Tenants Association tries to give direction to KW Bight board

BY JERRY LAMBERT - Island News Staff Writer
 

This is boat builder and artist A.D. Tinkham's first term as the president of the Key West Historic Seaport Tenants Association. He said of the association, "Members are anyone who rents marina or land space in the Historic Seaport. The purpose of the association is to see that we are treated fairly."
Tinkham, a Massachusetts native who came to Key West seven years ago, and his association members have issues they want resolved. "We have never been a watchdog group – but we are rapidly becoming one," said Tinkham.
Tinkham says, "The (Key West Bight District Management) Board has made inconsistent decisions – we need to have a tenant as a voting member. The board lacks a clear policy about managing the bight. I have never seen a member of the board down here."
In Tinkham's role as association president, he said, "I hear all members' complaints and I hold weekly talks with the dockmaster – he is very open – I make suggestions and he tries to accommodate them." 
Tinkham says that Bight Manager Judy Shilka is also "very responsive,   but she is a little overwhelmed. Judy has to ask (Assistant City Manager John) Jones for every decision. She doesn't make any decisions. Jones lacks an appreciation for what this community is – this is not Fort Lauderdale."
Tinkham quoted Jones as saying at a public meeting, "Marina tenants exist as an attraction for the upland tenants,"  and  at another public meeting, " . . . technically, I could put your spaces up for bid each month."
Tinkham stressed, "I took that, absolutely, as an implied threat."
Tinkham speaks leadership words through his broad smile. "We need a strategy for solving problems, not incremental answers. The board's lack of policies causes them to put things off and delay decisions. There is no policy for commercial vessels, new dockage or liveaboards. It is typical that the board just incrementally follows the staff's recommendations. The rules must be in writing to solve problems."
Tinkham pointed out what he considers some other board inconsistencies. "Two upland tenant spaces have never been rented and the board just reduced two upland tenants' rents to $500 per month. I think half of the marina will now apply for rent abatement as a result. The city is giving Schooner Wharf space for their office since their fire. Space is needed for a name brand sailmaker and a marine mechanic. 
"We can appeal to the City Commission," Tinkham said. "And we have begun calling the commissioners  a lot. We are forcing issues, we are paying attention and we are organizing speakers."