Armando Linde resigns from the Longboat Key Town Commission

Armando Linde resigned from his position as Town Commissioner for District 1 on Tuesday.

His resignation was effective immediately. According to the town charter, a replacement from District 1 will be chosen by the remaining six commission within 30 days.

Linde, 73, retired as an economist from the International Monetary Fund in 2010. He lost a run for an at-large seat against Irwin Pastor in March 2014, but won the District 1 seat in March 2016.

In his resignation letter to newly renamed Mayor Terry Gans, Linde said the decision was unrelated to his work on the commission. Instead, his resignation was inspired by his and his wife’s desire to be closer to family.

“Felicity and I have seen it necessary to accelerate plans to move closer this year to our growing family in South Carolina,” Linde wrote.

Linde said he has enjoyed his six years on the Key, particularly his involvement in the Kiwanis Club and serving on the Town Commission.

Linde congratulated Gans on his reelection to the mayorship.

“It has been a privilege working with you and an honor representing the citizens of District 1,” Linde wrote.

Linde said he and his wife will miss the many friends and colleagues they have met on the Key. He said they have sold their home and they plan to leave April 10.

“Longboat Key will always be nestled deep in our minds and close to our hearts,” Linde wrote.

In his response, Gans expressed his understanding for Linde’s situation.

“Any disappointment I have over the loss of having you as a colleague is tempered by the knowledge that you will have the joy of being closer to family,” Gans wrote.

“Your time on our island may have been short in years, but your dedication to service has been immense,” Gans added. “We thank you.”

Gans said the the commission will discuss the topic of replacing Linde at Wednesday’s workshop meeting, with the soonest date a new commissioner could be seated being April 3, the day of the next regular Town Commission meeting.

What follows is the full text of Linde's resignation letter to Mayor Terry Gans, dated March 21:

Dear Mayor,

This is to inform you that effective this date, I hereby submit my resignation as Longboat Key Town Commissioner for District 1. I had planned to serve out the remainder of my term but, for reasons unrelated to my work on the Commission, Felicity and I have seen it necessary to accelerate plans to move closer this year to our growing family in South Carolina.

We have lived in this lovely place for a short six years and during that time I have served this community in various capacities. I have particularly enjoyed my work with Town Committees, my deep involvement with the Kiwanis Club and Foundation and, of course, serving as Town Commissioner.     

My congratulations on being elected Mayor and my best wishes on the various challenges facing you and the Island in the period ahead.  It has been a privilege working with you and an honor representing the citizens of District 1.  

Felicity and I will be leaving on April 10th. We have enjoyed our time on the Island immensely and shall miss the many friends and colleagues we have made whilst here. Longboat Key will always be nestled deep in our minds and close to our hearts.

Affectionately,

Armando S. Linde