You Observed: Republican Club of Longboat Key hosts final meeting of season

The Republican Club of Longboat Key held one last dinner meeting on May 11 at the Longboat Key Club's Harbourside Ballroom before parting ways for the summer. 

Vice President Chris Sachs said the evening's keynote speaker was David Jenkins, the President of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, a national nonprofit that believes conserving the environment and the earth's natural resources are inherently conservative ideals. 

Jenkins began his presentation with Teddy Roosevelt and examples of Republican administration-led policies including the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. Jenkins said the CRS seeks to promote action to effectively address environmental challenges of today, like threats to drinking water and real estate, with solutions that are smart, efficient, fiscally responsible and economically sound. 

Local realtor Joel Schemmel of Premier Sotheby's International Realty gave an overview of the market. People are heading to Florida from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California and Texas, leading to record demand, record low inventory and record prices. Sales for single family homes and condos are up 35% and 30%, respectfully, over last year. 

Before the meeting and season adjourned, Gray noted that the club welcomed 54 new members throughout 2020 and 2021. The club will meet again in October.