Monthly Archives: May 2012

New handicap-accessible playground and trail to be constructed in Laurel Park June 2

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Thanks to collaboration among the Florida Orthopaedic Society, the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department, the Laurel Civic Association and a number of other groups, a new wheelchair-accessible playground will be completed June 2 in Laurel Park at 509 Collins … Continue reading →

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$1 million grant secured for new county EOC

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

On May 22, the Sarasota County Commission heard a presentation about funding options for the new 911/Emergency Operations Center that will be built on county property at the intersection of Porter Road and Cattlemen Road. During that presentation, Steve Botelho, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime & Law Enforcement, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Southbound lanes open again on portion of Beneva

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

A section of Beneva Road from Markridge Road to Beneva Oaks Road in Sarasota has reopened in all directions, following repairs to a watermain line, Sarasota County officials have announced. The watermain break occurred Memorial Day afternoon. The Sarasota County … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Transportation | Comments Off

City utility director resigns

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Interim Sarasota City Manager Terry Lewis announced a shake-up this morning, May 31, in the city’s Utilities Department. Utility Director Javier Vargas resigned yesterday after a meeting with Lewis. “We had a difference of opinion on leadership expectations,” Lewis told The Sarasota … Continue reading →

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Responding to neighbors’ concerns, County Commission tweaks plans for Blackburn Point Park

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

As president of the Casey Key Association, Dennis O. Doughty had addressed the Sarasota County Commission on Sept. 28, 2011, about various aspects of plans for Blackburn Point Park that were worrisome to his group and other neighbors of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhoods, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Top city officials in violation of city charter

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

The charter of the City of Sarasota is clear. The city manager, auditor and clerk, and finance director must be bonded. But two of them are not. Neither Interim City Manager Terry Lewis nor Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini is … Continue reading →

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City manager short list released

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Late this afternoon, May 30, the City of Sarasota released its short list of finalists for the position of city manager. The list contains the names of the eight candidates recommended by the city’s headhunter, Colin Baenziger, whose firm is … Continue reading →

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Recommendation anticipated by mid-June on cost for extra staff monitoring of Siesta noise complaints

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County’s director of planning and development services hopes to have a proposal prepared before mid-June regarding the costs of part-time and full-time code enforcement work in Siesta Village to handle noise complaints, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. Rob … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Siesta Key | Comments Off

FDOT nearing start of north bridge, crosswalk projects

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

With the beginning of the north Siesta bridge rehabilitation project just days away, Florida Department of Transportation staff and consultants have continued to assure Sarasota County residents that the bridge will not be closed at any time. Although only about … Continue reading →

Posted in Siesta Key, Transportation | Comments Off

Organizations urge commissioners to focus on improvements for Siesta Public Beach

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Three Siesta Key organizations have sent letters to the Sarasota County commissioners over the past week, urging them to proceed with plans to upgrade the Siesta Public Beach. The letter-writing initiative was spurred by a discussion during the May 21 … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism | Comments Off

Commissioners pay tribute to library system’s staff, volunteers

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

With Sarasota County Library System staff members, volunteers and other supporters surrounding them on May 22, the Sarasota County commissioners and Sarabeth Kalajian, general manager of the system, formally marked the Florida Library Association’s recognition of the system as 2012 … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Sarasota People | Comments Off

Forgive us our trespasses

Posted on May 29, 2012 by David Staats

The chain of events that led to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin last February in Sanford began with the suspicion that the Florida teenager was trespassing and therefore was “up to no good.” Trespass laws in Florida are strict … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Commentary, Crime & Law Enforcement | Comments Off

City tax roll goes up

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

For the first time in six years, city property values for tax purposes have stopped falling. The “preliminary taxable values” from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office indicate the city’s tax roll will increase one-half a percent. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Southbound traffic still disrupted on Beneva Road

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County Utilities Department crews are working to repair a 12-inch transmission watermain break that has closed a portion of Beneva Road south of Markridge Road in Sarasota, the county has announced. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office closed the southbound … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhoods, Sarasota County | Comments Off

History coming to City Hall

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

A permanent display about Sarasota’s history will soon be on view in the city commission chambers of City Hall. Thirty framed photographs will highlight the story of Sarasota from the late 19th century to 1960. City Planner and Historian Clifford … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota | 1 Comment

Sarasota High School charrette set for June 6-7

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Two community meetings have been set for early June to allow members of the public to provide comments about the rebuilding of Sarasota High School, the Sarasota County School District has announced. The meetings are scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota School Board | 1 Comment

Hundreds turn out for Memorial Day Parade

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The muggy weather didn’t deter hundreds of people of all ages from lining Main Street to watch the traditional Memorial Day Parade and pay tribute to all those men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who have lost their … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Children’s Fountain, Bird Key Park to close temporarily

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Both the Steigerwaldt-Jockey Children’s Fountain, located within Bayfront Park, and Bird Key Park will be closed temporarily this week, the city of Sarasota has announced. The fountain will be turned off Tuesday, May 29, while Florida Power & Light performs … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Tourism | Comments Off

Siesta Seen: Patterson presents ‘laundry list’ from council

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Editor’s Note: Former readers of the Pelican Press who enjoyed Rachel Brown Hackney’s “Island Beat” column, which kept all apprised of goings-on on Siesta Key, will be pleased to know that her new column – “Siesta Seen” – will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Siesta Seen | Comments Off

Sarasota NAACP considering Department of Justice complaint over precinct consolidation

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

Trevor Harvey, the president of the Sarasota County branch of the NAACP, tells the News Leader his organization is “investigating the possibility of” asking the Department of Justice to review Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent’s precinct consolidation plan, approved by … Continue reading →

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County staff trying to schedule lighting demonstrations for Siesta Village crosswalks

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

With county staff still working to set up demonstrations of lighting options for Siesta Village crosswalks, the Sarasota County commissioners agreed May 23 to defer a decision on paying for equipment until they have more information. Commissioner Nora Patterson, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Siesta Key | Comments Off

How we honor our heroes

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Memorial Day. A day to buy a blood-red poppy to put in your lapel. A day to visit a cemetery and plant a small American flag. A day to put your hand over your heart when Old Glory marches by. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota People | Comments Off

Utility regulators want Sarasota’s input on FPL rate increase

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

The Public Service Commission — the state board that oversees Florida’s utility providers — will hear public testimony in Sarasota next Thurs., May 31, about a proposed Florida Power & Light rate increase that would generate more than $690 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental News, Florida News, Other News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Community says goodbye to Al Hogle

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

More than 500 people came to Robarts Arena Wednesday afternoon, May 24, to memorialize career police officer, mentor and friend Al Hogle. He was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Blue Ridge Parkway May 14 while riding with friends. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime & Law Enforcement, Longboat Key News, Sarasota People | Comments Off

County Commission refers transfer-of-development rights issue to oversight committee

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously May 23 to ask their Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee to review recommendations for a pilot program involving county-owned transfers of development rights before they act on it. Those TDRs would result in greater … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Sarasota Police Complaint Committee tosses gauntlet

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Four Spartans or four Don Quixotes? What a year it’s been for the City of Sarasota’s Police Complaint Committee. At its first meeting June 29, 2011, the group spent an hour looking for a better name (and didn’t find one). … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Crime & Law Enforcement | Comments Off

Property owners warned about violation of conservation easement on Siesta Key

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

A Sarasota County environmental supervisor has notified the attorney representing owners of two Beach Road lots on Siesta Key that they have violated the terms of a conservation easement the Sarasota County Commission approved for the property in April 2011. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Siesta Key | Comments Off

Watermain replacement project for Siesta, Casey keys wins variance from County Commission

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

With assurances from staff that the project should not impede any future initiative to re-open Midnight Pass, the Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously May 23 to approve a request for a variance so a new watermain pipeline could be constructed … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Siesta Key | Comments Off

Siesta Village temporary use permit ordinance wins extension

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

With a unanimous vote May 22, the Sarasota County Commission approved a two-year extension of the sunset date for an ordinance governing temporary use permit requests in the Siesta Key Overlay District. Prior to the vote, Commissioner Nora Patterson asked … Continue reading →

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Bottle club purchase punted to city staff

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

A plan endorsed by the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board and City Commissioner Willie Shaw for the City of Sarasota to buy a business containing the city’s only remaining bottle club was booted to staff for further study on … Continue reading →

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City trespass ordinance moves ahead

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

When can members of the public be thrown off public property for trespass? When they’re committing a criminal act is an obvious reason. But then why aren’t they arrested for the criminal act? For decades police officers across the nation … Continue reading →

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County Commission approves precinct consolidation plan

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

In spite of pleas from representatives of the African American and Hispanic communities in north Sarasota County, and some commissioner reservations about the lack of public awareness of the matter, the Sarasota County Commission voted 4-1 May 21 to allow … Continue reading →

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Sarasota to ponder domestic partnership registry

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Sarasota is a city of many facets. One of them is a longstanding acceptance of diversity of sexuality. Largo City Manager Steve Stanton used to come to Sarasota to experience living as Susan Stanton. She decided to make the change … Continue reading →

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Looking out for the birds

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Fran Palmeri

We come to this area for the sunshine and the beautiful beaches. Beach-nesting birds — Wilson’s plovers, black skimmers, least terns and snowy plovers — come here, too, from March through July, to lay their eggs in the sand. Black … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental News, Guest Column | Comments Off

County officials provide annual hurricane season briefing

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

It’s that time of year When the air gets sticky, it’s time for the hurricane dance. Bot-tled wa-ter, do-se-do and food for later, don’t you know. Sunscreen, bug juice and evac zones, to flee the flood surge flow. Once again … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Weather | 1 Comment

Woman’s Exchange to present $330,000 in scholarships, grants

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Surpassing its goal of $250,000 for 2012, the Woman’s Exchange Inc. will present $330,000 in student scholarships and grants to local arts and cultural organizations during its annual Awards Celebration on June 7. This will mark the 50th year of … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonprofit News, Sarasota People | Comments Off

Southside students to present ‘The Aristocats’

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

More than 100 Southside Elementary School students are set to take the stage at The Players Theatre Tuesday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 23, to perform the school musical, “The Aristocats,” the Sarasota County Public Schools District has announced. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Sarasota School Board | Comments Off

Magazine names Sarasota top arts destination for small cities

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

AmericanStyle Magazine has named Sarasota the top arts destination among small cities — those with populations under 100,000 — Visit Sarasota County announced May 18. The honor resulted from the magazine’s 2012 Readers’ Poll, a Visit Sarasota County news release … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Tourism | Comments Off

City Commission looks to buy a bottle club, redefine trespassing

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

The Sarasota City commissioners will decide Monday afternoon, May 21, whether they want to buy two properties along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. One is a strip mall four-plex, containing a private bottle club. The other is the site … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota | 1 Comment

Pine View leads the way with FCAT passing rates

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Pine View School in Osprey, the Sarasota County Public School District’s school for gifted students, saw 100% of its 10th-graders pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test writing exam this spring, while 99% of its fourth-graders and 98% of its eighth-graders … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota School Board | Comments Off

Memorial service planned for Hogle

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Public arrangements have been announced for Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle, who died Monday, May 14, in a motorcycle accident on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Longboat Key News, Sarasota People | Comments Off

Dent to present new precinct boundaries to the County Commission Tuesday

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent will present her plan to consolidate voting precincts during the County Commission’s regular meeting next Tuesday, May 22. According to a memo signed by Dent, the reorganization was instituted by the county, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Government, Political News, Sarasota County | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Bjaland named artistic adviser of Southwest Florida Symphony

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Southwest Florida Symphony, based in Fort Myers, has announced that Leif Bjaland, who was artistic director of the Sarasota Orchestra for 15 years, has been appointed its artistic adviser for the 2012-13 season. In a news release, the symphony … Continue reading →

Posted in Concerts & Performances, Sarasota People | Comments Off

Harry, Barry and Larry

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Essay and photos by Fran Palmeri They can spot a fishing pole from a mile away. Three great blue herons — dubbed Harry, Barry, and Larry by fishermen at Nokomis beach — know that in warm weather, Floridians flock to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota People | Comments Off

Community Alliance plots summit to sway lawmakers

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

“Scared and ticked off” about constant threats of cuts to their state funding, a coalition of Sarasota County health and human services nonprofits are planning an aggressive new campaign to let Florida lawmakers know exactly why their work is so … Continue reading →

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Alta Vista students to deliver homemade blankets to hospital

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Fifty students from Alta Vista Elementary School in Sarasota are scheduled to board a bus at 9 a.m., Friday, May 18, to deliver 100 blankets they created to comfort cancer patients at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, the Sarasota … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota People, Sarasota School Board | Comments Off

School Board agrees to further delay on district advertising

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Agreeing with a recommendation from Superintendent Lori White, the Sarasota County School Board has decided to put off pursuing new advertising opportunities for the district until they see what other Florida school districts do. “I have considerable concern [about] the … Continue reading →

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Serious crime down in Sarasota

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

It’s a bit of a head-scratcher. In tough economic times, the old wisdom says that crime goes up. But in 2011, serious crime in the city of Sarasota dropped 5.2 percent compared with the previous year. The number of so-called … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Crime & Law Enforcement | Comments Off

May 24 public meeting planned on Gulf Gate Library

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 24, about the design, permitting and construction of the new Gulf Gate Library, county officials have announced. Residents may come to the open-house-style meeting at any time between … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhoods, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Plan to eliminate by-elections moves through Charter Board

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Signature sunset and single-member districts also in the wings By-elections are unscheduled. Something happens. An elected official dies or another unexpected event forces an election. The Sarasota County Charter, for example, calls for a by-election within 60 days after citizens … Continue reading →

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