SARASOTA Observer
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012
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Store Around the Corner Visit the Store Around the Corner directory to search for local businesses. Find their contact information, view their location on a map, get driving directions, read or write reviews, watch videos and find special offers.
MOST READ STORIES ONLINE LAST WEEK: 1. “Sarasota Police make water rescues during thunderstorm” (July 23) 2. “PHOTO GALLeRY: Puppy Love” (July 23) 3. “Little girl displays large spirit” (July 26) 4. “Marina Jack will pay taxes” (July 27) 5. “PHOTO GALLeRY: Southeastern Guide Dogs at Premier Sothebys” (July 27)
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NEWSBRIEFS
+ School Board approves millage rate The School Board of Sarasota County opened and closed the floor for public comment today at a hearing to adopt the district’s 2012 tentative budget in 10 of the 45 minutes allotted — because nobody from the public showed up. The brief meeting, in which a tentative rolled-back millage rate increase of 1.27% was approved unanimously, reflects a year of efficient cooperation between the School Board and Superintendent Lori White, said School Board Vice Chairwoman Carol Todd. Another example is the unanimous acceptance of a design for the Sarasota High School rebuild at a design charrette, earlier this year. The rate hike was due to changes at the state level. “The required local effort was raised,” said School Board member Shirley Brown. “But, none of the rates the board sets has been changed.”
+ County mowing fiasco finds Siesta For some Siesta Key residents, waiting for regular upkeep of Sarasota County owned land is like watching the grass grow — literally. Last week, Siesta Key Association Nominating Committee Chairman Bob Waechter reached out to Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson about the unkempt grounds near the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office training facility on south Siesta, according to an email exchange obtained by the Sarasota Observer. That has been a common com-
Meetings &agendas City of Sarasota Planning Board meeting — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, City Commission Chambers, 1564 First St., Sarasota
Sarasota Community Organizations Active in Disaster Committee meeting — 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, Sarasota County Health and Human Services, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
City of Sarasota Development Review Committee — 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, City Hall, Room 112, 1564 First St., Sarasota
plaint across the entire county in the fallout of a failed mowing contract with Bloomings Landscape and Turf Management. Dave Cash, operations and maintenance director with Sarasota County, said in another email the lot wasn’t part of the contentious contract but resolved the issue by sending county staff to pick up the slack. The lot, which was mowed last week, was overlooked because it had not been on the schedule of the contractor that oversees it, Waechter said in an email. Bloomings, which won the mowing contract with a bid that was $650,000 lower than what Sarasota County earmarked, exposed some weakness in the lowest bidder aspect of Sarasota County’s procurement process.
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rescued cats from Caboodle Ranch Sanctuary need loving homes Saturday & Sunday, August 11-12
10am to 6pm • Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota* *Concession stand will be open
Loving c with ba ats, along rn cats, will be availab le for a $
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www.catdepot.org
2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 Hours: M-F 11am-7pm S-S 11am-5pm Potential adopters must be 21 years of age, have a government-issued photo ID and proof of address. Cat Depot standard adoption qualifications will apply. All cats have had veterinary checkups, are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. 88085
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