Get Involved

WHY JOIN PIC?

The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee is in its twenty-fifth year of promoting good government on our island. Its membership and its Board are broad and diverse, and its positions are arrived at by good old-fashioned discussion and consensus. A PIC representative attends all Commission meetings and workshops. PIC members serve on many of the Town boards and committees, such as the Vision Plan committee that met this summer. The knowledge gathered from attending these meetings helps inform, when appropriate, a PIC position that is shared with the community and expressed to the Commission and Town Government.

The government of Longboat Key is non-partisan, and its elected positions are without compensation. Even with such a “voluntary” government, there is still a need for those who are not politicians to delve as best possible into the facts of issues, and judge the merits of issues in an atmosphere a step removed from emotion and politics. Similarly, while newspapers strive to inform residents of issues and also editorialize, their need to attract readers can at times lead them to have a provocative point of view. PIC’s “axe to grind” is always what is best for Longboat Key and its residents. PIC further serves Longboat by sponsoring forums to meet Commission candidates and to address issues such as beach replenishment, cell phone communication, and ballot issues. At these forums, all are welcome and participants can be certain of a fair hearing of their positions.

As the island has developed and begun to age, PIC’s focus has evolved. Twenty-five years ago, when potential high density would have overwhelmed Longboat and the quality of life its citizens enjoyed, PIC was in the forefront of the efforts to achieve a more harmonious scale of development. Today, Longboat faces debate over what, if any, revitalization is desirable, and how to best manage it. PIC is not a behind the scenes elite. It is you, if you choose to become involved. You can join and become a part of the effort to preserve Longboat Key as the beautiful community we all enjoy.