News Briefs

+ Old Publix building coming down this week
The final piece of the old Avenue of the Flowers plaza is being torn down this week.

Interim Planning, Zoning and Building Director Alaina Ray informed Town Manager Dave Bullock in an Oct. 1 email that Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. submitted its demolition permit and is knocking the building down.

“They will be blocking off the drive on the west side of the building that is being demolished, but will not block the intersection near the outdoor Publix dining area or the parking on the east side of Publix,” Ray wrote in the email.

The demolition comes five months after the Longboat Key Town Commission originally wanted the building torn down, per the company’s original plan. 

Once the rest of the old plaza is torn down, Publix plans to put more parking spaces in its place before the Key’s seasonal population returns. 

+ Municipal Finance Today recognizes IT Department
Municipal Finance Today, an online news-and-information resource for public sector finance officers at all levels of government, recognized the town of Longboat Key’s Information Technology department two weeks ago for its ability to create custom software in house for town employees. Specifically, the publication recognized the innovation and development of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue software application.

Firefighters can now pull up tactical information for a rescue call with a tap or two on an iPad. The IT Department has also worked to develop similar programs for the Longboat Key Police Department, which now can complete reports electronically in the field through a software application.

+ Mote-rescued turtle “Murph” released on Lido Beach
A 300-pound loggerhead turtle nicknamed “Murph” was released Monday on Lido Beach.

Earlier this summer Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program received a call about a stranded turtle off of Turtle Beach and discovered a large loggerhead that appeared to be tethered to something underwater.

Because the turtle was rescued on Memorial Day, he was nicknamed “Murph” in honor of Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in 2005 in Afghanistan.

Murph was outfitted with a type of satellite transmitter that will provide insight on male turtle behavior in the wild.

Meetings & Agendas
Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21.

Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11.

Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.

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