An Open Letter from Commissioner Sam Kaufman… Again

Twice in one day, Kaufman had to let his constituents know what was going on Regarding Key West’s Pride crosswalks with a letter to the media.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I want to share with you an important and troubling update regarding the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) recent Final Order against the City of Key West.

FDOT has determined that our City’s crosswalks do not comply with state traffic control device standards and has ordered that they be remedied. This decision follows a process that, in my view, lacked fairness and impartiality. Concerns were raised in a related case by attorney Howard DuBosar, who filed a Verified Motion to Disqualify FDOT’s presiding officer. That motion outlined troubling evidence of potential bias and predisposition within FDOT’s own ranks. Unfortunately, Key West will not benefit from that challenge because our City Commission has chosen not to pursue the motion to disqualify, nor any arguments on appeal or in court.

As a result, the FDOT’s Final Order now stands without further review. This means that Key West will not have the opportunity for an independent and fair determination of whether our crosswalks truly comply with the law. More importantly, our community is left without a chance to challenge whether FDOT applied its own standards in an unbiased and just manner.

I am deeply disappointed in this outcome. It saddens me that Key West will not move forward with appeals or litigation to ensure that the voices of our residents and the principles of fairness and due process are respected.

At stake is not simply the design of our crosswalks, but the broader principle of whether state agencies should be allowed to act as both prosecutor and judge in matters affecting our community. The people of Key West deserve transparency, accountability, and fair treatment from the agencies that govern us.

Sincerely,
Sam Kaufman
District II City Commissioner, Key West