IRONY— Artist Rick Worth's painting "The Last Bite" won the $1000 Juror's Award in the "Under the Sun" show last weekend at the Key West Museum of Art & History. The show was the first major event sponsored by the Key West Art & Historical Society since the firestorm broke in early December over the firing of Assistant Director Joe Pais after he publicly called for the banning of brightly-lighted soft drink vending machines in the Historic District. Worth said that his painting, which features a lighted soft drink vending machine, illustrates the conflict between old and the new in Key West.
Coca-Cola began turning off the lights in the company's interior-illuminated vending machines in the Historic District this week. At press time, Pepsi-Cola had not committed to any action.
The issue became a hot topic last Dec. 3 when Key West Art & Historical Society (KWAHS) Director Kevin O'Brien abruptly fired Assistant Joe Pais after Pais publicly called for the banning of brightly-lighted soft drink vending machines in the Historic District.
According to Pais, O'Brien told him that he had gotten pressure from Pepsi executive Donn Vecchie-Campbell, a major contributor to the KWAHS. But KWAHS board chairman Susan Cardenas has denied that Pepsi-Cola had anything to do with the Pais firing.
Other than that denial, however, KWAHS officials have consistently maintained a "no comment" position— although some KWAHS members have withdrawn support and other have threatened to boycott Society events.
What made the incident somewhat bizarre was that Pais had already resigned to accept a new job with the State Division of Historic Resources in Tallahassee. A former City Commissioner, mayoral candidate and City Planning Board Chairman, Pais was a 13-year employee with the KWAHS.
Three weeks ago, outraged by the KWAHS' treatment of Pais, City Commissioner Harry Bethel asked City Attorney Bob Tischenkel to research laws on the books relating to brightly-lighted vending machines in Old Town. Tischenkel found two regulations that may ban lighted vending machines in the Historic District— a HARC (Historic Architectural Review Commission) guideline that bans vending machines on the public way, and a sign ordinance that prohibits illuminated plastic signs.
Coca-Cola's Sales Center Manager James Bogoeff immediately informed the City Commission that Coke would turn off the lights of the company's vending machines in the Historic District.
"Only about 20 or 30 machines are involved," he said. "We'll have that project completed by early next week."
At press time, Pepsi-Cola had not responded to a request for comment.
"If Pepsi fails to voluntarily comply to the law, I will call for the law to be fully enforced," Bethel said.