Gans voted aboard Longboat Key Commission
Nominated Commissioner Terry Gans is sworn in by Town Clerk Trish Granger.
The Longboat Key Town Commission chose Terry Gans to fill the at-large seat vacated by Commissioner Hal Lenobel whom stepped down July 5 due to health concerns.
Gans was chosen from a field of eight applicants — former Commissioners Randy Clair, Gene Jaleski and Woody Wolverton, as well as Planning and Zoning Board Members Jack Daly and Len Garner and residents Ray Rajewski and Mark Wickersham.
The meeting opened with Mayor Jim Brown saying he hoped to see so much interest when election season comes around.
“It was refreshing seeing names come in from all over the Key, ” said Brown.
Brown also praised Lenobel and Lenobel’s contributions and said he wished Hal had stayed on at least through September.
“Hal did a great job for the Town and everybody,” said Brown.
The voting after no single candidate emerged victorious in the first round turned into a process of elimination on the second round.
First, Commissioner Phil Younger spoke of the varying perspectives on Longboat Key and in recognition of that, he said he would nominate Rajewski.
Next, Commissioner Lynn Larson voted for Woody Wolverton; Vice Mayor Dave Brenner voted for Clair; Brown voted for Gans; Commissioner Jack Duncan voted for Rajewski and Commissioner Pat Zunz voted for Gans.
By Town Charter, four affirmative votes are needed to elect an applicant. Roberts Rules of Order allows the suspension of the rules if a candidate is not chosen on the first round, which would have allowed the elimination of any candidate who was in the minority of support. Younger made that motion, but was not supported. In the next round of voting, Brenner and Larson switched their votes leaving Clair and Wolverton eliminated from consideration.
In that final vote, Duncan and Younger continued their support for Rajewski and Brenner and Larson switched their support and voted for Gans, which gave him the four necessary votes.
After the final vote, Younger moved to have the vote changed to unanimous for the record and that change was made.
Gans will serve until March of next year when the nominee, by Charter, must face a general election. Gans has indicated he does not wish to run for office, but support the Town in the interim.
And Gans is no stranger to the Commission — he has attended meetings regularly and spoken in unhesitant support of the Longboat Key Club throughout the redevelopment application process.
Below is Gans’ resume submitted for the application and following that is a reprint of a Q&A between Gans and the Longboat Key News.
Terry A. Gans
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, History, Miami University, Oxford Ohio, 1968
Masters of Arts, History, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1970
Masters of Business Administration, Loyola College, Baltimore Maryland, 1982
EXPERIENCE:
SPE Enterprises, operating as Nafco and Congressional Wholesale Seafood, Jessup, MD
February 2002-January 2004
Controller for wholesale operation with revenues of over $100 million
• Upgraded all computer hardware and software
• Negotiated major new line of credit arrangement with Bank of America
• Outsourced payroll and benefits
Giant Food Inc., Landover, Maryland – operator of over 175 supermarkets and 120 pharmacies
April 1984-May 2000
Vice President-Advertising and Sales Promotion
• Managed a staff of 120 people, an in-house agency, and a budget in excess of $60 million annually
• Planned, wrote, and implemented marketing plans that increased sales and consumer ratings for quality and service
• Initiated use of research and focus groups to devise and measure marketing and communication efforts
• Member of corporate real estate committee
• Planned all aspects for corporate shareholder meetings and presentations to financial analysts
• Produced press events, in-house video presentations, annual reports, brochures, press releases, and internal rollout programs
• Planned and directed installation of two generations of computerized production equipment
• Directed weekly print and broadcast program, including over 8,000 television and 57,000 radio commercials annually
• Wrote issue advertising and press communications, during critical six-week labor stoppage
May 1974-March 1984
Director of Corporate Operations
• Staff member of Office of the President
• Scope of Management including Public Affairs, Labor Scheduling, and Operations Coordination
May 1972-April 1974
Assistant Manager, Communications Department
July 1970-April 1972 Technical Writer, Training Department
Terry Gans Q&A
- 1. 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.”
