Outgoing President Mike Petro Passes the Gavel To ... - SnapPages

CONCHCOLORf l o r i d a k e y s p h o t o g r a p h i c c h r o n i c l eedi(305) 294-7566 office (305) 292-9955 faXpUBlisher/editorTom oosTerhoudT ooster@conchcolor.comdirector of operationsLee hines (305) 849-3473 lee@conchcolor.comOFFICE ASSISTANT: Matt Kennard matt@conchcolor.comad salesKaren Lee hirsT (305) 304-7609 karen@conchcolor.comYLeana VuraL (305) 797-8888 yleana@aol.comsho LichTensTein (305) 797-6609 shotime@conchcolor.comraqueL crummiTT (305) 414-8949 raqUelc@jsapromos.comAD SALES UPPER KEYSJanet Wood (305) 395-0241 – fldesignerjw@aol.comcreatiVe designdina coYLe, dina designs, int’l (305) 741-7272 dinadesigns@BellsoUth.netweB master: daVid a.cox (774) 772-8434 imonamac@me.comPROOFREADER: Maxine lopez-Keough314 simonton street key west fl 33040pUBlished weekly and distriBUted eVery friday from key west to key largo.copyright 2010. all rights reserVed.DEADLINE 5 p.m. Friday for advertising and community newsThe Positive VoiceTHE FLORIDA KEYS NEED A POSITIVE VOICE to counteract negativity promoted by other localpapers. Conch Color greatly appreciates positive comments about the community you live in. Ifyou love your community and have something positive to say about it, email ooster@bellsouth.net.There are so many great Samaritans in the Keys and wonderful things happen every day. It’s time togive a voice to those who have great comments to say about the Keys.TORIALA Special Fourth of July Messagefrom Our CongresswomanThe 4th of July is an opportunityfor us to reflect as we celebrate ournation’s independence and thefreedoms we all enjoy. Two hundredthirty-six years ago, the greatestexperiment in individual libertyand self government began witha simple proclamation: “We holdthese truths to be self-evident, thatall men are created equal, that theyare endowed by their Creator withcertain unalienable rights, that amongthese are life, liberty and the pursuitof happiness.” Our Founding Fatherscreated a system whereby governmentis accountable to the people and notvice versa.Not only has America been aland where freedom and prosperityhave flourished, but it has also beena great example for the rest of theworld. Since its birth, our nation hascommitted itself to being a beacon ofliberty and a force for good. As thewife of a wounded Vietnam combatveteran, I am truly thankful for thosewho serve our nation proudly in thearmed forces, as well as their lovedones. Scores of America’s bravefighting men and women have madethe ultimate sacrifice safeguardingdemocracy at home and abroad.As a political refugee, I have aunique perspective on the greatnessof the United States. Americaopened its arms to my family andme as we fled the Castro regime. Tothink that an 8-year-old girl whospoke no English and came froman island nation, suffering undera brutal dictatorship, could growup to become the first Hispanicwoman elected to the greatestdeliberative body in human historysays everything you need to knowabout what America is all about. Thisnation has remained vibrant and freebecause it has welcomed all thoseyearning for a brighter tomorrow.I encourage all of us in our SouthFlorida community to take time this4th of July to honor the sacrifices ofour troops and all those who havegiven their lives in order to secure ourfreedoms. We have the good fortuneto live in a land where the rule of lawand justice prevail. Let us not takethat for granted and ensure that wecontinue to strive to be that “moreperfect union.”I wish you all a happy and safeFourth of July!-Ileana Ros-Lehtinen -Member of CongressConch Color Welcomes NewFKCC President Dr. Jonathan GueverraTOM OOSTERHOUDTeditor&publisherconch color the florida keys 4 photographic chronicle