Daily Archives: July 5, 2012

Thaxton, Dent trade barbs at first supervisor of elections debate

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

Republican supervisor of elections candidates Jon Thaxton and Kathy Dent (the incumbent) took to the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club stage today to debate who’s better equipped to oversee Sarasota County’s voting process. “We need to end the litigation and conflicts … Continue reading →

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Scenes from Sarasota summer fun

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival Boat Parade on the night of June 29 in downtown Sarasota kicked off an array of people-pleasing events for the 2012 July Fourth holiday.   Although thunderheads threatened during the afternoon of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Downtown Sarasota, Tourism | Comments Off

New College’s new president begins work

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Donal O’Shea officially began his post as the fifth president of New College of Florida on July 1, following the retirement of Gordon E. “Mike” Michalson Jr. Before coming to New College, O’Shea was the dean of faculty and vice … Continue reading →

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‘Private’ beach rights dispute arises again on Siesta Key

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

A dispute over beach property rights on Siesta Key has resurfaced, Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson told members of the Siesta Key Village Association this week. About two years ago, Patterson reminded the 20 members present for the July 3 … Continue reading →

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County funding still the big question mark for Siesta trolley, beach projects

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Because county property values have decreased again this year, Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson told about 20 members of the Siesta Key Village Association this week that she did not expect a trolley to begin serving the Village before the … Continue reading →

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Commissioner to check into timeline for awarding Siesta maintenance contract

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson told members of the Siesta Key Village Association July 3 that she would find out when a recommendation on the new vendor for the Village maintenance contract could be expected to come before the County … Continue reading →

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Questions raised about single vendor for water meters

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Voicing concerns about locking themselves into a five-year contract for technology available from just one vendor, the Sarasota County Commission voted 3-2 June 26 to approve a three-year, $2.7 million contract to allow continued replacement of water meters that can … Continue reading →

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After tweaks, EEZ program application approved

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

With the Sarasota County Economic Energy Zone Pilot Program having begun July 1, the County Commission on June 27 approved an application for firms to fill out so they can be considered for financial incentives to participate in the program. … Continue reading →

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Clerk of Court’s Office reduces operating hours

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

As of July 1, the Sarasota County Clerk of Court’s Office has reduced its hours of operation, in the wake of the Florida Legislature’s $31 million cut in funding this year for the clerks’ offices across the state. The new … Continue reading →

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

Will another environmentalist replace Thaxton?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

A little less than a month ago, five County Commission candidates, along with other notables, gathered at the Sarasota Garden Club for one of the first public events of the local 2012 campaign season: a debate hosted by the Sarasota … Continue reading →

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

The day everything changed

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Historians in the 25th century pinpoint Sarasota, Fla., as the start of America’s great collapse. Even journalists at the time pointed to the state’s southwest coast as the place where housing prices first collapsed, precipitating a national and then international … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 3 Comments

Beware the parking boot!

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

The city is about to begin an amnesty program for parking ticket scofflaws. But after Oct. 1, unpaid tickets will mean profound implications for drivers. Mark Lyons, Sarasota’s parking manager, says the city is owed more than $700,000 in unpaid … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota | Comments Off

Commissioners rate charter officials

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

So how are the city’s charter officials doing? Their ratings were released on July 2. City Attorney Bob Fournier was scored overall at 2.6 on a 1-to-3 scale. City Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini received a 2.3 “aggregate rating.” The … Continue reading →

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PHOTOS: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce fireworks party

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce threw a very VIP bash at the beach Wednesday to celebrate the Fourth of July. Hundreds of participants swilled Buds, chomped on grub provided by Mattison’s and jammed to the Ted Stevens Band, before … Continue reading →

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