Almost 75 Lido Shorians gathered for the 2025 LSPOA Annual Meeting on February 2nd at the Bird Key Yacht Club, along with special guests Mayor Liz Alpert and her husband Jim Barber, as well as Damien Blumetti, the architect working on a new Pavilion Design.
Social Committee members Mary Lee Bischoff and Carol Bowen greeted arriving members, and directed them to the always popular open-bar cocktail reception. The capable Bird Key staff passed hors d’oeuvres while neighbors reconnected and socialized after the holidays.
Dinner featured a BBQ buffet with brisket, chicken, salad, green beans and potatoes. Attendees filled their plates and sat down for a very enjoyable dinner and chat with old and new friends.
President Bill Farber greeted everyone and gave the Annual Meeting address, welcoming everyone including the special guests. He discussed the successful neighborhood opposition to the development of Ken Thompson Park, which neighbors soundly applauded, as well as the damage from the 3 hurricanes.
He also thanked the Board Members for their service during the past year, as well as the Social Committee co-Chairs Jan Farber and Carol Bowen for planning and executing the successful meeting. Bill also profusely thanked Elliott Himelfarb for his dedication and extraordinary service to Lido Shores maintaining the Beach and keeping us all informed of various current events.
Next, Treasurer Michelle Swartz gave a helpful presentation and explanation of the positive state of LSPOA’s finances. Michelle shared that no costs for Helene and Milton repair were incurred in our last fiscal year, nor is the proposed spending for creating a new Pavilion.
Bill Farber then introduced Bob Thill’s always spectacular and popular 2024 Annual Year in Review Video. If you missed it or want to see it again... here is a link to it on the LSPOA Youtube Channel. You can also watch past year's videos as well.
Finally, Damien Blumetti, a third generation member of the Sarasota School of Architecture, and the architect who has been engaged by LSPOA after a committee search, to redesign the Pavillion, was introduced. He gave a presentation of his idea for a new Pavillion, which pays homage to famous local architects like Paul Rudolf and Ralph Twitchell, along with Lido Shores developer Phillip Hiss.
A spirited discussion followed, with a handful of LSPOA members expressing concern and feedback about the proposed design. An informal show of hands prompted overwhelming support for a redesigned Pav, with 64-in favor and 11- wanting some changes.
President Farber also revealed that an undisclosed member has pledged $50,000 toward rebuilding the Pav, based upon matching donations to help defray an assessment for the anticipated $150,000 cost. About $13,000 has been spent to date for architectural design fees and location survey.
The LSPOA Board discussed the concerns raised at the Annual Meeting at its Monday, February 10th meeting. Blumetti was in attendance and was tasked with providing additional options, including a hard surface roof designed to withstand high winds, adding a ramp for access and other modifications for shade screening panels to improve views. The Board is also crafting a survey when the changes are made, including a picture of the updated design, to be sent to the entire LSPOA membership for comment.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, March 23, 2025 - Spring Potluck, Westway Cul-de-Sac
and
Sunday October 5, 2025 - Fall Potluck (maybe at your house?)
Please let one of the Social Committee members know if you can host either of the Potlucks!
Cheers!
Carol Bowen, LSPOA Social Committee
Annual Meeting Photos
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