Letters To The Editor

+ Theft victim thankful for church help
Dear Editor:
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and thank everybody for the generous support shown to me by the congregation of the Longboat Island Chapel and the Rev. Ken Gill. Sometime early Sunday morning on April 3, my car was stolen from in front of my house. Because I was going to be playing later that morning at the Longboat Island Chapel, my drums were in the car. My family was informed at 3 a.m. that the torched car had been found, with no sign of my drums. All of the support from the congregation after hearing about my loss will not only allow me to replace my stolen drums, but it made me realize that the good in the world far outweighs the bad. Thank you all so much.
Elijah Anderson
Sarasota

+ Garden Club thankful for volunteers
Dear Editor:
The Garden Club sends a big thank you to all the people who made our “Taste of the Keys and Male Fashion Show” so much fun. Thanks to Matt Walsh, who took on the role of master of ceremonies, and did a fantastic job. Thanks to our wonderful models, Mayor Jim Brown, Commissioners Jack Duncan, Phil Younger and Lynn Larson, Ron Johnson, Tom Aposporos, Jack Black, Andrew Vac, Town Manager Bruce St. Denis, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi and his twin sons and Police Chief Al Hogle, who strutted the walkway in Brooks Brothers clothes. We applaud your style.

We thank the restaurants for providing the unending food, the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, Mar Vista, Old Salty Dog, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Chart House, Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key, Tango Steakhouse & Sushi, Terrace on the Circle, Lido Beach Grill, Joe’s Eats and Sweets, Longboat Key Club and Resort and Tokyo Steak House. We thank those who attended and helped support the Garden Club’s scholarship and grant funds. Last and not least, we thank Susan Landau and Barbara Kerwin for the work and time they invested in this event. It was wonderful!
Madelyn Spoll
Longboat Key

+ Key visitor put off by loud music
Dear Editor:
Although we have been vacationing on Longboat Key for close to 20 years, and we love it, we are now reluctant to return, because we have been victims of egregious disturbances of the peace.

While we were staying at Sun ’N’ Sea Cottages on Friday and Saturday nights, April 15 and 16, wedding receptions were held outside under a tent at the Hilton hotel next door. The Friday reception went on until 9 p.m., then on Saturday until 11 p.m. In both instances the music was so loud that it kept our 5-week-old grandson from going to sleep. Both receptions appear to have been in contravention of the Longboat Key code, Title 13, Chapter 130.02, which prohibits loud noise, and particularly the use of loud speakers, between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays and all day Sunday.

Finally, at 10 p.m. Saturday, I complained to the police, who acted swiftly to have the sound lowered. After the police had left, however, the sound level went back up for the last 10 or 15 minutes of the party. It should not be up to visitors to point out town laws that need to be enforced.
Eugene J. Johnson
Williamstown, Mass.