Longboat Observer readers sound off on Key issues

Longboat voters spoke very clearly

In the recent referendum on the Colony, the voters of LBK have not just spoken but have sent a message that is so loud and clear that it can’t possibly be misunderstood: 3,220 to 465. I’m sure that the 400-plus represented some Colony unit owners and some others who stood to profit from the development. For all practical purposes, this vote was 3,200-0. Longboat Key does not need or want another hotel, whether it’s three-star, four-star or five. Longboat Key doesn’t need or want a big ballroom. The much-expanded former Hilton is soon to open. I presume there is still a plan to add something at the Longboat Key Club, which has been approved in concept.

The commissioners should act on the message of the voters and rescind (after seven years) the grandfathered 270 units on the Colony property. They should move to condemn the dilapidated property and have all the structures removed by whoever owns them, and let the zoning density revert to the legal limit of 130 units. The developer has repeatedly said that he can make money by constructing 130 upscale residences on the site. Sounds like a good plan.

The developer says he wants to do all this because “it’s right for Longboat Key.” I think the voters have indicated what’s right for LBK and I ask the Commission to act accordingly.

Dan Woods, Longboat Key

Tax system incentivizes vacation rentals

I commend you on the balance you achieved in presenting the arguments in the debate over vacation rentals and home rule.

I have not reached a conclusion, nor would it make any difference if I did. You see, we are nonresidents, not homesteaders, so we have no right to vote. As such, we are at the mercy of local voters to determine what is best for Longboat Key.

Nonetheless, I wanted to add one important fact missing from your arguments. As nonresidents, our property tax base is roughly double that of homesteaders.

That is to say, for the privilege of spending our lives here part-time (and believe me it is truly a privilege), we do, unfortunately, contribute more to the local tax base than homesteaders who have a say in how we are governed.

To some, I understand that the ability to rent out one’s home truly helps to cover these additional costs.

I would also argue that there is an unfairness in the tax rate. Given, once again, that we are part-timers, we are not benefitting from the full-time services that homesteaders are. So, we, in effect, are subsidizing full-time residents.

Tom Ivaskiv, Longboat Key

New, permanent residents like what they see

After 13 years of owning on LBK and enjoying life as snowbirds, we finally made the move to become permanent residents and now call LBK our home.

Since becoming permanent residents, we have paid much closer attention to the management of the town of LBK.

Our first experience voting as Florida residents was in the town election last month. We took advantage of the opportunity of early voting at Town Hall and were greeted by pleasant, informative town employees who walked us through the process and then offered delicious snacks in the lobby.

A week later we had town managers Dave Bullock and Mike Hein speak at our association’s Men’s Club meeting. Their level of information, professionalism and a little humor was remarkable and well-received by the more than 60 residents attending the presentation.

Last week our Men’s Club hosted two sessions of the hands only CPR course conducted by the LBK Fire Department. What a valuable service they provided to our community. We had over 50 residents and complex employees attend the training. They were great teachers, not only instructing us in the new CPR methods, but also educating us on town services and resources.

Last weekend we attended a safety fair at the North Fire Station. We were amazed at the amount of information available to us, the willingness of town employees to engage in discussions and couldn’t believe how much fun we had. This event was clearly a tribute to the way the town of LBK is run.

It is very easy to criticize, and that day may come for us, too. But we feel compelled to share our recent experiences as new, permanent residents in the town of LBK.

Bill and Bonnie Coughlin, Longboat Key

Up and over Fruitville Road?

Recent articles mention the proposed plan to reduce the width of Fruitville Road toward its western end and add three roundabouts along the route. City planners, business owners and maybe some citizens have long wanted to link downtown Sarasota with the Rosemary District. Making the expanded downtown a more walkable area could prove attractive for all.

But how can we solve the volume of traffic issue on Fruitville?

Crossing this street on foot does present a challenge. Reducing the four lanes to two seems a contrary action. How can you get more from less? The abrupt end of four lanes into two introduced by a series of roundabouts intuitively makes little sense.

What to do? Go up and over.

Leave Fruitville as four lanes; just improve the roadway.

Improve the sidewalk with bricks and paving stones and other decorative material.

Create the roundabout at Fruitville Road and U.S. 41, already in the plans.

Create a series of bridges across Fruitville Road. Each pedestrian bridge would feature stairs, of course, and two glass enclosed elevators.

The cost saved by not constructing the roundabouts would fund the bridges and elevators.

The art application, sculpture or two dimensional, from the roundabouts could make the elevators and stairs most attractive.

We need to apply nontraditional solutions to our traffic problems.

Jeffery Weisman

Sarasota