Letters to the Editor

To send in your letters, please e-mail them to [email protected], or mail them to The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 34228. The Longboat Observer gives priority to letters of local interest and about local issues. The Observer will print all letters to the editor if it feels they are of general interest, but only if the letter is signed and the author’s street address and phone number are given. The editor reserves the right to condense letters.

+ Revitalization of Longboat Key is necessary for island
Dear Editor:
I urge the commissioners to approve the Longboat Key Club’s request to expand and renovate to become a world-class, five-star resort.

As most everyone knows, the island has changed since the Holiday Inn was sold.

Revitalization is necessary to bring the island back to the way it was a few years ago. Vote yes!

Verna Ritter
Longboat Key 

+ Commission should deny the Key Club’s plan
(Editor’s note: This letter was originally send to Mayor George Spoll and The Longboat Observer.)
Dear Editor:
Please accept Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson’s staff report and deny the Longboat Key Club’s expansion plan as it is “potentially overbuilt, too massive, too intense and too dense.”

I’m sure you are also taking into consideration her concern regarding the lack of consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, the size of the conference facility and hotel, the amount of parking provided and the division of the hotel and meeting facilities by a road, which she indicates is not recommended land-use planning.

As owners on Longboat Key since 1982 and full-time residents, we appeal to you to protect our interest. The consequences of approval of Loeb’s  application, as currently presented, would be devastating to those of us living here.

Thank you for your continued service and consideration. Please share this with all the commissioners.

Mort and Ricky Tarter
Longboat Key
 
+ Losing the Key Club’s goodwill is not an option
(Editor’s note: This letter was originally sent to the Town Commission and The Longboat Observer.)
Dear Editor:
You have some very, very difficult decisions to make and I sympathize for you. I’m sure you all only have the best interest of beautiful Longboat Key at heart.

As a winter resident at Grand Bay and a Longboat Key member, frankly, I have some concerns, among them having the club overrun by just guests of the hotel. But as I see membership dropping, at least in golf membership at Harbourside, I think we all must take a chance and back an organization that is willing to increase its financial and managerial support of Longboat Key. 

Losing the goodwill of the Longboat Key Club is not an option!

John Lundy
Longboat Key

+ The Key Club’s project is not good for Key citizens
(Editor’s note: This letter was originally sent to Mayor George Spoll and The Longboat Observer.)
Dear Editor:
Finally, someone with some common sense. Please listen to Monica Simpson and start representing the citizens of your town. The very idea that this over-development is somehow good for Longboat Key is beyond absurd. It may be good for a few ice cream shops on St. Armands; it’s certainly good for Loeb and an overbuilt nightmare for the rest of us.

Why you and the others are supporting this is a mystery to many of us. These over-leveraged investors will flip this at the first opportunity and we who make this our home will be left with the mess. I’m personally willing to spend considerable money to see that this development never happens. Do your job for the people and put an end to this.

Please share this e-mail with the commissioners.

Jim Sullivan
Longboat Key

+ There are more plusses than minuses for the project
Dear Editor:
Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Club badly need this revitalization effort. Please consider what would happen if the plan were not approved.I agree there are some issues — all major projects are never black and white. But strongly on balance, the plan has many more plussesthan minuses.

Frank Neubauer
Longboat Key

+ North-end sand solution will have long-term effects
Dear Editor: 
Finally, a comprehensive solution to the beach erosion on the north end (dredging the pass and using the sand for the beach). And, even better, it’s a long-term solution!  Kudos to Mr. (Gene) Jaleski and (Bruce) St. Denis.

But there is one concern that needs to be addressed. An enormous amount of sand spit has accumulated near the bridge, reaching toward the shore and narrowing the entrance to the lagoon.  It is choking off the water circulation, and navigation is next-to-impossible at low tide. 

What will be the impact of dredging the pass on this sand-accumulation problem? The situation became much worse in 1997 after the pass was dredged. We can’t emphasize how bad this is getting and the impact on property values and the quality of this area. The town should take advantage of the sand that’s available here and also restore this area for the residents and the boaters. This sand spit should be included in the pass dredging project, now and for the long term.

Don and Anne Mckinnon
Longboat Key