What is occurring on Longboat Key involving the Key Club litigation could be a very costly zero-sum game. Since the commissioners have once again unanimously decided to adhere to their stance on the Key Club expansion proposal, they have created a situation where a developer stands to gain tens of millions of dollars from government-sponsored added value to what is currently golf course acreage. By doing so, the town government has inadvertently placed a huge financial burden on some residents, as they are now in the position of having to protect the value of their property.

A relatively short article in The Economist struck my eye. I like to read this newspaper, even though it represents a more liberal view than my own. I started on the British publication during my days at Jubail in Saudi Arabia. I often read it cover to cover then and there. That might tell you how much we had to do on that other Gulf coast.

Certain town politicians are now espousing the rationale that we must retain the Planning, Zoning and Building Department director because she is too professional to lose. They are employing this rationale as their justification to excuse the director’s behavior that had been allowed to go on under the former town manager. I am sorry that this story is not pretty

The controversial investigation by Longboat Key Police Capt. Bill Tokajer, which led to the administrative leave of Planning and Zoning Director Monica Simpson and the termination of Police Chief Al Hogle’s reign as acting town manager, was obtained today by Longboat Key News

The following text is an unedited direct transcript of Capt. Bill Tokajer’s investigation of the Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Department employees. The names have been redacted to protect privacy.   Of the ten (10) employees that I have been able to interview: • 1 Employee said that she was not there long enough [...]

The Longboat Key Town Commission removed Police Chief Al Hogle from the Acting Town Manager role after accusing him of improperly handling an employee grievance filed against Planning and Zoning Director Monica Simpson.

Longboat Key Commissioners decided by a vote of 6-1 to name Deputy Sarasota County Administrator Dave Bullock the next town manager. After a week of debate over how fast the town should proceed and whether Bullock would in fact be an interim manager rather than a permanent manager, Bullock was the clear choice

Against my better judgment I was convinced to attend yet another special meeting of the Longboat Key Town Commission. I thought that this annual event for the approval on second reading would be a routine approval of millage rates and budget for the coming year

Too fast, too slow, just right. It is a Goldilocks dilemma of timing for the Longboat Key Town Commission when it comes to selecting a new town manager. And as in all uncertainties — it causes fear, vacillation, criticism, self-doubt and worry about doing what is right

‘This commission is looking for someone who has the experience to bring and embrace new ideas and direction to the various town issues, while having the managerial skills to carry out the policy.’