Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 10.20.2022

Hair-raising visit?

When this guy (above) comes into your hair-cutting business, in this case a SportClips on Fruitville Road, looking like he stepped out of director John Carpenter’s 1978 slasher clas sic “Halloween,’’ be very careful and be very clear about one thing: What exactly does he mean by “a little off the top?’’

As it was, store manage ment told us the masked scary guy was a perfect gentlemen and only reached for his styl ist’s scissors once – and was bravely scolded for it.

He also bought some hair gel.

No word on if he checked in online for his appointment as “Michael Myers.’’

YOUR TOWN City loses World War II vet

A 98-year-old World War II veteran featured in a Memorial Day photograph this year shak ing hands with a child during the city of Sarasota’s parade has died, family members told the Sarasota Observer this week.

Eugene Lyons, who served in the Navy, was among the hon orees May 30 at a ceremony held at J.D. Hamel Park, after a parade down Main Street. Throughout the ceremony, children came up to Lyons and eagerly shook his hand.

“He was not used to all the attention but totally 100 % cherished it, as did we! He kept talking about the gratitude and the respect that was shown to him on that special day,’’ wrote Chris and Eve Lyons to us.

Reviews are in, with

City OKs changes in the

Candidates speak up on issues

Commission

will

Courtesy photo

File

Harry Sayer

Thea, far left, and Leiland Sorace race across a new feature overlooking the waterfront at The Bay Park this past weekend.

Andrew Warfield

Sarasota City Commission at-large candidate Debbie Trice.

Newtown

BY THE NUMBERS

22 National rank for the Sarasota-Bradenton area in terms of best locations for first-time buyers to find a starter home, according to industry publication Construction Coverage.

3,746,571

Passengers traveling through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in the 12 months that concluded in September, a 47% increase from the previous 12 months..

YOUROBSERVER.COM

157,000

Pounds of produce distributed since Hurricane Ian by the All Faiths Food Bank.

9A

CALENDAR

n City of Sarasota Public Art Committee — 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 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 — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd.

Help for Ian roof damage is available

ligible homeowners in Sara sota County now have another available assistance option to repair their Hurricane Iandamaged homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has tasked the Army Corps of Engineers to offer its Operation Blue Roof program to assist with temporary roof repairs.

The program will provide a temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce additional damage to their homes until permanent repairs can be made. The free

service to homeowners is avail able in Sarasota, Lee and Char lotte counties. The initial sign-up period will end Sunday, Oct. 23.

The registration form — at USACE.Army.Mil/Missions/ Emergency-Operations/BlueRoof-Information/ — gathers information about the residence and is a legal document that al lows Corps workers to access the property and assess damage. It also authorizes contracted crews to work on the home’s roof.

Operation Blue Roof is de signed to protect property,

reduce temporary housing cost and allow residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm. This program is for primary residences or a permanently occupied rental property with less than 50% of the roof framing damaged.

After the blue roof is installed, the structure is declared habit able. Not all roof types qualify for the program. Roofs that are flat or made of metal or clay, slate or asbestos tile do not qualify. All storm debris must be removed for the roof to qualify.

County plans vote on Lorraine Road

On Oct. 25, Sarasota County Com missioners will decide whether to designate a small section of Lorraine Road roughly from Blue Lake Road south to Fruitville Road, along with a section of Lorraine Road from Clark Road to State Road 681, as part of the county’s new Business Park Corridor.

Such a designation would al low landowners with 10 acres or more and access to Lorraine Road to apply for a rezone to allow light industrial and office uses.

Originally, the amendment included a strip of Lorraine Road from University Parkway through Fruitville Road, but before sending the amendment CPA 2022-F to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for review on Aug. 30, commissioners voted to exclude the portion of Lorraine Road from Blue Lake Road north to University Parkway.

Whether Lorraine Road residents in opposition to the rezone pack the commission meeting on Oct. 25 re mains to be seen, but many of those in opposition at the Aug. 30 meeting live on the stretch of Lorraine Road that was excluded.

Fishing pier cleanup is planned Saturday

Sarasota Bay Watch is hosting a cleanup of the Tony Saprito Fish ing Pier on Saturday, Oct. 22, in partnership with the city of Sara sota, Sarasota Police Department, Scuba Quest, Hart’s Landing and the Sarasota Underwater Search and Recovery Team.

About 30 divers, 15-20 kayak ers and many “topside” helpers are expected in and around the water.

Organizers say they expect to pull large amounts of trash and other water from the water near the popular destination, especially after Hurricane Ian’s passage.

The event will likely last from around 9:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteer registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at 920 John Ringling Causeway.

Volunteers can sign up at SarasotaBaywatch.org/Event/ Tony-Saprito-Fishing-Pier-Cleanup/.

Warmth and style

“We wanted to do a 10-day opening rather than a ribbon cutting to give everyone a chance to visit this park.”

A.G. Lafley, Bay Park Conservancy founding CEO. Read more on

Courtesy image

Deadline to apply for the federal program is Oct. 23.

CITY VOTES LIFT NEW SET OF DEVELOPMENT RULES

City approves batch of changes aimed at moving quicker on attainable housing, though critics say public comment is cut out of the process.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Sarasota City Commissioners took the final step to approve amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan intended to address the affordable and attainable housing crisis by incen tivizing voluntary zoning techniques for new residential and mixed-use developments.

On Monday, the City Commission approved all five amendments by votes identical to their first reading on Sept. 19, one unanimously as part of the consent agenda and the others by 4-1 vote with Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, as she was previously, casting “no” votes.

The amendment that extends staff approval to projects that include attainable housing in identified cor ridors citywide was the subject of hours of public comment and debate at Commission meetings — includ ing on Monday — as the changes made their way through the political process, eventually receiving Mon day’s final approval.

Sarasota Planning Director Steve Cover has told commissioners that if they want developers to assist in helping solve the attainable-housing crisis, they’ll want an efficient, pre dictable outcome for applications, providing they meet certain criteria. Subjecting those projects only to administrative approval, he has said, accomplishes that.

TOO MUCH AUTHORITY?

Opponents of the concept, including the three candidates running for the two at-large City Commission seats in November’s election — incum bent Ahearn-Koch, Debbie Trice and Dan Lobeck — say administrative approval cedes too much authority to unelected city staff and limits input from the public.

“If you’re a prospective attain able housing developer that’s inter ested in doing a project in the city, we can tell you we’ll probably review and have your project ready in six months,” Cover said. Otherwise, such a project undergoing the politi cal process can take up to 18 months from initial submission to approval, time that can significantly impact its cost and viability.

“That kind of gap probably will have projects just back off and not do it,” Cover said. “We really do need to bring in new attainable housing stock into the city as easily and as quickly as we can.”

Administrative approval was pre viously available for developments in the downtown core only, plus a handful of smaller developments or additions meeting specific criteria. A separate amendment also created

a new Urban Mixed-Use future land use classification — ostensibly along commercial corridors — for redevel opment that would include attain able housing units.

CANDIDATES UNITED

On May 16, commissioners approved transmittal of the comp plan amend ments to Tallahassee for review by a 4-1 vote, with Ahearn-Koch opposed. She continued her oppo sition in the first reading of the amendments on Sept. 19, with the exception of one that creates a “missing middle” overlay for work force housing in Park East.

The next commission would likely have had two dissenting votes, enough to derail the comp plan amendments, which require supermajority votes. That prompted charges from some that the process was rushed through approval prior to the next commissioners being seated.

“I am adamantly against admin istrative approval,” Ahearn-Koch said at a City Commission candi date forum hosted by the Downtown Sarasota Alliance and Downtown Sarasota Condo Association on Sept. 22. “There are solutions that happen when the developer and the citizens come together and they solve prob lems. I can go through many cases where the project is better with the community’s voice and the commu nity’s input.”

Ahearn-Koch’s fellow candidates shared her sentiments.

“I’m opposed to the administra tive approval because it cuts the people who know the area out of the process,” Trice said. “The residents know what ways that the building could be improved, what the access and egress should be so that you’re not clogging up traffic, so just with that alone administrative approval should be eliminated.

“The other point is making it optional for the developer to include affordable housing is not going to address our needs. We need manda tory inclusionary zoning.”

Such a mandate is permissible under Florida law, with strings

WHERE THEY STAND

attached. House Bill 7103, which was signed into law in July 2019, amend ed the authorization for mandatory inclusionary zoning, requiring that developers be kept economically whole in exchange for providing affordable housing.

Local governments must provide incentives to “fully offset all costs” the developer may incur as a result of any affordable housing requirement. Incentives may include a density or intensity bonus, reducing or waiv ing of fees or other inducements that offset costs above and beyond the market rate units.

Sarasota’s voluntary program offering base density and density bonuses in downtown has yet to yield results. Cover said limiting admin istrative approval to the downtown core is one reason why.

At the candidate forum, Lobeck said city standards for site plan approval require changes to be made to achieve compatibility with adjoin ing properties, adding that staff said during comprehensive plan amend ment public hearings that it does not apply that standard because it is subjective.

“But it’s important,” Lobeck said. “If you have a Planning Board and a City Commission apply that section of the zoning code, there is a greater likelihood they are going to treat it seriously. That may not be predict able for the developer, but it is pre dictable for the public.”

On Monday, both Lobeck and Trice, among others, again spoke against the amendments, saying the process was rushed and will do little to solve the city’s housing problem. The mix of support and opposition to the amendments among speakers

THE RULES

Before Monday’s comprehen sive plan approval that expand ed administrative approval, it was limited to standalone site plans within the downtown zone districts as well as site plans for:

n New residential development that cumulatively results in fewer than eight units

n New commercial develop ments of less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area if not within 100 feet of a resi dential zoning district

n New commercial develop ments of less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area if within 100 feet of a residen tial zoning district

n Additions to commercial developments of less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area if not within 100 feet of a residential zoning district and the addition does not result in the building being larger than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area

n Additions to commercial developments of less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area if within 100 feet of a residential zoning district and the addition does not result in the building being larger than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area

n One addition to a commer cial development totaling 500 square feet or less may be administratively approved once each five calendar years

was about even.

Commissioner Hagen Brody char acterized those opposed as “selfappointed experts.”

“We had no planning depart ment in 2017. We created a plan ning department and hired Steve Cover to do exactly what he’s doing today,” Brody said. “He’s using his education and his experience to put forth the best option for our city. We have people who like to pretend that they’re experts in this area simply because they come and speak on it often, but I think it’s really important that we rely on experts to guide us on this policy matter.”

Vice Mayor Kyle Battie was more direct.

“The people who come and speak here today don’t have to worry about affordable housing. They’ve got theirs. What about those who don’t? Let me tell you right now, NIMBYism and affordable housing don’t mix,” he said. “You speak to the character of this commission, then why do you even want to be a part of it? Do you think you’re better than us? Do you think you’re better than the people that need affordable housing?”

Planning staff members have testified that tangible results from the comp plan amendments will take years materialize, as zoning text amendments may take 12 to 18 months to develop and approve.

BROADER, BUT LIMITED Administrative approval, Cover said, will follow the same process as any other proposed development. Once submitted, the project will work its way through the city’s Develop ment Review Committee comprised of representatives of departments from public works to public safety to design and transportation. It will only apply to projects that meet the attainable housing criteria in dis tricts identified in the comp plan amendments and zoning text.

For example, a development on property that permits 25 units per acre may increase density to 75 units per acre if it provides the requisite number of attainable housing units. Still to be determined by zoning text amendments, Cover said that num ber could be between 15% and 25% of the total project.

“Right now, if you go outside of the downtown area, developments have to follow whatever processes we have in place,” Cover said. “We’ve heard loud and clear, especially from affordable housing developers, that their profit margins are really tight. What they really need is a predict able, reliable, simple process. Pro viding administrative review pro cess, they’ll know how much time it will take, and they will not have to worry about having many devia tions.”

Check out the responses of

Commission candidates Jen Ahearn-Koch, Debbie Trice and Dan Lobeck on a variety of issues. Page 4-5A

“I can go through many cases where the project is better with the community’s voice and the community’s input.”

— Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch

“We really do need to bring in new attainable housing stock into the city as easily and as quickly as we can.”

— Planning Director Steve Cover

Photos by Andrew Warfield

New comprehensive plan amendments for the city of Sarasota will expand administrative approval for develop ments that include a percentage of affordable and attainable housing units.

Previously,

core.

Three state cases to city voters

In agreement on many key issues, the three candidates for two Sarasota City Commission seats tried to separate themselves from each other before two downtown groups.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

With the departure of Hagen Brody and the term expiration of Jen Ahearn-Koch, the two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 8 election. The three candidates who advanced from a primary field of six — incumbent Ahearn-Koch, Debbie Trice and Dan Lobeck — are aligned in many respects.

During a candidate forum hosted by the Downtown Sarasota Alliance and Downtown Sarasota Condo Association, the three addressed matters of interest to the residents the two organizations represent, and did their best to distinguish them selves from their opponents. Here are their responses to select ques tions, edited for brevity and clarity.

On civility and decorum at City Commission meetings, where a code of conduct is read at the start of each session . . .

Ahearn-Koch: I think we all have to remember at the commission table it’s not personal. It’s the issues that we’re talking about. We only repre sent you and your voice. We have to make decisions about the future of the city, growth and the decisions that you want us to make. And it is not about personalities … I whole heartedly support civil and polite conduct at the commission meet ings, not only there but also in any sort of public forum as a city com missioner. I think that we should speak to the issues at all times.

Lobeck: I have a lot of experience being on boards of civic organiza tions and professional organizations. I understand in a group of decision makers you’re not going to prevail in

advancing your objectives with your one vote. You do that by listening to the other commissioners and deal ing with serious policy differences of people that are pretty direct, but not in a way that is going to be coun ter to that objective of getting things accomplished.

Trice: It’s unfortunate that we would have to repeat the pledge of behavior, and I would have hoped that we wouldn’t need to do that. But the other issue is when somebody violates it, they should be notified immediately that this behavior is not acceptable. Sometimes we have seen during public comments inap propriate behavior and messaging, and that should be addressed imme diately, also. So bear that in mind. What kind of personality do you want in the office?

On how well the city is dealing with homelessness, especially in the downtown area . . .

Lobeck: There is a homelessness problem in this city and it’s been get ting worse. Over the past three years, the number of unsheltered home less has escalated. Anybody walking downtown knows this personally.

I favor finding a shelter location — maybe within the city — or working with the county, where the home less people can receive the services they need. It hasn’t really come to the City Commission much, but the commissioners ought to be involved in this, not just leave it to city man agement. Finding a solution needs to be addressed and not just accepting it as inevitable.

Trice: We’re seeing way more homeless hanging out downtown and in the Rosemary District than we were seeing six months ago. I can see putting signs downtown or

wherever homeless congregate with the phone number of the Homeless Outreach Team. Unfortunately, right now, Sarasota is our emergency shel ter, which is at the Salvation Army in Rosemary District and serves Man atee County and Sarasota County. The homeless that they pick up in those two counties get brought to the Rosemary District and dropped off. So there needs to be a discussion with Manatee and Sarasota coun ties and ideally get them to establish emergency homeless shelters in their jurisdictions.

Ahearn-Koch: This is a really important issue, and the city has been grappling with it for a number of years. When I ran in 2017, it was probably the top issue. We were just at the beginning of our homeless ness effort. The city, through the Suncoast Partnership to End Home lessness, at the same time every year literally count every unsheltered person in the city. In 2015 in the city there were 1,106 homeless people. In 2022 there are 222 homeless people in the city, an 80% decrease in sev

en years. These are facts. These are numbers. I am not denying that we don’t see homeless people there. I’m not denying that they don’t do things that they shouldn’t be doing. But it remains a fact that we have reduced our homelessness and we are a model throughout the country.

On addressing the costs of replac ing aging utility infrastructure paid for by increasing fees on cus tomers . . .

Lobeck: There is a 3.5% annual increase for 11 years on utility bills for every business in the city, and there should be an examination of alternative forms of revenue. The tax increment financing technique is often used for infrastructure. At a time when hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewage are spilling into the bay because of pipes that have reached the end of their useful life, more needs to be done to prevent them from continuing in the future. I think it’s a matter of redirected resources. When your roof is leaking, you don’t go out and buy a brand new Porsche. In a city facing this need

Andrew Warfield

From left, Sara sota Commis sion candidates Dan Lobeck, incumbent Jen Ahearn-Koch and Debbie Trice at a form co-hosted by the Downtown Sarasota Alli ance and Down town Sarasota Condo Associa tion.

and other needs, committing itself to the replacement of the Van Wezel with a new facility costing hundreds of millions that the city doesn’t have.

Trice: Infrastructure is one of the most important functions of city government, and that’s one of the most important uses of tax money. I was disappointed to read that all of the money for the improvement of the water system went to usage fee payers, because infrastructure improvements improve the value of one’s property, so part of that should have been for ad valorem taxes. And I think if we look more closely at the needs — nobody likes the idea of paying more taxes — but this is how we contribute to a better city for us to live in. If we don’t pay taxes, things will deteriorate. So where the need is there for city function, we should be paying for it through our taxes.

Ahearn-Koch: The city of Sarasota utilities department did a master plan three years ago, and they spent a year doing this master plan. In it they talked about how our infrastructure for our water utilities is between 45 and 70 years old. And then if we don’t start aggressively replacing it and fixing it, then we will have spills

The utilities director came to us with the master plan and gave us three choices of ways to fund this. It’s $300 million. It’s absolutely necessary that we upgrade our infra structure, and we voted to increase the rates by 3.5% over 11 years. It was a commission decision and I think we all chose that because it was the most fiscally conservative way to go about fixing our infrastructure.

Our investment in our infrastruc ture is what we have to do to keep our water clean. When you have spills, it helps feed red tide and blue-green algae and everything starts to dete riorate. Then we don’t become the place where people want to come and visit, buy homes, go out to dinner and go to shops. So it’s really important for us to remember that our environ ment is our economy, and we must protect our environment.

On replacing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall . . .

Lobeck: This agreement does not allow the Van Wezel to stand and be repurposed. It prohibits its use for performing arts in any way. It would directly compete with the new facili ty. And it has to be economically selfsustaining, so it can’t be a museum or an education center. The first sketch showed the Van Wezel erased and, after the influence of some people, it got put back on the drawing. The donations that are supposed to pay for half of the building over a period of time as the building is being built, $175 million is what they promised. They’ve raised $10 million so far. There are good people behind the idea of getting a new performing arts center, and if they get voter approval,

Godspeed to them. It needs to be put out for a public referendum.

Ahearn Koch: As we all know, the coast of Florida is lined with beach es. What makes us different? What makes us special? It’s our culture and our arts and humanities that make us very different than any other city in the state, and so I very much value our arts organizations and our cul tural organizations. We had this partnership agreement (with the Bay Park Conservancy) come before the City Commission. I voted against the partnership agreement because we were not given enough details about where the money would come from and how the money would be spent. We were not given timelines. We were not given management agree ments. We were not given a feasibil ity study. We were not given a mar keting study … What are we going to do with that iconic building? It can definitely be repurposed and reused for something else. And that is not going to cost nothing. That’s going to cost millions of dollars. So if we’re going to plan for a new per forming arts center, if that’s what the community wants, what kind of performing arts center do we want? How are we going to get that money and pay for it? Something happens in this town. It’s called demolition by neglect.

Trice: I have a lot of questions about the agreement and like both Jen and Dan, I was very dissatisfied with the lack of information that was provid ed. And too often we get these very high-level proposals and we never get the details and nobody’s really forthcoming about the details. I sat down with the CEO of the Perform ing Arts Foundation to get some more information. One of the things I had a lot of questions about are operational aspects, which were not provided at all, and how it would be profitable. What happens if the thing is a white elephant? Who gets stuck with the bills and maintaining it? But the biggest question that was raised by the community is how in the world is the city going to pay for its portion? At the time that the Bay Park Conservancy was established, a TIF was established … and that’s the money that is planned to be spent for building a performing arts center.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jen that we should not be spending money on the SPAC based on that we will be using (it) for other city services and requirements. But the TIF money can only be used for cap ital improvements in The Bay park area. The Bay Park Conservancy just announced new projections that they’re going to get three times the amount of their original projection of how much (TIF revenue) is going to be coming in based on all the new unexpected development. My posi tion is based solely on the TIF being adequate to pay for the city’s portion.

PIROUETTE®

Days off prompt meeting delays

Planning Board resets consideration of projects to ensure proper notification after hurricane hiatus.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Little was accomplished at this past week’s meeting of the Sara sota Planning Board, other than a demonstration of the chal lenge of scheduling a special meet ing when at least four members can attend.

It wasn’t for lack of effort on the part of the board members and applicants of three apartment developments that would add 376 residential rental units to the city’s housing stock.

Hurricane Ian was to blame.

Immediately after the storm, all “nonessential” city personnel were told to stay home through the end of the week. That included employ ees who are responsible for placing rezoning hearing signs at properties to be considered for development at the next Planning Board meeting.

On the agenda were Sapphire North (61 units) and Sapphire South (59 units), both within the North Trail Overlay District along Tamiami Trail, and redevelopment of the Bath & Racquet Club in southern Saraso ta. That project includes 256 apart ments and upgrading the tennis club.

Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly explained to Planning Board members that moving forward with approvals minus the required notification — which includes the signs — could make the city and developers vulnerable legally.

“If anyone were to challenge (the developments) in circuit court the ultimate approval of the develop ment applications, one of the things that circuit court looks at is whether the city provided due process. That section is quite clear that there are requirements to post the signage, and it wasn’t done,” Connolly said. “Most likely, the city would lose that litigation and therefore the appli cants would be risking spending 18 to 24 months in litigation and com ing back here in two years to do this all over again.”

Also on the agenda was a site plan application for Le Petite Brasserie at 127 S. Pineapple Ave., a proposed restaurant with 23 indoor and 44 outdoor seats.

The continuance matter settled, the board moved all the held over issues to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 when it will consider:

SAPPHIRE NORTH APARTMENTS

A request for site plan approval to

develop 2.17 acres at 4501 and 4415 N. Tamiami Trail into a four-story, 61-unit apartment building within the North Trail and Residential Mul tiple Family zone districts. The par cels have a Future Land Use Classi fication of Community Commercial.

SAPPHIRE SOUTH APARTMENTS

A request for site plan approval to develop 2.05 acres at 4229 and 4211 N. Tamiami Trail, and 849 42nd St., into a four-story, 59-unit apartment building within the North Trail and Residential Multiple Family zone districts. The parcels have a Future Land Use Classification of Commu nity Commercial.

BATH & RACQUET CLUB

A site plan and minor conditional use application for a private club and site plan approval to develop 256 multifamily units and 65,448 square feet of residential space on two parcels totaling 13.42 acres at 2170 Robin hood St. The project would include 16 tennis courts and 16 pickleball courts associated with the private club. The parcels have a Future Land Use classification of Community Office/Institutional in the Office Regional zone district, and a Future Land Use Classification of Commu nity Commercial in the Community Storefront zone.

LEPETITE BRASSERIE

A site plan application and major conditional use application for a proposed restaurant space with a liquor license, categorizing the use as a nightclub, with 23 inside seats and 44 outdoor seats. The 1,947-squarefoot site is zoned Downtown Core with a Future Land Use Classifica tion of Downtown Core. A request for Planning Board Adjustment approval is being sought because of the 500-foot separation require ment between a full-liquor license user and a church.

In addition to 256 new apartments, the redevel oped Bath & Racquet Club will be a private club featuring tennis and pickleball courts.

Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Dr. Barry Jacobs and Dr. Julia Mayer, AARP Authors and love and relationship experts, will lead an interactive discussion about our most critical life relationships.

Courtesy rendering

All The Right Moves

What does it take to be named the #1 Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report ? Try a patient-focused and goal-oriented approach designed to help each individual find the best path to recovery from illness or injury. Put it in a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Pavilion with 60 private patient rooms, fully-equipped gyms and simulated training areas. Then add the best team of physiatrists, physical & occupational therapists, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and speech pathologists you can.

They’ll show you how it’s done . Every step of the way.

Observer recommends …

surtax dollars. What’s more, at least there is a $400 million cap on the bonds that can be issued.

While we know governments like to spend and waste whatever money they can get, we’ll roll the dice that Sarasota County commissioners will do the right thing if given this bonding flexibility.

We recommend: Yes.

county?

MATT WALSH

This week’s election recom mendations focus on the local charter amendments and questions.

SARASOTA COUNTY CHARTER

Continues funding for local improvements through renewal of one-cent sales tax; maintains citizen oversight committees

To improve public safety, protect water quality and the environment, reduce traffic congestion and fund projects relating to local schools, parks, libraries and other commu nity needs, should the current onecent sales tax, paid by visitors and residents, be continued through Dec. 31, 2039? The Citizen Tax Oversight Committees will continue to oversee all expenditures and a 4/5ths vote of the County Commission is required to modify county projects or alloca tions.

While we are seldom advocates for any tax, it would be antithetical to Sarasota’s quality of life to argue for the elimination of this one-cent infrastructure sales tax.

For one, voters first approved this tax in 1989 and extended it in 1997 and 2007. The county is addicted.

Second, the money must be used for infrastructure, not operating expenses. Third, 20% of the tax money comes from tourists and visitors. That’s a 20% discount for Sarasota County residents.

Fourth, the tax is expected to raise $2 billion during the next 15 years. Without this surtax, that money would likely be raised through higher property taxes.

We recommend: Yes.

Accelerate community projects through issuance of voterapproved one-cent sales tax bonds

To reduce inflation costs and accel erate projects funded by one-cent sales tax proceeds, shall Sarasota County be authorized to issue bonds payable from such proceeds in a total principal amount not to exceed $400 million, maturing by Dec. 31, 2039, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum lawful rate, in addition to bonds issued within the limita tions of section 5.2D of the Charter? Bonds are dependent on approval of one-cent sales tax renewal above.

At times of high inflation, it can be advantageous to borrow. You can buy more with your money now than you can later as your dollars lose value.

And if you have a fixed interest rate lower than inflation, the effec tive real interest rate is negative.

We also know this: Interest rates will continue to rise. Likewise, recession will bring slow to no growth and rising unemployment.

This amendment would give Sarasota County flexibility to move now on the long list of infrastruc ture projects the county knows must be addressed and would allow the county to bond its debt at lower rates than what rates are likely to be in the future.

The thinking is that the county would be able to borrow at lower rates and keep the construction economy going during the recession by starting future projects sooner rather than wait for future sales revenues that will be worth less than today’s dollars.

But here’s one of the other risks: If the county issues bonds against future sales tax revenue for infra structure, taxpayers will have to trust county commissioners not to waste these infrastructure funds on stupid projects.

Sarasota County commission ers historically have been prudent stewards of the infrastructure

SARASOTA COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS

QUESTION 1: To amend section 7.1 charter petition procedures Shall the Charter be revised to add requirements for a petition form, legal sufficiency review, fiscal impact statement, and a presentation to the Charter Review Board for all charter amendment petitions, as well as requiring 10% of registered voters from each district to sign the peti tion rather than 10% of registered voters countywide?

This proposed amendment presents a dilemma.

In one respect, it is well-intend ed. You can see it is designed to discourage wackadoos from pro posing dangerous and nutty ideas to change the county’s governing constitution.

So you can see that each of the proposed requirements for char ter amendment petitions actually would add safeguards and thresh olds for a charter amendment to be placed on the county ballot.

For example: Would the amend ment be legal if approved? How much will it cost taxpayers if adopt ed? And yes, it would be beneficial to have amendment proponents explain and vet their proposals at public hearings. As we know, too often the wording of state and local amendments is confusing. This year is no exception (see city charter amendments).

Likewise, you can also under stand requiring petition signatures to total 10% of voters from each of the County Commission districts. That would prevent a petitioner from gathering signatures only from one district that may be sym pathetic to his/her cause.

These are all sensible require ments. But when we apply our litmus test — does the amendment increase or decrease individual freedom? — it fails. These require ments will discourage residents and taxpayers from seeking changes to county government. If approved, this amendment actually gives more power to the entrenched gov ernment.

We recommend: No.

QUESTION 2: To avoid charter amendment conflicts with the constitution, general law or the charter.

Shall the charter be amended to clarify that proposed charter amendments shall not conflict with the Florida Constitution, general law or the charter?

This question falls into the “need less to say” category.

Common sense would say that any charter amendment that makes it to the ballot should not conflict with the U.S. or state constitutions, general law or the existing county charter. But often times in govern ment lingo, the obvious must be stated. People always find loop holes.

So don’t try to read more into this question that what it says. There aren’t nefarious motivations behind it. Charter Review Board member Richard Dorfman called it “a belt and braces” question — like the man who wears a belt and suspend ers for extra assurance with his trousers.

Although it is needless to say, for safety’s sake, it is worth saying.

We recommend: Yes

MANATE COUNTY QUESTION

Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions

Shall the Board of County Commis sioners of this county be authorized to grant, pursuant to Section 3, Article VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of exist ing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs in the

This story never changes. Eco nomic development professionals always want to offer special perks to prospective and existing busi nesses. One argument is that this is necessary to stay competitive with everyone else — the sheep syn drome. Another is they swear the payback from the new or expanded business’ jobs far outweighs the meager subsidy.

Don’t buy any of that. Just the idea of extending tax breaks to a special few at the expense of every one else is distasteful — and wrong.

Instead of offering tax subsidies, local governments and economic development agencies should concentrate on creating an irresist ible business climate: low taxes, low regulation, low crime, good schools, smart labor force, great recreational opportunities.

Time and again, when business owners decide to relocate, all of the above characteristics are the primary incentives. Tax subsidies typically are jelly beans on top of the cake’s icing — rarely the decid ing factor to relocate or expand and not necessary to make the cake taste great.

We recommend: No.

SARASOTA CITY AMENDMENTS

Charter Amendment: City Commissioners’ Annual Salary Amendment to provide that the annual salary paid to city com missioners may be increased to the full salary authorized by the Florida Statutes for a county in population group III, which would be $44,643.97. (Current annual salary paid to City Commissioners is twothirds of the full salary authorized by statute for population group III.)

If you think the pay for city or county commissioners has any effect on the quality of commis sioners who serve or the quality of government taxpayers receive, you might consider this:

In Los Angeles, city council members earn $224,000 a year; in Philadelphia, the pay ranges from $117,000 to $148,000. In Longboat Key, town commissioners earn $0.

And without a doubt, Longboat Key is the best of that bunch.

Of course, the above is not an apples-to-apples comparison. But the point is this: Raising the pay of elected officials is no guarantee taxpayers are going to get better government or attract better City Commission candidates.

Here is another way to look at it: “What is in it for me?” That’s what every taxpayer would want to know. What will be the benefit to taxpay ers by raising each commission ers’ pay $15,178 a year, or $75,890?

What problem would spending that additional $75,890 solve for taxpay ers? Less stress on commissioners so they can do a better job?

Whatever they might argue, sorry, it won’t be persuasive.

To be sure, that $75,890 is a snowflake in the city’s $252 million annual budget. But suffice it to say the cliché: Timing is everything.

With record inflation, recession and rising anger among taxpayers over what has occurred nationally over the past two years, this is not the time for city commissioners to be asking for a 51.5% increase in pay — no matter what the justification may be.

We recommend: No.

Charter Amendment: Surety bonds or insurance Amendment to allow the City Com mission the option to purchase insurance coverage to protect the city against dishonesty or theft on the part of the city manager; city auditor and clerk; city attorney, (if hired as a permanent city employ ee); and city director of financial ser vices as an alternative to the current requirement that these city officials be bonded in favor of the city with sureties authorized to do business in the state of Florida.

This proposed amendment is what you might call “inside baseball” or “in the weeds” of city operations. It has little effect on taxpayers.

But if adopted, it can and likely would result in better insurance coverage and costs for the city and taxpayers.

The city charter currently requires the city to purchase surety bonds (a form of insurance) annu ally to cover against losses from malfeasance and theft by the city officers enumerated above.

In addition, the city also pur chases a crime insurance policy that covers such acts involving the city staff. But according to the city’s human resources director, insurers typically don’t include city execu tives who are covered by surety bonds in their crime policies.

By modifying the charter lan guage to give the city an option to cover its executives under a crime policy, the city can forego the annu al surety bond procedure and wrap the entire city staff under its crime policy — a practice that is more common in municipal governments these days.

As we said: “inside baseball.” But it’s worth the change — for simplic ity and efficiency and, likely, cost. We recommend: Yes.

Charter Amendment: Charter Review Committee General

Recommendations

Amendment to provide that City Commission may change city boundaries consistent with law; to allow for digital posting of ordi nances and resolutions at City Hall; to remove reference to retention of ordinances in a book; and to update powers and duties of City Auditor and Clerk, including audit function, as provided in Ordinance 22-5419, including responsibility for access to public records and commission agenda preparation.

This amendment is prima facie evi dence of why all amendments to the state constitution and to city and county charters should be limited to one subject.

This amendment deals with four subjects. The first three make sense. The fourth is an amalgama tion of 10 changes in wording to the responsibilities of the city auditor and clerk. Most of them are insig nificant and acceptable. But the last and biggest — entitled “the Audit Function” — is a change that would no longer require the auditor to per form annual audits of city records and accounts.

Instead, the auditor’s duties “shall include … reviewing, inves tigating and evaluating systems of internal control to promote adequate safeguarding of assets, reliability of financial and operat ing information and compliance with laws and regulations.” And the auditor shall have the authority to audit.

Most voters don’t know the nuances to this proposal. What’s more, this change would lessen the watchdog duties of the city auditor. Too bad the first three subjects are included with the fourth. They deserve adoption; the fourth does not.

We recommend: No.

Charter Amendment: Date of referendum on proposed charter amendments Amendment to require any refer endum on a proposed amendment to the City Charter to be held only on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even numbered year to coincide with the general election for federal, state, county, district and municipal elective offices. Amendment would prohibit a referendum on a proposed amendment to the City Charter to be held at a special election called for that purpose.

This amendment would require all future elections on city charter amendments to be held only when general elections occur every two years in even-numbered years. It would eliminate special elections on charter amendments.

City Commissioner Jen AhearnKoch opposed the amendment because she says it would restrict and reduce the city’s flexibility in terms of enacting an important future change quickly. But it also would prevent a dubious charter amendment pushed by a special interest group from being voted on in a special election, which histori cally attract the fewest number of voters.

We recommend: Yes.

Next week: The candidates.

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“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.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Nonprofits gear up to help Ian victims

The nonprofit community has been active in collecting funds and passing along supplies to people in need.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

The effects and damage of Hurricane Ian have been felt across southwest Flor ida. While the immediate effects were obvious — power short ages, wind damage— the need for longer-term help across the region from flooding and lack of services will persist for months or more.

Local nonprofits and relief orga nizations are at work filling those needs. In the past few weeks, there has been a surge in activity from fundraising groups providing food, water, basic necessities and other goods to help those still affected by the storm.

Denise Cotler, Chief Development Officer with All Faiths Food Banks, has been closely involved in the group’s work during the storm.

All Faiths Food Bank has worked in partnership with other food agencies before and after the storm, delivering food and water to local shelters.

“We support each other when disasters hit up and down the coast line,” Cotler said. “Unfortunately, this time (we were the ones who were) impacted.”

The damage is still widespread, and Cotler has worked closely with staff to provide food and water to people in need.

“D riving up 41 (in North Port), there’s not a strip mall that doesn’t have a roof off or a sign off,” Cotler said. “We have staff whose houses got flooded who we had to evacuate. There’s a strain on all sides for this one; this is going to be a long recov ery.”

The organization also hosted a food distribution event at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Oct. 5 and have since hosted other distri butions in Englewood.

“The neighbors that need help are used to coming to the Van Wezel,” Cotler said. “And even though Sara sota wasn’t directly hit, everyone lost power. People needed their food replenished. We felt it was a good place to start.”

Cotler says the organization has given out more than 157,000 pounds of fresh produce, 200,000 bulk meals and more than 250,000 bottles of water. That requires a lot of mon ey, and All Faiths has helped bolster its supply with a financial match of up to $100,000 from the Virginia B.

Toulmin Foundation and local phi lanthropists Keith Monda, Veronica Brady, Kathy and Travis Brown, and Bob and Lin Williams.

The Junior League of Sarasota, which aims to help the community through charity and education pro grams, has been hard at work rais ing funds and collecting supplies for people with its hurricane relief fund.

President Lindsay Nock and other Junior League members recently vis ited North Port and donated boxes of water, food, batteries, personal hygiene items, baby wipes and more to a local food pantry.

JFCS of the Suncoast recently held its own food truck distribution fund raiser at its Fruitville campus, where community partners picked up hot meals from local vendors to distrib ute to people in need on Oct. 13.

Donations to the fundraiser cov ered the cost of the meals, and leftover funds went to purchasing Winn-Dixie gift cards for people to buy groceries.

While not a disaster relief orga nization in and of itself, Goodwill Manasota often partners with the Red Cross and local emergency oper ation centers to provide support for people after natural disasters.

That was the case after Hurricane Ian, and Goodwill Manasota Presi

dent and CEO Donn Githens said they were fortunate to have a frame work already in place to connect with groups when the storm arrived.

“We provide clothing and house wares; we work with partners that provide food,” Githens said. “In the community, we’re seeing (need for) food, water, daycare and connecting people with those immediate needs.”

The organization operates com munity resource centers — which offer information and resources to people in need — that are now open in Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice seven days a week.

“The need is great out there,” Githens said. “I think we’re still wrapping our arms around what the long term challenges are going to be … we’re trying to be supportive, and then listening to what our team members in the community are tell ing us in the way of what resources they need.”

JFCS of the Suncoast recently held its own food truck fundraiser event for groups on Oct. 13.

live who you are

be dreamy be wordless be one be home.

Courtesy photo

SUNDAY, OCT. 16

METER BEATER

1:40 a.m., 1500 block of Main Street

Property damage: An angry parking violator whose car was towed took out his frustrations on a payment ki osk. An employee of a company that monitors parking called a towing company after seeing a man walk off from his vehicle in a metered space without paying. The vehicle was towed away, and the worker called police after seeing video of the man returning to where he parked and, seeing the vehicle gone, began to strike and kick the kiosk. Damage to the machine was estimated at ap proximately $1,000. The employee gave police the license plate number of the vehicle and said she could identify the driver from a photo lineup. The officer informed the parking monitor he would follow up with her to identify the man and to file charges.

EXES AND UH-OHS

11:01 a.m., 900 block of Royal Palm Drive

Property damage: A possible case of mistaken identity resulted in vandalism to two vehicles. An officer arrived to the scene and observed a pickup truck with the word “liar” spray painted on it several times and the tires slashed. The officer contacted the vehicle’s owner who said his other vehicle, parked at his ex-wife’s home in the county, was similarly vandalized. He said his daughter is living with her mother — his ex-wife — and is driving one of his vehicles. When the daughter was out in downtown Sarasota the previous night, he said he thinks his ex-girlfriend saw the vehicle and followed it to his ex-wife’s home, and she may have thought it was driven by him visiting his ex-wife. When his daughter told him about the vehicle, the man went outside and saw that his other vehicle was also spray painted. There is no video evidence available. The officer attempted to make contact with the suspected vandal at her residence, but he did not know her apartment number and her vehicle was not located in the parking lot. The victim estimated damage to his vehicles at about $2,000.

FRIDAY, OCT. 14 OVER A BARREL 7:33 a.m., 1200 block of Hillview Street, Sarasota Agency assistance:

Another agency’s marine patrol officer was called to assist Sara sota Police in responding to a report of someone clinging to a barrel floating in Sarasota Bay, as witnessed by someone in the Harbor Acres community. Before the officer could arrive at the scene, it was determined that the barrel/castaway combination was actually a manatee.

NO FORCIBLE ENTRY

10:25 a.m., 1600 block of Hidden Lake Terrace

Disturbance: A woman reported her estranged husband attempted to gain entry into her residence while she was home. The woman told police the man had not lived in the residence for a year and was not on the lease and therefore has no legal access. She also told police of ongo ing cell phone harassment because of his belief that she engaged in an extramarital affair with two men.

An officer spoke with the suspect, who denied he attempted to enter the residence, that they were still legally married and he wanted to speak with her regarding the alleged infidelity. He also reported she is in possession of personal tools he needs for work. There was no evidence that the man was either at the residence or that he attempted to break in. Additionally, no orders are in place that restrains him from contacting the complainant, who reported she was previously denied an injunction. She was encouraged to follow up with the clerk of court.

Chasing ‘Infidels’

Terry Gans will be appearing at a local author book fair on Oct. 22.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

When term limits prompted former Longboat Key Com missioner and Mayor Terry Gans to find another way to spend his time in 2018, he told the Longboat Observer he wasn’t sure what he’d do next, but he knew what he wasn’t going to do.

“Things, they come organically. It’ll be fine. I’m not going to haunt commission meetings. I’m not going to go on the Planning and Zoning Board,” he said.

By January 2019, Gans, 76, had already found a new haunt far from Longboat Key: The Bob Dylan Cen ter in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He called it a confluence that his term in public office was up at nearly the same time the center opened.

The public can view a Bob Dylan exhibit at the center, but only quali fied researchers are permitted to visit the archives to look at draft lyrics and listen to rare recordings. Gans, one of those qualified researchers, recei eved approval and began traveling

MEET THE AUTHORS

Who: Terry Gans, Dr. Joy S. Pedersen, Frank J. Young, Joel Shulkin, MD, Glenn Erick Miller, R.C. Chizhov, Susan and Ann Anderson, Kerry Kriseman, Lucy Tobias, Marilyn Howard, Meredith Ritchie, Michael Lortz and Monica Medina.

What: A free public event to meet local authors. Purchasing books is optional.

Where: Bookstore1, 117 S. Pine apple Ave.

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Satur day, Oct. 22

back and forth to Tulsa to research the iconic musician’s album, “Infi dels.”

His research led to a book called “Surviving in a Ruthless World: Bob Dylan’s Voyage to Infidels.” He and his book are being featured at a book fair sponsored by Bookstore1 in Sara sota on Saturday.

“The research started when the album came out without any intent of writing a book,” Gans said. “It was a departure from what had come before, both lyrically, musically and theme-wise.”

When the album was released in 1983, a series of leaked outtakes fur ther piqued Gans interest in “Infi dels.”

THE REVIEWS ARE IN

Terry Gans’ book is listed on Ama zon with 4.5 stars. Many of those reviewing it say it’s a deep and thoroughly researched piece they enjoyed reading. Here is a sample:

It was a very well-researched labor of love for the author. Always loved “Infidels” and most of Dylan’s other works as well. He basically breaks it down minute by minute for the studio work. However, one complaint — and I don’t think it was the author’s fault: Dylan always has like 20 sets of lyrics for every song and constantly changes them. He quotes only a little from the alternate lyrics, but I wanted to see them at length, that would have been fascinating for a Dylanophile. But I think he explained he couldn’t do that for legal reasons. Still a worthwhile book for the Dylan lov ers out there.

I’m not really a huge Dylan fan but love music and books about musi cians. In all honesty, this was clearly

“I thought this would be a good subject because I’ve always been interested about what choices were made and how it evolved,” he said.

“I didn’t have any intent of writing a book, but as I got more and more information, I felt there was more and more of a story to tell.”

While the book details each track on the album, it also delves into the inspiration of the whole. Gans didn’t speak to the man himself while writ ing, but he did track down and inter view the man who built the Water Pearl, Dylan’s schooner.

“I think the development of that album was partially inspired by the time he spent floating on the boat in the Caribbean,” Gans said, “Not totally, but there was some influence there.”

Which led Gans to subtitle the book “Bob Dylan’s Voyage to Infi dels.” “Surviving in a Ruthless

one of the best books that I have read, which captures the essence of the writer, singer and musical genius of one of the icons of our time. Whether you are a Dylan fan or not, this book should be on your must-read list.

Easily one of the best Dylan books I’ve read. Not only is it full of great information but is also well written.

World” was rumored to be the work ing title of the album.

During his research, Gans found a piece of paper from the St. Regis Hotel in New York to back up that tidbit. Dylan had sketched out what the back cover of the album should look like and hand wrote, “Surviving in a Ruthless World.”

A couple other tidbits Gans research dug up —the first song on the album, “Jokerman,” has 14 itera tions, and Dylan has terrible hand writing. Deciphering it was one of Gans’ most difficult tasks.

“That was always a wonder ful moment when you figured out exactly what it said,” Gans said. “But I’d say the big thing I got out of the time in the archives is the ceaseless dedication to craft this guy has.”

Gans book is available locally at Bookstore1 or online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.

Sponsorships

Courtesy photos

Bob Dylan’s 1983 album “Infidels’’ piqued Terry Gans’ interest, leading to deeper research and then a book.

Discuss “Surviving in a Ruthless World: Bob Dylan’s Voyage to Infidels” with Terry Gans on Oct. 22 at Bookstore1.

Fast Break

Get your oars ready.

Nathan Benderson Park announced Oct. 13 that it has been awarded the USRowing Youth National Championships in 2023 and 2024. The 2022 event brought more than 4,000 participants to the Sarasota-Bradenton area — and brought a Women’s U17 2x championship to Sarasota Crew.

Booker High freshman

Kevontay Hugan, a defensive end/tackle, received his first scholarship offer, from Penn State, this week. According to MaxPreps, Hugan, who is listed as 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, has 19 tackles and three tack les for loss in 2022.

Most football fans who watch the college game focus on the Division I FBS level — the teams that play on TV each week — for understand able reasons. It’s not the only level of college football that exists, though. For example: former Cardinal Mooney High tight end Cameron Heald, a redshirt freshman on the FCS level Butler team, is starting to make his mark. Heald caught two touchdowns Oct. 8 against Dayton and caught six passes for 75 yards Oct. 15 against Valparaiso. Both games were wins for the Bulldogs.

Sarasota High announced Oct. 6 that former Sailors and Kansas City Royals pitcher Eric Skoglund would join its coaching staff for the 2022-23 season. Skoglund, a 2011 grad who played in college at Central Florida, appeared in 27 games for the Royals from 2017-2019.

The high school volleyball postseason starts this week with district tournaments. Car dinal Mooney High (14-9) is the No. 1 seed in Class 3A District 11. The other Sarasota-area teams will be underdogs, un likely to reach the tournament finals. But that’s why they play the games, right? Anything can happen. Check YourObserver. com for postseason updates.

Putting event gets pop from the pros

PopStroke founder Greg Bartoli explains why the event was conceived and the impact that bringing Rickie Fowler and Paula Creamer to the event will have.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

It’s a common refrain from sports fans watching professional com petitions on TV.

“I could do better.”

Area putting aficionados have a chance to put that bravado to the test.

PopStroke, a putting, eating and drinking venue founded in 2018 by Greg Bartoli and Tiger Woods’ TGR Ventures, opened its Univer sity Town Center location in April. From Oct. 26-28, the location will be home to the inaugural PopStroke Tour Championship, a putting com petition sponsored by TaylorMade.

The event will have two competi tions, a Team Championship (two players per team) and a Stroke Play (individual) Championship. Com bined, the competitions are expected to bring approximately 500 partici pants to the UTC location.

Both competitions will feature four rounds of 18 holes, with cuts after the second round, just like a PGA Tour event. The team competition has a purse of $100,000, with the winners splitting $20,000; and the individual competition has a purse of $25,000, with the winner getting $5,000.

There’s another difference between the two competitions, too.

On Oct. 28, the winners of the team competition will get to play against professional golfers Rickie Fowler and Paula Creamer in the “$25K Showdown,” a single 18-hole round of putting that will see the winners take all the cash.

The showdown will air Nov. 20 on the Bally Sports family of regional networks as well as on Golf Chan nel. Fowler has won five career PGA Tour events and has finished second at a major tournament three times.

Creamer has won 10 LPGA events, including the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. Both golfers are sponsored by TaylorMade.

Bartoli said having Fowler and Creamer participate in the inaugu ral PTC validates the event, giving it instant credibility within the golf world.

Bartoli said he is thankful to Tay lorMade for helping make it happen.

PopStroke director of marketing Melissa Sullivan said people inter ested in watching the showdown, but

IF YOU GO POPSTROKE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

When: Oct. 26-28

Where: PopStroke Sarasota (University Town Center) How it works: The event will have two competitions, a Team Championship competition (two players per team) and a Stroke Play (individual) Championship competition. Both competitions will feature four rounds of 18 holes.

Prizes: The team competition has a purse of $100,000 with the winners splitting $20,000; the individual competition has a purse of $25,000, with the winner getting $5,000.

Bonus: The winners of the Team Championship will play Rickie Fowler and Paula Creamer Oct. 28 in the $25K Showdown, which will be taped and air on Bally Sports regional networks on Nov. 20.

Registration: The Team Championship competition costs $500, while the Stroke Play (individual) Championship costs $250. Visit PopStroke. com to register.

not playing, will be able to enter the venue “for a small fee.”

That fee is still to be determined as of Oct. 15. In addition, Bartoli said only the Tiger Red course will be occupied during the PTC. The rest of the PopStroke venue will operate as normal, including the Tiger Black (family friendly) course, so nonpar ticipants can play a round on that course and order food and drinks before watching the $25K Showdown if they wish.

Parking at PopStroke will be free. Sullivan said the parking lots at Dil lard’s and other surrounding stores will be used as overflow locations if the PopStroke lot becomes full.

Bartoli said the PTC was borne out of PopStroke’s unique vision.

“This is what PopStroke is all about,” Bartoli said. “We’re bring ing people together in a competi tive, dynamic environment around the game of golf, regardless of age or skill level or background. Putting is a great equalizer. It’s not intimidating. A lot of people can do it successfully. Just because a Tour pro can hit the ball 350 yard down the center of the fairway, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can putt better than a local golf er who happens to be a great putter.

Bringing the two together, it’s going to be interesting.”

It is the “Pros vs. Joes” dynamic of the event that Bartoli said drew interest from the television net works.

Bartoli said golf is a sport in which amateurs can compete with profes sionals if they have a good day.

It’s different than sports like base ball, where the average person can not hit a curveball, or basketball, where the sheer athleticism of the professional athletes will win out.

Bartoli said he and the networks believe plenty of golf fans will want to see how the amateurs fare in the 25K Showdown.

The PTC could have been held at any of PopStroke’s three other loca tions — Orlando, Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers — but Bartoli said the UTC location was selected to host because it is the largest and the only one to feature an upstairs section, which will provide a great view to watch the competition and provide plenty of space for the TV crews to operate. Bartoli said the region’s love of golf didn’t hurt, either.

Entry into the PTC’s Team Cham pionship competition costs $500.

Entry into the PTC’s Stroke Play (individual) Championship costs $250. Registration for both events closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 24. Visit Pop Stroke.com for more information or to register.

Paula Cream er, who won the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open, will team with Rickie Fowler to form the Tour Pro Team in the $25K Show down, the final compe tition of the PopStroke Tour Champi onship.

“I’m excited to see how we do once it gets intense and we’re playing super good teams every match.”

— Cardinal Mooney High’s Helena Hebda

File photo

Maya Schultz screams after winning the Women’s U17 2x (7:36.96) at the 2022 USRowing Youth National Championships.

File photo

PopStroke founder Greg Bartoli said the Sarasota location was chosen to host the inaugural PopStroke Tour Championship because of its two-story size as well as the community’s love of golf.

Rickie Fowler, who has won five career PGA Tour events, will team with Paula Creamer to form the Tour Pro Team in the $25K Showdown, the final competition of the PopStroke Tour Championship.

Courtesy photos

A chip shot away

For Cardinal Mooney High, the drive for state golf relevance relies on the Cougars’ depth, timing.

ow do you coach a golf team to peak at the right time?

First-year Cardinal Mooney High boys golf Coach Drew Mitchell is trying to figure that out. The Cougars fin ished sixth in Class 1A at the 2021 state tournament, held at Mission Inn Club and Resort in Howey-inthe-Hills. This year, the Cougars are without Wyatt Plattner, who graduated and now plays for the University of Cincinnati, but have plenty of talent with which to work.

So, about peaking ...

“You don’t want to come out like gangbusters,’’ Mitchell said. “The key is the build up at the end of the year. As a coach, you have to put that in motion. But there’s only so much you can do. At the end of the day, it’s on them (the golfers). Golf is a fickle game. You can be great for a week or two weeks and then who knows what happens. They have to sustain it as long as they can.”

The 2022 Mooney squad has been working toward that goal.

The Cougars’ top two players are junior Tommy Tyler and sophomore Nicolas Bencomo. On Tuesday, the duo led the Cougars to a win in a tune-up match against Lakewood Ranch High, which made the state tournament in Class 3A in 2021.

Over nine holes on the Rees Jones course at Laurel Oak Country Club, the Cougars beat the Mus tangs 148-153. Bencomo and Tyler shot two-under 34 and one-under 35 respectively, which is to be expected. But it’s the team’s depth that Mitchell believes will give it a real shot to finish fifth or higher at the state tournament. On Tuesday,

behind Bencomo and Tyler, junior Joe Smillie shot 38, while sopho more Stephen Peloquin, junior Lukas Wahlstrom and senior Joseph Antonelli-Pike all shot 41.

Mitchell said having that con sistency down the lineup takes pressure off Tyler and Bencomo. It’s OK if one of them has a bit of an off day; there’s a strong possibility that someone else will step up.

“I’m excited because most of these boys have experience with both regional and state play,” Mitchell said. “They have been there and know what is it is. So our goal is not just to get to states but finish higher than we did last year, which was sixth. It’s a tall task, but we have had kids work hard and I think that is showing with our depth.”

Bencomo said he’s especially happy with how the team has played recently and believes the momentum will carry over to the postseason. As for his game, Bencomo said he has been focused on simplicity. Bencomo said he just wants to hit fairways and greens.

If that doesn’t happen, it’s OK, Bencomo said. Or at least, he’s try ing to make it OK.

“I feel like my mental strength has gotten a lot better over the past year,” Bencomo said. “I’ve learned to accept that I’m going to hit some bad shots. I just need to learn how to recover instead of letting it affect my whole round.”

The Cougars are motivated to peak in the postseason intrinsically — every team wants a shot at glory — but also extrinsically. Local rival Saint Stephen’s Episcopal won the Class 1A state tournament in 2021 and this year return top players Beni Long and Alex Long, brothers who are a senior and a junior respec tively. The Falcons look to be a top threat again; the team won the 2022 Donald Ross Memorial Tourna ment, an annual event held Oct. 10

at Bradenton’s Sara Bay Country Club, over the Cougars by three strokes (284-287).

“It stinks that we’re in the same region as them, but it also is a motivator,” Mitchell said. “Our guys have to focus and stay elevated. From that standpoint, I would rather be playing them (in the post season) than have us going through the motions. It keeps us on our toes.

“If we can get our depth guys shooting around par, we can keep up with Saint Stephen’s.”

As district tournaments begin Oct. 24, the Cougars are not the only local golf team looking at a high finish at states. The River view High boys team finished 10th in Class 3A last season and, like Mooney, might be peaking at the right time. The Rams finished first at their annual Ram Invitational, held Oct. 15 at Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club, shooting 296 as a team and beating second-place Venice High by 41 strokes in the 18-hole event. The Rams are led by senior Aksel Moe.

The girls side of the sport is not as strong as in the past, but a few teams could make postseason noise, including the Mooney girls team, which is ranked 40th in Class 3A in the latest iWanamaker Florida High School Athletic Association rank ings. That could be good enough to make the regional stage. The Rams are a young team and are led by freshman Aida Benko.

The state tournaments will be held Nov. 8-16 in Howey-in-theHills.

PROSE

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

File photo

Nico Bencomo takes his third shot on the No. 9 hole at Laurel Oak Country Club’s Jones course. Bencomo is one of Cardinal Mooney’s top boys golfers in 2022.

the Observer with you on your next trip!

Helena Hebda

Helena Hebda is a junior on the Car

dinal Mooney High indoor and beach volleyball teams. Hebda had 21 as sists Tuesday night in the Cougars’ 3-0 home sweep of Out-of-Door Academy. The match was part of the Class 3A, District 11 tournament. Mooney (15-9) will play Bradenton Christian (17-4) at 6 p.m. Thursday at home in the tournament finals.

When did you start playing vol leyball?

I started in the third grade. My sister (Sophia Hebda) is five years older than me, and she played club volleyball. I watched her play while I was in third grade and thought it looked fun. I started in both indoor and beach volleyball that year.

What is the appeal to you? I love the team aspect of it. You rely on every single person. I can’t set without getting a pass. Hitters can’t do anything without getting a set. It all works together. It’s also a super fun environment with all the fans.

What is your best skill? I would say it is hustle plays. I can get to the ball when it is far away. I try to set (the ball) within a good range for the hitters so they can hit.

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.

What have you been working to improve?

I’m always trying to improve my setting speed. In beach volleyball, when you set, you can lift the ball (have prolonged contact, moving vertically, with the ball) more than in indoor, where you can get called for that more easily. So I am always trying to have a faster release and a better “indoor set.”

What is your favorite memory?

My favorite times are always the bus rides, the road trips, the team meals, things like that. My one favorite is winning the state beach volleyball title last year. That whole weekend was great. I love staying at a hotel with everyone. It’s so fun.

What is your favorite food?

I love sushi. I usually get it from JPAN, but I’ll eat it from anywhere.

What is your favorite TV show? “The Office” and “Gossip Girl” are my two favorites.

Which superpower would you pick?

I would want to be invisible so I could listen to other people’s con versations without them knowing.

What is the best advice you have received?

You only live once. Don’t have any regrets.

Finish this sentence: “Helena Hebda is …” … Goofy. I try not to take things too seriously and always have fun.

10 Days of celebration

First phase of Sarasota’s Bay Park opens with more than a week of food and fun.

HARRY SAYER |STAFF WRITER

Sarasota natives Sura and Harry Kochman have always felt like there was some missing potential to the general area around the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. “People used to come to the municipal audito rium and shuffleboard courts, but that was it,” Sura Kochman said. “It was almost wasting this beautiful area.”

After years upon years of planning, construction and effort from a vari ety of Sarasota organizations, that’s looking to change.

The Bay Park — which has more than 15 acres of green space, kayak tours through mangrove tunnels, a new space for children, a sunsetviewing area, and more — had its official opening on Oct. 14. The Bay Park Conservancy, DreamLarge, and other groups have worked together to host a “10 Days on the Bay” event series in celebration of that opening, which includes more than 90 activi ties on the schedule.

The series has been planned out since earlier this year.

“We wanted to do a 10-day open ing rather than a ribbon cutting to give everyone a chance to visit this park,” said Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO A.G. Lafley.

So far, that’s included a multi cultural food festival, kayak tours, fun runs and music performances from Bradenton’s We The Kings and Eagles tribute band The Long Run.

The Kochmans spent their week end admiring the new area, checking out the food festival and later resting in the shade watching the sun set.

“They’ve done a marvelous job,” Kochman said. “It’s very eco-friend ly and family theory.”

Some newcomers spent the week end enjoying the new space as well. Lucas and Marta Storarczyk recent ly moved with their three children to Sarasota from Poland for a work contract and spent their first week end on the Gulf Coast taking in the sights at the park.

“It’s such a cool place for children,”

Storarczyk said. “We’re just in love.”

As for Bay Park Conservancy staff and volunteers, there’s still more work to do.

“We should be physically tired but we’re not; we’re running on adrenaline,” Lafley said. “Monday morning we’ll be tired.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Here are some highlights in the coming days. Go to The Bay website for the full schedule.

THURSDAY, OCT. 20

n RADD Night at the Bay: 5-9 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

n Boo! At The Bay: 6-10 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

n Multicultural Day at the Bay 12:30-7 p.m.

n Astronomy at the Bay: 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

n Parktoberfest at the Bay: noon-5 p.m.

n Etana, Jah Movement & Ariella concert: 6-9:30 p.m.

Sprechen Deutsch

The We The Kings band rocks out well into the night.

Michael, left front, Chase, Cooper, Ava and Samantha Kingsley go out as a family to the Taste at the Bay food event.

Helene Maresco pick up food at the Taste at the Bay event.

Photos by Harry Sayer

The park is already being used as a

YOUR CALENDAR

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

22ND ANNUAL MORTON’S FIREHOUSE CHILI COOK-OFF

1:45 p.m. at Osprey Avenue. The annual chili fest returns to Osprey Avenue and has several fire houses competing to win best chili. Free, or $10 to sample all chili. For information, call 955-9856.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

BOO! AT THE BAY 5 p.m. at Bay Park, 655 N. Tamiami Trail. The Bay’s Halloween offerings include pumpkin projects, treats, spooky mangrove tours and a latenight showing of the movie “Hocus Pocus.” Free. For information, go to 10DaysAtTheBay.org.

34TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN

FESTIVAL

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 5 at Fruitville Grove Farmers Market, 7410 Fruitville Road. The monthlong festival features food trucks, a pet ting zoo, games, crafts and plenty of pumpkins. $5 for parking. Call 377-0896.

NAMASTE AT THE BAY 9 a.m. at Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts. Instructor Petra Ratner leads a yoga class near Sarasota’s bayfront during 10 Days at the Bay. Free. For information, call 203-5316.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22 WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL 3 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle. Fam

ilies can construct paper lanterns and set them onto the water at this festival event. Tickets are $12 for kids, $25 for adults. For information, contact Support@WaterLanternFes tival.com

NAMASTE AT THE BAY 9 a.m. at Bay Park Sunset Deck, 655 N. Tamiami Trail. Instructor Jes sica Amaya leads a yoga class near Sarasota’s bayfront during 10 Days at the Bay. Free. For information, call 203-5316.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

MULTICULTURAL DAY AT THE BAY Noon at The Bay Park, 655 N. Tamiami Trail. Various performances, cuisines and art projects from cul ture groups will make up The Bay’s first Multicultural Day. Free. For information, go to 10DaysAtTheBay. org.

ASTRONOMY AT THE BAY 7 p.m. at The Bay Park, 655 N. Tamiami Trail. Astronomers of all kinds will take in the stars at the new Bay park. Free. For information, go to 10DaysAtTheBay.org.

Live Beautifully

2017

photo

NEW PATIENTS

Newtown festival a lot more than just greens

The Robert L. Taylor Center in Newtown was once again full of laughter, music and happy people during the Big Mama’s Col lard Greens Festival on Oct. 15. The annual endeavor — which features local organizations and nonprofits offering information and services for the community — attracted families for a day of festivities and fun. Kids took to the playground and learned how to play music and make Hallow een decorations while parents grabbed food and sat to listen to music from artists throughout the day.

— HARRY SAYER

Photos by Harry Sayer

Selena Haynes and Keiondra Bell sit at the playground.

Margaret Barton, Anna Duncan and Barbara Quinn were all smiles.

Simone Lind sey and Syria Purdom walk through the festival.

Armani

PET

Bringing influencers from the world stage to our stage in Sarasota

Two-building Casey Key property sells for $5.7M

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Atwo-property sale on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Leslie O’Connor, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the two properties at 3752 Casey Key Road to Kevin and Marcia Parker, of Noko mis, for $5.75 million. The first property was built in 1949 and has two bed rooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,522 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2015 and has a half bath and 1,763 square feet of living area. They sold for $1.9 million in 2018.

SARASOTA

THE RESIDENCES

Sheree Federico, of Atlanta, sold the Unit 1003 condominium at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive to CIEL Sarasota LLC for $2,125,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,239 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,675,000 in 2021.

THE CLOISTERS AT THE LANDINGS

Stephen an Elizabeth Agren sold their home at 1403 Cedar Bay Lane to John and Maura Semmes, of Sarasota, for $1.86 million. Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, threeand-two-half baths, a pool and 3,560 square feet of living area. It sold for $925,000 in 2021.

MARK SARASOTA Richard and Catherine Dunne, trustees, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, sold the Unit 709 condo minium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Jane Fox, of Auburn, New York, for $1,593,800. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,591 square feet of living area. It sold for $851,000 in 2019.

Ted and Karen Costantino, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, sold their Unit 813 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to John Bordages and Martine Bordages, trustees, of Binghamton, New York, for $1.55 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths

and 1,482 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,185,000 in 2021.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL

Lee Vickman, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 1408 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Jaclyn Kim Brunckhorst, of Nokomis, for $1.36 million. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $885,000 in 2020.

THE LANDINGS

Harvey and Jean Greller, of Sara sota, sold their home at 4852 Peregrine Point Circle N. to Edward Mclhatten Hedges and Silke Nicole Thompson, of Los Angeles, for $1.15 million. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,250 square feet of living area. It sold for $439,000 in 2013.

Timothy Field sold his home at 4636 Pine Harrier Drive to JohnPaul Fortin and Gabrielle Raquel Fortin, of Sarasota, for $1.14 million. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,226 square feet of living area. It sold for $607,200 in 2005.

ESPLANADE BY SIESTA KEY

Steven and Donna Deputy, trustees, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, sold the home at 2354 Vaccaro Drive to Dmitri Chamchad and Margarita Goldberg, of Villanova, Pennsylva nia, for $1,135,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,262 square feet of living area. It sold for $559,800 in 2014.

CEDAR COVE ESTATES

Mark and Kimberly Glogovsky sold their home at 1956 Baywood Ter

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

race to Donald and Jana Mikes, of Media, Pennsylvania, for $970,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,383 square feet of living area.

SARASOTA-VENICE CO.

Paul Reubens, trustee, of Sherman Oaks, California, sold two proper ties at 3711 Meridale Road to Sergiy and Natalia Biletsky, of Sarasota, for $925,000. The first property was built in 1979 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,251 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2000 and has one bedroom, one bath and 592 square feet of living area.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 10B

Other top sales by area

SARASOTA: $3.3 MILLION

Alta Mer

Denise Watermeier, trustee, sold the Unit 4 condominium at 306 Golden Gate Point to Jason and Diana Potter, of Summer field, North Carolina, for $3.3 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 3,436 square feet of living area. It sold for $840,000 in 1996.

SIESTA KEY: $3.4 MILLION

Ocean View Hillary Steele, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8213 Midnight Pass Road to SACROS LLC for $3.4 million. Built in 1952, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,328 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,812,500 in 2004.

PALMER RANCH: $1.1 MILLION

La Vista Edward Lamy and Lauren Devico Lamy, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7522 Calle Facil to Jamie Graham, trustee, of Sara sota, for $1.1 million. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,379 square feet of living area.

OSPREY: $2.5 MILLION

Oaks II

Samuel and Paula Strickland, of Sarasota, sold their home at 892 Mac Ewen Drive to Keith Johnson and Cheryl Johnson, trust ees, of Osprey, for $2.5 million. Built in 1996, it has five bedrooms, five-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 4,197 square feet of living area. It sold for $840,000 in 2007.

Photo courtesy Valerie Dall ‘Acqua/Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

The main home at 3752 Casey Key Road was built in 1949. It has two bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,522 square feet of living area.

AKIN ACRES

Angela Lee Ammon sold the home at 2184 Bougainvillea St. to Bryan and Christine Zebarth, of Goshen, Kentucky, for $780,000. Built in 1952, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,112 square feet of living area. It sold for $250,000 in 2015.

BLAKEMORE LANE

Brendan and Jessica Diefenderfer, of Parrish, sold their home at 1675 Blakemore Lane to David Goerz and Michelle Reiter, of Leawood, Kansas, for $775,000. Built in 1968, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,524 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,000 in 2021.

PHILLIPPI LANDINGS

Kevin Huntington and Jeffrey Hun tington, of Avon, Connecticut, sold their Unit 304 condominium at 5531 Cannes Circle to Maritza Jackson, of Sarasota, for $675,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,706 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in 2015.

SOUTH GATE Deborah Kern, of Sarasota, sold her home at 2601 Hibiscus St. to Jona than Thomas Meyer, of Sarasota, for $626,000. Built in 1959, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,351 square feet of living area. It sold for $120,000 in 1994.

Glenda Diane Davila and Oscar Davila Marquez, of Lytle, Texas, sold their home at 2938 Webber St. to Kristy Gentile and Daniel Popkave, of Sarasota, for $533,500. Built in 1959, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,335 square feet of living area. It sold for $337,000 in 2019.

square feet of living area. It sold for $230,000 in 2011.

GOLDEN ACRES

Robert and Sally Engel, of Panama City Beach, sold their home at 5828 Nutmeg Ave. to Christine Gau, of Sarasota, for $559,000. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,297 square feet of living area. It sold for $314,000 in 2018.

SYLVAN SHORES

Matthew William McCarthy, of Nokomis, sold his home at 2346 Old Bradenton Road to Ringling College of Art and Design Inc. for $550,000. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, one bath, a pool and 1,654 square feet of living area.

SIESTA KEY

WHISPERING SANDS

Carolyn Chisenhall, of Naples, sold her Unit 306 condominium at 20 Whispering Sands Drive to David and Nancy Creed, of Venice, for $1.43 million. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,282 square feet of living area. It sold for $640,000 in 2008.

Carolyn Mellon, of Ontario, Cana da, sold the Unit V-51 condomini um at 111 Whispering Sands Drive to James Bernard Mellon and Joanne Irene Mellon, of Ontario, Canada, for $800,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,168 square feet of living area. It sold for $570,000 in 2006.

GULF AND BAY CLUB

James and Lisa Riley, trustees, of Mason, Ohio, sold the Unit 110 con dominium at 5780 Midnight Pass Road to Karin Meloch, of Siesta Key, for $1,367,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,361 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2021.

Transitioning

today

us HELP

Oct. 20 7:33a 6:56p

Oct. 21 7:33a 6:55p

Saturday, Oct. 22 7:34a 6:54p Sunday, Oct. 23 7:35a 6:53p

Monday, Oct. 24 7:35a 6:52p

Tuesday, Oct. 25 7:36a 6:52p Wednesday, Oct. 26 7:36a 6:51p

Monday, Oct. 10 0

Tuesday, Oct. 11 0.02

Wednesday, Oct. 12 1.28 Thursday, Oct. 13 0 Friday, Oct. 14 0.28 Saturday, Oct. 15 0 Sunday, Oct. 16 0.04

ECHO CHAMBER by Paul Coulter. Edited by David Steinberg

By Luis Campos

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