs. The company who had the contract until 2010 also has contributed the maximum to Ramsay.  Both of these companies contributed the maximum amount and several executives also contributed the maximum along with sister companies of both.  Interesting is the fact that the contract is up for bid in 2013.