The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-01-01
1852 KEY WEST-KEYS
Continued from Page One)

MAINLAND ana 10 CuDa is per
manently assured.
| Key Vests ancient and decrepit
sewer system will be overhauled
thanks to a Federal grant of more
than one-million dollars, the major
cost of digging up the old and
putting in the new sewage system.
The County and the City collected
a higher proportion of taxes than
ever before in their histories.
The boom was also shown by
soaring of real estate values. Not
only land, but bay bottom became
the target for private buyers.
Bay Bottom
While the sellers of land were
private real estate firms and in
dividuals, the seller of bay bottom
was the Florida international I'M
provement Board.
Key Vests vanishing waterfront
shrank some more with the an
nOuncement of commercial deve-
lopments on Roosevelt Boulevard.
Claude Gandolfo and Howard VIII
SON made public their ownership of
% acres of bay bottom purchased
off the Boulevard between the CT
tvs swimming pool and Sigsbee
Park Road. The City withdrew
their objections to partners pur.
chase of an additional 3.5 acres
which make the pair the largest
bay bottom owners in Key West.
A drive in restaurant and other
commercial buildings will replace
the blue water of the bay.
The Monroe County Grand Jury
opposed the further sale of bay
bottom to private individuals and
made an eleventh hour proposal
that the City acquire 800 feet of
bay bottom around the boulevard
to protect it for the people. In
stead of acting upon this the City
gave up its objections to private
purchase of a much smaller
amount.
Elections
State Representative Papy was
swept back into office in the May
primary overwhelming the opposi-
ton of ]. Y. Porter w. The only
independent candidate to win in
the May balloting, tantamount to
election, was Earl Duncan who
takes his seat on the School Board
on January 6.
John M. Spottswood was elected
to office with huge majority,
as Sheriff. The majority of coun-
ty candidates were returned.
Dog Track
After a campaign that matched
the heat of last summer, the dog
track was voted in by Monroe
county in September. Civic club
and church opposition to the in
PRODUCTION of legalized gambling in
the county folded as the referen-
dun took place.
November Election
Monroe county was one of the
counties piling up majority for
Democratic Presidential candidate
Adlai Stevenson. Though there was
larger Republican vote than in
the recent history Of the county,
Democrats continued to out num-
Der Republicans in the national and
state offices. The county officials,
naturally. were all Democrats.
The Water Shortage
Good news for parched Key West
came from the Navy and from the
Florida Keys 'Aqueduct Commits
sion. The Navy obtained a S495. 900
emergency Appropriation from the
IU. S. Congress for additional faci-
lhiies and pumping stations.
The Aqueduct Commission an
nounced its plans for a parallel
lpipeline to run next TO the Navy
which viii be the signal for huge
developments on the Keys, At pre-
sent thousands OF units Of apart
ments and motels are being held
Iup because of the water shortage.
The LAST Month Of 81
The murder Of Harry Z kiug
on October 30 at Little Torch Key
Beach brought Key West into the
national spotlight again The young
native Of New Jersey was found
dead by his motorcycle, shot
through the head. To date there
have been no breaks in the case
The loss Of Key Vests number
one publicity asset. the senai.an.
nual visits Of President Truman
did not materially affect the in.
Iflnx Of tourists 10 the city.
| The Key west dateline made
known throughout the world by
President Humans wits 10 the
Island is beng kept before the
public By articles in national maya
Etnes. newspapers, and televislon
shows
Replaciag the President as viSi.
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