Counting Down!

We are coming close to Election Day, Tuesday Oct 6, 7 am - 7 pm.

Early Voting ends Friday!

Look for a lengthy blog in the next few days........

Until then, give a call! I love talking with you!

FLORIDAYS TONIGHT SOLD OUT!

Tonight's sunset sail on the Floridays is sold out!

If you have a ticket, boarding is 6:15pm!

AME BETHEL SUNDAY, Sep 27th

We had a great time listening to the questions from the community! Thank you Rev Forbes!

Who attended? Sloan Bashinsky, Craig Cates and Mike Mongo for Mayor; Jim Marquardt for District 6.

Who did not attend? Mr. Lopez and Mr. McPherson. Here is a copy of the email invite:

From: Alana Thurston [mailto:kwpeach@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 8:33 AMTo: clopez@keywestcity.com; mayor@keywestcity.com; mbolen@keysnews.com; jamesmarquardt@bellsouth.net; mike@mikemongoformayor.com; catesauto@aol.comSubject: Forum & Meet the Candidate

Just in case someone says they were not invited.

Rev Forbes was distressed that the two Candidates that did not show, did not call or email that they were not attending.

AME Bethel Sunday 3pm

AME Bethel has invited all candidates for Mayor and Districts to a forum this Sunday, 3pm.

Hope to see you there! AME Bethel is on the corner of Truman and Thomas Streets in Historic Bahama Village. There is ample parking two blocks down on Fort Street.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT FORUM

This Forum was held at Kelly's Caribbean Wednesday evening. It was well attended and ample time to mix and discuss issues.

The questions were quite good and I enjoyed the evening immensely.

Thank you Ladies!

Sailing Sailing!

I have chartered Floridays Luxury Yacht as a fundraiser for Sep 28th Sunset sail, 6:15pm boarding (rain date Sep 29) departing from the Hyatt dock on Front Street.

For information and tickets: 304-7683 Only 2 tickets remain. $49 or more.

A contribution to this fundraiser for James Marquardt is a contribution to the campaign of James Marquardt Candidate FOR Key West City Commissioner, District 6

Monday Monday,

As the song says, Monday, Monday.....

Last night's Hometown PAC forum for District 1 at the Tropic had about 150 concerned citizens.

The District 1 debate was quite good and both Candidates shared their views on the issues. At least as best they could in the time allowed.

Having participated in several debates now, it is indeed difficult to get the message out in 1 minute.

Safety, Lighting, Parking, all the usual.

When the Mayoral Candidates had their chance, I felt that the current Mayor had more time than any to speak. More questions went to Morgan than any other. Mr. Cates received the least amount of time.

This was a shame as we all know Morgan. What I want to hear is more from the Candidates.

AME Bethel on Sunday

It was a privilege to be a part of Pastor Appreciation on Sunday. Rev Forbes has been a good friend to us since he moved to Key West.

I truly believe he has the community at heart.

My friend Carol and I were welcomed and invited to fellowship with food after. I spoke with several good friends and enjoyed the time.

Solaris Hill

Did you read the Solaris Hill this morning?

My comment is watch the HometownPAC! Video coverage and listen to ALL the debate. You will see and hear what was missed in today's 'Hill. The links are 1 blog below this one.

I ALSO SAY CALL ME AND MEET WITH ME! I would love to speak with each constituent!

This Just In!

Below is the Link to the HOMETOWN PAC Forum at the VFW in Bahama Village, District 6.


http://www.hometownkeywest.com/hometown-events.html

Click on view video 1 and view video 2 for our debate, video 3 is that of the Mayoral candidates.

My thanks to Hometown PAC! for this excellent capture.

UPDATES & Happenings!

Attended two functions last night! Mango's (InnKeepers Social) was cancelled, so I headed over to the Old City Hall to listen in on the "new" Board for the CRA's that concern Caroline St Corridor and Bahama Village. I arrived well into the meeting as it began before I could get there.
I must say the Planning Department presented an excellent piece of work.

After it adjourned, I zipped over to Finnegan's Wake for the Heron- Peacock Fundraiser.

Nice group of about fifty, silent auction, great music and wonderful conversations. Strong community support was shown by the host, the public and the organization.

Mr. Milone was present and I think I missed Sloan as we passed each other on our respective bikes between events!

Tonight is Mr. Cates' event upstairs at Turtle Krawls. I must say, every event I have attended up there has been great! The view, the food and fellowship has always been aces. I may swing by there!

I have been invited to AME Bethel for Pastor's Appreciation this Sunday @ 3pm. I really enjoy these functions at AME in the afternoon as I work Sundays and am not able to attend church in the morning. See you there if you attend. Fellowship after.

PS: on the voice. Had the doc come by yesterday and swab for FLU. FLU A and B both negative! Turns out there is a nasty bacteria going around that is sinus related (hence my voice turning into Frogs or nothing at all) or tummies (which I do not have thank the LORD). Not contagious as well! CIPRO for 5 days does the trick if you feel like the above!

Tonight Finnegan's 9-17-9

Hope to see you at Finnegan's Wake for the fundraiser 'Heron-Peacock Supported Living Facility', 5 pm til 8pm!

MANGO'S HAS BEEN CANCELLED! MOVED TO OCT 8 @ CYPRESS HOUSE, ALL FANTASY FEST CANDIDATES! WOO HOO!

My voice is trying to come back! Last night at Better Than Sex it left me!

Tonight at SALUTE and BETTER THAN SEX 9-16-9

Tonight is meet the democrat candidates at Better Than Sex in the 400 block of Petronia, 6-8pm AND Sloan for Mayor party at Salute @ Higg's Beach, 6-8pm as well.

Hope to see you there!

Tomorrow, Thursday, Sep 17th, the Innkeepers Social is at Mango's in the 700 block of Duval, 5:30 pm to 7:30 and at Finnegan's Wake, @ 320 Grinnell Street is the Heron-Peacock Supported Living Facility fundraiser, also 5:30 to 8:30.

Hope to see you there as well!

PRESS RELEASE

Here is the Press Release from yesterday:

P R E S S R E L E A S E


On August 20, 2009, I filed a complaint with the State Attorney’s office regarding a disturbing visit I received from Scott Fraser a political advisor for Clayton Lopez, the sitting District 6 Commissioner.

On August 17th, 2009, Scott Fraser called and asked to meet with me. On August 18th during the visit to my home, Mr. Fraser recommended that I drop out of the race for District 6 City Commissioner and if I didn’t he threatened the Audit with the BCCLT would not fare well, “devastating” and the same for me for any future plans I may have. This visit was witnessed by my partner.

Whether veiled or explicit, legal or illegal, most people do not tolerate threats or intimidations. I don’t and I certainly don’t think the good citizens of District 6 do either. This felt like an attempt at blackmail.

This is not appropriate behavior for any political team. Threats and blackmail are tactics of bad politics. They are tactics used by the supposed powerful on the supposed powerless. They are meant to scare and intimidate.

I, and the good citizens of District 6 are neither scared, powerless nor will be intimidated by wrong. We have a voice and we will make that voice heard. That’s why I filed the complaint.

The State Attorney has determined that no law was broken and therefore they will not pursue any further investigation at this time. But this issue is not over for the people of District 6. They can decide if they want this kind of politics to go on.

The power is in our hands to stop it. I say it is time to stop.

My name is James Marquardt and I am the candidate to represent you in District 6.

District 6 Hometown PAC!

Last night the HOMETOWN PAC! District 6 Candidates forum was held at the VFW in Bahama Village. Originally it was scheduled for the old Armory outside of District 6.

I along with Sloan for Mayor argued that the forum should be held in the District and in the Bahama Village area as this is the area of most of the issues.

The event was moved to the historic VFW and last night was standing room only. I can only say tune in to the link pages when Hometown PAC! posts on their web site. You decide.

Please join me this week, Wednesday at the Better Than Sex Dessert restaurant for a meet and greet sponsored by the Democratic club. I will first be attending Sloan for Mayor's event at Salute on Higgs beach around 6pm.

Stay tuned! It is time for Positive Change! Be a part of it!

SEPTEMBER 13th, KWEST on DUVAL, 6pm

This event is for the KWBG members, business owners and anyone else who would like to ask me ANY question. KWEST has opened the doors for this event to have an open opportunity for ANYONE to come meet ME, THE candidate FOR District 6 City Commission. 6pm on, this Sunday, the 13th. Yes it is National Equality March day and I am for Equal rights for all! I will do whatever I can as District 6 City Commissioner to assure the GLBT community has equal rights.

Please pass this link along to anyone!

Fair, trustworthy, Honest and NOT politics as usual.

SEE DISCLAIMER ON TOP

Square One Meet THE Candidate! A Success!

BIG thank you's to Michael Stewart and his great staff for a great evening! District 6 was well represented and the food and conversations where the best!

Politcal advertising paid for and approved by James Marquardt, candidate for Key West City Commission, District 6.

Taking the Higher Road

Much has been happening in my campaign. I started this campaign for the people. A Positive Change for the ENTIRE District 6. Responding to what I was hearing, and still am, about the current Commissioner not responsive and not involved.

When I was met with what can only be considered dirty politics at a minimum, it only strengthened my resolve and that of the people of District 6.

The recent forum presented by the Key West Business Guild was truly an eye opener. Ask anyone who attended. The mask is pealing. The truth is being revealed.

Political advertising paid for and approved by James Marquardt, Candidate FOR Key West City Commission, District 6

Meet THE Candidate Events A SUCCESS!

The venues Meet THE Candidate! have been quite the success! Special thanks to my host business' Green Republic and So Du Gallery to date.

The purpose of these events are two fold: for you and I to meet and get acquainted, you can hear my platform and you can ask any question you want! Next, is to direct and develop business, which is a big part of my campaign. Business to Business, working together for Positive Change.

Our next Meet THE Candidate is Tuesday, Sep 8th, 5pm - 7pm at Square One restaurant, 1075 Duval.

Please make plans to join us and listen to some piano, have a bit of food and drink, and hear what THE candidate for District 6 is all about.

Until then, see you on the streets!

Political advertising paid for and approved by James Marquardt, Candidate FOR Key West City Commissioner, District 6