"Once more, unto the breach, dear friends" reads my FaceBook quote which I posted this morning following my reappointment to Seat #8 of the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Commission. I had asked Donna, from the department, to snap a picture with thoughts I might want this to remind me that "indeed, I had asked for it" when someday the bastards are really grinding me down.
Today was pretty uneventful, as evidenced by Vice Chair (and presiding officer) Al Hixon finding something in his folder more exciting than watching me and seat mate Len Garner take our renewal oaths of office. This will be my second full term, following a partial term back in 2007 when someone in that seat was "called up to the majors", followed by a full term appointment in 2009. These are three year terms, and this one will expire May 13, 2015.
There are nine Planning commissioners, who are appointed by the seven Town Commissioners who are elected. This time around, I got five of the seven votes needed for reappointment. I believe in 2009 I got four of seven, as was the case when I filled somebody else's unexpired term. That was so long ago I can't remember who occupied seat eight, but apparently it's lucky for me.
The future will hold several important issues for Planning and Zoning, among them what to do with The Colony, rapidly falling into disrepair after hosting POTUS back on 9/10/2001. Then there's the Longboat Key Club redevelopment, which is currently awaiting a judge's decision before coming back to us. And of course, there's that wonderful Whitney Plaza mess at the north end of the island. The plaza is falling down, and adjacent parcels are vacant lots, a vacant bank building and a vacant gas station. It is not a pretty scene, at the entrance to "the Village" where the local citizens don't know what they want, yet they complain about what they have, and seem to oppose any and all ideas of how to improve the neighborhood. Multiple ideas and concepts have been floated, but none have found traction. The mess isn't helped by local north end activists spreading disinformation about plans.
I do believe the next three year term will be exciting and yes, fun. As my friends know, I love this stuff and spent a career in government - but the pay before retirement was far better. This job pays zero, but is priceless in terms of satisfaction. I hope I can make a difference when the time comes, and who knows - maybe someday I'll be the guy in seat number eight who is called up to the majors.
