News Briefs

+ Publix sheds light on dark parking lot questions
Longboat Key Publix shoppers and employees have been complaining about the lights in the Avenue of the Flowers parking lot.

The lights don’t turn on until 7 p.m., which makes it difficult for shoppers to get around the parking lot after the sun sets. The lights also turn off at 10 p.m., at which time some employees are leaving work.

Shannon Patten, Publix media and community relations manager, said that the company, which purchased the shopping center in September 2008, will monitor the situation immediately.

“Safety is a top priority for Publix,” Patten said. “We will review our procedures and, if necessary, adjust the timing of the parking lot lights.”

Patten also said the company is still not ready to disclose any future renovation plans for the plaza.

+ Sarasota Bay Watch seeks town partnership
Sarasota Bay Watch President Rusty Chinnis wants to create a partnership with the town of Longboat Key.

In a Feb. 4 letter written to the Town Commission, Chinnis explained that the board of directors resolved to create an “Adopt an Island” program to help clean and protect public islands in Sarasota Bay.

“It was decided that the first natural islands to adopt would be Sister Keys,” Chinnis wrote.

Chinnis proposes that Sarasota Bay Watch work with the Public Works Department to continue yearly cleanups and hold discussions on other ways to help enhance Sister Keys.

The commission must give Town Manager Bruce St. Denis direction to form such a partnership.

+ Town schedules beach presentations
Town Manager Bruce St. Denis has scheduled the following beach project presentations, titled “Beaches 101,” at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road:

• 10 a.m. Feb 14
• 7 p.m. Feb. 16
• 10 a.m. Feb. 18
• 2 p.m. Feb. 28
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 3
• 2 p.m. March 4

St. Denis is also willing to make the presentations, which are intended to inform residents about the beach before a $16 million beach referendum comes before the voters March 15, elsewhere.

To schedule a beach presentation with your condominium or beach association, contact Town Manager Assistant Susan Phillips at 316-1999.

Meetings & agendas
Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10.
Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15.
Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17.
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 1 p.m. Monday, March 7.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.