LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 38, NO. 9
FREE
Linde vies for District 1 seat ARTS+CULTURE
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015
INSIDE
Sick of presidential politics? Town election season is already getting started. PAGE 12A
CHANGING HANDS
Asolo Repertory Theatre shakes up Shakespeare. INSIDE
YOUR TOWN
Kurt Schultheis
John Kisgen
Publix welcomes new manager John Kisgen is no stranger to Publix. The Longboat Key store’s newest general manager began his career at Publix when he was 14. “It’s one of the best stores for all of Publix, so coming here is an honor,” Kisgen said. In his first few months at Longboat’s Publix, Kisgen has enjoyed the community feel of the store. “I love the customers,” Kisgen said. “Most of the staff out here have been with us for a very long time, and they know their neighbors. Not all Publixes are like this.” The former manager of Publix, Andy Lappin, now manages the Publix store at Stickney Point Road and Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
Sarasota-based Gecko’s Hospitality Group purchased the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill last week. SEE PAGE 3A
Key’s sign code open to all applicants A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says you can’t regulate the content of signs forced the town Monday night to loosen restrictions.
Kurt Schultheis
A debate over sign content and what can be placed on town rights-ofway surfaced Monday night because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
KURT SCHULTHEIS SENIOR EDITOR
The town supports not-forprofit groups like the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Garden Club when they announce their events with signs on town rights-of-way. But what if an extreme group like the Ku Klux Klan sought to plant signs in town rights-of-
way? There would be nothing the town could do about it because of a recent Supreme Court ruling. The Longboat Key Town Commission was forced to modify
its sign ordinance to allow any group to apply for a sign permit while Town Attorney Maggie SEE PAGE 2A