The voice of Longboat Key

What would Longboat Key look like without the Public Interest Committee (PIC)?

Twenty-five years after the political-action committee incorporated, the answers vary widely. But most residents agree on this:

Had a group of concerned citizens not formed PIC a quarter-century ago, Longboat Key would be a different place.

For one, the makeup of past and present Longboat Key town commissions and town boards would likely be different. For many members, PIC has been a springboard from which to learn about how the town works.

Key residents would have fewer resources available through which to learn about their local government. PIC has published its newsletter, “The Voice of Longboat Key,” since October 1985, three months before it incorporated, and continues to send a representative to all town meetings to ensure that residents learn about the latest happenings.

But without PIC, according to many residents, Longboat Key itself would look different.

The island was a different place in 1985 when PIC formed. Arvida Corp. was in the midst of developing the south end of Longboat Key. The density of the island and the types of commercial development that would be permitted were contentious issues at the time.

“If it was not for PIC, we would have a Fort Myers Beach or a Key West, overrun with partying tourists,” said former Mayor Joan Webster, who in 1988 joined PIC’s board, on which she served for more than 14 years. She served four years as president before resigning in 2003 to run for Town Commission. “We have kept this as an upper-end, residential island.”

“I think PIC is probably largely responsible for the character of the island,” said PIC Co-President Gaele Barthold.

Past influences
A May 7, 1985, referenda election, which would require voter approval to change the island’s density limitations provided in the 1984 Comprehensive Plan, loomed. Shortly before the election, PIC, along with two other new organizations, registered with the town clerk’s office, a move required by Florida election law for organizations planning to spend more than $500 total in any one election. (The amendment passed with 53% of voters approving it — a victory for PIC’s supporters.)

But, according to Betty Blair, a former Longboat Key resident who got involved in PIC shortly after its inception, PIC’s formation wasn’t the result of any one issue or event.

“It was a culmination of events that seemed like the town was becoming much too commercial,” Blair said.

In its first “Voice” newsletter, PIC reported that it had formed when a group of residents met “to try to find a suitable way to provide their neighbors with factual, unbiased information about their town as it seeks to address its problems.”

In describing the purpose of “Voice,” PIC officials wrote:

“Because only a truly informed people can serve their community and their own interests, it is the purpose of this newsletter, ‘The Voice of Longboat Key,’ to present the facts, quoting from official town documents whenever possible.”

The group saw the Longboat Observer and other island newspapers as being under the influence of developers. As a result, in its early newsletters, PIC declared that the publication would be supported by subscriptions and donations.

PIC incorporated Jan. 1, 1986. By March, PIC reported in “Voice” that it had received contributions from 749 people in less than a year. Also that March, PIC endorsed its first four candidates for the commission. All four won in what a local newspaper columnist described as “a mandate” to keep Longboat Key a residential community.

Throughout the 1980s, PIC took on controversial issues, opposing a transfer that increased the density of developer Jerome “Jerry” Ansel’s land on the Gulf in exchange for the donation of land on the bay to the town. PIC also promoted citizen participation in local affairs and encouraged residents to vote and attend town meetings.

By the 1990s, PIC continued to interview and endorse candidates and publish its newsletter. But most of the issues were less divisive than in years past. According to Webster, during that period PIC gave its support to issues such as beach renourishment, the town taking responsibility for running Bayfront Park Recreation Center and the creation of the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

PIC today
Mayor Jim Brown said that PIC had become less controversial by the time he joined in 1999 or 2000.
“When I first joined, there weren’t a lot of big issues,” said Brown, who remained involved until 2004, when he joined the Planning & Zoning Board. “It had almost become a dormant organization.”

Recently, PIC found itself in the midst of controversial issues again. The group endorsed the 2008 referendum allowing the creation of 250 additional tourism units and supported the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s proposed $400 million Islandside redevelopment project — positions that many longtime members have said indicate that PIC’s role has shifted.

“PIC has changed over the years, no longer representing just the homeowners,” Webster said. “It has broadened its scope to include businesses and commercial venues. Whether that’s good or bad, I can’t answer that.”

But others say that the shift represents an evolution.

Sandy Gilbert, who was active in PIC from 2003 to 2006, said that the group began as a “watchdog” for homeowners. Today, he thinks it has become a watchdog for taxpayers. He said that PIC has invited the public to learn about various issues through forums about topics such as oil drilling and pensions. And he said that the group’s meetings generate open discussions about issues.

“Some of the best discussions I’ve ever had have been in PIC meetings,” Gilbert said.
PIC Co-President Ann Roth said that PIC currently has 140 members. She currently sees the organization as “nether pro-development, nor pro-stagnation” but, rather, one that strives for the best living conditions possible on the island.

“I see it as becoming a stronger and larger and positive force in the community,” Roth said. “It’s educational. It’s trying to work for the community — and making it better and better and better.”

 

TIMELINE
SPRING 1985 — The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee (PIC) forms.

OCTOBER 1985 — PIC publishes its first newsletter, “The Voice of Longboat Key.”

JAN. 1, 1986 — PIC incorporates after discussions with the town clerk and Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections.

MARCH 11, 1986 — Dr. Harry Klinger is elected as PIC’s first president at its first annual meeting.

1993 — PIC membership peaks at 1,100 members.

1999 — PIC changes its masthead from “dedicated to reporting the facts about our town” to “dedicated to promoting good government in our town.”

2008 — PIC supports the approval of a referendum allowing the rebuilding of 250 tourism units.

APRIL 11, 2011 — PIC will celebrate its 25th anniversary at a members reception.

 

PIC PIONEERS
The following Key residents made up PIC’s first board of directors.
Claire Bell
Durland Clark
Russell Fernald
H.M. Gilbert
Homer Greer
Albert Hage
Ralph Kent
Harry Klinger
Nat Krate
S. Levites
Stanley Miller
Ruth Napoliello
C.S. Ozburn
Norman Pratt
Reuben Resnik
Robert Roembke
Harry Rosenberg
Joseph Rowen
Virginia Sanders
Walter Small
Anita Weed
Rita Weil
A. Hart Wurzburg

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]