Longboat Observer to host candidate debate

The Longboat Observer will host a debate for Longboat Key Town Commission candidates at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The town’s March 10 general municipal election features two contested races: Jack Daly and Larry Grossman will vie for the District 4 seat, and Gene Jaleski is challenging incumbent Commissioner Phill Younger for one of two at-large seats. All four candidates have confirmed their attendance.

Observer Media Group Editor/CEO Matt Walsh will moderate the debate.

Each candidate will have two minutes to make an introductory statement. Walsh will ask candidates questions, some of which will be reader-submitted (see sidebar). Questions from the audience will follow. The debate will conclude by 8:30 p.m. with a two-minute closing statement from each candidate.

“(The debate) gives voters the chance to see the candidates react on their feet on the spot and see how they comport themselves in public,” Walsh said. “It also gives them insight into their thinking on the Key’s important issues.”

Voter turnout in the town’s March 2014 general municipal election was just 36.29%. The turnout was lower than any year in which the ballot featured a Longboat Key town commission race since 2009.
Asked why voters should care about this year’s election, Walsh paraphrased former Longboat Key Commissioner Al Green.

“Every election has consequences,” Walsh said. “He (Green) said that the commissioners and candidates don’t realize it, but at some point in their terms, they’re going to face a big decision. Voters should give a lot of thought into making sure they’ve got the right people on the commission to represent them.”

Ask the candidates
Do you have questions for Longboat Key Town Commission candidates?

Email your questions to Longboat Observer Managing Editor Robin Hartill at [email protected] by Thursday, Feb. 5. The Longboat Observer will ask select reader-submitted questions at the Feb. 9 debate.