Your article on Alma de España
To: Editor
Hello, Hermansen father and son. I enjoyed your review of this restaurant and look forward to eating there soon. For the first time, I noticed where you both live. Although I read your articles religiously while I am here from January to May, I never noticed your home addresses before.
My husband and I lived in Kenwood for about 40 years. We raised our 4 children there and enjoyed our time in this delightful neighborhood immensely. We especially enjoyed “cherry blossom time” every spring.
However, when we retired several years ago, we rebuilt our summer cottage on Robin Hood Hill in Sherwood Forest, across the Severn River from your son in Severna Park.
Our 10 grandchildren come to our home to spend the summers which delights our hearts!
We spend the bitter months of winter here on Longboat Key where I enjoy the LBK News greatly, particularly your weekly article. You might want to consider visiting one of our prized local restaurants, The Lazy Lobster. The owner, Mike, has given us two Wine Tastings through the Longboat Key Education Center these last two winters. It has really elevated my opinion of this restaurant greatly.
At the very least, you should sign up for The Wine Tasting next winter at the Ed Center at the Temple. Mike claims not to be an expert but I’m impressed with his wide knowledge of world wines. The hit, for me, from the Wine Tasting this past week was a sparkling wine from Tasmania! Thanks to you both, I feel more educated about the wines we enjoy drinking.
Nancy Prendergast
Longboat Key
House Bill
To: Florida Delegate Robinson
HJR 213 will be before your State Affairs Committee Thursday morning. The conversations I am having with our citizens as the State Legislature is contemplating reducing or eliminating property taxes is , “how will we have ambulance service and fire service on Longboat Key and while we see they are protecting police from revenue reduction, where will the money come from to pay them”?
I have shared with you that 71% of our revenue comes from property taxes. Our Town Commission receives zero compensation for the jobs we do and we have had no outcry at our budget sessions in the five years I have served on Commission about property taxes.
HJR 213 while well intentioned, has far-reaching fiscal and operational consequences for not only Longboat Key, but towns and cities across Florida and the residents they serve (especially our senior population here). This may play well in sound bites, but the economic pitfalls are dire for every citizen and visitor to our state.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Longbeach Village Association
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our district and the Town of Longboat Key as a whole. Would you be available to speak at the next meeting of the Longbeach Village Association on Wednesday February 4, around 6 p.m.?
We all had the opportunity to meet with you briefly as you were assuming your new role and you very kindly squeezed us into your busy schedule. We would welcome the opportunity to have you come and speak to our members in more detail about what you see as the current concerns for our district and the island. Please let me know if this would be possible. Have a great evening,
Jill Nemeth
Longbeach Village Association Secretary
Longboat Key
Raccoons
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
I’ve had four calls on racoon infiltration in the last two weeks in Country Club shores. Interestingly it’s not just association’s 1 they’ve come from 1 through 5. In fact, I had a family of 6 transversing my seawall cap 2 weeks ago. Is there something we can do, or should I advise them to contact a removal agency?
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Buccaneer Site
To: Debra Williams
Do you know what is going on with the proposed Buccaneer site? I see they have been fencing up around the building next door.
John Lynch
Longboat Key
New Pass
To: John Saputo
Thanks for your email on behalf of the Lighthouse Point neighborhood. Clearly as we have discussed several times, there is a significant problem to be solved to provide safe and reasonable access for boats in the New Pass area. The issue is particularly acute at Lighthouse Point. We have an opportunity to address that issue with this project and the LBK Canal Dredging project currently being planned, as well. I sympathize, having similar issues at our home mid key.
I have copied our Town Manager here to ask that he reach out to LBK Town Staff and the appropriate Sarasota authorities to advise us on the dredging plan details for New Pass as a source of sand for Lido Beach and what is envisioned for your area as part of our own canal dredging project.
Steve Branham
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
New Pass
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Steve Branham
Commissioner/Admiral B–concerning Lido Beach renourishment…I saw the equipment staged for the renourishment in New Pass…Can you check to see if they will use accreted sand from the area in front of mine and neighbors docks and I hope they plan on taking accreted sand from the island that forms at every low tide between our houses in Lighthouse Point and the Longboat Bridge? The neighborhood has begged for this opportunity for 20 years with no action. Now is the time to dredge so we can get our boats off of our lifts at mean and low tides.
John Saputo
Longboat Key
Kudos to Officer Vandyke
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
You have a fine police officer in Andrew Vandyke. Last Friday, January 16, I stopped by the Longboat CVS to return some items that were inadvertently left at my front door. The items were in CVS bags.
The manager of the store was called to handle my return. Because I didn’t have a receipt, he told me he could give me only store credit. All fair and good.
Then he wanted clarification of why they were left at my door. I reported that someone must have left them for a neighbor but dropped them by me by mistake. After 48 hours of nobody claiming them, I decided to return them to the store.
I didn’t need any of the items: a 12-pack of Canada Dry ginger ale, Oreos, Huggies diapers (little movers), three Alani energy drinks and a package of three Trojan condoms.
When the manager learned that I had not paid for the items myself, he told me that he would not allow me to return them — which was his right. But then he refused to give them back to me.
I called Longboat police’s non-emergency line, but it was answered by county dispatch, which sent Officer Vandyke to the CVS.
Officer Vandyke asked me to wait outside the store so he could talk with the manager. After a few minutes, he returned my items to me. I know this is all trivial, but it wasn’t right for the manager to confiscate my items. Officer Vandyke did a fine job persuading him to do the right thing. I’m very grateful. By the way: Want some diapers?
Dean Congbalay
Longboat Key
Kudos to Officer Vandyke
To: Dean Congbalay
Thanks much for your note. Although we know it to be true, it is always great to hear about the top notch service performed by our first responders. Unfortunately, I must report that even my grandchildren are past the diapers stage. But thanks for asking.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Minutes & PowerPoint Presentation
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
I hope your day is going well. Per our conversation, please see the attached documents.
First Attachment: Commission Meeting Minutes for September 3, 2024
Second Attachment: Commission Meeting Minutes for December 1, 2025
Third Attachment: Bobby Jones Clubhouse PowerPoint Presentation for Commission Meeting on December 1, 2025
The original agreement was priced at $544,211.
The First Amendment to the agreement, which modified the Project Scope of Services to incorporate three conceptual design structures, including cart storage and restrooms, raised the Agreement amount by $126,071.00, bringing the total to $670,282.00.
The contract price for the Third Amendment is $514,957.00.
The Third Amendment includes the design for a one-story Bobby Jones Golf Club Clubhouse and separate Cart Barn.
The contract price of $514,957.00 shall be separate from and in addition to the previous contracted amount of $670,282.00, which the City has paid in full to Jon F. Swift.
The Third Amendment for the design for a one-story Bobby Jones Golf Club Clubhouse and separate Cart Barn will be placed on the Commission Meeting for February 2 under Unfinished Business, along with a budget amendment. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thanks, and enjoy your day!
Jerry Fogle
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Sarasota
Remaining Hurricane Damage
To: Sarasota City Commission
FDOT is scheduled to remove the tree in early February. This is on FDOT land.
Dave Bullock
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Remaining Hurricane Damage
To: Sarasota City Commission
My name is Rob Lynch. I have been a Longboat Key/Sarasota County resident for over 15 yrs. I am generally impressed with the work you and your predecessors have undertaken and completed. You have been effective stewards throughout the dramatic growth of our city and county. Your work in restoring stability from the impact of Helene and Milton should be noted in particular.
To that end; I would like to bring your attention to the stretch of John Ringling Pkwy between Lido Shores and the start of St Armands/Blvd of Presidents.
As you well know this area was hit hard relative to downed branches, debris etc. Your team moved relatively quickly to address this and all areas. However, one rather large tree remains upended, dead, and leaning towards the roadway creating quite an eyesore. It is a wonderful stretch of road with the bay on one side and the “lagoon” on the other. This tree stands out in a very dramatic way.
I appreciate your time and review and ask your intervention and leadership in addressing this “bad look”. A drive down the roadway will more than prove my point. Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Rob Lynch
Sarasota
Sarasota Station Units
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Per your request, I am sending the AMI breakdown of the residential units proposed for the Sarasota Station project.
41 residential units at 80% AMI
69 residential units at 120% AMI
161 residential units at market rate
Total of 271 residential units.
Lucia Panica
Director of Development Services
City of Sarasota
Traffic calming
To: Toneen Slimick
I’ve copied the City Manager on this email to look into and get back to me.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Traffic calming
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thank you. I didn’t put my address in because Corinne would be very familiar with this ongoing problem for the last 3 or 4 years. I appreciate you looking into this. We are not looking to get anything that we don’t deserve. The line has been crossed more than once for our safety and threats.
Toneen Slimick
Sarasota
Traffic calming
To: Toneen Slimick
Thank you for your email about traffic issues “on your street”. Would you kindly send me your address so I may look into this?
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Traffic calming
To: Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock
The issue of our street has gotten worse. This email is actually not to Corinne as I have been trying to get this taken care of for over 3 years and she has proven she refuses to do anything.
Yesterday I was threatened by a driver when I told him to slow down, he stopped rolled down his window and after telling me he wasn’t speeding told me and I quote “it’s guns you need to worry about”. Then proceeded to turn his vehicle around and floored his car to the stop sign going over 50 mph. This is now a threat to our house and family. I guess there is no solution. In the past when I yelled at them to slow down, they yell profanity and hit the accelerator. A few years ago, one motorist couldn’t stop at the sign and hit a car.
No, I did not call the police; why? 1st of all that is called pass the buck. The planning dept, city commissioners, traffic calming division, building dept, engineers etc are all at fault for this problem. The police have enough on their hands with the disastrous mess you have made of our once beautiful and calm community. And besides, I have called the police. They want a license plate #, description and better yet, told me I have to prove they were racing. They told me to get a ring camera. Yes, I now have one that I pay monthly. So tell me where it gets their license number or picture as they race down my street. I am pretty sure it doesn’t measure their speed either. But this is not to blame the police as we should thank them every day that they are willing to put their life on the line because we all know none of you would back them up if they had to make a decision. They have put 2 decoy police cars in front of our house and yes it slowed down a lot of people but the smart ass drivers knows there is no police and speed by anyways.
We have lived here over 30 years and have paid property taxes. Why do we not deserve one speed bump? Is this because we don’t have connections with any of you, or don’t have money to put in your back pocket, or because we are middle American workers that work hard every day and not on welfare. Just look at the neighborhoods that got speed bumps and you will see I am right. And Corinne, out of spite, had more traffic calming on Ringling behind our street done. When I confronted her before she had the work done and told her according to the rules she had to show the signatures etc. which were our requirements, she said she would turn it in as signage and not traffic calming. I have the spiteful email to prove this.
I guess all of you aren’t parents and grandparents. You simply have too much power to be concerned about families and only yourselves. Please prove me wrong. I have a full file of correspondence of how I have begged for a speed bump. We have qualified and have basically been laughed at by the people who are supposed to make our community safe.
Just give me one answer why we can’t get one little speed bump. And please don’t waste your time or mine with a ridiculous answer because I have a file full of your crap. I am sure you need to send something so your files look good. But I will answer each and everyone with as much junk as you send me and it’s a waste of time.
So now, we have to live in fear with a threat with a gun and have nothing we can do about it. I hope all of you sleep peacefully because we can’t, thanks to all of you.
And let’s not forget that it’s with my tax dollars that I unfortunately pay your salaries. Have fun on my dime. Yes, I am upset and for good reason. But don’t waste MY time with your bag full of empty answers. It’s worthless. Give me answers and results.
Toneen Slimick
Sarasota
Outdoor burning
To: Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock
Please see below and update me when you can. Thanks.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Outdoor burning
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
3 cars parked on the neighbor’s property, one on the sidewalk, and 6 in front of the house outside the fence. He is running a rental car business from his home. He also has 3 rental units on this property. At least he hasn’t been burning anything since I called police. I can’t believe that this is legal in the city limits.
Dodie Phillips
Sarasota
Outdoor burning
To: Dodie Phillips
What is the address?
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Outdoor burning
To: Sarasota City Commission
There is a neighbor who is constantly burning in his backyard. He has a 3 ft burning pit that the fire department says is legal. I thought we had a burn ban in effect?. He is not using it for cooking. The smoke constantly drifts into my yard making it impossible to leave my doors or windows open or to sit in my backyard. Is there anything that can be done about this? Thank you for your time.
Dodie Phillips
Sarasota
January 20, 2026 Meeting
To: Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock
I wanted to send my request to pull agenda items VI.4, and VIi.1.
Per the minutes, I have one edit on page 16, 3:09:24, fourth line: “South Lido Key also have sound issues…” pleas change “have” to “has.” That is it. Have a nice evening and see you all tomorrow.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
January 20, 2026 Meeting
To: Mark Sullivan
Thank you, Mr. Sullivan, for letting me know how pleased you are with the outcome of the Arlington Park pool equipment issue. I am copying Dave Bullock, our Interim City Manager, to pass along your thanks to the Parks & Rec team.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Thanks for a great solution at Arlington Pool!
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
My name is Mark Sullivan, and I’m a seasonal resident of Sarasota — I’ve been coming here since 1976. I’m also a regular swimmer and really enjoy the pools at Lido Beach and Arlington Park. When the circulation system at Arlington failed the other day, I assumed I’d be out of the pool for a while. Was I wrong!
Your team at Arlington came up with a terrific workaround, and I’ve been able to keep swimming. Please pass along my thanks to you and your Parks and Rec team for thinking outside the box and finding such a great solution. I know you spend most of your days solving problems — it’s important to hear when something goes right, too. Thanks for all you and your team do!
Mark O. Sullivan
Spirit Lake, IA
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson
Thanks all for making sure this was addressed.
Liz Alpert
Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert
Just closing the loop.
Pat Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota City Police Chief Rex Troche
Please ensure we have night shift keep an eye on this location and have the day shift walking beats go by and introduce themselves to the owner. Please have crime prevention make sure they have the correct TEP signage up and know how to contact the appropriate number for there issues. The owner did not make a call to the PD reference this issue(s).
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson
You’re welcome. I guess there was a homeless man selling rolled “cigarettes” to kids. And he said after hours they like to camp in front of his store front. He is part of TEP so I told him to text me immediately and I will send an officer over to address the individual. I also told him I will ask Jaime to make sure night patrol officers are checking that location for squatters.
Shellie Legarsky
Coordinator of Homeless Response
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota City Coordinator of Homeless Response Shellie Legarsky
Thanks Shellie. Just let me know what the story is.
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson
Will do, thank you.
Shellie Legarsky
Coordinator of Homeless Response
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota City Coordinator of Homeless Response Shellie Legarsky
Please reach out to P.J. Maloni (owns Pastry Art) to see what the issues are on this complaint.
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert
Thank you Liz. Dave, I look forward to chatting.
David Maloni
Sarasota
Pastry Art Homeless Issue
To: Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock
I heard from P.J. Maloni (owns Pastry Art) regarding problems with homeless on their patio. He wanted to know what the city could do. I advised him I would let you know and have someone contact him.
Liz Alpert
Commissioner
City of Sarasota