SARASOTA
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 11, NO. 40
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
Five Points Ark If the city wants more activity in Five Points Park, one man says a wildlife exhibition would be a good fit. PAGE 4A
YOUR TOWN
1934-2015
Bob Johnson In many roles, Bob Johnson worked to improve Sarasota. The former state legislator, an active supporter of numerous local institutions, died Monday at 80.
Amanda Morales
Bahama takes a snooze at the Bow-Tie Challenge event.
DAVID CONWAY NEWS EDITOR
A
sk Bob Johnson’s friends to describe him, and you get two distinct pictures of the former state legislator. One is the image he seemed to project to the world; the other the personality he shared with the many people with whom he worked closely. “He had a relatively gruff exterior, but underneath, he was a marshmallow,” longtime friend Jim Tollerton said. “When you initially met him, he was kind of gruff,” former state Rep. Jim Lombard said. “But underneath, he had a great sense of humor and was very loyal.” “He was the kind of person who seemed a little crusty and intimidating upon meeting him early on, but you realized pretty quickly that he was genuine and generous,” former New College President Mike Michalson said. “Bob was a very warm-hearted, kind, gentlemanly person who I think probably struck some people as gruff at first, because he had a gravelly voice,” Drew Clayton said. “But he was actually a teddy bear.” “I came to think of Bob as a teddy bear dressed up as a grizzly bear,” said Sam Skogstad, a longtime friend. Beyond the gruff exterior and warm interior, there are other points of consensus: He was opinionated, a direct communicator and a dedicated family man. He was also a passionate advocate for Sarasota — during his time in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, but also as an active member or supporter of a laundry list of local organizations. Former state Sen. Bob Johnson died Monday. He was 80.
FURREVER HOMES The Bow-Tie Challenge event held for Cat Depot Sunday, at JDub’s Brewing Co., was named for spokescat Bow-Tie. But also in attendance were three kittens all with tropical island names: Bermuda, Bahama and Kokomo. There was no shortage of guests who wanted to cuddle with the kittens — which led to a purrfect ending for two kittens. Kokomo and Bermuda found new homes. The remaining sibling, Bahama, is still available for adoption from Cat Depot.
ARTS+CULTURE
Fuzión Dance Artists celebrates 10 years of modern dance. INSIDE
Courtesy of New College of Florida
Bob Johnson served for 16 years in the Florida Legislature.
SEE PAGE 3A