December 2024 EMPLOYEE Newsletter

A DIGITAL PUBLICATION FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF VENICE GOVERNMENT

Veterans on staff recognized for their service

to the Team

Did you know that over 10 percent of the City’s workforce are United States veterans? For Veterans Day this year, City Manager Ed Lavallee, along with Mayor Nick Pachota and department heads, recognized the 40 men and women who have served our country and now serve our community.

A Veterans Recognition Team comprised of Executive Assistant Cordy Crane, Planning Coordinator Rebecca Paul, Public Works Electrical Maintenance Technician Tony Rosen and Fire Rescue Office Manager Ashley Griffin organized the acknowledgments. Rebecca and Cordy designed a challenge coin and certificate given to each veteran in brief presentations in each department.

Thank you COV veterans! Your commitment to public service continues to inspire us all.

The following veterans were recognized:

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Jeff Steele has served the City since 2016, beginning in Public Works and now as a Maintenance Technician at Venice Airport.

Continued on pages 2-5

Paul Cignarale Investigative Aide, Police

Elizabeth Joiner Office Manager, Public Works

Brandon Kuhl Plant Operator Trainee, Utilities

Kevin Lashaway Carpenter, Public Works

to the Team

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

John Mankowski Head Operator, Utilities/Wastewater

Victor Snyder Firefighter/EMT, Fire Rescue

Brett Sutherland Technical Support Specialist, Utilities

Jeff Tower Help Desk Technician, IT

U.S. Army Veteran Louis White has served the City since 2014 as a Venice Police Officer and Special Operations Lieutenant. During his active duty service from 2010 to 2014 and reserve service from 2014 to 2017, White collected Human Intelligence and conducted Counterintelligence operations in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Veteran Robert Santa has served the City since 2022 as a Venice Police Officer.

U.S. Army Veteran Kasey Ledford has served the City since 2024 as the Community Outreach Case Manager.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Jim Davis has served the City since 2017 as a Community Resource Officer and Supervisor. During his active duty service from 1984 to 1994, Davis earned the Marine of the Year, the Military Excellence Award, and multiple Marine Corps Meritorious Awards and promotions.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Bill Long has served the City since 2006 as a Venice Police Officer.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Keith Silva has served the City since 2017 as a Venice Police Officer.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Mathew Sauchinitz has served the City since 2008 as a Venice Police Officer and now as a Lieutenant.

U.S. Navy Veteran Dave Skinner has has served the City since 2019 as a Venice Police Detective.

U.S. Army Veteran Rodrigo Morales has served the City since 2015 as a Venice Police Officer and, most recently, a VPD Sergeant.

U.S. Air Force Veteran Fred Thiessen has served the City since 2018 as a Venice Police Officer.

U.S. Air Force Veteran Isaac Murray has served the City since 2023 as a Venice Police Officer.

U.S. Navy Veteran Dennis Rodriguez has served the City since 1992 as a Utilities Technical Support Specialist.

U.S. Army National Guard Veteran Jim Anderson has served the City since 1998 as a Water Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor.

U.S. Navy Veteran Scott Hart has served the City since 2007, beginning in Utilities and Solid Waste/Recycling, and now as a Utilities Mechanic.

U.S. Army Veteran Will Smith has served the City since 2015, beginning in Planning and Zoning, and now as a Utilities Geographic Information System Analyst. During his active duty service from 2005 to 2011, Smith deployed as a Topographic Analyst to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-2007, 2007-2009, and 2010-2011.

U.S. Navy Veteran John Sweeney has served the City since 2020 as a Utilities Technical Support Specialist.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Jerry Benoit has served the City since 2021 as a Utilities Instrument Control Specialist.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Brian Collins has served the City since 2023 as a Venice Fire Rescue Paramedic.

U.S. Navy Veteran Ashley Griffin has served the City since 2024 as a Venice Fire Rescue Office Manager.

U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Ed Van Deusen has served the City since 2002 as a Venice Fire Rescue firefighter and has worked his way through the ranks of lieutenant and currently Batallion Chief.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Kord Webb has served the City since 2024 as a Venice Fire Rescue Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician.

U.S. Army Veteran Cory Storch has served the City since 2022 as a Venice Fire Rescue Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician.

U.S. Army Veteran Jeff Hackett has served the City since 2016 as a Stormwater Technician in the Engineering Department.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

U.S. Army Veteran Brittany Smith has served the City since 2022 as a Planner.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Michael Reeves has served the City since 2015 as a Building Inspector.

U.S. Army Veteran Robert Schenck has served the City since 2021 as a Building Inspector. During his active duty service from 1985 to 1990 and 2001 to 2002, Schenck served as a Paratrooper and Tactical Intelligence Analyst, among other critical roles, with the 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Infantry Division, and 1079th Garrison Support Unit.

U.S. Army Veteran Derek Applegate has served the City since 2023 as the Building Official.

U.S. Army National Guard Veteran Steven Simpson has served the City since 2023 as an IT Senior Network Engineer.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Don Hubbard has served the City since 2017, starting in Utilities and now in IT as a Geographic Information System Administrator and drone pilot.

U.S. Army Veteran George Elie has served the City since 2023 as a Solid Waste Equipment Operator.

U.S. Navy Veteran Tony Rosen has served the City since 2016 as a Public Works Electrical Maintenance Technician.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Joe Wagaman has served the City since 2024 with roles in Public Works, most recently as a Heavy Equipment Operator. During his active duty service from 1997 to 2001, Wagaman earned the Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Medal.

U.S. Army Veteran Rob Bondurant has served the City since 1995 with roles in Public Works, most recently as a Public Works Heavy Equipment Operator.

U.S. Navy Veteran Steve Timmer has served the City since 2023 with roles in Public Works, most recently as a Public Works Stormwater Crew Leader. During his active duty service from 1986 to 1991, Steve earned the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, and Combat Action Ribbon.

U.S. Air Force Veteran Cordy Crane has served the City since 2020, first in Engineering and now as the Executive Assistant to the City Manager. Cordy leads the Veterans Recognition Team, exemplifying her commitment to supporting fellow veterans and the community. More photos, page 5

Milestones

5 Years

Paul Lauffer, Dec. 2 Fire Rescue

Samantha Lobsinger, Dec. 2 Fire Rescue

Donald Morrell, Dec. 2 Fire Rescue

Barry Spinweber, Dec. 2 Fire Rescue

Ruth Ann Unruh, Dec. 2 Fire Rescue

Brad Vaught, Dec. 2 Fire Rescue

Patience Anastasio, Dec. 16 Utilities

THANK

Dec. 20 Pay Day

Vacation buyback – IAFFU

Premium OT Fire (Kelly cycle

Dec. 15-Jan. 10)

Jan. 3 Pay Day

Fire & Police education

Special thanks to the Veterans Recognition Team, pictured at left -Fire Rescue Office

Manager Ashley Griffin, Planning Coordinator

Rebecca Paul, Executive Assistant Cordy Crane, and Public Works Electrical

Maintenance

Technician Tony Rosen

At right is the front and back of the Veterans Challenge Coin designed by Rebecca and Cordy, featuring the logos of the military branches

Boldt, Engelke sworn in to Council seats

As their wives Donna and Janet looked on, returning City Council Member Jim Boldt and new Council Member Kevin Engelke were sworn in Nov. 19 by Deputy City Clerk Mercedes Barcia.

In the Nov. 5 election, Engelke received 53.86% of the vote for Seat 3 over opponent Pat Ouellette. Boldt garnered 54.20% of the vote for Seat 4 over opponent Joan Iacono.

Boldt, first elected in 2021, had a long career in the chemical industry. After several management positions, he and a couple of partners purchased Wayne Pigment Corp. in 1989. He sold his interest in 2004, went on to join his wife's family's chemical distribution firm, Deeks & Company Inc., as VP-Sales and finally as Chief Operating Officer before its sale in 2018. The Boldts have owned property here since 2010 and moved to Venice full time in 2018. During the Nov. 19 Council meeting, Boldt was voted Vice Mayor for the third time.

With over 43 years of experience in the insurance industry, Engelke built a career as a broker specializing in placing hard-to-insure commercial property and casualty accounts. He is known for designing complex insurance programs and collaborating with other brokers and insurance companies.

Find out more about City Council members here.

MPO Joyce named 2024 Marine Officer of the Year

Congratulations to VPD Master Police Officer Paul Joyce for his selection as the 2024 Florida Marine Intelligence Unit Marine Officer of the Year for 2024. Paul was given the award in a surprise presentation Dec. 3 at the Shores Resort in Daytona Beach. He was praised for being ever-present and highly visible, and for embodying what a marine officer is, both onand off-duty. Paul also heads up annual community events like the Shark’s Tooth Fishing Tournament for disabled athletes and the Blue Santa toy drive for families in need. Well deserved Officer Joyce!

VPD Officers Andrew Nelson and Steven Short have successfully completed the Institute of Police Technology & Management Traffic Crash Reconstruction Level II course, the highest level of crash reconstruction training. This advanced education equips our officers to analyze and reconstruct traffic incidents with precision, ensuring safer outcomes for all involved. While this training is invaluable, VPD aims to see it rarely put to use. By adhering to focusing on the road and roadways signals, following traffic lights, yielding to pedestrians, and practicing safe driving habits, Venice drivers play a vital role in keeping our roads safe. Let’s continue promoting these positive driving behaviors together. Congrats to Officers Nelson and Short!

Officers complete crash reconstruction training

City breaks ground for ‘Old Betsy’ Display Museum

A groundbreaking was held Nov. 7 for the future site of the “Old Betsy” Display Museum building at 343 Nassau St.

Front and center at the event was former City Council Member and firefighter Earl Midlam, the main caretaker of Old Betsy, the City’s restored 1926 American LaFrance fire engine. The pumper served the Venice community for many decades before being retired and driven by Earl in local parades. It is currently housed in a warehouse off East Venice Avenue in the Seaboard district.

Earl initiated a campaign to build the small museum on the Cultural Campus across from the Triangle Inn/Venice Museum. Earl’s wife Karen joked Nov. 7 that “my husband has a mistress and it’s red with four wheels and a siren. But I’m not the jealous type.”

A rendering of the museum includes a wall of windows so Old Betsy can be viewed at any time, and a covered area with benches. Architect for the project is Beebe Design Studio Architects.

The project will take an estimated 6 months to complete, with engineer Kimley-Horn and Associates and contractor Willis Smith Construction.

At left, City Manager Ed Lavallee, Vice Mayor Jim Boldt, Mayor Nick Pachota, Karen and Earl Midlam, and Council Members Rachel Frank, Ron Smith and Joan Farrell at the groundbreaking At right, Earl Midlam in the driver’s seat of the restored 1926 American LaFrance fire engine

Old Betsy Museum project gets underway

Clockwise from top left, Earl Midlam shares a laugh with Assistant City Manager James Clinch; staff at the Nov. 7 groundbreaking; Earl drives Old Betsy in a recent Venice Holiday Parade downtown with his wife Karen and Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer; a rendering of the display building; the display construction site as seen from the Triangle Inn in early December

FROM THE DESK OF

Stay safe while holiday shopping online

With the holiday shopping season upon us, cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts to target unsuspecting shoppers. A recent phishing campaign, attributed to a Chinese threat actor known as SilkSpecter, highlights the importance of staying vigilant when shopping online. This campaign mimics popular e-commerce brands to steal personal and financial information, leveraging tactics such as fake discount offers and typosquatted domains.

Here’s what you need to know about these scams and how to protect yourself:

How the Scam Works

Fake websites: Criminals set up bogus websites that look almost identical to legitimate e-commerce sites (e.g., "northfaceblackfriday[.]shop") to lure shoppers with nonexistent discounts.

Joelle Gurk Security Analyst

Joelle Gurk is the City’s Security Analyst in the IT Department. Contact her at jgurk@venicefl.gov.

Stolen financial information: These websites use deceptive checkout processes, often abusing legitimate payment processors like Stripe to collect your credit card details.

Geolocation adaptation: Using tools like Google Translate, these sites tailor their language to match your location, making them seem even more credible.

Data harvesting: Beyond financial data, scammers also collect personal information such as phone numbers, which they use for follow-up smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing) attacks.

Broader Tactics in Play

SEO poisoning: Cybercriminals manipulate search engine results by using malware to rank fake shopping sites higher, directing users to fraudulent pages.

Exploitation of trust: By impersonating trusted brands, they bypass consumer skepticism and security measures to access accounts and execute unauthorized transactions.

Postal Delivery Scams: Outside of shopping fraud, scammers also send fake package delivery notifications to steal personal and financial details.

How to Protect Yourself

Verify Website Authenticity: Check the URL carefully for misspellings or unusual domains (e.g., “.top,” “.shop,” “.store”).

Continued on page 11

FROM THE DESK OF: JOELLE GURK

Navigate directly to a retailer’s official website instead of clicking on links in emails or search engine ads.

Be skeptical of discounts that seem too good to be true: Cross-check deals on the retailer’s official website or reliable sources. Use secure payment methods: Avoid entering card details directly on unfamiliar websites. Use secure payment services like PayPal or virtual credit cards for an added layer of protection.

Protect personal information: Never provide sensitive details (e.g., phone numbers, 2FA codes) unless you’re certain of the site’s legitimacy.

Look for security indicators: Ensure the website uses HTTPS (a padlock symbol in the browser bar) and read customer reviews to verify its legitimacy.

Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages: If you receive unexpected messages about discounts or package deliveries, go to the company’s official site or contact them directly.

Keep software up to date: Install updates for your browser, antivirus software, and operating system to protect against malware that could redirect you to malicious sites.

Monitor financial statements: Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity immediately.

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

Report suspicious sites to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local authorities. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to freeze or monitor accounts.

Change your passwords for any compromised accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

Stay Safe, Stay Smart

As holiday shopping excitement builds, so does the risk of falling victim to online scams. By staying cautious, verifying sources, and using secure payment methods, you can enjoy the season while keeping your personal and financial information safe from cybercriminals.

PRESIDENTS PROGRAM AWARDS

Awards for City line employees for qualifying behavior going above and beyond normal expectations.

$100 Ben Franklin

Who: Tracey Smith. Department: City Clerk’s Office. Date: Dec. 4. Reason: There is nothing more frustrating than searching for a record that you know should be there, but isn’t. That was the case when City Clerk Kelly Michaels (pictured at right with Tracey) was looking for a petition of 902 names that was presented to the City Council on April 28, 2009. The presenting of the petition was captured in the summary minutes, but the actual petition itself was not in Laserfiche. Records Clerk Tracey spent hours on a deep dive into the records search of Laserfiche, paper records and finally directory

records that had been migrated to Sharepoint. She hit the jackpot and not only found and scanned the missing record safely into Laserfiche but reviewed agenda packet records from 2008-2011 from the days before Legistar to make sure the entire record was present and readable in Laserfiche. Thank you, Tracey!

$50 Ulysses Grant

Who: Rhonda Rogers. Department: Historical Resources. Date: Nov. 25. Reason: On Sept. 6, Rhonda did a Facebook post on sawfish, including an image of Elisha “Pappy” Turner from the 1920s with three of them. His granddaughter came to the Museum after seeing the post and talked with Rhonda about her grandfather. That led to Rhonda getting Historical Resources staff invited to the Turner family reunion in Venice. There, staff was able to have family members identify individuals in photos previously donated to the archives. In addition, more historic images of the area from the 1930s and ‘40s were donated by the family. Staff was invited to join the Turners as they went out to Turner Key (just north of Snake Island) where the family had lived. And finally, the granddaughter and her father – the last living child of Pappy – came by the Laning Archives Center for an oral history interview. Rhonda (at right with Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer) coordinated getting staff to the picnic, collecting information there from family members, and setting up the oral histories. Thanks to Rhonda’s quick reaction in response to an opportunity, Historical Resources gained a lot more information on the Turner family, Snake Island, the Tarpon Fishing Club where Crow’s Nest now stands, and life in the Venice-Nokomis area in the 1920s and ‘30s.

$20 Andrew Jackson

Who: Monica Thompson and Ugur Anahtarci. Department: Police. Date: Dec. 2. Reason: Monica Thompson and Ugur Anahtarci (at right with Chief Thorpe and Records Manager Kelli Peyton) demonstrated outstanding initiative and teamwork by spending a full day with Human Resources Director Alan Bullock, showcasing the essential operations and responsibilities of the VPD Records Department. Their efforts not only highlighted the critical role VPD plays in daily operations but also enhanced understanding and collaboration across teams.

Who: Steven Short. Department: Police. Date: Dec. 2. Reason: Officer Steven Short’s quick thinking and resourcefulness significantly benefited the community following Hurricane Milton. After the hurricane, the Yellowfin trailer was submerged in mud, rendering the trailer tongue inaccessible for standard towing. Recognizing the urgency, Officer Short took decisive action. He commandeered a WCIND tractor and successfully unburied the trailer, enabling it to be hooked up to a truck. Officer Short’s initiative and problem-solving skills not only ensured the recovery of the trailer but also saved VPD hundreds of dollars in potential recovery costs.

Council Member Appreciation Plaque Presentation

Outgoing Council Member Helen Moore receives an appreciation plaque during the Nov. 19 Council meeting from Mayor Nick Pachota and City Manager Ed Lavallee for her 6 years of service on City Council Mayor Pachota thanked her for her service, calling her a mentor and wonderful colleague

Housing Authority Executive Director Recognition

Martha Thomas’ 16 years of service as Executive Director of the Venice Housing Authority is recognized Nov 19 by Council Member Rachel Frank as Mayor Pachota and City Manager Lavallee look on.

VPD Sergeant Swearing-in

Venice Police Officer Diana Kauoris is promoted to Sergeant during a swearing-in by Deputy City Clerk Mercedes Barcia during the Nov. 19 Council meeting, as Mayor Pachota assists, above. Police Chief Charlie Thorpe then pinned on Sgt Kauoris' badge, below left Diana is also pictured with her wife, Danielle

Nov. 19 City Council Meeting Recap

Venice City Council took the following actions at their Nov. 19 meeting:

Approved on Consent Agenda: City Attorney: Settlement Agreement with Dewberry Architects, Inc. and TLC Engineering Solutions, Inc.

Approved 7-0: Resolution 2024-23 of the City Council of the City of Venice, Designating the 500 to 700 Blocks of West Venice Avenue Inclusive of the Adjacent Heritage Park as a Canopy Road Per City Code Chapter 89 Environmental, Section 3.4.9.

Watch the complete Nov. 19 meeting here. Venice City Council is currently meeting in Community Hall Room 165. Council meeting minutes and recordings are typically available within 48 hours of each meeting date.

Resolution 2024-25 of the City Council of the City of Venice, Providing for the Temporary Waiver of Certain Building Permits and Fees for Properties Affected by Hurricanes Helene or Milton Within the Municipal Boundaries of the City of Venice.

Resolution 2024-28 of the City Council of the City of Venice, Approving the Exercise of the Power of Eminent Domain by the Rustic Oaks Community Development District for the Acquisition of Privately Owned Real Property Interests Beyond the District Clouding Title to Ranch Road and Rustic Road.

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Improvements to 640 W. Venice Ave. in the Local Register of Historical Resources, and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Covenant Between the City of Venice and the Owners of 640 W. Venice Ave.

Approved 7-0 on Final Reading: Ordinance 2024-27 of the City of Venice, Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 46, Parks and Recreation, Article I, In General, Section 46-5, Naming or Renaming a City-Owned Facility or Park; Providing for Repeal of All Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; and Providing for Severability.

Approved 7-0 on First Reading: Ordinance 2024-28 Amending the City of Venice Ordinance No. 2024-25, Which Adopted the Official Budget of the City of Venice, for the Fiscal Year Beginning Oct. 1, 2024 and Ending Sept. 30, 2025; by Increasing the Total Revenue by $8,350,500 and Total Expenditures by $8,350,500.

In Other Business, Council Approved 6-1 (Council Member Frank dissenting): Direct staff to pursue a consultant to update the fee study, and update the current Planning and Zoning fees, and identify potential costs and requirements for a budget amendment.

Hout named Solid Waste, Recycling & Fleet Superintendent

The City has named Travis Hout, Public Works Fleet and Facilities Manager since 2017, as the new Solid Waste, Recycling and Fleet Superintendent. Hout started in his new role Nov. 18.

Hout assumes the role from Bob Moroni, a 42-year employee with the Solid Waste division in Public Works who retired in

Hout is originally from Northeast Ohio and grew up on a farm. “Being around hard work, trucks, mechanics and large equipment has always been a part of my life,” he said. “It gives me a real sense of accomplishment at the end of each hard day, and the ability to think and create.”

Hout worked for FedEx for about 20 years in roles ranging from dock worker to driver to management. Before coming to the City of Venice in April 2017, he worked for a food distributor in Sarasota, managing the delivery and transportation department as well as overseeing the department’s maintenance. He holds national certifications in fleet and asset management, and FEMA certifications in debris and damage assessment.

Hout says he hopes to bring modernization, efficiencies, community outreach, team building, and synergies with other departments both internal and external to his new post with the City.

“What I like about Venice is the opportunity to grow and the feel of a small hometown,” he said.

Married for over 20 years, Travis and his wife Carol have three children. Hout also holds an associate’s degree in Bible Theology from Southwest Florida Bible College in Port Charlotte and is an ordained minister. He is a member of the Solid Waste Association of North America and Florida Association of Governmental Fleet Administrators.

When he’s not working, Travis enjoys watching comedy shows and sports and “just relaxing and being spontaneous.”

“Travis’ commitment and dedication to the success of the City of Venice is above and beyond expectations and does not go unnoticed,” said Assistant Public Works Director Ashlee Castle. “He is driven and geared toward creating and fostering an innovative environment within the Solid Waste division while continuing to focus on keeping the customer service experience exceeding expectations. He is a great addition to the team and will continue to be a valuable asset to the City.”

Said Assistant City Manager James Clinch, “Our Solid Waste and Fleet divisions have an amazing track record of hard work, customer service and efficiency. We are pleased to have Travis and his wealth of expertise leading this vital division for the City. We are very confident Travis will strive to maintain this legacy while also working to deliver innovative improvements that will benefit our community for years to come.”

City meetings move to Community Hall as Council Chambers is renovated

Due to the renovation of Council Chambers at Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., all City meetings have been relocated to Community Hall Room 165, pictured at right.

Please be advised there will be limited seating capacity, so residents who will not be speaking, or presenting a case, are encouraged to view the meetings online either during live streaming during the meeting, or by video viewing from the meeting calendar afterward. As always, anyone wishing to speak in person will be accommodated during this temporary relocation.

To watch a meeting online during live streaming, use this link to the City of Venice Meeting Calendar: https://venice.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Click on “In Progress” to the far right of the City meeting on this date.

To view a meeting afterward, go to the Meeting Calendar. Click on “Video” to the far right of the City meeting on the date of interest.

The Council Chambers renovation project will involve important audio video technology upgrades, a new Council dais, security enhancements, the addition of a hearing loop, and all new audience seating and carpeting. Project progress is pictured below on Nov. 26, at left; and on Dec. 9, at right. The renovation is expected to take several months to complete.

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.

“This letter is to express our sincere appreciation for the City of Venice's efforts and accomplishments after the two recent hurricanes,” resident Bill Henderson wrote Mayor Nick Pachota and City Manager Ed Lavallee Nov. 4. “ We all know that the combination of Helene and Milton left a devastating effect on the City and within our Point White Cap (PWC) community, the likes of which has not been seen in our lifetimes. The City's actions to handle the enormous destruction and the removal of the overwhelming volume of debris was, in our view, beyond expectations. We thank the managers involved in this noteworthy task and the direction administered by the City fathers. We would also like to take this occasion to bring to your attention the actions and service of two of your highly qualified and appreciated employees: Building Official Derek Applegate and his staff organized and conducted an in-house meeting to share with our PWC community the roles of the Building Department along with their obligations to FEMA and the requirements of the community – and specifically the Board of Directors – in the permitting and rebuilding process. Without this important insight and direction, we would not have been able to proceed in an organized and timely manner. Derek's kind offer and the information imparted to us was invaluable and speaks to the interest in and dedication to the residents of the City of Venice. Assistant Public Works Director Ashlee Castle and her staff provided unsurpassable and timely removal of the massive debris that we accumulated on our property and within our community. After Hurricane Helene, with Hurricane Milton on its tail, Point White Cap’s association through our Board of Directors financially arranged to have the debris removed from our property. We knew the City would be unable to accommodate all areas on Venice Beach, and we accepted our role as "good citizens" to assure wind from the oncoming hurricane did not create flying objects that would cause additional property damage. We were also concerned about the potential impact on the health and safety of individuals and that debris would perhaps wind up in Roberts Bay, causing untold environmental damage. After Milton, we again accumulated additional massive amounts of debris from demolition of the interior of our units, destroyed appliances, and loss of personal property and goods. When Ms. Castle was contacted about our continued plight, she visited our site and within a day arranged to begin removal of our debris. Within a very few days, most, if not all, of our unhealthy, unsightly, and dangerous debris was removed. We believe that at least these two employees deserve special acknowledgement from both our community and from the City of Venice in general. It continues to be our pleasure to live in Venice and to know that our interest continues to be viewed by a conscientious and responsive City government.”

“I just wanted to share that Justin McBride with the West Coast Inland Navigation District spoke very highly of the City’s drone operators and capabilities at WCIND’s Board meeting last Friday,” City Attorney Kelly Fernandez emailed Assistant City Manager James Clinch Nov. 11. “He shared that the quality and timeliness of the drone footage of the South Jetty was invaluable in getting a positive response from the feds and encouraged the board (1 County Commissioner each from Lee, Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota) to institute a similar drone program in their jurisdictions if they didn't already have one.”

Special Events Coordinator Brianne Lorenz emailed members of VPD and Public Works Dec. 1: “Excellent Holiday Parade everyone, tremendous effort on the staging, barricade deployment and pivoting, pivoting the exit and unloading areas, and handing all of the other incredible tasks that happen right up to and during the parade without the public knowing. Can’t do it without you and your teams, thank you for another successful and safe event!”

Continued on page 18

TAKE A BOW

Cashier’s Office

Resident Victor Manning called to say he worked with Customer Service Specialist Kendra Arce who is “very delightful, wonderful voice, very nice, and a pleasure! She’s just absolutely wonderful!” Director Linda Senne reported Nov. 25. Linda added: “Thanks Kendra, you are such an asset to the team! We appreciate you.”

Fire Rescue

“To everyone at the Fire Department, my life is one you all touched and saved March 3, 2023,” resident Don Johnson wrote in a Thanksgiving card to VFR “I live at 865 South Green Circle in Country Club Estates and had a cardiac arrest. You responded, and with your care and expertise I am so thankful to be alive. God bless you all, your family and friends.” Don’s card states: ‘Lives are touched by so many things you do throughout the year, Thanksgiving seems like a perfect time to give thanks for the blessing of you.”

Planning and Zoning

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kathy Lehner emailed James Clinch Dec. 3 concerning Planning’s new “Starting a New Business” web page: “Thank you for getting this done, it’s wonderful to show that the City of Venice is welcoming to businesses.”

Public Works

Gardenia Drive resident Rick Tuss emailed Stormwater Engineer Steven Berens Nov. 15: “I want to take a minute to give credit to two of the guys on your stormwater crew, Steve Timmer and Joe Wagaman. They were here before the storms to evaluate the situation and then again yesterday to complete the reshaping of the swale. There were others involved, but not for long and I really didn't have much interaction with them. Steve and Joe really went above and beyond and worked very hard to achieve the right outcome. They performed almost a day’s worth of manual labor, both digging with shovels and throwing a pallet and a half worth of sod. I’ve done both and they are not easy chores. They were personable and friendly at all times and were willing to answer any questions I had. To top if off, they refused to accept the tip I offered, citing department policy. I hope these two can get some recognition for a job well done.” Rick also told Steven: “I am impressed with your timeliness and professionalism. Thanks also to James Clinch for his part in all of this.”

Resident Linda McGrath wrote Administrative Coordinator Tricia Matero Nov. 5: “I wanted to take the time to thank you and your staff, most especially Parks Supervisor Skip Petitt, for coming to the rescue and stepping outside of your extremely busy work schedule to see to it that my late son Scott’s bench was retrieved and returned back to its original spot after being swept away in the water surge of Hurricane Milton. In spite of being short-staffed, and when “bench placement” was not the priority of what needed to be done in our parks, you still went above and beyond to see to it that this particular job got done. That speaks volumes as to your care and concern on behalf of the well-being of others. I want to make one last apology if I came across as sounding angry and unkind when we spoke on the phone. I know that I let my emotions get the better part of me when I thought my bench was gone for good. But you were ‘point on’ when you reminded me that I was simply acting like a mom. Thanks to you and your staff, my story has a happy ending.”

“I just wanted to compliment you and your team on the quality of the downtown holiday lights this year,” James Clinch emailed Ashlee Castle Nov. 26. “Despite the two hurricanes, your contractor was efficient and quickly installed all the lights in just a couple of days. The quality of the install is probably the best I have ever seen. The other holiday decorations at the gazebo, City Hall, and the downtown entrance arch are beautiful. All in all, the Venice community really needed this display this year, so thank you for working so hard to ensure that our City is ready for a great holiday season.”

Continued on page 19

TAKE A BOW

Public Works continued

Congrats on your Congrats on your Promotion! Promotion!

George Elie, promoted from Solid Waste

Equipment Operator I to Solid Waste Equipment

Operator II in Public Works, effective Nov. 6.

Travis Hout, promoted from Fleet and Facilities Manager to Solid Waste, Recycling and Fleet Superintendent in Public Works, effective Nov. 18.

Andy Leisenring, promoted from Captain to Chief at VPD, effective Jan. 4.

“So many people have commented about how quickly downtown has been cleaned up (after Hurricane Milton),” Linda Lewis with VABI emailed Nov. 9. ”Here's one of the reasons – Scott Gorski, seen in the bucket with his crew trimming up Venice Ave. palm trees this week (pictured at right). Thanks Public Works!”

City Manager’s Office

“I wanted to extend an extra thank you for organizing and recognizing our City’s veterans,” VPD Lt. Mat Sauchinitz emailed Executive Assistant Cordy Crane Nov. 6. “In the past, we would exchange emails internally and see a Facebook post, which was great. But this year's efforts made it extra meaningful, allowing the City’s veterans to see the appreciation in person. Being a vet, I know we can be stubborn in events like this, so Cordy, hats off! This was greatly received by my veteran officers.”

James Clinch emailed Brianne Lorenz Dec. 1 concerning the success of the 2024 Holiday Parade: “Well done Brianne – I felt like this was the most

‘hands off’ I have been in the parade in years, which is a testament to your amazing leadership and management of this event. So thanks for that. I thought it was a fantastic event and you should be very proud of the outcome.”

Venice Nokomis Woman’s Club PR Chair Tricia Cook emailed Lorraine Anderson and Brianne Dec. 2: “The members are so excited, they’re seeing themselves all over social media. Thank you so much for posting our photos from the Holiday Parade on Facebook.”

Cheers to 5 Years

Utility Mechanic III Joe Speer was recently presented with his 5-year City anniversary pin. Joe is pictured at left with Water Plant Maintenance Working Foreman Darren Addy, Utility Mechanic III Rick Neales, Maintenance Supervisor Sam deMartino, and Instrumentation and Control Specialist Joe Stroer. Congratulations Joe!

MEET YOUR COWORKER

Gerald Miehle: Everything, all at once

Before Officer Gerald Miehle started as a CRO with the Venice Police Department in November 2022, he held down four jobs on his native Long Island – New York state court officer, Suffolk County ranger, paramedic with an ambulance company, and volunteer paramedic with a second ambulance company.

“I’ve done many things at the same time. When you have $20,000 in property taxes, you have to pay for that somehow,” Gerald laughed. “Long Island is a very expensive place to live.”

When Gerald and his wife of six years, Sandra, were negotiating their move to Florida, “that was the deal – we would slow down when we got here.” Sandra, a registered nurse, also had four jobs in her field, working about 120 hours a week. “Now we have one job each – she works at SMH, and I’m here.”

Although Gerald, now 34, was born and raised on Long Island, “my family also lived in upstate New York, so I spent a lot of time hunting up there as a kid. I got my first gun at 2 years old, I learned how to ride horses. At the same time, I was living in a suburban environment in Suffolk. So I got the streets and the sticks.”

Gerald graduated from Bayport-Blue Point High School in 2008. “It’s a very bougie area,” he said. “The entire town of Blue Point is 1 mile by 1 mile, and Bayport is 2 miles by 2 miles. That’s where we ended up buying our home and I had all those taxes. I didn’t come from there, I grew up in Mastic Beach. Once my aunt and uncle moved to Blue Point, this was around ninth grade, I told my grandparents who I was living with, I don’t think I’m doing very good at this high school. I was getting into fights, I was a bad kid. So I moved in with my aunt and uncle and started going to school there, which was great because it changed everything. I went from a school with a graduating class of 2,000 to under 200. I was a little thug, but I got shot at a few times and then I said, ‘I gotta get out of here.’ I wasn’t that brave. So I got out of there in the nick of time and went to Bayport-Blue Point.

“I’d been flying since I was 10 with the Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol and loved airplanes, and that school noticed. They offered me a program to get my pilot’s license in high school. So for 11th and 12th grade, the first five periods I didn’t go to school, I went to the airport. I always wanted to be a pilot, and my goal in life was to be a fighter pilot, like in ‘Top Gun.’

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MEET YOUR COWORKER

Gerald continued

“I finished that program early, so for the second half of 12th grade they put me in this work study program where I went for job interviews and I got a job at the local airport, MacArthur, doing detailing and mechanical work. The idea was, as soon as I graduated high school, I would go to college and continue my aviation studies. The company I worked for said, as you progress we’ll start putting you in the cockpit. Unfortunately, while I was in college, (financial services firm) Lehman Brothers crashed. This was in 2008. Our biggest flight department was Lehman Brothers; we had like 20 of their aircraft. They started laying off people really fast.

“I had just bought my first big purchase in life, a motorcycle. So I had this $7,000 loan that to me was massive. So I was panicking. I thought, you’re always guaranteed a job in the military. I had flown with the Air Force Auxiliary and figured now’s my chance, they’ll pay for everything.

“But the Air Force had a freeze and wasn’t hiring. So the Army recruiter next door took me in, they said, you can fly helicopters for us, but you have to do something else first, and I became a military police officer. That’s what started my journey with law enforcement, from 2008 to 2016. I graduated high school in June and was in the military by November.

Gerald Miehle was a military police officer with the U S Army from 2008-2016. Below, Gerald when he worked in EMS in Suffolk County, N Y

“I never thought about going into law enforcement before. Where I came from, as a kid, I didn’t like cops. It wasn’t something I saw myself doing.

“When I came home from basic training, I was looking for work. I was part of the Army Reserves at that point, and I fell into paramedicine. The local ambulance company said we’re not going to pay you, but we’ll train you to be an EMT and paramedic for free. We’ll give you a radio and light in your car. When the call comes out, you drive and pick up the ambulance and go save people. I thought it was really cool. I fell in love with it, so I ended up working paramedicine for a long time.

“In New York, especially Suffolk, all your emergency services are volunteer. There’s no paid fire department in Suffolk; even EMS personnel are volunteer. They do pay a few people to guarantee there’s an ambulance on the road, but most are volunteers. It’s very community based. I worked my way up from EMT, to training lieutenant to training captain. They elected me assistant chief of the company, then one month in the chief resigned. So I became chief pro temp for the next 11 months. I learned a lot, but I’m doing two jobs now – I’m the president and vice president of a 501(c)(3) that has multi-million-dollar

Above,

MEET YOUR COWORKER

Gerald continued

grants and contracts coming in that I have to fulfil ut

From left, Gerald, in cap, responds to a motorcycle crash and delivers advanced medical services; receiving accolades as EMT of the Year; following his graduation with New York State Courts

“So then I worked for a lot of local fire departmen job court officer does. (The duties included) security of the building and kpoints at the entrance to the building or security desks on different floors. I worked in county court on the criminal sid xt store was the county jail. You could do security or you could do prisoner detail. Basically I would go down underground, meet the Sheriff s Office at the gate to the jail, pick up, say, 180 prisoners and escort them back to my building where we had smaller jails on each floor, and I’d be a corrections officer for the day basically. I’d feed (the prisoners), watch them, escort them to the courtroom. The other detail was in the courtrooms themselves, maintaining the security of the courtroom from the public. I was also responsible for the prisoner and all the attorneys, and was the judge’s security detail. There was a lot of paperwork too, like movement cards, which kept track of everything that prisoner did for the day. I had a lot of things to do.

“You could take on extra work if you wanted it, and I became the building medic because I was one of two people certified in medicine. I was the only medic for the whole building, for around 200 officers and another 200 civilian employees.

“I had a few (prisoners) try to escape. We would get juveniles from the probation department; they’d walk them in from the back and the juvenile would go to a family court setting. One day, probation was coming to pick up a juvenile we were sitting on for a while. Somehow somebody opened an outer door and the kid saw daylight and immediately started running. He was 18 then, but he was 17 when he was charged. He shoved one of our officers and broke his arm, and went sprinting across the parking lot. He made it a mile and a half down the road before a patrol car picked him up. He made a darn good attempt.

“Generally what we dealt with was fights, and the public was the worst, reacting to verdicts – like the father whose daughter was alleged to have been assaulted and the defendant gets off scot free. (The father) would jump the rail and try to kill him. You have to have your guard up and that smile on, all the time.

“When you spend every day sitting inside of a courtroom, listening to cases, you become very fluent. You learn a lot about the law that most people don’t. I’ve been able to testify and sit as an expert witness. It was just a phenomenal experience.”

MEET YOUR COWORKER

Gerald continued

At the same time he worked as a New York state court officer, Gerald worked weekends or overnights as a Suffolk County ranger.

“Being a ranger is very similar to FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.) It’s not like a forest ranger, I wasn’t a tour guide – I was a police officer in the woods. Most days, I covered anything in Suffolk County where the roads ended, basically, including beaches. I spent a lot of days driving up and down the beach on an ATV, hanging out with the beachgoers. I’d also respond for lost hikers.

“I enjoyed being a ranger because it was the exact opposite of the court job. I would go and talk to the public. No one really knew what a ranger did, and those who did know liked what we did. In New York, law enforcement is not very liked. You got spit on, or your patrol car egged. But rangers, (the public) liked us. If a bird was hurt on the beach, they’d call and we would show up and bring it to the avian hospital. When somebody was shooting deer in the woods, we would be the ones to go arrest that guy. If something was going on at the beaches, we were there. We were generally liked. So when people would see you driving by, they’d bring you a cup of coffee. People are like that here (in Venice) too.” Gerald and his wife Sandra met during his time with the ambulance company. “I was there a little over a year and was starting schooling for critical care. She was an RN and way more knowledgeable. She became my probie (rookie) on my squad, and it developed into a relationship.” The two have been together for 11 years.

Gerald when he was a Suffolk County ranger In the above photo he is preparing to rappel off a bridge at Smith Point, N Y

Several years ago while they were still living on Long Island, “there was a massive snowstorm with 5 to 6 feet of snow. Then a couple days later we got hit with another couple feet of snow. My wife’s truck got stuck in the driveway, I was trying to snowblow the driveway, and she got out of the truck on the phone with a real estate agent, yelling, ‘I’m moving to Florida and you can come if you want!’ Her family lives here; her mom is in Englewood and her sister is here in Venice. So basically we got fed up with weather and taxes.

“We had already owned a property on Marco Island, which is also our business, Latitude Adjustment. My wife is very business savvy, and years ago, she said, we need to get an investment property. In New York, we would have had to do 40-plus years to retire, and we thought we didn’t want to work until we

were 70. So we bought a condo on Marco. The idea was to have it pay for itself by renting it out when we weren’t down here, and we would come down on vacation. When we were buying a house down here (in Venice), we couldn’t sell our house in New York because we needed somewhere to live. We have two German shepherds and a cat, so we can’t just get an apartment. We ended up having to buy our house in Venice sight unseen, and then sell our house in New York.

“We were carrying three mortgages – like a million dollars in mortgages. Finally, we sold our home and moved to our house in Venice, which is right on a creek. We were here for about three weeks when Hurricane Ian arrived. We got smacked – we lost part of the roof, and water came in. It did allow us to rebuild the home the way we wanted to, and we rebuilt the kitchen and bathrooms.

“I applied for (the VPD) job when I was still up in New York, but I had to do the equivalency of training (EOT) program. So I started applying for everything – North Port

MEET YOUR COWORKER

Gerald continued

dispatch, an Airport tech working on the lights. I was struggling to find a job, then the CRO post came up. I started working here doing that, but at the same time, New College of Florida had given me a conditional job offer as a police officer with the school. I was going to go through an EOT with them, but then got the job here and it was a much shorter commute.”

Gerald moved over to patrol in January 2023.

“I love the freedom of being able to go see people and talk to them. I’ll go ‘look for work’ and do extra traffic stops. If you turn over rocks, eventually you will find moss. If you do more stops, eventually you will come across that person who has a whole bunch of drugs in their car, or has a warrant.”

How is being in law enforcement in Venice different than Long Island? “Long Island has a lot of OD deaths from heroin and fentanyl. Opiate deaths are rare down here. We only use Narcan (to reverse an opioid overdose) a couple times a year. But there’s a lot more meth than I’ve ever seen. I had to research and learn all about that. I asked the undercover officers, what gangs do we have locally? They said, we have a couple motorcycle clubs! Gangs make things predictable. The Latin Kings are huge in Long Island. You’d see a guy and know he was a lieutenant with them, or come across a homicide and know it was the Latin Kings from the technique. I have experience with a lot of things, but I’ve only been a cop here for two years, and in Venice it’s completely different than anything I’ve ever done. Even motor vehicle law is different. When I would see people change lanes on (Interstate 75) with no turn signal, I’d lose my mind. If you were on the Long Island Expressway and did that, out of nowhere Highway Patrol would pull you over. But here you don’t need to; it’s not part of the statute to use your turn signal. It’s a learning curve, which is exciting for me. Hurricanes – we get those up north too, but not as many as Florida. I’ve always loved that stuff; I love being out in the storm.”

Losing his older sister Sara at age 34 to an opiate overdose has made Gerald more empathetic with those who are going through a similar ordeal. “The way I see it is experience,” he said about Sarah, four years his senior. “And I had a great relationship with my sister. I was a cop and paramedic at the time, and I can see the plight of people from both sides. I’ll say to someone, ‘I get it,’ and they’ll say, ‘Sure you do,’ and I’ll tell them about my sister and they say, ‘Oh – you do get it.’ My sister had three beautiful daughters, my nieces, and they’re like my kids, so they get spoiled. That’s something she did right – every time she got pregnant, she stopped using.”

When he’s not working, Gerald likes “fishing, I don’t catch anything with a pole, but I like it. My wife likes the beach, so we go there. I like to weld stuff, I like computers, I can code. I’ve made a couple video games. I love to read, I’m good at public speaking. Hopefully I will teach down here, I need some certifications to do it. It is weird not being as busy down here as we have been.

“I see one thing at a time; I see something, I like it, I do it, then something else pops up. But they’re usually all related. Like here, I got interested in drone work. I never cared about them before, but I got down here and they said ‘Hey, you’re a pilot,’ so I got my certificate and bought my own drone.”

Ironically, “I am the laziest person you’d ever meet,” he laughs. “When I have nothing to do, I love it and do nothing.”

At top, Gerald receives a Lifesaving Award from Chief Thorpe for actions taken on a cardiac arrest call in May of this year along with Officer Josh Brooks. At left, Gerald and Sandra got married in St. Lucia.

MEET YOUR COWORKER

Gerald continued

Gerald and Sandra have 2 German shepherds, Lola and Oliver, and a 9-year-old rescue cat, Charlie.

“The German shepherds are siblings. When we bought our house in Blue Point (Long Island), the property was a wedge shape, so our back yard was massive. I said, ‘We could get dogs,’ and my wife said, ‘Yeah we could get a dog.’ We were looking at shelters in the area, we wanted a German shepherd or something along those lines, something obedient and loyal. But we couldn’t find one – it was impossible. The shelters wanted $1,000, you have to pay for shots and the first vet visit, among other things. We said, ‘Why are we paying a grand for an 18year-old dog?'

“So we went on to the American Kennel Club website and they put us in touch with this breeder in Liberty in upstate New York, in the middle of nowhere. This guy bred German shepherds for New York State Troopers. We went up to see him and we found Lola, she came right to the fence. There were around 40 puppies and she came up, so we said, ‘We’ll take her.’ The breeder said, ‘I’ll give you a deal – $600 for the puppy, 8 weeks old.’ I figured, can’t beat that, let me go to the bank and get cash. So we leave and find this bank that was part of a restaurant. We tried to get money out of the bank but we were so far out of town the bank froze our card. They call you and text you, right? The problem is, there’s no phone service in the middle of nowhere. I’m getting the messages, but I can’t reply ‘yes’ to unlock our account. I have to drive another hour away to the city to get call service to tell the bank to unlock my card to go back and get the money.

“By the time I got back to the breeder, it was like four hours. We couldn’t call the guy, so we just showed up, apologizing. The whole time I’m telling the breeder this whole long story, my wife is playing with this other dog, not the one we picked out. She says, ‘He’s so cute.’ And the breeder, who must have just felt sorry for us and everything we went through, says, ‘You know what, you can have them both for $600.’ It really was the deal of the century.

“Getting our cat was a whole other story. We were at the volunteer ambulance company one day in Patchogue and decided to go get some food. As we’re pulling out, we see a Pampers box on the front steps. We said, ‘Oh no – someone left a baby. We’re not an official Safe Haven, but people would do it anyway, leave babies there.

“We stopped – Sandra was with me too – and walked over to this box. My partner opens the box up and out jumps this cat, so small, just weeks old.

“We took the kitten in and wound up falling in love with it. I thought he was a girl because he was so tiny – until we got to the vet and they told us he was a boy. We still have the pink collar we bought originally.”

At top, Gerald with the couple’s 9-year-old cat, Charlie, which they originally thought was a girl Center, Oliver and Lola, 7-year-old German shepherds, when they first got them as puppies. At right, the dogs today.

Work scheduled for December on Water Treatment Plant Supply RO-8E

Onsite: Pour concrete pads for wellhead and equipment. Continued wellhead construction and site restoration work.

Offsite: Intermittent lane closures are required to connect the new raw water mains to the existing raw water main and for road and sidewalk restoration Large equipment will be near and within the road right-of-way Please drive slowly, use caution, and watch out for workers. Motorists are to follow posted traffic control signs.

Project background: The City operates a water wellfield to supply raw water to the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant (WTP). There are 14 wells in the current system. To maximize the water of the wells, and to help ensure future water supply for the City, the wells are rotated every week. This rotation keeps approximately half the wells in service at any given time depending on City's demand for water.

Over time, wells are taken offline for rehabilitation and to recover the original production capacity. Construction of the new water well provides greater reliability and operational flexibility in meeting future water demands of the City.

This project also includes installation of a 12- and 16-inch raw water transmission main and a generator.

Funding: A substantial portion of this project is funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program.

For more information, visit: venicegov.com/government/utilities/projects

Police Chief Charlie Thorpe

Editor’s note: In this Q&A “Tap Out” feature, we talk to staff of note who are retiring. VPD Chief Charlie Thorpe retires Jan. 3, 2025.

At the Dec. 10 City Council meeting, Council approved City Manager Ed Lavallee’s request to promote Patrol Division Commander Capt. Andy Leisenring to be the next Chief.

Charlie told the Venice Gondolier that his decision to retire was influenced by a number of factors, including retired Solid Waste Superintendent Bob Moroni’s remarks at a recent City Council meeting when he was honored for 42 years of service to Venice. Moroni talked about some health issues and his desire to be able to enjoy retirement.

“I thought, ‘Bob Moroni, are you speaking to me?’” Charlie told the Gondolier. “I’ve still got a lot of things I want to do.”

Having been a caregiver for a family member this year was also a consideration, he said, as was having seen the City through two major hurricanes. He said he made his mind up on the way back to Venice after cutting short a camping trip following Hurricane Helene, to prepare for Hurricane Milton, pondering how many more storms he might have to deal with.

In the emergency operations center, he began to attend to tasks only to find out Andy had already done them, he said. He filed his retirement papers shortly afterward. “I’m going to get out of Andy’s way,” he told the Gondolier.

How long have you been working for the COV?

My first day with the City of Venice was Dec. 31, 2018. I did so well with orientation that day that HR gave me the next day off!

Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up and attend school/obtain certifications/degrees, and how did you come to Florida?

I grew up in lovely Urbana, Ohio. Urbana is your typical Midwest small town with great high school football and a Dairy Queen. The family business was farm equipment, and having no talent for sales or mechanics, I followed the law enforcement path of my neighbor who was an Ohio Highway Patrol Trooper. His name was Terry Miller, a truly good person and over-the-fence guidance counselor. After high school I attended Clark Technical College in Springfield in 1985. There I was hired at 18 to be part of the newly formed campus police department. I attended the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy at night and took Clark Tech criminal justice classes, and worked the campus during the days.

A friend of mine and I were recruited by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in 1987. We came down and went through the process for the SCSO, but at the final interview we were offered jobs in corrections with the potential of eventually making it to the law

Continued on page 28

Chief Thorpe continued

enforcement side. We turned it down and returned to Ohio with a message of, “Let us know if the law enforcement job becomes a possibility.” With an associate’s degree in hand from Clark Tech, I then attended the University of Akron for a time while working three part-time jobs at police departments, records and dispatching. Not a lot of fun. In 1988 I moved to Dayton and took a job delivering and repossessing home health equipment; again, not a lot of fun. Later though in 1988 I got a police officer job with the Urbana Police Division, funish, but working my hometown ...

Flash forward to March 1990. I was home with the flu and a twisted ankle when I called SCSO to check my “status.” They asked if I could get down to Florida for a physical, gun qualification and update my records. Next thing I know, I am in the Sarasota Criminal Justice Academy for my Florida equivalency training. In May I flew back to Ohio, got married and brought Tammy to Sarasota. She has hung in with me all this time. After putting our two kids through Sarasota schools, we felt like we could make a big move without worrying anymore about school districts. That big move was Venice! From 1994 to 1999 I chipped away at Saint Leo classes to earn my bachelor’s degree. My master’s degree came years later from USF in Criminal Justice Administration.

What made you want to get into law enforcement? My neighbor Terry Miller was a great influence.

What did you do before you worked for Venice? Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, for 27 years. My son works there now, on night shift patrol in North County.

What was it like here when you started?

We needed a new building. Someone had already thought of that.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen at VPD? The preparation for the move to the public safety facility that

we are in now was of course the most significant change. The preparation for that was a bit stressful, but the week of the move was so well done and efficient, that preparation was well worth it.

What is your most memorable case here?

A stabbing in the area of Triple Diamond, efficiently worked by all responders (Police and VFR). The victim’s life was saved by quick and effective actions of one of our officers, the suspect captured, the vast crime scene worked by an exceptional Criminalistics team, our detectives had a masterful follow-up with a successful prosecution by the State Attorney’s Office. It was a true example of teamwork. I was the new Captain of Patrol at the time and the other Captain and Chief just checked in and let me run it.

What do you plan to do now?

A lot of camping, reading of actual paper books, walk my dog Rip, think about what’s next.

Any advice for your successor?

When you go on vacation, leave your work phone with someone.

What will you miss most about working here?

Not hurricanes, cell phone dead spots (Venice Ave. specifically), VPD’s HVAC controversy, or mornings! I will miss the community support, City Hall check-ins, the Citizens Police Academy classes, and most of all the great people who do the job of serving and protecting Venice each day and night inside and outside this building. We have a great city here.

Chief Thorpe is pictured with Capt. Andy Leisenring and Capt Eric Hill at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial in May.

48th Annual City of Venice Holiday Parade

The new Elf Dash fun run kicked off the 48th Annual Venice Holiday Parade this year on Nov. 30 downtown The City also had balloon twisters, caricature artists and face painters free for spectators before the start of the parade. The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce served as Grand Marshal.

More photos, page 30

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

48th Annual City of Venice Holiday Parade continued

Jim Eppley’s transformation

“The guy in the orange shirt (at left) is me in October 2016 at over 265 pounds,” Jim Eppley, Airport Operations and Maintenance Manager, wrote on Nov 8 “I was wearing 2XL/3XL shirts and 44/46-inch pants.

“The guy in the purple shirt (below left) is me today at 197 pounds, an XL shirt and 36/38-inch pants I never thought I would ever see 200 pounds again.”

How did Jim do it?

“I was eating fast food daily while my wife was in a nursing home near SRQ in Sarasota, which made a bad thing worse,” he said “Last November, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, my doctor told me that my A1C (a test that shows the average level of blood sugar or glucose over the previous 3 months to determine how well one is controlling their blood sugar to help prevent complications from diabetes) was 9.4, my blood pressure was off the charts, and my cholesterol and triglycerides were so bad, he could not get a reading to provide treatment. He said I MUST change, or die.

“I went home and threw all my snacks, ice cream, etc. in the trash. I went to the grocery store and bought better food, and I have not eaten any fast food other than a pizza once in a great while as a treat – and a small pie instead of an extra large and eating the whole thing. The Friday after Thanksgiving 2023, I started walking daily. I now walk 2 miles either in the neighborhood or on my wife’s treadmill Since she passed away, she is not using it anymore

“I feel 110% better and I have way more pep. My A1C is normal at 5 7, my blood pressure is regularly 118/68, and my other stuff is very good ”

“I miss my wife daily, but I actually decided that I was doing this as much in her memory as I am for me ”

At a follow-up appointment Nov. 27, Jim’s doctor took him off two medications he had been on for years. Jim also reports on Dec 9 that he is now down to 196 pounds Way to go!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast kicked off the Beyond School Walls program Nov. 1 in partnership with the Venice Police Department and Venice High School The workplace mentoring program continues to be successful with VHS students. Thirty students are participating.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?

Above left, MPO Paul Joyce, Officer Brett Woodworth and Officer Josh Brooks with some of the toys collected for the annual VPD Blue Santa fundraiser for families in need. New, unwrapped toys can be brought to collection boxes at City Hall or VPD through Dec. 18. Above right, after a hiatus, the City’s Monthly Bicycle Ride led by Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Darlene Culpepper, pictured, returned Nov. 14, with a modified route along the Venetian Waterway Park trail. At right, PIO Lorraine Anderson and HR Administrative Assistant Stephanie Fisher were twinning Nov. 20. Far right, Special Events Coordinator Brianne Lorenz helps a gopher tortoise to safety across Harbor Drive Nov. 5.

City Manager Ed Lavallee, Finance Director Linda Senne, Utilities Director Javier Vargas, IT Director Roger Navarro, Mayor Nick Pachota and Assistant City Manager James Clinch were part of a group that toured Orange County Utilities’ floating solar array on Dec. 4. The array, the largest in the Southeast, is comprised of 2,236 floating solar (photovoltaic) panels on 2 acres of a 3.6-acre pond that provides 1.2 million watts of power (25% of power usage) for the Southern Regional Water Supply Facility This offsets the plant’s power cost by $137,000 annually The COV is researching the feasibility of having a similar array project here.

Kevin Lashaway with Public Works assists members of the Venice Area Garden Club with decorating the City Hall

Christmas tree Dec. 2.

Mayor Pachota dutifully pays a parking ticket he recently received near City Hall, with Customer Service Specialist Kendra Arce at the Cashier's Office taking his funds.

Season’s Eatings Trivia

1. True or False: If you eat a lot of fruit, you do not need to eat any vegetables.

2. In which country did the tradition of gingerbread houses originate?

A. France

B. Germany

C. Sweden

D. England

3. Which popular holiday spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties?

A. Nutmeg

B. Cloves

C. Cinnamon

D. Ginger

4. True or False: Adults should aim to exercise about 30 minutes, 5 days a week, at moderate intensity.

5. What nutrient in turkey is associated with feelings of relaxation and sleepiness?

A. Iron

B. Vitamin B-12

C. Tryptophan

D. Calcium

WORKING ON WELLNESS

December: Eating Through the Holidays

Tips for Holiday Eating

Budget calories wisely.

Be choosy and use your daily allotted calories on the foods you love.

Take 10 before taking second servings.

It takes a few minutes for your stomach’s "I’m getting full" signal to get to your brain. After finishing your first helping, take a 10-minute break then recheck your appetite.

Distance helps the heart stay healthy.

At a party, do not stand next to the food table. That makes it harder to mindlessly reach for food as you talk. If you know you are prone to recreational eating, pop a mint or a stick of gum so you will not keep reaching for the chips.

Don’t go out with an empty stomach.

Before setting out for a party, eat something so you do not arrive overly hungry. Ideal pre-party snacks combine complex carbohydrates with protein and unsaturated fat, like apple slices with peanut butter or a slice of turkey and cheese on whole-wheat pita bread.

Put on your dancing (or walking) shoes.

Dancing is a great way to work off some holiday calories. If you are at a family gathering, suggest a walk before the feast or even between dinner and dessert.

Make room for veggies.

At meals and parties, do not ignore fruits and vegetables. They make great snacks and even better sides or main dishes. Try to fill at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables.

Drink to your health.

A glass of eggnog can set you back 500 calories; wine, beer, and mixed drinks range from 150-225 calories. If you drink alcohol, have a glass of water in between drinks. Swap out soda for water.

Cook from (and for) the heart.

Show family and friends that you really care about them by cooking with recipes that use less butter, cream, vegetable shortening, and other ingredients rich in saturated fats. Prepare turkey or fish instead of red meat.

Pay attention to what really matters.

Although food is an integral part of the holidays, put the focus on family and friends, laughter and cheer.

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Holiday Budgeting Tips

Value your relationships.

Write down everyone you plan to give gifts to -- from your nearest and dearest to your in-laws and the mail carrier. Then put a dollar figure next to each name. Setting price limits will help you keep your holiday budget on track.

Price check with your phone.

Despite your best intentions, perfect gifts have a way of blowing your holiday budget. If you find a gift that is over your budget, use your phone to see if you can find a better price elsewhere. Many stores have price-match policies if you find a better deal.

Be proactive.

One of the surest ways to overspend is to wait until the last minute and buy all your gifts in a rush. Not only are you more likely to overspend, but it also makes an already stressful time of the year even more so.

Consider making gifts.

Homemade presents are great ways to save money while creating something memorable. These gifts might not work for everyone on your list, but they are good options for some. Consider photos for grandparents or cookies for your kids’ teachers.

Save up for expensive presents.

Putting money aside for big-ticket items can prevent you from depleting your accounts or going into debt during the holidays. One of the best savings tools to use is to use automatic transfers into a savings account, which nearly all banks offer. This can help you save without thinking about it.

Try to avoid shopping sprees.

Retailers are really good at enticing people to buy. Everything from display placement to lighting and music is designed to trigger impulse purchases. Researchers have dubbed this the “shopping momentum effect”, noting we are more likely to keep spending once we have gotten started. You can counteract the phenomenon by sticking to your shopping list and leaving the store for a few minutes when you are tempted to make off-list purchases.

Factor in shipping.

It is not unusual for an online item to appear less expensive than its in-store counterpart – until you add in shipping costs. Take note of any delivery or service fees as well. Keep in mind, many retailers offer shipping coupons or free shipping days to attract customers, so complete some research before you click “buy.”

Exercise of the Month: 4-7-8 Breathing

Sit with your back straight. Throughout the exercise keep your tongue toward the roof of your mouth with your tongue touching the back of your two front teeth.

Begin with a deep exhale. Inhale through your nose and count to 4. Gently hold your breath while counting to 7.

Exhale slowly for 8 counts with your lips slightly pursed around your tongue. This should produce a “wooshing” sound.

Repeat the inhale, hold, exhale cycle 4 times.

Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-7-8breathing

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Recipe of the Month: Sheet Pan Eggs with Spinach & Ham WORKING ON WELLNESS

Preparations:

Ingredients:

Recipe Nutritional Information

Servings per recipe: 12

Serving size: 1 square

Total Calories: 164

Total Fat: 11g

14g Carbohydrates: 3g Sodium: 457mg

1 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Generously coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Whisk eggs, milk, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and onion powder together in a large bowl. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with spinach, cheddar and ham.

Bake until just set, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan from back to front halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. Cut into 12 squares and serve.

To make ahead: Wrap squares individually in plastic wrap or place them in a sealed container between layers of parchment paper; refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, remove plastic, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on high for 30 to 60 seconds.

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Announcing the Health Insurance Dependent Eligibility Audit

The City of Venice will be conducting a health insurance dependent eligibility audit beginning in January 2025. The audit is mandatory for all employees with covered dependents on the health insurance plan. Here’s a checklist of things you should do to get ready to complete this project. You should:

Understand what it is and why we are doing it

− A dependent eligibility audit is a thorough and careful examination of an employer’s health plan. Its goal is to identify and remove enrolled dependent spouses and children who do not meet the health plan’s eligibility rules for continuing coverage. Why are we doing this?

− National statistics show that each ineligible dependent costs the plan’s members an average of $5,000 per year. That can mean higher premiums and fewer benefits for all eligible employees and their families. Eliminating these wasted dollars will help control our healthcare costs, and save you money as well.

Learn how it will work

− First, you will go to our dependent eligibility website and make statements of fact about your current spouse and child relationships. This process takes less than 10 minutes. If you don’t have Internet access, you can call the Eligibility Center and provide your information to a Customer Care representative.

Second, you will submit official, legal documents that verify the statements you make online. When you finish your online questionnaire, the website will tell you what documents you have to submit, and how to submit them. It’s a convenient, easy process.

Gather your verification documents now

If you don’t have official documents on hand, please take the time right now to request them from the appropriate state or county records departments. Sometimes it takes a while to get them. You don’t want to stress about it or miss the deadlines.

Typically, the required documents are current income tax forms or marriage certificate and current joint financial statements for your spouse, birth certificates for your biological or adopted children, and other court documents showing child custody or guardianship.

Our goal with this early announcement is to give you plenty of time to prepare for the dependent eligibility verification audit coming in January 2025.

The Dependent Eligibility Audit information will be mailed to your home address in January. It will contain all the instructions you need to complete the verification of your dependents.

The dependent eligibility audit begins Jan. 27, 2025.

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What is a Dependent Eligibility Verification? A Dependent Eligibility Verification verifies the eligibility of dependents to receive health insurance benefits and removes those who are not qualified for coverage. This process helps control healthcare costs by ensuring that only eligible dependents are enrolled in the health insurance plan.

How was I selected for the Dependent Eligibility Verification? All employees with dependents on the health plan are required to go through this dependent eligibility verification process.

What happens if I do not complete the Dependent Eligibility Verification? Any dependent who is not verified through this process by the deadline will be dropped from the health insurance plan. You will be notified in writing if your dependents are removed from coverage. The next scheduled opportunity you would have to add your dependent back to the health plan, if they gain eligibility, would be during the next annual open enrollment period, OR within 31 days of Qualified Change in Status event, such as a marriage, birth, death, divorce or other defined life status change event(s).

Can I add dependents during this Dependent Eligibility Verification Process? No. Your task is to verify only the dependents listed on the website. Adding dependents can only occur during the new hire, life event, or open enrollment processes, and must be done through official Human Resources procedures.

Can I change any personal data that is incorrect? No. Before completing your online affidavit, if any dependent data is inaccurate or if any covered dependents are not shown, please contact your HR/benefits department.

I’ve already provided my child’s birth certificate and my marriage certificate to HR. Why do I have to do it again? Can the HR office provide it for me? Human Resources will not forward any documents you have previously provided to HR. The dependent verification is a separate process. You are responsible for your own document submission and for verifying your currently covered dependents.

Who is doing the verification? Amwins, an independent healthcare verification firm, has been contracted to conduct the Dependent Eligibility Verification.

Are original documents required? Only copies of documents are requested for dependent verification purposes Please redact/black out all financial information, Social Security Numbers, and account numbers. This data is not needed for verification purposes.

How will I know if my information has been accepted and my dependents are verified? The Dependent Eligibility Center will let you know when your documents have been received and when they’ve been reviewed You will also be notified if what you have submitted verifies your dependents or if you need to provide additional documentation.

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Protect Your Personal Information

Dependent Eligibility Center

Phone Number: 1-866-691-6551

Redact sensitive information!

Please be sure to black out all Social Security numbers, account numbers, and financial information from all documents prior to submitting them (as shown at right). Your state may have specific rules governing the photocopying of vital records. In this case, please transfer the vital record information to plain paper and submit to the Dependent Eligibility Center.

How can I find other health care coverage for a dependent who is determined to be ineligible? If your dependent loses his or her health carecoverage as a result of this audit, and you wish to continue coverage, you could be eligible under Affordable Care Act (ACA). For more information, go to healthcare.gov. Amwins also provides state-level resources available at healthplans Amwins com

Can I choose COBRA for an ineligible dependent? COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation coverage will not be available as an option for those dependents who are determined to be ineligible unless your covered dependent’s eligibility status has changed to ineligible within the past 60 days due to the qualifying event If this situation applies to you, please notify the Benefits Department. Your dependent has 60 days from the date the notice is sent to choose COBRA coverage; otherwise, the right to continue coverage under COBRA is forfeited.

Who should I call if I have a question that is not answered here? Please contact the Dependent Eligibility Center at 1-866-6916551. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

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A vital record is typically defined as a record of birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, or death. Vital records are established and maintained by the government (City, County or State) in the jurisdiction where the event took place.

How to Obtain a Vital Record

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a website with a directory of U S States and Territories vital records offices to assist in locating vital records. The website can be found here.

How to Obtain a Court Record

Sometimes, court records may be needed to verify a dependent, such as letters of guardianship Court records may be obtained directly from the issuing court. Please note you may be required to present positive proof of identification and relationship when requesting a court record.

How to Obtain Tax Transcripts

Visit the IRS website at IRS gov and use the Get a Transcript tool You can get transcripts online or get the transcript by mail To request a transcript by phone, call 1-800-908-9946 and follow the prompts.

Document Services

Several document services are available For a fee, the document service will request (with your permission) a copy of the document from the issuing jurisdiction. In many cases, documents can be obtained in just a few days. One such service is VitalChek Express Certificate Service. Please note that no firm associated with this project has any interest in VitalChek or any other document service, and we make no guarantee that any document service will be able to provide the information that you are requesting

Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy

Some state laws limit who may receive an authorized copy of a record. Authorized copies are restricted to the registrant (person named on the record), to the parent/legal guardian of the registrant, and certain other family members The statement on an informational copy will read [Informational, not a valid document to establish identity]. An informational copy will be suitable for the dependent eligibility verification.

Copies Only – No Originals Needed

We encourage you to submit only copies of documents needed for dependent verification Do not submit original documents, as they cannot be returned. You may redact (black out) any information not needed for the dependent verification purposes, such as financial figures, account numbers, Social Security numbers, etc.

Still have questions?

Please call the Dependent Eligibility Center at 1-866-691-6551, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Every three years, the Venice Police Department undergoes a rigorous voluntary process to maintain its esteemed accreditation status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). In October, the commission voted unanimously to grant VPD reaccredited status Achieving CFA accreditation signifies that the department meets or exceeds the highest standards in law enforcement, enabling VPD to deliver more effective and efficient services to the community Here, Chief Charlie Thorpe, along with Capt Andy Leisenring, Capt. Eric Hill, and Accreditation Consultant Kevin Vespia, proudly accepted the certificate of reaccreditation on behalf of the department

On Nov. 18, Venice Fire Rescue firefighters extinguished a structure fire at a residential duplex on Auburn Cove Circle, unoccupied at the time of the blaze

Contractor Bill Robinson gifted the City’s Building Department with pizzas Nov 13 for all their hard work after the hurricanes. From left, Bill Blair, Ciria Infante, Cassandra McPike, Director Derek Applegate, Kim Back, Alicia Chapman, Audrey Symowicz and Paul Rakes Thank you for your generosity!

At left, VPD Officer Kenite Webb became the full-time School Resource Officer at Epiphany Cathedral School on Nov. 18.

At right, Special Events Coordinator Brianne Lorenz gives a presentation on the City’s Special Events program and safety at the Holiday Parade to the Sertoma Club of Venice Nov. 7 at Hotel Venezia.

Firefighter

Paramedic

Bithja LaFaille organizes medical supplies Nov. 4 at Fire Station 1

Utilities Technical Support Specialist Seth Smith repairs a backflow prevention device Oct 29 at a home on Valencia Lakes Drive.

YMCA Venice Early Learning Academy at PGT Innovations stopped by Venice Fire Rescue Station 1 on Oct. 23 for a hands-on experience

The Mayor’s Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting, presented by Venice MainStreet with Mayor Nick Pachota, was held in Centennial Park Nov. 29 and featured performances by First Baptist Church’s Voices of Venice, the Venice Chorale, food trucks, and a visit from Santa Public Works staff built the box the tree stands on, at left. At right, Ashlee Castle is pictured with the Mayor and his dog, Willow.

Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County held a Groundbreaking and Blessings Ceremony the afternoon of Nov 21 at the site of the first Habitat house to be built in Venice City limits. The property on Mango Avenue was donated by Edmund Campbell, 4th from right, for the Tchorbadjiev family of George, Elana and Rumen, at far left. On hand were Habitat CEO Christina McCauley, Major Gift Officer Colleen Donahue, and Homeowner Services Director Mary Ouellette; Venice Mayor Nick Pachota, and City Manager Ed Lavallee

The Venice Municipal Fishing Pier partially reopened to the public on Nov. 21 following repairs from Hurricanes Helene and Milton A structural engineer authorized opening the pier past the bait shop to the second fish-cleaning station. A temporary fence was installed by Public Works, below. There will be periodic morning closures of the pier access as the City and Sharky’s work to complete remaining repairs and accommodate the restaurant’s ongoing renovation construction work. This partial reopening gives anglers and visitors access to the majority of the pier while more extensive repairs are made to the T end of the structure, expected to take several months to complete

The City of Venice and the Municipal Mobile Home Park community hosted a plaque unveiling Nov 12 recognizing the park clubhouse, 780 Firenze Ave , as the latest addition to the City’s Local Register of Historical Resources. City Council approved its designation into the register in July of this year The building has been recognized as the last remaining structure from the Venice Army Air Base still in its original location It started out as a Student Officers Lounge for the base that operated in Venice from 1943 until the end of World War II. The federal government handed over control of the airport to Venice in 1947. Two years later the City turned part of the air base land into a mobile home park, converting the lounge into a recreation facility for park residents – a role it still fulfills today. At top, Vice Mayor Jim Boldt shares some history of the Municipal Mobile Home Park Clubhouse building during the Nov. 12 event.

Next ride is Thursday, Jan. 9!

Enjoy pancakes, a present from Santa, ornament decorating and bake sale items. Bake sale proceeds will go to the Venice Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

Reservations are strongly encouraged. Email mvandermark@venicefl.gov or call 941-480-3030.

The Santa Firehouse Pancake Breakfast is sponsored by Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Armstrong Land Services LLC, PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Dig Life Performance LLC, and Paul Davis Restoration.

BULLETIN BOARD

BULLETIN BOARD

Join us for a City Hall Holiday Breakfast on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. by the HR lobby. Please contribute by bringing an ingredient, dish, or item to share, or by donating $5 towards supplies. Sign up using this link and let us know what you’ll be bringing.