Larson, Pokoik speak to Village residents

District 1 Longboat Key Town Commission candidates Lee Pokoik and Lynn Larson spoke to the Longbeach Village Association Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the group’s monthly meeting and social.

Mayor Lee Rothenberg, who is seeking re-election to the District 1 seat, did not attend the meeting. A preliminary election will take place Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Pokoik said that he would bring his background as a businessman to the commission. Pokoik, who served as Commissioner Gene Jaleski’s campaign manager during last year’s election, described Jaleski as the sole voice for residents on the current commission.

“If you elect me you will have two voices instead of one,” Pokoik said. “(Commissioners) just throw everything in the lap of the town manager. It’s not necessarily what’s good for you and me.”

Larson said that she would bring her background as a court mediator to the commission.

“We don’t need a lot of contention, but we need change,” she said.

Both candidates agreed that a compromise is needed for the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s proposed $400 million Islandside redevelopment plan.

One resident asked the candidates what they would do to help the north end of the Key.

“You have a lot of vacant property,” Pokoik said. “That’s really the individual owner’s responsibility to market their property.”

Pokoik suggested that tax abatement could be a viable way to revitalize the Key.

Larson said that north-end residents should tell commissioners what they need.

“I don’t think it’s right for me to come in and make these decisions,” she said. “You need to come up with a plan.”

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].