COMMISSIONERS OK BUDGET FOR 2009-2010
Following the first of two required public hearings – and without a murmur of dissent – the Sarasota County Commissioners on Monday approved their Fiscal Year 2010 budget.
Only one person spoke at the hearing, voicing concerns about the legality of a navigation district.
The second and final public hearing is set for Sept. 28 at the Robert Anderson Building in Venice.
The commissioners unanimously approved the overall budgets for property-tax supported, and fee-based spending, as well as the associated millage and flat-rate levies. The overall budget is $1,011,073,769, representing about $475 per person in the county.
At the same Sept. 28 hearing, the commissioners will also decide how to trim $4 million from their Surtax II project list, because of falling sales taxes. The deficit for all the surtax projects could reach as high as $250 million; this hearing could be the first of several to bring projects in line with available funding.
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VOTERS MUST REGISTER FOR VENICE ELECTION
City of Venice residents must be registered by Monday, Oct. 5, to be eligible to vote in the City of Venice general election, scheduled for Nov. 3.
To register to vote, a person must complete a Florida Voter Registration Application Form, which is available at supervisor of elections offices, city halls, county libraries, county offices, social service agencies and many area banks. Forms also may be downloaded from the supervisor of elections (SOE) website at www.sarasotavotes.com.
Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent recommends that voters verify their registration information. A voter who has moved, had a name change, or needs to update a signature since the last election may complete a Voter Registration Application and submit it to any SOE office.
For more information, one may call the supervisor of elections at 861-8600.
LAUREL COMMUNITY TO HAVE ANNUAL CLEANUP
It’s time to empty the closets and garages, clean off the lanais and gather up stray brush. Sarasota County will hold its annual community cleanup day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, for the Laurel community.
Dumpsters provided by Waste Management will be available at three locations to receive materials from residents:
• Forest Street at Laurel Park.
• Church Street at Johnson Chapel.
• 504 Collins St. (across from the Sandra Sims Terry Recreation Center).
Residents may dispose of most appliances, household items, scrap materials, unbundled yard waste and other materials during this free event. Paint, pesticides, auto parts, televisions, computers and other hazardous materials cannot be accepted.
Sarasota County employees will be available at each site to offer assistance.
For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000 and ask about the Laurel community cleanup.
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight has announced that Detective Kim Northfield has been named Local Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Florida Missing Children’s Day Foundation. She accepted the award from Gov. Charlie Crist during a ceremony on Sept. 14 in Tallahassee.The objective of the day was to raise awareness of currently missing children, educate the public on child safety and abduction prevention, and recognize individuals and law enforcement officers who have made outstanding contributions in the missing children issue. Northfield, who joined the sheriff’s office in 1998, was recognized for her remarkable dedication to child abuse investigations, a press release said. "We are proud that Detective Northfield could be recognized at the state level for her tireless efforts on behalf of children," said Knight. "Her commitment to the most vulnerable citizens in our community is exemplary."
NOKOMIS BEACH PLAZA LUAU POSTPONED
The Nokomis Beach Plaza luau scheduled for 6-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, has been postponed by Sarasota County Parks and Recreation.
The luau had been planned to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the historic plaza’s reopening.
"We have many Nokomis residents who are seasonal and we wanted to give them a chance to participate in this event," said Dorian Mattox, program coordinator.
More than 300 people attended the grand reopening of the historic plaza last year, according to a county news release. The Nokomis Beach Plaza is Sarasota County’s first official beach plaza; it originally opened in 1956.
KENSINGTON PARK TO CELEBRATE TREES
Residents of Kensington Park will gather at Calvary Chapel Church, 3800 27th Parkway, Sarasota, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, to cut the ribbon celebrating the introduction of nearly 800 trees to the neighborhood.
Installation of the trees came through Sarasota County’s street tree surtax project and the urban forest initiative.
The ribbon cutting will take place following remarks from Sarasota County Commissioner Carolyn Mason and Jack Gurney, chair of the Sarasota Tree Advisory Council. Kathy Jones, president of the Kensington Park Civic Association and a representative of the Paver family, the developer of Kensington Park, will also speak.
"Kensington Park represents one of our older communities in Sarasota County, having started in 1956," said Jane Grogg, manager of Sarasota County Neighborhood Services. "The planting of these trees serves our purpose in serving some of our underserved neighborhoods and enhancing the sense of place for the people who live there."
The trees were planted along Prudence Drive and 27th Parkway, to create a future canopy road, and at the terminus of Gold Avenue and 17th Street, creating a green portal to Kensington Park.
"This tree planting is part of our collective pact to serve citizens, sustain communities and link neighbors to the legacy of place-making," said Demetra McBride, the county’s natural resources manager.
"Fourteen years ago, [Urban] Forestry [staff] planted canopy trees along the Strathmore enclave in Kensington Park, and the results of that place-making are evident today," she added. "The present tree planting takes that original place, making another step forward."
PHILLIPPI SHORES SCHOOL TO HOST 7K RUN
In an effort to enrich educational opportunities for its students while involving the greater community, Phillippi Shores Elementary International Baccalaureate (IB) World School is hosting its first Phillippi 7K Run.
The event, sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club and sponsored by many local businesses – including New Balance Sarasota – will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The route will lead participants through the tree-lined streets of the neighborhood adjacent to the school. It will include themed kilometer markers designed and staffed by students.
Both male and female finishers will receive medals up to sixth place by age groups. At 9 a.m., a 1 mile Fun Run will be held, and from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., a free Family Fun Zone will feature games, food and drinks.
The event is open to all runners, walkers and/or volunteers. All proceeds will directly benefit a wish list of supplemental educational programs at Phillippi Shores.
The run will occur in tandem with a "Go Green" schoolwide initiative. The students will be involved in many activities prior to, during, and after the run to promote a "greener" environment by investigating ways to recycle, reduce, and reuse items needed for the event. The shirts for the event will be made out of organic cotton, the medals will be created from recycled materials, the students will turn waste from the event into compost, and they will recycle water bottles and cups used during the run.
"This will help our children learn more about the world around them and how to positively impact our Earth locally and internationally," a news release says.
In the spring of 2007, Phillippi Shores Elementary became one of a select few schools throughout the nation to become an authorized International Baccalaureate School. For questions about the Phillippi 7K Run, or for sponsorship information, contact the school at 361-6424.
WORKSHOP TO OFFER AID TO HOMEOWNERS
WHO MAY BE FACING FORECLOSURE
"The first step to preventing your foreclosure is becoming informed about your legal rights," says Florida attorney Andrew Mooney.
South Florida homeowners can learn how to protect against foreclosure by attending a free legal workshop designed to teach the very latest strategies and possible solutions for saving their homes. The event is sponsored by AmStar Foundation.
It will be held on Sept. 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 3100 Fruitville Road.
Advance registration is required. RSVP to 877-290-4102.
Mooney will talk about lender violations commonly found in eight out of 10 reviewed loan documents and explain how each violation may be actionable in a court of law.
"For many homeowners, taking early action could allow them to stay in their home," said Mooney. During the workshop, he will provide free legal advice about homeowners’ rights and the most recent discoveries in Florida foreclosure defense law. In addition, homeowners will be able to meet with counselors from nonprofit agencies such as Goodwill Industries, Consumer Credit Counseling Services and Building Strong Families Homeless Prevention Program offered by Jewish Families and Children Services.
Sponsors are targeting borrowers throughout Sarasota and Manatee County. Information will be provided in both English and Spanish to include the growing concerns of South Florida’s Hispanic communities.
The following topics will be covered in the workshop:
• Potential solutions for homeowners facing foreclosure.
• Pros and cons of loan modifications.
• Government assistance.
• Predatory lending and other violations.
• Federal regulations created to protect homeowners.
• The foreclosure process.
• Steps you can take to protect your home at every stage of the foreclosure process.
ZUCKER ALSO CHAIRING JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARD
In addition to her role as chair of the School Board of Sarasota County, Caroline Zucker was appointed in June to serve a one-year term as chairwoman of the Juvenile Justice Board for the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which includes Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.
The 30-member 12th Circuit JJB is composed of 19 voting members and 11 non-voting members who review legislative issues that affect the criminal justice system as it applies to juvenile offenders.
Similar boards around the state corresponding to other judicial circuits also present their reports and recommendations to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Zucker has long been involved in juvenile justice issues. She was one of the founders of the Sarasota County Juvenile Justice Council in the early 1990s and served at various times as its chairwoman, vice chair, secretary and treasurer.
The council was a forerunner of the Juvenile Justice Board.
Zucker also has served as chair of the State Juvenile Justice Committee for the Florida School Boards Association.
In October, Zucker will meet with other state juvenile justice circuit board chairs in Tampa. They are expected to discuss such issues as the number of students being sent to detention centers and to prison as juvenile correctional facilities are closed down around the state because of budget cuts.
"Education is the key to helping a young person who has been in trouble with the law get back on the right path," said Zucker.