SARASOTA OBSERVER
YourObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014
+ All paid up Dear Editor: Who would have figured having “Laurel Park Neighborhood Association” next to my name could cause such a stir. But, to file a complaint because I didn’t pay a $25 fee and fill out a form, well that kind of hurts my feelings. I’ve lived in Laurel Park for more than 20 years, served two terms on the board of directors, and for three years was editor of the Laurel Park News, including the Celebrate Sarasota Edition published with city grant money. I represented Laurel Park twice at the Florida Neighborhoods Conference. Those “Historic Laurel Park T-Shirts” were my design. Tour my neighborhood, and all those mature trees growing in the right of way — my project. It took more than two years to get those 181 trees planted; and to get them established Devin Rutkowski, Jack Notestein and I watered them for months out of the back of a pickup truck using five-gallon buckets and Pete DeLisser’s reuse water. Those were
good times. My neighborly function now is to be on-call for my neighbors who need trash taken out, a ride to the doctor or a familiar voice in the dark when the electricity goes out. And for the record, my friends in Laurel Park would do the same for me. It really is sad to think that some people care more about a membership form than the substance of what an association of neighbors truly is. By the way, I’m all paid up. Thanks, Kate, for reminding me. Diana Hamilton Sarasota
+ SCAT station shuffle Dear Editor: In response to your article, “SCAT station could get new home,” I am a downtown resident and a property owner near the suggested alternative bus station at the corner of Ringling Boulevard and School Avenue. I am opposed to this proposed site for many reasons including: 1. It will increase bus traffic on neighborhood streets in Ringling Park, Paver Park and Alta
will not be an improvement on the existing facility. In my opinion, relocating the bus station to this location would be a waste of taxpayers’ money and could potentially reduce the city’s tax base in the future. I propose another location: The the bowling alley site on Fruitville Road and Lime Avenue. This site is large and is located on a main thoroughfare. The property could be constructed so that a new bowling alley is built above the bus station, giving downtown residents a state of the art recreational facility and giving this existing business a new source of patrons (bus riders, including kids, waiting for bus service could use the bowling alley and any adjoining food service facility). The new bowling facility could be designed with children’s safety in mind, such as separate restrooms/changing areas and even separate bowling lanes. Using this location, in my opinion, could also promote the redevelopment of the surrounding areas with more affordable or mid-market residences and businesses, which is more compatible with a bus station. For example, it could promote the sale of the Vengroff property nearby, help prevent further deterioration of houses in the Park North neighborhood and revitalize the North Lime shopping district. The city beautified this area a few years ago but new
Sunday SCHEDULE Rescue • Adoption Education Resource Center
EARLY WORSHIP SERVICE 8:45 WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 ADULT BIBLE STUDY 10:00
Love is a 5 letter word:
Coffee fellowship on deck Nursery and Sunday School open for 11:00 service
ADOPT
The Rev. Kathleen Wiggins
SieSta Key Chapel preSbyterian
132823
2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 Hours: M-F 11am-7pm S-S 11am-5pm • 941.366.2404 • www.catdepot.org
Time
Time
Time
4615 GLEASON AVE | 1 MILE NORTH OF SIESTA KEY VILLAGE OFF OCEAN BLVD
Dear Editor: With the Winter Olympic Games about to begin in Russia, the time is ripe for Sarasota to review its sister-city relationship with Vladimir, Russia in view of its anti-LGBT laws. We have sister cities to foster cultural exchanges and open lines of communication. Therefore, right now is the time to show that Vladimir’s — and the rest of Russia’s — decisions and actions have consequences for which they must take responsibility. By suspending our sister-city ties until they change their homophobic laws, we show that we truly value all our people, including our gay sisters and brothers. After all, why open lines of communication if one isn’t going to use them? Daniel Rein Sarasota businesses did not follow. This could help bring the needed pedestrian traffic. Chris Jaensch Sarasota
State Certified General Contractor
•Porch Enclosures •Parts •Repair
•HURRICANE WINDOWS ALSO AVAILABLE …
IMPACT ENERGY STAR RATED 921-1113
492-5200
5330 Ashton Ct., Sarasota
1955 So. Trail, Venice
Since 1969 • www.wilson-window.com
132850
TRADE-IN Your Old Furniture
e c n a r Clea DATE
941.349.1166 www.siestakeychapel.org
+ Ties that bind
132929
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vista neighborhoods, as well as smaller downtown connecter streets, which already have too much traffic. For example, the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and 301 and stretch of 301 between Ringling Boulevard and Brother Geenen Way are already highly congested and would likely see increased use by buses if the station relocates to Ringling Boulevard. 2. The small site and lack of nearby amenities will encourage bus riders and homeless individuals to migrate to and congregate in Payne Park, which could decrease use of the recently installed and expensive playground for children and the Frisbee golf equipment. 3. It will discourage the redevelopment of the surrounding area for mixed use on currently vacant or unused sites on School Avenue and the former Publix at the Ringling Shopping Center and possibly even the site acquired by the city on 301 for the baseball stadium project that fell through. The proximity of these sites to Payne Park could lead to more up-market development of the area and a nice tax benefit to the city, which could be stymied by relocating the bus station next door. The suggested new site is too close to residences, too small and is located too much within the downtown interior and it
9A
And Help the Community Too!
w
.furn www
Time
“Retailer of the Year - State of Florida”
e.com
us areho
NO INTEREST UNTIL FEBRUARY 2015!* NEXT DAY DELIVERY AVAILABLE!
02/06 Thu 12:24 AM L 06:09 AM H 10:55 AM L 04:59 PM H 02/08 Sat 03:04 AM L 07:04 PM H
–
–
02/09 Sun 04:07 AM L 11:17 AM H 02:15 PM L 08:13 PM H 02/10 Mon 04:57 AM L 11:47 AM H 03:36 PM L 09:13 PM H 02/11 Tue 05:38 AM L 12:11 PM H 04:35 PM L 10:03 PM H 02/12 Wed 06:13 AM L 12:30 PM H 05:20 PM L 10:45 PM H SOURCE: NOAA Full Moon
Last Qtr.
New Moon
First Qtr.
FEB. 14th
FEB. 22nd
MAR. 1st
FEB. 6th
SAVE BIG!!
Tide Table Sponsored By Economy Tackle
Leather Sofas from
If You Miss The Sale, CHARLOTTE COUNTY 639-0586 You May Still Donate By Calling BRADENTON SARASOTA
Kayak Sales, Rentals
1100 West Cortez Rd. Corner of 41 and Cortez Next to Office Depot
• West Coast Florida’s largest inventory
. www
e.com
hous
are furnw
132757
6018 Tamiami Trail S. • 922-9671
Join us in helping Habitat For Humanity! When you trade in your old furniture you will get a discount for new furniture from The Furniture Warehouse’s huge inventory. Habitat For Humanity will then pick up your old furniture and give you a tax donation slip. Everyone wins - Join us Tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday only at The Furniture Warehouse and
4027 N. Washington 1 Mile South of University on 301
VENICE 493-0529
VENICE
$599
SARASOTA COUNTY 363-0777
550 S. Seaboard Ave. Just North Of Venice Nissan on U.S. 41 Bypass
PORT CHARLOTTE
MANATEE COUNTY 355-7082
ELLENTON
1241 El Jobean Rd. (776 across from Sam’s)
5814 18th St East Across from the Ellenton Outlet Mall
Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6
Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6
(941) 749-6069 (941) 351-8600 (941) 485-3211 (941) 764-8700 (941) 479-7900 Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6
Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6
Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Sun. 11-6
*On Purchases $300 or more with your Furniture Warehouse credit card made between Feb 1, 2014 to Feb 28, 2014. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within 12 months, by February 2015. Minimum Monthly Payments required. Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay the promo purchase amount in full before the due date. If you do not, interest will be assessed on the promo purchase from the purchase date. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases and, after promotion ends, to promotional balance. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement of their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval.
132638
02/07 Fri 01:47 AM L 08:31 AM H 11:30 AM L 05:56 PM H