Post # 57, Bob McKnight's Subscription Commentary
Rest well Mr. Key West. You did well.
In 1978 I decided to leave what I felt was a safe seat in the Florida House of Representatives representing about 1/3 of Miami, to run for the Senate covering even more of Miami and all the Florida Keys. It was not an easy move because I had to beat two Senators to do it.
But, the move to the Senate gave me a chance to meet a wonderful Conch named David Wolkowsky. He was a very smart and determined businessman with interests in real estate, the environment, and especially education. With his far reaching influence in Key West, he became beloved and known as "Mr. Key West."
He died last year at the ripe old age of 99, and all of us that knew him have been deeply saddened. Knowing David, he planned for his passing--by donating his famous island just off the Southernmost Point to the Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Wildlife Service. It has now been reported that the island will be named after David, although he would probably protest that decision.
There is a lot of talk today about bad behavior, crass remarks, hurtful actions, and just plain mean spiritness. Isn't it nice to know it wasn't always that way? No, during the Golden age of Florida Politics back then, we had the David Wolkowsky's--a true class act. Rest well Mr. Key West. You did well.