The petition to #RestoreDinghyBeach is still open. Both former City Manager McLaughlin and her Asst. City Manager lied during their arguments to allow Robert Spottswood to lease the 40+ yr.old public beach - now closed off to the entire public except Marriott Beachside guests - and Robert Spottswood lied during his arguments for his owning the beach outright. Their lies will be exposed and if the higher authorities won't hold them to task (we'll see), we will be publicly calling them out on their deceit and thievery from the People.

City Atty Smith, who backed former City Manager McLaughlin's lies, has been ousted (or rather he appropriately ousted himself, good riddance) and a new City Manager, Atty and also a Commissioner have replaced some of those who support Key West government corruption to benefit entitled, greedy clowns like Robert Spottswood.

We're not done yet.

If you haven't signed up, please do. The stealing of public property from us all is a serious crime in Florida, a State which values the public's use of public beaches for all, and this theft affects us all and shouldn't be condoned by anyone. 

Nov. 1, 2022 - City Mgr McLaughlin, backed by City Atty Smith have managed to convince the City Commission to defraud the Public/City of Key West, of valuable waterfront recreational property for the benefit of greedy local developer Robert Spottswood.

Since January 2020, the beloved 40+ year old public waterfront pocket park in Key West, known locally as "Dinghy Beach", has been illegally annexed by the neighboring corporate hotel, Marriott Beachside, 3841 N. Roosevelt Boulevard. Hotel owner/developer Robert Spottswood, wrongfully claims the public beach to be his property, but has NO proof it belongs to him. In fact, both a survey and the law shows/says it doesn't belong to him and even the Florida Division of State Lands officially stated the property does NOT belong to Marriott Beachside/Robert Spottswood/SH5 - and yet the fence still stands - a symbol of corporate avarice, Robert Spottswood's big lie and his entitlement, City Manager McLaughlin's lack of character, City Attorney's Smith's lack of scruples and ethics and the City Commissioner's support of public fraud and breach of their Oath of Office. 

Yes, City Manager McLaughlin and Asst. Mgr. Stoughton - fully backed by the City's legal team headed by City Atty Shawn Smith - are allowing Robert Spottswood liberties others in Key West could only hope for. Yep, they've done it - worthless as public officials in this situation - they've fed the City Commission (several of which are Spottswood's "bubba" friends) misinformation about "surveys" that are unsubstantiated opinions, paid $2k for a worthless survey that doesn't show the determining property line factor - a riprarian line- , withheld evidence from the public, violated the City Directive and their Oath of Office and willfully supports Robert Spottswood's quasi-theft of public lands (despite their obligations to work for all residents), in addition to violating Florida State law by allowing the unpermitted (FL Stat. 161.55) fence to remain in place - an open slap in the face to every Key Wester and visitor wishing to use the special little "locals" public waterfront property.

The City could have done the right thing and listened to their constituents who told them the Proposal contained false information, or the 1100+ petitioners asking them to "Restore Dinghy Beach" and give access back again to ALL those who wish to enjoy the warm waters of the Florida Gulf with their friends, loved ones and pups and experience first-hand one of Key West's treasured "locals" pocket parks.  But no, they voted in favor of corruption and greed.

So...what now? Normally, this petition would be over, but it's not because: we're going to continue to ask the Commission to RestoreDinghyBeach as they grapple with the consequences of their actions. What consequences?  

Sign on and stay tuned for the updates.

P.S. thanks for the donations to get us this far - we've accomplished the signature amount through funds and at this time ask you to hold off on further donations (although feel free to forward to a friend to sign & inform) as we are about to rap up the petition - thank you!!