Making Miracles (and Talking Taxes)
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Since leaving my role as Longboat Key Mayor in March, I have become active in a Longboat organization called Miracle on the Key, a small group of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who meet to engage in civil dialogue concerning local and national issues important to our society and to try to bring polarized sides closer together and to forge consensus views, when possible. We have reached consensus on the Florida Tax Reduction Bill proposed for November’s ballot and have attached our “talking points” explaining why we believe the bill should be rejected and how that message might be conveyed to voters. We would be happy to cooperate with your organizations and others to get this message out and encourage you to use our talking points in any manner you find useful.
Ken Schneier
Longboat Key
House Cleaning and Talking Points
To: Ken Schneier
I have a meeting with the people we hope will clean out my brother in law’s home in Venice tomorrow morning. What time is your meeting? Maybe Stephanie could hand out our talking points ?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Referendum Reconnaissance
To: Ken Schneier
FLC staff will be at the Manasota League in the morning and making their presentation on property tax referendum. May be worth a listen.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Connecting the Capital Contacts
To: Ken Schneier
Thank you Ken for sharing the group’s informed and enlightened position. The best person at the Florida League of Cities is Casey Cook at ccook@flcities.com. Virginia “Ginger” Delegal is the Executive Director for the Florida Association of Counties, and her email address is gdelegal@fl-counties.com. Thank you again for the groups efforts on this matter.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
To: Longboat Key Commission
Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) is hosting a wildlife lighting webinar on Thursday, August 6th, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. eastern time. If you’re interested in attending this event, please click here to register! This free workshop is for code enforcement personnel, city planners, engineers, builders, architects or other lighting professionals who may benefit from learning more about wildlife lighting and the latest products and techniques available to meet sea turtle protection ordinance requirements. Additionally, this workshop provides job training for code enforcement personnel and lighting professionals to improve their lighting survey skills and better address problematic lighting on beachfront properties. The webinar also awards code enforcement officers with 3.5 credit hours towards Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) certification. This webinar is not intended for the general public.
The webinar covers the following topics:
Part I: The Problem of Light on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
Part II: The Best Practices for Managing Artificial Light
Part III: Lighting Laws and Evaluating the Extent of the Problem
Part IV: Wildlife Lighting Resources and Discussion
Please refer to the attached flyer for more information about this webinar. If you’d like to attend, please follow the link below to register. As a reminder, please register individually so you can receive FACE credit for this training.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jufyd_tBQf2scfP1ajsG8g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing information about joining the webinar (please check your junk folder if you do not receive a follow up email). If I have missed anyone in your area that may benefit from this webinar, please feel free to forward this information to them.
Emily Wooley
Senior Lighting Project Specialist
Sea Turtle Conservancy
Pleasantries and Policy Books
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
I understand you had inquired about me following my comments before the Longboat Key Commission, and I thought a brief introduction might be helpful. Having lived on Longboat Key before moving to downtown Sarasota about eight years ago, I’ve developed a strong interest in issues that affect both communities. Over the years I’ve become increasingly involved in local government, neighborhood organizations, and regional planning matters, particularly where I believe thoughtful analysis and long-range planning can contribute to better public policy.
I’ve attached a short background summary that provides a little context regarding my professional career and community involvement. The DSCA Briefing Book grew out of those interests and my desire to assemble information that might be useful as our communities address increasingly regional issues. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me. I appreciate your service to Longboat Key and hope our paths cross in the future.
David Lough
Longboat Key
Badges, Banquets, and Michael’s on East
To: Office of Greg Steube Security Advisor Sami Araboghli
We are so thrilled you can join us. Your badge will be at the table on the left as you come into Michael’s on East which is on South Tamiami Trail just off Bahia Vista.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
DC Greetings and Tiger Bay Meetings
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you for your patience in awaiting my reply, and it was a pleasure seeing you and Jen and the team during your visit to DC. And thank you again for the invitation for the Tiger Bay event, looking forward to joining you all on Thursday!
Sami Araboghli
National Security Advisor
Office of Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)
Saving a Seat at Tiger Bay
To: Office of Greg Steube Security Advisor Sami Araboghli
As always, it was wonderful to see you yesterday when we met with Congressman Steube. You all have done so much to help Longboat Key and it is truly appreciated. Please be sure Greg knows how much we appreciated the extra time he spent with Jen and me.
I have made a reservation for you to join me at the Tiger Bay Luncheon on Thursday, July 9th at 11:45 a.m. It is at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. I know Jen will appreciate the extra support at this debate event for the City of Sarasota election. If the Congressman wishes to attend, please let me know and I will make a reservation for him as well. Have a wonderful 4th of July. We will see you soon.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Clearing the Air(port) on Noise Control
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
The July 1 Longboat newspaper includes an article regarding the particulate study and a sub piece on noise. The noise piece references an email from the SRQ CEO Mr. Holback which concludes that the FAA controls most aircraft departure parameters and pilots control power settings. SRQ management is little more than a bystander in factors that affect noise over LBK. This conclusion is incomplete; the full story is more nuanced than that.
Please see a Jan. 2013 letter from the FAA Aviation Noise Ombudesman to then Mayor Jim Brown in response to noise complaints from LBK residents. At the time I was the most vocal resident and asked the Mayor to seek assistance from the FAA. The last full paragraph in the FAA letter describes the responsibility for developing a noise compatibility program for SRQ. It is clear that this is primarily a local airport effort. The FAA does not substitute its judgement for that of airport management.
At a minimum, SRQ has the authority to review its current noise compatibility program and propose changes as necessary. This should be a robust process and include input from all stakeholders including LBK. The review could include changes such as aircraft altitude and power settings that would be incorporated into the SRQ aircraft standard departure procedures. In response to Mr. Holbeck’s email, it may be appropriate to request a formal reopening and review of the SRQ noise abatement program.
Andrew Aitken
Longboat Key
