Sarasota/Siesta Key 10.13.22

Showcase at home

The Embracing Our Differences nonprofit works to highlight the impact of diversity through art and education initiatives.

That effort takes the form of school partnerships and lesson plan and can most clearly be seen every year at Bayfront Park in Sarasota, where the nonprofit displays an exhibi tion of local artists’ work at billboard size throughout the space. Sometimes, though, the artwork is displayed in a smaller, more personal setting.

The Oneco Elementary School in Bradenton recently held its own Embracing Our Differences art exhibit during its Multicultural Night on Oct.

6.

Students drew their own art pieces touting diversity and positivity and had them put up in a display at a smaller — but similar — format to the Bay front Park exhibit.

Curtain call for lease plan

Raising spirits and money

The Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall announced Tuesday that Friday’s benefit concert raised more than $100,000 for the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund at the Community Foun dation of Sarasota.

The benefit concert, which featured Aaron Copland’s “Fan fare for the Common Man” and John Williams’ “Summon the Heroes,” brought in $56,226.78 in ticket sales, donations and fundraising.

The Patterson Institute pledged to make a dollar-fordollar matching contribution, bringing the total raised to more than $112,000.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Harry Sayer

Kira Dowling had a lot to choose from when selecting a pumpkin from Fruitville Grove’s annual festival.

$48

n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 17, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.

n Sarasota County Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, Commission Chambers, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd.

n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd.

School threat prompts lockdown

About 90 tense minutes played out for police, students and staff at Riverview High on Tuesday, as well as for parents behind nearby roadblocks, as officers combed the school after a report of an active shooter.

The report, which law enforce ment ultimately deemed to be a hoax, prompted the lockdown of the school as a variety of agencies rushed to secure the building and conduct a room-byroom search.

Behind the police lines, parents worried and waited, some com

municating directly with their children and others asking police and reporters for information.

Robert Fisler received a text from his son that he was hiding in the bathroom with the lights off. He complained he had not received enough official news from the school district.

“I think there will be some backlash from this from parents,” he said.

Police from several agencies converged on the school at 1 Ram Way around 12:50 p.m., initially reporting a search was

underway after a suspicious call.

Around 90 minutes later, Sara sota County Schools spokes woman Kelsey Whealy said the police investigation determined the call had been a hoax,

Similar responses by police at high schools were reported in South Florida as the closing ar guments to the Parkland shoot ing trial got underway.

At least two schools in Pinellas County also were threatened by hoax calls, police in those areas said in a series of statements.

County holds off on beach smoking plan

For the time being, it will still be legal to light up on Sarasota Countyowned beaches and in parks. During Tuesday’s County Commission meeting, Commissioner Nancy Detert asked that a discussion about a proposed smoking ban be post poned.

House Bill 105, which amended the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act and renamed it the Florida Clean Air Act, allows cities and counties to impose such restrictions, which do not apply to unfiltered cigars and pipe tobacco use. In her motion to continue the agenda item, Detert explained that the public has not been adequately educated about the proposal.

During its Sept. 6 meeting, the Sarasota City Commission ini tially approved a smoking ban in all city-owned parks and beaches, then passed it on second reading as consent agenda item on Oct. 3.

On Tuesday, County Commis sioner Christian Ziegler said county residents should have more time to consider all options and weigh in the issue.

SMH fund gets help from philanthropists

After establishing an employee hur ricane relief fund, Sarasota Memo rial Healthcare Foundation received a $250,000 gift.

The donation from Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse was given to “inspire others to support the dedicated staff at Sarasota Memorial who went to work 24/7 to care for our community during this disaster,” the press release states. The foundation is the philanthropic partner to the SMH healthcare system.

The fund was designed to ease any financial burden employees are facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Nearly 25% of SMH’s employees live in hard hit areas such as south Sarasota County and the surround ing region. The healthcare organi zation employs more than 8,000 people.

In addition, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, a private fam ily foundation in Sarasota, gave the SMH foundation a $200,000 grant.

“It was a very, very smooth opening today as far as operations were concerned and getting everyone back into classes.”

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office photo

A deputy armed with a rifle walks away from the front of Riverview High on Tuesday.

TAKE TWO

After The Players Centre and Bay Park Conservancy failed to reach a compromise on leasing Municipal Auditorium, the City Commission sent the matter back to staff for further evaluation.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

The six-year search for a new per manent home by The Players Centre for Performing Arts has taken yet another turn as the nearly centuryold theater group has yet to persuade the Sarasota City Commission to agree to a lease-and-management deal for Municipal Auditorium.

The Players CEO William Skaggs told commissioners his organization and the Bay Park Conservancy have failed to reach a compromise that would allow The Players to occupy, renovate and operate the facility at 801 N. Tamiami Trail.

By a 4-1 vote with Hagen Brody opposed, commissioners sent the matter back to staff for a second time with a new wrinkle — explore the city’s Payne Park Auditorium as an option for the theater group.

The Municipal Auditorium is cen tral to the Bay Park Conservancy’s master plan of The Bay, 53 acres of city-owned land on Sarasota Bay between Boulevard of the Arts and 10th Street, anchored by the Van Wezel Performance Hall.

The Players has been seeking a new permanent home since it announced its intent to sell its former facility at 838 N. Tamiami Trail in 2016 and use the proceeds to help build a theater complex in the Waterside develop ment at Lakewood Ranch.

After multiple stops and starts, reductions in project scope and changes at the top of the organiza tion, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch terminated the agreement with The Players in March.

The group’s former home has been demolished.

The Players performs in a theater in a former retail store at The Cross ings at Siesta Key that it calls Studio 1130, a nod to the suite’s address.

At its May 24 meeting, commis sioners recommended The Players meet with city staff and Bay Park leaders to craft a solution. Recently, Skaggs reported that talks were at a stalemate.

Skaggs outlined a proposal with similar terms it previously proposed: a $100 a year lease, a commitment to invest as much as $9 million for repairs and upgrades and assump tion of the $300,000 annual cost of staff and maintenance.

In exchange, The Players would manage the facility and control booking and scheduling of its per formances and other events at the facility for eight months each year, leaving The Bay in May through August for programming.

In response, Bay Park Conservancy CEO A.G. Lafley told commissioners that The Players’ eight-month per formance schedule would leave little room for long-standing events and private functions historically held there and that a guiding principle of redevelopment of The Bay was to keep its assets open and accessible to the public.

“Every public park definitely wants size, scale and scope, and The Bay needs a viable facility to accom modate all of these different needs

THEIR SIDE

In its proposal to lease and manage Municipal Auditorium, The Players Centre included some rebuttal to allegations. They include:

n The Players has never left town. We currently own or op erate three facilities in Saraso ta. Our studios 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, our workshop at 2169 10th St. and our perfor mance venue in The Crossings at Siesta Key n Schroeder-Manatee Ranch never requested The Play ers terminate our efforts In Waterside Place. Current leadership of The Players made an informed and responsible decision to pass on building a large, new theatre and educa tion facility on the free land of fered by SMR. The opportunity to stay downtown presented itself. We feel It Is our home and benefits our passionate Sarasota supporters.

n We vehemently disagree with allegations that we are attempting to steal a build ing. We are acting on behalf of our backers and supporters that have passionately sup ported The Players for nearly a century while showing that we can save the city money while concurrently bringing new life to an historic structure.

that park guests have,” Lafley said.

That viable facility for indoor pro gramming needs is Municipal Audi torium.

The city’s partnership with the Bay Park Conservancy includes an agreement that specifies future negotiations for a plan to transition programming of the auditorium to the organization.

“Making it a playhouse eight months a year and reserving it for those performing arts does, in fact, cut the community out of an awful lot of uses that they are enjoying today,” Lafley said, adding the Bay Park Conservancy’s schedule would be half of the year for paid events and the other half free and open to the public.

Scheduling conflicts notwith standing, Commissioner Liz Alpert questioned the legality of leasing the auditorium to The Players given its loosely worded pact with The Bay.

“The second amendment in November says the BPC shall evalu ate the future use and management

of all existing city-owned and -oper ated or -leased buildings within The Bay park excluding the Symphony Center and Van Wezel,” said City Attorney Robert Fournier. “And then the implementation agreement does contain a provision that says the city and the BPC will propose separately a plan for transitioning the program ming for the Municipal Auditorium, but that’s to be done only at the city’s request.”

The language, Fournier opined, does not rise to the level of a com mitment and therefore provides the city latitude with regard to the Municipal Auditorium management.

More than the competition with the BPC for control of the building, The Players also has to overcome some hard feelings among the com mission.

Mayor Erik Arroyo pointed out The Players was intending to leave the city for Lakewood Ranch and with the cancellation of that project wants to come back.

“The Players left the city after selling land that was given to them by the city, and now they’re saying they’re going to come back and then they’ll maybe invest in another city asset because it didn’t work out else where,” Arroyo said.

PLAYERS AT THE PARK?

During the discussion, Payne Park Auditorium was included as a poten tial option. Albeit removed blocks from the vibrant nightlife of the bay front area, it has the seating capacity The Players needs, although Skaggs said it would require considerable expansion to create enough back stage space for large productions.

“I could see Payne Park as a very viable option if they’re open to it, and the terms would have to be more equitable to the residents of Saraso ta,” Arroyo said.

Vice Mayor Kyle Battie floated the idea of The Players taking over at Payne Park and perhaps splitting performances between there and The Bay.

The Players’ lease proposal did include staging smaller-scale sum mer performances at Payne Park Auditorium.

“You could have Players at the Park and have Players at the Bay,” Battie said.

Alpert said The Players’ presence

there would further activate Payne Park, and it would solve the problem of parking conflicts with the Van Wezel Performance Hall when both host simultaneous events.

“It would give you a place you know you could go and could be fixed up to accommodate your needs,” Alp ert said. “It would solve the problem of the Bay Park Conservancy being able to have control over all of that property because it does trouble me to parcel it out because then there is not an overall vision that can be facilitated, which then ultimately could lead to the lack of success of this overall project.”

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch agreed, saying her primary concern with The Players’ management of Municipal Auditorium is continu ity with the Bay Park Conservancy’s management of the remainder of The Bay.

“Depending on the outcome of today, there could be other conversa tions to be had,” Skaggs said. “Payne Park has got real issues that we can’t sit here and answer today. There are simply too many unknowns. We came here today with a solid plan about Municipal Auditorium and all that we can help bring to that.”

Brody, who has championed The Players’ cause and made a motion that was not seconded to accept its lease proposal, told commissioners they were “making a big mistake” by sending the matter back to staff.

“This is how arts and culture dies in this community. It’s by 1,000 paper cuts,” he said. “I’ve seen it with Mote. I’ve experienced it with the orchestra. And I just implore you not to make the same mistakes of the commissions, including myself, of the past. Right now, I guarantee there are developers in master-planned communities that are listening to this and they’ll be the first phone call that they make. It’s up to us as elected officials to either keep that heritage for our community or lose it.”

ART OF THE DEAL

Details of The Players Cen tre lease proposal.

n The lease will encompass the Municipal Auditorium. We understand the Bayfront Community Center is sub ject to lease obligations with The Bay Park Conservancy Inc. (“The Bay”), which will remain intact.

n The lease agreement will be “triple net,” subject to initial capital improvement obligations outlined below. We anticipate an initial term of 30 years. Base rent will be $100 per year.

n Rent payments will com mence 90 days after com pletion of all agreed-upon capital repairs and improve ments and/or a certificate of occupancy is granted.

n Utilization of the Audito rium will be for theatrical and musical productions, education programs, special events and for other groups needing space.

n Certain capital improve ments, such as repair and replacement of the roof, will need to be completed by city consistent with city’s current planning and fund ing cycles as well as the use ful life and condition of the capital item in question.

n

The Players has commis sioned a comprehensive study of the existing facil ity to produce conceptual designs and budgets for the improvements that will be needed for our proposed use. These conceptual plans and budgets are presented under separate cover. We anticipate an investment of $6 million to $9 million in repairs and improvements.

n Players will subsequently be responsible for normal and customary capital repairs and replacements and routine interior main tenance, other than the roofs, windows, structural components, foundations, and external infrastruc ture (parking areas, lawn, landscaping). Players will also work with city and The Bay in the establishment of an area chiller plant system, including resulting costsharing arrangement.

n Players will carry reason able and customary insur ance during the lease term, anticipated to be $2 million liability aggregate, $1 million per occurrence, and a mini mum of $250,000 personal property coverage.

n City will include in the lease existing facility signage located near the Hazzard Fountain and U.S. 41. City will provide for ad equate public parking for a facility seating 400 people.

n

Players will be permitted to use the Auditorium for any arts or entertainmentrelated activity, including with limited food service, alcohol service, and periodic outdoor food truck service.

Photos by Andrew Warfield

Payne Park Auditorium was floated by city commissioners as an option for The Players.

“Every public park definitely wants size, scale and scope, and The Bay needs a viable facility to accommodate all of these different needs that park guests have.”

— A.G. Lafley, Bay Park Conservancy CEO

The Players Centre for Performing Arts and Bay Park Conservancy are vying for control of Municipal Auditorium.

Candidates discuss state budget, education, constitutional carry

General election candidates for Florida House of Representatives seats 72 and 73 field questions on issues from SRQ Tiger Bay Club.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Candidates for two Florida House of Representatives seats covering Sarasota and eastern Manatee counties appeared before the SRQ Tiger Bay Club in September to field questions and state their cases for the 2022 general election.

Republican incumbents Fiona McFarland (District 72) and Tommy Gregory (District 73) squared off with Democrat challengers Derek

Reich and Roberts Dameus, respec tively, in a Q&A format moderated by SRQ Tiger Bay Club Board Chair Morgan Bentley. The event was held at Michaels on East in Sarasota.

McFarland, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, spent eight years on active duty and four years in the Naval Reserve. She has worked as a consul tant with a global business manage ment firm and has been a member of the state legislature since 2020. Reich, a product of Sarasota County Schools and a graduate of Florida State University, teaches social stud

ies at Sarasota High School.

Gregory has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2018.

An attorney, he is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy who served from 1990 to 1994. Dameus, a native of Haiti, is an entrepreneur and for mer French teacher. He is one of the founders of a political group in Haiti.

Following are excerpts from the dialogue, which have been edited for brevity and clarity.

If you could wave a magic wand to get one thing done in the legislature, what would it be?

Tommy Gregory: One thing I’d like to do would be to continue to fund infrastructure for local pur poses. That means we’d put more money into Port Manatee, which is ready and overdue for expan sion. They’ve done incredible work in Port Manatee, but it’s time to invest some more to help the entire economy of Sarasota and Mana tee counties, and also our trans portation corridors. Sarasota and Manatee county commissioners are working hard to allocate resources there. If I had a magic wand, I would bring back even more money than we have in the past, especially for our east-west corridors.

Roberts Dameus: The real issue is (that) right now we have an infla tion nightmare. No one can afford housing. What I would do is try to lower taxes for the first-time buyers and all of the middle class. Second, reduce taxes on gas because a lot of people cannot afford them. And also to do my best to create more jobs, because right now, we need valuable jobs here.”

Fiona McFarland: I would reset the property insurance market and somehow clear out the amount of risk carriers are holding right now. They’ve reacted to the litigious market that we have in Florida that just ratchets up the costs.

Derek Reich: The first thing is fully fund the Sadowski Affordable Housing Fund for support of work ing families. Every single year for 18 years the fund has been cut by Tal

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Photo by Andrew Warfield

Tommy Gregory, Roberts Dameus, Derek Reich and Fiona McFarland field questions from moderator Morgan Bentley.

lahassee politicians. This is coming from someone who is a teacher, Sarasota County native, and the son of a single mother of four who was able to build and purchase a brand new home 20 years ago. That home is now worth $500,000. No single mother who is a waitress can afford that today.

The Florida budget is now over $100 billion. If the budget were to be reduced, what are you going to cut?

Dameus: I believe if we reduce tax es it’s going to be the big relief for the economy. Also, we can build our highways and roads if we invest in infrastructure. We must create jobs. When you build more highways, more investors will be interested in building a gas station, for example, or a convenience store. We have to add more jobs to the economy.

Gregory: Let’s cut taxes on gas. Let’s cut taxes everywhere we can, and there is a tax cut on gas this year. We’ve implemented tax cuts every year in Florida. And thankful ly — because Florida has a balanced budget and because your legislature and your governor embrace the free market, individual responsibil ity and individual ingenuity and trusting individuals to make the right choices for themselves and their families and their compa nies — we’re not facing the budget problems that all the other states that go the other way do … Roughly 70% (of the state budget) goes to healthcare and education. Much of that money cannot be amended. So when you’re talking about where the cuts are going to be, it’ll be in the other 30% of the budget, which can impact many of the programs that people in this room represent.

Reich: There’s a couple of things: The new private army that Gov. DeSantis wasted $10 million on; and what we saw (on) the news when it comes to immigration — spending $12 million and shipping people out of the state. Not only is it inhumane, it is a waste of taxpayer money.

McFarland: Tommy and I have

been through this. We thought we were facing grim financial circum stances with COVID-19, and as I worked with many of you on the local funding, we all knew that it was it was a famine year on the budget. We prepared for it. We were prepared to use the reserves a little bit. We were looking very carefully at those really big spending items across our budget. We have built the biggest reserves we’ve ever had.

How do you view the state’s role in education?

Reich: Most of my family actu ally used to be Republicans, and when I was growing up I used to ask them, ‘Why are you Republi can?’ They would tell me that they believe those closest to situation are in the best place to solve it. And I always respected that answer, but that answer today is not what you’re getting out of Tallahassee. It used to be that Sarasota County schools and our school board would decide what school was coming to our community. And now some of the representatives up here voted to supersede the local control, and now some conservatives in Orlando and in Pensacola are going to decide what is right for you. I believe those we actually elected in Sarasota to be on our school board should decide what is going to happen in our schools and not some govern ment bureaucrat five hours away in Tallahassee.

McFarland: I’m tremendously proud of the work that we’ve done on education in the past two years. Even in the feast-or-famine budget cycles, we’ve made record invest ment in education … I agree with Derek that the government closest to the people is the one that’s cor rect. I’m not exactly sure what he’s referring to what happens at the state level, but the Department of Education sets statewide standards as accountability for the funds we hand out to ensure that the qual ity of education that started at 5 years (of age) is trackable through the university system while defer ring to the local school board when it comes to matters of transparency into the reading materials in the

classroom or how parents engage with their teachers and the admin istrators.

Gregory: It’s about the parents deciding what’s best for their chil dren. Sarasota County is the perfect example. We have so many great schools here. Parents are decid ing do they want their kid to go to Sarasota High School? Can they get into Pine View High School? Do they want to have Sarasota Military Academy experience? … There’s no mistaking that the Florida legis lature’s embrace of parental rights and parental choices for their chil dren, understanding what’s being taught and then choosing the right venue for them to get an education.

Dameus: As a former chemistry and French teacher, I’m in love with education. My answer is simple. I will reinforce the school poli cies that first get the parents more involved in their students’ educa tion. And put more money into education. That means more money in the library and that gives more access to efficient materials.

One of the first bills that will come before the Legislature next year is constitutional carry. What is your position on it and why?

Gregory: The words of the Second Amendment are very clear: “shall not be infringed.” When you are requiring the citizens of this coun try to apply for a permit to exer cise a constitutional right, you are infringing upon their right. That’s why I support it.

Dameus: Before we have access, we have to have heavy background checks because a lot of criminals out there can go to a gun shop and get a gun. There are a lot of crazy people as well, so I think it’s very necessary to have a heavy back ground check for those people and to see if they’re not crazy.

Reich: I am pro-good gun owner ship. My stepfather has a conceal carry permit and he is a Republican. He is from New York, where he also has a conceal carry permit, and it simply blows his mind as someone

who’s a Republican and very progun rights that you can walk in, take one class and get a conceal carry these days. I would love people who are well trained to have a weapon, but when you give it out like candy to anyone that attended one class, it’s insane.

McFarland: I’m a big supporter of the Second Amendment, but also my training the Navy left me with a healthy respect for firearms. And I believe that every law-abiding citizen has that same premise to begin with. We need to give our law enforcement the tools they need to make sure guns stay out of the hands of non law-abiding citizens. If someone is complying with those laws and the rules, that is a conver sation we ought to have.

What is your position on the legislatively approved ban on abortion after 15 weeks?

McFarland: The Supreme Court has thrust this issue directly into focus on state level. I consider myself to be pro life. I respect that many people have a range of dif ferent opinions and that there is a tremendous amount of emotion that goes into this issue. We passed a law that would disallow termina tion of pregnancy after 15 weeks of gestational age, with exceptions for cases where the health and life of the mother was at risk or fatal fetal abnormality and the baby would not survive. I supported that bill.

Reich: As someone who has a 17-year-old sister and a 17-year-old niece, the government has abso lutely no business taking away the freedom of a woman to control her body. I had a 17-year-old student come to me, and I was the very first person she told that she was raped. I could not imagine being the state and saying, ‘God forbid, if you’re pregnant, you’re going to have to carry the pregnancy of your rapist to term.’ She’s voting to take away the sovereignty that a rape victim has to control her own body.

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North county schools reopen, though normal still a ways off

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Though schools in northern Sara sota County reopened on Monday after Hurricane Ian, work remains in the southern portion of the county before classes can resume.

This week, 35 schools in the dis trict reopened, and no more school buildings are being used as evacua tion centers, paving the way for the remainder to open on Oct. 17.

Superintendent Brennan Asplen said the first day was as close to busi ness as usual as could be expected.

“It was a very, very smooth open ing today as far as operations were concerned and getting everyone back into classes,” he said. “Schools are reporting that they are fully staffed. Attendance appears to be very close to normal.”

Asplen reported minimal disrup tion in transportation for the first day back, and every student was fed typical meals during the day. Still, though, even schools that reopened are not necessarily back to normal.

“Our work is not done in north county,” Chief Operations Offi cer Jody Dumas said. “We still have debris on campuses piled every where, so it will take us several months to actually get campuses back to what they originally looked like.”

District staff is discussing the potential for make-up days, though School Board members would have the final say.

Chief Academic Officer Chris Renouf said schools in hardest-hit North Port and Englewood have reached out to families to assess and

provide resources to keep students engaged during the transition back into classrooms.

Customized learning plans have been created to properly address the needs of students, whether in elementary, middle or high school, Renouf said.

“We fully realize that this is a time of transition, rebuilding and recov ery and remain fully committed to supporting our schools, the staff, the students and families — whatever it takes,” he said.

To fully support students, Execu tive Director of Student Services Debra Giacolone said additional school counselors, nurses, social workers, school psychologists and community partners are ready to help.

“Our number one priority is the safety of our students, and that includes the emotional safety and the physical safety of both our stu dents and our staff,” she said.

High school athletic teams began practice Friday, Oct. 7. Depend ing on the status of bleacher repair, home games may need to be played at alternate sites.

School officials weighing possibility of presenting calendar changes for makeup days to School Board.

File photo

Superinten dent Brennan Asplen said minimal interruptions occurred dur ing Monday’s return to school.

Sarasota leaders OK St. Armands festival proposal

Longboat Key leaders react with traffic concerns after City Commissioners’ 4-1 approval of the event that would run from Nov. 18 through New Year’s.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

St. Armands Circle is get ting a new 60-foot holiday tree this year, and now it will have a six-week winter fes tival to accompany it. During its Oct. 3 meeting, the Sarasota City Commission approved by a 4-1 vote authorizing the city staff to approve a special-use permit to Tom Leonard and Ride Entertainment to hold the festival in the five-acre park inside the circle.

Citing the contentious nature surrounding the request, Commis sioner Jen Ahearn-Koch opposed the motion to approve made by Hagen Brody. The controversy surrounds what St. Armands Circle Associa tion Executive Director Rachel Burns said was a lack of communication between Leonard and her organiza tion and the cancelation of at least one annual event to accommodate the new festival.

Longboat Key leaders said they plan to discuss the festival proposal over concerns about traffic.

Mayor Ken Schneier said commis sioners could talk about potential actions they might take at their Oct. 17 meeting.

“The intensity of traffic is the main concern,” he said. “There is the worry about what the approval would mean for development and allowed uses.”

The prospect of the festival came before the commission at its Sept. 19 meeting during the pubic com ments portion, when Leonard and

PROPOSED HOURS OF OPERATION

n Opens: Nov. 18, 2022.

n Weekdays: 4-9 p.m.

n Weekends: noon-9 p.m.

n Holiday weeks: noon-9 p.m.

n Breakdown: Jan. 3, 2023.

Burns spoke back to back on the matter. Leonard, chairman of the St. Armands Business Improvement District Board of Directors, empha sized he was not speaking on behalf of the board. Burns, whose organiza tion is comprised of the merchants at the Circle, said she was left out of the conversation, that Leonard was attempting to circumvent proce dures for an event permit.

The two appeared before the commission on Aug. 1 to request a $286,000 grant to replace the 20-year-old St. Armands tree. Leonard said the festival is his effort to deliver on what commission ers at the time expressed as a desire to expand holiday activities there beyond the traditional tree lighting.

Part of the controversy stems from a previous attempt by Ride Enter tainment to install a permanent car ousel in the circle, which met with opposition.

Leonard provided details during Monday’s meeting, including a site map of proposed attractions that include a synthetic ice skating rink, a trackless train, a carousel and more, all located within temporary fencing

inside the park. The new tree will face Ringling Causeway on the approach to the circle from the mainland.

The fencing, Leonard said, is not to deny access but to provide security while festival activities are under way. At a cost of $10, a wristband will provide access to all the attractions.

St. Armands Residents Asso ciation President Chris Goglia told commissioners a weeks-long event that limits access to the space within the circle is a right-of-way violation along a state road.

“Based on the feedback that we’ve gotten from our public works department, it is right of way, but they look at it as sort of like a medi an in the middle of a roadway where there’s green space,” said City Man ager Marlon Brown. “And so we’ve always utilized that circle as sort of a median, so it’s green space and we do designate it as a park.”

City Attorney Robert Fournier said in his opinion, right of way applies to vehicular traffic, which will not be impeded, and therefore consider ation of the festival does not require a public hearing.

“I think (you can) just decide that the ordinance applies, but it only applies when there’s actual pub lic right of way that’s being used as such for vehicular traffic and it has to be closed,” Fournier said. “This will not require the closure of any right of way over which the public is trav eling.”

Burns said the St. Armands Cir cle Association isn’t necessarily

opposed to the festival, but it objects to having been excluded from plan ning. She also took exception to Leonard meeting with the organizer of one of her group’s regular events, Porsches at the Park, requesting it be relocated, postponed or canceled.

“I’ve asked multiple times in emails to Mr. Brown and Mr. Fourni er for more information. Since Aug. 26, I’ve received no information. I’ve just heard about things going on behind the scenes where my events are attempting to be canceled,” she said. “We’re not against this nor have I ever tried to stop an expanded program. I just do not believe that we’re setting the right precedent by bulldozing over something. I would like you to direct city staff to have that meeting with us so we can try to work on something together that works for everybody.”

Leonard said he doesn’t necessar ily envision the festival as an annual event and, for the time being, said it’s about highlighting what com missioners called a tree for the city, not just St. Armands.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Performance stage

Synthetic ice skating rink

Trackless train

Santa’s North Pole Experi ence

Carousel

Inflatable snow globe

Face painting

Crafting

“I’ve just heard about things going on behind the scenes where my events are attempting to be canceled.”

— Rachel Burns

Courtesy photo

Among the attractions of the proposed winter festival at St. Armands Circle is a synthetic ice skating rink.

Observer recommends

A litmus test for constitution amendments is this: Will it increase or decrease

the lives of those the amendments are intended to affect. But you can be the judge of that once you know more about them.

AMENDMENT 1

Limitation on the assessment of real property used for residential purposes.

VOTER REGISTRATION

FLORIDA*

Republican

MATT WALSH

Every conversation you have with a Floridian for the first time since that horrible, fateful day always begins with: “How did you do? Is your family OK? Was your home dam aged?”

And for the next five minutes or so, together you lament the destruction that Hurricane Ian inflicted on this great state and you pity with your heart the thousands of Floridians who lost so much.

All of us in Ian’s wake are still traumatized — PTSD, for sure — even if those of us in the SarasotaBradenton escaped as we did.

So it’s hard to shift your mindset and focus and get back to living the way we were living before Ian.

But we must — and will.

Which brings us to one of the next milestones Americans will be facing over the next few weeks: How to vote in the Nov. 8 general election.

To that end, as we do with each election, we will attempt over the next few weeks to help readers see why some incumbents deserve reelection or not, or why some chal lengers deserve election instead.

We will explain some of the details, backgrounds, motivations, objec tives and plusses and minuses of the state constitutional amendments and local charter amendments.

And, as we have traditionally done, we will continue to make rec ommendations — a practice most newspapers are abandoning. Too bad they are.

We continue to believe it’s worth while to offer a viewpoint that may help voters think more analytically about candidates and issues rather than making judgments merely based on TV and radio soundbites or on the negative campaign mailers stuffed into mailboxes.

In this week’s installment, we address the state constitutional amendments. And as we do with every proposed amendment, we will apply our litmus test: If passed, will the amendment increase or decrease individuals’ freedom?

If it will increase freedom, we’ll likely recommend a yes. If it decreases freedom, no.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Thankfully, there are only three state constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. That’s a welcome relief from four years ago, when there were 12 state amend ments on the ballot — all of which addressed multiple subjects that confused voters.

On top of that, in 2018, Sarasota County ballots contained another six bond and charter questions.

All of it was overwhelming for Florida voters.

That seemingly interminable and confusing list of amendments came to Floridians courtesy of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, an appointed body of citizens that meets every 20 years and whose existence happens to be the subject of one of this year’s amendments.

Unlike then, this year’s three amendments are all courtesy of the Legislature. And thankfully, each of the amendments is limited to a single subject, making them easier to comprehend.

What’s more, unlike many citizen-initiated amendments, this year’s three amendments do not have nefarious interest groups working behind the scenes to pass or kill the amendments to gain spe cial advantage.

Instead, you can say the intent of the amendments is to improve

To authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit the consid eration of any change or improve ment made to real property used for residential purposes to improve the property’s resistance to flood damage in determining the assessed value of such property for ad valorem taxation purposes.

In plain English, here’s what this means: If you own residential property in Florida and construct or install improvements designed to keep your property from being flooded (e.g. hurricanes, storms), county property appraisers cannot add the value of those improve ments to the assessed value of your property.

Say the appraiser values your canal-front home at $700,000.

Then you add $50,000 worth of anti-flood improvements. When the appraisers assesses the tax value of your home, he cannot include the $50,000 value.

State statutes already apply that methodology to wind damage improvements (stronger roofs, hur ricane windows, etc.). This amend ment would apply the same exemp tion to flood improvements.

In the wake of Ian, most people would say this amendment makes sense. This amendment is in every property owner and taxpayer’s interest and in the interest of help ing the state create a more favorable insurance market.

It makes sense to give homeown ers an incentive to take steps to avoid flood damage. Likewise, any measure that limits or reduces taxa tion is an increase in freedom.

We recommend: Yes

AMENDMENT 2 Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission.

To abolish the Constitution Revi sion Commission, which meets at 20-year intervals and is sched uled to next convene in 2037, as a method of submitting proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution to electors of the state for approval. This amendment does not affect the ability to revise or amend the State Constitution through citizen initiative, consti tutional convention, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission or legislative joint resolution.

On first thought, an initial reaction to reading this proposed amend ment would be to vote no. It appears the Legislature wants to eliminate one of the avenues voters and tax payers have to change state govern ment. It appears to be an effort to take away some of your freedom and your ability to control your government.

But as with most issues, there are two sides to every story.

Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, makes a persuasive case for eliminating the commission — persuasive enough that more than three-fifths of the Legislature voted in 2021 to put this measure on the ballot.

Brandes likens the commission to the movie “Jumanji” — a game with no rules.

“There are no rules,” he says. “Good things can pop out, and bad things can pop out.”

All of that is true of the revision commission, in particular the part about no rules.

When Florida voters approved the creation of the commission in 1968, the provisions specifying its job and how to do that job were vague and open-ended. According to a leg islative analysis in 2021, all that is required of the commission is that it “must convene at the call of its chair, adopt rules of procedure and ‘hold public hearings.’” That’s it.

Its job is “to examine the State Constitution and decide which, if any, amendments to propose to the voters.”

Change

2022 Total % of Total from 2021

5,233,366 36.3% +2.2%

Democrat 4,963,722 34.5% -2.9%

Other 4,198,193 29.2% +3.2%

Total 14,395,281 100% +0.6%

MANATEE COUNTY** Republican

123,634 44.1% +2.7%

Democrat 79,589 28.4% -3.1%

Other 76,675 27.4% +3.0%

Total 279,898 100% +1.0%

SARASOTA COUNTY***

Republican

153,630 43.5% +1.8%

Democrat 101,468 28.7% -5.0%

Other 97,770 27.2% 0%

Total 352,868 100% -0.74%

(As of *9.30.22;** 11.1.21; *** 10.5.22; )

For the first time in Florida politi cal history, registered Republi cans will outnumber registered Democrats going into the general election.

This was a long quest for Repub licans.

Even though Republicans achieved a historic milestone in 1996 by taking the majority in the Legislature — the first time in 120 years, Democrats have always

outnumbered Republicans. No longer.

What’s more, when you look at a county map of Florida, it would show the state to be bright Red.

Of the 67 counties, Republicans outnumber Democrats in 52. Offsetting that dominance, however, is that Democrats over whelmingly control the state’s major metropolitan areas.

DEMOCRATS DOMINATE THE METROS

The table shows the total registered Democrats and Republicans and the percentage of the total number of registered voters.

Democrats % Republicans % Broward 596,774 47.9% 263,491 21.1%

Duval (Jax) 260,733 40.0% 228,883 35.1%

Hillsborough 341,597 37.2% 287,419 31.3% Miami-Dade 575,793 37.9% 433,113 28.5% Orange 360,389 41.7% 217,061 25.1%

Palm Beach 398,703 39.9% 288,547 28.9%

Totals 2,533,989 1,718,51 % of Party 51% 32.8%

Source: Florida Secretary of State; supervisors of elections

Brandes argues the open-ended nature of the commission results in what occurred in 2018 — a dozen amendments, most of them addressing different subjects; and many of them items that should not be in the constitution, but rather dealt with as state statutes.

What’s more, Brandes argues, the members of the commission are not really a wide cross-section of Flor ida’s populace. Of its 37 members, the governor appoints 15; the House speaker and Senate president each appoint nine; the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court appoints three; and the attorney general is a member.

The result tends to be friends and donors of the state’s elected leaders. In the most recent commission, Republicans overwhelmingly domi nated. “It’s a construct of unelected individuals,” Brandes says, deciding what to present to voters to change Florida’s most sacred, governing document.

For all those reasons, Brandes says, the best way to fix all that is wrong with the commission is to eliminate it.

Or, as Adrian Moore, Observer columnist and vice president of the Reason Foundation, wrote in a Sept. 8 column: “It would make much more sense to reform the CRC and the citizen initiative process than to eliminate it.”

Moore presented five doable and reasonable steps that would reform and fix the commission and preserve this avenue to amending Florida’s Constitution. It’s worth a try.

We recommend: No.

AMENDMENT 3

Additional homestead property tax exemption for specified critical public services workforce.

To authorize the Legislature, by general law, to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for nonschool levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States armed forces and Florida National Guard mem bers.

This amendment shall take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

This proposed amendment reeks of political pandering.

It also is rife with reasons to be critical of the 115 Florida House members (all of them at the time) and the 37 out of 38 senators who voted to put this measure on the ballot in the most recent legislative session.

First, to the good: If approved, the amendment would codify a property tax cut — and thus more individual freedom — for nine groups of Floridians. It would be a nice way to express the public’s perpetual appreciation for these indispensable and highly valued public servants; to let them know Floridians have their backs.

It would not be a precedent by any means.

Since 2010, Florida voters have approved six constitutional amend ments giving property-tax exemp tions and college-tuition waivers to combat-wounded military veterans, disabled first responders and the surviving spouses of these deceased veterans and first responders. In the process, Florida has become one of the most welcoming states in the country for veterans and first responders.

Now, state lawmakers want to broaden that net.

But wait. While we admire and respect the people who choose to serve in those crucial occupa tions and understand their risks and challenges and while we have supported the six previous amend ments intended to help those wounded, disabled or killed in the line of duty, this amendment smacks of the policy making that lawmakers should always avoid: picking one group over another and bestowing benefits on one group at the expense of others.

This amendment is the classic example of the Milton Friedman rule of lawmaking: What you give to one you must take away from another. If you lower taxes for the people in these nine groups, others must make up the difference.

Florida lawmakers should quit pandering so they can say they voted to cut taxes. If there are to be tax cuts, give them to everyone.

We recommend: No.

Next week: Proposed charter amend ments and questions for Manatee and Sarasota counties and the city of Sarasota.

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CEO / Matt Walsh

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Emeritus / David Beliles 1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

“If 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.”

Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

City Commission OKs bond funding for The Bay Phase 2

At a cost of $65 million, the Sarasota City Commission approves $48 million in TIF-backed bonds for the second phase of The Bay park redevelopment.

nly minutes after the conten

tious discussion over the man agement of Municipal Audito rium, leaders of the Bay Park Conservancy were back facing the Sarasota City Commissioners, this time seeking approval for funding of the second phase of The Bay, which carries a price tag of $65 million.

Minus $12 million in government grants and $5 million in private fund ing, a city bond of $48 million in tax increment financing-backed bonds makes up the balance of the fund ing. That revenue is derived from a tax on new development and rising property values in the area imme diately surrounding the 53-acre city-owned property west of U.S. 41 between Boulevard of the Arts and 10th Street.

Phase 1 of the park is set to debut with a 10-day grand opening event beginning Oct. 14. The 14-acre phase features largely passive recreation space, nature trails, an event lawn, playground, a mangrove bayou and a welcome center, among others. In all, The Bay is estimated at $150 mil lion, the capital investment equally divided between private and public funds, the public portion and ongo ing operations paid for by the TIF revenue.

With the eventual approval of the bond financing — which was unani mous — Commissioner Hagen Bro dy floated the idea of conflating the funding with the Municipal Audi torium lease issue. The auditorium is central to the Cultural District of Phase 2.

“Because of the conversation we

just had about The Players and the Municipal Auditorium, I think this commission should continue this item. This is literally the only car rot that you’ll have to negotiate with these folks,” he said. “I’ve been pretty involved in that discussion for a year now, and The Bay hasn’t budged. They want to get this done. It is in my view the only thing that you’ll have to be able to leverage your position, whatever that ends up becoming in the future.”

Brody, who as a member of the Bay Park Improvement Board, voted to approve sending the bond vote to the City Commission but questioned the price tag of Phase 2. It includes rehabbing the sea wall along the public docks canal near 10th Street and construction of day docks (Canal District, $15 million), a sunset board walk and pier ($15 million), improve ments on the western shoreline ($15 million), and the Cultural District ($20 million).

He also questioned the level of

private contributions to the project going forward.

Bay Park Conservancy CEO A.G. Lafley, who as retired chairman, president and CEO of Procter & Gamble, defended the cost projec tions, its expense share and the need for expediency.

“Bond rates right now are running a bit above 4%. Inflation is running eight-and-a-half to 10%,” he said. “Depending on which index you look at, the math is super simple. Every year you wait, you’re going to spend 8 to 10% more on this improvement. What matters is the difference between the rate you can borrow at and the rate you’re going to pay for the inflated cost of what ever your construction or project is. Every week, every month is worth real money.

“On the second point, 90% of (Phase 1) was paid for by private money,” he continued. “Of $40.5 million, $55 million was raised. We’re out there raising $24 million right

now, $12 million between now and the end of next year. So to say that the private money hasn’t done its part is not true … We’ve been delivering our numbers, so if you have a better esti mate, bring it forward.”

COUNTY APPROVAL

With Sarasota County an equal part ner with the city on allocating TIF revenue to the The Bay bond debt, the Sarasota County Commission

on Tuesday approved the capital plan and bond payment by a 3-2 vote with commissioners Christian Ziegler and Mike Moran opposed. The two don’t object to the park — Ziegler did reit erate the insistence he stated during the interlocal Bay Park Investment Board that Phase 2 include a signa ture waterfront dining venue — but they do object to the public portion of the funding mechanism.

“A park, in my opinion, should be funded with general funds. Using this vehicle of a TIF has concerned me since day one,” Moran said. “The city of Sarasota is a standalone municipal authority. They have the power and authority to tax their residents. And if they want a park, they bring it to the people. And if the people support it, they support the tax to pay for it. Anything that deviates from that related to a park, I’ve just expressed concern.

“With that said, I do genuinely think it’s an amazing project.”

Courtesy rendering

The Cultural District at The Bay along Tamiami Trail includes Municipal Auditorium.

“Depending on which index you look at, the math is super simple. Every year you wait, you’re going to spend 8 to 10% more on this improvement.”

— A.G. Lafley

SUNDAY, OCT. 9

ATTIRE ALTERCATION

1:48 a.m., 1400 block of Main Street

Criminal mischief: A couple being escorted out of a downtown bar because of a dress code violation prompted an altercation in an alley that caused the destruction of a $500 television. The bar manager told police the controversially clad couple “made a scene” and got into a physi cal altercation with security personnel in the alley. During the scuffle, the manager said he was “pretty sure” the ejected man knocked down the TV.

Although surveillance cameras were in place, the bar manager said he could not access the the footage. When the officer returned the next day to retrieve footage, he was told it was unavailable and would have to return during regular bar hours. As a result of the altercation, the couple were given a trespass warning. Because of the uncertainty of the wit ness and lack of video surveillance, the case has been forwarded to the State Attorney’s office for further review.

THURSDAY, OCT. 6

THE NEW PICKUP BAR

10:28 p.m., 3500 block of Fruitville Road

Trespassing: A man who told police he found two adult female custom ers at convenience store gasoline pumps to be attractive, and simply offered his assistance, was accused of making lewd comments toward them and, later, trespassing on the property. An officer met with the women who said they became fearful of the man and hid in the bathroom of the business, where they called 911. The women, both 19 years of age, told police that he approached them and said “If you leave, I am going to get in the car with you.”

The man told police he did not say anything inappropriate, but simply was making his move by offering to help the women fuel their vehicle. At the store clerk’s request, the man was served with a trespassing notice. Still, he returned 25 minutes later, as confirmed by video footage. Because he defied an order to not return, entered the store and made direct contact with the clerk, the case has been turned over to the State Attorney’s office for review.

SATURDAY, OCT. 8

RELIEF TEAM RELIEVED OF DUTIES

7:31 p.m., 1000 block of South Con rad Street

Civil dispute: A team of hurricane relief workers dispatched to Sara sota who were evicted from a rental property by their boss because of poor performance returned to the home to find their belongings in the driveway, some of them allegedly missing. The team was scheduled to stay at the property while here work ing, but after they were fired were, according to their employer, given three days to vacate.

The dislodged subcontractor denied being given the three days’ notice, and while away for the day, a new team moved in. When they returned, they found their personal belongings outside and a new team occupying the home. The new team leader advised police he placed the belongings outside, but denied tak ing any of the items. The employer who booked the property confirmed to police he gave the prior team three days to move out, and when they had not complied, requested their replacements remove the belongings.

All parties were informed that the incident is a civil matter.

THERE ARE S OME T HINGS YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON

To all the physicians and nurses, clinicians, technicians and support staff who stayed at their posts throughout the storm, away from their families and loved ones, we thank you.

Although words may sometimes fail us , you never have .

THANK YOU TEAM SMH

BEST BET

SATURDAY, OCT. 15

BIG MAMA’S COLLARD GREEN FESTIVAL

12 p.m. at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St. Cajun, Creole, Southern, Caribbean foods and styles are celebrated at this Newtown festival. Free. For information, go to newtownnation.com.

FRIDAY, OCT. 14

10 DAYS AT THE BAY

Runs through Oct. 23 at the Bay, 655 N Tamiami Trail. The Bay’s grand opening will be marked with dozens of events and activities throughout 10 days. For information, go to The BaySarasota.org.

SARASOTA ROCKTOBERFEST

Oct. 15-17 at J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive. Bands rock out for a crowd enjoying all sorts of German food during this weekend’s Oktober fest event. Free. For information, go to ParagonFestivals.com.

LIGHTS AT SPOOKY POINT

Runs through Oct. 31 at Historic Spanish Point, 401 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey. Historic Spanish Point hosts a new spooky-themed walk through its nature setting for families to enjoy. $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. For information, go to Selby.org.

7TH ANNUAL CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

Runs through Oct. 16 at Motor works Brewing, 1014 9th Street W. Celtic culture is celebrated with this weekend-long food and music fest.

Tickets start at $5. For information, go to CeltoberFest.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 15

LIMELIGHT MARKET

10 a.m. at Bazaar on Apricot and Lime, 821 Apricot Ave. The monthly pop-up market will have vendors showcasing honey, pottery, organic popcorn and more. Free. For information, go to BazaarOnApricotandLime.com

WITCHES TEA

11 a.m. at The Children’s Garden and Art Center, 1670 10th Way. Kids can embrace the Halloween spirit by making sweet tea, sandwiches and decorating wands. $5 for kids, $10 for adults and must be bought in advance. For information, go to SarasotaChildrensGarden.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

NPB REC DAYS

10 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park.

Families can explore Nathan Bender son Park and try out several outdoor activities, including paddleboarding, kayaking, canoes, fishing and more. $5 for kids and $10 for adults. For information, go to NathanBender sonPark.org.

Fast Break

LOOK BACK, LOOK AHEADRYAN KOHN

After a prolonged break caused by the anticipation, arrival and damage of Hurricane Ian, the high school football season resumes Friday night for Sarasota teams.

By the time teams take the field, it will have been nearly a month since some of them have played a game. To welcome them — and the fans — back, here is a refresher on how the season has gone so far and a look at the pivotal matchups Friday and beyond that will determine the postsea son through a brief look back and a quick look ahead.

There’s a lot of chatter in NFL social media circles this week about the number and severity of roughing the passer penalties this season. Personally, some of the calls have seemed soft, but they also got me thinking: In six years on the beat, I rarely see that call made at the high school level.

The reason for this isn’t clear. Perhaps young quarter backs hold the ball longer than NFL signal callers, increasing the time defenders have to legally hit them. Or maybe defenders just get to the quarterback less frequently. Or maybe refs just don’t look for it. Whatever the reason, it’s something I’m going to take a note of going forward.

This Saturday is the 2022 Tri-County Swim Champion ship, held at 10 a.m. at Selby Aquatic Center. It’s the event that launches the real swim season at the high school level, as swimmers ramp up their effort level to peak at the state meet in November. As we all know, the Gulf Coast produces some of the top swimmers in the country, so watching the best of Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties compete is a treat.

It appears as though Car dinal Mooney High volleyball coach Chad Davis was right to be bullish on his team now that the Cougars are healthy. The Cougars swept local rival Venice High 3-0 (25-16; 25-16; 25-20) on the road Tuesday night. The Indians (12-4) en tered the contest ranked 10th in the state by the Florida High School Athletic Association, while the Cougars (12-9) were ranked 37th. Is another deep postseason run coming?

BOOKER HIGH

The look back: The Tornadoes have been inconsistent under first-year coach Scottie Littles — though coming off an 0-8 season in 2021, the team’s 2-3 record through five games marks a big improvement. Booker has beaten North Port High (0-5) and Southeast High (1-4) by multiple scores, but dropped its week one game against Cardinal Mooney High (1-4) by one point, 10-9, and lost 28-21 to Sarasota after mishandling a punt and letting the Sailors recover in Booker terri tory, setting up an easy go-ahead score. The Tornadoes also showed they have the ath leticism to compete with perennial playoff teams like Braden River High (3-2) when the Tornadoes tied the Pirates at 21 at the half, before Braden River’s experience won out in

the second half and Booker lost 42-28. The look ahead: As Littles has repeatedly said throughout the season, teams should be wary of Booker late in the season once the Tornadoes get a grip on Littles’ scheme and culture. If Booker has used the off weeks to rest as well as continue learning Littles’ sys tems, the team has a chance to end with a winning season. The Tornadoes will go on the road to play Desoto County High (4-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m, then end the year with games against Bayshore High (0-4), Wiregrass Ranch High (2-4), Lemon Bay High (1-4) and Lakewood Ranch High (4-2). Senior quarterback Will Carter Jr. and junior running back Ahmad Hunter have combined for 638 rushing yards (5.65 yards per carry) and six touchdowns on the ground.

CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH

The look back: The Cougars had high expectations for their 2022 season, but the beginning of it did not go as planned. After beating Booker 10-9 in week one, Mooney lost four straight games, including a 28-27 road overtime loss to First Baptist Academy on Sept. 9. The Cougars most recent game was Sept. 23, a 41-21 loss to Carrollwood Day School. Follow ing Hurricane Ian, Mooney — being a private school — was eligible to play a game last week but did not find an opponent.

The look ahead: In terms of the postseason, the Cougars’ bumpy start will matter not if it can beat John Carroll Catholic (4-1) on the road Friday at 7 p.m. Mooney and John Carroll are the only two teams in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class Suburban 4, District 6, meaning the winner of the game will win the district and earn an automatic playoff spot. The Rams have a stout defense led by four-star defensive end Wilky Denaud, an Auburn commit. A big game from junior running back Carson Beach would boost the Cougars’ chances.

RIVERVIEW HIGH

The look back: The Rams have not played since Sept. 16. That night, Riverview beat Lehigh High 31-28 for its first win of the season. The Rams (1-3) started their season with back-to-back losses of more than 38 points, then dropped a game against Pal metto High in double overtime, 17-14, before beating Lehigh. The Rams showed improve ment against the Lightning, particularly on defense, holding Alabama commit Richard Young to 59 rushing yards on 14 carries and intercepting quarterback Darryl Hodge four times. Offensive play remained a problem; the Rams had two turnovers against the Lightning that led to touchdowns.

The look ahead: The Rams will host Clear water Academy International (5-0) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The game will be played at Sarasota High, as the Ram Bowl is still not ready for play after the hurricane. CAI has outscored its opponents 168-49 this season, including three shutouts. The Rams will fol low the CAI game with a home district game against rival Venice High (2-2) on Oct. 21. The two games are a tough but critical stretch for the team’s postseason hopes. Junior quar terback Jeremiah Dawson and the Riverview offense will need to rise to the occasion.

SARASOTA HIGH

The look back: Sailors coach Brody Wiseman said Oct. 4 he feels like the team should be 5-0, but because of mistakes, the team sits at 3-2 instead.

In its most recent game, a Sept. 23 contest against Calvary Christian, Sarasota trailed 24-7 at the half before mounting a comeback and leading 28-24 in the fourth quarter before ultimately allowing another Warriors touchdown for a 31-28 final score.

It came on a 75-yard drive that included a conversion on fourth and 11. Wiseman said his team can’t allow things like that to happen. But he’s also happy with the overall direction of the team and how hard the teams plays each game.

The look ahead: Sarasota will play Venice at 7:30 p.m. Friday at home. According to MaxPreps records, the Sailors have not beaten Venice since 2007. A win Friday, or even a close game, would be a sign of how much improvement the Sailors have made in recent seasons. The running back duo of juniors Joe Ziegler and Jaden Judge will likely play a large part in the game’s outcome; success on the ground can allow the Sailors to control the clock.

“I feel like some people might get nervous when they step to the line at a state meet, but I don’t.”

Sarasota

File photo Chad Davis.

Mooney junior Griffin Gisotti makes a jump ing grab for a gain.

File photos

Booker High quarterback Will Carter Jr. drops back to pass and looks to his right against Cardinal Mooney.

Rams senior Lauriel Trotman (9) has been a big part of the Riverview rushing attack.

Sarasota senior Tyler Pack is one of the team’s leading receivers.

Keep running

Sarasota cross-country teams deliver season after season of high-end performances.

Consistency.

It’s what every sports program strives to achieve, yet it’s one of the hardest things to catch. That makes some sense when you remember humans are quite fallible. We have good days and bad days. Our moods can affect our performance in whatever we’re doing. Even if someone commits to doing something every day, there’s no guarantee that the person’s effort level will be the same each day.

This is all to say: Getting highschoolers to commit to the work ethic necessary to finish with elite times in cross-country — perhaps the most solitary sport there is — is no easy task.

Yet the Sarasota High coaching staff, led by John Stevenson, has done it. In 2021, the Sailors boys finished 13th in the state’s Class 4A while the girls finished 18th; in 2020, the programs finished sixth and eighth, respectively; in 2019, they finished ninth and fifth; in 2018, the boys, led by individual winner Ben Hartvigsen, who is now running for Harvard, won the state title, and the girls finished second.

You get the point. The Sailors’ programs consistently finish in the top 20 in the state. It’s remark able, especially when the sport of cross-country itself is so individual in nature. No one’s helping those athletes during races. It’s not like football or basketball or volleyball, where smart coaches can scheme around a team’s deficiencies and lean on its strengths.

Cross-country programs are at the mercy of the individual talent allotted to them. The Sailors have seen state champions come and go, and remain near the front.

And 2022 appears to be no differ ent. At the FSU Invitational, held Oct. 7-8 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, the Sailors boys finished 23rd as a team, while the girls finished 27th. That may sound lower than usual, but the FSU Invitational — also known as the Pre-State meet — features a mix ture of the best programs in Florida, not just Class 4A schools, meaning some of the teams who finished ahead of the Sailors won’t be com petition for them at the actual state meet on Nov. 5.

“I think we’re in the mix of things again,” Stevenson said. “I think a top-10, top-five finish at states is definitely possible for both squads.”

Stevenson credited his athletes with the program’s long-term suc cess. Stevenson said the leaders of the squad, the seniors and juniors, make sure the freshmen and sopho mores coming into the program know the standards.

They do this because past run ners did the same for them. At this point, Stevenson said, no class wants to be the class to let down the others, to let the program’s history of excellence slide.

The program also tends to attract kids who are self-motivated. Ste venson said the program typically has one of the highest grade-point averages of any athletic program at the school. They have goals and they want to achieve those goals. That translates into running, where the most successful athletes are the ones who want to see their personal record times fall and fall and fall.

Stevenson said a lot of programs will start taking things too easy around this time of year. At Sara sota, the Sailors will get their mile age up over the next two weeks and continue doing intervals, or speed work.

After that period, the program will start implementing more rest while still doing speed work, which Stevenson said is a good formula

for peaking when the team needs to peak.

Senior boys runner Alec Miller had the program’s highest individ ual finish at the FSU meet, running the course in 15:38.80 and coming in 18th of 283 runners. Miller is also a star in track and field; he finished second in the 1,600 meter run (4:19.86) at the 2022 state track and field championships in May. Miller echoed what Stevenson said about the team’s success, noting there’s only so much a coach can do other than deliver advice. It’s on the run ners themselves to make it happen.

“I didn’t work as hard my fresh man and sophomore years as I do now,” Miller said. “I wish I had. Some of these kids who have longterm goals, we’re tying to motivate

them. We’re showing them that if they do the work it will pay off for them. You don’t have to go all out as a freshman or sophomore, but you want to establish a good base for those upperclass years.”

At the FSU meet, the boys team also got a strong performance from senior Will Hartvigsen (45th; 16:90.00), the brother of Ben Hartvigsen. The girls team was led by sophomore Indy Grajalez (60th; 19:30.40) and senior Ella Menke (66th; 19:35.30). Just like team fin ishes, those individual finishes will look better at the state meet. And make no mistake, while a spot at the state meet is never guaranteed, the Sailors certainly expect to be there.

Stevenson said he will instruct his team not to push themselves too

hard at the school’s district meet, and even the regional meet, since he feels confident the Sailors will qualify their way through each.

Based on past results, that seems like a safe assumption. That’s the thing about consistency: If you have it, you don’t need to worry about much else.

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Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

Ryan Kohn

Sarasota High cross-country coach John Stevenson, in a black shirt, runs with his boys and girls teams at an Oct. 11 prac tice. Stevenson is confident his teams will get back to the state meet.

Alec Miller

Alec Miller is a senior on the Sara sota High boys cross-country team. Miller finished 18th (15:38.80) of 283 runners in the Elite Boys divi sion of the 2022 FSU Invitational on Oct. 8 in Tallahassee.

When did you start running?

I started running competitively as a freshman, right around when track and field started. Before then, I ran mostly as a hobby. As soon as I got a taste of the State Series (post season) and what things could be, I wanted more. I came from a swim ming background where I had won a state championship at a younger age, so getting that rush again was nice.

What is the appeal to you?

I like the adrenaline. I feel like some people might get nervous when they step to the line at a state meet, but I don’t. It’s also way easier to train hard for running than it was swim ming, so that’s a plus.

What is your favorite running memory?

One night during my freshman year, my brother (Ben Miller) and I could not fall asleep. I think it was like 3

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@YourObserver.com.

a.m. We told our parents

we were going to do a long run, which at the time was like six miles. For prob ably 30 minutes of the run there was a meteor shower. It was super bright out. That was a pivotal moment for me. My brother was there, and I was genuinely enjoying the sport while working hard.

Do you prefer cross-country or track and field?

I like track more because it’s more standardized and objective. It’s hard to complain about your times or rankings. In terms of cross-country, there are harder and easier courses, so it’s not always a level playing field (before the postseason). But I want to do well in both.

What are your goals?

I just broke 16 minutes and I feel like I still have a lot more in me, especially as we start coming down to a taper. I want to get as low as I can in the 15s, possibly even sub-15 minutes, which would be nice.

What is your favorite food?

I’d say pasta just because I have it so much.

What is your favorite TV show?

I started watching ‘The Boys’ on Amazon Prime recently. That’s probably my favorite because I don’t watch a lot of TV.

What are your hobbies?

Content creation. I have always had a love of that, even making skits with friends. About five weeks ago, I started ‘vlogging’ my running career. I try to make them funny and not too serious to show people you can do well while still having fun.

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ORANGE YOU GLAD IT’S FALL?

Families flocked to the Fruitville Grove for the annual Pumpkin Festi val, which runs through October. The weekend event brought hundreds of parents and children to the family market to enjoy such activities as bounce houses, rides, carnival games and the highlight choosing just the right pumpkin to take home.

Vendors were also on hand selling food, handcrafted art items and more.

There were also the animal companions. Children fed goats, piglets and even were able to sit and pet a skunk or two. Repre sentatives from Big Cat Habitat introduc es (muzzled) alligators to curious children while others enjoyed moseying on ponies in a circle.

— HARRY SAYER

Paul, Julia and Ramona Pugliese were all smiles.

Casey, Shyla and Cece Murphy enjoyed the weekend.

Juliana Balter inspects a butterfly.

Reagan Lehnert becomes a sheep.

Lucas Trimarco brings the hammer down.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Brooke and Oliver Dahlberg take a seat with Ameera, Brandie and Axel Rodriguez

Party for a cause

Brent,

and Michelle Adams attended the

Lucas and Roy Marmelo send Jenga pieces toppling over.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Joe Grano and Nicole Grano help Serenna Jones at the event.

Downtown Improvement District board member Chris Voelker and Joseph Grano welcome attendees.

GETTING AWAY

Historic Spanish Point

The history-filled nature area recently reopened on Oct. 10.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

Sarasota’s nature offerings have been disrupted by Hurricane Ian, with some still closed while repairs and cleanup are underway.

Still, time moves on and some places are opening.

One such place is the Historic Spanish Point, a 30-acre environ mental space and museum in Osprey. The waterfront nature showcase has quite a history — hundreds of years in fact.

People often visit the area, which has a number of preserved structures and artifacts, to learn more about that history and just enjoy a pleas ant stretch of quiet in Sarasota. The location was acquired by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in 2020.

IF YOU GO

HISTORIC SPANISH POINT

Where: 401 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., spe cial hours for indoor exhibits

Price: Free for Selby members, $8 for member’s guests, $16 for adults

Call: 366-5371

Website: Selby.org

Now that the Historic Spanish Point has reopened, you can visit too.

HISTORY Historic Spanish Point has a lengthy history, with its earliest residents being the Manasota Culture who stayed for 500 years. Evidence of their time can be found in a burial ground at the park’s entrance.

Hundreds of years later, the Webb

Photos by Harry Sayer

The mangroves are a major part of the scenery at the Historic Spanish Point.

picture or two.

family moved from Utica, New York, to Florida in 1867. They settled at the Historic Spanish Point and established a homestead, opening a number of businesses and services along the way. Guests can see the remnants of that framework today, with the chapel house, packing house, pioneer cemetery and other structures that are still intact. The Point’s Guptill House is a two-story wooden home full of craftsmanship in the style of the original builders.

The Webb family sold the land to Bertha Palmer — one of Sarasota County’s wealthiest and most influ ential figures — who made the His toric Spanish Point her home. Many of her preserved gardens are still ful ly up and healthy for guests to walk through to this day.

SCENERY

Historic Spanish Point has plenty to see and, thankfully, much of that is in the shade or with a cool waterside breeze.

Walking through the nature space will quickly take you to pleasant waterside scenery, as well as the well-known Sunken Gardens that are worth sitting in and taking in the air.

Eventually, the walk takes you through the Little Sarasota Bay Watershed, a patch of land that’s crucial in draining water into canals, bays and other bodies of water.

October is also a fun time to visit the area. The “Lights at Spooky

There are still quite a few historical structures you can learn about on the walk.

Point” attraction, where skeletons, ghouls and other creepy elements have been put throughout the walk, is set to open Friday, Oct. 14.

On the flip side, some of the small er gardens (as well as the popular butterfly gardens) are still closed after the hurricane. But patience will see them open again soon enough.

There’s also the “Classic Portal” on the Duchene Lawn, which is an odd marvel that’s fun to take a photo with.

The Classic Portal structure

An exploration beyond the pavement.

Wildlife take different approaches to extreme weather

Extreme weather has long shaped our region and affected its inhab itants. Indeed, hurricanes are part of the natural environment to which native wildlife have adapt ed. Like us, animals must actively respond to avoid the injury, death and destruction storms bring.

Many animals can sense the large decreases in air and water pres sure, caused by extreme weather events. In response, some leave before storms hit, but most shelter in place. Smaller birds and mammals might hide out in thick underbrush or other vegetation, while other spe cies, such as woodpeckers and rac coons, take shelter in tree cavities.

Birds that roost on branches, such

PARK CLOSED

Myakka River State Park is ex periencing historic flood levels, with high water levels expected in the park for a while. The park is closed to the public until further notice. For updates, please visit FloridaStateParks. org/Parks-and-Trails/MyakkaRiver-State-Park.

ENJOY THE WILD

Wild Florida is a monthly feature written by Miri Hardy, the first execu tive director of the Friends of Myakka River. Miri has been a Sarasota resident since 2014 and holds a doctorate in social psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She is happiest exploring wild Florida, often on her bike, and capturing its beauty though the lens of her camera.

as crows and cardinals, have toes that literally lock around a branch when they rest or sleep. Thanks to this adaptation, they choose a thick tree branch close to the trunk on the most protected side and literally go into lockdown until the storm is over. American alligators and turtles also hunker down, albeit deep in their aquatic habitats.

Research suggests that whitetailed deer take a different approach to storms. They actually increase their movements dramatically, pos sibly trying to avoid falling trees or windblown vegetation. Like many land animals, they seek higher ground (including human-made structures) to limit their exposure to flooding.

Rising waters from storms also force underground dwellers, such

as burrowing owls and gopher tor toises, to seek shelter in unusual spots. And widespread flooding, as is being experienced in our region, often results in wildlife showing up far from their homes.

Overall, most native species typi cally rebound quickly after storms, and some even benefit from newly created or restored habitat. Howev er, many animals who do survive are displaced, and storms often change the availability of their food sources.

Unfortunately, endangered wild life, such as manatees, typically fare the worst during and after a hurricane. And the major flooding and extreme winds associated with intensified weather systems due to climate change have the potential to devastate entire ecosystems. To help wildlife, we can report injured and

According to native American folklore, white ibis are last to shelter before storms and first to emerge afterwards, thus symbolizing both danger and optimism.

displaced animals after storms and support habitat conservation and protection efforts as much as pos sible.

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and

the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsofMyakkaRiver

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Picnic in the park

On Sept. 24, area residents had the chance to attend a carefree morning of rest and relaxation provided by Sunserved Bespoke Picnics and Dharma Yoga SRQ.

The women-owned, local busi nesses based near Gulf Gate hosted a meditation picnic at Joan Durante Park on Longboat Key to celebrate National Women’s Health and Fitness Day. Septem ber was National Yoga Month.

“Today, I’m centering everybody and giving them self-awareness and self-care since women put themselves on the back burner usually,” Noelle Segal said, “I’m go ing to take them through a little bit of reiki, and then I’ll do a medita tion with some sounds bath and some special intentions towards women’s health.”

The public event turned into

a private birthday party. Eight women registered, but one group of friends canceled at the last minute because of storm prepara tions. The five that remained had signed up to celebrate their friend Claudia Lopez’s 48th birthday. A cake was brought in, too.

“That’s what I do with my ser vices, Reni Papalexiou said, “I at tend to the needs of the client and try to do everything I can possible to accommodate it based on the occasion.”

After the 40-minute meditation, the picnic was served. A low table was centered under the pavilion, decorated with flowers and sur rounded by pillows. Papalexiou served up charcuterie boards and mango pineapple juice in stemless champagne flutes to add a touch of luxury to a natural setting.

—LESLEY DWYER

&

Lesley Dwyer

Noelle Segal, from Dharma Yoga SRQ, leads the group in a sound bowl meditation.

by: Marc Preininger

Beneva Oaks home sells for $3.1 million

Ahome in Beneva Oaks tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Mario Comparetto, of Sarasota, sold the home at 3727 Beneva Oaks Way to Frank and Jayne Steuart, of Sarasota, for $3.1 million. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,422 square feet of living area.

SARASOTA

GRANADA

James and Stephanie McCue, of New Hope, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 3602 Camino Real to Jack Hamlin, Megan Duran and Luke Coats, of Littleton, Colorado, for $890,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,270 square feet of living area. It sold for $345,000 in 2017.

ALAMEDA AVENUE

PFI 2201 Development LLC sold the home at 2201 Alameda Ave. to William Harper, trustee, for $670,000. Built in 1959, it has two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths and 1,176 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2021.

SOUTH HIGHLAND

Albert George Joerger, of Sarasota, sold his home at 1837 Worrington St. to Jeffrey Devorkin, of Sarasota, for $600,000. Built in 1952, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,008 square feet of living area. It sold for $200,000 in 2015.

SIESTA KEY

GULF AND BAY CLUB BAYSIDE

JSK Properties Inc. sold the Unit 1204D condominium at 1204 Siesta Bayside Drive to Wesolve Properties LLC for $725,000. Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 959 square feet of living area. It sold for $415,000 in 2020.

SEA WINDS

Jill Kathryn Pedigo and Geno Pedigo, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 115 condominium at 6703 Midnight Pass Road to Lucian Dajdea, of Sarasota, for $510,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 964 square feet of living area. It sold for $315,000 in 2019.

NOT FAR AWAY . . .

BIRD KEY (ABOVE)

Paulette Walsh, of Rumson, New Jersey, sold their home at 567 Bird Key Drive to Holly McCarthy, of Westport, Connecticut, for $1.73 million. Built in 1964, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,414 square feet of living area. It sold for $815,000 in 2016.

UPPER MANATEE RIVER ROAD

Chealsye Bowley, Deanna Bowley and Christina Bowley, of Fort Collins, Colorado, sold their home at 11661 Upper Manatee River Road to Steven Pimlott, of Bradenton, for $900,000. Built in 1955, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 3,646 square feet of living area. It sold for $150,000 in 1991.

Eric Garwood

Built in 1964, the home at 567 Bird Key Drive has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,414 square feet of living area.

PENDING

PET PICS

PENSIVE POOCH: Henry

fishing the Intracoastal at Dolphin Bay on Siesta Key.

THURSDAY, OCT. 13

High: 80 Low: 70

Chance of rain: 63%

FRIDAY, OCT. 14

High: 85 Low: 64

Chance of rain: 12%

SATURDAY, OCT. 15

High: 85 Low: 63

Chance of rain: 8%

SUNDAY, OCT. 16

High: 84 Low: 64

Chance of rain: 7%

CARPET KARASTAN,

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Oct. 13 7:28a 7:02p

Friday, Oct. 14 7:29a 7:01p

Saturday, Oct. 15 7:29a 7:00p

Sunday, Oct. 16 7:30a 6:59p

Monday, Oct. 17 7:30a 6:59p

Tuesday, Oct. 18 7:31a 6:57p

Wednesday, Oct. 19 7:32a 6:56p

Monday, Oct.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Thursday, Oct. 6

Friday, Oct. 7

Saturday, Oct. 8

Sunday, Oct.

YEAR TO DATE:

48.54 in.

43.40 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 1.30 in.

0.08 in.

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