Conversation with Rusty Chinnis

For Longbeach Village resident Rusty Chinnis, retirement doesn’t mean relaxing on the beach or golfing. Since he retired last year, the 66-year-old founder of Sarasota Bay Watch has kept busy with photography and his working to preserve the environment.

Whether it’s as a contractor, photographer or environmentalist, what’s your proudest accomplishment?

I think it’s saving the Sister Keys from development. It’s something I can sit here right now and look out at it. I thought it would be nice to have an island in the Sarasota Bay not developed with houses. The town is in charge of its upkeep. They cut out all the invasive species, and it’s really grown beautifully. It looks wonderful.

Why did you found Sarasota Bay Watch?

I was a member of the Tampa Bay Watch and suggested some of us go up and see what they were doing, and I was very, very much impressed. We figured we needed one down here, so in 2007, I started it.

How has the Bay Watch grown?

It’s grown tremendously. For the longest time, especially during the recession, it was a matter of keeping it alive. I was president for one year and served again a few years later. I got a lot of help. John Ryan knew a lot of good people to join, and Immediate Past President Larry Stults is a real go-getter. Those guys and many more have just really been the ones who have been the leaders, doing really wonderful things like cleaning up the island and working with students.

What is your favorite Bay Watch event?

I love the Scallopalooza and the Scallop Search. It gets people involved who otherwise wouldn’t be. With the Scallop Search, we’re getting families out on the bay, and they’re getting their head underwater. These are people who don’t normally get a chance to get out in the water like this.

How did you become passionate about the environment?

I grew up that way. My father was a fisherman, so I’ve loved it since day one. I enjoyed it so much, and it was such a big part of my life. I wanted to give back to the environment as much as I could. Others don’t have that opportunity, so I’m very lucky I do.

How did you become interested in photography?

It was a long time ago, when I was in college. I started writing and taking pictures to go with it, and my passion for it grew. I love bird and nature photography. My favorite is landscapes, especially seascapes.

What are your thoughts on undergrounding?

I would like to live in a community with things underground, but cost is so prohibitive. I’d rather the money go to something else.

Do you support the town’s plan to reduce the Village’s peacock population to have just 10 males?

I do. I’ve lived here for a long time, and the peacocks are out of control. During certain times of the year, they’re super loud. Luckily, my house is at the end of the street, so I don’t have a huge problem there, but I have great empathy for the people who live right in the middle of everything. They’re very smart. They’ll see people driving down the street and walk in the middle of the street, so the cars will stop. They’re hoping they’ll get fed.

Would you ever consider running for a commission seat?

I don’t think so. I’d rather pursue other things.

Now that you’re retired, how do you spend your time?

I’m not really retired. I don’t use that word in my vocabulary. I’m busy with the Bay Watch and photography. I have tons and tons of photos, and I’m selling them. I’m still working with my old company, which is now Longboat Key Builders, doing referral work for them. I haven’t been totally disengaged since I stepped down about a year ago.

What was it like running your own business on Longboat Key?

I really enjoyed it. I met some of the nicest people and have nothing but good things to say about my clients. They were all great. I made a lot of friends doing what I did.

How has Longboat Key changed since you moved here in the early '80s?

It’s the buildings. There are a lot more houses and a lot more people. In a lot of ways, though, it retains a lot of things I enjoyed and came here for in the first place. It’s still the same Longboat, just with more people.

What’s your favorite thing about Longboat?

The water. I live fairly close, so I’m there just about every day. I have a small fishing boat and am out on that about two to three times a month.