Conversation with Tom Freiwald

Tom Freiwald, 69, stumbled into Longboat Key Town Hall politics by accident when he proposed his community, Spanish Main Yacht Club, could be a site for a cellular tower in 2010. Five years later, Freiwald is still busy doing town work behind the scenes as part of the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force.

You’ve lived on Longboat Key since 2004 but didn’t get involved with Longboat Key issues and politics since 2010. How did that happen?

There was talk of a cell tower at the time, and I told former town manager Bruce St. Denis and former planning director Monica Simpson that Spanish Main Yacht Club already had a tower and wouldn’t mind having a taller one to get better reception for the island. I got the brush off and they said the kinds of things to me you expect people to say if you want someone to just go away. But I’m not a go-away guy. So I had Dave Brenner over at my house and showed him the tower. Before I know it, he asked me to be on a citizen Organizational Review Committee of the town’s departments.

Which town department did you oversee in November 2010, and was it in good shape?

I have a background in diesel engines and parts, so they gave me Public Works. I spent two days with (Public Works Director) Juan Florensa. I was and still am impressed with how much the department does with the amount of staff it has to pull everything off. It’s a well-run operation.

Does the town still need a cellular tower?

No. The good news is technology is so advanced now. We do need a fiber optic backbone installed to light up the whole island and improve service. That’s the better way to go, and it’s a terrific opportunity for the island.  

How did the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force get started?

Former mayor George Spoll started the effort in 2012 when Publix was planning its new store. A lot of people don’t know we had a lot of input with Publix officials. Member and renowned architect Richard Levin was instrumental in convincing Publix to scale back designs to the building that would have made it stand out. We convinced them to let the detailed landscaping around the building be the focal point of the store. 

What’s the latest project the task force is working on?

Traffic. There are 22 traffic constraints from Longboat Pass Bridge to 119th Street West in Cortez. There are simple fixes we think will make an immediate impact that we will present at the appropriate time. 

What does the Key need more than anything else right now? 

A revitalized north end of the Key. In a north end study the task force did a few years back, we called for a revitalized Moore’s restaurant, a roundabout, groins to hold sand on the north end and a roundabout. All those things have happened or are going to happen, and we’re proud we could be the catalyst that pushed for it. Even the Whitney Beach Plaza owner is investigating a hotel, and that’s great because the plaza can’t sustain itself.

Will you ever consider running for a commission seat?

No. I think our commissioners do a great job. I think I can get more done being a part of the task force behind the scenes.