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Welcome to the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee

The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee (PIC) is a civic watchdog organization dedicated to promoting good local government, encouraging fiscal responsibility, and protecting the environment. We are advocates for homeowners and taxpayers, looking out for your interests whether you are here full or part time. PIC is non-profit and non-partisan, and gives no money to any candidate or cause.

PIC strives to maintain Longboat Key as a primarily residential community. This is partially accomplished by encouraging participation in its activities through membership, and attending local government commission and related public meetings.

Our island has generally had commissioners of intelligence and good judgment to direct its growth. PIC contributes with a careful analysis of issues and an independent voice of guidance. At election time we review candidates for Town Commissioner and recommend those we feel are most qualified to best serve the town.

PIC communicates its findings and opinions through this web page, email, its publication The VOICE, and local media. We also provide news bulletins and reviews of commission meetings and workshops.

Longboat Key is one of the most desirable residential communities in Florida or anywhere else. This has been accomplished through the work and involvement of many people, including concerted efforts by PIC. The result is seen in the value of Longboat Key properties. PIC's objectives help to keep those values.

Board of Directors
PIC is managed by a Board of Directors.  It is comprised of diverse, civic-minded residents from all parts of the Key, all volunteers, and many who are involved in other civic and governmental organizations. Numerous Town Commissioners and other town notables have been PIC members. Current Commissioners may actively belong to PIC, but are precluded from serving on the PIC Board of Directors while in office. Members of other town positions may actively serve on the Board of Directors.  The PIC Board of Directors includes:
Judy Achre Certified Mediator  
Ed Adams Attorney, retired  
Gaele Barthold Attorney  PIC Co-President
Tom Klein  
Ben Feole Manufacturer  
Scott Hase Hase Petroleum Wax Co.  PIC Secretary
Ron Johnson Former Mayor
Lenny Landau Engineer / Consultant
Jack McMahon District School Administrator, retired PIC Treasurer
Dick Pelton Sales Consultant  PIC Vice-President
Ann Roth Past President-Arts Center  PIC Co-President
Beverly Shapiro Community Center Director
Chuck Fuller  

History
PIC was begun in 1984 by concerned citizens to combat rampant over-development then prevalent on the Key. The response was instant and dramatic. Many Longboaters became PIC members and worked to elect town commissioners who reduced density, instituted strict zoning and made Longboat Key what it is today.

PIC has played a major role in maintaining the residential quality of life on Longboat Key. In the 80's we helped to limit over-development and to blunt efforts to turn our island into one big tourist resort. PIC helped in stopping the transfer of density from bayside to gulfside, in fighting to keep our open space lands intact, and keeping the town commission from opting out of the state-required comprehensive plan. In the mid-2000's when businesses began to suffer due to lost tourist units, PIC promoted rectifying this imbalance, recognizing that extremes either way were not beneficial to the island. We continue to keep a watchful eye on what is happening on our key and to work for what is best for homeowners and taxpayers.  

Town Meeting Coverage

One or more PIC board members attends most Town Commission workshops and meetings and reports to the entire board in detail at our monthly meeting. Board members then discuss items and take a position on selected issues with the majority opinion being adopted. These positions and opinions are reported to our membership via eVoice (email) and occasionally to other Longboaters via THE VOICE. Prior to publication, each article is discussed, researched, edited, and finally approved by a publications committee of board members.

Funding
All PIC funds come from membership dues and contributions. All funds are spent for preparing, publishing and mailing THE VOICE OR other media sources which may be used to keep the public informed, maintaining our web page, and covering our annual meeting.

Annual Forum
Our annual forum, usually in January or February, normally features a prominent speaker. This is also an opportunity for members to ask questions and to raise issues they may wish to discuss. Of course, members may also raise and present issues at any other time to the Board of Directors. The annual forum is open to the public, and your attendance is encouraged.

We invite you to join your friends and neighbors in supporting our worthwhile program, helping us to maintain Longboat Key as one of the finest residential communities anywhere.

Note: Any ads displayed on this website have been posted by the website host to defray expenses associated with providing the website at no charge to PIC.  PIC has no control over these ads and receives no income from their posting.
 

©2008 PIC All rights reserved.