Longboat Observer 11.08.12

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bserver O LONGBOAT

Salute our veterans

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

WELCOME BACK

DIVERSIONS

Look inside to see the news you missed this summer on the Key. PAGES 11-22A

Ulla Searing’s life was shaded with many colorful stories. INSIDE

OUR TOWN

free • Thursday, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

CONTEST

See the winners of our annual ‘It’s Read Everywhere’ contest. PAGE 1B

Local GOP sweeps Congressman Vern Buchanan wins his fourth term; Longboat turnout 33%.

Courtesy photo

Cyndi Seamon, pictured on her first birthday.

+ Seamon cruises to 50 We knew she must have been a beautiful baby, ’cause baby look at her now! Cyndi Seamon turns 50 Nov. 18, and her mother, Marian Witte, of DePere, Wis., asked us to put a birthday message in the paper, along with this picture of Seamon from Nov. 18, 1963. Because Seamon and her husband, Mike, will be on a cruise during her birthday week, her family asked us to place the message in the paper a week early. So, Cyndi, here’s the message from your mom, dad and Uncle Bob: “We will always love you. Have a great cruise celebration.” And a message from us: Have a happy, happy birthday!

+ Harry toasts the big 6-0 Speaking of big birthdays, Harry’s Continental Kitchens owner Harry Christensen celebrated his 60th Nov. 1. We didn’t get any baby pictures of Harry in honor of his big 6-0. However, we did learn that anyone who wished him a happy birthday at the restaurant Thursday got a complimentary glass of wine or cocktail.

Rachel S. O’Hara

Vern Buchanan addresses the crowd at the Republican Party of Sarasota Election Night party Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota. The elephants in the room liked their odds Tuesday night. Hovering around two large screens Tuesday night at the Sarasota Hyatt, local Republicans stood nervously and cheered whenever news outlets called a state in favor of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. But they felt especially confident when it came to the race between U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and Democratic challenger Keith Fitzgerald. “He’s gonna win,” Longboat Key resident Alycia Craft said. “He’ll probably win it by 2-1,” said Phyllis Black, president of the Republican Club of Longboat Key, whose husband, Jack, agreed. “I’d rather be in Vern’s shoes than Keith Fitzgerald’s shoes, just like I’d rather be in Aaron Rodgers’ shoes than Michael Vick’s shoes,” Tom Reed said. “No problem,” Lee Pokoik said. “The biggest problem was someone kept stealing my signs.” Sure enough, Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, won his fourth term in the Nov. 6 election with 186,627 votes, or 53.6%, compared to Fitzgerald’s

See a breakdown of how Longboat Key voted / PAGE 2A 161,257, or 46.4% votes. As Sarasota County GOP Chairman Joe Gruters introduced each Republican candidate, the crowd cleared the way. But when Gruters introduced Buchanan, the crowd hovered close to the congressman, applauding him as he joined his family at the podium. Buchanan reiterated many of the messages on which he campaigned: He promised to focus on jobs and controlling spending. “We need to balance our budget just like you do,” he said, drawing cheers. The cheers grew louder when he talked about taking action against illegal immigration and loudest when he vowed to work toward repealing Obamacare. “We can’t afford another billiondollar boondoggle,” he said. Buchanan was first elected to office in 2006 and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. In 2010, Buchanan received 69% of the vote against then Democratic challenger James Golden, for the wid-

LONGBOAT KEY VOTER TURNOUT 2008 vs. 2012*

est margin of victory in the district in the last 25 years. Fitzgerald is a New College politiIncludes Election cal science professor who served two Day voting only terms in the Florida State House from 2006 to 2010. 2012 “The things that make democracy work are the orderly transition of power and respect for the outcome 33.1% of elections,” he said in a concession 34.8% speech Tuesday night. “We owe it to our country to honor those traditions. I’d like to congratulate my opponent, Vern Buchanan, on his victory. This is what makes democracy work. It’s our obligation to respect the outcome of 2008 elections.” Speaking of his next step, Fitzgerald said: 34.8% “I’ve been at this for seven years, and I think it’s time I take a timeout to spend more time with my family, who has suffered.” On Longboat Key, voter turnout was 33.1% on Election Day, with 2,069 votes cast. Voter turnout — Robin Hartill

INDEX Briefs....................4A Classifieds ........ 15B

Cops Corner....... 10A Crossword.......... 14B

Opinion.................8A Real Estate.......... 6B

Sports.................. 8B Weather............. 14B

Vol. 35, No. 16 | Three sections YourObserver.com

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