E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Luxury condos back on schedule. PAGE 5
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FREE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
VOLUME 18, NO. 40
YOUR TOWN
BAUGH STAYS SEATED With a 6.2% margin, the commissioner will serve a second term. SEE PAGE 3
Courtesy photos
Join the club As the exalted ruler of Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge 2855, Darrin Simone Sr., tries to ensure the club’s future by convincing local residents that it would be a great idea for them to join the Elks. He must practice that speech at home because on Aug. 12, Simone initiated his son, 21-year-old D.J. Simone. The younger Simone is now the Elks’ youngest member.
Berkley Mason
Area strikes gold Aimee Boorman, the head coach for the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team, has accepted a position as director of women’s gymnastics at EVO Athletics in Sarasota. Boorman coached Simone Biles to three world championships in the all-around along with the Olympic gold. “My vision for what a gymnastics facility should be is reflected in this at EVO,” she said.
A+E
Art Center Sarasota embraces the unknown. INSIDE
Jay Heater
Vanessa Baugh recognizes her supporters as she is announced as the winner of the Manatee County Commission District 5 Republican primary on Tuesday at Main Street Trattoria.
IT’S A
BUG
EAT BUG
WORLD
Dragonflies slay the mighty midge flies in Lakewood Ranch ponds.
Dist. 1: Edward Viltz, Gina Messenger
SEE PAGE 8
Dist. 3: Dave Miner, Misty Servian
School board heads to runoff The top two from both races will face off Nov. 8. SEE PAGE 3