News Briefs

+ Firefighters develop public-education program
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has developed a public-education program that can be presented to homeowner associations and at other gatherings. The program provides information on fire drills, high-rise fires, automatic external defibrillator (AED) use, CPR, correct uses of 911 and more. For information, call 316-1944.

+ Workshop to feature discussion of aging issues
The Longboat Key Town Commission will hear presentations from the Longboat Island Chapel’s Aging in Paradise Resource Center and Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence (SCOPE) — Aging with Dignity and Independence Initiative at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Town Hall. An Aging in Paradise Resource Center representative will discuss its goals and objectives for the community and services provided to Key residents and visitors. A SCOPE representative will provide information about the initiative, which aims to enhance aging with dignity and independence in the community.

+ Town of Longboat Key collects Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots drop boxes are currently located at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, and the Longboat Key Police Department, 5460 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to Town Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday o tor the police department to help a needy child during the holidays.

+ P&Z recommends zoning code change
The Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board voted at its Nov. 15 meeting to recommend an ordinance that would amend the town’s zoning code to include a six-month time period for property owners whose required landscaping was involuntarily damaged or destroyed to bring their landscaping back into code compliance. The issue arose in June, when the Longboat Key Town Commission expressed concerns that a property owner could be cited for code violations if their property was damaged in an event such as a hurricane without receiving sufficient time to bring the property into compliance.

Meetings & agendas
• Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17
• Town Commission Special Comprehensive Plan Workshop — 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.