Annual Meeting Festive and Feisty: Garvin Steps Down, Bowdoin Circle Controversy Revisited

Members watch Year in Review to start Annual Business Meeting

We actually "dress up" pretty well, if we do say so ourselves. 59 members turned out for our Annual Members Meeting & Dinner at the Bird Key Yacht Club January 23rd, down a bit from last year's event when folks were curious to see the newly remodeled Sarasota Yacht Club. The Bird Key Club has undergone a recent face lift as well, and serves up a priceless view of the city across Sarasota Bay, as well as a tasty dinner and dessert. A gracious nod goes to Phil and Carol Fuoco, club members and our hosts for the evening. Among new members attending were Ken and Carrie Cox.

Phil and Carol Fuoco stock up on LidoWear t-shirts, while Joan Reinebach
locates badges.

A couple of new twists this year: a professional photographer took pictures during cocktail hour and Bob Thill provided a Lido Shores Year in Review video (click here to see on Photos page). The festive table centerpieces were created by Joan Reinebach and Carol Williams.
 
Outgoing President Bob Garvin gaveled the business portion of the evening to order promptly at 6:15pm.  

A number of well deserved kudos' were doled out. First to Joan Reinebach, who is stepping down as LSPOA Social Chair after many years of hard work. Anne Essner is taking over as the Social Committee Chair person. Garvin pointed out Joan was ably supported by a host of volunteers, among them, Joan’s husband Larry, Richard LaBrie, Ken Abt and Kevin Berkebile, among others. Garvin then thanked Lisa Kates, who after several years of greeting our new members, is handing over the reigns of Lido Shores' Welcome Wagon duties to Joan Reinebach.

Garvin praised Larry Reinebach, keeper of our beach gate clicker system, for keeping it in good order and dealing with the occasional power interruptions to the Westway Drive gate. "The beach access is one of our most important assets", Bob said. "Larry has kept a vigilant eye on the gates, and will be backed up on maintenance issues in the future by board member Elliott Himelfarb and member Kevin Berkebile."

Larry Reinebach and Kathy Edstrom raise their glasses.

Treasurer Diane Desenberg noted that LSPOA finances are in the black and that membership dues will remain at $200-annually. The Beach Landscaping Committee has a new chair for the coming year, Ken Abt. The other committee members include longtime member Ken McMillen and Bob Thill. Ken reported that $1,800 has been spent to date to clear invasive plants and brush from the Pavilion area. It won't stay that way. A new Pavilion landscaping plan is being developed. Any and all member input would be greatly appreciated.  

Garvin also announced that there has been a request by Tom McInerney, who recently purchased and raised the Salisbury house, inside the main gate at 1051 Westway Drive, to move the current LSPOA Beach Easement south, bordering North Lido Park. A Beach Easement Committee has been formed to study LSPOA's options, and plans to meet with McInerney on Tuesday, January 31 to begin discussions. Committee members include Bob Thill, chair, Elliott Himelfarb, Bob Garvin, Ken Abt and Larry Reinebach. We will keep members fully up-to-date on any developments, and will bring any suggested plans to the full membership.

During his President's report, Garvin pointed out some of the year's highlights, including:

• New Lido Shores website, far superior to the old-fashioned newsletter in every respect, graphic and timely. (Bob's words, not ours.)
• New mailing address: LSPOA, 1001 Westway Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236
• New home construction and remodeling: Titus/Metcalfe, Vigoda, Himelfarb-Minker, Strandhus, David and Linda Hargreaves, and the vast spec house at the North end of Westway Drive.
• Demolition of the Salisbury house, inside the Westway gate at 1051 Westway Drive 
• Lido Shores Appreciation award to Officer "D" (Officer Donzia Franklin) for 20-years of service and for police protection for 1215 Westway Drive.
• New LidoWear© caps and t-shirts for members.  
• New 2012 LSPOA Directory: If you didn't pick one up, please contact Anne Essner at 388-0876 or email AEssner1@gmail.com.

Stuart Cassell and Bob Garvin.

Garvin then let the membership know he'll be stepping down as LSPOA President after a five-year tenure. Bob said, "I’ve been involved in some interesting events, some difficult, and most of them very nice. But it is time for fresh blood. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. This is a wonderful neighborhood." The Board, on behalf of our members, presented Bob with a gift of appreciation for his outstanding service to Lido Shores — a stunning 1940's era piece of Red Wing Pottery from Jack Vinales' 20th Century Classics, picked out by Lois and Les Fishman.

The meeting was then opened for new business, with the 451 Bowdoin Circle controversy taking center stage. Larry Lieberman, Pat Davis and others passionately expressed concern over numerous incidents and resulting police calls to the house, (15-last year), owned by Kristen Rocks. The house is lived in, apparently unsupervised, by her 19-year-old son. At least two of the incidents have involved drug overdoses, one resulting in the death of a 26-year-old renter. Late night, loud parties are often heard, leaving cans and bottles strewn about. Lieberman pleaded with LSPOA members to rally around finding a solution to this ongoing dilemma. The house is reportedly in foreclosure. Deals with potential buyers have fallen through on at least four-occasions, according to Lieberman.

Larry Leiberman in a lighter moment with Julie Magenheim.

Frequent followers of our website know that President Garvin and member Lisa Kates have sent letters to the Sarasota City Manager addressing the situation and asking for help. So far, nothing has happened.
Lieberman asked, and the membership voted unanimously to support any future efforts, including visiting our city Commissioner Terry Turner, to see what can be done to end the nonsense and bring peace of mind to our neighbors living near the party house. We'll keep you posted. Ed Note: See Lido Shores 11-23-11 "Bowdoin Circle" story: http://www.lido-shores.com/search/label/Kristen%20Rocks

New Board Members
Balloting for board members was also tallied.  Welcome and congratulations to our four-newest board members: Dan Mills, Carol Fuoco, Peggy Robbins and Bob Lifeso.

Returning Board Members
Ken Abt, Diane Desenberg, Anne Essner, Lou Cesosimo, Lois Fishman, Bob Garvin, Elliott Himelfarb and Bob Thill.

New Slate of Officers for 2012 
President—Bob Thill
Vice-President—Ken Abt
Treasurer—Diane Desenberg
Secretary—Lois Fishman

~BT

Press play below to see slideshow of pictures from the 2012 Annual Meeting.
Click for photo album: http://www.lido-shores.com/p/photo-gallery.html.