Updated March 31, 2012. The people of Longboat Key have voted and dealt David Brenner a resounding defeat! Of the 1,643 Sarasota voters, Brenner received a net of 17 votes (830 for/813 against). It is a sham, a disgrace that the board undertakes major land-use changes without the public’s support. Since most of you are not even elected, you should all resign instead of imposing your will on the people.

My internist cousin says he knows who will live among his older patients: those who own dogs. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provisionally agrees. They believe the data show that dog (and cat) ownership can lower blood pressure, feelings of loneliness, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while at the same time increasing chances for exercise and socialization. So how do we get all these benefits from another species?

Less than a month remains until the municipal election here on Longboat Key. This means that we must be in the midst of the ‘Silly Season’ in our own town of Tiny Towne South. We’ll have fewer names on the ballot than we saw last month in the Republican primary. Many of you have already received your absentee ballots by now. That’s two candidates for one office, no amendments, no referenda.

Another contentious issue on Longboat this year has been the idea of allowing dogs on the beach. The town has an ordinance in place that prohibits dogs on the beach with or without a leash. Some residents are supportive of the idea of dogs on the beach, stating the potential benefits of vacationers who may [...]

I’ve been reading of late a lot of correspondence from almost all quarters about dogs, dogs on beaches, our beaches, use of beaches, etc. It all reminds me of controversy along the Jersey Shore some years ago over just who could venture onto the beaches of the many shore towns there. They used bathing suit patches to identify suitable bathers; one town even proposed a small tattoo to the exposed skin of honest and true residents. Here it sounds like some locals or wannabes desire to identify or maybe ban all canines from the shore.

Longboat Key Estates Club Association has voted, and formally stated to the town of Longboat Key, that it does not want dogs on the beach. In recent weeks, the idea of creating a dedicated dog beach or allowing dogs during restricted hours access to the entire Longboat Key waterfront has divided the community.

In recent weeks, the topic of not only having a dog park on Longboat Key, but also possibly allowing dogs on all beaches has been reviewed at town meetings. At the Monday, Nov. 7 commission meeting, commissioners determined that an ad hoc citizens committee should evaluate the viability of allowing dogs on beaches. Meaning a group of citizens, of their own volition, can form a group that will meet regarding the dog beach concept, but there will be no participation within the group by any town commissioners, board members or town staff.

Longboat Key News recently asked its readers their opinion on whether to allow dogs on LBK beaches… Deborah McKinlay: I think dogs should not be allowed on the beach because I believe it is unsanitary. Thank you, from a full-time resident.   Dominic Korbuly: I don’t want dogs on the beach! (Although I love dogs.) [...]

The idea of creating a dedicated dog beach or allowing hours of dog play access for key canines is moving closer with the creation of a committee to study and make formal recommendations to the Town Commission

Longboat Key News recently asked its readers their opinion on whether to allow dogs on LBK beaches