Kaufman to Host Public Meeting on Cuba Concerns in Key West
Commissioner Sam Kaufman becomes the first city official to publicly address growing community concerns tied to Cuba tensions, tourism fears and emergency preparedness during a Wednesday forum.
KEY WEST, Fla. — Commisioner and Mayoral candidate Sam Kaufman will host a public community meeting Wednesday evening to address growing concerns in Key West over rising tensions involving Cuba and possible local impacts on tourism, emergency preparedness and public safety.
The meeting is scheduled for May 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Frederick Doulass Gym Community Center.
Kaufman is the first Key West city commissioner to publicly address concerns tied to recent national reports involving Cuba via a forum, including discussions surrounding federal actions, migration, maritime policy and regional security issues.
In a statement announcing the meeting, Kaufman said the goal is to provide residents and business owners with “facts instead of rumors” as speculation and online discussion continue circulating throughout the community.
“As a community only 90 miles from Cuba, people naturally have questions and concerns,” Kaufman said. “The goal of this meeting is to provide accurate information, reduce unnecessary fear and speculation, and allow residents and businesses to hear directly from individuals involved in emergency management, public safety, and tourism.”
According to the release, local and federal officials have said there is currently no known direct threat to Key West and no immediate changes to federal policy or Coast Guard procedures.
Topics expected to be discussed include emergency management planning, tourism and economic concerns, public safety coordination, visitor confidence and federal maritime and travel policies.
Invitations have been extended to representatives from emergency management agencies, the tourism and hospitality industry, the Key West Business Guild, lodging officials, the Chamber of Commerce and other community stakeholders.
Kaufman said the meeting is intended to be informative rather than political.
“We want people to leave with facts instead of rumors,” Kaufman said. “Key West has always faced challenges best when our community stays informed, communicates openly, and works together calmly and responsibly.”
The meeting is open to the public.
Thank you,Sam,for again taking the lead in initiating community engagement around an issue that could possibly have implications for our community.
We have no firm knowledge of any current hostile activity that involves Cuba and Key West.We also don’t know if we will have a hurricane during the season.But we have staff that provide information and resources for that possibility.Why wouldn’t we have local political leadership doing the same thing for this possibility?
I appreciate you taking the time to do something that the Key West city manager,our current mayor and the entire City Commission should be doing.
Again, I hope that nothing comes to pass regarding military operations between Cuba and the US.But even if there is the remote possibility, I appropriate your efforts to take step to ensure our safety.
Clark Luster
Key West,Florida