Although Alan Moore may be interested in running for an at-large Town Commission seat, residency requirements permit him from doing so.

Moore, the longtime co-owner of Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant & Marina in the Longbeach Village, picked up a candidate qualification packet last week, according to Town Clerk Trish Granger.

But Manatee County Property Appraiser records show that Moore and his ex-wife, Darla, own a homesteaded residence in Bradenton.

Granger confirmed that Manatee County supervisor of elections office data shows that Moore is a registered voter on Longboat Key, which technically makes him eligible to run for the at-large seat currently held by Phillip Younger.

But the homesteaded property trumps his registered voting rights.

Moore told The Longboat Observer he’s aware of the situation and wouldn’t run for a commission seat until he removed the homestead exemption.

“I understand what needs to be done to correct the issue,” Moore said. “I’m just mulling it over because I think a member of the Key’s business community should have a voice on the commission.”

Moore, who has lived and/or worked on the island for the past 44 years, said he currently resides on the Key again with his mother and brother at 6833 Pine St.

And Moore, 51, said he’s not the only one in the family who’s possibly interested in a commission seat.
“My brother Paul might also consider running at some point,” Moore said. “The whole family is looking into the possibilities right now.”

Besides the Moore brothers, Commissioner Phil Younger may also have to run against former Mayor Joan Webster, who hasn’t decided whether to run for her former District 4 seat currently held by Vice Mayor Jim Brown or the at-large seat.
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SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCE

Alan Moore isn’t the only local to have a voting issue on the island.

In March, former Planning and Zoning Board member John Redgrave resigned after his residency on the island was called into question by former Commissioner Gene Jaleski.

Jaleski called the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office to question whether Redgrave should be listed as a registered voter on the island.

Redgrave, a former Longboat Key commissioner and mayor, told The Longboat Observer in 2009 that although he lived in Sarasota, he rented a room at his former Players Club condominium from his son, Martyn, whom he transferred ownership to in October 2004.

Town Clerk Trish Granger confirmed in 2009 that Redgrave was a registered voter on Longboat Key and part-time resident of the Key, which made him eligible for the position.

But after Jaleski’s inquiry, it was confirmed that Redgrave has a homestead exemption at his Sarasota condominium, which means his legal address and voting rights are in Sarasota.

Moore faces a similar situation unless he notifies the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office of the error and removes the homestead exemption status from his Bradenton home.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at kschultheis@yourobserver.com.
 

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