OFFLINE

Most people I talk to in Key West feel strongly that we've reached "carrying capacity" when it comes to the number of Cruise Ship visitors on the streets of Key West.  They feel that we shouldn't do anything to encourage or facilitate larger crowds.  Clearly widening the ship channel will facilitate larger ships carrying more visitors.  Where is the fault in this logic?

OFFLINE

The entire channel widening topic is odd. We know that it can only hurt our fragile eco-system. We have a new "Sustainability Advisory Board." If the commissioners have the foresight to understand that need, is it not evident that channel widening is not a smart move for the sustainability of our community?

OFFLINE

Yes, I think much of City government is aware of the negatives of channel widening -- but there are also the concerns about City income and about the subset of the economy that have become addicted to income from the ship traffic.  As a member of the Sustainability Advisory Board, I believe that the SAB does a good job of evaluating the long-term impacts, but it, too, is just an advisory board.  The final say on most matters lies with the Commission.

Thiis last week's action by Carnival clearly shows who's NOT concerned: the Cruise Ships themselves.  For them it's all "where can I make the most profit".  And the trend seems to be "by visiting private islands where we keep virtually ALL of the money they spend".  I'm beginning to think that the whole channel widening issue is going to turn out to be moot.

OFFLINE

One day all those people will flush the toilet at the same time in key west and we will sink. Thank God it was voted down.