Gulf of Mexico Drive isn't just Longboat Key's main street — it is its only street

I am writing to respond to the recent article (Longboat Observer, Dec. 18) regarding the contemplation of a new vision for Gulf of Mexico Drive.

I am a full-time, year-round resident, of Longboat Key. I can understand the reference by (Assistant Town Manager) Isaac Brownman that GMD is our main street. But the town must also consider that GMD is also our one and only thoroughfare on the island.

Those of us who live here year round have only two ways on and off the island, either the Cortez Bridge or the Ringling Bridge, but in either case, the only way to get there is via GMD. Most of us year-rounders use it as our only way off and back on the island. When we have a doctor, or other important appointment, we need an efficient and reliable way to get there.

I understand and appreciate the snowbirds or tourists who visit our island and want to meander down GMD either to sightsee, or scope out a possible neighborhood they might be interested in, or slow down looking for an address, all at 25 or 30 miles per hour. But the speed limit is, and should be 45 miles per hour. If the lead car is going 30 miles per hour, the cars behind might stack up to 30-50 cars behind. It is frustrating for those behind who have no recourse but to “patiently” wait, while we count how may minutes late we will be for our appointment.

I advocated before, and I do again now, that we should have a dedicated turning/passing lane down most, if not all, of GMD.

If the real estate hunter wants to meander, then good for him/her, but please let’s have a way for me to pass them, so that I am not late for my appointment.

– Mark Fishman, Longboat Key

Alas, thankfully Longboat avoids political insanity

My wife and I come to Longboat Key for several weeks several times a year from Arkansas. One of the things we look forward to is a feeling that petty politics, especially the Washington insanity, is not in your face. A feeling that maybe these Longboat Key folks are smart enough not to buy into the whimsical changes that may or may not make any sense. 

Changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, a perfectly acceptable name we have all grown up with, just on the whim of a man who will not be there in three years, is foolish at best. 

It makes us think less of the judgment of the kind folks in charge. 

Please do your best to let the crazy ideas of the moment stay in Washington and let us all take comfort in knowing some things that don’t need changing can stay the same. 

– Mark Abernathy, Little Rock, Arkansas / Longboat Key