LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 40, NO. 23
FREE
YOUR TOWN
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Even slower than usual.
PAGE 12A THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018
A court of appeals Pickleball players seek answers to Bayfront backups. PAGE 3A
Courtesy photo
Chief Paul Dezzi presents Dawn Dunkum with the Firefighter of the Year Award. File photo
Juan Florensa
Heroic Rewards Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi handed out three awards last week recognizing three of his staff. Lt. Alan Jenkins received the Officer of the Year Award; Dawn Dunkum was presented with the Firefighter of the Year award; and Tina Adams received the Chief’s Award. Jenkins has been with the department since 2010. He oversees a station of up to five personnel. Adams has been with the town since 1999 and has been instrumental in the fire rescue’s CARE Program. Dunkum has been with the Fire Rescue since 2000.
Make them laugh! Chucko, other greats of the circus, join Ring of Fame. SEE PAGE 1B
Florensa’s greatest hits Longtime Public Works chief leaves a legacy in his projects. SEE PAGE 4A A+E
Courtesy photo
Susan Veshosky, Nancy Rozance, Carol Erker, Sydney Turner, Mike Purdum and Jack Rozance
Cleanup Crew The Rotary Club of Longboat Key is working to keep Longboat Key beautiful and trash-free. Several members donned their neon “Rotary at Work” vests and picked up 50 pounds of trash on Gulf of Mexico Drive over the weekend. As part of its “Adopt-a-Highway” duties, the club must clean up its 1 1/2 mile stretch of Gulf of Mexico Drive four times a year.
Katie Johns
Inductee Chuck “Chucko” Sidlow laughs with sponsor Al Van Tiegham during 2018 inductees to the Circus Ring of Fame in St. Armands Circle Park on Saturday, Jan. 13.
A new twist on ballet.. INSIDE