Republican club discusses seasonal traffic woes

Members of the Sarasota Republican Club had a chance to ask questions and air grievances regarding seasonal traffic congestion Thursday evening. A panel consisting of Longboat Key Town Manager David Bullock and Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin was moderated by club Vice President Rod Thomson. 

The dinner meeting took place at the Marina Jacks Restuarant.Thomson introduced the panel starting with Bullock explaining the hour and 40 minute routine he has every day leaving Longboat Key to reach his home near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. He joked that he knows the names of the residents that walk the bridge and even knows their children and how they are doing. 

"If you want to enjoy the amenities of Sarasota, the ballet, opera and restuarants, you have to make that drive," Bullock said. 

Some of the ideas mentioned were the reliability of public transportation on and to Longboat Key to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, as well as widing roads on the mainland through downtown Sarasota. 

"Usually when you build a road you don’t size it for the Fourth of July parade, but here our Fourth of July lasts about 3 months," Barwin said "As David [Bullock] said it’s quite a seasonal challenge that we’re up against." 

The club also hosted author Javier Manjarres to discuss his recent book "Brown People" about how to reach the hispanic electorate and other issues that concern latino voters.