Residents vie for Commission seat
MELISSA REID
Associate Publisher
mreid@lbknews.com
Residents expressed interest this week in filling the vacancy on the Town Commission left by former Commissioner Hal Lenobel. Lenobel stepped down last week due to health reasons, and the At-Large seat is open to any registered voter on the island.
The Town Commission will appoint a resident to fill the vacancy at a special meeting in the Town Hall Commission Chambers on Tuesday, July 17, at 2 p.m.
As of press time Friday, the residents who have stated they are interested in filling the At-Large seat are Terry Gans, Len Garner, former Commissioner Gene Jaleski, Ray Rajewski, Mark Wickersham and former Commissioner Woody Wolverton. Randy Clair, who was previously defeated by voters and removed from his Commission seat by Gene Jaleski, entered the fray late Friday.
Longboat Key News questioned those who sent in resumes prior to Friday to the Town for the vacant seat, and the following are answers by those who responded as of press time. Included as well is a portion of the candidate’s cover letter to the Commission.
Terry Gans
Do you believe the direction the current commission is taking in modifying the pension plans to a 401A defined contribution model is the proper course of action? Why or why not?
TG: We are fortunate that our Town Manager has begun the steps to address the challenge our Town faces from an unsustainable rate of increase in our pension obligations. His approaches are intelligent, but are also subject in great part to collective bargaining. He deserves our support and participation as this plays out in the weeks and months ahead.
Should the town pursue building a community center at Bayfront Park?
TG: We can all agree that the current facility is not ideal. This is not a new idea, but we need a firm understanding about current usage and what the citizens want for future usages. Once we have that, we can start to discuss the “ifs,” “whens,” “whats” and “hows.”
If it turns out to be a cost savings should the town outsource either building dept., fire dept. or police dept. functions? Why or why not?
TG: There is no service or product in life that cannot be procured more cheaply.
Having said that, once you begin defining what you want by price instead of by what you really need in the way of quality you’ve fallen into a trap. My bias is to control our own destiny for these functions in a cost efficient way.
Should the town pay salaries in the 75th percentile to attract employees or is there a better approach? What are your thoughts?
TG: The answer to this is pretty much the same as above. That is, know what standards you need to achieve the desired result.
Do you support the Longboat Key Club redevelopment order that was approved by the commission and is appropriate for the town? Why or why not?
TG: If there is one thing I bring to this discussion, it is a strong record in support of the need for balanced renewal on Longboat Key. I believe the result the Commission achieved at the end of the hearings on the Key Club plan will be the linchpin to keeping our island one of the best communities in the nation.
How would you go about solving the unused north end commercial properties?
TG: The efforts of the former Mayor and his group toward defining community desires are a good first step, as are the thoughts Mr. Chiles and Mr. Walters brought forth in June. It will be good to see how the property owner incorporates these thoughts and how the Town can support improvement.
What skills from your career would you bring to the commission?
TG: I know what I don’t know, understand how to learn, and can figure out where to go for advice.
Terry Gans cover letter excerpt:
“This specific vacancy has occurred at a time when a critical number of extremely important issues remain current commission business for the coming months. These include pensions, public services contracts, the comprehensive plan and zoning issues, the North End, cell phone service, litigation and mediation issues, and the future of the Colony. I have been a regular attendee of commission meetings and work sessions, which provides a background for immediate participation in deliberations and might enable the commission to move forward very smoothly.”
Len Garner
Do you believe the direction the current commission is taking in modifying the pension plans to a 401A defined contribution model is the proper course of action? Why or why not?
LG: The pension plan needs to be modified and Dave Bullock is doing a wonderful job negotiating conditions agreeable to all.
Should the town pursue building a community center at Bayfront Park?
LG: The community Center has been a long and lingering discussion. I believe the final answer has to be what is best for the community as a whole both economically and socially.
If it turns out to be a cost savings should the town outsource either building dept., fire dept. or police dept. functions? Why or why not?
LG: Outsourcing our services will be counterproductive and would remove the control that was achieved by incorporating Longboat Key.
Should the town pay salaries in the 75th percentile to attract employees or is there a better approach? What are your thoughts?
LG: Higher salaries are not the sole criteria for talent.
Do you support the Longboat Key Club redevelopment order that was approved by the commission and is appropriate for the town? Why or why not?
LG: The Longboat Key Club has expansion rights that were created a long time ago. The only real discussion is HOW the expansion should proceed and agreement on the manner (Heights and intensity).
How would you go about solving the unused north end commercial properties?
LG: The north end is a function of economics, and must be tempered by the needs and desires of the existing community members in that area.
What skills from your career would you bring to the commission?
LG: My resume is public record at Longboat Key as part of my submission for appointment and reappointment to the P&Z Board. I would be glad to provide that to everyone.
Len Garner cover letter excerpt:
“1. I have relocated to and lived full time in Sarasota County for the last 22 years. During that period, I served with local advisory boards and managing groups.
2. Prior to living in Florida, I lived in Springfield, NJ for 27 years. During that period I contributed about 15 years in various elected and appointed governing positions.
3. During the 3-year existence of the Siesta Key Incorporation Committee which I chaired for its entire existence, I had the benefit of significant additional education in government and government requirements for the State of Florida and the associated communities. Concurrently, I was serving as a governing member of the Siesta Key Association.
4. I feel Longboat Key has achieved a wonderful living ambiance and has needs to maintain and enhance that accomplishment. Much of that is reflected in the accomplishment of the most recent Vision Plan Committee on which I had the benefit of serving.
5. I feel that my life experience of 50 years of various real estate building and development in 9 different states and over 300 different municipalities including locally in Florida that I can offer significant knowledge and input addressing these issues in addition to the complex ongoing everyday administrative issues.”
Gene Jaleski
Do you believe the direction the current commission is taking in modifying the pension plans to a 401A defined contribution model is the proper course of action? Why or why not?
GJ: No – the Florida Retirement System is ranked 9th in the country at 87% present funding. 401 planes will nether attract or hold the quality of personnel we have come to expect in an exclusive community, where property values are in part reliant on quality of life issues. Ever since I first ran for commissioner against Bob Seikmann, I have advocated placing the town employees into the FRS. No matter what we do, the taxpayers are going to have to make the pension plans whole. The FRS is simply the most attractive, stable and cost effective direction to go.
Should the town pursue building a community center at Bayfront Park?
GJ: No – first we need to assess the need for such a center based on community support. I believe the current commission is embarking on such a study. We already have centrally located empty and attractive commercial structures that could be uses as a means of testing community support.
If it turns out to be a cost savings should the town outsource either building dept., fire dept. or police dept. functions? Why or why not?
GJ: No – certainly we as a community need to look at modernizing these departments and spend our tax dollars wisely. Again we already have a custom-fit set of quality public services. Don’t try to fix it if it isn’t broken. We’re worth it! We need to work smart, not stingy.
Should the town pay salaries in the 75th percentile to attract employees or is there a better approach? What are your thoughts?
GJ: Yes – what is a saved live worth? If we cut corners we will also undermine the reputation of Longboat Key. In turn property values will be impacted. I am for increasing property values, not lowering them. Ask yourself if public safety was a major consideration when you bought property on Longboat Key.
Do you support the Longboat Key Club redevelopment order that was approved by the commission and is appropriate for the town? Why or why not?
GJ: No – I have always supported a compromise between commercial interests and property owner quality of life issues. We as a community sell ambiance, not tourism. Since the two parties have finally agreed to seek mediation, I have hope that a solution will end the years of litigation that benefits no one. I have made my views public on this issue. I believe that both the Key Club investors and our community are paying a price for the no-compromise development order. Now the question is for how long.
How would you go about solving the unused north end commercial properties?
GJ: I would have the town seek a public/private solution, as I co-authored with Craig Walters, called “Village in the Park.” We had a developer onboard with the concept. Given the Lee Price revelation involving the bank building, it is doubtful we will see and commercial development on the properties north of Whitney Plaza for some time. The original developer who built Whitney Plaza recently was reported to say that residential homes are the highest and best use of the undeveloped and vacant commercial properties north of the Plaza. I support action by the town to find a way to work with the property owners and surrounding residential property owners to find a solution to the present stagnation. I am open to all win-win solutions.
I feel it is unfortunate for both the north end property owners and the commercial property owners that the commission chose to throttle any residential development in these commercial parcels. Why would anyone want to limit possibilities for attractive and appropriate use of underutilized resources anywhere on the island?
What skills from your career would you bring to the commission?
GJ: I have 20 years of active involvement with Longboat Key. I am substantially up-to-speed on all the major issues confronting our community. I have a background in applying technology that spans fro Boeing to the New York State educational system where I played a major role in modernizing state-wide operations at a saving of millions of dollars annually to the taxpayers of New York State. I can bring the same expertise to the town government. We are in the technology age and we need someone on the commission who has extensive expertise in this vital area. I am uniquely qualified from both technical qualifications and a deep understanding of current issues and challenges.
Gene Jaleski cover letter excerpt:
“I feel I bring a unique set of qualifications to the open commission seat. My technical and engineering background enables me to make major contributions to the town at a time when Longboat Key needs to enter the information age as rapidly as possible.
I have been active in the community for over twenty years including the reclaimed water process, multiple day irrigation scheduling, airport departure routing, shoreline maintenance, wireless technology and most recently restoration of the north end blight.
My year on the commission allowed me to become up to speed with current town policies as well as exposure to current town fiscal and structural challenges. Attending the commissioner training school educated me in the area of state laws pertaining to municipal elected officials. I feel my greatest contributions to the community can be creativity, research and hard work. I am able to grasp highly technical problems in many areas where the town is faced with non-trivial decisions.”
Ray Rajewski
Do you believe the direction the current commission is taking in modifying the pension plans to a 401A defined contribution model is the proper course of action? Why or why not?
RR: From what basic knowledge I have, the 401K appears to be the proper course of action. We need to deal with the current shortfall and stop the “bleeding.”
Should the town pursue building a community center at Bayfront Park?
RR: I don’t think we can afford it. Now that the Key Club project is a go, why not use their proposed “convention” space for large gatherings and modify the current building?
I’d rather see an investment in the Whitney Plaza.
If it turns out to be a cost savings should the town outsource either building dept., fire dept. or police dept. functions? Why or why not?
RR: I believe one of the major attractions to living on Longboat Key is the fact that we have EMT, Fire and Police protection at our fingertips.
I believe it only take less than thirty minutes from the time of a call to get someone to the Hospital….this is critical in saving lives, and less than 10 minutes for fire and police to respond anywhere on the Island. I doubt we could count on this type of response by outsourcing to either county.
Should the town pay salaries in the 75th percentile to attract employees or is there a better approach? What are your thoughts?
RR: Yes…I have always believed in attracting the best with competitive salaries.
Do you support the Longboat Key Club redevelopment order that was approved by the commission and is appropriate for the town? Why or why not?
RR: Too late for this one…it’s done!
How would you go about solving the unused north end commercial properties?
RR: Buy the land and turn it into a park for the residents. Picture, if you will, the north end entrance with a park like setting instead of a run down plaza.
What skills from your career would you bring to the commission?
RR: From my resume, I believe in a philosophy of identifying problems before they become major problems. You cannot fix a problem unless you are capable of identifying the problem first, I have (or had) the ability to whittle the most complex situation down to a comprehensible component and deal with it.
Ray Rajewski cover letter excerpt:
“I spent the next two years reviewing acquisitions and finally ended in acquiring five TV stations from Gulf United. In 1986, after these stations were assimilated into Taft, I was asked to go to Los Angeles as Senior VP and CFO for the Taft Entertainment Co., which included Hanna Barbara and a number of Live Production Companies…I left Viacom two years after the CBS Merger and CBS Management took control of the station group. As a matter of performance comparison, our 2001 budget was an EBITDA of $200 million with a 40 percent profit margin. In 2005, under the current management, EBITDA was $178 million and a 33 percent profit margin.”
Mark Wickersham cover letter excerpt:
“I love Longboat Key and I want to protect it. I was born here and I’m going to die here. This island is one of the only pristine places left and protecting it is in my blood.
…For the last 36 years, my entire adulthood, I have worked on the island. As a Longboat Key contractor, I have built around 25 or 30 new houses while remodeling countless others. Aside from perhaps a few hermits, I am known to nearly all permanent residents.
I want it clearly understood that I intend to deal fairly with residents, to listen to their cares and concerns, and to compromise when necessary – as long as the integrity of Longboat Key is not violated. I want to be a ‘can do’ commissioner, while also protecting and maintaining what we all have grown to love.
Along with Charlotte Hewitt, I was instrumental in saving the Longboat Village dock when it was under attack in 1999. When my mother was working to create the Longboat Key recreation center, I went door –to-door raising money for the Keynote project.
I have enjoyed Longboat Key for so long, as have my ancestors, and feel it is my time to give back. I want to ensure that our island never falls prey to the kind of careless expansion that has plagued Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Siesta Key and others. Finally, I plan to run for commissioner in March when this term ends.”
Woody Wolverton cover letter excerpt:
“I will run for the March 2013 election if appointed. I have served on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning board and the Town Commission. I served as past President of Longboat Key Kiwanis club and numerous other 5013C organizations on Longboat Key and Sarasota. Currently, I am on the board of the Sarasota Military Academy.”
Anyone who is a registered Longboat Key voter and is interested in the seat can send a resume and cover letter by email to tgranger@longboatkey.org; by fax to 941-316-1656; or by mail to 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Fla. 34228.
