LONGBOAT
Observer
Health Matters
Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 39, NO. 9
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
INSIDE TODAY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016
A FEE FRENZY Each day of noncompliance adds up for Key property owner. PAGE 3
Courtesy photo
Turtle takeover These loggerheads at the Resort at Longboat Key Club took over the resort’s social media Sept. 24-30 to raise awareness of the turtles that call Longboat home. From golfing to trying out tennis, the turtles had a busy week. Each time they posted on social media, the turtles also shared turtle trivia. (Did you know that turtle eggs look like golf balls?) The turtles ended their social-media filled week with some massages in the spa.
INVOICE q Deteriorating, rusty fence ............. $16,051.26 Days in violation: 160
q Roof and drainage issues .............. $21,951.26 Days in violation: 219
q Unsound stairs ................................. $11,104 Days in violation: 221
Total ................................................. $49,106
Courtesy photo
Michelle Boyle and Stephen Boyle at last year’s Bacchus on the Beach
Toast to Bacchus on the Beach Nov. 10-11 Cheers! It’s almost Bacchus on the Beach time. The sixth annual event takes place Nov. 10-11 at the Longboat Key Club and benefits Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge and SCUBAnauts International. This year’s event will have more than 100 featured wineries and producers. For information, visit longboatkeyclub.com.
Storm reels in fish kills What’s good news for the Key’s beaches is bad for canals, where dead fish washed up following Hurricane Matthew.
TERRY O’CONNOR NEWS EDITOR
L
ongboat Key beaches were scoured of red tide by storm winds and waves. Island canals were not. Longboat Key officials went to work Monday on a fish kill cleanup in select canals north of Putter Lane where the heaviest concentration of dead fish washed up. The cleanup will move north until as much of the dead fish are removed as possible, according to a town report. A handful of Longboat Key canals are still burdened with redolent red tide remains, said Juan Florensa, Public Works Department director. Red tide occurs in
the fall when algal blooms grow out of control while producing harmful respiratory effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. “There’s a certain amount of dead, stinking fish in the canals,” Florensa said. “The beaches were cleaned up. No one is complaining about the beaches. But we’ve gotten complaints about the canals and are monitoring the canals on a daily basis.” The canal cleanup was planned even before Bay Isles Harbor Association President Tim Clarke wrote Longboat Key Town Hall over the weekend to complain on behalf of 67 property owners.
SEE PAGE 2
A+E
The importance of storytelling. INSIDE
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