Letters to the Editor

+ ULI report assessment lays a costly egg
Dear Editor:

It has finally hatched.  

The $125,000 (plus, plus) egg, ordered by the Town Commission, paid for by the taxpayers, has finally been delivered by the Urban Land Institute. There is now proof that it is an unmitigated waste of taxpayers’ money.

After spending almost a week here, surveying the town and receiving input from the body politic and those of the citizenry who volunteered to be interviewed (and whose input was disregarded), the lead sentence in Page Four of a previous draft, titled “Acknowledgements,” tells it all:

“On behalf of the Urban Land Institute, the panel would like to thank Mayor David Brenner and the Longboat Key town commissioners.

As for the rest of the report, it is interesting reading, but mostly boilerplate and a regurgitation of the actions and interests of those who were instrumental in having ordered it. Those politicians and commercial interests who are attempting to steer our island away from being a haven for those who chose it as a high-end residential retirement home into this mad dash for revitalization and change.

The ULI task force has completely ignored the changes to our zoning, which have gratuitously been made by the nucleus of the Town Commission, starting with the Key Club expansion fiasco, which permits the hidden density increase in its population projections. It also ignored any of the hopes, fears and aspirations of the interested (but advocates of keeping Longboat Key as it is) citizenry who volunteered their opinions.

Except for details, which could have been copied from any prognosis given to any anxious community, most is a regurgitation of the Walter Mittyish dreams and aspirations of the instigators of this commission to ULI. This is the host of goodies the body politic has been trying to foist upon us, such as the town center and the community center (complete with gymnasium and wiffleball courts). This is sort of like wanting and having the taxpayers fund “The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for these dreams and aspirations.

This writer is not averse to change for the sake of improvement.  The Constitution of these United States is an example of the defense of status quo in our nation. It has a very clear provision for amendments. It works! So do we, citizens of Longboat Key, have a vehicle for radical change. Ours is in the Town Charter and is called “referendum.”  First ask the citizenry, not the hacks who populate the political scene and the commercial interests that thrive upon us.

Bradford Saivetz
Longboat Key

+ Lord’s Warehouse fashion show chairs give kudos
Dear Editor:
We wish to express thanks to the many supporters of the annual Lord’s Warehouse Fashion Show and Luncheon held March 11 at Longboat Island Chapel.  It was a successful event which raised more than in past years with ticket sales sold out and a full house attending. This year’s, theme, “A Fashion Mystery,” featured guest model H. Terrill Griffin, author of Longboat Key-featured mystery books and a surprise visit by a Longboat Key police officer, as part of the mystery woven into the fashion show. Both were appreciated for their participation in adding a new element to the show. Also kudos to Martha Miller and her kitchen helpers who provided a delicious homemade luncheon enjoyed by all.  

Our sincere thanks goes to all volunteers who gave their time and talents to this fundraiser, as well as the generosity of local businesses for their generous donations of gift certificates and prizes. 

Cindy Kuehnel and Sue Reese Fashion Show Co-Chairs

+ Suggestions to improve Bradenton Beach traffic
Dear Editor:
At the first meeting of the newly formed North Beach Property Owners Coalition at the Arts Center in Longboat Key on March 20, I asked the audience whether they thought traffic flow could be improved between the north end of Longboat Key and the Cortez Bridge during peak traffic hours, especially at evening rush hour. Most attendees indicated “yes.” At times, cars are lined up from the north end of Longboat Key all the way to the Cortez Bridge traffic light causing long delays, missed appointments, and angry drivers and passengers.

The following is suggested:

• Have police on foot direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic to speed up traffic flow on Gulf of Mexico Drive during peak hours or other times of heavy traffic.

• Have police hold back pedestrians and cars at the Bridge Street roundabout and at the traffic light at Cortez and GMD intersection to increase traffic flow. At the Bridge Street roundabout, the police could hold back pedestrians and cars from Bridge Street for, say, 5 minutes at a time, to let more cars coming north on GMD to pass through.

• Have police wave through more GMD traffic at the GMD and Cortez traffic light intersection to increase throughput of cars going north to Holmes Beach or over the Cortez Bridge. If possible, increase the green light time for the GMD direction.

• Have the drawbridge attendant on the Cortez Bridge hold off boats seeking passage through the bridge at peak traffic times.

• Have the police at the Cortez Road and 119th street intersection in Cortez wave through more cars to prevent a backup on Cortez Bridge.

I would ask: Can the police chiefs and town mayors of the affected towns work out a Comprehensive Plan to improve traffic flow and reduce the frustration of many motorists along Gulf of Mexico Drive? Police already provide this service for some special town and other private events requiring special police help.
Herman Kruegle
Longboat Key

+ Winding Oaks board supported maintenance
Dear Editor:
I am a former resident and board member of Winding Oaks and must rebut your recent article, which indicated that the board previous to the current one had neglected to maintain the property. In fact, the projects mentioned in the article, i.e. the paver installation and new roofs, were authorized and completed under the previous board president, Mr. Henry Medvin. The pool replacement was also begun under his administration.

All units were also painted every three years and rotted wood was replaced when discovered. I hope the current board will continue the good work done by Mr. Medvin.
Fred Smith
Roswell, Ga.