Observer
LONGBOAT
NEWS Rescue service
Jay Gosnell named Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year. PAGE 5A
DIVERSIONS: SONG AND DANCE MAN
Heated Battle
Bill Bordy shakes up The Sarasota Senior Theater with his “Blue Revue.”
Chili cook-off produces tasty winners.
NEWS 1C
INSIDE | PAGE 1B
You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.
OUR TOWN PEOPLE, PICS & PLACES
+ Get the ball rolling If you haven’t purchased your tickets for the Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation Valentine’s Day Ball, it’s time to get the ball rolling. According to Kiwanis Club President Bob Gault, as of Monday evening, just 24 tickets remained for the event, which will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Harbourside Dining Room. The event features a 17-piece band, dancing, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner and recognition of 2010 Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Citizen of the Year, Matt Walsh. Tickets are $85 per person, $47 of which is tax deductible. Contact Gault at 387-8458 or John Wild at 383-4253.
Thursday, FEBRUARY 3, 2011
defendant opposition
Colony loans disputed A motion filed in Sarasota County Circuit Court on behalf of Dr. Murray Klauber claims the overdue amount on the Colony’s bank loans can’t be determined. By Kurt Schultheis | City Editor
Longtime Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Dr. Murray “Murf ” Klauber claims Colony Lender LLC has interfered with his attempts to renovate the resort.
On Jan. 14, Sarasota attorney Charles Bartlett filed a motion, on behalf of Klauber, opposing a Sarasota County Circuit Court hearing that was set for Jan. 24 to determine the amount due on bank loans. The loans were worth more than $10 million
when Colony Lender representatives David Siegal and Randy Langley purchased the loans from Bank of America in March 2009. The loans, Siegal said, became due in September and are now worth $11 million.
In the motion filed, Klauber and his seven corporations, listed as defendants in the foreclosure case, claim that “Colony Lender has been substituted for Bank of America, clearly a
SEE COLONY / PAGE 7A
PLAYFUL PARTY
+ Mystery author talks suspense Longboat Key resident and author Jim Hensal was the featured speaker at a Jan. 20 luncheon, at the Longboat Key Club’s Tennis Gardens. Hensal’s first novel, “Heir of Suspicion,” was a finalist in the Hensal murder/suspense category of the National Best Books 2009 Awards sponsored by USA Book News. “I always know where I’m going to begin and end, but the path between is unknown,” said Hensal.
See OUR TOWN / PAGE 2A
INDEX Classifieds...............................12C Crossword..............................11C Deal Us In..............................10C Key Real Estate.......................2C Opinion.....................................6A Weather.................................11C Vol. 33, No. 27 Three sections www.YourObserver.com
Dora Walters
Casa del Mar General Manager D.M. Williams plays a song for the more than 100 attendees at his 80th birthday celebration Monday, Jan. 31. Casa del Mar employees dressed in airline flight crew outfits for the event which was themed, “Around the World in 80 Years.” See the story and more photos on page 14A.
PIC POPULOUS
Mayor supports beach project Town officials and beach engineers told Key residents Thursday why a $16 million beach project starting in November is necessary. By Kurt Schultheis | City Editor
Longboat Key Mayor George Spoll has become a spokesperson for the town’s $16 million beach project, along with Town Manager Bruce St. Denis and town beach engineers. At a Longboat Key Public Interest Committee forum titled, “Beaches 101,” held
Thursday, Jan. 27, at Longboat Island Chapel, Spoll told the approximately 75 people in attendance why the north-end, sand-andstructure project is needed. “The commission does understand the need for ongoing nourishment of the beach,” Spoll said. “But there are arguments over
SEE PROJECT / PAGE 8A
Dora Walters
Mayor George Spoll talks to the crowd Thursday, Jan. 27 at the PIC forum.