Interview with Maurice Healy

Name: Maurice Healy

Age: 61

Occupation: Guidance Counselor at Cedar Key School

How Long Have You Lived in Cedar Key? 10 years

Why Did You Decide to Move to Cedar Key?
When I retired from the Army, my wife and I were looking for a place where we could settle and make a contribution.
Cedar Key seemed to fit. After 30 years of never living in a place more than 3 years, we were anxious to establish some roots. Since my mom and sister lived here, Cedar Key seemed a logical place to move to.

What Do You Like Most About Living in Cedar Key?
I love working at the school. I also like living next door to my mom and sister. The fishing is pretty great, too.

How Has Cedar Key Changed Over the Years?
I first visited Cedar Key in the 1950s. There has been substantial growth in private homes since that time. In the 10 years that I`ve lived here, I`ve seen a lot of single and multi-family homes constructed. This has caused a change in demographics. It seems to me that families that have had residences here for generations are slowly moving off the island and are being replaced by retirees.

What Do You See as Cedar Key`s Biggest Problem?
The availability of health care. No doctors or dentists serve the island. The State and the University of Florida could and should correct that deficiency. The closest 24 hour Emergency Medical Facilities are in Williston or Gainesville.

If You Were Forced to Move From Cedar Key, Where Would You Move?
I would move to North Georgia on a lake close to my wife`s family. That has always been an option for us, it still is.