Webb not interested in seat; 6 others submit names

Six residents have submitted their names and/or résumés to express interest in the at-large Longboat Key Town Commission seat vacated by Commissioner Hal Lenobel.

But Planning & Zoning Board Chair B.J. Webb isn’t among them.

Webb, considered by many to be the most likely choice for the seat, told the Longboat Observer that she isn’t interested in the seat.

“This is just not the right time for me to be seeking a seat on the commission,” she said.

Webb got engaged to Manatee County guidance counselor Dave Bishop, two-and-a-half years after the death of her husband, veteran USA Today journalist Bob Twigg.

Webb wrote the following in an email sent Thursday to the commission, in which she referred to an email that Commissioner Lynn Larson sent last week nominating her for the position:

“I understand that Commissioner Larson has sent an email supporting my nomination to the seat being vacated by Commissioner Lenobel. I am quite appreciative of her kind words and the kind comments I have heard from others in the community. As you know, I have recently become engaged to an amazing gentleman. He is completely supportive of my public service work. I, though, am enjoying my life a great deal right now and wish to cherish each moment of this special time in my life. I did not think such an opportunity would ever happen to me again after Bob’s death.

I also love the work I am doing at the Planning and Zoning Board and have a tremendous group of colleagues who hope to continue doing the important work of updating the Comprehensive Plan and bringing our codes into the 21st century.

There may be a time in the future that a seat on the Commission would be a good fit for me, but this is not the time.”

Meanwhile, Terry Gans, Leonard Garner, Gene Jaleski, Ray Rajewski, Mark Wickersham and Woody Wolverton had all expressed interest in the seat by Thursday evening.

Gans, a Grand Bay resident, wrote in a cover letter that he submitted today that he is interested in serving only in an interim capacity until the town’s March election.

Garner, a L’Ambiance resident and current Planning & Zoning Board member, also expressed interest in the appointment and submitted his résumé and a cover letter to the town today.

Jaleski, who was elected to the commission in March 2009 and resigned 14 months later, emailed the town Wednesday to ask for consideration.

Rajewski, who sought to unseat Vice Mayor David Brenner from the District 3 seat in March and lost by just 90 votes, expressed interest in the seat in emails earlier this week. The Bayou resident submitted his résumé today along with a short letter that states that he would like to serve on the commission for six years.

Wickersham is a third-generation Key resident and a contractor who submitted his name for consideration as well. He wrote that he would run for elections at the end of the term in March.

Wolverton, a commissioner in 1991 and 1992 and past P&Z Board member, also emailed the commission Tuesday asking for consideration and wrote that he would run in the March election if appointed.

The commission will discuss an appointment at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 17 at Town Hall. If the commission doesn’t make an appointment within 30 days, a special election must occur within 90 days, according to the town’s charter.

The town continues to seek résumés from citizens who are interested in the seat, which is open to any resident who is qualified to vote on the Key.

Interested citizens are encouraged to send a resume and cover letter by email to [email protected]; by fax to 941-316-1656; or by mail to 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Fla. 34228.