Letters to the Editor – April 2010
Updated April 30, 2010.
Planning and Zoning Board candidacy
To: Mayor George Spoll
Congratulations to you and your distinguished Board of commissioners for generously giving your time to our “meet and greet” orientation. Imagine for a moment that you are a hospital board reviewing the credentials of a new surgeon. Now imagine our new surgeon will be asked to assume the care of a patient who has been on the operating table for 12 hours in a complex procedure. Imagine further that the present surgeon is doing an excellent job managing a highly challenging case. I would postulate that it is not in the best interests of the new surgeon, the current surgeon, the patient, or the Hospital itself to change leadership.
Thus, with only the best interests of town in mind, I withdraw my application and I would exhort the Commission to maintain the present members who have demonstrated a commitment to both the issues at hand and the best interests of the Town. I shall remain available for any services to the Town I may be asked to render. Pardon my mixed metaphor.
George D. Noble
Longboat Key
Key airport representation needed
To: Commissioner David Brenner
I enjoyed yesterday’s meet and greet session with the commissioners. I recall that you indicated some interest in Longboat Key representation to the SRQ airport.
I believe that aircraft departing from the northerly runway (runway 32) do not consistently follow the noise abatement procedures illustrated on the SRQ website. This issue has a longstanding history, including litigation. Unfortunately, today’s situation is essentially back to where it was before the current noise abatement plan was adopted. The north end of Longboat Key is the area principally affected.
I would like to move this issue forward to a reasonable resolution but I am not sure how to proceed. Perhaps a request from the Town Commission for a meeting with the SRQ management would be a place to start. If that requires a concerned citizen request, I could make such a request at the May 3 Commission meeting.
Andrew Aitken
Longboat Key
Press requests public records
To: Planning and Zoning Board Director Monica Simpson
Both the Longboat Observer and the Longboat Key News has requested that they begin to receive copies of all e-mails between staff and the members of the Boards referenced above and by and between the Board members themselves to any Staff member, Town Attorney, etc. Basically, all mail that routes through the longboatkey.org e-mail accounts are requested to be forwarded.
We do this now with Commission mail and it takes about 3 minutes daily. I do not filter any of the mail, with the exception of an occasional “oops” by a Commissioner making a personal appointment or something of that nature. I do it once daily only – usually first thing in the morning and then anything that comes in after that point, unless directed by Bruce or David, waits until the next day, again with the exception of an agenda packet or something of that nature.
Bruce has approved the request so I need to get with you, Donna, or the assigned staff member that monitors these accounts to go over the process. It really is very simple and it has reduced phone calls to the Clerk’s office tremendously by pushing all the e-mails and having the press do the filtering on their end.
Please let me know when we can get started on this request so I can advise the paper when they can anticipate the first mailing.
Trish Granger
Town Clerk, Longboat Key
New MPO board member
To: Vice Mayor Jim Brown
I just wanted to formally thank you for your time yesterday in meeting with me to discuss MPOs and your new role as the Longboat Key MPO Member on our regional board. Your education, background and experiences are exceptional and will be a great asset to the MPO Board. Longboat Key is fortunate to have your service and leadership. Please let me know any time how I can assist you and Longboat Key. See you Monday.
Michael Howe
MPO Board
Oil spill a cautionary note
To: Town Commission
Anyone who cares about our beautiful way of life, our tourist economy and our fisheries should find the present disaster in the Gulf to be a cautionary note.
Do we remember all the assurances, by those who favor offshore drilling, about the wonderful safety of offshore oil exploration?
As a result of the latest ongoing oil spill in the Gulf, we may yet find ourselves taking a can of mineral spirits and some old rags to the beach, just like Californians do, to remove tar from the bottoms of our feet each time we visit the shore.
We have vast known oil and gas reserves within the United States. There is no real need to drill offshore.
Gene Jalisco
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Peacock invoices investigated
To: Bruce St. Denis
I will look into peacock invoices today. Will call you when I get sorted out.
Gene Jalisco
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Fertilizer bill
To: Town Commission
Apparently both the House and Senate passed a bill to limit the authority of cities and counties in their efforts to regulate the application of fertilizer during the rainy season. The bill would pre-empt local ordinances and is less restrictive. Commissioner Clapp is considering sending a letter to the Governor on behalf of the ManaSota League asking him to veto the bill. If you have any objection to a letter being written requesting veto, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
Gail Loeffler
ManaSota League of Cities
Do not cut services; use other options
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
The primary purpose of this letter is to praise and commend our Longboat Key First Aid Squad. On Feb. 29, 2010 I had a medical emergency. Within minutes after a 911 call, I was surrounded by the most professional team of well-trained EMS personnel. They were superb, in every sense of the word.
The mere thought of any budget cut affecting our EMS is utterly abhorrent. I have been an owner and resident on Longboat Key for 32 years. I also served as a first aid instructor with the American Red Cross. I had 35 years of municipal employee experience. Therefore I feel very capable of making evaluations and suggestions. You have to cut expenses to meet budget constraints, fine. Leave the first aid squad, police department and fire department alone. Our very well being is dependent on their skills and services.
Stop the exorbitant fees paid to consultants. Use our professional staff to make decisions.
Stop with the white sand on our beaches. The first major storm; no more white sand! Apple pie tests just as good without the shipped cream on top. A coarser topping lasts a lot longer.
The Key Club and Resort debacle has cost tens of thousands of taxpayer’s dollars. Listen to the majority of your constituents and say no. Let us maintain the integrity of Longboat Key.
Murray Brooks
Longboat Key
Unable to attend meeting
To: Mayor Spoll and commissioners
Unfortunately, I have a family commitment in Virginia on May 3rd and will be unable to attend your Commission Meeting. I hope you found the meet and greet event with prospective Board members useful. It is certainly a great step forward for the Town.
I hope you will reappoint me to the Planning and Zoning Board. I have enjoyed my term serving on this Board and feel particularly privileged to serve with George Symanski, who is also up for reappointment. Mr. Symanski is a critical voice of experience on the Planning and Zoning Board. He studies the issues carefully and always brings thoughtful debate to the dais.
BJ Webb
Chairman, Planning & Zoning Board
Longboat Key
Citation error
To: Editor
You wrote a wonderful column on the Middle East, “Israel and the audacity of hope,” but Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg’s column appeared in my JewishWorldReview.com, not Jewish Review, which is based, I believe, in Oregon. It’s likely too late to correct the print edition. But could you kindly fix the error online?
Binyamin L. Jolkovsky
Editor in Chief
Jewish World Review
Corrections for column
To: Tom Burgum
I enjoyed reading your article/column “Israel and the audacity of hope.” However, I would like to point out a couple of errors. The first, contrary to your statement there were American (individuals) who died defending Israel, to state otherwise would be to deny them the honor they rightfully deserve. These individuals emigrated (performed Aliyah) to Israel and have served in the IDF. Some of these individuals died in the defense of Israel. The late Michael Levin of Holland, Bucks County, Pennsylvania is one such person. You He served in an elite paratrooper unit, #890, and made the ultimate sacrifice defending Israel during combat. He fell in battle in Lebanon on August 1, 2006. He was 22-years-old.
The second error was regarding Syria supplying Hamas with Scud missiles. Syria did allegedly supply Scud missiles to Hezbollah, not Hamas.
I hope you find my remarks constructive.
Elisha Blatt
San Diego, Calif.
Refreshing to see plain truth
To: Tom Burgum
Thank you so much for having the guts to write this beautiful article. It’s refreshing to see the plain truth in black and white. There is too much obfuscation and BS swirling around this issue. Stay well and God bless you.
Barry Segal
Hollywood, Fla.
In support of Key Club
To: Commissioner Hal Lenobel
I would like to express my concern for a pressing matter relating to Longboat Key and to ask for your help with the following issues:
I am in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Boards recommendations to approve the requested code amendments for the Longboat Key Club expansion.
I trust my elected commissioners will evaluate re-development projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate the islands current economic crisis and to consider the best interest of the entire community, and the future of Longboat Key residents and tourism industry. The expansion and renovation of the Longboat Key Club is essential to preserve the reputation of the entire island.
I also express my concerns regarding the “non-compliance issue” that currently exists at both Islandside and Bay Isles, and the impact on non-residential property owners to refinance their existing properties. For example, build a new 5-star hotel or upgrade Publix or other commercial projects
I am frustrated by the opposition’s disrespectful antics and threats of lawsuits designed to create further delays. They clearly demonstrate their lack of concern for the continued success and future of the island.
I would like to see Longboat Key Club & Resort revitalized now. Things change, they must. The code was not written in stone. It is meant to adapt to changing times. The fact is that the large majority of Longboat’s residents are in favor of the revitalization of Longboat and the Longboat Key Club & Resort.
Thank you for your time and immediate attention to this pressing issue regarding the future of Longboat Key.
John W. Saputo
Longboat Key
Shocked and dismayed
To: Town Commission
Please add my voice to the other Longboaters who are shocked and dismayed with the Planning and Zoning Board’s capitulation to the demands of the Longboat Key Club for significant variances from town zoning ordinances in order to pursue their expansion plans. I sincerely hope the Town Commission will reverse that decision and hold fast to the previously determined zoning which has served Longboat Key well for the past 30 years.
Although I am not a Key Club owner, I am appalled that the P&Z Board would so blithely ignore the promises previously made to those homeowners regarding the nature and design of the Key Club property to which they agreed when they purchased their units. If they can be so easily outvoted, every property owner on the Key must now worry that their own properties in any planned community may be next to fall victim to expansionist owners.
The unintended consequences of this decision are potentially far reaching and devastating to the very essence of Longboat Key. Please, examine this issue with less interest in the short-term financial gains and more interest in the long-term goals of most Longboat Key residents, who love this place as it is, and hate to see it sullied by oversized developments, parking garages, convention centers, and ever increasing traffic jams.
Barbara Rowe
Longboat Key
Give the voters a say
To: Town Commission
Regarding the Club expansion plans. This drama reminds me of stories I’ve read about development in the “Old Florida” where sharp New York developers rolled over, through and around sleepy Florida hick towns even (gasp) writing their own zoning and development codes to achieve their objectives.
What is being rammed through Longboat Key now is surreal and déjà vu “all over again” as Yogi used to say.
When I retired to Longboat Key I thought it was a modern, sophisticated, high-end residential community essentially built out and protected by well-developed, effective, successful and longstanding zoning and development regulations protected by strong and responsible town leadership.
It seems people have had more trouble with the zoning codes and regulations regarding signs, minor home improvements etc, than Loeb has with a huge commercial development.
Please don’t be doormats to the developers boots, take a deep breath, think long and hard about what you have been asked to do and protect what Longboat Key is really all about. Its not and never has been about massive commercial development and all the ugly traffic and congestion that goes with it. You will be changing Longboat Key forever. At least give the voters a say.
Louis Bevilacqua
Longboat Key
In favor of Board recommendation
To: Commissioner Gene Jalisco
Please note that we are entirely in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the code amendments requested by the Longboat Key Club. The key needs to be revitalized now!
Ed and Vivian Rabin
Sunset Beach
Act in the best interest of Key
To: Town Commission
My wife and I have been owners at The Sanctuary for nearly four years and have loved every minute of it; until the past couple of years, do to the fighting and bickering between the Key Club and said majority of owners and residents. This is getting ridiculous. Please act in the best interest of the future of Longboat Key. We have to get ready for the next generation and their needs.
J.M. Pete & Mary Salpietra
Longboat Key
Please support Planning Zoning Board decision
To: Town Commission
As residents of Bay Isles, my wife and I support the Longboat Key Club redevelopment. We oppose protracted legal actions to thwart the will of the people and the decisions of the Commission. When the Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend the recent code amendments, the saddest person in the room was the IPOC’s attorney, lamenting the huge number of billable hours he would lose by making the zoning regulations clear. Please support the Planning and Zoning board’s recommendations.
We trust that you can consider redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community, and do not want to see protracted legal opposition to the future decisions you make. We believe Longboat Key needs to be revitalized and want to see it begin now.
Gabriel & Bettina Rosica
Longboat Key
Betrayal in zoning amendments
To: Town Commission
As a relatively recent purchaser of a home “behind the gate,” my wife and I feel a sense of betrayal in the proposed club expansion and related zoning amendments. To suggest that the proposed “clarifications’ to the Code will not produce a wholesale change to the what has long been accepted as zoning limitations, is patently absurd. At the very least it would seem that good government demands that these changes/amendments, which will clearly have far reaching consequences and forever change the character of the island, be voted on by the citizens of Longboat Key and not the Town Commission.
Benjamin D. and Sandra S. Krause
Longboat Key
Massive changes unacceptable
To: Mayor George Spoll
Thanks for taking over the helm of this floundering ship. Even some of your crew doesn’t seem to agree with what port we should be sailing to. I am confident you will right the course. Maybe a simple understanding of one of the facts would help. Some changes are good and some changes are bad, but the facts don’t change. As you and all the commissioners know, on Longboat Key we have a one way in and a one way out road that we all travel, and that’s a fact. And until that situation has been improved to accommodate any added traffic, we shouldn’t subject the folks that visit, and live on our beautiful key to more traffic jams. Try to get off this key for an emergency during the season, or with additional traffic, and there could be many unfortunate consequences.
Approving a major development without adequate ingress/egress would only add to the existing problem! Longboat Key is a beautiful and peaceful key and wasn’t intended to be a commercialized project to handle massive events. Those accommodations should be located in an area designed for that. I ask that you circulate this email to the other commissioners, and want you to know we appreciate what all of you are trying to do for everyone’s best interest. We are not now, nor were we ever intended to be, a destination place for conventions. Longboat Key is a small key for those to share in the charm and beauty of paradise on the Gulf coast. Improvements are part of any plan, but massive changes are unacceptable. I humbly request that each of you consider the adverse effects of any major enlargements to our Key, and deny the Longboat Key Club submission for the code the changes.
Bob Blumberg
Longboat Key
Longboat revitalized now
To: Mayor George Spoll
1. I am in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments.
2. The elected commissioners should be trusted to consider redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community.
3. I want to see Longboat revitalized now.
4. Approve the LBK Club’s plan for redevelopment.
Carole & Bill Salmon
Longboat Key
Please approve code amendments
To: Town Commission
We are writing to you to urge you to follow the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. We have elected town commissioners who, we trust, will represent the wishes of the majority of your constituents, and not be de-railed and misguided by a few disgruntled opponents who, under any circumstances oppose improvement and progress for our island. We are in serious danger of losing our appeal to tourists and potential residents, which will be devastating to our economy and to our property values.
We are full time Bay Isles residents, and I work in hospitality design. I am quite familiar with “the competition,” and if The Longboat Key Club is not granted permission to move forward with their plans for building and renovation, they will remain a “destination of the past” as they are currently on the verge of. The commissioners need to consider redevelopment projects such as these on a case-by-case basis, evaluating whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community. I am confident that, in doing this, you will come to the same conclusion that we have — that Longboat needs revitalization, and that The Longboat Key Club & Resort can play a major role in this revitalization.
Beverly and Michael St. Hilaire
Longboat Key
Changes, not clarifications
To: Town Commission
The changes to the zoning rules are just that. Changes. They are not clarifications. Please vote no to changes that will put Longboat Key at great risk.
I understand the temptation to be drawn into this development plan. But this is not the right plan, nor the right style for Longboat.
If the Key Club can only see their way into bullying you into rushing these plans, please see them for what they are and want they want to do to a very small piece of Longboat Key. They want to over-develop their property. Adding 10 buildings is not a clarification. It is a very big change. Please vote “no.” Thank you.
Barbara Chase
Longboat Key
Strict zoning makes island special
To: Mayor George Spoll
I feel that I know you a little better than most just writing to a town official since I have sat through many of your meetings of the Longboat Key Federation where you were President for years. So I know you are smart and dedicated to truly representing the best interests of the residents of Longboat Key.
My wife and I want you to know that we are not in favor of changing the zoning code to allow more intensive commercial development on the Key beyond the 250 units already approved by referendum. Strict zoning to date has made our island special in the eyes of all my friends and guests, and in the country.
I would appreciate that you share my comments with the rest of your new Board.
If you ever had a chance to read my earlier detailed letters you know that my biggest fear is the traffic density problems caused by the proposed expansion that can only be cured by extraordinary means. Generally, people never act on a problem until they know that it is real! Let me assure you that getting to the mainland will be a real problem with the proposed expansion that will eventually require that the state fund a new bridge from the center shop area to the mainland. During the interim period, don’t forget the helicopter ports for medical emergencies. The traffic study presented by the Longboat Key Club PE is a joke! And that during the interim period, all of us will suffer the time delays!
Gerald F. Ross, Ph.D., PE
Longboat Key
Over the top
To: Mayor George Spoll
You know my views, but I’d ask you to share them (see below) with the commissioners.
A charade has gone terribly far when an owner can apply for zoning changes that will have repercussions well beyond his property — in fact, all over the key. I can understand a property owner improving what he owns, but improving his value by impinging on the rest of us is really over the top.
Edward Fenton
Longboat Key
Support of Key Club
To: Town Commission
I strongly support the expansion of the Longboat Key Club and whatever efforts are required to facilitate that goal by the town of Longboat Key.
Richard B. Perlman, Esq.
Longboat Key
Don’t tinker with codes
To: Town Commission
The Longboat Key codes are what have kept the key a special place. Please don’t change them or “tinker” with them. It will be going down a slippery slope and make the island like so many ubiquitous retirement and resort places, which is exactly why people chose and still choose to live on Longboat.
Lois H. Lesser
Longboat Key
Meeting not desirable
To: Town Commission
Although it may be legal for you to participate in a private meeting with Key Club Manager Michael Welly and the Club’s attorney John Patterson, it is not necessary or desirable for you to do so. There is nothing of a legitimate nature that can be accomplished in these closed meetings that can’t be done with the public watching. Private meetings only serve to increase the likelihood inappropriate deal making. I strongly urge you to show respect for Longboat Key residents by rejecting these “private meetings.”
John O. Summers
Longboat Key resident
Do not approve ‘spot zoning’
To: Mayor George Spoll
My wife and I are year-round residents of Longboat Key (here 20 years) and we are also members of the Longboat Key Club where I play golf. It is inconceivable to us that these proposals by the club would be approved by you and the other commissioners. It appears to us that these changes would make no zoning laws safe from the whim of four commissioners in the future. In addition, the Club will be taking away the driving range, which most golfers need previous to a round of golf.
We have no objection to the Club improving their investment and even adding units within the current rules but please do not approve what amounts to spot zoning.
Thanks for your consideration and please share this with your fellow commissioners,
Charles and Heloisa Jennings
Longboat Key
Skeptical of ‘experts’
To: Town Commission
I approve of the idea of saving money whenever possible. If there are Longboat Key residents whose vitas clearly qualify them as experts in the areas of the administration of both fire departments and police departments and/or pension issues, their assistance should be sought. At the same time, I am highly skeptical of “self proclaimed experts.” For example, there are many on the island who incorrectly present themselves to be experts in the areas of tourism, economic development and/or business. Hence, before the town seriously considers appointing a committee of “local experts” to consider any issue, the vitas of all candidates should be carefully evaluated to assess their true levels of expertise. The standard should be the qualifications of those consultants the town might hire.
John O. Summers
Longboat Key
Check with voters
To: Town Commission
Having attended most of the Planning and Zoning and Commission hearings, I have listed below my best understanding of what has happened so far:
As you read through this, I hope you will agree that position taken by both the Club and Loeb Partner’s, is, to say the least, somewhat arrogant. Regrettably, the Commission’s matching response to the numerous Club zoning requests has been so compliant that I think the Commission is losing the chance to strike a proper deal with Loeb, and that may prevent the town from being properly protected. One Commissioner’s vote could make a big difference in whether the town gets a fair deal or is taken advantage of.
As you know, Loeb Partners is insisting that the proposed Club expansion be big enough to pay for itself. That means that the profits from the sale of future condominiums have to be robust enough to fund the rest of the project. If that isn’t bad enough, in order to get Loeb to go ahead with this project, it doesn’t matter if it’s too big for the land available; it doesn’t matter if their proposal requires closing down the existing golf driving range, it doesn’t matter if we lose 18 courts at the tennis center, and it’s okay if this project specifically requires rewriting existing town codes and granting numerous code departures just to allow this particular project to be approved. Oh, and by the way, all this has to be done by a fixed date or Loeb Partners say they will withdraw the application!
Loeb Partners has already testified that, after approval of their application, they will not commit to actually building this project, yet they will directly benefit from the rezoning because it will instantly make the land in question worth millions of dollars more to a future buyer. This is an unfair position for Loeb to take because it will result in a free zoning gift to the Loeb with no compensating agreement back to the town. There will be no guarantee that Loeb Partners, after getting zoning approval, will not, then, decide to sell the club, and build nothing. It is not fair to the town to offer special and very valuable concessions without getting something back from the developer.
Loeb Partners has stated that they will not commit to building a new hotel after they build the condominiums and town houses. Here again they could just construct the condominiums and townhouses, distribute profits to their investors, and do nothing further.
Loeb Partners does not have financing and they will not commit to when this project will begin or when it will be completed. The town could be stuck with a construction project that never starts or one that never ends.
Loeb Partners will not say whether they will build the project themselves or bring in unnamed development partners. To the best of my knowledge, they have never developed anything near this scale. Arvida, on the other hand, was a very experienced developer with an established excellent record of successful projects.
Some commissioners want this project so much that they seem willing to grant Loeb Partners anything they ask, but, If the Commission continues along these lines, it leaves no room for a reasonable and business like negotiation. It’s important to talk about town compensation in return for concessions; there will be huge potential costs to the town for infrastructure changes and improvements. There should be controls put on special events at the convention center, construction scheduling controls will be needed and rules will be needed for the control of type and timing of special events. In addition, traffic controls will have to be agreed to. These and other very critical and costly concerns should be ironed out before zoning is changed, not after it is granted.
Of course Loeb lawyers will try to steer the Commission back to the business of rewriting codes and granting departures, and they will probably ask you to talk about concessions later. However, once they have zoning approval the Commission will have lost the majority of its negotiation power.
I believe Ronald Reagan said it well when dealing with the Russians; He used the words “Trust but verify!” That might be a good way to start dealing with Loeb Partners. Please don’t let them take unfair advantage of you in this matter. All I think you have now from Loeb Partners is their stated “intention” to build it. It would be very easy for them to back out of an “intention” for any number of reasons, like lack of financing, but they still get to keep the substantial added value from re-zoning if you grant it. I doubt that the voters would be pleased if this happened.
John Vorel
President, Sanctuary III
Longboat Key
Lack of due process
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
I have stated repeatedly that I am uncomfortable with what I perceive to be a lack of due process concerning some of the aspects of the Key Club application and ordinance revision 2010-16, as well as other issues that come before the town commission.
I do not approve of being asked to make on-the-spot considerations of seemingly endless revisions to whatever documents the commission is considering. I do not believe that it serves the community to have it’s elected officials being asked to act, on what could be important matters, with only a few moments to review yet another revision or revisions.
I am asking that I have access to the “exact” document the commission will be looking at on May 3rd well in advance of that date. I am asking that I have a written evaluation of the latest iteration of 2010-16 from our planning and zoning staff well in advance of the May 3rd meeting. I wish to have the privilege of consulting with others in our community and elsewhere well before I am expected to render an informed judgment on all matters coming before the town commission, not only those matters pertaining to the Key Club proposals. I do not want to make a mental error because I was ill prepared.
Gene Jalisco
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Community needs to prosper
To: Town Commission
As 8-year owners of property in Bay Isles, my husband and I wish to record our support of the Longboat Key Club as it attempts to redevelop and expand the Club and its facilities and services. Unfortunately, schedule conflicts prevent our attendance at your meeting.
We ask you to vote on May 3 in favor of the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendations. Your endorsement of the requested code modifications and your approval of the proposed amendments will go a long way toward restoring the vitality of Longboat Key. This is a desirable goal and one that will be enhanced greatly by the expansion and renovation proposals advanced by the management and owners of the Key Club.
We are further convinced that you as elected commissioners should be able to consider individual redevelopment proposals as they come forward and approve or disapprove them based on previously established and agreed upon criteria.
We have witnessed the obstructionist misrepresentations of the IPOC group throughout this incredibly lengthy process and are convinced that they are driven solely by personal interests in their stand against this development. In our judgment, the greater good will be better served by approving this redevelopment project, which we see as beneficial to the long-term health of this wonderful community that cannot prosper with a status quo mentality.
Ruth and Fred Obear
Longboat Key
Are you kidding me?
To: Town Commission
You trust the elected commissioners to consider redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community.
The Club wants us to include this in an email…Please take a long-term view on what you are doing. Please don’t try correct bad decisions by past commissions with a foolish patch. No reasonable adult would consider this prudent… Think of the implications past this pet project. Please view this from the risks.
Paul Holland
Longboat Key
Commendations
To: Commissioner Robert Siekmann
I commend you for taking a position on a private one on one meeting with Key Club representatives. One has to consider the type of people you are dealing with who would want a private meeting to discuss a matter which effects every property owner on Longboat Key. I will say no more.
Martin Rich
Longboat Key
Not even a pup tent
To: Mayor George Spoll
I have been a proud homeowner on Longboat Key since 1985; I am totally confused by the apparent willingness of elected town officials to approve a plan that is so obviously bad for our town. On one side we have the residents of our already overbuilt and congested Island and on the other a Private Equity Group looking to make a fast profit and by their own words exit the investment.
What will we get then? Another over leveraged buyer who will need more development to cover their bet, or perhaps tax concessions. I would not let these guys build a pup tent; it is time for you and your colleagues to stand up for the people that make this their home.
Jim Sullivan
Longboat Key
Can anyone say ‘Judas?’
To: Editor
“…Some members of the town commission…” are willing to accept 30 silver coins ($4 million in Longboat Key Club 2010 dollars) donation for a Longboat Key community center to allow Michael Welly and company to usurp more of Longboat Key’s public domain and convert it to exclusive use of the Longboat Key Club’s rich members.
Why should it matter if the massive project violates Longboat Key zoning laws?
This reminds me of the story of the man who asks his girlfriend if she will sleep with him for $1,000,000. She hesitates, and then says, “Yes.” He continues, “Will you sleep with me for $2?” She bristles, “What do you think I am?” He retorts, “We’ve already settled that; we’re just haggling about a price!”
Will the town commissioners who suggested these conditions for approval of Colossus Longboat Key Club please come out of the closet?
Can anyone say, “Judas?”
Robert J. Tata
Longboat Key
Breach of contract issues
To: Town Commission
If there are any questions left in any of your minds concerning the involvement of the town board in the matter of inducing a breach of contract between the members and the owners of the Longboat Key Club, I direct your attention again to the articles beginning; on page 1 of the Feb. 19, 2010 issue of the Longboat Key News. The lead article, “Town changes Key golf agreement,” refers to a five-hour ‘workshop’ held by the board that week, at which it “paved the way for the commission to amend the very underlying guests to play at all 45 holes and facilities of the club.”
Perhaps it would be advisable for board members to inquire as to exactly what laws or legal opinions gives them the right to change the stipulated final judgment prohibiting such action. Further, what gives the board the right to enter into an agreement with the club that will eliminate the rights of members in the existing agreements between the members of the club? If that does not constitute interfering with or inducing a breach of contract between the members and the club, I know of no other way to categorize the board’s actions and stated intentions to date.
Francis Robinson
Longboat Key
Property lien question
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
There are many properties, vacant, abandoned and now maintained by the town as far as mowing, etc. The one that comes to mind is (a) property, now owned by the bank. I am sure there are many others. I would like to see a list of those that we have liens on currently.
Lynn Larson
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Commissioner Lynn Larson
In our meeting yesterday you had asked me if the town has a code enforcement lien on a property and the bank later forecloses, would we get paid at that point?
I have checked with the town attorney’s office and the short answer is generally yes. Based on issues of notice and priority of interests though, there are situations where the town’s CEB liens can get wiped out by a foreclosure. If you want more details on that I can ask for more information.
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager, Longboat Key
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
Bruce I am aware that we often get paid when the property is sold. I am interested in pursuing whether we can urge or intervene in the foreclosure to see that the courts are aware of our concern to move these cases so that vacant property does not linger and tarnish our neighborhoods. If the property is occupied, these properties are targeted for mediation. Perhaps we could encourage the lenders to work with the owners to avoid more vacant neglected property. Many options and financial incentives are available to lenders but it is the lenders option to take advantage of them. We do not need neglected vacant property in limbo in the legal process only because the lenders delay final judgment to avoid maintaining the property.
Lynn Larson
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Commissioner Lynn Larson and Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
If we have problems with vacant property, the town has several tools it may use. The two most expedient and cost effective are: code enforcement and nuisance abatement. If the problem rises to the level of a nuisance as defined by our code, the town can, after notice, take steps to go on to the property and correct the problem. The town has done that recently with a collapsed sea wall and does it with some regularity with unkempt yards. Except for code enforcement liens on homestead property (where state law prohibits lien foreclosure), the town has foreclosure as an option that would press the lender to resolve the issue.
Fortunately, these problems have been rare on Longboat Key. Let’s hope that continues to be true. If I can answer any questions regarding this or any other matter, please let me know.
David Persson
Town Attorney, Longboat Key
Review of New Smyrna Beach Firefighters’ Retirement System
To: Town Commission
In February 2009, Foster & Foster provided New Smyrna Beach, Fla., with a six-page analysis regarding their Firefighters’ Retirement System (The analysis, which is attached to this email, is on the internet and is therefore public record). It indicated immediate and long-term financial impacts on New Smyrna Beach regarding a series of options and is attached for your review. With the exception of specific numbers pertinent to New Smyrna Beach, the information appears relevant to any town with defined benefits packages including Longboat Key and could prove similar to what might be expected via review by any independent source. Consequently, this information has been encapsulated to two pages, as a second attachment to this email, and is being provided to you, along with personal observations in italics that did not come from Foster & Foster. We hope this will assist you as you move forward to address Longboat Key’s escalating pension situation.
Phill Younger & Lenny Landau
Longboat Key
To: Phillip Younger and Lenny Landau
Thanks for your effort. Foster & Foster has provided this information to us several times over the past few years so we have been made aware of the options and have discussed them at length.
Regarding the “review by an independent source” suggested by the town manager, his recommendation is to cost out the various options, not to identify them. The town manager at our last meeting suggested we postpone consideration of that project and the commission agreed.
Bob Siekmann
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Peacock relocation
To: Michael Drake
Since I told people in the village that you had arranged with Nuisance Wildlife to remove the allotted number of the peacocks, I have received over twenty-five inquiries from people who want the birds removed as soon as possible. Many of these people have offered their yards as netting sites.
Call me and I will update your list of capture sites in the village. The list now exceeds ten properties along with a few that are outside the known roosting areas. Please email me the peacock removal schedule.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Tree trimming and street repair needed
To: Mayor George Spoll
We live on Putter Lane and our driveway exits on the circle. We who live here are becoming very concerned about the trees on that circle. They have never been trimmed and the roots are causing huge bumps as we drive into our driveway. Many of the tree limbs are dying. Our neighbors have gone to the town and begged to have the town trim the trees and fix the street to no avail.
They have been told that the town owns the property so we cannot have the trees trimmed, but the town refuses to trim them. What are our taxes going for? We are tired of paying for sand on the beaches that we can’t see, tennis courts and community centers that we do not use and wondering why we cannot get any work done on our street. Lives are in danger of falling branches and our road is in need of repair. We need these trees trimmed, the street repaired and resurfaced.
Last year the town was awarded $500,000 from the Obama stimulus package and some $250,000 was going to be applied to a plan for landscaping Gulf of Mexico Drive. Excuse me, but could we take care of previous town landscaping on Putter Lane? Do we have to wait for the next big storm to knock down those trees onto our homes, cars or bodies?
Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Chuck and Coe Troup
Longboat Key
Budget dates
To: Town Commission
You will receive the Preliminary Budget Document on June 1.
Usually we have had one to two Budget Workshops in June.
Because I am reticent to ask you to hold more dates I will not be asking you to set aside times other than those that you have already have for the Key Club ODP Hearings.
However, I will propose that we use some of the dates in June that ultimately will not be needed for the ODP Hearings as Budget Workshop dates. I won’t know exactly what dates those will be until we are further along in the ODP process.
In the meantime please do not assume that any “hold” dates in June are freed up until we decide if we need them for Budget Workshops.
Let me know if you have any suggestions or questions.
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager, Longboat Key
Pension article
To: Editor
I do not live in Longboat; my sister does and I get the email because I enjoy reading the column by Tom Burgum and also read some of the other articles.
In subject article Arnold Malasky is quoted as having warned of the unintended consequences of changing “from” Defined Contribution plans.
It seems to me that he may have meant changing “to” defined contribution plans and “from” defined benefit plans, which is what I believe you presently have.
These two designations are quite confusing to the general public but I would expect someone in his position to be aware. This is a huge problem for State and Local governments, which the general public is clueless about.
Look at it this way: There are only about 18 percent of employees in private sector who are covered by old fashioned defined benefit plans but about 80 percent of public sector workers are so covered. So that private sector workers are paying taxes to provide cushy retirement plans, which they themselves do not have. One of these days they are going to take their heads out of the TV set and sports pages and recognize how they are being screwed big time on pensions.
A recent BLS study refuted the claims by public workers that they are poorly paid compared to private sector and their benefits are far better. There are 35,000 Florida state employees at mid to high levels who pay nothing for health coverage and it is a myth that schoolteachers are underpaid as I read constantly in the media. I could go on and on but I will refrain. I enjoy your publication.
Bill Allen
Homosassa, Fla.
Commissioner refreshingly honest
To: Commissioner Bob Siekmann
Today, friend, yours was a refreshingly honest, insightful and courageous voice on a dais that seemed a bit stacked in favor of The Club. Gene — and Hal — also did the office proud. 1979 was a very good year, wasn’t it?
Norm Muse
Longboat Key
‘No’ to zoning amendments
To: Town Commission
As a longtime owner at Sands Point (1979) and as president of the Sands Point Condominium Association, I urge you to vote “No” to the proposed zoning amendments. Thank you.
Julian R. Hansen
Longboat Key
In favor of code amendments
To: Town Commission
My vote is as follows: I am in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. I trust the elected commissioners to consider redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community. This has been a very long process. Let’s complete the legal issues soon and get on with the best results possible.
JB Welch
Longboat Key
Do not allow hoodwinking
To: Mayor George Spoll
I appeal to you and the town commissioners not to allow Loeb Partners to “hoodwink you.”
Martin Rich
Longboat Key
Spin Doctoring — Key Club Style
Copied below is an email that was recently sent by the Key Club, with (IPOC) comments in italics:
Dear Bay Isles Resident,
Here are the facts regarding the zoning code amendments currently under consideration by the Longboat Key Town Commission.
Most of these rebuttal statements don’t address any of the issues that have been raised by IPOC, nor do they provide any meaningful assurance for the Bay Isles or other PUD property owners.
We encourage you to share this information with your neighbors — providing a counterbalance to IPOC’s misinformation campaign intended to scare residents at Bay Isles. You can also find answers to your concerns at the Town Commission Workshop on Friday starting at 2 p.m. We also ask that you take a few minutes to email the commissioners in support of the recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Board to adopt these zoning code amendments. Here is why:
None of the proposed code amendments will have any effect on the density—number of units—or the maximum height that may be allowed on any property in the town.
Not exactly! While the proposed amendments don’t address the overall density issue, which the Club claims provide for nearly 600 dwelling units on Islandside (and 1000 in Bay Isles), the amendment would make it clear that any remaining density could be utilized as approved by the Town Commission and that it could be clustered on individual parcels to allow much more density on those parcels than is allowed by the underlying density for the PUD.
None of the proposed code amendments will have any effect on whether a hotel may be allowed on any property in the town.
Difficult to find truth here — The amendment would allow hotels to be built, with town approval, within any PUD (Islandside, Bay Isles or others) which has available density, or in which new density is created. The number of hotels, or their accessory buildings, would not be restricted by the changes if the amendment is adopted. Under current code, hotels and other non-residential development would be restricted to no more than 5 percent of the land area in any PUD.
The proposed zoning code amendments concern only the ability to request a future development, not the right to do it.
This it true for virtually all proposed development, however the amendments would remove some of the more meaningful restrictions that would prevent overdevelopment, particularly commercial / tourist development.
Longboat Key currently has one of the most stringent zoning codes. Elected officials consider projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community. The proposed code amendments do not change this process.
The amendments don’t change the process, but they do enable the developer’s ability to get more massive projects approved.
Any future redevelopment or “development” proposal for a planned unit development (i.e. Bay Isles or Islandside) on Longboat Key will be required to go through the same outline development plan amendment process as the club, which includes a rigorous system of checks and balances — review by the Planning and Zoning Board and Town Commission along with public hearings.
Has anyone who has attended the sessions of the Planning and Zoning Board witnessed this “system of checks and balances” in action? The reality is that with an emasculated code and a compliant Commission the “system of checks and balances” becomes meaningless.
None of the club’s proposed code amendments attempt to alter this process.
True, but again the process is not the relevant issue.
These proposed zoning code amendments do not undermine your investment in Longboat Key or the lifestyle that you enjoy today.
That’s their spin and you can take it for what it’s worth. Ask yourself if allowing greater tourist/commercial development, beyond what was approved by referendum, will have a positive impact on your lifestyle? Keep in mind that 250 more tourist units will be built as a result of the referendum. The Key Club’s proposed units are in addition to these units, not part of them.
The Truth regarding Bay Isles
No one has proposed to develop the remaining density available at Bay Isles for decades. And no one is proposing to develop this remaining density at Bay Isles, including the club.
Note that they acknowledge that they acknowledge that additional density exists. What does this statement really mean? That no one has proposed it yet.
Residential development will not be impacted by these proposed code amendments.
True, but that begs the point. Commercial and tourist development is impacted; by eliminating some existing restrictions on expansion.
These amendments do not change the existing density available behind the gates at Islandside or Bay Isles.
Repetitive — answered above.
Blackpoint Partners is not and has never been affiliated with Key Club Associates—the owners of the club.
A technicality. Blackpoint says that they served the club (Loeb Realty) in an advisory capacity and that they helped them develop a plan to develop 1600 additional units of density on the Key, in addition to helping them restructure a $45 million non-performing loan. You can check the Blackpoint web site athttp://blackpt.com/portfolio_LongboatKeyClub.html
No plan to develop in Bay Isles is being considered by the club.
Now here’s a statement you can take to the bank.
The truth regarding the 5 percent Commercial Cap: The 5 percent commercial cap only applies to planned unit developments, like Islandside and Bay Isles.
True and we have never claimed otherwise, but there are more PUDs on the Key than those mentioned and others could be created that would be subject to the new, more lenient, code provisions if the amendment passes.
As a result of a change in language from commercial to non-residential back in the 1980s, inadvertently a noncompliance issue regarding the 5 percent cap on non-residential development was created at both Islandside and Bay Isles. The club is merely requesting that this oversight in the zoning code be corrected and revert to the original language.
The change was reportedly well considered and made to make the code more restrictive, it was hardly inadvertent. Now the Club wants to change it back to the version that a previous Commission found to inadequately limit the commercial development within the PUDs.
This noncompliance issue negatively impacts the ability of the club, Publix, and other non-residential property owners to refinance their existing properties with the goal of updating and improving their facilities.
If the club just wanted to update and renovate their facilities there would not be a non-compliance issue. It’s the massive expansion they propose that would exceed by 200 percent the current non-residential restriction that creates the problem.
Do not be misled by a small group who cares more about their secondary views than the long-term health and future vitality of Longboat Key.
The real issue is don’t be misled by a New York based real estate investment firm and their overseas investors who want to reposition the club facilities to improve the market value of their investment and achieve a windfall profit by rezoning mostly recreational property for commercial and tourism use.
The bottom line is that the current code has served us well and does not prevent development of a reasonable scale within properly zoned property. The club should just follow the code and conform their development plans to comply with the code. Changing the code for one project is a very bad idea with long-term consequences. These are not clarifications they are requesting.
Bob White, President
Islandside Property Owners Coalition, LLC
Longboat Key
Not in favor of code amendments
To: Town Commission
As the voting rep. for the Bayou in Bay Isles, I am not in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments.
Ray Rajewski
Longboat Key
Approve code amendments
To: Town Commission
This is to confirm that we are totally in favor of the Town Commission following the Planning and Zoning’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. We trust that the elected commissioners will consider redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interests of the community. We want Longboat Key revitalized now!
Edward and Vivian Rabin
Longboat Key
Code change could lead to overbuilding
To: Town Commission
I urge you and the entire board to please be very careful about any changes to the code that could lead to overbuilding in Longboat Key — we need to preserve the character of our Key.
Les Brualdi
Longboat Key
Keep low-density lifestyle
To: Commissioner Jim Brown
My husband and I are Longboat Key residents. We bought on Longboat Key 18 years ago because of the low-density lifestyle. We are very opposed to any changes in the planning and building codes. Please vote “no” on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap and any other unrestricted departures to the code.
Bill and Kaye Centers
Longboat Key
Key Club should not get every change
To: Town Commission
Why should the Key Club get every change they want? Please vote no on the 5 percent wording on the non-residential cap and to allow the codes to be overturned. We have plenty of condos on the key available and do not need more, nor do we need a convention center or a parking garage. A hotel may bring in a new influx of people but we don’t need a 12-story hotel, and they will not even commit to building that. This is no longer just an issue for the residents of Longboat Key Road but for everyone who lives in the key.
Judi & Chuck Stern
Longboat Key
Support of clarification of codes
To: Town Commission
Please be advised that both my wife and myself are full-time residents of Longboat Key and we support the clarification of the codes issues approved by the P&Z and forwarded to you all. Please vote in favor of this issue.
Thomas W. Cail, DMD, and Anne-Marie Cail
Longboat Key
Departures should be referendum
To: Town Commission
I am a resident of Longboat Key and a property owner for more than 30 years. I urge you to vote “no” regarding changes to the 5 percent non-residential cap and no to departures to the long existing codes. Longboat Key has always been primarily residential with limited tourism and commercial activity. We property owners have been protected by stringent zoning codes and density limitations. It is the history of our key. I believe that a departure as drastic as being proposed should be put to a public referendum not to the Planning and Zoning or the Commission. If 51 percent of the voters want the changes then we live with it or sell our property and move to another residential community. Just visit downtown Sarasota where the commission let the developers build to the curb and created a concrete area with streets that have little or no sunlight.
Martin Rich
Longboat Key
Vote ‘no’ to 5 percent cap
To: Town Commission
My husband and I are Longboat Key residents. We bought on Longboat Key 18 years ago because of the low-density lifestyle. We are very opposed to any changes in the planning and building codes. Please vote “no” on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap and any other unrestricted departures to the code.
Bill and Kaye Centers
Longboat Key
Please vote ‘no’
To: Town Commission
Please vote “no” on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap.
Please vote “no” on allowing the code to be overturned by unrestricted departures at the behest of a developer or a compliant Town Commission.
Gretchen Stricker and Ed Laake
Longboat Key
Revitalization must occur
To: Town Commission
We are permanent residents who live ‘behind the gate’ along Longboat Club Road and support the change the Longboat Key Club is asking the Town Commission to approve. We feel the addition of meeting space, condos, townhomes, improved golf course and fitness complex will improve the entire complex at this end of the island. We also feel the investment in Longboat Key will mean jobs for this area, the opportunity for new people to experience our wonderful island (and potentially choose to buy here), and an economic step forward during a time when little other activity is occurring on Longboat Key.
We are in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendations to approve the code changes. We feel the commission should evaluate requests for improvements on a case-by-case basis making the best decision given the information available when the requests come before the commission. Revitalization must occur on a continuous basis on Longboat Key; we either move ahead or our island declines. We feel the project requested by the Key Club is a way to move the Island forward with vital improvements that will be good for Longboat Key.
Please take the time to think forward for our beautiful environment and envision an island with an improved Longboat Key Club complex.
Dorothy O’Brien, Dick Antoine
Longboat Key
What consists of a gift?
To: Commissioner Lynn Larson
You asked the Town Attorney’s Office to provide you guidance regarding the acceptance of gifts under both state and local law. The purpose of this letter is to summarize the restrictions on soliciting and accepting gifts pursuant to Section 39.06 of the Town Code and Sections 112.313 and 112.3148, Florida Statutes.
The defining of a few key terms is necessary to convey the scope of gifts laws. A “political committee” is a combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual, that in excess of $500 during a single calendar year: (a) accepts contributions for the existence, or political party; (b) accepts contributions for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of an issue; (c) makes expenditures that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of an issue; or (d) makes contributions to a common fund, other than a joint checking account between spouses, from which contributions are made to any candidate, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party. Also included in this term is the sponsor of a proposed constitutional amendment by initiative who intends to seek the signatures of registered electors. “Political committee” does not include: committees of political parties, corporations or other business entities formed for purposes other than to support or oppose issues or candidates, and electioneering communications organizations (any group, other than apolitical party, political committee, or committee of continuous existence, whose activities are limited to making expenditures for electioneering communications or accepting contributions for the purpose of making electioneering communications).
A “committee of continuous existence” refers to any group, organization, association, or other such entity certified by the Florida Department of State that is involved in making contributions to candidates, political committees, or political parties. A “lobbyist” is someone who for compensation seeks, or sought during the preceding 12 months, to influence the governmental decision making of the commissioner or the town.
You may not solicit any gift, regardless of the value, from a political committee, committee of continuous existence, a lobbyist, or the partner, firm, employer, or principal of a lobbyist, where such gift is for your personal benefit. You may also not accept anything of value, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that your vote, official action, or judgment would be influenced. Furthermore, you, your spouse, or minor child, may not accept any compensation, payment, or things of value when you know or, with the exercise of reasonable care, should know that it was given to influence a vote or other action in which you were expected to participate in your official capacity.
You, or someone acting on your behalf, may not directly or indirectly accept any gift in excess of $100 in value, whether in the form of entertainment, service, loan, thing, or promise, from a political committee, committee of continuous existence, lobbyist, or the partner, firm employer, or principal of a lobbyist or any person, firm, or corporation which to your knowledge is interested directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever in business dealings with the Town. Please note that any compensation provided by you to the gift giver within 90 days after receipt of the gift is deducted from the value of the gift.
A gift valued over $100 can be accepted by you on behalf of a governmental entity or a charitable organization if you do not maintain custody of it any longer than reasonably necessary to transfer it. You may also accept any gift valued at $100 or less without any restrictions or reporting requirements other than those previously mentioned. Please note, though, that if a political committee, committee of continuous existence, or lobbyist provides you a gift valued from $25 to $100, the gift provider must report it to the Commission on Ethics by the last day of that calendar quarter and must notify you that the gift will be reported.
I hope this has been of some assistance. Should you have any questions or wish further elaboration, please let me know.
Kelly Martinson
Hankin, Persson, Davis, McClenathen and Darnell
Sarasota
To: Kelly Martinson
Gee, I was only interested in whether I could have coffee and bagels without demanding who to pay for it when at a gathering that may include citizens interested in an issue. The Village Association meetings come to mind as the residents bring snacks and beverages.
Also if my neighbor invites me and spouse to one movie or dinner or we go on a boat ride with a friend, do we claim this as a gift?
Lynn Larson
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Cohesive calendar for commissioners
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
Bruce, I wonder if you can find some way to create a single universally accessible calendar for all commission meetings. I am finding it more and more difficult and time consuming to be sure that I in fact have an accurate calendar, amidst the myriad emails I have received over the past few weeks. Some times I receive multiple emails from different staff members about the same date.
I find the entire process more complicated and time consuming than I have been accustomed to with other organizations. Perhaps something such as Google Calendar, or the dozens of other group based web calendar applications, might be a reasonable solution.
I find sifting through dozens of emails to discover new or altered or deleted meeting dates and times far more work than looking at a single up-to-date web based calendar from an icon on my desktop or cell phone.
I have been requesting that we modernize some areas of our information system for the past year so this request is nothing new.
Many of the group based calendar applications push e-mail reminders to the group in advance of a meeting as well as alerts to changes in the calendar.
I view our IT department with the highest regard, and only wish that they be supplied with the tools that will enable them to push information to all those who wish more readily accessible information.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Centralized calendar needed
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
Bruce, once again I am requesting that you look into supplying the commission and various boards with a centralized calendar that each group can access via the web.
I for one feel that unpaid public servants should be supported in their efforts in any way that is economically feasible.
Google calendars can be securely shared by a specific group of individuals. Google calendar is now used by a great number of corporations and government agencies.
Please look into “pushing” vital information to us rather than us having to call individually to ask staff to confirm schedules.
Once again I believe that there are inexpensive web based meeting scheduling applications that automatically send confirmation emails to all affected members of a group. Please look into “pushing” information rather than requiring every member of every board or commission to continually inquire about meetings and events.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Avenue of the Flowers
To: Meredith Fry
Thanks for your letter of April 8. The Town is in regular contact with Publix regarding their plans for the shopping center. Publix is currently going through its internal processes to develop those plans.
We know from Publix mode of operation that they will not want to go public until they are satisfied that what they propose is first class as well as workable. We agree with you that this is a unique opportunity for the Town to have this centerpiece of our community refurbished in a meaningful way. This is a high priority matter for me. Thanks for your interest and observations.
David Brenner
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Oil drilling support
To: Town Clerk
We need to stop sending more money for oil imports and take advantage of our own resources. I support oil drilling 125 miles from the Florida coast. I’m tired of paying nearly $3 per gallon for gasoline. Let’s also reduce the size of our Dept of Energy. They currently have 16,000 employees and a $24 billion budget. What a waste of my taxpayer money!
Robert Czarnecki
Longboat Key
To: Bob Czarnecki
The U.S. currently has vast known reserves of natural gas along the Appalachian shelf and some of the largest known crude oil deposits in the world along the Rocky Mountains, which Pres. Bush has already approved for leases.
Why do we need to endanger both precious habitat and coastal commerce with unneeded offshore drilling? We already have more than sufficient reserves on-shore.
I worry more about my grandchildren and pollution and too many people on earth and wars and terrorism than offshore drilling. These are my views.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Commissioner Gene Jaleski
I totally disagree with you. You apparently like being obligated to the oil cartel. That’s why we have such a huge national debt. We may have oil shale in the Rockies, but the cost of retrieving it is astronomical. We also need to promote the use of our natural gas (which is in abundance) and nuclear energy.
Bob Czarnecki
Longboat Key
Fire Chief resigns
To: Town manager Bruce St. Denis
I would like to begin by saying thank you for the opportunity to serve the community of Longboat Key. Since I joined the Department in April of 2009, I have made many new friendships throughout the community. Longboat Key residents and visitors are fortunate to have an outstanding Fire Department and Advanced Life Support service.
Through all of the positive strides and changes that I have made for the Department, I have also had an extremely difficult time adjusting to being away from my family in Fort Myers. As you are aware, we have been meeting over the last few months to discuss the personal challenges that I have been facing as a result of being away from home. I have decided in the best interest of my family to submit my resignation as the Fire Chief of Longboat Key. I am returning to Fort Myers to be with my family full time. I truly do appreciate the opportunity to serve as the Chief and I would like to assist the Department and town in any way possible during this transition process.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and I truly appreciate the friendship that I have built with you. Please accept my resignation and the last day of my employment will be Friday, April 23, 2010.
Rich Dickerson
Fire Chief, Longboat Key
Structural changes to town needed
To: Town Commission
The recent resignation of the Longboat Key Fire Chief presents the town with the opportunity to consider a structural change in the organization of the town Fire and Police Departments. PIC does not necessarily believe that there is better structure, but certainly sees this as an appropriate time to consider the pros and cons of a single Public Safety Chief, particularly if such could both improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of the Town’s important public safety program. PIC also urges the commission to consider the merits of having a committee of volunteer experts, culled from the community, to review pension issues, rather than hastily engaging an expensive consultant. We feel that there are tremendous resources on the island, in the form of experts in many fields, who are not being called upon and used to the Town’s best advantage. Thank you for your consideration of these important issues.
Ann Roth and Gaele McLaughlin Barthold
Co-Presidents of PIC
Key Club costs
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
Bruce, thanks for the xls page. I am wondering what the labor and staff time amount to. Is it possible to ask IT, planning dept and public works for a rough estimate? Given the number of days spent so far including P&Z board and commission hearings, requiring set-up and take-out by the public works and IT staff, as well as, I assume, many P&Z staff hours, what are the approximate labor costs? If staff receives “comp time” for their efforts, is that in effect time and a half as far as costs to the town are concerned? Labor (soft) costs might well exceed hard costs. Are we not tracking labor costs if they are a major expense component?
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Pension valuations
To: Bruce St. Denis
Bruce, Could we please have valuations of our accounts of March 31 or if that is not possible at least February 28. I do not need itemized status reports just balance as of data.
Lynn Larson
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Lynn Larson; Thomas Kelley
Please call me or Tom because I am not sure if you are requesting a new valuation report or the balance of the investment accounts?
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager
To: Commissioner Lynn Larson
The investment balances for the three pension plans as of Feb. 28, 2010 are as follows:
Fire $10,412,816
General $5,934,561
Police $4,518,266
If you need anything else please let me know.
Tom Kelley
Town Finance Director, Longboat Key
Hurricane products
To: Mayor George Spoll
It was a pleasure to meet you, ever so briefly, at the Hurricane Conference last week. I was the fellow in the Engineering Discussion from Sarasota, who introduced himself to you.
My firm has patented products designed to strengthen homes and condominiums with the goal of helping to keep the roofs on and the wind born rain out during a Hurricane or Tropical Storm. I would enjoy the opportunity to meet, explain our systems in more detail with you and your Emergency Management Team, and discuss implementation of our retrofit products into homes, condos and buildings on Longboat…
Robert E. Stobaugh III
Business Development Manager
Building Performance Group of Companies
Tampa
PZB/IT Conference Room
To: Town Commission
As requested, the first Tree Subcommittee meeting has been scheduled, and will be held on Monday, April 12 at 9 a.m.
Commissioner Larson, I apologize if this meeting conflicts with your schedule. However, I could no longer wait on your response. If for some reason you cannot attend, we will be able to provide minutes of the meeting to you as soon as they have been completed.
I will prepare the necessary agenda for the meeting. It is my understanding that Ms. Zunz will prepare an outline of outstanding issues to help with the meeting discussion. Steve Schield will be the staff liaison for this subcommittee. Any future questions regarding the existing or proposed tree code should be addressed directly to him. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on Monday.
Monica Simpson
Planning and Zoning Board, Longboat Key
Municipal Auditorium should not be a sound stage
To: Ringling College Board of Trustees
My name is Adrien Lucas, I live in Sarasota and have run, Atomic Holiday Bazaar, a well-attended holiday indie craft show at the Municipal Auditorium for the past four years. This year will be Atomic’s fifth year of running what has turned into a holiday tradition for the people of Sarasota and neighboring towns. Many of my vendors over the past four years are Ringling grads, current students and even a Ringling teacher and a wife of a teacher. Atomic Holiday Bazaar is not your typical craft show and has an intelligent and witty approach towards the handmade items offered at the show; Atomic simply put, is not your granny’s craft show.
I respectfully request your consideration in asking Dr. Larry Thompson to rescind his sound stage proposal to the City and People of Sarasota to turn our Municipal Auditorium, and yours, into a soundstage. I have also asked, to no avail, Commissioners’ Turner, Atwell and Clapp to please immediately halt further plans regarding closing the doors to the public and turning the municipal auditorium into a sound stage.
The beautiful structure of the Municipal Auditorium is a historical treasure and a heritage building that belongs to the people of Sarasota. This proposal from your employee, Dr. Thompson, has caused many citizens and constituents of the Commissioners to be appalled at what appears to be complete lack of touch with the people of Sarasota. We support the arts and we support Ringling creating a sound stage with funds from the college to build this or from private enterprise, however, we do not support the appropriation of such a historical gem such as this building. You, as Dr. Thompson’s superiors, can help heal the divide that this proposal has caused with the citizens of Sarasota and the superior reputation that Ringling College held in this town prior to the introduction of what appears as a very greedy and inconsiderate proposal. Thank you for your consideration.
Adrien Lucas
Sarasota
Jeopardy to the island
To: Town Commission
We were appalled at the recent actions of the Planning and Zoning Board taken in furtherance of the Longboat Key Club Plan. We believe that the jeopardy to the character of the island itself could not be more clear.
We urge you to:
• Vote “no” on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap.
• Vote “no” on allowing the code to be overturned by unrestricted departures at the behest of a developer or a compliant Town Commission.
Richard and Margaret Himelfarb
Longboat Key
Honor the integrity of Longboat Key
To: Town Commission
As an Islandside resident, I am urging you to vote no on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap and also to vote no on allowing the code to be overturned by unrestricted departures at the bequest of a developer or a compliant Town Commission. Please honor the integrity of Longboat Key. The departures requested by the Longboat Key Club and certainly future requests outside the code will negatively impact life on the Key as we know it. We do not want the expansion of the Club and we do not want future requests for development outside existing code to be considered.
Mary Ann O’Neil
Longboat Key
More consideration needed
To: Commissioner Hal Lenobel
Since writing you some months ago I have attended many meetings and tried to follow the legal machinations of the Key Club’s application. My neighbors here at Regent Place are sophisticated people with fine professional or business backgrounds. Like me, they did not thoughtlessly decide to buy their apartment on Longboat Club Road. They did not buy in a woods or Houston where there was no zoning applicable to protect their investment or their desired lifestyle. We generally cannot fathom how government action has suddenly resulted in a huge change in what can be built on the Key, and particularly in our backyard, without a thoughtful word, no less a reasonable discussion about our property rights.
As the party seeking this major change the Club should have the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the change is in the best interests of the Town, not of themselves. The Planning Commission’s immediate approval of the Club’s requested changes without any semblance of appropriate study or consideration of its significant implications for us or for the Key appears to be totally irresponsible. We do expect that the entire matter will be given more sober consideration before the Town Commission. If it is I think the clear conclusion is that Longboat Key should remain a pristine residential community without violating the property rights of its residents who made their purchases here because of its special character.
Norman Gross
Longboat Key
Help keep the key sustainable
To: Town Commission
Please do everything you can to make Longboat Key sustainable. This means that you need to follow the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. You need to consider redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether or not a proposal meets a set of specific criteria and serves the best interest of the entire community and I have every confidence that you will do this. And, once you do this, you will agree that approval of the Longboat Key redevelopment project will help the key to be sustainable by injecting critical dollars into the community.
Thank you for your efforts and I hope you will see that approval of this project will be a great legacy for a Town Commissioner – something that you can for many years to come be very proud to have been instrumental in making it happen.
Janet Love
Longboat Key
Longboat needs revitalization
To: Town Commission
I am a property owner on Longboat Key and I am in favor of the commission following the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. I trust in the elected commissioners to consider the redevelopment projects.
Longboat Key needs revitalization now.
Michael Cichon
Longboat Key
As quickly as possible
To: Town Commission
Longboat Key needs to commence revitalization…now!
We request you follow the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments as quickly as possible. We look to you as our representatives to consider projects on their merits, and to support proposals which meet and serve the best interests of the entire community.
Arlene and John Gill
Longboat Key
In favor of the club’s petition
To: Town Commission
I sincerely hope that the commission will respond favorably to the club’s petition.
V.M. DeLisi
Longboat Key
Update improvement to Islandside needed
To: Mayor George Spoll
We support the Planning and Zoning amendments to the zoning code and continue to support the Club’s desire to responsibly update improvements to its Islandside P.U.D. Please pass along our comments to the other commissioners.
On a personal note, I can’t remember if we congratulated you on becoming Mayor of LBK. We are delighted that your many years of hard, productive work are finally recognized and rewarded.
Margot and Jack Robinson
Longboat Key
Get it done
To: Town Commission
Let’s do the right thing, pass/change/amend whatever zoning issues need to be passed/changed/amended and get it done!
John and Joanne Forch
Longboat Key
Approve and move on
To: Town Commission
This has been painful for the Town and all of us lets move on and approve.
Bob and Carol Baldwin
Longboat Key
Approve what is best
To: Town Commission
I would like to voice my support for the Commission approving the requested code amendments as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Board. I have confidence in the elected commission’s ability to evaluate projects on a case-by-case basis and approving what is best for the entire community. I feel strongly that it is imperative to begin a revitalization of Longboat now, to wait risks creating an eyesore that will in turn affect surrounding property values and the charm of the Island. I would appreciate your support.
Jim Hartlage
Longboat Key
Vote no
To: Town Commission
Hello. I am a property owner at Sands Point on Longboat Key. I am writing to strongly urge you to Vote no on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap and to vote no on allowing departures from the Code. These changes would permanently destroy the beauty of Longboat Key, which is what makes Longboat Key so special — and, frankly, what keeps the property values high. Furthermore, I am a lawyer and know the danger of precedent. If these provisions are passed, it will be very hard to deny future changes requested by a developer down the road. Accepting this request would start Longboat Key down a slippery slope. The code must be protected to save the special character of Longboat Key.
Abigail Roth
Longboat Key
We need tourists
To: Town Commission
Redevelopment of Longboat Key is a must! Please don’t let IPOC tell our town what to do. Most of IPOC (including Bob White) don’t even live here full time. We need our restaurants and shops, and yes we need tourists!
Jeff McKee
Longboat Key
Behind the gate support
To: Town Commission
We continue to support the Longboat Key Club project from behind the gates.
Ed and Cathleen Gerwig
Longboat Key
Much needed signal
To: Town Commission
My wife and are “younger” full time residents of Longboat Key. We plan to live on the island a very long time. As a result, we want the island to be continually revitalized so it remains a prestigious and vibrant community. We strongly support the proposed investment by the Longboat Key Club, which we believe is a much-needed signal to other investors that Longboat Key is a professionally managed and forward thinking community.
We trust you, our elected representatives, to successfully manage the process and the final approvals on behalf of all the residents of the island.
Dr. Tom Freiwald
Longboat Key
New property owner disheartened
To: Town Commission
As a new…and very excited…property owner on Longboat Key, I was disheartened to learn of some of the proposed changes in discussion during the meeting on the 16th.
As a Commission, please vote no on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap…and no on allowing the code to be overturned.
A “yes” vote will surely jeopardize the value of our properties…and our quality of life.
A beautiful residential area, unspoiled by tremendous commercial development, was the primary reason we selected Longboat as our residence.
Michele Mandell
Longboat Key
Island is showing its age
To: Town Commission
I am writing to express my full support for the Key Club project and to urge you to support the Zoning Boards recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. I trust the Commission will evaluate all redevelopment projects on a case-by-case basis and render a decision based on the best interests of the entire community. I feel that it is essential that this and other discussed revitalization projects proceed immediately as the Island sadly is showing its age as its facilities continue to deteriorate. The inevitable result of this trend will be declining real estate values, declining tourism and the erosion of our tax base.
Lyman Frieze
Longboat Key
Code changes will ensure consistency
To: Town Commission
I am writing in support of the town commission accepting the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendations for altering the current code. It is my understanding that Longboat Key has sufficiently strong benchmarks for development proposals, and that these amendments will clarify and ensure consistency within the code as it now stands.
I strongly believe that commissioners are elected to make decisions, within the law and on the merits of each individual case. As an elected official, it is your responsibility to consider the facts, apply the law, and then make a decision in the best interests of the entire community. I am confident that you, and future commissions will carry out these duties in a timely manner.
Over the past several years I have watched sadly as many of Longboat Key’s service businesses have closed. Fewer restaurants and shops make life less convenient and less interesting here on Longboat Key.
Further, I believe that the Longboat Key Club, and other businesses, must have viable business plans. It only makes sense to me that a first-class golf club and resort needs to update and freshen its facilities, and moreover adapt them to changing expectations of its market.
I personally believe the club’s plan will revitalize and freshen our whole island because it will restore some of the summer tourism that went away when the Holiday Inn closed, although this can only be known as it plays out. I am especially hopeful that our local businesses will be less challenged over the summer months once the proposed hotel is built.
Following these issues for the past two years, I’ve been convinced that the Longboat Key Club’s proposal deserves to be approved on its own merits, not simply because of the additional investment in our island, the support of property values, the potential for job creation, or wider community development, etc., but because it is within the law and will benefit our community as a whole.
Thank you for taking my views into consideration as you review the club’s proposal and make your decision. I sincerely hope this process can be moved forward without further delays.
Barbara L. Nelson Osmon
Longboat Key
Source of pride to embarrassment
To: Town Commission
My wife and I have lived in the Water Club for over 10 years. During that time, living next to the Colony went from a source of pride to embarrassment. Please don’t let that happen to the Longboat Key Club.
I ask that you view the plan as progress and growth for the island.
David W. Gallagher
Longboat Key
Do not usurp the code
To: Mayor George Spoll
I do not want the Code changed to allow more intense tourist and commercial development throughout Longboat Key. We urge you not to usurp the code by granting departures from any code provision. Please vote no on the changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap and vote no on allowing the Code to be overturned by unrestricted departures at the behest of a developer or a compliant Town Commission.
The only beneficiary’s of such dramatic code changes will be:
• Restaurants and stores on St. Armands Circle, most of which are not owned by residents on Longboat Key
• Contractors who practice all trade and who do not live on Longboat Key
• Real estate agents and their agencies that are salivating at the thought of massive new projects with hundreds of new units for sale
Longboat Key is not for sale to commercial business and real estate entities. As you drift off to sleep tonight, let your conscience be your guide.
James Koppel, M.D.
Longboat Key
Watch our island thrive
I think that this Island needs a new spark of development, and I believe the Longboat Key Club is on target. Let’s vote this through and watch our Island thrive.
Leah Barker
Longboat Key
Key Club needs revitalization
To: Town Commission
I am a Longboat Key property owner (and the President of La Firenza Condominium Association, although I’m writing this note as an individual). I have never written to you and, as we are approaching the conclusion of the Key Club’s development application, I would like to say a few things.
First, Longboat Key needs redevelopment and revitalization. I don’t see how anyone can dispute this. I think that the Club’s application is a wonderful move in that direction. We may never have another opportunity like this.
Second, I agree that the Planning Board did the right thing in approving the requested amendments. Although I’m not convinced the new amendments were even necessary, the result is that it makes the chances very slim that any litigation against Longboat Key’s potential approval of the project would be successful. Therefore, Islandside “threats” can be comfortably dismissed.
Third, should you approve the Club’s project, you must not prevent them from financing it. Putting this into real terms, you should not overturn the P&Z’s recommendation on the 5 percent cap.
Fourth, I trust the Key’s elected officials to evaluate further development proposals on a case-by-case basis. I’m not terrorized that if the Key Club’s redevelopment is approved that Longboat will be suddenly be developed out of control. This is why we elect officials, this is why we elect you: to make reasoned decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Fifth, while I recognize that some Islandside owners would like things to stay the same forever, that sort of thinking is for Never-Never Land. It’s a fantasy. Things change, they must. The fact is that the large majority of Longboat’s residents are in favor of the project, of positive change. The opposition is highly organized and highly motivated but they are in the distinct minority. I urge you to do the right thing and approve the Key Club’s project.
Jonathan M. Berg
Longboat Key
Thanks for time and commitment
To: Town Commission
I want to thank each of you for your valued time and commitment to our beautiful island, Longboat Key. Wow! The water has been absolutely gorgeous and if it were a tad bit warmer I would be diving into it…just a little too chilly still for me.
I am sending you this email to express my support for the Longboat Key Club and for the future revitalization of the island. We’ve all read the negative rhetoric of IPOC and are actually getting really tired of it. I would love to someday pick up the paper and read about how Longboat is one of the friendliest islands with the most beautiful white sand beaches and offers tremendous amenities to all.
As Lee Greenwood sings, “I’m proud to be an American,” you can sing, “I’m proud to be a commissioner” of Longboat Key!
Marsha Crawford
Longboat Key
Please approve code amendments
To: Town Commission
Please follow the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the requested code amendments. I am so weary of the opponents’ costly, selfish, childish antics and threats of lawsuits designed to further delay this much-needed project.
This revitalization is not only for the club, but it is most necessary and beneficial for the good of the Town and her residents. Let us get on with it.
Beverley Albertson
Sarasota
Allow more intense tourist and commercial development
To: Town Commission
My wife and I have been property owners on Longboat key since 2008. I urge you not to make Code changes to allow more intense tourist and commercial development on the Key as well as changes that would undermine the confidence that new home purchasers should have that the zoning at the time they acquired the property could not be changed materially.
Specifically I am concerned that the existing infrastructure (in particular road and bridge access) of the Key is limited and cannot support significant expansion. I am particularly concerned that increased traffic will have the opposite effect economically to what is sought i.e., decreased quality of life, reduced tourism and erosion of property values.
Jim Ware
Longboat Key
Outraged at broad stroke proposals
To: Mayor George Spoll
Please vote no to the proposed changes to the Zoning Code, which eliminate tourist units from the current 5 percent cap on nonresidential development in Key PUDs. In fact the impact on a PUD from tourists is much greater than from residents, so this abandonment directly hurts all of us who have purchased homes based on the PUD design.
Please vote no to the proposed change, which would allow the Town commission to circumvent the Zoning Code by granting departures from any ordinance or code provision in a PUD.
These proposals are designed to take the meaning out of existing PUD developments. We are outraged that such broad stroke proposals were approved by the Planning and Zoning Board.
We residents depend on you, our elected officials, to do the right thing by all of us who have made the commitment to have homes on Longboat Key.
Shelley Winkler, Jean Winkler, Linda Winkler
Longboat Key
Vote no on two issues
To: Town Commission
I respectfully request and urge each and every one of you to vote no on the following two issues:
1. Any changes to the wording of the 5 percent non-residential cap.
2. Allowing the Code to be overturned by unrestricted departures from the current code.
Michael Sirchis
Longboat Key
Disagreement with the expansions
To: Town Commission
Please vote no on the proposed changes to the 5 percent Non Residential Cap and no on allowing the code to be overturned by unrestricted departures at the behest of a developer or compliant Town Commission.
I live full-time on Longboat Key and strongly disagree with the expansions proposed by the Longboat Key Club. The traffic on Gulf of Mexico is impossible, especially in the winter months, and those proposed building additions would make it even worse.
It is important to maintain the integrity of the Key and not turn it into a commercial mess.
Robert Major
Longboat Key
Opposition to code changes
To: Mayor George Spoll
I would like to register my strong opposition to the vast number of code changes demanded by the Longboat Key Club (I have resigned my membership over this issue). As a longtime, fulltime resident of Longboat Key, I can recall how stringently our code has been enforced thru the years. Mailboxes couldn’t be decorative, one restaurant’s sign was eight inches too wide, etc., and so to drop our standards now seem at best ill advised. Although, I guess this would be the proper time for me to apply to open a bed and breakfast inn on Spinnaker Lane. Also let’s put to bed the myth that all this development won’t affect traffic. Those of us who live in Country Club Shores know all about traffic flow.
Ellen Jacob
Longboat Key
Thanks for pension analysis
To: Arnie Malasky
I want to thank you for taking the time to contribute to the very important matter of the town’s pension funds. Please continue to be a part of the discussion. Perhaps a meeting of the commissioners and the pension boards might further illuminate what I find to be a complex set of questions based on past and current assumptions looking forward to an uncertain financial future.
I have little doubt that it is time for the commission to reach some sort of consensus and act to create an ongoing set of policies given our current state of disarray. However, I feel we should only act once we are relatively sure that we fully understand the problem.
I hope that the town’s pension advisors will soon give the commission their updated assessments of the pension plans along with recommendations as how to proceed.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Pension Follow-up
To: Gene Jaleski
Please find attached my response to Mr. Malasky’s letter which challenged many of the points I made in my memorandum to you regarding the Town’s pension plans.
I was and am a bit frustrated with how he responded and believe a number of points were misleading as it regards the true condition of our pension plans. My follow-up should help clarify.
Though he and I disagree on some of the analysis, I remain hopeful that Arnie and I will both be proactive in finding positive solutions.
Mike Seamon
Longboat Key
Pension plan disagreement
To: Editor and Commissioner Gene Jaleski
I cannot express my frustration enough with the statements made by Mr. Malasky in his letter of April 5 to Commissioner Jaleski regarding the Town’s pension plans [and subsequently published by the Longboat Key News].
I have met Mr. Malasky and have heard him speak out against how the Longboat pension plans are funded and managed. While I have a high regard for his professionalism and background as a retired pension actuary, I respectfully disagree with many of his comments and conclusions.
I will ignore his comments about what he presumes I know or do not know. Personal attacks accomplish nothing in this all too important debate. A debate as to what will happen to the pensions of the Town’s valued employees, police officers, and firefighters. I would prefer we focus on clarifying rather than muddling the facts.
(1) Much of Mr. Malasky’s arguments seem to be made not for constructive discussion but rather for no other reason than to argue. For instance, the first point of my memorandum points out that pension benefits earned by the Town’s employees are safe.
Mr. Malasky feels compelled to argue against this conclusion. He succinctly points out “safe” so long as the Town does not go bankrupt. Valid point, yes. Pertinent to the Town’s pension debate, no. There is absolutely little if any chance of a bankruptcy. To even suggest Town bankruptcy and forfeiture of one’s pension is irresponsible, raises unnecessary concern, and detracts from finding real solutions.
(2) Mr. Malasky also makes several arguments many of us have heard before, which are grounded within his personal viewpoint. His arguments run contrary to the State of Florida and the pension board on which he serves.
In his letter and before the Commission this past fall, Mr. Malasky argued against the unfunded liability amortization schedule the Town currently uses. While I will not argue the merits of his argument, the amortization schedule used by the Town’s plans was not only voted upon and approved by the very Board he serves but also approved by the State of Florida. Mr. Malasky may disagree with the amortization schedule but his and the other pension boards, the Town, and the State of Florida all seem to agree such a schedule is appropriate.
(3) Mr. Malasky also goes to great pains to belittle the mortgage comparison when examining how unfunded liability accounts are funded. As an actuary, Mr. Malasky is very familiar with the similarities.
For illustrative purposes, his own pension actuaries for the Firefighter’s pension board have used the mortgage comparison in their presentations. In addition, in the article “Public Employee Retirement Systems” written by the very actuarial firm the Town will likely hire to examine our pension plans, [Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company], they state: “An unfunded liability can be compared with a home mortgage.”
When Mr. Malasky challenges the home mortgage analogy he is not challenging Mike Seamon, rather he is at odds with his own brethren.
(4) For discussion purposes, I unbundled “unfunded costs” from “normal costs” so that the reader could understand the actual or normal cost of continuing the police pension plan; as distinguished from terminating the plan. Mr. Malasky blends these costs in such a manner so as to give the reader the impression that terminating the police pension plan will eliminate most of the Town’s pension obligations, altogether. Whether this was his intention I do not know, but it is far from the truth.
We both agree that the unfunded liability account must be satisfied whether or not the plan is terminated or continued. Though I did not point it out in my memorandum, Mr. Malasky is correct that in the event of plan termination the unfunded liability account will be subject to adjustments. He is also correct in pointing out these adjustments could result in a savings to the Town.
Nonetheless, other than the possible adjustments in the unfunded account, the only funding cost eliminated in the event of a plan termination is the normal cost of the plan.
(5) Mr. Malasky also points out that the total cost of the plan is 64.2 percent of payroll. As a percentage of payroll, these numbers do seem high. High that is, until examined more closely and more fully understood.
The confusion lies in trying to differentiate the total cost of the plan from the Town’s ongoing cost to fund new pension benefits. The total cost includes state contributions, employee contributions, administrative expenses paid by the plan, and the scheduled amortization payments to the unfunded liability account.
In particular, we should keep in mind that the unfunded liability payments come about because the Town did not fully fund the pension plans during this past decade. The unfunded liability payments, in general, are essentially catch-up payments.
While Mr. Malasky’s numbers are accurate in of themselves, the way the numbers are presented does not provide an accurate portrayal of the Town’s costs to provide current benefits. That aside, no matter how you add the numbers, the fact remains the Town’s normal ongoing cost to fund the police officers’ pension benefit is equal to 9.5 percent of payroll.
(6) Though not discussed by either Mr. Malasky or myself, all three of Longboat’s pension plans should enjoy gains this plan year. These gains will help to further reduce the unfunded liability account of each plan and will likely reduce the overall funding costs to the Town. And even as the investment markets continue to recover, the pension boards [Mr. Malasky included] and Town staff continue to work tirelessly to improve performance and efficiencies. None of which has been taken into account in any of our analytical analyzes.
(7) The real question is whether there is a pension crisis. I think not. The pension plans are not putting the Town at risk, whatsoever. And to substantiate that point, one needs look no further than the sand debate. I am sure someone will know better than I, but it looks like the difference in cost between .18mm Munsell 8 sand and .25mm Munsell 7 sand would be almost enough to fully fund all three of the Town’s pension plans. What would you choose to do?
The pension debate has just begun marked by the Town’s consideration to funding a $100,000+ study to evaluate “alternatives.” I believe, even though Mr. Malasky and I have differing viewpoints, we can be part of the solution. I trust that we all will find common ground and will move forward in a positive, proactive manner. There is too much at stake to do otherwise.
Michael Seamon
Longboat Key
To: Michael Seamon
Mike, Thank you once again for taking the time to contribute to the discussion. I believe the town as well as the commission can only profit from input from knowledgeable committed residents such as yourself.
I will study your information.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Peafowl removal options
To: Michael Drake
Mike, this family has a baseball batting cage in their side yard that is perfect for trapping the peacocks. Would you let me know how we arrange for the nuisance folks to set up a pickup date and we can accomplish what has not been done to date? The net enclosure is quite large and will be comfortable as a holding area for the birds for a day or two.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Peafowl count
To: Commissioner Gene Jaleski
Feeding time is 7:30 a.m. as usual, and there were 23 of them today. I only saw two males. But I have seen at least five or six males on other blocks the last few days.
James Braha
Longboat Key
Peafowl removal
To: Town Commission
We have received the proposal from the company and have spoken to them several times. As soon as I get a confirmation on a time frame I will pass it along.
Have a great day!
Michael D. Drake
Longboat Key
Turtle safe bulbs
To: Jerry Looker
Hi – per our discussion, I am interested if your company is able to produce street light heads that are mounted at 30 feet and use the turtle-safe LED bulbs referenced in the links below.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Commissioner Gene Jaleski
Thank you for stopping by our booth at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, FL.
I have attached a copy of the ROI comparing our solar light tower to a $7,000 diesel light tower as well as a quick presentation for the light tower.
Please let me know what I can do to help make our light tower a part of your inventory. If you haven’t done so already, please take the time to check out our Web site at www.progresssolarsolutions.com.
I look forward to exploring the opportunities with your municipality.
Jerry Looker
Director of Business Development
Progress Solar Solutions, LLC
Apex, NC
Over the top
To: Mayor George Spoll and members of the P&Z Board
A charade has gone terribly far when an owner can apply for zoning changes that will have repercussions well beyond his property — in fact, all over the key. I can understand a property owner improving what he owns, but improving his value by impinging on the rest of us is really over-the-top.
For the Town to allow this would also be over-the-top; this is something that must be approved by all affected Town property owners. I also suggest that you are required to do ‘due diligence’ in examining the history of the club so as to be confident that the Town may rely on its promises. Then and only then can you guide the rest of us in making a good choice.
Edward Fenton
Longboat Key
Saivetz qualifications for Planning and Zoning Board
To: Town Commission
Please forgive the “I’s” but…I have a career of more than 60 years of professional integrity to back me up.
I am very familiar with the essence of zoning — as well as the art of planning — and the specifics of Civil Engineering.
I have thousands of certificates on record in which I, as Registered Professional Land Surveyor, have certified the compliance (or non-compliance) of improvements on properties with Zoning and Restrictions of Record. In all the years of my experience there has never been a complaint filed with the governing authorities as to my competency in the various states in which I carried my registrations. I (and backed by my staff) have worked for banks, national corporations, developers, communities and even federal agencies.
I have no — zero — pecuniary interest in any entity on Longboat Key, that is, except for my own residence. I do have political interests but they are sublimated when professionalism is involved.
As for the Key Club, my wife and I have been members for almost 30 years. Back to the days before Bob Wilhelm; when, I think, John Siegel was in charge. I have no antagonism with the club—I did raise unanswered questions about this program—but that is ancient history. This P&Z Board on which I now sit has already completed its role in the matter of the plans the Key Club has been processing. It approved them and its work is done.
The matter now before this Board, although submitted by the same Key Club, deals strictly with zoning – in which, I believe, the Key Club seems to want clarity. It stated, “The Club’s motives are simple – clarify the zoning code to resolve ambiguities like the inconsistent use of acronyms and what the word ‘or’ means in a provision.” I think that I can address these specifics without any consideration of the already-approved matter. Mr. Welly, writing for the club in his mailing, “Approaching the Redevelopment Hearing Home Stretch,” mentions my having been appointed to this board and, referring to me, suggests, “He needs to understand the level of town-wide support for an approval of the club’s redevelopment.” I do — but I do not think that it should influence my interpretation of what our zoning ordinances actually state. The thing speaks for itself.
I am aware that a resident of the Key, and active supporter of the Key Club’s proposals has recently suggested in a letter to the Commissioners (also published in the Longboat Key News), that I have “vehemently and publicly opposed the development” and that I “would be…. unethical at best” in my serving on this Board and should “recuse” myself. (I will deal with that aspect of this communication in another forum). I will not recuse myself. I find no failings in my ethics in this regards, and can assure you that I will use due diligence in my approach to this matter — and in honorably continuing to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board for the purpose of forwarding our Board’s advisory opinions to the Commission.
I would view any attempt to demand my removal from this board or recusing myself from this subject as a validation of the allegations against my person — and, for the sake of my reputation and my sixty years of professional integrity, have no other option but to contest same.
Bradford Saivetz
Longboat Key
Holmberg engineering
This is the single email from Holmberg dated November 2009. This was the result of a call to Holmberg seeking factual clarification after my discussion with our town manager where the viability of Holmberg Engineering was disputed; in this case that Holmberg had been affiliated with a failed project at Stump Pass.
Also please look at www.lbkbeaches.com and Holmberg for a more complete study of their many successes at restoring beaches around the world. Once again I state that I believe our community might profit from seeking a second opinion from other qualified beach engineering firms.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
The Stump Pass project
To: Gene Jaleski
I want to state unequivocally that Holmberg Technology, Inc., is not the company that has proposed the sand-filled erosion system for Stump Pass. I have presented my beach restoration technology to the Charlotte County Commission numerous times over the past 15 years, and I very recently met with Mac Horton and Alan Cumming to demonstrate my work. If the Commission had solicited bids for this project, I would certainly have submitted a proposal. I have installed my beach erosion control systems in many forms and locations. They are designed to be site specific to account for wind and wave direction and other conditions and have been installed in Michigan, Florida, Saudi Arabia, and other locations. For 20 years my work has been rigorously subjected to professional and academic studies. My career spans 45 years, and I have many patents covering this technology. Over 15 years ago, I discontinued using the type of low-profile sand-filled system proposed by Beach Restoration, Inc., for Stump Pass. This type of system is fragile because the sand units are adversely affected by debris, weather, vandalism, and other factors, thus making this a temporary solution. I am also seriously concerned that the company being considered for this project is inexperienced in this type of work. I have requested a copy of project site plans from the Commission and was told there were none. Exactly what project materials are being reviewed by Florida DEQ for the permitting process? What will the Commission’s vote be based on? Where is the usual call for competitive bids? Taxpayers should resist dictatorial maneuvering by the present Commission and insist on a transparent and fair selection process and an efficient system designed by qualified professionals for long-term results. Stump Pass is an important environmental resource. Let’s not make mistakes that will have long-lived negative results.
Dick Holmberg
Holmberg Engineering
Saivetz appointment to Planning and Zoning Board
To: Mayor George Spoll
As a concerned citizen I was disappointed to learn of Mr. Bradford Saivetz appointment to P&Z. Mr. Saivetz has been a very publicly vocal detractor of the club’s upgrade application in the newspaper and testimony before the Commission. I briefly considered throwing my hat into the ring based on my development experience but quickly recognized that my strong public advocacy in the newspaper and commission testimony supporting the club’s application would be appropriately contested and would be unethical. I see now some semblance of impartiality was not a criteria for the P&Z chairman or at least was not discussed.
I understand through the grapevine that Commissioner Larson was not aware of Saivetz strong public position against the application and had she known, she would have voted for someone more properly impartial.
While I’m sure almost everyone on the island has an opinion pro or con, given the gravity, scope and complexity of this potentially beneficial project, I think there should have been a better process to vet the candidates by hearing them, questioning them and discussing the pros and cons of each at the Commission meeting before the vote. A less hurried vote surely have produced a more impartial candidate outcome and provide for a fairer hearing in P&Z of the club’s request.
Anyway, thanks for your ear, George, and thanks for your dedicated service. You’ve got a tough job at a critical time in Longboat’s history and we all respect you and those dynamics in that regard.
Bob Gault
Longboat Key
No threat of legal action against town
To: Commissioner Jim Brown
Your reference in your email to Commissioner Jaleski and the Town Attorney to the Islandside Property Owners Coalition attempting to intimidate members of the Commission with the threat of legal action is totally without basis. The views expressed in the letter from Mr. Robinson relative to the potential for individual liability by commissioners are not shared by our Coalition and we view the issues raised in his letter as between the Club and their golfing members. We have never threatened legal action against the Commission and your implications are both inaccurate and provocative.
Bob White, President
Islandside Property Owners Coalition, LLC
Longboat key
To: Bob White
Please accept my apology if I offended you!
Jim Brown
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Bicyclists should ride single file
To: Editor
In view of the increasingly hostile competition that seems to be developing between our bicycling friends and automobile drivers for our public roadways, I felt compelled to write this appeal to the cyclists for cooperation through understanding. To be sure, cyclists have as much right to use public thoroughfares as auto drivers; no argument. My observation is that the greatest conflict arises when cyclists ride tandem rather than single file, resulting in one of the bikes being outside of the bike lane and into the auto driving lane. I understand this still may be your right. However, please consider that, with the aging population of auto drivers on these same roadways, you are endangering yourself significantly as “we,” the aging drivers, don’t have your agility, depth perception or reflexes anymore and we sometimes have to choose between getting uncomfortably close to you or to oncoming traffic. If cyclists could remind themselves to stay single file and pass only when cars aren’t approaching from behind, I think their use of public roads will remain safer and the tension between bikers and drivers should diminish significantly. Thank you.
Jim Owen
Longboat Key
Wrong decision
To: Editor
I cannot understand the decision by the Planning and Zoning Board to allow the LBK Club request for expansion to go forward to the town Commission. I can understand that the Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial Interest Group (formerly PIC) and realtors are in favor and applaud the ruling. Why not…another thousand or so units between Islandside and Harbourside can only mean increased profits.
But what about the residents. Up until now only IPOC has been heard. It’s time for Homeowner and Condo associations let the Town Commission know how they feel about this uncontrolled growth!
Ray Rajewski
Longboat Key
Key Club costs
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
Bruce, thanks for the information about how and why the town pays for developers to conduct lengthy proceedings at taxpayer expense. I am interested in approximately how much unbilled costs the town has spent to date on the Key Club application. Will we continue to be expected to fund future developer applications? I am not in favor of the taxpayers having to spend a dime on developers’ applications.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Commissioner Gene Jaleski
Staff is calculating hard costs for the Club Hearings to date. Soft costs have not been tracked. I hope to get that to you by the end of the week.
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager, Longboat Key
Zoning code changes
To: Planning and Zoning Board Chair BJ Webb
I have examined the proposed changes offered by the Longboat Key Club, several of which, in my professional opinion, go beyond mere clarification and are not in accord with the town’s comprehensive plan. If adopted, such changes would serve to emasculate the existing zoning code.
Richard L. Hershatter
Longboat Key
Positive feedback for academy
To: Editor
In February I read a story in your paper about the Citizens Academy of Governance being offered to the public by the town of Longboat Key. I signed up for it and attended the four all-morning sessions. It was time well spent.
I learned about the Longboat Key government structure, town plans for the future, emergency preparedness, and information resources available, to name some of the aspects of the program.
The citizens of Longboat Key should be very proud of their town employees. All are dedicated to making Longboat Key the very best.
Thanks for publicizing the academy. I hope there will be another offered next year to give more residents the opportunity to attend. It is well worth the time and effort.
Judy Zanca
Longboat Key
Consider the value of history
To: Town Commission
My name is Tom Mayers and I represent the Longboat Key Historical Society, Inc., as its current President. I have been asked to participate in your 2010 Goals and Objectives meeting and to offer comments and suggestions in advance.
My comment and suggestion is that the Town of Longboat Key should consider the Longboat Key Historical Society, Inc. as an integral part of the Town of Longboat Key today and in the future. We have served the people of Longboat Key since we were formed in 1980. We have provided the Town with information that they have used on their present web site and in other ways. We maintain a storefront all year round which disseminates information to local citizens and to the general public on a daily basis.
We put on regular speaker events each year which are open to the general public and are well attended. If you look at history from a broad prospective you can see the United States Government, the State of Florida and every other state in the Union along with County and other City governments of Florida all provide funding and help to historical organizations in order to perpetuate an understanding of, distribution of and the collection of historical information.
I would suggest that the Town of Longboat Key is remiss in not providing support to the Longboat Key Historical Society, Inc. in an organized and regular way. We have enjoyed your help in the past and look forward to it in the future. We are currently not receiving any help from the Town. If you agree that the service that we provide to the Town is important, try to guess what it would cost the Town to provide this service to its citizens without our help. I would guess that the Town could add a historian position to the staff for $30,000 to $40,000 a year. With the other costs of adding this staff it could cost the Town well over $50,000 a year for this move.
Tom Mayers
President, Longboat Key Historical Society
Cost of Key Club to Town
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
Bruce, what have the taxpayers spent to date on the Key Club application including staff time, staff comp time, rent for the Temple, AV equipment rental including employees, advertising in the newspapers, your time and all other incidental costs.
I believe that Monica Simpson has spent considerable time on the Key Club proposal and all it’s alterations and modifications along with the town attorney.
I believe the taxpayers might be interested in what we may have to extend to other developers who follow the Key Club application process.
Perhaps we might consider transferring all of the above costs to the developers who stand to reap handsome profits from whatever concessions they get from the community.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Key Club hearing dates
To: Town Commission
I am getting a sense that these hearings will generate more interest (people) than was originally anticipated. For that reason I have decided to have the PZB hearings scheduled for April 6 and April 8 at the Temple rather than the Town Hall Chambers.
I have proposed that the Town, IPOC and the Key club split the cost 3 ways. I think that they will be agreeable. Regardless, I think that you would want anyone who wants to the opportunity to participate to be able to do so in a meaningful and comfortable way.
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager, Longboat Key
Process is absurd
To: Editor
Let me see if I have this right. First the Longboat Key Club submits a development plan that is not in compliance with the various Town codes. Then they request the Town to review the various codes. Then the Longboat Key Attorney writes a new code with its own changes to the ordinances for the Town to approve. Does anyone else think this process is absurd?
Ray Rajewski
Longboat Key
Preliminary budget dates
To: Town Commission
You will receive the Preliminary Budget June 1, 2010. At this time we are asking that you hold the following dates for budget meetings.
June 7, June 17, June 18
We do not know if we will need all these dates but wanted to have enough time available to address your budget questions.
We have tried to cluster these meetings around the Regular and Workshop meetings in consideration for your travel plans. Please let me know if there are any dates that you are absolutely not available so the Town Commission can decide how to move forward. We can add more dates later if needed.
If any dates drop from the list for any reason we will let you know so that you can free your calendars.
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager, Longboat Key
Brad Saivetz appointed to P&Z
To: Editor
Although I personally like Brad and played a lot of golf with him, he will be a disaster on the P&Z. He is Gene Jaleski with a terrible temper. Are you aware that he personally held off beach renourishment for more than a year and was forced out of Sands Point because no one would speak to him and he was so disliked that he couldn’t get anyone to even play tennis with him and even recently had a law suit with his neighbors? There is only one way with Brad and that is his way. If you disagree, you are either stupid or evil. Even Jim Brown who hardly ever sees bad in anyone was flabbergasted by this appointment. Letting Brad on the P&Z is even a more dramatic reversal of course than putting on a Chamber guy on the Town Commission. It will be an interesting development but not one that is conducive to good fellowship or cooperation.
Al Green
Pennsylvania
Tree code subcommittee forms
To: Planning and Zoning Board members
The Commission reviewed our request for a Tree Subcommittee that includes members of the Commission, as well as Ms. Zunz, Mr. Alphers & Mr. Hixon. They have agreed to the subcommittee and asked Jim Brown and Lynn Larson to represent the Commission. I will ask Ms. Zunz to coordinate with Town Staff possible meeting dates. Many thanks to Ms. Zunz and Mr. Alphers in attending the work session today.
Additionally, the Commission made an appointment to the Planning and Board seat vacated by Mr. John Redgrave. The new appointee is Bradford Saivetz. He is a resident of Golf Links Lane & has been semi-retired for the past ten years from his Architectural and Engineering firm headquartered in Boston. He stated in his letter to the Board, “In my early years, our firm worked with the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts in formulating and getting enacted many of the Planning and Zoning laws which protected the rights to build during the post-war battle between the home-coming veterans who needed a place to live and the “Mrs. Nimby’s” who were saying, “Not in my Back Yard.” We won temporarily, at least. Our firm planned, processed and got built, during that period, about twenty-thousand single family homes plus countless numbers of apartments and condominiums.” Mr. Saivetz will be in attendance at our meeting on April 6.
BJ Webb
Chairman, Planning and Zoning Board
Tree subcommittee meeting
To: Planning and Zoning Board
On behalf of the Tree Subcommittee I am requesting your availability for the week of April 12 for the first meeting. Thank you.
Monica Simpson
Planning and Zoning Director, Longboat Key
Hi Monica…I can be available on the 12th.
Jim Brown
Commissioner, Longboat Key
To: Commissioner Jim Brown
Thank you Commissioner, I will let you know what is settled for a date. Have a great day.
Monica Simpson
Planning and Zoning Director, Longboat Key
Health Care Reform
To: Editor
Although I am usually appalled by all columns by Tom Burgum, the recent column on health care reform (March 26) was particularly putrid. It reeked of selfishness, ideological blindness, and an inability to see the good parts of the recently passed health care reform.
By dwelling solely on the financial aspects of the bill, and scaring citizens with visions of having to pay for improved health care for all citizens with tax increases, Mr. Burgum neglects the fact that there are 32 million citizens who are currently unable to get good medical care, preventive medical care, and basic medical services because they cannot afford health insurance as provided (if one wishes to be generous to companies who take away insurance once you get too sick and are a burden on their profits) by profit making institutions.
I have no problem paying taxes. Taxes are the price of civilization. If you don’t want to pay taxes, be a hermit on some isolated island. I want our country to be strong, healthy, and compassionate to those who are not wealthy. Yes, there will be problems as any progressive legislation produces, but it is better to appeal to the better angels of our nature rather than to the selfish aspects of our pocketbooks.
Regarding the Canadian experience, the Canadians who live down here in my condominium complex are scrupulous in making sure they are not away from Canada for more than six months so that they do not lose their Canadian Health care.
And please spare us any more notes at the end that he is a Democratic activist, which I gather (presumably as written by Mr. Burgum) is meant to indicate that he is “open-minded” having been a democrat once and is now able to argue against the progressive measures that have for many years (social security, civil rights legislation, medicare) given Americans reasons to be proud of our country. Come November 2012 I will certainly be saying, as the majority of America will say, “Don’t let those Republicans take away our Health Care.”
All those warnings from the Tea Party folks and commentators that the Democrats are hurt by this legislation will be seen to be wrong. Many who may have given negative opinions to pollsters about the legislation were negative because the health care was not strong enough and did not include a public option. As that lady famously said, “Don’t let the Government take away my Medicare,” citizens in the future will surely cry, “Don’t let the government (or Republicans) take away my new and better health insurance plan.”
Stephen Cooper
Longboat Key
PZB meeting location
To: Editor
The PZB meeting location for the April 6 meeting has been changed to Temple Beth Israel. I suggested this and proposed to split the cost between the Coalition, Town and Club) BSD approved and has made the change. As of this writing Bruce had not been able to contact Michael Welly, but he was confident that he would agree.
Bob White, President
Islandside Property Owners Coalition
Longboat Key
Door has been kicked open
To: Editor
Your (Tom Burgum) March 26 article on ‘The Door Has Been Kicked Open’ was refreshing to read. I have never written to a writer, paper or news origination because I always felt my responsibility was to take care of my family and help my community.
What advice would you give a citizen that wants to become involved in our country’s future, based on the idea of spending what you take in, just like every family in America has to do monthly?
Tim Post
Key Club plan needs a vote
To: Editor:
Once again I’m forced out of my lethargy, to voice my opinion of the Longboat Key ongoing saga! I suggest that we hold a Longboat vote (by taxpaying owners) whether we are for or against their expansion plans.
I. Bert Spiegel
Longboat Key, FL
What is town’s share of Key Club hearing costs?
To: Town Manager Bruce St. Denis
What have the taxpayers spent to date on the Key Club application including staff time, staff comp time, rent for the Temple, AV equipment rental including employees, advertising in the newspapers, your time and all other incidental costs.
I believe that Monica Simpson has spent considerable time on the Key Club proposal and all it’s alterations and modifications along with the town attorney.
I believe the taxpayers might be interested in what we may have to extend to other developers who follow the Key Club application process.
Perhaps we might consider transferring all of the above costs to the developers who stand to reap handsome profits from whatever concessions they get from the community.
Gene Jaleski
Commissioner, Longboat Key
Key Club cost breakdown
To: Commissioner Gene Jaleski
The Town captures direct costs such as staff, consultant time as well as the cost of an attorney to assist Monica on major cases such as the Club.
The Town does not charge for David’s time as he is representing the Town Commission.
I made the decision to change the club hearing venue to make it convenient for the Town’s citizens. Venue is the responsibility of the Town so we are absorbing the costs.
All parties are making an exception for the zoning hearings because it was originally thought that there would not be much interest in this subject and the decision was made to meet in the Town Commission Chambers. It appears interest is higher than anticipated and we need to move to the Temple again. Because of that there was a proposal to split the cost of that portion of the process and all parties agreed.
I will get you the costs to date for staff and outside attorney time as well as town consultants. We will also give you the costs we have incurred for the rental of the temple and for sound and video services.
I cannot give you figures for the time for other staff members as we do not track time spent on general items. I am out of town now but will ask staff to start compiling this information. It should be available next week.
Bruce St. Denis
Town Manager, Longboat Key
Congratulations
To: Commissioner Robert Siekmann
On behalf of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, I would like to extend warm congratulations as you continue to serve the Town of Longboat Key. We look forward to working with you in the coming years to both strengthen ties between the Town of Longboat Key and Manatee County Government, and to improve the great community which we call home.
Donna Hayes
Manatee County Commissioner
More Key Club concerns
To: Town Commissioners
The Planning and Zoning Committee and the Longboat Key Commission will soon convene to ‘clarify’ the town’s code. This review is being undertaken at the request of the Longboat Key Club, which seeks to make significant additions to its property. Everyone understands that what the Club owners want is not just a clarification, but fundamental changes to the code to accommodate its plans.
It is appropriate for the Planning and Zoning, at any time, as requested by the commission, to make such a review. It is also implicit that any review be methodical and thorough.
The Longboat Key code has served our community well and it is only now being challenged. Billions of dollars have been invested in real estate on this island based on the assumption that the existing codes would continue. As they say in Maine, “Don’t fix what ain’t broke.” Let’s not make changes that will negatively impact many other Longboat Key properties forever.
The essence of Longboat Key should not be sacrificed for one applicant, even one as important as the Longboat Key Club. The Planning and Zoning Board and Longboat Key Commission have an obligation not to rush this under any circumstances.
There is no advantage or need to complete this review before it has been thoroughly completed. It is likely years before hundreds of new condos will be built on the key; and there is not even any assurance who might be the developers on what is now the Key Club property.
Nor should the Planning and Zoning and the Commission be swayed by a Club threat to walk away from what promises to be a major enhancement to the value of its property. It won’t happen.
A Planning and Zoning Board that is working for all the people on Longboat Key would require the applicant for the changes to fund an independent study of impacts on traffic, water, and real estate values.
And the debate should be conducted in the presence of and with the expressed interests of those most impacted: Longboat taxpayers. It should happen when most are in residence between December and March, not in June of 2010, when few hands will be on deck.
The stakes are too high. Let’s have plenty of solid input, do a thorough review and let’s get it right.
Charles Rosen
Longboat Key
[...] Here is the original post: Letters to the Editor – April 2010 | Longboat Key News [...]
In reply to Mr. Charles Rosen…
Where have you been? The Key Club redevelopment has been in the news continually for over 2 years now with more discussion, hearings and news coverage than I have ever been a part of….The experts have already come and gone with their testimony… All expert testimony was paid for by Longboat Key Club…. Their combined testimony was that without redevelopment, Longboat Key Club would slide into serious decline and possible future closure just like we have witnessed with The Colony. They also testified to increased real estate values with significant tax revenues to The Town of Longboat Key. This is no brainer stuff and follows the Town’s Vision Plan which was clearly approved by the Town of Longboat Key over two years ago.
Town Codes are not memorialized but work in progress. We live in an evolving world where change is constant. Longboat Key Club redevelopment is essential for The Town of Longboat Key as we move into the future. This is for our future 5 to 10 years down the road. The majority of the residents of Longboat Key get it. I would be more than happy to share the reasons for redevelopment if you need more clarification. I can be contacted at 941-706-1983.
Best regards,
Rick Crawford, Positive Change Coalition for LBK