After much contentious debate sparked by state action, Longboat Key’s Town Commission voted unanimously last October to keep the historic name Gulf of Mexico Drive for its main thoroughfare.
This was after the President signed into law the renaming of Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) notifying Longboat Key officials that it would be removing all signage referencing “Gulf of Mexico Drive” from within the State Road 789 (SR 789) right-of-way.
The decision was a clear victory for a decisive majority of residents, who argued that stability, history, and community consensus far outweighed the political impetus for a change. The current name has been in place since September 16, 1957, when the roadway, formerly known as John Ringling Boulevard, was officially designated Gulf of Mexico Drive.
The controversy was ignited when the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) removed existing road signs in August, a move Mayor Ken Schneier said “forced the town to address the issue.”
The Mayor ultimately summarized the outcome by stating, “I believe the case has not been made to change the name, and no law requires us to do so.”
Schneier cited the massive cost of changing approximately 5,140 addresses—mostly condominiums and apartments—and the “unprecedented volume of opinions” against the change as the rationale to keep the name. Mayor Schneier also confirmed that FDOT officials assured him the state agency would “remain neutral and not punish the town.”
The most compelling arguments against renaming the road centered on the administrative burden and the residents’ quality of life.
Longboat Key Club Manager Rick Konsavage was strongly opposed, arguing that from a business perspective, the changes with vendors and the administrative side would be “very difficult,” calling the prospect “a disaster.” He emphasized the “decades of marketing and awareness” built around the current name, suggesting, “We don’t need to do anything.”
This sentiment was echoed by Longboater Arlene Skverskey, who stood clearly opposed, arguing that the town was full of old people who are already sick and unhealthy, and would be “overwhelmed by the change.” She challenged the commission to “stand up to whoever is pushing or suggesting this.”
Planning and Zoning Board Chairman David Lapovsky, speaking for himself, called the entire process “an absolute waste of taxpayer dollars,” asserting that those who felt differently did so for “emotional reasons not practical reasons.”
Despite these arguments, several other residents passionately advocated for a new name.
Longboat resident Fred Laguno was direct, saying, “There is no name Gulf of Mexico anymore so the name Gulf of Mexico Drive is now nonsensical. Many people simply hate America. Many hate our president. We should not bow to this.”
About three residents spoke in favor of a change, with patriotism being a central theme. One resident advocated for changing it to Gulf of America Drive, calling it “a matter of patriotism. It would not cost anyone an ounce of blood and that it was pretty simple to do.”
Gulf of Mexico Drive was adopted as the local name for SR 789 on September 16, 1957, replacing the former name John Ringling Boulevard. Before settling on its current moniker, the Town Commission had considered Longboat Parkway. Today, the name is deeply ingrained in the identity of the island, associated with over 5,100 residential and business addresses, multiple resorts, and a vibrant local tourism industry.
