In an e-mail sent to Town Attorney David Persson last week, Commissioner Peter O’Connor expressed surprise and disappointment that Key Club General Manager Michael Welly and club attorney Brenda Patten were in the audience when the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee interviewed the commission candidates Saturday, Feb. 6.

In a letter sent to O’Connor dated Feb. 22, Welly defended his attendance, stating that he was invited by Patten (a PIC member) to attend the meeting.

Wrote Welly: “The club’s application is not my only responsibility or interest. I am a resident and businessperson on this island, and as much as anyone else who fits that description, I have an interest in the candidates for leadership of our town and their ideas. I can hardly pretend otherwise until the application is decided, by sticking my head in the sand. The purpose of my attendance was not to harass or influence anyone’s vote. I am sorry you had that opinion and sorrier still that you elected to announce it publicly.”

To read the letter in its entirety, click here.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at kschultheis@yourobserver.com.
 

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