Duncan reverses decision, seeks third term

Two more years.

That’s what Longboat Key Vice Mayor Jack Duncan is now seeking on the Longboat Key Town Commission. Duncan confirmed Friday that he will seek a third and final term on the Longboat Key Town Commission — a reversal of a decision he made in July to not seek re-election.

Duncan, 65, had surprised both his fellow commissioners and town staff when he announced in July that he would not seek another term. At the time, he said he made the decision “after hours of soul searching and long discussions” to spend more time with his family.

However, Duncan opted to reconsider his decision after conversations with many people who urged him to run again.

“The premier issue, also the thing that was most compelling that they were seeking me out to help get us through was the obvious one on the table: revising the Comprehensive Plan and getting our coding and zoning up to date,” Duncan said.

Duncan joined the commission in 2011 and holds the District 2 seat. The commission voted him into the vice mayor’s seat earlier this year.

In addition to his duties as commissioner, Duncan has served as the town’s Manasota League of Cities representative for two years and became president in November.

Mayor Jim Brown will term limit out of his District 4 seat next spring. Commissioner Phill Younger has qualified to run for a final term in his at-large seat.

At press time, no other candidates had announced plans to run in the town’s March 2015 general municipal election.

Duncan has at least one vocal supporter who sits next to him at the dais: Brown, who expressed his support at Monday night’s commission meeting.

“I’m glad Vice Mayor Duncan changed his direction,” he said.

George Spoll, who also lives in District 2 and confirmed last month that he had been asked to run but described it as “too premature” for such a decision at the time. However, he indicated Monday night that his candidacy is unlikely.

“I’ve made no decision,” Spoll said. “I’m not seriously considering it. I thing being a commissioner is very inhibiting because of Sunshine Laws and a citizens group in Sarasota.”

With Brown, the Key’s mayor for the past four years leaving the dais next year, is there a Mayor Duncan in the town’s future?

“That’s not a compelling reason to do this,” Duncan said. “It will be up to the commission, but we have really great members, any one of who would be able to do the job. If that happens, fine, I’d be honored to serve, but if it’s someone else, that’s fine, too.”

Election day
The Longboat Key Town Commission voted on first reading and public hearing to align its general municipal election with the Sarasota County election. If the commission adopts the ordinance, the town’s election will take place March 10, 2015 — one week earlier than the traditional date of the third Tuesday in March.

Candidates would be required to qualify by Nov. 17. A preliminary election, if required, would take place Jan. 13, 2015.