Our view

One of the characteristics that infects almost all governments is to “make work.” If there isn’t enough to do, governments are experts at making work to fill a day and justify job existence.

“Make work” has made its way to Longboat Key Town Hall. Here it is:

Talking to the Florida Department of Transportation about transforming Gulf of Mexico Drive with multiple crosswalks and a roundabout and converting it from a 45-mph state-road throughway to a street with lower speed limits.

This is “make work,” undertaken with the justification of the town’s recent Urban Land Institute report. That report recommended consideration of a roundabout at Broadway on the north end of the Key and installing marked crosswalks at five locations:

• North of Monroe Street (adjacent to Buttonwood Plaza, north side);

• In the vicinity of Bayport Way;

• Between Club Longboat and Sea Grape;

• Between Banyan Bay and Centre Shops;

• Between Spanish Drive and Binnacle Point Drive.

Sure, motorists often see beachgoers crossing Gulf of Mexico Drive at those locations. But if any of the ULI panel members lived here, they would know it would be a stretch to say that crossing GMD at any of those locations is a serious problem for pedestrians. Common sense tells any pedestrian: The speed limit is 45; cars are going fast; be careful.

What’s more, had any of the ULI panel members lived here for a decade or more, they would know that in the nearly 60 years of Longboat Key as an incorporated town there has never been a public groundswell for crosswalks, roundabouts or lowering the speed limit on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

In fact, we recall that when we published in one of our April Fools’ editions FDOT was going to lower the speed limit on GMD to 35 from 45 mph, the response against the lower speed limit bordered on physical outrage — from Longboaters!

If town staffers want to make work that actually would be more justifiable and productive, it would be to address Gulf of Mexico Drive’s bike lanes.

There is far more bicycle traffic on GMD than there is pedestrian traffic. And as all GMD motorists and bicyclists know, the bike lanes, while meeting regulation, are precarious. Particularly given the age range of many of the Longboat Key drivers.

Rather than waste time on lower speed limits and roundabouts, it seems more sensible to begin discussions with FDOT now about adding a foot or more to the bike lanes for the next time Gulf of Mexico Drive is to be resurfaced.

+ How to be mayor of LBK
Apparently, the key to becoming mayor of Longboat Key is simple: Change your name to Jim Brown.
First, congratulations to Mayor Jim Brown for having his peers elect him for a fourth consecutive year as town mayor. with his election, Brown now ties the late James P. “Jim” Brown for serving four consecutive terms as mayor.

Not related, the two Jims share similar traits that have marked successful Longboat Key mayors: the ability to run orderly meetings; to be respectful of all commissioners and their views; and to move the Town Commission and government forward while serving as a weak mayor with no more power or authority than any of his peers. This is leadership.

+ Information overload
Feeling overwhelmed by today’s media options? Consider this from Adam Thierer of the Progress and Freedom Foundation:

In 2010 in the U.S., there were almost 600 cable TV channels; more than 2,200 broadcast TV stations; more than 13,000 radio stations; more than 20,000 magazines; more than 276,000 books published annually; 2.55 million websites; more than 266 million Internet users in North America; 26 million blogs on the Internet; 20 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute; and more than 140,000 apps for the iPhone, iPod and iPad.

+ No joke
By the way, we know many readers often find the comments on this page to be a joke. But all of the above is no joke, not part of our annual April Fools’ antics. 

ULI ON BIKE LANES
From the ULI report:
“Bike-lane shoulder improvements can be made to provide a minimum five-foot-wide continuous width along GMD. This is important to provide experienced bicyclists protection from 45-mile-per-hour traffic on GMD, particularly from the effects of wind shadows created by large trucks. The existing edge of roadway on GMD does not have a gravel shoulder but directly abuts the grass terrace that normally creeps to extend over the paved bike lane surface. A full five-foot bike lane minimizes the impact of adjacent grass issues with bike lane operation.

“It is also recommended that the existing concrete multiuse path providing shared use for pedestrians and bicyclists ultimately be replaced with a 10-foot-wide continuous asphalt surface with a yellow centerline. The minimum standard for a multiuse path is eight feet, while 10 feet is the desirable width, which is appropriate to the use activity along GMD. A continuous pavement surface provides a smooth, non-jointed ride for bicyclists.”

DONATE YOUR FOOD BEFORE YOU GO
The first wave of Longboat Key’s northbound snowbirds began loading their cars on the transport trucks last weekend.

If you’re one of those snowbirds packing for the trip, or even if you’re going to be around another month, there is one more to-do to put on your checklist before you go:

Donate food, or donate money.

As noted on page 9A, All Faiths Food Bank and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation initiated Tuesday a 40-day campaign, from April 1 through May 10, to collect food and cash to feed the region’s needy children during the summer.

The summer is the period when All Faiths Food Bank takes in the least amount of food, and yet has the highest demand among children.

A recent study for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation shows 50%, or 21,000, of Sarasota County public schools’ 41,000 students qualify for government-subsidized lunches.

The Campaign Against Summer Hunger hopes to collect enough food and money to feed at least 10,000 children during the summer.

As of Tuesday, All Faiths and foundation officials said the campaign had raised $500,000 in cash, an amount the organizations hope at least to match during the 40-day campaign.

If you have non-perishable foods for donation, they can be dropped off at every fire station or Goodwill store or collection center in Sarasota County.

The nearest fire stations on Longboat Key and on Lido, St. Armands and Coon Keys are:

• 2162 Gulf of Mexico Drive

• 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive

• 47 N. Adams Drive, St. Armands Circle

The nearest Goodwill location is 1935 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

To make a cash contribution, donors can contribute online at SkipALunch.org, or send a check to:

All Faiths Food Bank
8171 Blaikie Court
Sarasota, FL, 34240
allfaithsfoodbank.org