NewsWorthy (January-February 2010)
2010 Academy Of Government
The Longboat Key Town Commission invites Town citizens to enroll in a series of four classes offered as an opportunity to learn more about the Town’s government and its functions and responsibilities.
Classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on four consecutive Wednesdays beginning on March 10. Question and answer periods are scheduled into each two-hour session.
March 10, Town Manager, Welcome & Orientation
Who’s Who in Longboat Key Government, Town Attorney, Town Charter/Sunshine Laws
March 17, Town Clerk Official Records, Meetings, Human Resources, Finance Department Your Tax Dollars, Allocation and Utilization, Management Information Systems, Providing Technology to Deliver Service to Citizens
March 24, Planning, Zoning & Building Planning & Building a Successful Community, Public Works Town Infrastructure, Utilities, Facilities, Streets, Parks, Beaches, Capital Improvements
March 31, Police Serve and Protect, Fire Rescue, Providing Innovative and Efficient Emergency Management Services for the Community
Class location and a more detailed description of the courses and course materials will be provided to participants. The curriculum has been designed with the expectation that participants will attend all sessions to have benefit of a more complete knowledge and understanding of Town operations and functions.
Please call Susan Phillips at 316-1999, ext. 243 to confirm participation.
Swine flu vaccine available at Bayfront Rec Center
The Sarasota County Health Department will make the swine flu vaccine available at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Sarasota County Health Educator Dianne Shipley at 861-2852.
North end beaches receive temporary sand solution
Longboat Key Town Commission
In an effort to relieve some of the north end beach erosion, the town began placing 600 cubic yards of sand just north of the North Shore Road beach access. The area has been closed to the public for several months due to dangerous conditions. The beach has eroded to a point that the North Shore Road and its infrastructure is in jeopardy.
The commission approved a $30,000 budget transfer request for the sand by town officials last year to place sand at the north end. The 600 cubic yards of sand placed is costing an estimated $8,400 for the sand and $8,200 to place it on the beach. The town received the sand from a borrow site at the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch in eastern Manatee County.
The town also has plans to place two breakwaters offshore of the beach access as a more permanent solution to the erosion problem.
Key Club hearing dates scheduled
The Town Commission resumed the Longboat Key Club’s renovation plan hearing on Friday, Feb. 12, at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Other scheduled dates for the hearing this month are Feb. 17, 19, 24, and 26 at the same location. Next month’s public hearing dates are Mar. 3, 5, 8 and 12.
Firefighter of the year
The Firefighters of Longboat Key have nominated David Kyle as Longboat Key Fire Rescue’s Firefighter Of The Year. Kiwanis Club will name Kyle as Firefighter of the Year at the annual awards ceremony on Monday, Feb. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts. Kyle has excelled, both on and off duty, as a skilled Firefighter-Paramedic with Longboat Key Fire Rescue. He continues to work on his education and professional development.
Moore’s Restaurant receives rezone
In a 4-3 vote Monday night, the Town Commission granted the rezone request for Alan Moore and his restaurant, Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant. The request came as a result of Moore explaining that he needed to have his restaurant rezoned from commercial to residential to have his loans renegotiated. Commissioner Jim Brown said that financial problems are not a valid reason to compromise the town’s Comprehensive Plan. However, the ordinance passed, and Moore said he would keep the restaurant open.
Town will not hold early voting
At the Monday regular meeting, Town Commissioners voted 5-2 to eliminate early voting for the March 16 general election. Town Clerk Trish Granger explained that since Sarasota County is holding a city election on the same day as the Town’s election, the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office is only able to come to Longboat for two weeks of early voting instead of one. The commission decided it was not prudent to spend the extra $15,000 for two weeks of early voting. Registered voters can use absentee ballot voting, vote early on the Sarasota mainland or in Manatee County mainland, March 1 through March 14, or vote on election day, March 16. For more information, call Trish Granger at 316-1999.
Longboat Key Historical Society changing of the guard
Outgoing President Mike Doll handed over the presidential duties to new President Tom Mayers at the first general meeting of 2010 held at the museum at Whitney Plaza on Thursday, Jan. 28. The Longboat Key Historical Society welcomed new President, Tom Mayers. Also, the board welcomed two new directors and elected the new officers for this coming year. New Directors: Stephanie Clausson and Phyllis McGuire. New Officer: Tom Mayers. President: Bud Freeman, Vice President: Phyllis McGuire, Secretary:
Jim McGuire. The meeting was attended by board members, docents, and guests. Next board meeting will be held at Landsend, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m.
Children’s book reading by author Janet Hasselbring
Save Our Seabirds, (SOS) will host author Janet Hasselbring for a reading of her new children’s book “Andy Discovers Peanut Butter.” The book is from her wildlife series “Tales from Pelican Cove.”
The reading will take place at the SOS sanctuary on City Island in Sarasota starting at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. Books will be on sale with a portion of the proceeds to benefit SOS. Sanctuary personnel will follow the reading with a presentation on bird feeding. Hasselbring is a retired educator and musician from the West Michigan area. She, along with her husband, Don and yellow lab, Maximus, reside in Spring lake, Michigan near Hoffmaster State Park and winter in Sarasota, Florida.
Lecture series at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church
Dr. Margaret Krych, the Charles F. Norton professor emeritus of Christian education at the Lutheran School of Theology in Philadelphia will give the main address at the Hein-Fry Lecture Series, Feb. 19 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
Dr. Krych will speak on “Hearing the Word: Teaching the Bible in the Parish and Beyond” from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the church Fellowship Hall, 40 North Adams Drive, Sarasota. A response will be given by Dr. Fred Meuser, retired president of Trinity Theological Seminary, Columbus, OH. The Scholars in Residence program continues on Feb. 28, when Dr. Audrey West, former associate professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, preaches at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday services. She will make presentations from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, March 3, 10, and 17 in the church. Contact the Church at 388-1234.
Three divas to appear at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church will continue its 2009-2010 Performing Arts Series on Feb. 28 with its presentation of Bonnie Caplan’s harp music and the singing of sopranos Lorraine Murphy and Jeanette LaVoy and mezzo Amy Connours. The Three Divas and a Harp will perform at the church under the direction of John Visser. The vocalists’ personalities and eclectic repertoire include solos, duets, trios, harp, and piano numbers. Selections include “Die Fledermaus,” “The Mikado,” and Broadway hits. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the church, 40 N. Adams Drive, Sarasota. Contact the Church at 388-1234.
Planning for Sea Level Rise and Hurricane Storm Surge
A public meeting for planning for sea level rise and hurricane storm surge will be held Monday, Feb. 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Keating Marine Education Center, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1599 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota.
Helping local officials integrate sea level rise into their future planning efforts will be the focus of a public meeting on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
Penn State and University of Idaho researchers will present the findings of a three-year study that led to the creation of a collaborative methodology that local government officials and stakeholders can use as they plan for the changes expected to result from the future rise in sea level. This new model integrates scenarios about storm surge, population growth and economic and infrastructure development into the long-range planning options for coastal communities.
During the meeting, researchers will provide results that illustrate the location of population, infrastructure and development in Sarasota County in relation to current and future sea level rise-enhanced storm surge zones. The meeting will also discuss a stakeholder process that can be used to determine areas where opportunities exist to modify existing municipal and county development and evacuation plans for the purpose of helping communities become more resilient in the face of sea level rise. RSVP to Jenna Clark at jclark@ncf.edu. Pre-registration is not required.
Daniel Sapuppo helps in Haiti
Former Longboat Key resident and Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Sapuppo is assigned to the USCGC Forward #911 based out of Portsmouth, Va. and is currently in Haiti aiding in the earthquake recovery. Sapuppo’s mother is Lynda Stevens who works at Harry’s Continental Kitchen and his father is Tony Sapuppo, Town of Longboat Key Electrical Mechanical Inspector.
One of their primary missions was to pave the way for supplies to be delivered into the Port of Cape Haitian. They began assessing the port and noted significant damage and destruction of its infrastructure adding to the difficulty of bringing aid to the country. Monday they were able to perform medical evacuations with their helicopter from the Killick Haitian Coast Guard base to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Milot.
Fire and Rescue union offer rejected
The town of Longboat Key recently rejected a proposal by the Longboat Key Fire Rescue union Wednesday, Jan. 20.
The Fire and Rescue union stated that the offer was its final offer. The town’s offer, which was given to the union on Jan. 20, included revisions to sick and paid leave as well as overtime, which the firefighter union would not consider. The town did not want to count absences due to sickness or injury as hours worked when calculating overtime eligibility. The firefighters had requested their expired contract be reinstated, with no wage and cost-of-living increases requested in the first year of the contract. However, in year two the union was asking for wage and cost-of-living increases. And in year three, the union wanted a cost-of-living adjustment similar to the Sarasota County Fire Department and wants the town to contribute $500 per person for a new health trust fund.
The town rejected the union’s offer, and the union wants to return to the town one final time with a revised offer
Labor attorney for the town, Reynolds Allen, of Allen, Norton & Blue, told firefighters the town is in no position to offer them anything that involves monetary contributions. The firefighters conversely continue to argue the town has more than enough money in its reserve fund, $4.7 million, to pay the wage and cost-of-living increases, which they believe were offered to them as part of their contracts. If the town and the union cannot agree on a contract, one side or the other would declare an impasse, at which time a special magistrate would review both proposals and make a decision. The decision would not be legally binding, however, and the two sides would have to go back into negotiations.
Tennis Center dedication Feb. 28
The dedication of the new tennis center building will take place on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 at 12 noon in conjunction with Grand Opening events.
At the Jan. 21, 2010 Regular Workshop Meeting the Town Commission decided to dedicate the new Tennis Center Building to the John Mrachek and Dick Schlorff families in recognition for their vision and commitment to make public tennis such a success on Longboat Key.
Activities will include an exhibition match at noon featuring world-class tennis players Larry Turville, Lorne Main, Hugh Thomson, Joe Bachmann all of whom are World and National Champions. Other events scheduled for the grand opening will be user participation events consisting of various contests, awards and prizes, and guest dignitaries. Light refreshments will also be provided.
More than 100 businesses close
In the last five years, 102 businesses have closed on Longboat Key, according to Planning and Zoning Board member Walter Hackett at the Tuesday, Jan. 19 Planning and Zoning Board meeting.
“It’s alarming,” said Hackett at the meeting. “Keeping Longboat, Longboat is becoming quite a challenge.”
Hackett clarified that out of the 102 businesses that closed, 15 were restaurants and 12 were medical services. Hackett expressed concern that the key is changing so quickly, that commissioners and board members should act now, or else Longboat Key will be “a very dysfunctional island in which to live.”
Longboat Island Chapel aides Haiti
On Sunday, Jan. 17 the Executive Committee of the Longboat Island Chapel approved $5,000 to support Haitian Relief efforts through Doctors Without Borders. The members and friends of the Longboat Island Chapel were asked to match those funds during the service later that morning, and contributed additional funds totaling $6,699 for a combined total of $11,699. Donations can still be sent to the Chapel’s office, as the recovery has just begun. Please mark your donation “Hope For Haiti.” Call Pat Joyner Longboat Island Chapel 794-3717.
Early Voting, Absentee Ballot Update
Below is the updated early voting and absentee ballot results through 5 p.m. on Jan. 19.
Date Manatee Sarasota Prov. Total
Fri. – 1/15 39 96 1-S 136
Sat. – 1/16 17 40 1-S 58
Sun. – 1/17 19 36 0 55
Mon. – 1/18 HOLIDAY NO VOTING
Tue. – 1/19 63 209 3-S 275
Wed – 1/20 39 103 142
Thu. – 1/21 43 87 130
SUB-TOTAL 220 571 5 796
ABSENTEE 66 72 138
TOTAL 286 643 5 934
Outdoor dining on the agenda
Harry’s Restaurant co-owner Lynn Christensen asked Town Commissioners for a special meeting to help excellerate and expedite oudoor dining on Longboat Key. “A lot of people are waiting and it would be an enjoyment that much sooner,” she said at last Thursday’s workshop. Commissioners were ameenable and agreed to place the issue on the agenda of a special meeting following their Feb. 18 workshop. If an outdoor dining resolution is approved, Harry’s will be able to offer residents and visitors a chance to eat under their covered veranda. Other island restaurants stand to benefit as well.
Cannons Marina earns two awards
Cannons Marina on Longboat Key has earned two honors from Grady-White Boats, the Grady-White Boats’ Admiral Circle and Service Excellence Awards for the 2009 model year. This is the 11th consecutive year Cannons Marina has been honored by Grady-White for achievements in the areas of sales and customer satisfaction.
“We’re ecstatic,” said David Miller in a press release, owner of Cannons Marina, which has been family owned and operated since 1955. “2009 presented Cannons Marina and the entire marine industry with a great number of challenges. This award reflects the dedication of our entire sales, service and administrative team and I am truly grateful for their efforts and their perseverance.”
Cannons Marina is located at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.
Pulitzer Prize journalist to hold forum
On Feb. 4, Emmy Award winning and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the New York Times Hedrick Smith will present a public forum at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota at 7:30 p.m.
Smith has over 50 years experience as a reporter and documentarian. He has reported on some of the biggest stories of the past half century and been recognized with many of the most prestigious awards for his work.
The Forum Truth is the speaker series and will be held in the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts. Tickets are $20 for Forum Truth members, $25 for non-members and free with reservations for students under 21.
The name of Hedrick Smith’s talk is “The Dream at Risk, America’s Insecurity at Home and Abroad.” Smith will present an analysis of the enormous shifts of wealth and power in the world, and how this has changed politics in America, leaving our nation’s people feeling more uncertain and insecure than ever before in our lifetimes.
Tickets to the Forum Truth Feb. 4 talk may be purchased on the website, www.forumtruth.org or by calling 349-8350.
Cold-stunned turtles released
Ten green sea turtles treated for cold stress at Mote Marine Laboratory were returned to the sea from a Collier County Beach Wednesday morning. The cold-stunned sea turtles were part of a mass stranding caused by unusually low water temperatures during the past two weeks. Mote staff have treated 44 sea turtles since the week of Jan. 4, the largest group Mote has ever treated in such a short time period.
Candidates want to run on credit
Several candidates inquired this week if using a credit card was permissible for payments of election expenses. Town Clerk Trish Granger consulted Kristi Reid Bronson, Chief Bureau of Elections Records to determine if this was permissible. According to Bronson, Florida Statutes outlines the use of credit cards by statewide candidates only, and therefore Granger requested a clarification of Statutes as it relates to use of credit cards by municipal candidates. The issue is currently being investigated.
Longboat authors at The Sand Dollar
Longboat authors Robert and Patricia Gussin will appear at The Sand Dollar on Holmes Beach on Feb. 27, 2010 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Gussins will autograph and discuss their newest book What’s Next…For You. The Sand Dollar is located at 302 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
What’s Next…For You? is the story of Robert and Patricia Gussin, two “retirees” who watched with glee as long, successful careers in science and medicine gave way to writing, publishing and winemaking. Through the first-person, he said/she said narrative, Robert and Patricia Gussin deliver a guide filled with advice on why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, and why doing what you love is always within reach.
Board-certified in Family Medicine, Patricia Gussin practiced medicine and has directed medical research in her role as worldwide vice president for a leading healthcare company. She is the author of Shadow of Death, which was nominated for “Best First Novel” in the Thriller Awards, sponsored by the International Thriller Writers, Twisted Justice, and The Test.
A native of Pittsburgh, Robert Gussin retired from Johnson & Johnson as Corporate Vice President of Science & Technology and Chief Scientific Officer in 2000. He is the author of Trash Talk. Robert and Patricia Gussin divide their time between Longboat Key, East Hampton, New York, and their vineyards in New Zealand.
Wildlife Response and Disaster Training Offered at SOS
Join Save Our Seabirds to learn how to help wildlife when an oil spill or other disaster strikes. The event will be held Saturday, Jan. 23 from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Save Our Seabirds Sanctuary located across from Mote Marine on Ken Thompson Parkway. Register early (class size limited to 110 participants) $10 per participant to cover the cost of materials.
Ringling College Library Association hosts Peggy Noonan, Condoleezza Rice
Ringling College Library Association announced all five of its Town Hall Lecture Series.
The Presenters for the lecture series will be: Fareed Zakaria on Jan. 11. Dr. Zakaria is an editor of Newsweek International and the host of CNN’s GPS Show. Peggy Noonan on Jan. 25. Ms. Noonan is an author and weekly columnist for the Wall Street Journal.
Condoleezza Rice on Feb. 8. Dr. Rice was the 66th Secretary of State of the United States of America. Pervez Musharraf on March 10. He is the former president of Pakistan. Phillipe de Montebello on March 31. He is the former CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York in New York.
Temple Beth holds Stiglitz telecast
The first of the winter series of telecasts via satellite from New York will feature noted economist Joseph Stiglitz on Tuesday Jan. 19, 2010, at 8 p.m. Stiglitz is the winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Economics and is the author of Making Globalization Work and its Discontents and The Three Trillion Dollar War. His forthcoming book, Freefall, is an analysis of how America has exported bad behavior. This program is open to the community and there is a $5 charge for non-Temple members. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Temple office at 383-3428.
