Monday Morning

Coastie skipper arrested after Key West bar brawl

The commanding officer of a Boston-based Coast Guard cutter was arrested and charged with assault Tuesday following a scuffle during a port call in Key West, Fla.

Cmdr. Michael Sabellico, 42, of Scituate, Mass., the skipper of the 270-foot medium endurance cutter Escanaba, was arrested May 15 by Key West police around 1:15 a.m. The Coast Guard has temporarily reassigned him, officials said.

According to the police report, Sabellico and several crew members were drinking at establishments along the island’s famed Duval Street when they argued with a bartender at an Irish pub.

Sabellico and the crew members allegedly were loitering in an alley when the bartender at Irish Kevin’s asked them to leave. They left as requested, but according to the report, Sabellico returned and scuffled with the man. He then left the scene. Sabellico was apprehended later and charged with simple assault.

The Coast Guard is conducting an administrative investigation into the incident. According to Atlantic Area spokesman Lt. Rob Wyman, Sabellico has been reassigned temporarily to the Coast Guard’s 1st District but he remains the Escanba’s commander.

Cmdr. Chris Austin, currently the commanding officer of the Portsmouth, Va.-based Coast Guard cutter Northland, has assumed temporary command of the Escanaba while the ship returns to its home port.

Way ta go, pick a fight in an Irish pub. Look at this guy, would you be a scared?


The Deli, not good enough for the developers clients...

Another landmark restaurant is set to close in downtown Key West. The Deli, on the corner of Truman and Simonton has been there since the early 50's. Owner, Bob Bernreuter, seems to blame it on the lack of business over the last few years. Seems all the multi million dollar condo owners could care less about a lovely little historic eaterie, and failed to spend any of the cash we are constantly told they bring in, at the Diner. I am so sorry to see it go.


The Truman Waterfront

I have to say I am very concerned about the direction this last little bit of public land is headed towards. Hundreds of parking spaces, thousands of sq feet of retail (read tourist traps crap) shops and a ball park for children. Huh?

I really am starting to understand why Key West is the planning train wreck that it is, if this is the kind of things they do with our free spaces. The city also somehow wants to squeeze in an old folks home. Then theres Ed 'Swifty' Swift who thinks we need a ferry terminal there, (I guess the enormous Ferry Terminal across the harbor is not good enough), to take us all to and from Cuba.

For crying out loud! How surreal is this going to become. I will be watching this one closely.

Very cool, but I would have nightmares for weeks after perpetrating this much abuse..

You know, as a believer in Karma I can't help thinking that those bugs are going to be up for some serious payback.

And Finally, The President won't fire him but you can!