RESTAURANTS

O'BRIEN: Life filled with family, friends and love

FROM PAGE 16

BEST FRIEND

Scott’s favorite sports team was the New York Giants. He also loved the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Scott was best friends with Slicker’s Eatery owner and former Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker. During Slicker’s tenure at the Swordfish Grill, Scott and his family frequently watched Lightning games there – including last year’s Stanley Cup victory. When Bob opened his own restaurant earlier this year, Scott and his family celebrated the Lightning’s second consecutive NHL championship at Slicker’s Eatery.

“I met Scott through my Aunt Cookie more than 20 years ago. She said we had a lot in common and might become best friends. Two days later, I said, ‘Let’s meet for beers.’ We did, and he said, ‘If we’re going to be best friends, I’ve got to introduce you to my wife and daughters.’ I rode with him to his house and he said, ‘Kristin and Alyssa, come meet your ‘Uncle Bob.’ Kristin and Alyssa made us shots and that’s how it started. And later, my nephew, Brian, married his daughter, Kristin, after I introduced them,” Bob said.

“Scott was a major part of every success I had. He and his family and everyone around him would always help, no matter what I was doing. This is the biggest hole I’ve ever had in my life. He was that big, that kind, that generous and that non-judgmental. Scott was a laid-back guy. He didn’t get too excited and he tried to help anybody he could,” Bob said.

“It’s a horrible thing. I was in the ER looking through a window at my very best friend dying. Two doors down, two 30-year-old men were saying goodbye to their friend for the last time,” Bob said.

FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED Scott O’Brien, Brian Slicker and Bob Slicker shared a mutual love for family and friends.

BRIDGE: Opponents of replacement plans gather for discussion

FROM PAGE 9

McClash said the plaintiffs and their attorneys, Matt Farmer and Ralf Brookes, believe FDOT may have committed procedural errors that could force them to reevaluate or reinitiate their bridge replacement plans. The plaintiffs also question whether FDOT has properly addressed potential environmental and floodplain impacts associated with a fixed-span bridge.

ATTENDEE COMMENTS

Thursday’s meeting provided attendees an opportunity to voice their opinions about a fixed-span bridge.

Because FDOT represents the federal government in the bridge replacement project, Joe Kools suggested appealing to the Biden administration and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

McClash said it couldn’t hurt to seek assistance from the federal government and he encouraged folks to write to Buttigieg and the Biden administration. It was suggested that some key talking points be drafted and distributed to meeting attendees who provided their email addresses on the sign-in sheet.

Letters to Buttigieg should be addressed to the United States Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington D.C., 20590.

McClash and von Hahmann strongly encouraged meeting attendees and others to contact FDOT District 1 Secretary L.K. Nandam via email at l.nandam@dot.state. fl.us or regular mail at 801 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow, Fl. 33830. Nandam can also be contacted by phone at 941-519-2201.

McClash expressed his belief that Nandam could change the current course of the bridge replacement plans if he wanted to.

Cortez Park resident Gloria Weir expressed concerns that the new fixed-span bridge and its extended approach areas would result in more cars cutting through the mobile home park to get to the adjacent Tide Tables restaurant. Weir said that could potentially impact the park’s relationship with Tide Tables’ owners Karen Bell and Bobby Woodson – whom it was noted do not oppose the fixed-span bridge.

Kane questioned whether the funding for the new replacement bridge has been fully secured yet, and whether that funding could be impacted by the success or failure of the federal infrastructure legislation being debated by the United States Congress.

According to FDOT officials, the bridge replacement project is currently expected to be put out for bid in late 2025, with construction expected to begin in 2026.

SUBMITTED Opponents of the fixed-span bridge are concerned about the concrete walls that would help support the new bridge landing and approach areas.