E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 17, NO. 28
FREE
LAWMAKERS LUNCH PAGES 12-13 •
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015
Touchdown time?
Kickoff could come next spring if Major League Football chooses the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch for its new headquarters. PAGE 5
The whole hog approach CDD 2 residents want to stop the feral pig population from flying out of control. JESSICA SALMOND STAFF WRITER
The first time Mike Finney saw a feral hog, it darted in front of his Mazda Miata on University Parkway. Unable to stop in time, Finney struck the pig, which rolled over after impact and then took off running. That was in 2007, and Finney said the population migrated and quieted down. But his neighborhood, Edgewater, has experienced SEE HOGS ON PAGE 6
CALLING ALL ANGELS
PATRIOTISM ON PARADE Alma Gerry Haller, 102, waves to the crowd at the Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day Parade. Haller served in the Women’s Auxiliary Corps during World War II. SEE PAGE 19
Lost Lagoon’s Lucky 13 Who’s behind efforts to construct a regional water park in Manatee County?
PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR
— Committee members had a question for Manatee Lost Lagoon Development: “What if the project fails?” Manatee Lost Lagoon President Lynn Mims replied: “We have not thought about that. We’re going to make it work. We all have successful businesses.” If negotiations are successful and Manatee County commissioners approve the project, Lost Lagoon’s proposed 20-acre water park will offer a 20,000-squarefoot wave pool, coaster slide, thrill rides and 2,667-foot-long lazy river. Although it’s Mims’ first time building her own water park, she said her team’s experience will produce success.
EAST COUNTY
Nearly 100 East County residents earned their wings for an afternoon. Attendees of “Angels in Jewish Tradition,” facilitated by Temple Emanu-El’s Rabbi Brenner Glickman, enjoyed a discussion about the role angels play in Judaism. The event, hosted May 19 at the Courtyard Marriott in Cooper Creek, also included discussion of angels’ present-day relevance.
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WE WANT YOU FOR OUR TRIBUTE The Observer is preparing a tribute to the Greatest Generation for the Fourth of July in observance of the 70-year anniversary of the end of World War II. If you’re part of the World War II generation, we want to hear your stories — whether you’re a veteran or one of the millions of men and women whose sacrifices at home helped secure our freedoms. We’re also looking for lessons the Greatest Generation has to offer future generations, along with stories from family members of World War II veterans whom we’ve recently lost. To share your stories, email Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.