LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
DEP: Protect your peacocks PAGE 3A
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE
VOLUME 37, NO. 35
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015
Can St. Armands keep up with the
KARDASHIANS? As Kim Kardashian and her entourage DASH to their St. Armands store opening, officials worry the addition will add to the headaches they already get from traffic and watching the family’s reality show.
MANANGING EDITOR
“Youll luvv our new #DASHboutique on St. Armand’s Circle. C u their” @KimKardashian tweeted last week. If you don’t speak Twitter, here’s a translation: The multitalented Kim Kardashian and her sisters, Kourtney and Khloe, stars of the critically acclaimed reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” will open their newest DASH Boutique on St. Armands Circle. The news spread quickly among bored employees at Longboat Key Town Hall and Sarasota City Hall who were checking Twitter feeds during meetings, while taking a break from playing the “Kim Kardashian: Hollywood” game. Soon, town and city officials were engaged a meaningful dialogue on social media: “Can #StArmandsCircle keep up with the @Kardashians?” @SRQTrafficGuy tweeted. “The Kardashians could really
Commissioners used private email for convenience ‘I thought it would be easier to carry just one device for my commission duties and my personal emails instead of two,’ a commissioner tells the Longboat Observer. ROBIN HARTILL MANAGING EDITOR
TALK THERAPY Concierge dispatch at your service. 3A
A Citizens for Sunshine inquiry revealed that Longboat Key town commissioners have used personal email accounts on a server run out of an unnamed commissioner’s home. Asked about the policy of conducting town business from personal email, one commissioner said: “I thought it would be easier to carry just one device for my commission duties and my personal emails instead of two.” The Longboat Observer intercepted a handful of emails from the server before commissioners deleted it. The emails contain classified town secrets, including:
CUSTOMERS SUBMIT TO ‘50 SHADES’
ROBIN HARTILL
SEE KARDASHIANS PAGE 4A
BAD TO THE BONE 4A Dog arrested after owners fail to obtain town license.
YOUR TOWN
n A plot to place a helipad on Town Hall so that elected officials will not have to wait in traffic; n An attempt by commission-
SEE EMAILS PAGE 4A
EMAIL ADDRESSES 4A Read the list of addresses the commissioners were using to conduct business.
There’s no need to feel chained to your natural hair color. Embrace your inner Christian Grey or Anastasia Steele at Design 2000, which is now offering a “50 Shades of Grey” dye special. Women can choose from 50 gray dyes to match their needs and style. “With the popularity of the movie, we decided this special would be a good way for women to find the exact color that suits them,” co-owner Irina LaRose said. “We think women and maybe some men will enjoy this new concept.” The special begins April 1. Call 387-9807.
LONGBOAT BLUE OR SUNSET GOLD? Last month, the Longboat Observer unveiled its new design. One of the most noticeable changes on the front page is the nameplate, with the word “Longboat” printed in the color “Longboat Blue.” We were astonished to learn, however, that 70% of readers see the color as “Sunset Gold.” The discrepancy has divided church groups, condo associations and families. In other redesign news, the Longboat Observer’s new cryptogram was recently named “Puzzle of the Year” by the American Cryptogram Enthusiasts. To let us know whether you see “Longboat Blue” or “Sunset Gold” or to congratulate the Longboat Observer on its cryptogram coup, email Robin Hartill at rhartill@ yourobserver.com.