Observer
EAST COUNTY PHOTOS ON 1B
A&E ALL IN THE LITTLE FAMILY BIG STAR SPORTS:
Hoppe brothers anchor Thunder pitching staff. 15A
A Date with Dad
Freedom girls enjoy Father/ Daughter Dance.
The Asolo Rep’s Will Little slips into a fitting role. 9A
You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011
SHORT STACK
governance
KUDOS, QUOTABLES AND COMMUNITY
+ Remember to spring forward!
Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, so remember to set your clocks one hour ahead before you go to bed on Saturday night. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March. It lasts until the first Sunday in November.
+ Walk-a-thon raises $10K
Gullett Elementary School students and business partners raised $10,000 during the school’s second Chompy’s Stomp Walk-a-Thon Feb. 18. Manatee County Superintendent Tim McGonegal celebrated the event with Principal Kathy Hayes and, of course, mascot Chompy. The funds will be used for classroom resources, programs, technology and field trips.
+ Chabad celebrates community service
Photos by Pam Eubanks
Sport of Princes Jon Luke Beck drives the ball up to his teammate Eddie Margalef.
The Sarasota Polo Club hosted a special Junior Polo Exhibition March 2, giving 12- and 13-year-old players a chance to play with other up-and-coming stars.
LAKEWOOD RANCH — Jon Luke Beck hardly lost any speed as he dismounted his polo pony and sprinted toward the horse trailer at halftime. After grabbing a sports drink, Beck quickly headed back to the polo field to get back in on the action as the Sarasota Polo Club hosted its first Junior Polo Exhibition March 2. Beck, one of the youngest players practicing at the club, enjoyed a four-chukker match with other youth players ages 12 to 23. Typically, the younger players practice with adults and
FORESHOT
by Pam Eubanks | News Editor
don’t get to play full matches with individuals their age, Polo Club Manager Maggie Mitchell said. “I like it a lot more,” Beck had said of riding with his peers. “It’s more fun with kids — not as intimidating.” “My whole family plays, so that’s fun,” he said. “I like riding. The combination is good.” Within minutes, Beck and seven other riders were off chasing a polo ball across an emerald green field. Mitchell, who sat in the
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch hosted its annual auction Feb. 27 at The Polo Grill and Bar. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening at the event, which carried the theme, “L’chayim — to life, an Evening of Celebration.”
SEE SHORT STACK / PAGE 8A
INDEX Business Directory................16B Classifieds..............................16B Crossword.............................15B Neighborhood.........................1B Real Estate...........................13B Sports....................................15A Vol. 12, No. 10 Two sections www.YourObserver.com
Jon Luke Beck led the pack down the field.
back of her sport-utility vehicle to keep score of the match, said the Sarasota Polo Club decided to host the event at the suggestion of Polo Club resident and veteran polo player George Alexander. “You don’t normally see children this young playing,” Mitchell said, noting two 12and 13-year-old riders were paired with two 20-something riders on each fourperson team. “They are all
SEE POLO / PAGE 2A
CDD will assume additional operations Heritage Harbour Community Development District leaders will assume gatehouse and landscaping management. By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
HERITAGE HARBOUR — Supervisors of the Heritage Harbour South Community Development District are pushing forward to bring assets back under the CDD’s control. During their meeting March 3, supervisors voted 3-1 to move landscaping and gate operations back into district control for the 2012 fiscal year budget. Although district-owned, those assets currently are maintained by the developer-controlled Heritage Harbour Master Association and paid for through homeowners association dues. Under the new scenario, costs for those items would shift to the CDD from the HOA, and contracts and services currently in place would continue as is, supervisors said. “There’s no intent to holistically change the way it’s operated,” Community Manager Jim Ward said. “I think it provides a more cohesive way to manage the (district’s assets). I think we should try to keep (what the HOA is doing). We’re only changing who pays the bills.” CDD supervisors have been working to transition the district’s assets back into the management of the CDD for the last two years. Residents who attended the meeting said the changes were premature because residents currently are working with the Master Association on issues relating to those two items. “It’s working very well,” resident Dick Weiss said of how landscaping, in particular, is handled. “(In regard to landscaping) there are a few cases where we are getting more than we paid for. It’s happening in the hands of relationships. I would
SEE CDD / PAGE 8A