Longboat Observer 12.01.22

3 candidates, 3 seats

Commission election rendered unnecessary following withdrawal. PAGE 4A

YOUR TOWN

Helping the animals

Kevin Byrne is in pest control, but he’s not what you’d call an exterminator. Byrne is quite the opposite: He’s become a life saver for Longboat Key wildlife. Within six months, while on the job for NaturZone Pest Control, Byrne rescued three swans, two sea turtles and a burrowing owl.

He has a passion for protecting Florida wildlife and has built relationships with two local rescue and rehabilitation centers through his encounters: Wildlife Inc. and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. When the two turtle hatchlings were lost and headed toward traffic, Byrnes scooped them up and delivered them to Mote’s sea turtle hospital.

It’s not surprising that Byrne’s coworkers call him the NaturZone Steve Irwin.

The Pettingells pass out pies

St. Armands Circle-based Realtor Roger Pettingell and his family, wife Alisa and son Max, once again took part in their Thanksgiving tradition of donating pies to clients, with the option of passing the yummy desserts on to local food banks.

The Realtor from Coldwell Banker distributed more than 100 pies, all baked by Yoders of Sarasota.

“We’ve been doing this for 20 years, and it has become an integral part of Thanksgiving for our clients,” Pettingell said. Out-of-town clients were offered the option of donating their pies.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

La Villa Mexican Grill opens on GMD

It took owners 16 months to open La Villa Mexican Grill. Now it’s open and serving up authentic Mexican dishes, margaritas and mariachi.

BY LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

a Villa Mexican Grill is the little Longboat engine that could. It took Estella Villegas 16 months to open the new restaurant located at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed everything down from remodeling to buying tables and chairs. Ville gas would know, this is not the first restaurant she and her husband have opened.

The original La Villa is in Valrico and opened nine years ago. The menus are representative of differ ent regions in Mexico because the cuisine varies across the country.

“I lived in Mexico City for 19 years and never ever heard the word faji

tas,” she said. “We don’t eat burritos in Mexico City either. That’s more of the northern part of Mexico.”

Both dishes are on the menu, and both offer vegetarian options.

Villegas left Mexico City for the United States at 19 years old. She started out in the Tampa Bay area, then gave Chicago and Dallas a try, but returned to where she started to settle down in 2003 with her hus band and two children.

The kids are in college now, but help with the restaurants when on break. Still a family business, hus band Juan Pingarron currently runs the Valrico location, and her nephew works with her on Longboat Key.

“My husband is the one who cre ated most of the dishes,” Villegas said. “He’s at the other restaurant,

but we’re planning to bring him here once the season gets busy because he’s the best cook.”

As with any homemade family dinner, it may take a little longer to prepare. Stop in on a Wednesday, and a mariachi band will serenade your table while you wait. The band plays every other Wednesday for now. They’ll play weekly when the season is in full swing.

“Please be patient because noth ing is premade, precooked, frozen or canned,” Villegas said. “Everything is fresh and made at the time you order it. We use the best products.”

With rising prices, Villegas says it’s tempting to go with lesser quality ingredients, but the couple choose not to. Pingarron drives to a produce market in Plant City two to three times a week to keep both kitchens freshly stocked.

They also have a fully stocked liquor bar, and Villegas says people really like the margaritas.

La Villa is open seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Estella Villegas front and center with Mariachi Contemporaneo. The band plays every other Wednesday for now, weekly during peak season.

La Villa Mexican Grill serves beer, wine, liquor and margaritas.

La Villa Mexican Grill features mariachi music every other Wednesday.

PROJECTS UPDATE

Almost done: Big jobs nearly completed

Underground utilities and a sea level rise study are among projects near completion at the end of the year.

BY LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Not unlike other jurisdictions across the nation, the town of Longboat Key has a laun dry list of projects to com plete, whether it’s soon, in the nottoo-distant future or longer term.

Of the 18 active projects on the town’s Public Works Department’s to-do list, some are nearly wrapped up, some are underway but with some work to be done and some are still in the planning stages.

This week, the Longboat Observer will review all of them and update their status as 2022 comes to an end.

Follow along on Page 5 and Page 7 for updates on the other stages of project work.

UNDERGROUND UTILITIES

The first phase, on the southern end of the island, is finished, with the rest of town not too far behind.

For phase 2 on the north end, Flor ida Power and Light was delayed to allow for focus on restoration efforts after Hurricane Ian. On Oct. 27, the town received word that the switch orders have been re-engaged. All that remains in the phase is making final connections to all phase 2 meters and energizing them one by one.

“(The storms) both impacted our project because when a storm of that magnitude approaches Florida, FPL redirects all of their resources toward storm preparation and then post-storm recovery,” Public Works Director Isaac Brownman said. “All the work we were doing to get ready to start switch orders in phase two essentially got put on hold so FPL could divert their resources towards storm efforts.”

In phase 3, Florida Power and Light has approved final drawings and also restarted preliminary work on switch overs to underground service. Crews have installed service runs to meters where possible, which will expedite the meter conversion process. Final steps in the phase are the same as those in phase 2.

In phase 4, all digging and bor ing is complete and final equipment installation is expected in December on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Nearly all neighborhood street lights are installed in all phases. The GMD highway lights were scheduled for installation at the end of Novem ber.

According to the updated master schedule, all underground electrical infrastructure work remains on track to be complete before Dec. 31.

Installation of backordered street lights for GMD is also anticipated by Dec. 31.

Brownman expressed hope that energizing of the whole of the new underground system will be com plete by spring 2023. Remaining work, including removing poles and wires, is the responsibility of the FPL.

Once FPL work is complete, the project will be fully finished, which Brownman expressed should be around mid-summer 2023.

Next steps include:

Determing costs and return on investment for installing fiber cables to propel elements of the town’s Smart City project; removing soonto-be obsolete poles and installing new streetlights.

SEA LEVEL RISE STUDY

All that is left to complete in the town’s sea level rise study is the last portion of phase 4, the implementa tion plan.

Phase 1, 2 and 3 are all complete. Phase 1 was categorized as an initial assessment of the town’s vulnera bilies.

Phase 2 included data collection and analysis. Phase 3 was adaptation recommendations.

APTIM Environmental and Infra structure conducted the study for the town as it works toward implement ing changes to deal with expected environmental changes.

The town has received about $131,289 from state sources to sup port the project.

Among the initial impacts dis covered in phase one, APTIM found the town’s Public Works Complex, Recreation Center and Fire Station 92 are subject to nuisance flooding whereas the Mid-Key Water plant is subject to more serious disturbance flooding.

APTIM’s report found the police

station, Town Hall and South Key Water Plant have unlikely shortterm risks.

The report found the Mobil gas sta tion, the town’s only filling station, is prone to disturbance flooding. However, other commercial busi nesses such as the Bank of America, Suntrust Bank complex, Cannons Marina and Harborside Marina are subject to nuisance flooding.

The post office, Publix, Mediter ranean Plaza, First Bank and CVS Pharmacy have unlikely short-term risk.

As mentioned above, nuisance flooding is flooding that often hap pens during high tide. Disturbance flooding is defined as flooding of more than 1 foot of water on the road where it is dangerous to drive; some parts of the road might close. Impact flooding is flooding from hurricanes or major storm surges.

Staff will provide an update to the commission at its Dec. 12 workshop. The town already dedicated Ameri can Rescue Plan Act funds, about $1.8 million, to help offset costs of recommended actions. A full scope of costs is still in the works with staff planning to pursue relevant grant funding for remaining costs.

DRAINAGE ASSESSMENTS

Under the same umbrella as the sea level rise study, the town conducted drainage assessments of the Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood Harbour neighborhoods, which historically experience flooding issues during heavy rain and high tide.

“One of the primary enhance ments recommended is raising the roads,” Brownman said. “It’s just the reality of the town. We are a bar rier island and portions of the island were built extremely low years ago... there’s not a lot that can be done with the existing infrastructure without raising the road.”

Data collection, area elevation and topographic surveys have been completed. The Town Commission will be updated at its Dec. 12 work shop before next steps are final ized. Kimley-Horn, a planning and design consulting firm, conducted the neighborhood-specific studies.

OTHER PROJECTS NEAR COMPLETION

n Consent order: On June 29, 2020, the town discovered a leak in its primary sewer line, and repair was completed on June 30, 2020. As a result of the discharge of sewage, the town entered into a consent order with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Feb. 24, 2021. The order included a number of projects and a commitment to complete in-kind projects in lieu of a penalty payment. According to the report, the town has turned in all projects on time. FDEP approved the town’s corrective action plan and evaluation summary. The town paid $15,000 to the Nature Coast Mitigation Bank. A revised restoration plan will be submitted to FDEP with a beginning date staggered until after completion of the mainland portion of the sewer line replacement project. The town’s final report is due in 2023.

n Beach access beautification: The town recently completed efforts to improve the aesthetic look and entryway of beach access points. Post and rope improvements have been installed at existing beach access points along Gulf of Mexico Drive. New improvements have also been placed at the end of North Shore Road.

n Complete Streets Corridor Plan: The plan will produce a road map for the future design and construction of complete streets elements into the full Gulf of Mexico Drive corridor. Improvements include wider bicycle lanes, a wider trail, traffic calming opportunities, pedestrian refuge areas, left-turn lane recommendations and landscaping. The plan’s development is about 90% complete. A town commission update will be given at the Dec. 12 workshop before staff produce the final plan document.

Neighborhoods on the north end are more prone to flooding during high tide.

Town

Longboat election back to being uncontested

Now with three in running for three seats, another uncontested campaign for March’s Town Commission election is coming in 2023.

BY ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

Longboat Key’s March elections for Town Commission are back to being an uncontested campaign now that one of the candidates from District 1 alerted town officials he was withdrawing.

In an email to Town Clerk Trish Shinkle, Jeff Lenobel on Friday, Nov. 25 indicated he was withdrawing from consideration as a candidate.

“Please take notice that this is my formal notice that I have withdrawn as a candidate for the Town Commis sion - District 1,” he wrote. “Thank you for all of your assistance during the past few weeks. I was extremely impressed with the professionalism and efficiency of everyone in Town Hall.”

Barring any other changes in the election lineup, Planning and Zoning Board member Gary Coffin will run unopposed for District 1, Deborah Murphy will run unopposed for Dis trict 5 and incumbent Ken Schneier will run unopposed for District 3.

With nothing else on the imme diate horizon for inclusion on the March ballot, and an early Decem ber deadline to add anything to the ballot, the town could save between $10,000 and $20,000 by not holding an election.

Coffin almost didn’t himself seek to run when he saw that Lenobel, son of former Mayor Hal Lenobel, had entered the race, telling the Long boat Observer recently that he was urged to reconsider after his initial leanings to stay out of the race were published.

Coffin said he was “pounced on”

with calls from friends and neigh bors urging him to run.

“I feel like my time on the (Plan ning and Zoning Board) is critical to the knowledge I would need to serve on the commission,” he said.

Coffin was appointed to his seat on the Planning and Zoning board in December 2020. The board has a his tory on the barrier island for serving as a pipeline to a seat on the commis sion.

Sherry Dominick, representing District 1, and Maureen Merrigan, representing District 5, decided against running for reelection, cit ing family and professional com mitments.

The deadline for qualifying for elections was noon Nov. 21.

The last time an election was con tested was in 2018. Since that March over four years ago, when Ed Zunz, Ken Schneier and Irwin Pastor won contested Town Commission races against Randy Langley, John Weber and Jack Wilson. In that election, Zunz’s victory was the closest at 55% of 1,752 votes cast over Langley.

Schneier defeated Weber with 69% of the vote and Pastor won with 75% of the vote.

File

Barring the additon of a referendum question for the March ballot, there will be no need for a town election in 2023.

continues

BY LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

enerally speaking, these underway projects are deep ly planned with financing sources at least identified. Construction in some cases is ready to roll (or even rolling) but in others, dirt likely won’t turn until mid-2023 at the earliest. In some cases, it could be a decade or more.

ROUNDABOUTS

The goal of constructing a round about on Broadway at Gulf of Mexi co Drive is to help slow down traffic, provide for safer vehicular cross ings and left turns, address signifi cant elevation changes and enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The design is meant to be an aes thetic, welcoming entry feature.

Design for the proposed round about is over 75% complete. Final designs are expected to be complete in December or January.

Originally, the town planned to fully fund the design, about $300,000, but Manatee County has agreed to cover half those costs.

The project is  programmed in the Metropolitan Planning Organiza tion’s Long Range Transportation Plan in the 2030 to 2035 timeframe.

“That’s a little bit further out than the town was hoping for,” Public Works Director Isaac Brownman said.

In terms of next steps, the primary one is finding the $2 million and $3 million to build it. “The town does not have that kind of funding set aside to build this,” he said.

TOWN CENTER PHASE 2

The Town Center Green is being

developed in three stages. Phase 2, which is underway, includes pedes trian walkways, a master stormwa ter system, a donor-funded pavil ion, restrooms, night-time walkway lighting, electrical, water and sewer connections and the preservation of parcels of land for buildings planned for Phase 3.

The soon-to-be Karon Family Pavilion celebrated its groundbreak ing Nov. 7. However, actual con struction is not slated to begin until January.

For the pavilion funding, original ly, the town had anticipated the proj ect would cost about $500,000. Paul and Sarah Karon opted to donate the entirety of that amount.

“Paul and I love the word pavilion because it just connotes just a little bit more than (a stage),” Sarah said. “It’s a place for recreation; it’s a place for entertainment. It’s a place for shelter, and it’s a place for together ness.”

However, after going out to bids, the final total came back to the town

at about $860,000. The remaining money was raised with the help of more than a dozen other individu als, largely through the efforts of the Longboat Key Foundation.

Other site work for the phase began in October with the entirety of the phase expected to be complete by June 2023.

The town awarded the contract for construction to Jon F. Swift Construction. The final total came to about $2.23 million for the phase.

MAINLAND SEWER RELINE

The town is moving forward with efforts to rehabilitate the eastern mainland portions of the primary force main via a pipe lining project.

Originally, a new pipe was planned to run parallel to the existing pipe, which went into service in the 1970s. The original pipe was built with the expectation of a population one day exceeding 50,000 residents. But a 1984 decision to rezone the island changed the trajectory of island growth, limiting peak season popu

lation to about half that number.

In the new, more cost-effective approach, the smaller and more durable pipe will be fed within the existing pipe. The new pipe is expected to last between 75 and 100 years.

The initial project’s overall cost is estimated to be about $2.6 million. The majority of the costs, $2 million, is covered by state appropriations received over the last two years as part of the broader effort to improve the sewer main.

The entirety of the pipeline from the town to the county’s treatment facility measures about 4 miles. Currently, the town is only repairing the mainland portion, which mea sures about 1.2 miles starting from the repair spot on Longbar Pointe to the Manatee County meter at 53rd Avenue.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES TURN LANE

The Country Club Shores left-turn lane project is a 0.88-mile segment

of Gulf of Mexico Drive from Chan nel Lane to Longboat Club Road with safer areas for vehicles turning left into the neighborhood. The town’s initial project design is complete and the FDOT permit has been obtained.  The project is targeting fiscal year 2024 to bid for the project.

FDOT CROSSINGS

The town has previously expressed concerns to Florida Department of Transportation regarding the six rectangular rapid flashing beacon mid-block crossings, which are those that flash on the sides of the road signaling a pedestrian’s desire to cross, across Gulf of Mexico Drive.

FDOT indicated plans to install two pedestrian hybrid beacons, which provide additional signaling of pedestrians in crosswalks with flashing red lights overhead. One will be placed at the Country Club Shores crossing and the other at the Bayfront Park crossing.

The timeframe for completion about 2024.

The town center pavilion and GMD roundabout are among projects working their way toward reality.

File photo

Donors and town staff celebrate the groundbreaking of the town center stage. From left to right: Tom Harmer, Penny Gold, Mike Haycock, Sarah Karon, Ken Schneier, Paul Karon, BJ Bishop, Debra Williams and Jim Brown.

Democratic Club picks new president

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

The Longboat Key Democratic Club recently changed leadership, inaugurating Arlene Skversky as president Nov. 15 at Sarasota Yacht Club.

Skversky  previously served as precinct captain for the barrier island’s southern precinct, Precinct 201 in Sarasota County.

She was also awarded the club’s Blueglass Award for Distinguished Leadership, which is awarded in honor of the club’s former longtime president, Murray Blueglass.

Skversky unexpectedly received the award based on what the club deemed to be “outstanding service and commitment” to its goals.

“Apparently, they all knew for six months, and they kept it a secret,” Skversky said. “There were 102 peo ple there. It was really nice, and they were all friends.”

There are  212 club members, yet there are about 2,500 registered Democrats living on Longboat Key.

“Very few of them belong to the club, and that is going to be our goal this year — to get more people,” Skversky said. “I want to reach out to the Independents too.”

Skversky is the first woman to take on the role of president and succeeds Ed Sabol.

UPCOMING LBK DEMOCRATIC CLUB EVENTS

Thursday, Dec. 8: The Hispanic Voters and Potential Voters in Flor ida, Unidos Now Executive Direc tor Luz Corcuera and Lisa Ramirez, Strategic Initiatives Director, will explore the diversity of the His panic/Latino population in Florida. 11:30 a.m., Sarasota Yacht Club. $45 lunch and program.

Thursday, Jan. 12: The Status of the Right to Choose: Barbara Zdravecky,

former CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, is a board member of Ruth’s List and a community activist. She will discuss the implications of the post-Roe vs Wade world. 11:30 a.m., Sarasota Yacht Club. $5 lunch and program.

Tuesday, Feb. 7: I Have a Dream —60 Years Later: Join a panel of Sarasota-Manatee residents in remembrance of the dynamic ener gy that reverberated throughout the Capitol Mall in Washington on August 28, 1963.

For information on club events, visit LBKDems.com

UPCOMING REPUBLICAN CLUB OF LBK EVENTS

Tuesday, Dec. 12:  Holiday Party with guest speaker Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of five remaining Tuske gee Airmen from World War II. In his distinguished, more than 28-year military career, Hardy flew 136 com bat missions in three wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Viet nam War. Reception, 5:30-6 p.m., Dinner 6-8 p.m. followed by music and dancing. Members, $45 with a gift to donate; members without a donated gift, $70; guests with a gift $50; guests without a gift $75.

For information on Longboat Key Republican Club events, visit RCLBK.org

Arlene Skversky was sworn into the office Nov. 15.

Courtesy image Alice Blueglass presents Arlene Skversky, right, with the Blueglass Award for Distinguished Leadership.

Still to come: Town to tackle new projects in 2023

slip-lined into the original pipe, rather than running one parallel to the existing pipe.

BY LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Alot of the work on the town’s drawing board now con sists of projects that might be hard to see when com pleted, but will lead to safer sewage and water handling, easier boating, and easier access to entertainment. Though 2023 might see some of these projects to completion, they are all longer-range in nature.

CANAL MAINTENANCE

The town is working to develop a canal navigation dredge program to maintain the town’s 81 canals consistently, alleviating the need for major dredge projects every few years. The last major dredge the town completed was in 2003.

Discussion of such a project has been ongoing with the last update to the town in March 2021.

Fourteen priority canals have been identified, but the list may grow since the original study was con ducted in 2016. Priority canals were categorized as such due to the state of the canal and its ability to meet its designed intent: navigation.

“The town has never really had a program to have a regular ongoing maintenance dredge of the centerline of the canal,” Public Works Director Isaac Brownman said. “Canals even tually start to fill in, and it’s hard to get boats in and out.”

Since then, as canals start to fill in with silt and sand, the town began debating the potential for instating an ongoing program.

Town staff is working to identify potential sources for funding the program and its associated dredging

projects. An update will be provided to the town commission at the Jan. 23, 2023 workshop.

TOWN CENTER PHASE THREE Phase three is a longer-term effort after construction of the pavilion and site improvements in phase 2.

Potential uses for the remaining land includes a multi-purpose build ing or campus style community cen ter. Potential programs for the cen ter include adult lifelong education, library services and a multi-purpose space in an operating partnership agreement.

Town staff is in discussions with Sarasota County Libraries, Sarasota County School Board and Education Center at TBI regarding a partner ship for services and funding.  Sarasota County has budgeted $1

million in fiscal year 2023 to advance planning and design of the commu nity center.

ASBESTOS PIPE REPLACEMENT

The Country Club Shores asbestos cement pipe replacement project consists of four phases. Design of all four phases is complete.

The need for replacement comes from the fragility of the current pipe, which were placed in the 1960s.

“Our team is having to fix leaks and breaks in Country Club Shores fairly regularly and with enough frequency that we understand that this mate rial has probably lived its useful life,” Brownman said. “It’s time to replace it with a more hearty, more durable material.”

Phases one and two are full water main replacement into roadway

areas due to current pipe locations and tie-in points to maintain service. Phases three and four will involve pipe bursting in place, which is a less invasive process.

The town has $7.1 million budgeted for the replacement over four years.

SEWER LINE: UNDER THE BAY

In early 2020, the town asked Carllo Engineers to obtain permits for a redundant underwater sewer main under Sarasota Bay.

The total cost for replacing the entire sewer line was originally estimated to be about $24.8 million when the town was going to build the parallel pipe, but with the new meth od for the mainland portion the new estimated cost is about $21.7 million or lower.

The mainland portion is now being

A few approaches have been con sidered to build a redundant pipe across the bay, including the most aggressive approach, open cutting. Open cutting is a method of pipeline installation that requires digging up the underwater bed of Sarasota Bay to the required depth for installing the pipe.

NEW PASS GROIN TIGHTENING

The anticipated start date of the town’s plan to tighten the existing rock groin structure at New Pass is early 2023.

Town staff are awaiting a number of permits necessary to complete the work. Once permits are obtained, final drawings will be completed.

GREER ISLAND

Town staff is working to develop a plan for managing the Greer Island spit, complementing the Compre hensive Beach Management Plan.

Spit development is a result of sand supply and placement over time on the north end Gulf front as part of renourishment projects. Spit growth reduces Canal 1A access and reduces flushing of the lagoon.

Once removed, the sand will be permitted to be placed back on Gulffront beaches.

TOWN HALL HAZARD MITIGATION

A Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant was awarded to the town through an arrangement with the Florida Divi sion of Emergency Management.

Improvements under the grant include replacing the aging town hall generator with a more robust, permanent one. Staff also intends to harden and improve window open ings and the roof of town hall.

The grant amount awarded was $697,800 with an expected comple tion date of March 2023.

Implementing a canal maintenance program and replacing deteriorating pipes are among projects starting in the new year.

Lauren Tronstad

Town staff will update the commission on potential funding sources for projects on Jan. 23, 2023.

The choice was Asplen’s

THE FIRST TEST OF LEADERSHIP

To be sure, this is a test of leadership. The first of what likely will many tests for Sarasota School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler.

MATT WALSH

It may have appeared to be an orchestrated effort to oust the Sarasota superintendent. But there are multiple sides to this.

He always had a choice.

Sarasota Schools

Superintendent Brennan Asplen could try to make it work. Or, he could give up and move on.

As this went to press, his future as superintendent hinged on Tuesday’s special board meeting.

At first blush, the drama surrounding Asplen’s future triggered recollections of the turmoil that engulfed the Manatee County Commission at the start of 2021.

If you recall, in the wake of the 2020 election, as soon as the new majority of newly elected Republicans took their seats, they immediately voted to discuss the job performance of County Administrator Cheri Corya. In less than a month, she resigned.

The turmoil consumed local headlines and chatter.

So when Sarasota School Board Karen Rose at the Nov. 22 organizational meeting of the new Republican-dominated school board asked for a special meeting to discuss the termination of Asplen’s contract, it looked like a repeat — an abrupt, politically driven motion that would bring a fait accompli:

The Republicans were now in charge, and there’s no point wasting time. Let the change begin — starting at the top!

In fact, we’ve heard from numerous observers how they concluded that when Rose made the motion “to recommend the termination of the contract” of Asplen, it was a done deal. She wanted him fired. And the other three Republican board members were on board. Asplen supporters made suggestions and accusations that those nasty Republicans conspired and colluded illegally to orchestrate Asplen’s departure.

Hold on. There are always multiple sides to a story like this. Indeed, as is the case in so many firings of school superintendents, city managers and other high profile public officials, there is always much the public does not know. Likewise, as most business people know, more often than not, firings and resignations are the result of an accumulation of actions and behaviors over time that come to a tipping point. They aren’t sudden.

Perhaps this outcome with Asplen — are you with us and in, or are you not and out? — was predict able. He apparently worked well with the previous board, which before the August primary elections, consisted of the majority of Jane Godwin, Shirley Brown and

Tom Edwards, all Democrats and philosophically at odds with the two Republican board members, Bridget Ziegler and Karen Rose.

So when voters selected two more Republicans to replace retiring Godwin and Brown, perhaps it was inevitable that the future of Asplen’s employment would rise to the top of the board’s agenda.

In interviews with Rose, Ziegler and newly elected board member Robyn Marinelli, there was no plan or intention to fire Asplen. Each member told us over the weekend and Monday they had not made a decision going into Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Board member Tim Enos did not respond.

Marinelli said she voted in favor of having Tuesday’s special meeting because the motion specifically stated “to have a discussion about the superintendent.”

“I want to hear from the public,” Marinelli said Monday. Asked if she discussed Asplen’s future with board members or anyone else prior to Tuesday, she said: “Absolutely not.”

Marinelli said voters repeatedly asked her before the election if she would vote to fire him if elected, and she said, “My response was I am the only board member who has never worked with him. I wouldn’t make a decision without having all the facts.”

Ziegler told us she was going into Tuesday’s meeting “on the fence.”

“I’ve always had a pretty good relationship with him,” she said. “But I’ve also been very candid about wearing my positions on my sleeve.”

Ziegler gave Asplen his lowest overall score on his evaluation: “Needs improvement.”

She said the level of trust between them has been “less than to be desired,” and that “if you aggregated everything, it starts to make you question.” In a one-onone meeting with Asplen about her evaluation, she said she spoke about “opportunities for growth with the new board” and that with everyone “there’s always room for improvement.”

And while she said prior to Tuesday’s meeting, she was hoping for a positive outcome and open to Asplen wanting to work with the new board, she said: “He has not done much to give an optimistic look about the future.” Efforts to have that conversation went unanswered.

And what of Rose? Her original motion was “to recommend the termination of the superintendent’s contract.”

Told that people assumed and concluded she wants Asplen fired, Rose said: “I would have given a whole list of things, if I wanted to fire him. My sole goal was to initiate a process for how we are going to bring unity back to the district. I’ve had the opportunity to work for three decades in this district with unity. So the divisiveness has to be addressed.

“There has a been a strong,

consistent voice for change in the district going back to COVID,” she said. “With a lot of engagement from the community … And I’ve tried for change on the dais and in one-on-ones,” she said. “But I don’t see it.”

During the board’s evaluations of Asplen at the Nov. 2 meeting, Asplen took time to respond in detail and point-by-point to Rose’s specific “needs improvement” criticisms. When you watch his comments, you can sense defensiveness.

Rose said he “tore apart” her evaluation. And that, you also can sense in conversation with her, played a role in her motion for a special meeting. “I feel like I didn’t have any choices left but to rip off the Band-Aid. I’m giving him a chance to do what he hasn’t done: change.”

Rose said Monday she was open to Asplen continuing to work with the board. “We need to find a commonality that everyone can agree on,” she said. “For me, the goal is no politics in our schools or influencing any ideology. It’s about teaching our kids reading, writing, math, history and science. It’s not about Dems and R’s. It’s about families and kids.”

As of this writing, the board had yet to meet. And Asplen had not responded to our call and email questions.

Regardless of the outcome at Tuesday’s meeting, a point to be made here is this: As we all have seen so many times in other instances, this story shows there are always multiple sides to a story. Practically everyone has a different version and interpretation.

Likewise, people who serve on boards of directors know there almost always is some friction occurring behind the closed boardroom doors and kept out of the public eye. Indeed, there is wisdom in the saying: If everyone on a board is always in agreement, the organization doesn’t have a good board. At the same time, we all know too much friction is detrimental and destructive.

But what readers can believe from our interviews with Rose, Ziegler and Marinelli is they dispel the accusations that Rose’s motion was pre-orchestrated by a band of evil, dastardly, colluding Republican politicians. What’s more, they were not going into Tuesday’s meeting with the express intent to fire Asplen.

Yes, we don’t have Asplen’s version of his interactions with Ziegler and Rose. But it wouldn’t matter.

From the day after the August primary elections, when it was determined there would be four Republicans and one Democrat on the school board, Asplen knew he had a choice. He knew the dynamics of his board were taking a dramatic turn. And surely he knew that at some point he would have to make a choice: Either try to work with his new bosses, or give up and opt out.

In the end, it is his choice.

“I am committed to being respectful of Dr. Asplen’s service and the district and want to mitigate disruption,” she told us over the weekend.

The latter — mitigating disruption — is one of the weightiest issues that was to fall on her at Tuesday’s meeting and thereafter.

Indeed, the Sarasota School District has weathered a lot in the past four years, starting with the tumultuous tenure of former Superintendent Todd Bowden.

Then came the hiring of current Superintendent Brennan Asplen, who has endured more than his share of disruption: the aftermath of Bowden and bringing stability to the district; the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021; the battles between former board members and parents; and now this: Asplen’s future and the disruption that is likely to follow if he leaves or is fired.

All of this prompted the Council of Business Associations to send a letter Monday to all of the board members.

COBA consists of chambers of commerce, the Argus Foundation and other Sarasotabased business groups that represents more than 5,000 businesses and 50,000 employees. No small voice.

In its letter to the school board, COBA Chair Russ Bobbitt essentially questioned the timing of evaluating Asplen’s contract.

“Over the past three years, our community has weathered many difficult situations … We feel that not to provide Dr. Asplen time to perform underneath the policy guidance of the newly elected board would not be in the best interest of the community.

“… We are concerned with morale in the district absent strong Superintendent leadership. Additionally, we currently have a teacher shortage, and making a change at the Superintendent position at this time has the potential to exacerbate the problem.”

Another argument: If the board fired Asplen, that would make it more difficult to find qualified candidates.

Of course, stabilityis preferred.

The challenge for Chairwoman Ziegler is how best to try to influence fellow board members and Asplen. She knows whatever the outcome, it will reflect on her leadership.

“If

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

“My sole goal was to initiate a process for how we are going to bring unity back to the district.”

—KAREN ROSE, Sarasota County School Board

NO

11:30 p.m., 200 block of Sands Point Road

Citizen dispute: The manager of a bar called police to report trouble with a patron who refused to produce identification before being served. The manager said staff explained to the patron that no alcohol would be served without ID. The male patron became belligerent and demanded he be served. At that point, the patron was told to leave. Several minutes later, the manager said the patron tried to return to the bar wearing different clothes, but staff told him they were calling 911 as a result. The patron left before an officer could arrive.

SATURDAY, NOV. 19

BODY OF EVIDENCE

12:02 p.m., 1600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen assist: Police were alerted to the presence of a dead raccoon. Police notified Public Works.

CAR, BUT NO RIDE

11:05 p.m., 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen assist: A woman called police asking for help with a transportation dilemma. She told an officer she had purchased from a friend a day earlier the car next to which she was standing. But she had not been able to transfer the title or registration. An officer had told her it was illegal for her to drive the vehicle in such a state of paperwork limbo and recommended it be towed. Yes, the woman said, but she had been unable to arrange a tow. The new officer confirmed the notion put forth by the previous officer, and the woman said she would figure out a way to get it home legally.

SUNDAY, NOV. 20

LOSE YOUR SEAT?

10:20 p.m., 6300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic hazard: While on patrol, an officer spotted something that likely would have been a hazard to driving. The officer found it to be a broken folding beach chair. He brought it back to the police station and disposed of it.

MONDAY, NOV. 21

SOME FISH STORY

9:08 a.m., 1600 block of Ken Thompson Parkway Burglary of unoccupied building: Sarasota Police took a fish hook and fishing line into evidence to aid in their investigation of a burglary and a bit of improper fishing in a shark tank at a location on City Island, the name of which was redacted in a police incident report, as often is the case with burglary reports.

Marine-wildlife experts at the laboratory and aquarium reported finding a 4-foot shark in one of its tanks with a baited hook in its mouth and a length of fishing line trailing behind. Experts were able to remove the hook without injury to the shark.

Officers were told the likely felonious angler dipped the line overnight while the facility was closed, because no one noticed anything wrong at closing time the evening before.

The experts showed officers the off-limits-to-the-public area where the fishing likely took place. Additional evidence was found there.

Entry to the facility was potentially through the rear delivery door, officials said. Not camera coverage of that area exists, the report said.

TUESDAY, NOV. 22

IT WORKS

10:09 a.m., 500 block of Harbor Point Road

Alarm: Police and fire department personnel came to a home in response to an activated smoke/carbon monoxide alarm. Fire personnel soon ascertained the alarm was the result of a successful test.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23

BLAME THE DOGS 3:39 a.m., 6900 block of Longboat Drive South Citizen assist: Police came to search the house following a resident’s report of strange goings on. The resident said she and her father locked the door and left for a short time. When they returned, the door was locked but a dress was found on the hallway floor. Certain the dress had not been there previously, the resident was further spooked by odd noises from the elevator and called police. An officer sent to investigate

theorized that two dogs in the home might have pulled the dress into the hall, which the resident conceded was possible. Valuables in plain sight appeared untouched. The officer checked the whole residence and found nothing out of the ordinary.

POWERING UP 7:26 a.m., 600 block of Cedar Street

Noise complaints from land: A resident called police to report work noise taking place before the permitted hour of 8 a.m. An officer found a contractor on site and the sound of a power tool in operation inside. The officer explained the violation to the contractor and issued a verbal warning.

FREE ROUNDS 11:11 a.m., police headquarters Found property: A resident brought to the police station a box containing 17 12-gauge shotgun shells for which he had no use. The resident offered them to the police as a donation. The shells were placed in the department’s armory.

ALARMING 9:30 p.m., 3100 block of Bayou Sound

Noise complaints from land: A pair of officers were unable to silence a smoke detector in an unoccupied home undergoing repairs, The officers found no sign of smoke or fire and secured the property. A neighbor said he would alert the owner to the alarm situation.

WATER RUSH 11:14 p.m., 3600 block of Bayou Circle Citizen assist: A police officer alerted the town’s Public Works Department following a call about a broken water main. The on-call staffer at Public Works said a team was on the way.

THURSDAY, NOV. 24 NOT TODAY 8:34 a.m., Firehouse Court Noise complaint: A lawn crew preparing for work on the holiday morning was told by an officer that such work on a holiday was not permitted. The lawn crew left.

MONDAY, NOV. 21

RUNNING LATE, SOUNDING NOT SO GREAT 7:31 p.m., 600 block of Neptune Avenue

FRIDAY, NOV. 25

DOWN ... IN ... SLUMBERLAND

4:15 a.m., 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious vehicle: A police officer stopped to investigate a pickup truck parked in a beach access spot before normal operating hours. He found a man and a woman sleeping in the bed of the truck. The officer explained that the beach access was closed. The couple left.

HE KNOWS 7:38 a.m., 6900 block of Bayside Drive

Noise complaint: Police spoke to an out-of-town worker in the driveway of a home following a noise complaint. The worker told the officer he has worked on sites in the town for years and was aware of the restriction on work noise before 8 a.m. He said he and another worker had arrived a few minutes early and were chatting and drinking coffee when a person approached and said they were talking too loudly and were not allowed on the property until 8 a.m. The worker said no work noise would take place until after 8 a.m., and the person said they were calling the police. No power tools were yet connected and there were no signs of construction in progress.

Nancy

In this tale of passion, and hope, a Montana cowboy, Alex Whitgate, deals with the consequences of breaking his engagement to Gwynn O’Brien, an entitled young women who becomes obsessed with revenge. When Alex travels to Charleston, SC, a city steeped in history from the Civil War to pirates and antebellum romance, he meets and falls in love with a beautiful graduate student, Brooke Bryant. But can their relationship survive the distance and an ex-fiancé whose sights are set on a romantic reunion or are there certain love stories that are not meant to be?

Perpall is a former critical care nurse who became a a divorce lawyer. She practiced Family Law for 34 years and saw many of her clients go through heart wrenching divorces. Those experiences have inspired her write a story that will educate the reader about the issues couples face in marriage.

Yes, with an explanation

Nearly all development plans that come before the Sarasota Planning Board have recommendation of approval by staff. Board members ask why.

BY ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

hen a development plan comes before the city of Sarasota Plan ning Board, nearly 100% of them come with recom mendation for approval by the city’s planning staff. It was during a recent meeting of the Planning Board when members asked why.

Among the projects up for consid eration: LKR at Lido Beach luxury condominiums on Benjamin Frank lin Drive and several other multifamily buildings.

As the board members debated the merits of Bahia Vista Apartments before they sent the project to the City Commission with their own recommendation to deny approval, the question was asked why staff gave it the stamp of approval, as it does nearly every other development that comes before the board.

“Whenever we get a packet for planning board, the city staff always suggests approval, so by the time it reaches here, the city is in favor of it,” said Vice Chairman Daniel Cler mont, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Terrill Salem. “It gives the impression that the city is always in favor of any development plan. How often do you get approached and it just never gets here? I’m kind of interested to know …  is there some point where you say no?”

The path for staff approval, explained Manager of Long-Range Planning David Smith, runs through

the Development Review Commit tee, which consists of representa tives from every city department.

Usually requiring multiple meetings, the DRC is a body that allows devel opers to meet with all departments at one time to receive feedback on adjustments to site plans to meet city code. Those meetings are open to the public but not to public comment as that step in the process is adminis trative and not political.

Whether the DRC likes the proj ect or not is irrelevant. All that is required is whether it meets all standards within the existing zon ing district or those applicable to a requested rezoning.

“There seems to be a misunder standing in the public’s perception of exactly what the Development Review Committee’s purpose is,” said Development Review Planner Amy Pintus. “Our purpose is to vet all projects before they come to you. They don’t receive DRC sign-off if they don’t comply with the code.

“Staff’s job is not to render an opinion on if we like something or not. It’s an issue of equal interpreta tion under the law, where we have to say if a project is compliant with city code or not. You don’t usually see a project unless it complies with code because we don’t issue DRC sign-off for projects that don’t comply.”

The DRC meetings include department heads or representa tives of planning, public works, sanitation, police, fire, city arborist and engineering. The back-andforth between the DRC and devel opers — who are often represented by a consultant, an architect and an engineer of their own — generally includes “comments” provided by staff, which for the most part pertain to requirements for adjustments in myriad areas such as setbacks, side walk widths, parking structures, dumpster locations, driveway loca

tions, screening, heights, valet oper ations, fire suppression and more.

The end result is a proposal that meets city code requirements, or it typically doesn’t move on to the requisite political bodies for final approval.

That’s all well and good, but once a project is approved who ensures it is built to all the requisite standards, Clermont asked.

“The building permit has to be in substantial conformity with the site plan approval in order to get built,” said Assistant City Engineer Dan Ohrenstein. “We have our plans, reviewers for building permits as well as inspectors that make sure that it meets the what they had per mitted.”

Conformity to the approved plans is also required to receive a certificate of occupancy, Ohrenstein added.

“For the record, since I’ve been on the Planning Board, I recall one application where staff recommend ed denial,” said member Kathy Kelley Ohlrich.

“I just want to reiterate that our role as staff is to review if something’s compliant with code or not,” Pintus replied. “It doesn’t matter if we like something or not. That’s not sup posed to come into play. If a devel oper is following the rules, we’re obligated to recommend approval. It’s an issue of equal interpretation. If we start recommending denial

of projects that are compliant with code, the city will be facing lawsuits .

“I wasn’t passing judgment on it,” Ohlrich added. “I was just saying a statement of fact.”

BEACH CONDOS APPROVED

The Planning Board did find itself in unanimous agreement with staff on LKR at Lido Beach, a 65-unit luxury condominium development at 930 and 1008 Benjamin Franklin Drive. The developer of record is WSR-Lido Beach.

Destined for a 3.89-acre beach front tract is a planned 11-story development where the historic Gulf Beach Motel and Coquina on the Beach motel once stood. Those buildings were demolished in 2020. The iconic Gulf Beach Motel sign has been preserved.

A prior developer had originally proposed a 10-story building with 70 residential units. That, along with a 135-foot maximum building height, was approved by Sarasota City Com mission in 2021.The development will include eight residential floors and one amenity floor above two parking levels. The property will be managed by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts. No unit may be rented for fewer than six months.

Because of limited beach access in the area, the developer is required to provide a 5-foot-wide easement on the north side of the property.

Courtesy rendering

A rendering of LKR at Lido Beach, a 65-unit luxury condo development on the site of the former Gulf Beach Motel. Like nearly all plans before the Planning Board, it came with staff recommendation to approve.

— Amy Pintus

“I just want to reiterate that our role as staff is to review if something’s compliant with code or not. It doesn’t matter if we like something or not.”

Gathering to give back

The Sarasota Ministerial Association hosted its annual Thanksgiving luncheon at First Downtown Baptist Church to give those who are experiencing homelessness a proper sit-down holiday meal.

This was the Sarasota Ministerial Association’s 22nd annual Thanksgiving community luncheon. Government representatives, community leaders and other faith leaders joined this benefit.

“Many desire to recognize Thanksgiving by giving back to those less fortunate. This luncheon is our community caring for others by having a meal with them, and giving to the local organizations who serve our homeless daily,” said Sarasota Ministerial Association President Rev. Tom Pfaff.

WINTER SEMINARSERIES

Members of Cardinal Mooney High School’s St. Vincent de Paul volunteer club prepped every table with slices of pumpkin pie before the doors were opened to let the special guests inside.

When the doors opened, the special guests were invited into the gymnasium and ushered to tables with colorful handmade hats.

“I love the homeless,” said Ginny Hoenig, a volunteer who crocheted every hat in advance for every special guest.

Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff said he does this community luncheon celebration for three reasons, “The lord told us to do this, to take care of those in need, we love our neighbors and we live in a community that cares.”

— DARIELA DELGADO

U.S. Rep.Greg Steube, Sarasota Mayor Kyle Scott Battie, Sarasota Police Capt. Robert Armstrong and Sarasota Sheriff’s Department Capt. Bryan Ivings take stage to welcome the special guests.

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Courtney West and Cuyler King provide music for

Give Children Hope This Year

Did you know that a local nonprofit organization served more than 9,000 children in the past year? Safe Children Coalition helps any child entering the child welfare system – no matter the circumstances – who needs assistance in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

“Even in this expanse of all the children that we serve, there’s hope,” says Jacqueline House, the organization’s Vice President of Communications and Community Engagement.

“I see us as the keepers of the hope. Children and families who meet us on the worst day of their lives can depend on us to have hope when things are not looking so good and we can hold that hope until they can catch onto it and have that hope for themselves.”

That fits right into Safe Children Coalition’s theme for this year –Hope. Lives. Here.

It can be found in the most dire of situations. When Hurricane Ian passed through, it affected many of us but families who already had limited finances were hit hardest. “It was really important for us before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm to make sure we provided as many resources as possible to keep kids from coming into the child welfare system,” House says.

“Our staff were actually out on boats the day after the hurricane taking supplies (to impacted families),” says President and CEO Brena Slater.

House adds that while the hurricane was a big hurdle to overcome, it’s also a point of pride for the community and their staff who came together. “We’re very grateful for the community support,” she says.

Safe Children Coalition is the lead community-basedcare agency for Foster Care and Adoptions in Circuit 12

covering Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties. Recently two young children had a surprise happy ending when they found a permanent home with their grandparents. “The little boy was so overcome with emotion that he couldn’t speak,” House says. “All he could do was cry tears of joy that they were actually going to be home now.”

Mary Mockler Neufeld 1926-2022

Mary Mockler Neufeld, 96, formerly of Illinois, Longboat Key, Saraso ta and then Bradenton, passed away on Novem ber 14, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Richard S. Neufeld. Mrs. Neufeld is survived by her five children: Anne Neufeld Rutz (Daniel), Richard R. Neufeld, Douglas Neufeld (Barba ra), David Neufeld (Lisa) and Donald Neufeld, fifteen grandchildren and eleven great-grand children.

Mrs. Neufeld graduated in 1948 from Mundelein College in Chicago. She and her husband lived for many years in the Chicago suburb of Homewood, where they raised their five children. Mrs. Neufeld was a home maker and spent hours vol unteering at her children’s schools, at their sports activities and at her church. She was a lifelong, faithful Catholic. When her children were grown, Mrs. Neufeld volunteered as a docent with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and she and her husband enjoyed attending the Sarasota Opera produc tions and took some memo rable opera trips to Europe. She particularly enjoyed the game of golf and she com peted on ladies’ teams with the Lincolnshire Country

When the couple moved to Florida, they joined the Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota, where she was once named Woman Golfer of the Year.

Club of Crete, Illinois. When the couple moved to Florida, they joined the Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota, where she was once named Woman Golfer of the Year. She had three holes-inone to her credit over some sixty years of golfing! A Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, November 28, 2022 at Saints Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to

the Church of Saints Peter & Paul in Bradenton. Condolences may be made to www. brownandsonsfuneral.com.

DONATIONS:

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Church of Saints Peter & Paul in Bradenton.

“The myth is that 100% of our funding comes from the state and we can do whatever we want with that – and we can’t,” House says. “But I think the upside is that this is a great public/private partnership. Each entity is doing their part to take care of children in our community.”

Safe Children Coalition will honor some of their biggest champions during their Giving Breakfast, on March 23, 2023. “We really want to recognize the community for being big supporters of us,” Slater says.

Anyone who wants to join their cause can do so by sponsoring or attending the breakfast event. At this time of year in particular, monetary contributions are greatly appreciated. Visit www.sccfl. org/donate to help them ensure all their children have presents –and hope.

1500 Independence Blvd., Suite #210 Sarasota, FL 34234 941-371-4799 sccfl.org

While the organization does receive government funds - and just achieved a boost in the last legislative session - with thousands of children and families under their care, Safe Children Coalition also relies on donations.

Christmas in the garden

Rain cut the evening short, but it didn’t dampen the cheer at the Longboat Island Chapel on Sunday night.

The garden was lit like a Christmas tree, or 24 of them to be exact.

Christmas in the Garden is a community undertaking. Local families and businesses decorated trees with their own signature styles.

Ornamental tape measures draped the branches of the Longboat Ace Hardware tree, while the Lazy Lobster’s tree is adorned with anchors and buoys.

The chapel members added lights, wreaths and a Whoville kiddie area to kick the Christmas spirit up a notch.

Visitors were greeted with a gift bag of goodies and were treated to hot cocoa, sugar cookies and live entertainment.

“There’s nowhere on the island to see lights, and that’s what it’s all about,” Rev. Brock Patterson said. “We live in condos; we can’t hang our own Christmas lights. But we’ve got the property to do something great.”

The garden is open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. through New Year’s Day.

— LESLEY DWYER

Angela Molaro staffs the welcome table handing out gift bags

Karen Pashkow, Iris White and Lesley Rife are all smiles.

The Chapel has four of its own trees decorated in the garden. Photos by Lesley Dwyer

The local Ukrainian community got together to see their tree.

Donna Heffner and Greg Fiore hang out near the flamingo.

Carol Pacheco, Deborah O’Connor and Marge Geiger amid lights.

Built in 2017, this contemporary home is only a few steps from the immaculate Gulf shores of Lido Beach. TRULY ABSOLUTE AUCTION, WITHOUT RESERVE, by DeCaro Auctions International on Saturday, 12/3/2022, at 11 AM Local Time. This live, on-site, No Reserve Absolute Auction will be sold to the highest bidder. Private showings are also available during the week by appointment.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

FUN FOR ALL AGES

Residents gathered at the Town Center Green on Nov. 26 to light the tree.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

The Town Center Green was shoulder to shoulder with hol iday spirit on Saturday for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

The general manager at Casa Del Mar, Mark Meador, strings the lights each year.

But as the oak tree grows, so does the job. He used his landscaping crew this year to get 4,000 feet of lights wrapped around the branches.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium mascots, Gilly the shark and Shelley the sea turtle, roamed through the crowd taking pictures. Of course, Santa stopped by too.

Rotary Club’s Nancy Rozance loves playing Santa each year. Her husband Jack even bought her new black boots with white trim for her 2022 season.

Rozance notes that Light up Long boat is the only time of the year you’ll see so many children gathered together on Longboat Key.

With attendees ranging from nine months to 99 years old, it’s an event for all ages.

Toddlers and seniors donned Santa hats, antlers and anything else that could light up. The Town Center Green glowed with holiday glee.

Brad Marner spins Patti Mae Bosco.

Santa asks BJ Bishop what she’d like for Christmas this year.

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key collects toys for vicitms of Hurricane Ian.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Kyle Tomko holds his nephew Mac Cashin as they meet Shelley, the sea turtle.

10-year-old Luca Virgin helps his dad, and CEO of Save Our Seabirds, Aaron Virgin.

Gilly from Mote poses with Cora Cashin.

Congregations come together at interfaith service, reception

About 350 people attend gathering at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Tuesday.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Organizers of the annual inter faith service and reception expected 150 people, but more than 300 attended the service at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Tuesday night.

Religious leaders of all four churches on Longboat Key, plus Temple Beth Israel and St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, each took on a role in the service. Duties amongst churches rotate each year.

As the newest religious leader to the area, the Rev. Brock Patterson from Longboat Island Chapel was asked to preach. Patterson was hired two years ago at the height of COV ID-19, so this was his first opportu nity to formally introduce himself.

Beyond the tradition that the newest preaches, Patterson is an excellent example of interfaith. He leads a nondenominational church, received a Catholic education, was raised as a Southern Baptist, became a Methodist pastor and attended a Presbyterian seminary.

“Me, as well as all the other clergy and colleagues, we’re always a little nervous when we go to a new place, even though we’re not supposed to be,” Patterson said, “But the recep tion that I have received, and that I know the rest of them received here, is a symbol of unity, love and genuine care and concern for each other.”

Attendees took to the charismatic preacher regardless of their religion.

Diane Monaghan is a practicing Catholic and called Patterson fun and personable.

“It was a wonderful message that he gave,” she said. “It was a pleasure listening to him.”

Representing the host church, the Rev. Robert Dziedziak opened and closed the service. Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Stephen Sniderman read the Presidential Proclamation. Fred Finks from Christ Church led the Prayer of Confession.

Rev. David Marshall from All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church read A Litany of Thanksgiving, and Michael Bodnyk from St. Armands Key Lutheran Church directed the all-faith choir. With two rehearsals, Bodnyk led a choir of 35 members.

“They’re from all the different churches, so it’s always a nice time of year to come together like that,” he said. “There’s people that have been singing in this together for the past 30 years. It’s like family.”

Not as many people attended the reception as the service, but more than 200 did. No one left without a bite to eat or a drink, but the only leftovers were a few wedges of cheese off the charcuterie boards.

Susan DiNatale prepared 500 des serts. She started weeks in advance and froze as she went. She made everything from Italian wedding cookies to pumpkin cheesecakes and was happy to do it.

“It brings the whole community together, and that’s what’s impor tant, especially in these times where there’s so much animosity,” she said. “If every community did this, we would not have the problems we have.”

John and Jane Vorel, Susan DiNatale, the Rev. Robert Dziedziak and Maureen Watterson

Rev. David Marshall and Jack Rozance

Rita Conestabile, Connie DiMaggio, Rev. Brock Patterson, Carol Peschel and Patti Mae Bosco

Brigitte Burdick and the Godfather of Sarasota Jazz Al Hixon

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Members of six choirs sing together each year for the interfaith service.

OBSERVED

Welcome back

Church celebrates those who return for the season.

Members of Christ Church of Longboat Key gathered recently to kick off not only the holiday season but also another fall and winter on the island.

The church on Gulf of Mexico Drive will celebrate the 11th anniversary of its permanent building in January, just as the winter season begins in

earnest. And while members begin to return from far-flung locations farther north, some members have already been hard at work following the region’s experience in September and October with tropical weather.

Christ Church in October organized one of its food drives to aid those in Manatee County most in need.

Members are planning a Trol ley Tour of Lights in December for church members. Signups are under way at the church.

The church is located at 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Courtesy photos

Snookie Register, Patty Buck, Cash Register and Joe D’Eugenio celebrate in a tropical way.

Christ Church members Mike Gardiner, Jerry and Joyce Fox and Burt Borgelt stop for a photo during a recent welcome back event.

JUST LISTED

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

510 CHIPPING LANE LONGBOAT KEY, FL $1,695,000

Opportunities abound in an exceptional location with this property. Options to update the existing 3 bedroom pool home to your taste, build anew on this esteemed lot to realize your complete vision for luxury waterfront living, or simply continue taking advantage of the rental income of this gorgeous vacation destination.

BEACHPLACE II

1095 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #504 LONGBOAT KEY, FL $1,349,000

Spacious and furnished 2BR/2BA, 1,503 SF residence. Two assigned parking spaces, with one covered under building, Views through windows and sliders of high-impact glass spanning the community grounds and lake and beyond to the Gulf of Mexico. Generous rental policy of one month minimum, 12 times per year.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2945 PYRULA DRIVE

LONGBOAT KEY, FL $3,345,000

Exceptional quality, untouched refinement, 2-story, 5BR/5BA, 3,815 sq. ft. residence. Features abound, including a separate inlaw suite and large 3-car garage. Expansive outdoor area with heated pool and spa.

NOW PENDING

BEACHPLACE II

1095 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #101 LONGBOAT KEY, FL $925,000

Tastefully styled 2BR/2BA, 1,172 SF first-floor corner residence. Enjoy the rare advantage of immediate walkdown access to all the fabulous resort amenities this community has to offer to make your carefree condo lifestyle live like an elegant single-family home. Generous rental policy of one month minimum, 12 times per year.

NOW PENDING

HARBOR VIEW ON GOLDEN GATE POINT 650 GOLDEN GATE POINT #503 SARASOTA, FL $2,195,000

Premier waterfront with boat dock and lift in downtown Sarasota. Savor city, marina and sweeping bay views from this expansive 2BR+Office/2.5BA residence in a highly desirable location on Sarasota Bay. Features include hardwood floors, high end Thermador stainless steel appliances, and a gas range. Includes 2 parking spaces.

1 p.m.

Mexico Drive. The Christmas concert is free and open to the public.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

LIVE NATIVITY AND CAROLING

From 6-8 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive. The live nativity will include petting zoo animals and Christmas caroling. Free.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

From 4-6 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive. The Mistletones will be playing in the garden. Donations are appreciated, but the concert is free.

RECURRING EVENTS

WINTER FESTIVAL

From 4-9 p.m. and from 12-9 p.m. on holiday weeks and weekends in St. Armands Circle. See the circle transformed into a winter wonderland until Jan. 3, 2023. Wristbands for attractions cost $10.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LONGBOAT LIBRARY

The Longboat Library is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at 555 Bay Isles Road. On Wednesdays, most books are on sale for $1 or less. Call 383-2011 for information.

MONDAYS

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility, strength and overall physical functioning while seated in a chair. Begins Nov. 7 and ends Dec. 19, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members and $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

STRETCH & STRENGTHEN

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY

TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP

From 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE

The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 GMD. Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

TUESDAYS

QIGONG FOR HEALTH & VITALITY

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve balance and flexibility, plus loosen joints and relax. Ends Dec. 20, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members and $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

YOGA

From 11:15-12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debbie Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $10, free for members. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG

From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org.

ROTARY CLUB

Meets at 5 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in All Angles Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance at 203-6054066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 LAWN PARTY BY THE BAY

From 12-2 p.m. on City Island, 1700 Ken Thompson Parkway. Over 25 local restaurants will be serving food and drinks. Tickets cost $75 per person. Visit lbklawnparty.org/ for more information.

BREATH BALANCE AND BLISS YOGA

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call 361-6411 ext. 2212.

WEDNESDAYS

YOGA POTPOURRI

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. A gentle blend of simple yoga postures focusing on balance, alignment, strength, breathwork, flexibility and relaxation. Ends Dec. 21, students can join at any time. Fee is $70 for members and $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

THURSDAYS SLOW FLOW YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Simple yoga routines incorporating a range of several hatha yoga styles. Improve spinal flexibility and core strength for all fitness levels. Begins Nov. 10 and ends Dec. 22, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members and $80 for non-

members. Call 383-8222.

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH BRIDGE CLUB

Every Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive, join an ACBL-sanctioned game of contract bridge with a certified teacher. All skill levels are welcome. There is an $8 suggested donation for each session. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 952-9251.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. The class, designed for active seniors, starts with zumba and shifts to all-level mat Pilates at 10:30 a.m. Come for 30 minutes or the full hour. Cost is $10. Call 383-6493.

FRIDAYS

QI GONG AND MEDITATION

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, take qi gong and meditation with Sandi Love. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers. Call 383-6493.

INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches the class outdoors, weather permitting. Free for members, $10 for others. Call 383-6493.

340 South Palm Ave #75 3 bed, 3.5 bath | 2,761 Sq Ft www.Sarabande75.com Offered for $2,900,000

This stunning contemporary home is on Palm Avenue, in the heart of downtown. Instant enjoyment is yours in this 3 bedroom en-suite plus a powder room with a bonus of 2 underbuilding parking spaces & storage. Stunning views with wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows, & doors bringing the outside in. Just a short walk to Marina Jack, restaurants, the opera, theaters, & Whole Foods Market!

2509 Marblehead Drive 3 bed, 3.5 bath | 2,869 Sq Ft www.2509MarbleheadDrive.com Offered for $1,185,000

Be amazed at every detail in this beautiful upgraded home in the heart of Sarasota. Quiet location within walking distance to Riverview High School a short distance to Phillippi Shores Elementary, Landings Shopping Center, downtown & Siesta Keys' world-famous beach. This home is beyond expectation and ready for instant enjoyment!

1709 N Tamiami Trl Unit #221 1 bed, 1.5 bath | 1,013 Sq Ft Offered for $625,000 - Furnished

This incredible one bedroom, one and half bath condo features exquisite water views from the long canal that lead out to Sarasota Bay. The Strand is a private gated community offering a resort style pool and spa , fitness center, dog park, EV charging station, boardwalk, and a kayak and paddle-board launch. Get ready to create lasting memories!

Bay Isles home sells for $10 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Bay Isles tops all transac tions in this week’s real estate. Daniel Garrad Warren III and Kim Elaine Warren, of Culver, Indi ana, sold their home at 550 Harbor Point Road to Bill Thomas and Beverly Thomas, trustees, of Dal las, for $10 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,062 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million in 2010.

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

Peter and Mary Ruggles sold their Unit 235 condominium at 350 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michael and Karen Keane, of Darien, Connecticut, for $1.65 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 2,529 square feet of living area. It sold for $755,000 in 2001.

ST. ARMANDS TOWERS

Robert and Barbara Nichol, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 81 condominium at 101 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Kerry Faix, of Sarasota, for $1.35 million. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,275 square feet of living area. It sold for $710,000 in 2016.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR TOWERS

William Collins and Kenneth Harrigan, of Boynton Beach, sold their Unit 706 condominium at 4401 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Karen Jutzi, of Orland Park, Illinois, for $1 million. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 961 square feet of living area. It sold for $562,500 in 2018.

LONGBEACH

Alice Garger, of Bradenton, sold her Unit 23 condominium at 7165 Gulf of Mexico Drive to David and Gretchen Bowker, of Indianapolis, for $980,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,170 square feet of living area. It sold for $252,000 in 1999.

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK

Jeffrey and Andrea Brand, of Ellijay, Georgia, sold their home at 749 Norton St. to Byron and Yvonne Lambert, of Longboat Key, for $905,000. Built in 1971, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,061 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 2001.

BAYPORT BEACH AND TENNIS CLUB

Desmond Thomas Creely and Sheila Marie Creely, trustees, of Surrey, United Kingdom, sold the Unit 705 condominium at 705 Bayport Way to Oliver Benton III and Linda Butler Benton, trustees, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for $875,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,601 square feet of living area. It sold for $185,000 in 1995.

File photo

Built in 2010, the home at 550 Harbor Point Road has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,062 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million in 2010.

TBI supports Second Chance Last Opportunity

Longboat temple collects for the Bradenton assistance agency this holiday season.

DWYER STAFF WRITER

Second Chance Last Opportunity served 300 meals on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Volunteers were up all night getting ready, and then rain forced them inside.

Each client left with a bag of food and a to-go container with turkey and classic Southern sides like col lard greens and mac and cheese.

SCLO’s mission is “to empower individuals in crisis by providing them with essential skills and tools so they can manage their lives more productively.”

April Glasco pre-registers every client for events like this one. It’s not a blanket handout to anyone who shows up hungry. The hands-on CEO takes pride in getting to know her clients and knowing each of their individual needs.

Leading up to the dinner, mem bers of Temple Beth Israel dropped off carloads of nonperishable boxed and canned Thanksgiving sides to help fill the take-home bags. The ini tial request was for 200 turkeys, but keeping them at the temple wasn’t going to work.

The solution was to ask members

who didn’t want to shop to finan cially contribute through the Flanzer Trust match program. The program matches $5 to $500 donations from each donor up to $3,000 for each nonprofit per year. After the match, $2,400 was raised to buy turkeys.

From Dec. 9 through 12, TBI mem bers will be back at it again, but for Hannukah and Christmas this time. The social action committee is col lecting toys and gift cards. Donations can be dropped off at the temple.

On Dec. 11, the temple is invit ing the public to stop by for an open house. Toys will be collected dur ing that event also. And on Dec. 12, donors don’t even have to get out of their cars. TBI helpers are setting up a drive-thru in the parking lot. Simply pull in, and they’ll do all the heavy lifting at 367 Bay Isles Road.

LESLEY

Courtesy photo

April Glasco is the CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity.

FORECAST

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

High: 79 Low: 65

Chance of rain: 5%

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

High: 80 Low: 65

Chance of rain: 6%

SUNDAY, DEC. 4

High: 80 Low: 66

Chance of rain: 7%

TIDES

Thursday, Dec. 1 7:03a 5:35p

Friday, Dec. 2 7:04a 5:35p

Saturday, Dec. 3 7:04a 5:35p

Sunday, Dec. 4 7:05a 5:35p

Monday, Dec. 5 7:06a 5:35p

Tuesday, Dec. 6 7:07a 5:36p

Wednesday, Dec. 7 7:07a 5:36p Highs Lows

MOON PHASES

Thursday, Dec. 1 5:58a 7:58p 12:53a 1:40p

Friday, Dec. 2 7:45a 8:18p 2:27a 2:22p

Saturday, Dec. 3 9:13a 8:39p 3:33a 2:57p

Sunday, Dec. 4 10:27a 9:01p 4:25a 3:27p

Monday, Dec. 5 11:32a 9:24p 5:09a 3:52p

Tuesday, Dec. 6 12:31p 9:49p 5:49a 4:13p

Wednesday, Dec. 7 1:25p 10:15p 6:26a 4:31p

by Stella Zawistowski. Edited by Ross Trudeau

By Luis Campos

in the cipher stands for another.

Vilia Johnson captured this photo of a rainbow coming out of the clouds on Bay Isles Beach on Longboat Key.

Commercial Property for Rent

ST ARMAND'S CIRCLE 5000 sq. ft. Corner with three faces, rst oor 5000 square-foot roughly,192 chairs inside, 94 outside (around 1500 square-foot more outside) 362 parking spots close to the property,

(561) 931-9727

Homes for Rent

FURNISHED HOME for Rent annually on Longboat. 3BR/2BA, laminated oors in bedrooms, 2 car garage, heated pool, screened in lanai & boat dock. Walk to the beach. No smoking or pets. Available Feb 1, 2023. $6,500/mo. Owner 941-504-1492

Homes for Sale

2BR/2BA WHITNEY BEACH, North Longboat Key- Large living and bedrooms. Peaceful gardens on Bishops Bayou, boat docks, beach access across street, tennis courts, heated pools, 2 dogs allowed. $769,000. 941-218-0137

Rentals Wanted

Designed by the highly renowned DSDG Architects, 15 N Polk Drive, The Pirate House is an influence of the modern Miami Beach Art Deco movement, a trend-inspiring design that is first of its kind on Lido Key. This contemporary masterpiece, with expansive beach views from all angles, is mere steps to the white sands of Lido Key Beach, with

views of the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.