A born-and-raised Center Keys constitution captain grew to become the sixth candidate within the 2025 Marathon Metropolis Council race as David Perry filed his election paperwork final week.
The proprietor of Ultimate Ultimate Fishing Charters, primarily based out of Hawks Cay, was born in Marathon, attending Sue Moore Faculty and Marathon Excessive Faculty. At this time, he mentioned, he’s wanting to make an affect on the town his two daughters and 4 grandchildren additionally name house.
“I’ll retire February 1 of 2026 and promote the final a part of my enterprise, and my ex-wife, my youngsters and a number of my pals instructed me, it’s time to assist out and provides again,” he instructed the Weekly. “I mentioned I’m greater than prepared to offer again, and if working for metropolis council is the best way I can do this, I’m your man. This can be a place I really like. My youngsters are grown up, and my grandkids are going to develop up right here. I’ve seen all of the adjustments, heard all of the complaints, and now I’d like to assist do one thing for the group.”
He cited prioritizing native residents over exterior pursuits, streamlining Marathon’s allow system and a dedication to open dialogue with residents in council conferences as the muse of his marketing campaign.
“The lengthy story quick is that I’d prefer to see it simpler for the residents to reside in Marathon. I’ve contractors, electricians, all saying it’s so laborious to open up a allow or shut a allow in comparison with a man from out of city,” he mentioned.
“If individuals need a politician, they shouldn’t vote for me. I’m not a politician – I’m going to get in, take heed to the residents of Marathon and attempt to make the most effective determination for them and what they need. That’s my aim.”
In 2024, Perry was an outspoken critic in council classes of what he mentioned was pointless overdevelopment and its results on surrounding neighborhoods, taking particular purpose on the Florida Keys Nation Membership’s golf course redevelopment.
Talking to the Weekly on July 7, he declined to touch upon the golf course, however praised residents’ capacity to impact change on objects similar to a scaled-back lodge/motel redevelopment ordinance from 2023.
He mentioned if elected, he regarded ahead to seeing extra faces and voices within the council chambers.
“I simply don’t assume there’s sufficient individuals up there proper now listening to what individuals are saying,” he mentioned. “I don’t assume sufficient residents come to the conferences. … If there’s one factor I discovered going to conferences at Metropolis Corridor, it’s that the extra individuals you convey with you, the extra you’re going to be heard.”
Although he has beforehand lived in his house on Duck Key, Perry instructed the Weekly he rented a property in Marathon as of July 1 to be eligible for the 2025 metropolis council race. He mentioned he plans to promote his Duck Key house if elected. His identify is listed in official election paperwork as William (David) Perry.