Joy on the job: Staff celebrates City Hall Selfie Day
to the Team
Staff in all departments celebrated the 9th Annual City Hall Selfie Day on Aug. 15. Organized by Engaging Local Government Leaders, the day is a yearly celebration of public service showcasing pride in local government institutions and employees having fun on the job – which we so clearly do! Thank you to everyone who participated with some very creative selfies.
Courtney Brady Police Trainee, VPD
Matthew Legare Municipal Service Worker, Public Works/Parks
Anthony Saponara Municipal Service Worker, Public Works/Parks
That’ll teach Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark to go to the Poconos: Kelsey Shope, Amy Nelson, Ilona Krigsman, Rebecca Paul, Lisa Olson, Nicole Tremblay and Josh Law have some fun in Roger’s office Aug. 15, paying tribute to all the things he “loves ” That’s some excellent planning! More photos, page 2
30 Years
Ron Peyton, Sept. 12 Utilities Anniversary Milestones
20 Years
Scott “Boots” Marra, Oct. 11 Public Works
10 Years
Dwayne Evans, Sept. 22 Public Works
5 Years
Nicole Tremblay, Sept. 3 Planning and Zoning
Caroline Moriarty, Sept. 16 Police
Lisa Olson, Sept. 16 Planning and Zoning
City Hall Selfie Day
continued
Assistant
Utilities’ Gerry Mills, Tim Merritt and Jerry Benoit
from
Ashley
Curry Creek; Toni Cone, Tracey Smith (Mercedes Barcia in spirit), Amanda Hawkins-Brown and Kelly Michaels with the Clerk’s Office brush up on their expertise, ready to welcome City Council back from summer break.
Clockwise from top left, Finance Director Linda Senne and her team stretch that dollar: Kendra Arce, Debra Schlake, Jess Samson, Brenda Westlake, Mel Mosser, Kathy Millspaugh, Kayla Case and Carolyn Hart;
Fire Chief Kyle Hartley and some dummies get CPR
Alyssa Armstrong and
Griffin;
at
City Hall Selfie Day continued
Clockwise from right, Will Smith in Utilities; Audrey Symowicz, Rich Esola, Beth Brown-McWatters, Mitch Marklin, Michael Reeves, Dave Barnett, Rob Schenck and Paul Rakes in Building; Toni Cone, Aug. 15 birthday girl Tracey Smith, Kelly Michaels and Amanda Hawkins-Brown in the Clerk’s Office; James Clinch with Public Works’ Brad Holahan, Tim George and Ashlee Castle; Mary Wood and Tawnie Murdock with the VPD Criminalistics Unit; Steven Simpson, Eric Tanner, Jordan Dacey, Roger Navarro, Anthony Garofalo and Don Hubbard in IT; Utilities’ Scott Treleven and Shawn Martin; Darlene Culpepper, Steven Berens, Jon Kramer, Jaime Creamer, Kevin Barrett, Christina Rimes and Jeff Hackett in Engineering; and Cordy Crane in the City Manager’s Office
City Hall Selfie Day continued
Top: City Hall staff pose for a “dronfie” taken by Don Hubbard Aug 15 Above left, John Kammerer, Lad Trcak, Chris Somers and Travis Hout with Public Works; above right, Brianne Lorenz, James Clinch, Lorraine Anderson and Cordy Crane in the City Manager’s Office. At right from top: Derek Self with Utilities; Mayor Nick Pachota and City Manager Ed Lavallee; VPD K-9 Palmer.
Payroll Corner
Sept. 13 Pay Day
Premium OT Fire (Kelly cycle runs 8/29-9/24)
Accruals available for August
Sept. 27 Pay Day
Comp Buyback - FOP and AFSCME
Humphris Park reopens after Debby; South Jetty walkway still closed
On its way to becoming a hurricane, Tropical Storm Debby swept through Venice the weekend of Aug. 3, causing damage at Humphris Park and the South Jetty walkway, and street flooding.
After bringing in over 260 tons of materials to repair the holes and washout areas in the Humphris parking lot, Public Works reopened the park to the public Aug. 15. The Jetty walkway remains closed as repairs are coordinated with the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND).
Council Meeting
Staff Agenda Item Deadlines to the City Manager
Council date Sept. 24
DUE Sept. 6
Council date Oct. 8
DUE Sept. 20
Council date Oct. 22
DUE Oct. 4
The walkway had sustained damage in Hurricane Idalia in August 2023, and was awaiting repairs by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and WCIND that got underway earlier in July. The Army Corps had placed over 400 tons of granite rocks along both sides of the walkway, filling in voids
At top, the South Jetty walkway is pounded by surf from Debby on Aug 4 Below, the Humphris Park parking lot reopened Aug 15 after repairs were made. The walkway remains closed
Storm Debby continued
and enhancing stability, as Public Works crews resurfaced the walkway with more than 12 tons of asphalt. The Jetty walkway reopened to the public July 31 but was closed days later following Debby.
The next step will be repairing the walkway (pictured below right after the storm) with support and collaboration from the City’s partners. The Venice Police Department would like to remind everyone that ignoring the “Jetty Closed” signage and going out on the walkway to fish will garner individuals a $75 fine.
A portion of Harbor Drive South leading to Caspersen Beach Park (pictured at top right) was significantly damaged in Debby. Public access to the park from the Venetian Waterway Park Trail and Harbor Drive S. are closed. No public access is permitted within the park until further notice. All amenities within the park are also closed. A timeline for road repairs has not been established.
The Venice Fishing Pier, closed as a precaution before the storm, reopened Aug. 6 after Public Works crews removed over 3 tons of sand from the entrance by hand shoveling.
The City of Venice issued a Local State of Emergency Aug. 5, which is still in effect. This is an administrative action taken to request resources and support at the state and federal levels if needed.
Sarasota, unfortunately, was most affected by Debby, with reports of severe street and home flooding in neighborhoods including Laurel Meadows, Pinecraft, Colonial Oaks, and Sherwood Forest. Resources for
Storm Debby continued
those impacted and related information can be found here.
There have been reports of scammers trying to take advantage of those impacted by the storm. Call 866-966-7226 to report scams. Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job; research a company and its reputation -- look for references online, or ask a friend; check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured, and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com; never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront, and hesitate before providing large deposits; and do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.
from top far left, Joe Wagaman and William Tyerman with Public Works shovel sand piled up at the Fishing Pier entrance Aug. 6; street flooding on Venice island Aug. 4; street flooding on Curry Lane Aug. 5; FEMA and state teams survey the damage at Caspersen Beach and Harbor Dr. S. with County officials Aug. 14.
Clockwise
FROM THE DESK
Cybersecurity training update
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for completing the 2024 Annual Cybersecurity Awareness training I recognize that coordinating schedules for this training, especially just six months after our last session, required significant effort from many of you. I understand that integrating this training into our already busy work schedules is not always convenient, and I appreciate your commitment to prioritizing it.
Last year, the state of Florida mandated annual training, requiring us to affirm our compliance. As a result, we had to quickly organize the training for all City staff and technology users within a tight timeframe, which coincidentally fell at the end of the year. Following that initial session, IT Director Roger Navarro and I engaged with leadership to explore ways to improve the process, understanding that this would now be an annual requirement Based on the feedback we received, it became clear opening the training earlier in the year, during a period with fewer
holiday-related absences, would be more effective. We agreed that summer would be an optimal time to complete the training and decided to extend the training period beyond 30 days to better accommodate staff schedules.
I am incredibly appreciative of everyone’s patience as my team and I worked to ensure that all staff were able to participate in and complete the training within the allotted time. During New Hire Orientation, I always stress to new staff that they play a crucial role in the City’s security plan. While we have advanced technology and dedicated cybersecurity personnel in place, you all serve as our frontline defenders. Hackers often target non-IT staff first, attempting to deceive them into providing access to our systems This is why regular training is so essential -- it continually reinforces our awareness of the tactics hackers use and helps us remain vigilant
Finally, I want to emphasize that the knowledge gained from these trainings extends beyond the workplace. I’ve heard stories from the Police Department of citizens, particularly seniors, falling victim to phishing scams and losing their money. The tips and strategies we cover in our training can help protect not only you but also those in your personal lives. I encourage you all to continue reporting suspicious emails and messages, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to the IT team if you need assistance in distinguishing a legitimate email from a potential phishing attempt. Stay safe!
Joelle Gurk Security Analyst
Joelle Gurk is the City’s Security Analyst in the IT Department. Contact her at jgurk@venicefl.gov.
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PRESIDENTS PROGRAM AWARDS
Awards for City line employees for qualifying behavior going above and beyond normal expectations.
$100 Ben Franklin
Who: Lorraine Anderson. Department: City Manager’s Office. Date: Aug. 14. Reason: As the City’s Public Information Officer, Lorraine is constantly juggling projects, events, press inquiries, resident concerns, and local emergencies. One of her most timeconsuming tasks is producing both a citizen and employee newsletter monthly. This periodical is enjoyed by thousands of residents and City staff members. It is beneficial not only to inform of ongoing City news and events but in many ways serves to unite our community and employees around common interests, accomplishments, and culture. This past year, with the help of Brianne Lorenz, Lorraine successfully converted both newsletters onto an entirely new platform, Canva. This revamp of both newsletters not only saves her significant time, but the format is much more user-friendly, has ADA accessibility, and provides active live links for users. This comprehensive conversion will keep the newsletter fresh and accessible to our public and staff for many years to come.
PIO Lorraine Anderson receives a $100 Presidents Award Aug. 14 from Assistant City Manager James Clinch and Special Events Coordinator Brianne Lorenz
$50 Ulysses Grant
Who: Veta Zinkov and Jason Esquijarosa. Department: Fire Rescue. Date: Aug. 6. Reason: Both these employees performed to such a level on scene that the patient reached out to Administration informing them of the care she received. Great public relations!
Who: Ashley Henry. Department: Fire Rescue. Date: Aug. 27. Reason: Ashley has done everything that has been asked of him and more, providing exceptional support while covering the City Hall Information Desk. His willingness to take on additional responsibilities highlights his strong work ethic and organizational commitment. Despite the challenges of managing phone calls and greeting customers, especially considering his regular job is a firefighter, Ashley has been proactive in notifying HR about candidates arriving for interviews, facilitating a seamless hiring process. He has also assisted Procurement by time-stamping incoming bids, promptly notifying the team, and managing record retention for the department. Additionally, he has helped Public Works with sandbags. His ability to excel in all these roles reflects his dedication and versatility as a valuable team member.
Firefighter/ Paramedic Ashley Henry receives a $50 Presidents Award Aug 27 from HR Administrative Assistant Stephanie Fisher and Fire Rescue Office Manager Ashley Griffin.
PRESIDENTS PROGRAM AWARDS
$50 Ulysses Grant con’t
Who: Cordy Crane. Department: City Manager Office. Date: Aug. 27. Reason: This year, Cordy took on a significant leadership role in the planning and execution of the City’s annual Staff Retreat. Her impact on this event was felt not only in the scheduling and coordinating of the logistics, but she helped directly in planning and crafting the agenda, adding fun team-building exercises, and ensuring the attendees felt appreciated. Her contributions this year helped to make the Staff Retreat more effective, productive, and enjoyable for all those who attended.
Who: Ashton Dooley. Department: Public Works. Date: Aug. 30. Reason: Ashton was out on his garbage route when he noticed there was a large mess with one of the recycling pickups on a residential street. He immediately stopped his truck, got out and cleaned everything up. A resident called in to extend his gratitude for his exceptional customer service and positive attitude.
$20 Andrew Jackson
Who: Phil Castellano, Marty Dietz, Ruth Ann Unruh and Corey Storch. Department: Fire Rescue. Reason: These staff members were recognized by an outside agency for efficient performance on scene.
Multiple Venice Fire Rescue units responded to a structure fire at Montgomery's Carpets, 825 E. Venice Ave., at 12:23 p.m. Aug. 26, quickly extinguishing the rooftop blaze.
No one was hurt and there was no damage to the interior of the business. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature.
Staff at Montgomery's CarpetsPlus ColorTile wrote on the VFR Facebook page later that day: “Thank you guys for the quick response! We appreciate all you do for the community!”
Jim Anderson: Commitment to the job
Working for the Venice Utilities Department for nearly 26 years, Water Plant Operations Supervisor Jim Anderson prides himself in flying under the radar.
Take, for example, his name. He goes by Jim, but on his City email, it’s William.
“William is a family name and we’re all Williams, the oldest (in each generation). My great-grandfather, grandfather, father, myself, my son and grandson are all William,” Jim said. “I didn’t want to be called Bill or Billy or Junior – I hated that as a kid, because all my dad’s cronies would call me Junior.
“James is my middle name, but everybody just calls me Jim. It’s fun with the City, because everybody sees ‘William,’ and they wonder who that guy is. It’s kind of a game now – if you work here, you have to figure it out.”
Jim started at the water plant in October 1998 as an operator.
“I had just had surgery for a broken leg and I was on crutches in a boot. My first day, the senior operator who was here handed me a book on how to run the water plant, said ‘Good luck,’ and left.
“He figured since I already had a class A license, I could do it, and I did. It was just tough running around here on crutches for about three months.”
Jim and his family had just moved back to the area from Ohio. He was walking down the ramp of a moving truck, moving boxes and furniture into his apartment, when it started raining. As he came down the ramp, he slipped and his foot caught the side of the ramp. “I went over and my foot stayed there, so I turned all the way around,” he recalled. “I had a screw inserted through my ankle and 13 pins up my fibula.”
Jim says the basic duties at the plant haven’t changed much. “The biggest difference back then was there were two operators per shift. Now we don’t have that. The evening and night guys are basically singles. This is easier to do now, as we have better controls and monitoring equipment than when I started and most things were controlled manually.”
Jim Anderson at the City Water Production Plant in August
MEET YOUR COWORKER
Jim continued
What does he like most about the work? “I like problem solving, finding an issue with the plant, working through it to find out what the cause is, taking care of it and figuring out how to avoid it next time,” he said, “and finding things that make it easier for everybody.”
Jim, 60, estimates he’s trained at least a dozen operators over the years. “I enjoy training,” he said. “(Head Operator) Paul Dagley and I are both working to bring up the next generation of operators, trying to get these younger people in here and teach them everything we know so they can take over for us when we retire. We’ve got a good young group now. We’ve taken to hiring trainees rather than licensed operators, so we can train them our way. A lot of operators, once they get their license and work in certain places, get set in their ways. They come in with bad habits and they want to do it their way, which doesn’t always work in the plant they walk into.”
Originally from Baltimore, Jim’s family moved to Sarasota in 1970.
“My dad was an army veteran who worked as a mail carrier and an auto mechanic, and he didn’t want to work in the winter anymore. He had his own auto mechanic shop down here.”
Jim has two younger brothers and a sister. His brother Brian has worked for Sarasota County for over 28 years; his sister Michelle, who also lives in Sarasota, has been with Publix for the last 25 years. His youngest brother Michael is in Virginia, and he and his wife both work in logistics for the military.
Jim graduated from Booker High School in 1981.
“After high school, I had multiple college scholarships – for liberal arts based on writing I had done, and a couple military offers – and I turned them down,” Jim said. “I went to work for Sarasota County the day I turned 18 as a field tech. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do, and my dad was really pushing me to go to college, so just to spite him, I didn’t do it. I worked for the County for about a year and
Above, Jim gives a tour of the Water Plant during a new employee orientation bus tour in May Below, Jim’s ID card when he first started working for the City
realized I didn’t like working in the dirt. Safety wasn’t what it is today, and I kept getting buried.
“I was offered a partial music scholarship to Manatee Community College (now State College of Florida) for vocals, so I took that. I got to college and they took the fun out of it. They made it a job,
MEET YOUR COWORKER
Jim continued
and that’s not what I wanted to do for a living. I only went there for a few years. I was in the Minstrels, a group of roving medieval singers that performed at the Sarasota Medieval Fair and put on an annual medieval dinner; and the main college choir. I always hated singing solos, and I had to take individual vocal lessons. I was fine in a group, but put me up onstage by myself and I just never could get comfortable – I just couldn’t stand it. I had to get up in front of the whole music department and sing and they’d grade you. I was never comfortable doing that.”
Jim left MCC around 1984 and went in the military, joining the Army National Guard.
“I did my basic in Missouri, then went to Fort Gordon in Georgia. I served for nine years and my specialty was secure radio teletype communications. When I got out, I was an Operational Sergeant. My wife at the time hated it, because we had a small child and I had to be away at times. After the First Gulf War, the state decided that they were changing the unit from a field artillery unit to what they told us would be a transportation unit. I didn’t want to be a truck driver. I was going to go to OCS and become an officer, but I didn’t want to stay in a transportation unit. At that time they were taking volunteer truck drivers and sending them over to the Middle East to drive trucks in convoys which wasn’t a very safe thing to do at that time.
“I was offered the option to move to another unit or voluntarily discharge. I took the discharge. Then they decided to change it to an air defense artillery unit. I would have stayed if I had known that was coming, but don’t regret that decision I made for my family.
“I was called out to work during hurricanes and once to provide exterior security in Miami for a visit by the Pope. I was never deployed overseas. However, before the First Gulf War we were given orders to possibly deploy. We did our wills, packed our bags and packed all our vehicles to be ready to ship. I had everything sitting by the door ready to go when we got the call. We were officially attached to the 18th Airborne division in Germany; we were supposed to go there and take their place while they deployed elsewhere. But they discovered all the equipment we had was basically post-Vietnam era and couldn’t communicate to the more modern artillery control systems, so they pulled us back. We had to unpack everything and that was the beginning of the end for our unit.
“I enjoyed my service in the military. I enjoyed the work we did, being part of a team working together towards a goal. It was good experience. I had two secure radio teams I oversaw all the secure equipment for; we had all been together for years and got along very well. It was a good environment to be in.
“I was discharged in 1993, and by then I had gone to work for Sarasota County again. I was hired in Utilities as an operator trainee. When I was a field tech, I used to volunteer to work weekends on the booster stations they had, doing chlorine residuals and plant checks. At the time, there was only one licensed operator for the entire County. I enjoyed doing that, so when the opportunity came up, I went back into operations.
“The County didn’t have their own water plant at the time. All the water was purchased from Manatee County and City of Sarasota. So we ran the County system, which was a series of booster stations from University Parkway, in the beginning, all the way down past Sarasota Square Mall. We would do a route, checking the water quality
Jim explains the water production process to a group of new City employees in November 2023.
MEET YOUR COWORKER
Jim continued
and checking the stations every day, and did all our own maintenance work internally. The County put in a wellfield at University Parkway, so we started doing some minor treatment for that – pump it from the wells, put some chlorine in it, air strip the hydrogen sulfide and blend it with Manatee County water. We did that for years, then the County started purchasing all the small utilities in the area, and we took over Sorrento Shores in Nokomis. We had an RO (reverse-osmosis) plant there, one out at Plantation, and we put in a pilot electrodialysis reversal (EDR) unit at Sorrento Shores, and I ran that.
Above, Jim with two of his sons, Casey and Kameron, and Casey’s son Jenson. Below, Jim at the water plant off Warfield Ave
“(The County) finally built a water plant on the Carlton Reserve. For the last six months of construction, I was one of the operators who moved out there and got training on the plant. I worked there the first year after that plant went online. It was rough – there was a lot of debugging that had to be done, and that system required a lot of monitoring and maintenance. There were only six of us at the plant working 21 days on and one day off, providing drinking water to everyone from the Manatee County line to South Venice. The County was averaging about 14 million gallons of water a day, about six times more than we do here (at the City). We still had a crew to do routes every shift. We originally had two operators per shift for everything, and then when they built the new plant, half of us left and went there. At the time that Carlton came online, I was one of only about a dozen trained EDR operators in the country. That technology just wasn’t used a lot in the U.S. because it was expensive and labor-intensive.”
JUNE 2024
Jim spent eight years with Sarasota County this stint before moving, against his better judgement, to Canton, Ohio, with his wife at the time, who had also been working for the County.
“(In Ohio), I went to the police academy. I had always wanted to be a cop, and with family and obligations I was never able to find time to do it here. I became certified as a law enforcement officer in Ohio. I worked for the Village of Hills and Dales part-time as a patrol officer, and parttime at another company doing armed security. They had a contract with NASA doing tire testing and they were required to always have armed security onsite, hiring off-duty officers to provide it. I was also driving a route for a printing company; so I had three jobs all going at once.
“I loved being a police officer. I liked being able to help people; it was nice being able to go out and have an impact on the community. But working three jobs, it was a lot. We had just had our second son at that time too, so it was tough to have a family life.”
“Then we moved back here in 1998, and that’s when I got hired by the City of Venice. When I got back here, I had my A treatment license, and I needed a job right away. When the City called, I was working at the YMCA in one of their group homes for Children and Family Services as a counselor, but it didn’t pay well. I started with the City and went at night to the police academy at Manatee Technical College; I had to take the short course to get certified in Florida. I was not able to get on full time with any local departments. By the time I found one, I was
MEET YOUR COWORKER
Jim
continued
making more money as an operator here (in Utilities). I wound up volunteering with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and was an auxiliary sheriff’s deputy for 13 years. It was a blast – I got to work patrol, mostly in the northern part of Sarasota County, on Friday and Saturday nights when things were busiest. We also worked a lot of DUI checkpoints.”
“I’ve worked with nearly all the hurricane emergency storm teams (at the plant),” he said. “I’ll usually have two operators here, myself, a maintenance person, and sometimes Paul the head operator. Once we are ordered into that mode, we are locked in, staying here for the duration of the event. We’ve kept the treatment system operating through all the storms. During Ian, we actually isolated the water mains to the island. It was a great thing that we did because that’s where a lot of main breaks happen due to shifting ground from the rain and trees falling from the wind. We were able to keep good positive pressure in the system through the entire storm event. During Ian the water flooded the parking lot and got up to a few feet from one of our process buildings. It took out the Prius we had, flooding the battery and totaling it. But it was also the first hurricane since I’ve been here that we were able to keep all our process buildings continuously active. We had just put a new roof on building A. Before that it leaked constantly, forcing us to evacuate it during a storm.”
Jim, who has been working since he was 13, says he gets his work ethic from his father. “I’m just like him in that way,” he said. “He ran his business seven days a week because that’s what he had to do to take care of the family. I was a competitive swimmer and worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor during summers and school breaks making money to cover some of my sports expenses.”
Jim has been married to his wife Robin, who he met online, for three years now. “We talked for a long time before we met in person, then dated for eight years before we married,” he said. Robin works in Public Works in the Business Administration Office as a Senior Administrative Assistant for Sarasota County. Between them, the couple have five adult sons. Jim also has two grandchildren, with a third due in March.
Jim’s sons are Casey, 30; Kyle, 28; and Kameron, 19. Casey does logistics for a company in Ohio; he and his wife also have a horse farm. Kyle is a manager for a dispensary in Bradenton. Kam is entering his sophomore year at Kent State for aerospace engineering. Robin’s son Benjamin works for Sarasota County as a water operator, and her youngest Zachary is a student at SCF, pursuing a degree in education.
Casey’s son Jenson is 9 months old; Kyle’s daughter Violet is 8 months. Jim just learned that Casey and his wife are expecting again.
Jim and Robin have Harleys they ride on weekends whenever they can, and they also enjoy taking care of their dogs – Dixie, a shepherd mix; Kiki and Teddy, who are Yorkshire terriers; and Harley, a pit mix.
Jim also used to be pretty immersed in martial arts, with a black belt in tae kwon do and belts in jujitsu and pankration, an ancient Greek combat sport that combines boxing and wrestling. “I’ve always competed in one sport or another when I was younger and coached my kids sports teams from football to baseball. I started doing martial arts with the kids after my broken leg healed and we were looking for something to do together. I got really into it and kept doing it after they got bored and gave it up. When I got my black belt in tae kwon do, I started teaching and taking classes adding jujitsu and pankration. I did that until my jujitsu instructor blew my knee out during a promotion test.”
Jim also purchased 2 acres across the street from his oldest son’s 25-acre horse farm in Ohio – but he likely won’t end up there when he retires.
“I want to go no further north than North Carolina,” he said. “I’ve lived and worked in the heavy snow and don’t want to do that again. My wife’s mother lives in South Carolina, and someday we may move there. But I’d like to go a little further northwest, nearer the mountains. I want somewhere with a little bit of room.”
Jim with his wife Robin and grandson Jenson, 9 months.
TAKE A BOW
The following kudos from citizens, partner organizations, Council Members and co-workers demonstrate the incredible dedication and pride with which you serve the City. Thank you for continuing to make Venice a premier location to live, work, retire, and vacation to.
“On Aug. 8 at 11:44 a.m., we had an incident involving a light sport aircraft which lost power on final approach to Runway 23,” Airport Operations and Maintenance Manager Jim Eppley emailed Police Chief Thorpe and Fire Chief Giddens Aug. 12. “This resulted in the aircraft nearly striking the Circus Bridge prior to crashing upside-down just inside the perimeter fence at the Airport. I had just left the airfield to run an errand when I got the call. Upon returning within 3 minutes, I was astounded at the response from your agencies already arriving on scene. The men and women from both of your agencies were very professional in handling the situation and attending to the pilot and co-pilot. Also, Lt. Rob Goodson and Officer Roddy Cortes stood by as did Lt. Hunter Snyder with Fire Rescue while I did my investigation and worked with the FAA over the phone. Later in the day when it was time to remove the aircraft from the crash site, I called the Battalion Chief who dispatched the engine to stand by while the extraction of the aircraft was completed. Again, great cooperation and diligence from the engine crew. Especially being in full gear with their self-contained breathing apparatus and manning a charged line ‘just in case’ in 93-degree temperatures. Many thanks to all of the dedicated men and women of our Police and Fire departments. You are greatly appreciated by me and everyone at Venice Airport.”
City Clerk’s Office
“Just a note expressing my appreciation to you for always being there when I have a question,” resident Roger Effron emailed City Clerk Kelly Michaels Aug. 22. “Your explanation yesterday about Council Chambers’ sound system was very helpful to those who had a question about the matter. Also, your staff (Mercedes Barcia, Toni Cone, Amanda Hawkins-Brown and Tracey Smith) exhibit the highest level of customer service to me. They are always upbeat and friendly, and of course, put up with me and my humor! Please share with them how much I appreciate them on every occasion. Keep up the great work you do for the residents of this wonderful city.”
IT
“Help Desk Technician Anthony Garofalo has been a tremendous help in migrating our files over to SharePoint,” Engineering CRS Coordinator Christina Rimes emailed Director Roger Navarro Aug. 12. “When I had issues, he was prompt in his response and always so helpful. It is wonderful working with such a great person!”
PIO Lorraine Anderson also emailed Roger on July 31: “I just wanted to thank Anthony for his excellent customer service this morning, troubleshooting with a resident at the Seaboard charrette who was having wifi connectivity issues with her laptop. I appreciate all of you allowing me to crash your IT meeting with the problem and Anthony volunteering to see what was up. As he always is, Anthony was patient and kind with the resident and got her wifi up and running. Thanks Anthony, it is a pleasure to work with you!”
Utilities
“I wanted to pass along a compliment we received from Mr. O’Donnell at 1063 Elaine St.,” Customer Service Specialist Kendra Arce emailed Director Javier Vargas Aug. 9. ”He said he was immensely grateful for Technical Unit Supervisor Damien Stillings and his crew, Seth Smith, John Sweeney, Lee Krauss, and Mike Baez, who came out and found the leak that a detection company could not find (due to looking at the wrong meter). He had nothing but wonderful things to say and was so impressed with the customer service Damien provided. When I had mentioned that an adjustment request was already submitted to Finance on his behalf, he was over the moon. He said we ‘went above and beyond’ doing that for him.”
Continued on page 17
Utilities cont’d
“The customer from 248 S. Nokomis Ave., Grady Hough, called to say thank you to the crews for responding so quickly on the driveway issue,” Administrative Coordinator Danielle Smith emailed Office Manager Stacy McKenzie-Grant Aug. 8. “He was very impressed and said they came out much quicker than expected.” Stacy took the call and Field Operations Supervisor Vadim Bugayev responded.
After Technical Support Specialist Dennis Rodriguez replaced water meter box lids at 451 Daylily Blvd and 455 Daylily Blvd. on Aug. 13, customer Ron Turek emailed Danielle: “I want to compliment your tech. We had a nice discussion. He represents the City nicely.”
“Last Friday we had a scheduled tour for Leadership Venice that was on (former employee) Chloe Crouch’s calendar and WRF was notified somewhat last minute,” Administrative Coordinator Tracy Self emailed Assistant Utilities Director Patience Anastasio Aug. 16. “The group comes every year for a tour and demonstration from our solid waste on recycling. Because of TS Debby, our operations were overwhelmed with needs of the plant and surrounding areas they were monitoring. Being short-staffed as well, our Operator Trainee Zoran Vukic did an impromptu tour which was a great success. We wanted to give him thanks for his growing knowledge of the plant and being able to speak to our community, giving them an informative insight into our wastewater treatment plant.” Attached was a hand-written note from Barbara Hines with the Venice Chamber: “Thank you so much for the tour of the water treatment facility. I’ve been there several times but the explanation this time was so easy to understand. Kudos to your staff!”
“I received a called from Mrs. Wilson, owner of 523 Sawgrass Bridge Rd.,” Administrative Coordinator Kelly Treat emailed Plant Operator Nate Rine Aug. 16. “She said you were so nice and professional when she spoke with you last night in regard to the leak at her backflow. She is very grateful for the quick response you provided.”
Kelly also emailed Field Operations Specialist Dustin Little Aug. 29: “I spoke with Carol Jones from 1402 Colony Place in regards to the reclaimed leak. She wanted me to express her appreciation for the quick response with turning off the reclaimed water. She further stated that ‘you all are wonderful!’” Javier also emailed Dustin: “I wanted to take a moment to recognize the outstanding work you did, great customer service. Thank you for representing the City in such a professional manner.”
Congrats on your Promotion!
Joe Wagaman, promoted from Municipal Service Worker I to Heavy Equipment Operator in Public Works, effective Aug. 14.
Austin Fargo, promoted from Field Operations Tech II to Field Operations Tech III in Utilities, effective Aug. 20.
New ‘Olivia’ sculpture installed downtown
Tony Rosen and Chris Somers with Venice Public Works, at right, installed Venice Area Beautification’s latest statue girl downtown in mid-August. “Olivia” now resides in the VABI Bloom Team butterfly garden in the middle of Centennial Park.
“Tony and Chris went to a lot of time and trouble to make sure that Olivia was nicely displayed while having the security elements to keep her securely in place,” Linda Lewis with the Bloom Team wrote in an Aug. 15 email to the City. “Thanks to Tony and Chris for always going above and beyond in everything they do ”
UPDATES & ACTIONS
Aug. 27-28 City Council Meeting Recap
Venice City Council took the following actions at their regular Aug. 27 meeting that was continued to Aug. 28:
Approved on Consent Agenda: City Manager: Approve 2024 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP)
Human Resources: Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and Between the City of Venice and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1718.
Police: Accept Grant Award and Approve Agreement with the University of North Florida and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety High Visibility Education and Enforcement Campaign
Approved 7-0: The Purchase of a 23,800 Square Foot Parcel of Vacant Land Located Adjacent to 200 Warfield Avenue North (Parcel ID No. 0407160007) from Leslie Park Development Co. Inc., for a Purchase Price of $30,000.
Approved 7-0 on First Reading: Ordinance 2024-16 of the City of Venice, Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 87, Land Development Code, to Add Section 1.1.7. Inactive or Repealed District Application Process, to Amend Section 1.2 Common Review Procedures, Section 1.7.3. Planned District Zoning Amendments, Section 1.9.3. Specific Application Requirements, Section 1.10.1. Preliminary Plat (Quasi-Judicial Application), Section 2.2.5. Inactive Districts, Section 3.1.1 Building Height, Section 3.1.9. Accessory Uses and Structures, Section 3.2 Mixed Use Districts Frontage Requirements, Section 3.4. Streets and Sidewalks, Section 3.4.2. Sidewalks, Section 3.6.5. Design Standards, Figure 3.7.5.4 Encroachment into Divider Medians, Section 6.2.4. Telecommunications Towers, Section 7.8.1. Certificate of Architectural Compliance (CAC), Section 7.10.5. Roofs, Figure 7.10.5 Permitted Roof Materials, Chapter 89, Environmental Regulations, Section 2.3. Unique Habitats and Protected Species, All Pursuant to Text Amendment Petition No. 24-34AM, by Correcting Clerical Errors, Clarifying Certain Provisions, and Addressing Other Regulatory and Procedural Issues; Providing for Repeal of All Ordinances in Conflict Herewith and Providing for Severability.
Ordinance 2024-18 of the City of Venice, Annexing Certain Lands Lying Contiguous to the City Limits, Pursuant to Petition No. 24-01AN by Abdelrahman Ayyad and Sara Ayyad, into the Corporate Limits of the City of Venice, and Redefining the Boundary Lines of the City to Include Said Addition; Providing for Repeal of all Ordinances in Conflict Herewith and Providing for Severability.
Watch the complete Aug. 27 Council meeting here and Aug. 28 meeting here. Venice City Council meets in chambers at City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Council meeting minutes and audio and video recordings are typically available within 48 hours of each meeting date.
Firefighter/Paramedics Sworn In
New Venice Fire Rescue Firefighter/Paramedics Saul Tapia, Michael Meiser and Maria Orozco are sworn in by Deputy City Clerk Mercedes Barcia during the Aug 27 Council meeting, as Mayor Nick Pachota assists
UPDATES & ACTIONS
Aug. 27-28 Council Meeting Recap continued
Approved 6-1 on First Reading (Farrell dissenting): Ordinance 2024-19 of the City of Venice, Amending the 2017-2027 City of Venice Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map and Associated Pages Pursuant to Petition No. 24-02CP to Change the Future Land Use Designation of Specific Real Property Located at 2695 Curry Lane from Sarasota County Moderate Density Residential to City of Venice Institutional Professional (IP); Providing for Repeal of all Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; and Providing for Severability.
Ordinance 2024-20 Amending the Official Zoning Atlas of the City of Venice, Pursuant to Zoning Map Amendment Petition No. 24-03RZ, to Change the Zoning Designation for the Property Located at 2695 Curry Lane (5.0 ± Acres), from Sarasota County Open Use Estate 1 (OUE-1) to City of Venice Office, Professional and Institutional (OPI); Providing for Repeal of all Ordinances in Conflict Herewith and Providing for Severability; with the stipulation that a site and development plan shall not be approved until it can be demonstrated by the applicant that Southwest Florida Water Management District that permit issues for Curry Lane have been resolved, along with any other identified as causing flooding on Curry Lane. (Quasi-Judicial)
Approved 7-0 on Final Reading: Ordinance 2024-17 Amending City of Venice Ordinance No. 2023-34, as Previously Amended, Which Adopted the Official Budget of the City of Venice for the Fiscal Year Beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and Ending Sept. 30, 2024; by Increasing the Total Revenue by $778,083 and Total Expenditures by $778,083.
Approved 7-0 on First Reading: Ordinance 2024-21 of the City of Venice, Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 62, Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Places, Article II, Sidewalks, Section 62-31, Duty to Maintain Sidewalks and Area Between Sidewalk and Curb; Providing for Repeal of All Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; and Providing for Severability.
Approved 7-0: Resolution 2024-17 Providing for the City of Venice General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, to Elect Two Council Members for Three-Year Terms; and Designating Polling Places for the Election.
Resolution 2024-18 of the City of Venice, Relating to the State Revolving Fund Loan Program; Making Findings; Authorizing the Loan Application; Authorizing the Loan Agreement; Establishing Pledged Revenues; Designating Authorized Representatives; and Providing Assurances.
Resolution 2024-19 of the City Council of the City of Venice, Amending the City of Venice Personnel Procedures and Rules, 2020 Edition, by Amending Section 2.1, Access to Group Health Coverage.
Approved 7-0 on First Reading: Ordinance 2024-15 Amending the Official Zoning Atlas of the City of Venice, Pursuant to Zoning Map Amendment Petition No. 24-11RZ, to Change the Zoning Designation for the Property Located at 0 Border Road (39.62 ± Acres), from Sarasota County Open Use Estate (OUE) to City of Venice Residential Single Family 3 (RSF-3); Providing for Repeal of All Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; and Providing for Severability, with the stipulations agreed upon by the parties (QuasiJudicial). Prior to approval, Council had voted 5-2 (Boldt and Frank dissenting) to add the stipulation that the homeowners association will maintain the natural buffer at 70% opacity.
In Other Business, Council:
Voted 1-6 against holding another budget workshop. (Smith assenting)
Voted 1-6 against amending the FY2025 budget with a millage decrease of .1441 mills and incorporating the changes since the budget workshop as presented. (Smith assenting)
Voted 7-0 to approve changes to the FY2025 budget since the budget workshops.
Voted 7-0 to increase Charter Officer salaries 6% for the upcoming year.
Voted 7-0 to approve the 2025 State Legislative Priorities.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony set for Patriots Park
A 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The event will include first responders with emergency vehicles, speeches and tributes, Venice Police and Fire Rescue presenting the colors, a proclamation presented by Mayor Nick Pachota, Venice Fire Rescue bell ringing for those lost, and music. All are invited; bring chairs and water.
Patriots Park includes a 2-ton steel beam from the World Trade Center wreckage on Sept. 11, 2001, and a piece of rubble from the attack on the Pentagon.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
New Venice Museum exhibit to spotlight BLE
The Venice Museum is proud to announce the opening of “Financing a City: The History of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers” in October.
This seasonal exhibit features the story of the creation and growth of the labor union – BLE). As labor unions in the country grew in numbers, the BLE sought to invest in the Florida Land Boom with a new development in the sparsely settled community of Venice. This story details how and why a railroad union got involved with creating a “city on the gulf” and its continued impact on the Venice community today.
The exhibit is the first in a series of free educational history exhibits at the Venice Museum that will showcase Venice’s origins as we enter the City’s centennial celebration in 2025-2027.
The Venice Museum is located inside the historic Triangle Inn, listed on both the Venice Register of Historical Resources and the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the first and third Saturdays in October through April from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information about the exhibit, contact the museum at 941-486-2487 or visit www.venicemuseum.org.
Venice Beach Party
1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Venice Beach. Enjoy live music, food trucks, beer, wine and specialty drinks on the beach. Catch the free trolley running from Centennial Park to Venice Beach, plus free parking and free entry!
Save the date! Sun Fiesta returns to Centennial Park Friday through Sunday, Oct. 18, 19 and 20, with music, food, vendors and more. Don’t miss out on the bed races down Venice Avenue that Saturday morning!
Hosted by Venice MainStreet, Inc.
Sun Fiesta
Hosted by the Women’s Sertoma Club of Venice
School got underway for area students last month. Here are some of staff’s young stars, ready to hit the classroom on their first day.
Top row, from left: Abby (8th grade) and Anna (6th), daughters of VPD Administrative Assistant Caroline Moriarty; Logan (2nd), son of Engineering CRS Coordinator Christina Rimes; Ariel (5th), daughter of Rattana Wongsa, VPD Business Manager; and Dylan (12th), son of Planner Brittany Smith. Center: Children of IT Information Systems Manager Eric Tanner, Elizabeth (nursing student at Charlotte Tech), Eric (journeyman electrician at Suncoast Tech), Gabriel (studying aerospace and occupational safety at Embry-Riddle), and Hannah (6th grade). Bottom: Firefighter/Paramedic Eric Huovinen with Emric (1st) and Ember (preschool); and Sara (9th) and Anna (11th), daughters of Fire Lt. Derek Lowery.
Continued on page 24
At right: Desmond (3rd grade) and Elijah (1st), sons of IT Security Analyst Joelle Gurk. Middle row: Children of Assistant City Manager James Clinch, Lilly (3rd grade), Cora (5th) and Eli (9th grade, with mom Casey); Lilly (7th grade), daughter of Utility Billing Coordinator Jess Samson; and Emery (3rd grade) and Raegan (1st), children of Assistant Fire Chief Kyle Hartley. Bottom row: Jessalyn (4th grade) and Jonas (preK), children of Utilities Field Operations Foreman Adrian Rivera; Everly (5th grade), daughter of Senior Accounting Specialist Mel Mosser; Sophie and Luke (11th grade), twins of Deputy City Clerk Toni Cone; and Liam (5th grade), son of PIO Lorraine Anderson.
Continued on page 25
From far left, Dagny (5th grade), Tristan (1st), and 2-year-old Arwen, children of VPD Criminalistics Specialist Tawnie Murdock; Kam and Kai (kindergarten, with mom Candy), twins of Public Works Traffic Sign Tech Brad Holahan; and Alyson (7th grade) and Avery (5th), daughters of City Attorney Kelly Fernandez.
Do you know when to stop for a school bus? Know your school bus safety rules, and be ready to stop
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
VFR Firefighter/EMT Matthew
McKenzie married Micah Aiken on Aug. 8 at the Sarasota County Courthouse, left The bride is a radiology tech at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The couple took a cruise to the Bahamas for their honeymoon; they now reside in North Port Matt is the son of longtime City employee Stacy McKenzie-Grant, Utilities Office Manager, right. Matt has been with the City since April 2022
Venice Fire Rescue's newest Firefighter/ Paramedic, Maria Orozco, left, reached new heights in August, learning aerial and ladder truck operations, right, with the Station 51 Ashift crew
Utilities GIS Analyst Will Smith is portraying Major Metcalf in “The Mousetrap” at Venice Theatre through Sept. 15. Tracey Smith, Lorraine Anderson, Cordy Crane, Brianne Lorenz, Toni Cone and Amanda Hawkins-Brown attended the Aug 29 performance and cheered Will on.
The 2024 Staff Retreat was held Aug 7-8 at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center in Punta Gorda. Congrats to members of this year's winning Team Red, above: Monika Laszkowski, Stacy McKenzie-Grant, Jon Kramer, Kyle Hartley, Alan Bullock, Brenda Westlake, Mark Cervasio and Frank Giddens At left, Ashlee Castle, Joelle Gurk and James Clinch celebrated their birthdays at the event.
Stacy McKenzie-Grant and Sheila Young celebrate Danielle Smith’s Aug. 9 birthday and Kelly Treat’s Aug. 21 birthday at the water plant.
Lad Track, Chris Somers and Chris Bruns with Public Works installed new signage and landscaping at Ponce De Leon Park in late August
Immunization Trivia
1. True or False: Suicide affects people of all ages.
2. A mental health safety plan may include which of the following?
A. Recognizing warning signs
B. Contacting trusted friends or family
C. Contacting mental health professionals
D. All of the above
3. diagnose patients and manage medications.
A. Psychologists
B. Psychiatrists
C. Licensed Mental Health Counselors
D. Support groups
4. True or False: World Suicide Prevention Day is Sept. 10, 2024.
5. 1 in American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year.
WORKING ON WELLNESS
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide can touch anyone, anywhere and at any time. But it is not inevitable. There is hope. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, or chat https://988lifeline.org/chat/. If you or someone you know is in danger or self-harm seems imminent, call 911 immediately.
About the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential, 24/7 phone, text and chat line that connects individuals in crisis with trained counselors across the U.S.
There are specialized lines for veterans and LGBTQIA+ populations. You do not have to be suicidal or in crisis to call the Lifeline. People call to talk about coping with many topics: substance use, economic worries, relationships, sexual identity, illness, abuse, mental and physical illness, loneliness and more.
Calls to the Lifeline are routed to the nearest crisis center for connections to local resources for help.
Know the Warning Signs
Risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, and if it seems related to a painful event, loss or change. Here are some warning signs to be aware of for yourself and others:
Talking about or making plans for suicide.
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
Talking about being a burden to others.
Talking about being trapped or in unbearable pain.
Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Withdrawal or feeling isolated.
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge. Extreme mood swings.
WORKING ON WELLNESS
Self-care Tips for Mental Wellness
Everyone has mental health struggles from time to time. It is important to practice self-care to help keep your body physically, mentally and emotionally well. When taking care of yourself, consider each of the 5 pillars of self-care:
MENTAL: Find time to focus on something you enjoy.
Listen to an interesting podcast on your daily commute or walk
Make time to read, even if it’s just a few pages before bed
Say “Yes” to learning a new skill or professional development
Minimize technology time when you can
PHYSICAL: Critical to your overall well-being.
Keep up with and schedule regular preventive doctor visits
Address health issues as they arise, rather than prioritizing your busy schedule
Take care of your body by exercising and eating nourishing foods
SOCIAL: Time spent with friends, family and loved ones is part of what makes life so meaningful.
Start a hobby that connects you with others (sports league, book club, skill courses, etc.)
Check in with your friends and family regularly
Do not let social media take the place of REAL social interactions
EMOTIONAL: Work to understand your feelings and how to manage them.
Strengthen emotional regulation skills and coping mechanisms by signing up for therapy or engaging with free educational resources (i.e. EAP)
Spend time journaling to better understand your feelings
Practice observing your emotions, rather than reacting to them
SPIRITUAL: Connecting us to something larger than ourselves looks different for everyone.
Practice yoga, mindfulness or breathing exercises that connect you with yourself
Make chosen spiritual practice a priority. Start by setting aside just 5 to 10 minutes per day
Connect with a community that helps you boost your spiritual well-being
MENTAL WELLNESS TIP
There may be times when your mind may not be able to guide you in the right direction. Make a list now of actions you know improve your mental health. Keep it on hand and trust yourself to follow these actions in the tougher moments.
Personalized
Recommendations for Screening Tests & Vaccines
Click here
Meditation
Mark your calendar and join us at noon every 2nd Wednesday of the month for a 30-minute meditation with virtual instructor Soozie Kinstler.
Sept. 11 - Japa Meditation for Vitality and Power
Oct. 9 - Seated Yoga Nidrā Visualization for Letting Go (optional lie down)
Stretch of the Month:
Seated Figure 4 Stretch
From a seated position, bring your right ankle up to your left thigh.
Slowly, with a straight spine alignment, fold the torso forward toward the right shin until you feel a stretch in the right hip.
Hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
WORKING ON WELLNESS
Recipe of the Month: Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken
Recipe Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1/2 chicken
breast & 1 tbsp sauce
Total Calories: 256
Total Fat: 16g
Protein: 26g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Sodium: 417mg
Sugar: 0g
Find more: eatingwell.com
Ingredients:
2 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp salt plus 1/8 tsp, divided
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium lemon, sliced into 1/8-in rounds
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
Preparations:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat chicken dry with paper towels; sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt.
Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken; cook, undisturbed, until golden brown on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and arrange lemon slices around the chicken in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with thyme and rosemary.
Transfer to the oven; roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken and lemon slices to a cutting board; let rest for 5 minutes. Do not wipe the pan clean.
Heat lemon juice, pepper and the remaining 1/8 tsp salt in the pan over low heat. Whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time, until melted and a sauce forms, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in tarragon. Slice the chicken breasts in half; serve drizzled with the sauce.
14-Day Self-Care Challenge
Are you ready to prioritize your wellbeing? Join our 14-Day Self-Care Challenge and give yourself the attention you deserve!
Challenge Goal: For the next 14 days, dedicate time each day to doing something you enjoy. Record your activities and reflect on how they made you feel. Focus on actions that rejuvenate both your mind and body.
Reward: Participants who complete all 14 days and submit their challenge tracker will receive a $25 reward via direct deposit!
How to Participate:
No sign-up is needed. You can start at your own pace, but please note the submission deadline. Begin recording your activities using the 14-Day Self-Care Challenge tracker (emailed to staff 8/29). Submit your completed tracker no later than Friday, Sept. 20.
Submission Instructions: Save your tracker in the shared folder: S:\Wellness\2024 Self-Care Challenge.
Use the following naming format: Last name, First name - Self-Care Tracker.
Let’s make self-care a priority!
EMPLOYEE FAVORITES - RECIPES FOR YOUR COOKBOOK
Toni Cone
Deputy City Clerk
City Clerk’s Office
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack
pumpkin
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla
pudding mix
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Prep Time: 5 mins
Servings: 32
Yield: 4 cups
Calories: 63
Fat: 4g
Carbs: 8g
Protein: 0g
Pumpkin Dip
“This recipe is great for fall get-togethers,” says Toni. “I like it because it is easy to make, popular, and can be served with a variety of dippers: graham crackers, vanilla wafers, ginger snaps, apples, etc. It can be made with or without cream cheese. I also add cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.”
Instructions
1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Mix pumpkin, pudding mix, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl.
3. Fold in whipped topping.
4. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Have a recipe you’d like to share in the newsletter? Email it, along with a brief description of why it’s a family favorite and a photo of the dish if possible, to landerson@venicefl.gov. Make sure to double-check your ingredient list, cook time, and oven temperature.
Venice Police recognized Francesca Saracino on a Citizen Certificate of Appreciation for taking imm action to help a fellow Venice resident in need. On Francesca, who uses a cane to walk, stopped her helped a wheelchair-bound woman who was in the unable to move. This led to officer contact and the prevention of a crime in progress Francesca told believed God put her in the right place at the right She said she had not been recognized for anythin grade school and was beyond happy to receive this certificate. Well done! Francesca is pictured with Lt. Rob Goodson and Officers Roddy Cortes, Andrew Nelson and Kenite Webb.
At right, Venice firefighters extinguish a garbage fire that started smoking in the back of a City garbage truck Aug. 12.
At left, Public Works crews replace downed stop and street signs and repair damaged sidewalks following the impacts of Hurricane Debby. Pictured are Tim George, Brad Holahan, Dwayne Evans and Lou Casella
Left, after many months of anticipation, the Red Butterfly sculpture has been placed in the Monty Andrews Arboretum in West Blalock Park by Public Works. Monty Andrews himself, pictured at left with the piece, was instrumental in working with artist Luis Fernandez Lugufelo, who generously donated the sculpture to the City Venice was named a Monarch City by Monarch City USA in 2020, and a butterfly garden can be found at West Blalock Park.
A light sport aircraft overturned Aug. 8 upon landing at Venice Municipal Airport. Venice Police and Fire Rescue responded. Two males in the plane, the pilot and a passenger, were uninjured.
Getting to the root of the problem: The City’s Stormwater crew pulled this 100-foot fiscus tree root out of a culvert Aug. 15 near The Corso and Dawn Street.
A Community Workshop on the Venice Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan, led by engineering planning and design consultants Kimley-Horn, was held Aug. 29 in Community Hall at City Hall At right, Planning/GIS Analyst Kelsey Shope and Assistant City Engineer Jon Kramer look on.
Here’s a link for those who would like to contribute to the rebuild of Venice Police Lt. Mat Sauchinitz's home, following the flooding of their residence in Hurricane Debby: https://gofund.me/26a2d162. Lt Sauchinitz has been employed with VPD since 2008 and is a Marine Corps veteran. His wife Jill works for the VA and they have two young children.
A house update from Jill: “Our drywall is done and we have some electric and plumbing repairs coming up. We will soon be ordering doors, kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops, then the flooring will be installed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here for our family Your donations, support, and prayers have made all the difference, and we are forever grateful.”
The Venice Police Marine Unit and Sea Tow Venice worked together to retrieve the Venice Fishing Pier camera and pole from the water following Storm Debby, as shown in these drone photos taken by Don Hubbard.
In Memoriam David Lane
I still vividly remember my first encounter with David Lane. We were both working in different municipalities at the time, but in the same field. His deep Southern accent was a bit of a challenge at first, but it quickly became part of his charm.
David made a remarkable impression by swiftly navigating the “Welcome to Florida” indoctrination process and earning his license as a building inspector with the Building Code Administrators & Inspectors Board. This was just the beginning of what turned out to be a short but incredibly impactful career.
David went on to achieve numerous certifications, including his Building Code Administrator license, residential inspector, and coastal construction license, among others. His passion for the building industry was evident in everything he did. He enjoyed engaging in discussions about our industry and was always eager to share his knowledge. More than that, David was a remarkable mentor to anyone willing to learn the trade.
His dedication and influence have left a lasting mark on all of us who had the pleasure of working with him. As we reflect on his contributions and the positive impact he had, let us remember the enthusiasm and expertise he brought to our profession.
– Building Official Derek Applegate
William “David” Lane, 62, a former Inspector with the City’s Building Department, died July 25, 2024, after a long battle with cancer He passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side
David was born and raised in Maryville, Tenn., spending all of his life there until moving to Florida eight years ago. He worked in the construction industry for over 40 years. He was a passionate, caring and hard-working man who cherished his family and always wanted to help others He loved the Lord and never missed an opportunity to preach, always known to have a prayer or scripture ready for anyone.
David worked for the City of Venice for nearly 4½ years as a Building Inspector, from September 2019 through January 2024 His youngest son Ethan currently works for the City’s Public Works Department and is a trained EMT.
David started his career in masonry and switched to carpentry, which led to a supervisory role for Leon Williams General Contractor in Maryville, where he worked from 1989-1996 He went on to be self-employed for 18 years as a building contractor, operating his own construction business. He always did the work on each of his jobs and with his hands on every phase of the construction; he loved it, Ethan said. He did site layout, concrete footer pours, grade work, framing, plumbing, sheetrock, paint and flooring, among other tasks, and did both residential construction and commercial buildouts
“I look back on when he was self-employed, and it’s just incredible how much he did to support our family,” Ethan said
When Ethan was around 11 the family moved to a 3-acre property in the Walland, Tenn., area. “Dad and I were cleaning it up together. There was this half-constructed structure on the property that we tore down. We worked together and built a chicken coop and a treehouse; we converted an old carport into a barn and had a couple donkeys for a while. It was good, simple living. The property had a grapevine and a plum tree, and we started putting in our own gardens.”
David had also been a superintendent with Harbin Construction in Knoxville and was superintendent for the New Maryville post office
“As a teenager, there was so many construction jobs I went on with him,” Ethan said
Once he moved to Florida, David was a superintendent/construction manager for The Arbas Group in Englewood from 2016-2017, then worked as a Field Inspector in Building & Planning for the City of North Port from 2017 to 2019 before coming to Venice.
David Lane with his wife Tammie and children Ethan and Rosita.
PASSINGS
David Lane continued
David was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June 2023 and had his first surgery in July of that year Chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed. “That first surgery went really well,” Ethan said. “By October he was walking around and doing stuff – he even came back to work here.” But by December, following some medical setbacks, David’s quality of life was declining, Ethan said.
David was able to be part of the process of Ethan’s sister Rosita buying a house in Sebring, Fla., and attend Ethan’s graduation from the fire academy in mid-December, both of which meant a lot to him, he said.
His dad often joked and goofed around, but he could also be so serious and passionate, Ethan said “He was the best father I could ask for really,” Ethan said. “He never liked to hear excuses of ‘I can’t’ and always encouraged instead He always said, you can do anything you want if you put your heart into it He enjoyed his trade and wanted others to give their all to their trade I admired that about him I always felt he was a true Southern gentleman, and there are not many of them left.”
David leaves behind his wife Tammie of 31 years; his children, David, Brittany, Rosita and Ethan; and multiple
grandchildren An outdoor celebration of life with family was held Aug 8 in Townsend, Tenn , with inurnment set for late September, around David’s birthday, in the family plot in a cemetery in Townsend.
BULLETIN BOARD
BULLETIN BOARD
BULLETIN BOARD
