⚖️ CASE DISMISSED

In an unexpected move, Pier B Development Corporation, owned and operated by the Walsh family and represented in court by attorney Bart Smith, has dismissed the lawsuit that sought to undo recent charter amendments, overwhelmingly approved by voters, that limit cruise ships in Key West.

The filing comes one day before our Committee was set to appear before Judge Bonnie J. Helms, to continue our defense of the baseless claims alleged by Pier B. Our lawyers and experts were thoroughly prepared and ready for trial.

Throughout the 2020 campaign, you heard our opponents claim there were "contracts" and "development orders" that would void the charter amendments. You heard about "lawsuits that would bankrupt the City" if the amendments passed.

We remained confident. We had done our homework before drafting the amendments. We had studied the law and consulted with a team of experts. And after wading through decades of obscure documents from a shadowy period of Key West history, we were able to clearly advance the truth in our filings to the court — that there is no development order that protects Pier B from the will of the voters.

Pier B has now admitted the weakness of their claim under Florida law, and they've thrown up their hands.

Pier B may try again. However, for now, the people of Key West have won another crucial round. And your support made this possible.

But there is a bigger battle yet to come. We must continue to fight in Tallahassee against the Harbor Pilots and their powerful lobby. The Pilots are pushing draft legislation, Florida Senate Bill 426 and House Bill 267, that would pre-empt Key West's charter amendments and eliminate home rule in Florida's 15 seaports. We will keep you posted on this as our strategy develops, and we hope we can continue to count on your support.

Thank you for your support,

Key West Committee for Safer, Cleaner Ships
Evan Haskell, President
Jolly Benson, Vice President
Arlo Haskell, Treasurer
David Dunn, Secretary
Capt. Will Benson, Member-at-Large