Town seeks resumes for commission seat; Jaleski has interest

The town is also seeking resumes from citizens who are interested in the at-large seat vacated by Commissioner Hal Lenobel last week in advance of the commission’s 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 17 meeting during which a successor will likely be appointed.

Any resident who is qualified to vote in Longboat Key elections is eligible for the seat.
Interested citizens are encouraged to send a resume and cover letter by email to [email protected]; by fax to 941-316-1656; or by mail to 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Fla. 34228.

Former Commissioner Gene Jaleski is the latest resident to express interest in the at-large commission seat vacated by Hal Lenobel.

Jaleski emailed Town Clerk Trish Granger earlier today to formally submit his name as a candidate.

Jaleski wrote in an email to the Longboat Observer:

“…I resigned from the commission because I found myself frustrated by the then town commissioner and my inability to advance any of the many ideas I had about how to improve the town government. Also at that time the commission was fully engaged in a no-compromise approach to dealing with the Key Club ODP application. I had always favored a mediated solution that avoided years of litigation. Three years ago I could see that that was not going to happen. Things are different now. We have a far more active commission and a new town manager. Perhaps as a commissioner I will now be able to effectively promote technological and operational changes that were thwarted when I was on the commission…”

Jaleski was elected to the commission in March 2009 and resigned in May 2010. His resignation came in the wake of a controversial email in which he criticized several residents the Public Interest Committee to then-Commissioner Bob Siekmann. At the time, Jaleski apologized for the email and told the Longboat Observer that he realized his goals on the commission were no longer attainable.

Ray Rajewski, who ran for the District 3 commission seat in March and lost by a narrow 90-vote margin to incumbent Vice Mayor David Brenner, and Woody Wolverton, who served on the commission in 1991 and 1992, have submitted their names for consideration.

Commissioner Lynn Larson has expressed support for Planning & Zoning Board Chair B.J. Webb.
P&Z Board member Len Garner and Tangerine Bay Club resident Phyllis Black have also confirmed interest in the seat.

Remaining commissioners indicate they have spoken with multiple citizens about their interest in the seat.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].