As we look at the future of Longboat Key there are clearly two directions we can take. The one favored by the current commission appears to be toward more development, that is, high-rise condo-tels and tourist towers similar to what has befallen other Florida beach communities. The other direction points toward a community similar to Casey Key, which is predominately private residences.
Longboat Key residents Terrie DuCray and Dr. Patrice Greene hosted a candidate meet and greet for Longboat Key Town Commission District 3 candidate Ray Rajewski last night. More than 60 Longboat Key residents gathered at DuCray’s home to meet with Rajewski, ask him about their concerns for Longboat Key’s future and to learn more about his position on current issues.
A few weeks ago I wrote a piece for this newspaper, which headlined this question. I did not answer it, but only used the question to lead into another thought. I don’t suppose that many were intrigued enough to ask further.
The day after it was announced that there was to be a candidate to oppose current Vice Mayor Dave Brenner, I received the following message: “Ray Rajewski is a neighbor in the bayou and friend of mine. We served together for five years on our board. Ray has good creds, e.g., he got the Bay Isles Master Association to reduce the assessment rate after pointing out that it was higher than the ad valorem taxes imposed by LBK! If he wins against Brenner
The deadline has passed for qualifying to run for Town Commission in March 2012, and that means there will be one contested race out of four seats that are up for election. The contested race will be in District 3; the candidates are incumbent Vice Mayor David Brenner and Ray Rajewski. The seats that will [...]
Consistent with my minor political activity around here I asked an acquaintance here in District 3 to sign a nomination petition for a neighbor who is running for our Town Commission. That targeted signer asked me whom the new candidate was running against. I answered: David Brenner, the current commissioner from this district, our district. The person seemed not to know who David was. Wow!
According to the town clerk’s office, resident Ray Rajewski has qualified as a candidate for District 3 in the upcoming March 2012 election. This means that Rajewski will be running against incumbent Vice Mayor David Brenner for the District 3 seat.
“The more we know” is a recurring theme in my efforts to add to the community conversation. I have contended for decades that small town government lacks the resources to find optimal solutions to community challenges such as our communications infrastructure, our pension plans funding and our beach management practices. Many of these challenges are technologically complex even for much larger communities with departments of specialized workers.
Recent events here in town make it more evident that the people need to have something to say about just who runs things around town government. I have made several pleas for participation from a wider group. Specifically, we need some citizens to step up and run for the Town Commission
A few days ago, Vice Mayor David Brenner sent out an announcement advising his constituents that he is running again for the Town Commission. It definitely covers the impending potential issues, although it is hard to read in this release where Mr. Brenner stands on some of the more controversial ones
