Town Commission: Looking to 2013

JEANETTE BILLINGS
Staff Writer
jbillings@lbknews.com

After the appointment of Terry Gans to fill the vacancy left on the Longboat Key Commission by Hal Lenobel, many residents have questioned the process going forward. In short, four seats will be up for election next March, including Mayor Jim Brown’s, Commissioners Phill Younger and Jack Duncan, as well Gans’ seat.

The Longboat Key Town Commission consists of seven members elected for two-year terms. The Commission seats are divided amongst five Districts and there are two Town Commission at Large seats.

The seats up for election in 2013 by district are: District 2, currently held by Duncan, District 4, currently held by Mayor Brown, and the two Town Commission At-Large seats, one at large seat, held by Younger, is for a is a two-year term and the seat held by Gans will be revoted on in 2014 as well to return to the historical cycle.

The current Town Commissioners and terms are as follows:

District 1

Lynn Larson (March 2012 – March 2014)

District 2

Jack Duncan (March 2011 – March 2013)

Vice Mayor and District 3

David Brenner (March 2012 – March 2014)

Mayor and District 4

Jim Brown (March 2011 – March 2013)

District 5

Patricia Zunz (March 2012 – March 2014)

Town Commissioner At Large

Terry Gans (July 2012 – March 2013)

Town Commissioner At Large

Phill Younger (March 2011 – March 2013)

Longboat Key Preliminary and General Elections 

When there are more than two qualified candidates for an elective office on the Town Commission, there shall be a preliminary election held on the last Tuesday of January.  The general election will be held on the 3rd Tuesday in March, or, when practicable, in conjunction with any Manatee County or Sarasota County election held in March.

How to become a registered voter

To become a registered voter you must complete a Florida Voter Registration Application.  This application is available at Town Hall (501 Bay Isles Road) or by visiting the Supervisors of Elections Office in Manatee County or Sarasota County.

How to obtain an absentee ballot

Yes.  If you are unable to go to the polls on election day and wish to vote by absentee ballot, you may call the Town of Longboat Key 941-316-1999 or the Supervisor of Elections Office (Manatee County 941-741-3823 – Sarasota County 941-861-8600) for full information on voting by absentee ballot.