LONGBOAT OBSERVER
YourObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
11A
Welcome Back Traffic jams, car carriers and crowds. They’re all sure signs that summer is over — and season is here. They’re small prices to pay for living in paradise with the friends who flee the North each winter. By those measures, season is in full swing. Summers on Longboat Key have a reputation for being slow. But here at the Longboat Observer, we’ve found that news during the so-called slow season pours in as surely as the afternoon showers. Here, we’ve compiled all the big news you missed while you were at your summer homes, traveling the globe or enjoying lazy summer days at the beach. It’s our way of saying, “Welcome back.”
// MAY // + L’Ambiance penthouse sale breaks county record A L’Ambiance penthouse sold for $6.75 million — the highest price recorded in property records for a condominium unit in Sarasota County history. Cheryl Loeffler, of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, represented the buyer and seller. The unit went under contract just 19 days after it was listed.
+ Commission selects new town attorney The Longboat Key Town Commission selected Maggie D. Mooney-Portale, of Lakewood Ranch-based Persson & Cohen, P.A., as its new town attorney. Commissioners cited both Portale’s experience and the institutional knowledge that comes with hiring an attorney from the same firm as outgoing attorney Dave Persson, who served the town for 23 years. Persson, who is now the attorney for the city of Venice, has returned to serve the town until January while Portale is on maternity leave.
+ FDOT seeks Cortez Bridge feedback More than 150 people attended an openhouse meeting April 30, at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, to learn more about the Cortez Bridge’s future and give feedback to FDOT officials as part of a two- to three-year study. The meeting revealed the results of surveys showing the public is split between
+ Tropical Storm Andrea brings floods Tropical Storm Andrea was the Key’s first and only brush with storm season to date this year. The June 6 storm didn’t cause destruction or major sand loss, but it flooded many north-end streets in Longbeach Village and Sleepy Lagoon. favoring a new bridge and a rehabilitation of the existing structure. Repairs to the bridge to extend its life will begin next year while plans for a new or rehabilitated bridge are explored.
+ Turtles got an early start on season Nesting season begins May 1, but turtles hit the beach a day early this year on Longboat Key. Sanctuary Manager Sheila Connell and maintenance supervisor Fred Boessel found Sarasota County’s first nest of the season near the condominium early April 30, while checking the property’s lighting in preparation for nesting season. Nesting numbers for Longboat Key were slightly ahead of last year’s, with 639 documented nests, compared with 628 in 2012. Mote Marine Laboratory reported 2,240 nests in its 35-mile patrol area this year, just behind last year’s record-breaking 2,462 nests.
+ Lee Fox leaves Save Our Seabirds Save Our Seabirds founder Lee Fox sent a news release May 9, announcing that the organization’s board terminated her. Board members disagreed with Fox’s claims, saying she received an offer to extend her employment for a year at her $28,000 salary, provided that she operate out of her smaller home-based facility in Wimauma.
Dr. Michael Crosby took on the role of Mote president/CEO in May.
+ Crosby assumes leadership role at Mote Dr. Michael Crosby took on the role of Mote Marine Laboratory president/CEO, three months after longtime president and CEO Dr. Kumar Mahadevan announced his retirement and transition to the role of president emeritus. Crosby leads a staff of more than 190, of which 31 hold Ph.Ds. He joined Mote’s staff in May 2010 to lead the lab’s scientific endeavors.
+ Stone crabs scarce in season Stone crab claws were tough to crack earlier this year. The season, which ended May 15, was one of the slowest in recent memory for many local restaurant owners. A lack of cold fronts most likely contributed to the scarcity because stone crabs don’t burrow in warmer water temperatures, making them vulnerable to predators.
+ Colony lands a ‘lucky’ break The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort received a “lucky” break. No, litigation involving the property
Photo courtesy of Lou Newman
Stan and Wendy’s six cygnets continue to thrive around the Resort at Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside golf course.
+ Swan family continues to grow Swans Stan and Wendy’s nest yielded six healthy cygnets, while Alan and Beverly hatched five baby swans. Stan and Wendy’s cygnets continue to thrive but, sadly, Alan and Beverly’s cygnets died, with four falling prey to a river otter. The swan family had other happy news in May: Two young swans have officially paired. Unofficial swankeeper David Novak named them Sully — in honor of retired U.S. Airways Capt. Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger, who successfully landed Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in New York City — and Suzie, in honor of two Key residents: Susan Coyne, who has supported the Regal Swan Foundation, in Kissimmee, which has assisted with the swans’ care in recent years, and Sue Gilchrist, Novak’s partner of 21 years. didn’t end this summer, but the shuttered property was the site of filming for “The Lucky 6,” a comedy-drama film about six employees of a Sarasota tech startup who win $120 million in the lottery. It was the inaugural project for the Summer Feature Film Program, a collaboration between the Ringling College of Art and Design and FSU/Asolo Conservatory, in which Ringling students produce films and Asolo students act. Shooting took place from May 20 through June 13.
// JUNE // + Chiles nixes Mar Vista plan Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles announced during the
June 3 Longboat Key Town Commission meeting that he would not pursue a plan to use the historic Rufus P. Jordan House for receptions and meeting space. The plan had drawn opposition from residents of the Longbeach Village, who complained about noise and parking at the restaurant. The commission had already approved the application on first reading in April, but the town realized residents of nearby properties weren’t properly noticed about the hearing.
+ Property values increase by 2.1% Longboat Key property values rose for
SEE WELCOME BACK / PAGE 12A