Town makes groin permit push

Commissioner Jack Duncan, who is also the president of Manasota League of Cities, is in Washington, D.C. this week on Manasota League business. But while he’s there, Duncan is hoping to hold a meeting with Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, to discuss, among other things, the issuance of the federal permit for two groins on the north end of the Key. 

Duncan requested groin permit information from Town Manager Dave Bullock and Public Workd Director Juan Florensa for a potential meeting this week. 

"The hope is to gently nudge the congressman to keep things moving and try and protect those properties," Duncan said. 

Waiting for sand and erosion control structures for another year and praying for no storms through another hurricane season, though, is not a comfort to residents of Longbeach and 360 North condominiums. 

“We’re one storm away from losing buildings,” said Longbeach president Bob Appel.

Town officials are working with the residents of those condominiums. Condominium residents on the north end are considering seawall modifications to protect their properties.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].