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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 |
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| Ed Adams |
Attorney, retired |
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| Gaele Barthold |
Attorney |
PIC Co-President |
| Tom Klein |
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| Ben Feole |
Manufacturer |
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| Scott Hase |
Hase Petroleum Wax Co. |
PIC Secretary |
| Ron Johnson |
Former Mayor |
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| Lenny Landau |
Engineer / Consultant |
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| 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 |
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| Chuck Fuller |
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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.
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©2008 PIC All rights reserved. |
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