Letters to the Editor

+ Dogs on beach raise liability issues
Dear Editor:
So, now dogs may be allowed on our beaches. Let me preface my objection by noting that I count myself and my wife as  “dog lovers,” because we have had three over the course of our married life. However, dogs are not “children,” they are animals. They will relieve themselves wherever and whenever they see fit — most especially when they are outdoors.
So, besides the obvious negatives of urine-drenched and feces-contaminated sand (despite proponents claiming they are quite confident every dog owner, whether resident or temporary visitor, most assuredly will judiciously pick up after their precious Fido) on what once was our prize jewel beaches,
I wonder what liability the town will incur on the day when, not if, someone is bitten or contracts an infection that some attorney can relate to e. coli bacteria that they must have stepped in while at one of our beaches.
Joseph Iannello
Longboat Key

+ Alicia’s Grooming offers ordinance assistance
Dear Editor:
Regarding last week’s article concerning the town’s ordinance requiring all pets to be licensed/tagged, Alicia’s Grooming of Longboat Key, would be more than happy to offer assistance to the town by informing pet owners of the ordinance, as well as issuing/selling the licenses/tags.
Alicia Aeziman
Alicia’s Grooming, Longboat Key

+ Buchanan investigation looks politically vindictive
Dear Editor:
After three years of investigation, U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat, has been cleared of any campaign violations by the Federal Election Commission. Now the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to re-plow the same old field. Not only is this a waste of time and taxpayers’ dollars, it has all the appearances of vindictive politics. Even the group in Washington (CREW) that pushed the issue admits they don’t expect anything to come from it. Clearly, it’s time to move on to important issues like jobs and the economy.
Belinda Aubuchon
Nokomis

+ Boaters rescue child’s toy raft
Dear Editor:
I had to share this with you because it was such a beautiful thing!

We went to the beach in late morning and placed our beach chairs at the access next to Sand Cay. We watched a young couple with a small child come out of Sand Cay carrying all the beach stuff along with a small child-size raft, the kind that you sit in. Well, the wind was pretty strong and coming out of the east, and it didn’t take long before the wind decided to take the raft for a trip to Mexico.

The dad dove in the Gulf and started to swim to retrieve the raft, but the wind kept flipping it and moved it faster than he could travel. Eventually (thank God), he realized his life was a little more precious and decided to let it go. We all watched as the raft kept moving west. Eventually, the only time you could see it was when the wind flipped it over. The family just sat in the water looking as their raft sail away.

We were facing south and didn’t see a small pleasure boat come from the north. The occupants apparently saw the raft and rescued it. Now the test. The boat started for the beach with a person on the bow holding up the raft to those of us on shore. The dad waved his hand in the air, dove in and swam to the second sand bar, where he accepted the retrieved raft from the boaters. No handshake, no money, no nothing, just a happy family and boaters, I would guess, too. Gosh, it made us feel great!
Barbara Roma
Manahawkin, N.J.,
and Longboat Key

+ Disguised cell towers work elsewhere
Dear Editor:
I am a property owner on Longboat Key, although I am a snowbird who is coming back and forth from the North.

In our area of suburban Detroit, we have huge tower, which looks like a over-sized evergreen tree. Perhaps this type of tower would be more acceptable to those on the Key.

I cannot imagine that anyone would want to buy on the Key if they could not get a cell signal. It is not the way of the future ... it is the way of NOW.
Carole M. Shaw
Longboat Key

+ Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party is set to be a success
Dear Editor:
Thank you for your coverage of the Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party, administered by the men and woman of Kiwanis.  

Once again, we’ll be raising money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, as well as for our Kiwanis Foundation’s youth scholarship and grant programs serving students and child-centered activities in Sarasota and Manatee counties.  

With two weeks to go, we’ve already signed up more restaurants and local sponsors than ever before. Space in ads limit how much that can be said, but we wish to acknowledge several sponsors, such as Kitchens by Kerrie, Secur-All Insurance, Critical Care & Veterinary Specialists of Sarasota and Valley Crest Landscape Maintenance at our bronze level and Publix Super Markets at the silver level.  

We also need to thank Steve Bierwirth at Bob Boast Volkswagen for providing us with such an excellent prize, a 2012 Jetta. Tickets by mail can still be obtained by writing to Kiwanis Lawn Party, P.O. Box 8097, Longboat Key, FL 34228, or at the many outlets found in our advertisements in the Longboat Observer. Make your checks payable to Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party. Or call me for more information: 314-610-1651.
John Wild
President, Longboat Key
Kiwanis Club