News Briefs

+ Town will hold public information meetings
The town will hold the first of two public-information meetings from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, as part of the telecommunications study being conducted by TE Connectivity. Presentations will take place on the hour and will provide an overview of the signal-levels test, results of the analysis and public survey and a question-and-answer period. For information, call 316-1988.

+ Three-car crash delays traffic on GMD
A three-car crash near the 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive delayed traffic early Monday afternoon while vehicle passage was limited to a single lane. According to Police Chief Al Hogle, the crash involved two sport-utility vehicles and a Volkswagen. No one was injured in the crash.

+ Inlet Management Plan discussion rescheduled
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners discussion of the Longboat Pass Inlet Management Plan originally scheduled for March 13 has been rescheduled for March 27 at the County Commission’s regular meeting. The study suggests that a single terminal groin on Beer Can Island and two permeable adjustable groins are key parts of the solution to stopping the southward movement of Longboat Pass and stopping north-end erosion.

+ Early voting ends Friday
Longboat Key’s General Municipal Election drew 306 voters during the first three days of early voting Saturday through Monday. According to the Town Clerk’s office, 63 voters were from Manatee County, while 243 voters were from Sarasota County. Early voting continues through Friday, March 16. Hours through Friday are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. Bring a picture ID with a signature. For information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 316-1999.

+ Mote seeks residents with asthma for study
Mote Marine Laboratory and the University of South Florida are seeking residents who have asthma to participate in a one-time survey about Florida’s red tide, seafood consumption habits and participants’ beach-going activities. Participants must be 18 years or older, reside full-time or part-time in Sarasota or Manatee County and have a physician’s diagnosis of asthma. The one-hour survey will be conducted in person at Mote, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. Participants will receive $50. To enroll, email [email protected].

+ Correction
The name of Larry Starr’s company was misidentified in the March 8 Longboat Observer. The company’s correct name was Longboat Accommodations. 

Meetings & agendas
• Town Commission Regular Workshop — 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15
• Town Commission Statutory Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, March 26
• Planning & Zoning Board Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 27
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, April 2
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Parkway.