the longboat Observer THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011
NeWS
www.YourObserver.com
MAYOR / FROM PAGE 1A
ELECTION / FROM PAGE 1A
the mayor’s chair heading into my final year as a commissioner,” said Siekmann. Siekmann doesn’t feel it’s appropriate for a Key resident who’s eventually planning a move away from the Key to be mayor; he said he would have declined the position. Siekmann, who carried on the seniority tradition last year by nominating Spoll as mayor, said he is considering stepping down before his final term expires next March. But Siekmann said he wouldn’t resign because of the mayoral vote and would only do so if he feels it’s appropriate for both him and the Town Commission to move on. Siekmann and Lenobel have been the minority on the commission for the past year, and the mayoral vote exemplified that. “I don’t know what happens going forward in the next year,” Siekmann said. “It’s a big unknown — exactly what role I am expected to fill in my last year. I have a sense of being put out to pasture and that’s not the way I want to go out.” Siekmann said he would take some time to decide whether it’s appropriate to step down from his District 5 seat to allow the commission to move on with a replacement that would be involved in decisions for the entire year. At the meeting, Brown and Younger were also sworn in for new, two-year terms. Meanwhile, former Mayor
when the town was in the midst of its early voting week at Town Hall. “When I asked for the proofs of publication to be sent to the town’s beach bond counsel, that’s when I discovered it,” Granger said. “The town clerk’s office is responsible for advertising. It’s ultimately the town clerk’s responsibility, and I take responsibility for the error.” Granger said she immediately notified town attorney David Persson, who recommended the town proceed with its election and work to validate the election results through other avenues after the polls closed. “Technically, the beach project was approved, but now the vote must be validated,” Granger said. Because of the advertising error, a bond counsel attorney cannot issue a clean bond opinion that bondholders can rely on before issuing the $16 million bond to the town. That’s where Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court, Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court, Sen. Michael Bennett, R-Bradenton, and the Legislature come in. Town Manager Bruce St. Denis sent a letter to Bennett March 21 that asked for his assistance in validating the beachproject vote. “To assist the town in curing this technical defect, the town will seek court validation of its bonds,” St. Denis wrote. “The town is asking for a special act of the Legislature (to help validate the vote).”
Dora Walters
Newly appointed Vice Mayor David Brenner takes the administration of oath Monday, at Town Hall. Brenner was voted unanimously to the position.
and District 1 Commissioner Spoll’s farewell speech was met with applause and a standing ovation for his more than six years of service as a commissioner. Said Spoll: “It’s gratifying to see so many good friends in the room. The articles, notes and calls I have received have been overwhelming. I am deeply touched.” Spoll thanked his friends, family and wife, Madelyn, for their support and promised he would not retreat from Town Hall. He again expressed his wish to be a part of an economic revitalization committee he proposed just last month. “This Key means too much to me and all of you to just walk away,” Spoll said.
St. Denis has asked Bennett, the Senate president pro tempore, whether he can assist the town in getting the Legislature to issue a validation opinion before the Legislative session ends in May. St. Denis attached a list of eight previous cases for which the Legislature has helped make a validation opinion regarding election results that had errors because of notice publications. The goal is to receive a validation opinion from the Legislature that can be entered into the record for either a Manatee County or Sarasota County judge, who will decide whether the beach project vote is validated. St. Denis said it will take approximately three-to-six months to go through the court process and cost the town approximately $10,000 in legal fees. St. Denis is confident the beach project will be validated and said it shouldn’t delay a beach project timeline that includes the town placing sand on its north-end beaches and other erosion hot-spots in November 2012. Also, natural-gas pipeline company Port Dolphin LLC has extended the town’s deadline to June 2013 to remove white sand from a pipeline corridor at the bottom of the Gulf for its beaches. “The court must make a decision as to whether this is valid and was the will of the people and met the spirit of the law,” St. Denis said. “We can submit evidence and meeting minutes that reflect that our residents were informed of the beach project
FUTURE DISCUSSION Town Manager Bruce St. Denis plans to schedule a special beach meeting next month to talk about the town’s Comprehensive Beach Management Plan. St. Denis said that an update to the town’s 2008 beach plan needs to be made because that plan includes renourishing every six to eight years. If the commission made a policy change to the beach plan to only renourish where needed, that would be a dramatic shift from past beach policies. “There are more beach decisions that have to be made moving forward,” St. Denis said. “The updated plan will incorporate structures on the north end, placement of sand and figuring out the next step and potentially the next project.” before they voted on this referendum.” Public Works Director Juan Florensa said regardless of the outcome, the town is working diligently to obtain permits for the beach project. As far as the error is concerned, Granger said it will never happen again. “A procedure will be put in place,” Granger said. “I will be copied on every ad and proof that goes into the paper in the future. It won’t ever happen again as long as I am the town clerk.”
REMODEL
383-9215 Insured License # CGC043438
ADDITIONS CUSTOM HOMES
49133
8A
Don’t Struggle to keep your
Independence
At Home...
Up to 60 Months Special Financing Available**for
Turn to us for help!
Vinyl Impact Window Replacements
As a PGT Platinum Dealer, Mullet’s Aluminum is pleased to introduce PGT’s new PremierVue vinyl impact window that combines style and high performance to meet the needs of today’s discerning homeowner. PremierVue has among the highest industry ratings for energy, structural, air and water resistance in a vinyl impact product line.
Lic. #299993609 Lic. #299993726
A Private Duty Home Health Agency We Guarantee Compassionate Care
Quality. Experience. Performance. Mullet’s Aluminum and PGT. For a FREE in-home estimate please contact us at (941) 371-3502.
• Free Nursing Evaluation • Administration of Medication • Errands, Shopping, Transportation • Activities of Daily Living
Lic #SCC050667/CCC057430/CGC1507267 On purchases of $1000.00 or more made between 1-21-2011 to 4-15-2011 with your Home Design credit card. **Subject to credit approval. Contact Mullet’s Aluminum for details.
• Personal Care Bathing • Meal Preparation • New Born & Mom Assist program
Your Extended Family 52432
905 Ponder Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232
Toll Free 1-877-MULLETS | (941) 371-3502 | www.mulletsaluminum.com
• Trusted • Experienced • Caring
Sarasota (941) 388-3117 Venice (941) 484-3242 Englewood (941) 474-4455 Bradenton (941) 795-7000 www.helpathomefl.com
54636
LICENSED • INSURED • BONDED