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+ Don’t get left in the dust The Observer Group will publish its first edition for left-handed readers Aug. 13 — International Left Handers Day. According to Scientific American, 26% of residents in Sarasota and Manatee counties are left-handed, and of those, 22% say they’d like a newspaper published “the way it ought to be.” Tailored specifically to lefties, the new Observer newspapers will open from left to right, not only making for a more comfortable read, but encouraging good reading habits, good posture and relaxed reading. In addition, the Observer will begin offering left-handed writing instruments on YourObserver.com. Whether you’re keen on highlighting, underlining or notating important story material — or addicted to our crossword puzzles — we’ve got you covered. For subscriptions, contact Donna Condon at 366-3468.
+ Jungle Gardens to welcome albino badger Due to an albino alligator named Pearl turning out to be such a success for Smuggler’s Cove, Jungle Gardens will only be accepting albino animals going forward, in hopes of creating an albino petting zoo. This Saturday, the Gardens will receive its first albino creature. Lucky is a lovable 10-week-old albino badger that comes to Sarasota from Wisconsin, the “Badger State.” The Gardens is hoping to attract albinos from other zoos from around the country or even from residents’ own backyards. If you know of an animal you’d like to nominate, please send its photo and your contact information to lmayo@yourobserver.com.
SEE OUR TOWN / 4A
inside
DIVERSIONS
Former police headquarters to become homeless shelter. PAGE 2A
OUR TOWN
SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012
Press the play button to hear music samplings from area musicians.
staying connected
Use our easy-toread map to find alternative routes. PAGE 3A
by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor
Downtown to move at fast pace On the heels of a proposed pedestrian walkway comes the next step in bayfront connectivity — the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover system, which reaches speeds of 38 mph. People Mover Open House
Courtesy photo
The photo above is one proposed idea of how the Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover could look. The city of Sarasota is filled with movers and shakers — or, at least, it will be soon. The Sarasota City Commission has directed staff to sign a contract with a Tampa-based people-mover transit system company, All the Right Moves (ARM), that would build an automated people conveyor belt from U.S. 301 to the bayfront. The $120 million people mover project, which is eligible for a matching federal grant, will al-
low pedestrians to quickly get around downtown on a 38 mph conveyor belt that’s faster than moving sidewalks that are used in airports across the county. The outdoor people mover will run east and west on Main Street from U.S. 301 to the bayfront and will include access points at U.S. 301, Orange Avenue, Lemon Avenue, Palm Avenue and the bayfront in front of Marina Jack. Emails between city staff members and people mover de-
sign officials reveal the system is the first of its kind in the country and could be operational by April 1, 2013. ARM’s system, dubbed “Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover,” will reach speeds of up to 38 mph in between designated stops. The designated stops, however, are only labeled “slow down points,” because the system never fully stops and only slows to 17 mph to allow pedestrians to gain access to the peo-
City of Sarasota residents and business owners are invited to try out a proposed Extreme Rapid Transit People Mover system from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 1 in front of City Hall. At the open house, people will be allowed to practice getting on the system. Brochures will be handed out at the open house that contain the following tips: • To gain optimal access to the people mover, begin walking or jogging briskly at a rate of at least 7 mph. • If you have shopping bags or other items in your possession, you are encouraged to toss your non-breakable items onto the conveyor belt first to avoid losing your balance. • If you are over the age of 65 or have a heart condition, you may only obtain access to the people mover by putting on provided rollerblades and grabbing onto people mover handlebars located along the conveyor belt. ple mover. Officials chose a 38 mph system over a faster and more expensive 55 mph system, in part, because of the city’s elderly population.
SURE THING By The Observer Staff
SEE MOVER / PAGE 4A
City of Sarasota
City bets on slot machines The Sarasota City Commission will take a gamble on a downtown pilot program. Earlier this month, the city of Sarasota voted to end its paid parking program after months of debate and decision reversals. Because the city will no longer collect the revenue from the parking program, commissioners held an emergency meeting Tuesday to decide their next move. In a unanimous vote, the City
Commission has decided to take a gamble on slot machines. Because the commission is concerned the Legislature will open gambling to non-Indian tribe Florida properties, commissioners said they wanted “to be ahead of the game.” “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” said one commissioner.
The new program, titled “Pay While You Play,” allows customers to park in front of one of 500 slot machines in front of parking spaces throughout the downtown core. There is no maximum amount of time one can spend at certain machine, but in order to change machines, you have to move your car to a new spot. Residents who attended a gambling planning
SEE SLOTS / PAGE 4A
INDEX Briefs.................... 8A Classifieds..........10B
Cops Corner........14A Crossword.............9B
Opinion...............12A Real Estate...........8B
Sports...................6B Vol. 8, No. 21 | Three sections Weather................9B YourObserver.com