Celebrations of recent firefighters and the accomplishments of Marathon residents took up the vast majority of a lightweight agenda for the Marathon Metropolis Council at its July 8 session.
Hearth Chief James Muro opened the night by swearing in and pinning new firefighters David Conde and Alejandro Ortega, with firefighter Alexander Martinez to be acknowledged at a later date. The ultimate three hires symbolize the primary time Marathon has had a fully-staffed fireplace division in roughly seven years, Mayor Lynn Landry instructed the viewers.
“It takes lots of onerous work and help from their households, EMT fireplace certification, testing screening, an oral interview, swim exams – all types of issues to get to the purpose the place they’re,” Muro stated. “This oath has significance for the fireplace service and police work and the army, as a result of after the oath, each different factor they do is simply a part of the job.”
Muro additionally lauded the accomplishments of newly-promoted Lt. Isabella Sanchez, who joined Marathon Hearth Rescue after time spent with Key Largo EMS.
“She’s a pure chief, and we’re pleased and proud to have her right here,” Muro stated. “We had a scenario through which we needed to do two promotional exams inside six weeks of one another … a driver’s check and a lieutenant’s check. Ms. Sanchez completed primary on each.”
Councilwoman Robyn Nonetheless acknowledged native FWC biologist Andrew Heise, acknowledged earlier this 12 months as certainly one of Gov. Ron DeSantis Florida Heroes for saving the lifetime of a person bitten by a crocodile within the Everglades in March 2024.
Dragging the 68-year-old man from the water, Heise used data gained from years in Boy Scouts to use a tourniquet to his severely injured leg, stopping what may very properly have been a deadly bleed till different first responders arrived.
“As a result of his fast actions, this gentleman is alive at the moment,” stated Nonetheless. “I simply thought it was vital that now we have a recognition of him not solely as a Florida Hero, however I think about him a Marathon hero additionally. … Thanks for doing what lots of people won’t have completed, or won’t have had the abilities and data to do.”
In different information:
- Decision 2025-69, unanimously accepted, gives for a possible reimbursement of $32,680 of an estimated $50,000 for set up of 10 navigational aids resulting in the redeveloped Seven Mile Marina. Funding would come from the State Boating Enchancment Funds, earmarked to assist leisure boating tasks. The request will likely be renewed in August by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.
- Decision 2025-67, accepted on consent, awarded a $553,582 contract to LPS Contracting for the redevelopment of the docks on the Seven Mile Marina.
- Decision 2025-70, additionally unanimously accepted, amends an settlement to incorporate town of Layton in funds divided and distributed from the Florida Keys Stewardship Act. Since 2012, the annual state allocation has funded wastewater and water high quality enchancment tasks all through the island chain. Underneath the modification, eight authorities entities and utilities would every obtain 12.5% of allotted funds annually, with the flexibility to redistribute funds based mostly on particular person cities’ wants. In lieu of the settlement, municipalities and utilities would submit particular person tasks to a grant portal to earn a share of the funds.