Why the world comes to Sarasota
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For only $1/day any accommodation on Siesta can partner with us and get their guests a 50% discount! JUNE 2019 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
SIESTA PROMENADE Sample Earthmoving permit application for Siesta Promenade site under review by county staff
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PIZZA NEWS
What Ever Happened to the Fishing Around Siesta Key? By Philip M. Farrell, MD, PhD Prior to the 21st Century, Sarasota Bay and the Gulf waters around Siesta Key were incredibly productive fishing grounds for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. As an estuary where fresh river/stream water mixed well with Gulf saltwater in an ideal habitat, Sarasota Bay was abundant in every species of fish and shellfish hungry people would want to eat. The mangroves were an important part of the ecology, as were the tidal inlets when the barrier islands like Siesta Key began to form about 3000 years ago. Thus, the area became a destination for commercial and sport fisherman as the hotels advertised with enticing photographs. All of this has changed during the past quarter-century— primarily as a result of destructive human behavior.
Early Fishermen Thrived Get one free slice of pizza a day—for life
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CASEY KEY County Commission approves 760-foot-long seawall on Casey Key
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DUTCH VALLEY
Fernando Piney marks 20 years at Dutch Valley
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SIESTA SOUNDS
Meet this month’s featured musician Paul Crotty
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SAND CASTLES
Harbour Towne Yacht Club: A boater’s oasis with a home-like feel page
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The first Floridians, the native Americans arriving 14,500 years ago, were hunter-gatherers who learned how to fish with bone hooks, spears, and nets woven with palm leaf fibers. By the time they migrated to the southwest Gulf coast, the tribes thrived on saltwater and freshwater food supplies. Continued on page 30
Big Pass lawsuit
A five-hour catch of huge fish by Higelhurst Hotel guests from Tennessee during 1915. Note the size of the hammerhead shark on the left and the third tarpon from the right that was attacked by another fish while on the hook.
By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com
Siesta Key Association makes formal requests for multiple materials from City of Sarasota as it prepares for July hearing In preparation for a day-long Circuit Court hearing set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, the Siesta Key Association (SKA) has sent a letter and a legal notice to the City of Sarasota, seeking an abundance of materials. The evidentiary hearing this summer will provide the SKA an opportunity make its case that the City of Sarasota has failed to adhere to applicable city and county regulations as the city seeks to remove sand from Big Sarasota Pass to renourish 1.56 miles of South Lido Key Beach. The July hearing date was chosen as a result of an April 23 status conference, which followed 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh’s April 18 denial of the City of Sarasota’s motion to dismiss
North Beach Road
the case the SKA originally filed in March 2017. The court appearance record for the April 23 status conference noted, “Parties to work together to conduct limited discovery on the issues outlined in the judge’s April 18 order for evidentiary hearing and to stipulate to as many facts and exhibits as possible prior to hearing.” The SKA has contended from the outset of the case that, as the City of Sarasota has pursued the dredging of up to 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from Big Pass, the city has not adhered to a policy in its own comprehensive plan or — as also required by city regulations — to a policy in the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan. Continued on page 15
By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com
County’s claim that two Charter amendments approved last fall, relating to 2016 North Beach Road vacation, can proceed in court, judge rules Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh has rebuffed an attempt by an attorney for a Siesta Key resident and nonprofit organization to force Sarasota County into dropping efforts to have two Sarasota County Charter amendments ruled unconstitutional. Both amendments won voter approval during the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election. One calls for the county to rescind the County Commission’s split decision in May 2016 to vacate a 373-foot-long segment of North Beach Road and reacquire the public right of way. That amendment won support of 65.07% of the voters who cast ballots last fall. The other amendment calls for the preservation of county-owned parks, preserves, beach and water access, and waterfront vistas. That amendment won
with 72.7% of voter support. An attorney for Siesta resident Michael Cosentino and the nonprofit organization Cosentino founded in late June 2016 — Reopen Beach Road — had filed a motion seeking dismissal of the county’s claim that the Charter amendments are invalid because of their alleged contravention of state law. McHugh wrote in a May 10 order that a motion to dismiss a complaint tests whether that complaint is legally sufficient in stating a cause of action. Such a motion does “not determine ultimate issues of fact,” she added. McHugh conducted an April 29 hearing on the arguments involving the Cosentino/Reopen Beach Road motion. Continued on page 37
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