MR. OLINZOCK:
You may recall that we met a couple of months ago. You were down at Jeanna's Deli pretending to be a code enforcement officer and when I questioned you about it, you refused to identify yourself. I thought that was curious: A bully slopping at the public-money trough refusing to identify himself to the press.
Concerning the newsrack ordinance: As I have stated publicly in my newspaper, I simply do not choose to participate. My opinion is that this is just another example of bureaucratic masturbation— and your letter to me falls right into that category. I predict that if this new law is enforced at all, it will be enforced selectively. Imagine that: Selective code enforcement in Key West.
Want an example? I told the members of the newsrack committee several months ago, in writing, that down at Fausto's on Fleming, there's a newsbox, gasp, just a couple of inches from the curb! There's another newsbox there that's, double gasp, only a couple of inches from a tree! Based on the copy of the law you sent me, newsboxes can't be placed within 12 inches of a curb and within two feet of a tree. Who's supposed to be enforcing the law!?
Since you like to play code enforcement officer, maybe you can stroll down to Fausto's and take a look at the blatant violation of the law there. Shouldn't somebody be in jail!? We'll be watching to see if you or other members of the newsrack police can figure out how to enforce the law in front of Mayor Weekley's store.
From time to time, we'll probably publish a story reporting on the status of the newsbox law and all the public good it is accomplishing. How's it going so far?
Dennis Reeves Cooper
Publisher