Debate reveals candidate similarities

The 2014 edition of Longboat Key Town Commission election races are the complete opposite of the commission races held a year ago.

In the 2013 edition, election races included three incumbents running against three challengers that, for the most part, had completely different views of how the town should move forward. Those three races, which were won by incumbents Mayor Jim Brown and Commissioners Terry Gans and Phill Younger, were even dubbed the “we versus them” groups last year by Key resident Ann Roth.

The 2014 edition of the Longboat Key Town Commission election races, though, are civil, with the majority of this year’s candidates agreeing on most of the Key’s pressing issues. This edition features At-large candidates Armando Linde and Irwin Pastor, along with District 3 candidates Terry Gans and Ray Rajewski.

At a commission candidate debate sponsored by the Longboat Observer Monday night at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, candidates, for the most part, expressed a need for updated codes, a town center and a new Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

When candidates were asked what they would do with the property the town is purchasing from Joe Wolfer next to the Longboat Key Publix, all of the candidates have a vision for it becoming part of a town center.

All of the candidates, though, believe the town needs to rewrite its codes. But Rajewski made it clear town codes should only be rewritten if there’s a need for such a change and voters approve such changes through referendums.

Candidates also believe a future redevelopment and expansion plan for the Longboat Key Club, if one were to be submitted in the future, is needed and would be supported if the project was reasonable.

For more information on the stances of commission candidates, pick up a copy of this week's Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].