Following the disarray created by Hurricane Milton, the marina at Bayfront Park had bigger issues to deal with than a missing dock panel.
However, Billy Duhe and James Boorman knew how to repair the panel located at the dock of LeBarge Tropical Cruises, the tour and cruise operator where they both work. They lent a helping hand, bolting the panel across two pylons.
Bob Heere, operations manager at LeBarge, said the effort will “help the marina as much as they help us.”
“Everyone helps out everyone to get things back up and running,” he said.
Cleaning the city
The city of Sarasota hasn’t been the only team at work clearing the roads.
In 2012, the city partnered with the Salvation Army to create the Street Teams program, which helps supplement the city’s own cleaning efforts.
Aimed at helping homeless men and women obtain housing and employment, the program provides accommodations, assistance and three meals a day in exchange for morning volunteering to help beautify the city.
“We’re doing all the little streets, medians and things of that nature,” said participant Tyisha Fields.
According to the Salvation Army’s website, the program results in the removal of an estimated 64 tons of trash annually from the streets.
$1.00
Ian Swaby
James Boorman and Billy Duhe repair the panel.
Ian Swaby
Tony Hart and Tyisha Fields
WEEK OF OCT. 17, 2024
BY THE NUMBERS
“This recovery will be massive and is not going to take weeks. This will take months to get the volume of debris that’s out there.”
Sarasota Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson
Read more on page 3
n
Historic Burns-built house escapes Milton
From a safe distance on the East Coast, Kelly Franklin had only a few exterior photos to consider damage that may have been done to the historic Laurel Park home she shares with her husband, Ron Kashden.
It appeared that a utility pole and a tree may have crashed through an upstairs bedroom, but upon returning, found only a handful of roof tiles and a window damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
The national historic registered Dr. Walter Kennedy House
was designed by Dwight James Baum, who designed Ca d’Zan, and the on-site supervising architect was Sarasota School of Architecture founder Ralph Twitchell.
The home was built by Owen Burns in the Laurel Park neighborhood platted by Charles Ringling. Despite the downed tree and utility pole leaning on the home, its masonry structure, built in 1926, survived with minimal damage, according to Franklin. “It is probably the most quintessential and essentially
Sarasota structure and place there is in the special place that is Sarasota, and I am glad it survived,” Franklin said of the home at 1876 Oak St. The loss of trees and damage to a banyan did come with a silver lining.
A bull medallion on the chimney, placed there by Walter Kennedy — who raised cattle and served as a city commissioner — was uncovered as “a piece of history got revealed by the demise of an overgrown bird of paradise,” according to Franklin.
EDC offers recovery business support
As businesses begin the process of recovering from Hurricane Milton, the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County is offering to help.
“We are here to support you after the storm,” Erin Silk, CEO and president of the EDC, says in a statement. “Restoring your business operations is our top priority, and we are committed to assisting you through this challenging time.”
Silk, whose organization helps support the local economy through a public-private partnership, sent a message to area businesses ahead of the storm letting them know the agency would be a member of their recovery team.
To help support them, the EDC has three questions for business owners:
Have you been affected by the storm?
When do you anticipate reopening?
What resources do you require to resume your business operations?
Businesses can email their responses to Info@EDCSarasotaCounty.com or call 941-309-1200 to provide this information.
Hurricanes extend Marlon Brown tenure
Marlon Brown was scheduled to begin his retirement at end-of-business on Oct. 15. Thanks to back-toback hurricanes, his tenure as Sarasota city manager was extended by nearly a week.
At what was supposed to be his final City Commission on Oct. 7, authorization of Brown’s separation agreement with the city was on the agenda. That meeting was canceled in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and in advance of Hurricane Milton.
The Oct. 7 meeting, and its complete agenda, has been rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 18. Brown will remain in the city’s employ through the weekend as he continues to assist with storm recovery efforts and he will attend the regular City Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, his final official act as city manager.
Milton cleanup will take time
City officials ask for patience as debris collection services are stretched thin amid historic storm damage across multiple states.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
Vastly different impacts from back-to-back hurricanes have left a debris field stretching hundreds of miles from Southwest Florida to the North Carolina mountains and a wide swath across Central Florida from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic beaches.
It will all take months, not days or weeks, to clean it all up.
Coastal communities barely had time to mobilize cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene’s historic storm surge when they had to cease operations and brace for landfall of Hurricane Milton, which followed Helene’s ground saturation with Category 3 winds, scattering mounds of construction and residential debris while uprooting massive trees, pulling up water lines along with them.
That leaves communities competing for a finite number of debris removal companies to address historic volumes of debris.
Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson estimates that the city has 80,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 15,000 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris. The total — 95,000 cubic yards — is
20,000 cubic yards more than the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
City officials have heard plenty of complaints from residents and business owners about lingering debris piled up along the streets. Robinson said the city is working as fast as it can with the resources it has available.
“All of our public works and solid waste crews worked very diligently and as expeditiously as they could to remove as much of the vegetative and storm damage debris as possible between Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.”
Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson
“All of our public works and solid waste crews worked very diligently and as expeditiously as they could to remove as much of the vegetative and storm damage debris as possible between Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” Robinson said. “The
staff was stretched thin between that time period while continuing our regular operations. To supplement our crews, however, we are competing with all of the other governmental agencies to get these contractors to our area.”
Not just locally or even regionally, Robinson said. Widespread damage over multiple states leaves cleanup something of a national dilemma, and one that won’t be resolved as quickly as many might prefer.
“The city did have contractors working as quickly as possible to pick up as much storm debris as possible before the arrival of Hurricane Milton,” said Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. “There were hundreds of homes and businesses that needed pickup, which would be an operation normally taking months, not weeks. Given the time frame between the two hurricanes, it was just not operationally possible to remove all of it. Every other community had the same situation.”
Storm debris collection started Oct. 5 for Hurricane Helene on Lido Key — two days earlier than expected. A special impact pickup occurred early Sunday morning, Oct. 6, on St. Armands Circle and Golden Gate Point.
According to Robinson, debris removal contractors worked to collect street side materials up until just before Milton struck. That’s when Sarasota County closed the landfill and contractors moved assets out of
Courtesy image
A boat came crashing into the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens campus during Hurricane Milton. The gardens have a phased reopening schedule to resume events and operations.
Monica Roman Gagnier Crews work to clear debris from Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
Monica Roman Gagnier
Damage in downtown Sarasota following Hurricane Milton.
Debris
harm’s way to ride out the storm.
Robinson likened the one-two punch of Helene and Milton to the Category 4 Hurricane Charley and the damage left behind in Charlotte County in 2004, when he was working in law enforcement there.
“Helene didn’t even make direct strike outside of the storm surge, and Milton was a Category 3 when it made landfall and that was all wind,” Robinson said. “We had this compounding issue of a storm surge where we had anywhere between four and six-and-a-half feet, and then we had upwards of 110 to 120 mph wind less than two weeks later when the ground was soft, and it leveled hundreds of trees and broke multiple water lines.”
That is among the reasons water service restoration to the barrier islands was delayed while Public Works personnel worked in cooperation with Parks and Recreation staff to cut uprooted trees away from damaged lines. Water service to the barrier islands was turned off in advance of Milton to protect the infrastructure, affecting some 7,000 customers.
Nine water main breaks were repaired.
Water service problems persisted on St. Armands Key on Tuesday as undetected water leaks quickly drained water tanks soon after service was restored on Monday.
According to an email from the Office of the City Manager, the city will attempt valve-by-valve line closures to identify the source in hopes of avoiding a complete shutdown of service to the key.
HISTORIC DAMAGE
When Debby passed by in August, some 150 homes on the east side of the city saw rain-related flooding as creeks left their banks, according to Robinson, and Helene’s storm surge swamped upwards of 500 homes with three to four feet of water.
“The amount of drywall and furniture that was put out on the curb is something I’ve never seen before,”
SARASOTA
Robinson said of Helene’s aftermath.
Compound that with the Category 3 winds of Milton, felling hundreds of trees, compounding the debris removal challenges.
“This recovery will be massive and is not going to take weeks. This will take months to get the volume of debris that’s out there, but we’re committed to putting assets on the streets and making sure that it gets out of there as soon as possible.”
“We know this is a horrific situation for so many people and want to make sure we can recover as quickly as possible, but we’re asking that our residents be patient,” Alpert said.
“We will get it done.”
Getting it done comes with challenges. The city activated all three of its emergency storm debris contracts, and following Milton, crews began returning only to find no electricity in many locations and limited gasoline supplies. To bring more assistance requires contractors’ equipment to be certified by regulatory agencies before collection can begin.
Collection is expected to resume soon with an announcement in the coming days.
“We know this is a horrific situation for so many people and want to make sure we can recover as quickly as possible, but we’re asking that our residents be patient. We will get it done.”
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Tree debris litters Main Street in Sarasota the day after Hurricane Milton.
Monica Roman Gagnier
Photo courtesy Jack Johnson
Downtown Sarasota saw many downed trees following Hurricane Milton.
Liz Alpert, Sarasota Mayor
ANDREW
WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
While spending the night in his third-floor office at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, President and CEO Rick Piccolo could only hear the havoc wrought by Hurricane Milton outside his windows.
As the membrane roof was ripped from atop Concourse B from the passenger screening area to Gate 14, debris was strewn about the tarmac, slamming against skylights above the passenger terminal and filling the well of the air conditioning system chillers.
Across the airfield, the door of one general aviation hangar was peeling back, ending up on the roof while another hangar was collapsing. Directly across from the terminal, Fixed-base operator Atlantic Aviation was taking the biggest hit to its network of hangars.
It wasn’t until the relative calm of daylight just hours after Milton’s eye passed over the airport that the extent of the damage was revealed, which Piccolo estimated could run beyond $7 million in the commercial passenger terminal alone.
“The eye went right over us,” Piccolo said. “At that point, the area of roof over the security checkpoint was gone and we thought that it’s a small area of about 12,000 square feet.”
So far, not so bad, hopefully. Then came the what followed the back side of the eye wall.
“That other side of the eye came through and just blew off the rest of the roof. Stuff was flying everywhere. You could look out the window and see all these pieces flying and you could hear all this banging.”
The morning brought the realization that the entire passenger concourse was damaged. All equipment had been covered and remained intact as airport personnel began the water removal and cleaning process, but the damage was too great.
Piccolo spoke with an airport director colleague who recommended Target Solutions, a remediation company based in Waco, Texas, with operations in Tampa. Within hours, crews began to arrive, swelling to some 150 workers strong, and work began to reopen the airport as soon as possible. Piccolo had hoped that would be last Sunday, each day closed representing a loss of nearly $150,000 in revenue.
After a complete assessment of the damage, it was decided the first flight would land at a reopened SRQ at around 9 a.m. Wednesday.
“People were asking why we were taking so long to reopen because all the other airports around were
opening sooner,” Piccolo said. “They just didn’t understand the extent of the damage.”
By Monday afternoon, crews were busy installing the temporary roof covering, which will be replaced by a new permanent membrane roof, one section at a time. Beneath the roof, the concourse has been dried out and cleaning of the flooring and eventual replacement of ceiling tiles remains.
By Wednesday, gate computers will be uncovered and restarted, and seating returned to its proper location.
Safety screening equipment was also covered and protected, but areas of sheetrock have been removed and will be replaced. On the other side of the plastic sheeting separating the security screening from the terminal, all appears normal, the new roof on that section installed following Hurricane Ian successfully holding back the elements.
Restoring the airport will be costly, in addition to the loss of more than $1
million in revenue while closed.
“Not counting the hangars, you’re looking at $7 million out the door before we even get to that,” Piccolo said. “We have insurance, but the problem is there is a 5% deductible based on the value of the building. We insured this for $150 million, so the deductible is more than that.” SRQ can apply for FEMA reimbursement, which it will do, but that can take years to receive. For example, the airport was approved for a $1.3 million reimbursement from FEMA for the post-Ian roof replacement, which has yet to arrive.
“That’s $7 million we’ve got to float for a couple of years,” Piccolo said. “We have a line of credit, and if we have to, that’s what we’re going to do. But the first priority was getting this place safe and open again, and that’s what we’ve been concentrating on, and all the other stuff we’ll worry about it when we when we get done with this.”
The entire membrane roof over Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is replaced by a temporary membrane until permanent repairs can be made.
Photos by Andrew Warfield
Hurricane Milton adds to Helene’s devastation on Siesta Key
As Siesta Key property owners assess the damage from Hurricane Milton, they are reeling more from Hurricane Helene.
MATT WALSH CEO
As Zack Morrish, Dale O’Hara and Dave Bano drove north through a desolate Siesta Key Village on Thursday afternoon, Morrish commented on how clean Ocean Drive looked compared to the aftermath of hurricanes and tropical storms in previous years.
“It’s usually not this clean this fast,” he said. “The water went down quicker.”
“Everything is a win at this point,” Morrish said.
But if you turned down any of the side streets east of Ocean Boulevard on the north side of Siesta Key, you would be hard-pressed to see any “wins.”
“It looks like Haiti,” Bano said as he drove slowly to his Avenida de Mayo home.
Actually, it would be easy to think it looks worse.
Perusing all of the abandoned Avenida and Calle streets on the island, all you see lining both sides of the streets are five-, six- and seven-foot mounds of debris and rubble in front of virtually every home.
Couches, dressers, washing machines, toilets, mirrors, carpets, cabinets, armoires, soaked drywall — you name it. Any and everything that fills most homes. And all of it is water logged and filling the air on Siesta Key with the smell of dead fish and saturated and rotting wood, cushion foam and fabric.
As you peer down each street, it is as if you are looking at a county landfill with paths made for the trash trucks.
But this was not the aftermath of Oct. 9’s Hurricane Milton. It was the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton and
Helene.
“Last week, the pile in front of my house was my stuff. This week, it’s someone else’s,” joked Morrish.
The front yards of every home in these neighborhoods are littered with debris. The one-story homes are in the worst shape, practically indescribable, clearly uninhabitable.
Each time the Observer encountered the few people who made it onto the Key on Thursday afternoon to inspect their homes, they were unanimous in saying the damage from Hurricane Helene was worse than Hurricane Milton. The latter just added to the devastation.
For certain, those who inspected their homes Thursday said the 10and 15-foot storm surges that were forecasted for Milton didn’t materialize — and appeared to be lower than Helene’s.
When Bano opened the first-floor door of his Avenida de Mayo home, he did it with trepidation, fearing the surge had struck for a second time.
Two weeks ago, he had two feet of water flowing through the groundlevel floor of his home.
When he walked in, the floors were bone dry. He picked at the remains of drywall at the base of a wall in his garage. It was powder. “That would have been soaking,” he said, if Milton’s surge had come through the house.
“I lost two cars with Helene,” Bano said. Assessing the damage after Milton, Bano was optimistic about finishing the drywall repairs inside and getting back to enjoying his island retirement home. “It could have been a lot worse,” he said.
Bano is the former president of claims for Nationwide Insurance. He remembers the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that destroyed New Orleans and much of the south.
“In that one,” he said, “there were bodies. Bodies everywhere.”
“Last week, the pile in front of my house was my stuff. This week, it’s someone else’s.”
Zack Morrish
Photos by Observer staff
Dave Bano feared Hurricane Milton caused flood waters to get into his Avenida de Mayo for the second time in two weeks. To his surprise and relief, he found his ground-level floors bone dry.
Welcome to Calle de Peru — the standard look along the neighborhood streets east of Siesta Key Village.
Erin Scott and Heidi Costello have been living in their yellow Siesta Key cottage for a year and a half. They lost a car and a golf cart in Hurricane Helene. When they came to inspect their home Thursday, Scott noted how the previous piles of debris from Helene
RON KASHDEN
Give responders high-fives
People, get a grip. Two hurricanes — Helene, a Cat 4 at landfall, and Milton, a Cat 3 at landfall — brought horrific catastrophes smack dab onto Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Sarasota was ground zero for Milton, starting at south Siesta Key, the first time in 103 years that the eye of a hurricane roared through the neighborhoods of Sarasota County. Let’s emphasize “catastrophe,” which, by definition is “a violent, destructive natural event.”
And consider this: When Ian made landfall in Lee County in 2022 as a Cat 4, horrible as it was, it was one event — wind and surge at once. But for us, we had two — back to back, a double whammy — in a matter of 10 days. Plus Debby. Three storms in 70 days.
Just after Helene’s four- to sixfoot storm surges flowed through the thousands of homes, condos, resorts and businesses on the barrier islands and parts of the mainland, and just as Helene’s victims were coming out of the shock of her destruction — ka-blooey! Milton rose to a Cat 5 in the Gulf of Mexico, headed straight for us. It made everyone shudder. “This is it.”
Alarmed at what might be, state,
county and city officials pulled off the largest evacuation in Sarasota County’s history. Thankfully, Milton wasn’t the Cat 5 or the 15-foot surges that had all of us thinking there would be nothing left. But even after slowing to a Cat 3 at 120 mph at landfall, Milton delivered disaster different from Helene — the force of his winds. Milton has been gone a week, but take in the post-storm perspective. It could have been far worse. But even at that, Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said Saturday, Oct. 12: “Milton’s impact was from Englewood to the airport, from Siesta Key to Myakka Valley Ranches. Everyone has been impacted by this storm.” Everyone.
For Sarasota County, that’s 464,223 full-time residents; in Manatee, that’s 439,566 residents — 903,789 people over 1,200 square miles.
That’s nearly a million people returning to their homes to the remnants of Mother Nature’s vicious violence. Half of that number — 512,630 — were homes, condos, apartments, hotels, businesses, you name it, that had no power. Water was shut off to all of the barrier islands as a precaution. That was 7,000 customers for the
Recommendations explained and local tax ballot questions
Those of you who have slogged through the many long diatribes on this page surely are familiar by now with the predictable slant at election time.
On candidates, with one exception, the choice for decades has been the party line — Republican.
The exception is and has been one of our local candidates — Democrat Barbara Ford-Coates, Sarasota County’s longtime tax collector. The tax collector is not a job for partisanship. To her credit, FordCoates has never tried to be an outspoken partisan political figure. Her job has been about competence, serving all citizens of Sarasota County efficiently and fairly. Except for her, we have sided with Republicans largely out of hope. It’s certainly not out of devotion to the Republican Party. In fact, we’re not registered a Republican. We signed up years ago with the Constitution Party, so disheartened after Republicans ignored the Tea Party’s attempts to reign in spending. Fact is, at the national level, there is little to no difference between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to spending and injecting the federal government into every aspect of our lives.
It’s a little better at the state level.
Thank goodness, Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature over the past 30 years has been loathe to raise taxes. In addition, the state constitution forces the Legislature to balance the budget each year and forbids a state income tax. But Florida’s Republican legislators
are also like the vast majority of lawmakers — eager to keep adding more and more laws and subsidizing favored special interests.
So if you’re inclined to favor the Founders’ vision of a limited government, individual liberty and laissez-faire capitalism, as we do, your choices are few to none.
Then what do you do? One choice would be to abstain on principle from voting for either candidate from the major political parties and accept what you get.
Or, carry the hope that the candidates who profess to be closest to your politico-philosophical principles will be true.
And that explains our recommendations. Not that we fully endorse each candidate, but we do so because Republicans profess to be for less government and regulation and greater capitalism than do Democrats. Never give up hope.
Herewith, comments on a few ballot items and questions:
Court justices, judges
Voting to retain sitting state Supreme Court justices and appeal judges is always confusing for Floridians. The vast majority of Floridians has no idea who these justices and judges are and doesn’t know whether they should be retained or bumped from the bench.
For the most part, the lack of knowledge about the judges doesn’t matter much. It’s extraordinarily rare for a Florida justice not to be retained. He or she would have to demonstrate being unfit for the
As of Oct. 15
city of Sarasota and nearly 10,000 on Longboat Key. The devastation was monumental from the combined storms.
But this was also monumental: The first responders — the immediate deployment of thousands of employees from Sarasota and Manatee counties; the cities of Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Venice, North Port, Holmes Beach, Palmetto; and from the state. Plus, the thousands of power utility repair experts from all over the country and Canada.
Say what you will; be cynical; be a jerk. Complain about how the debris didn’t get picked up after Helene and before Milton.
But get a grip. Put yourselves in the shoes of the city and county government employees working 24-7 up to and after the storms. Think of the logistics; the challenges of prioritizing what needs
ELECTION ’24
office, which would trigger an investigation from the state Judicial Qualifications Commission. Or, if enough voters disapproved of his or her opinions they could vote not to retain that judge.
Typical votes since 2000 show must justices and judges receiving more than 64% of the votes to be retained. The only justice to receive less than 60% of the votes was Justice Charles Labarga in 2010 — 59%. He went to serve two terms as Florida’s chief justice.
Suffice it to say, the slate of judges on the ballot this year deserve to be retained.
School referenda
Voters in Manatee and Sarasota counties are being asked to extend a four-year, 1-mill property tax that has become widely accepted among the two counties’ electorates.
Dissatisfied with the support for public schools from the state, Sarasota County voters approved the 1-mill tax in 2002 with 63% of voters in favor. In three elections since then, 78% of Sarasota County voters have overwhelmingly renewed the tax, and it continues to have widespread support, including the county’s many business organizations.
In Manatee, after decades of seeing their schools struggle in performance ratings, voters approved the 1-mill tax in 2018 —albeit by a margin of 51.3% in favor. Three years later, voters extended the tax with a margin of 69.3% to 30.2%.
The investment is paying off. After ranking 41st out of 67 districts and hovering with C’s and low B’s
fixing first; of finding missing people, of rescuing the sick, injured or trapped; keeping citizens from being electrocuted; feeding and housing thousands of first responders; getting water and fuel where it’s needed. Think of doing all that and much more with staffs that — by no one’s fault — are far fewer in number than what the size and scope of the disasters call for. Indeed, if you encounter a first responder, find out how much sleep he or she has had in the past week and keep that in perspective.
Fact is, all things considered, our first responders have done a remarkable, terrific job in the week since Milton to bring back power and water and begin the cleanup.
Rich Collins, Sarasota County director of emergency services, estimates there is 2 million cubic yards of debris spread across the county. Crews are picking 5,000 cubic yards a day. “Our goal is to have 90% of it picked up in 90 days,” he said. We all need to keep perspective — and patience. If you see a first responder from FPL or a utility, or from your city, county or the state, give that person a high-five — a high-five of appreciation and gratitude.
up to 2016 in Florida’s state rankings, the district’s scores have risen steadily. In the 2022-23 and 202324 school years, the district finished one and two points shy of becoming an A-rated district. It ranked 25th.
In addition, last year the Manatee district had 24 A-rated schools, the highest number since 2012. Support for extending the tax and the district’s progress continues to grow. Advocating for its passage are the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp., Bishop Parker Foundation, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Manatee Community Foundation.
Manatee tourist tax
If you’re going to tax someone, tax a tourist.
As Florida economist Hank Fishkind once told us, tourists pay 20% of Florida’s tax collections.
The Manatee Visitors and Convention Bureau wants to tax them just a bit more — a new 1% tax on hotel rooms and short-term rentals. That would raise the tourist tax to 6%, making it the same as Sarasota County’s. Manatee would become the 12th Florida county with a 6% tourist tax; the other 11 are all of the major metro and tourist areas, except for Monroe (the Keys).
Mind you, this is not a new tax that would affect full-time residents.
The $7.8 million expected to be raised each year would go toward improvements and operation of the county’s convention center, sports stadiums, Bishop Museum, Mote Marine, beach maintenance and tourism promotion.
— Matt Walsh
“If
FEDERAL OFFICES
President — Donald Trump
U.S. Senator — Rick Scott
U.S. Congress, District 16 — Vern Buchanan
U.S. Congress, District 17 — Greg Steube
STATE OFFICES
Representative, District 71 — Will
Robinson
Representative, District 72 — William “Bill” Conerly
Second District Court of Appeal — Anthony Black, Edward C. LaRose, Susan H. RothsteinYouakim. Yes
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Amendment 1: Partisan school
board elections — Yes
Amendment 2: Right to fish and hunt — Yes
Amendment 3: Adult personal use of marijuana — No
Amendment 4: Limit government interference with abortion — No
Amendment 5: Annual adjustments to the value of certain homestead exemptions — No
Amendment 6: Repeal of public campaign financing — Yes
MANATEE COUNTY
Supervisor of Elections — Scott Farrington
County Commission, District 1 — Carol Ann Felts
County Commission, District 3 — Tal Siddique County Commission, District 7 At-Large — George Kruse
MANATEE REFERENDA
■ Continue school ad valorem
tax: Continue 1-mill ad valorem
tax from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029; June for school
safety and security; recruiting and
retaining teachers and staff; student achievement through more instructional time and supports; early literacy programs; career and technical education; STEM, visual and performing arts, athletics; and public charter schools; with oversight by an independent citizen committee to ensure proper use of funds. Yes
■ Tourist development tax: Shall Manatee County Ordinance No. 24-49 be approved authorizing Manatee County to levy an additional 1% Tourist Development Tax from all short-term rentals of all lodging or accommodations to provide additional revenue to fund the improvements and operation of the county’s convention center, sports stadiums, aquariums, beaches, for the promotion of tourism and all other permissible uses as described under the county’s tourist development plan? Yes
SARASOTA COUNTY
Tax Collector — Barbara FordCoates
Charter Review Board, District
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1 — Jay Riley
Charter Review Board, District 3
— Tom DeSane
Charter Review Board, District 4
— Greg “Tex” Bukowski
Charter Review Board, District 5
— Jose Jimenez
Hospital Board, At-Large Seat 1
— Sharon Wetzler DePeters
Hospital Board, At-Large Seat 2
— Kevin Cooper
Hospital Board, At-Large Seat 3
— Pam Beitlich
Hospital Board, Central District Seat 1 — Sarah Lodge
SARASOTA COUNTY REFERENDUM
■ Continue school ad valorem
tax: Continue the 1 mill per year ad valorem millage … beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2030; and sharing funds with charter schools proportionate with student enrollment, with oversight of all funds by an independent committee of citizens? Yes
Next week: Sarasota City Commission.
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MWalsh@YourObserver.com
President / Emily Walsh
Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles
Vice President / Lisa Walsh (1995-2023)
1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468
City commission hopes to get back on track
A canceled meeting and workshop puts commissioners on double duty with packed-agenda meetings on Friday and Monday.
Cbusiness behind schedule.
By the end of the day on Monday, though, the commission will be back on track.
Among the matters suspended because commissioners could not gather to perform official business was a workshop to discuss the pending implementation agreement between the city and Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation for development of a new performing arts center and making official the planned Oct. 15 retirement of City Attorney Marlon Brown.
Brown’s tenure was extended six days, through the Monday, Oct. 21, City Commission meeting.
The commission will begin making up for lost time on Friday, Oct. 18, when it holds the meeting originally scheduled for Oct. 5. Among the agenda items is Brown’s separation agreement authorization and a discussion on whether to authorize the mayor and city auditor and clerk to execute a lease agreement between the city and The Player’s Inc. for the Payne Park Auditorium building.
On July 15, commissioners voted unanimously to direct staff and the City Attorney’s Office to prepare a lease agreement with The Players that eliminated a claw-back provision in favor of a 30-year lease, which does not allow for any additional improvements within Payne Park beyond the footprint of the auditorium. At that meeting, an option of
The Players building a new theater complex on city-owned land at the northeast corner of South Washington Boulevard and Laurel Street in lieu of expanding the existing Payne Park Auditorium was discussed. Instead, the city-owned building could serve auxiliary purposes.
The lease agreement includes a rent of $100 per year and $1 per ticket sold for each event. Any improvements made, with the exception of Hurricane Ian-related roof repairs required of the city, shall be considered city property.
FRIDAY AND MONDAY MEETINGS
Bookending the weekend, the City Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, which will be Brown’s finale as city manager.
The agenda highlight is a discussion, and perhaps a vote, on executing an implementation agreement between the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation for construction of the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center. This will be the first discussion of the proposal outside of a Sept. 30 workshop.
A second workshop had been scheduled for Oct. 14 to allow the foundation to supply further information based on commissioners’ questions and remarks, but that, too, was canceled.
Commissioners will receive a presentation of architect Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s initial concept design, business plan and construction cost estimate.
In April 2022, the city and foundation entered into an agreement to outline the process by which the new SPAC will be planned, cofunded, designed and constructed.
An amendment to the agreement was executed in April 2023 to extend the deadline for the implementation agreement to be submitted no later than Nov. 30, 2024.
Placed on the agenda by City Commission request are discussions about the appointment of an interim city manager and city attorney.
At its Sept. 30 workshop, commis-
sioners were told a senior staff member has expressed interest in filling the city manager post on a temporary basis while a national search for a permanent replacement for Brown is executed, a process Human Resources Director Stacie Mason estimated would take four to six months.
Also added to Monday’s agenda by commissioners is a discussion, and perhaps also a vote, on replacing City Attorney Robert Fournier and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly, both of whom are retiring.
The leading contenders to date are the remaining partners at the firm of Fournier, Connolly, Shamsey, Mladanich & Polzak. The three have told commissioners that, if selected, Joseph Polzak would serve as city attorney and John Shamsey and Joseph Mladanich as deputies.
St., and 1233 and 1241
The rezoning from
One significant rezoning request on the Monday agenda involves 1.01 acres on the north side of Fruitville Road and the south side of Fourth Street east of their intersections with Tamiami Trail with street addresses of 1240, 1250, 1258 and 1266 Fourth
Four of the five commissioners were prepared to make that decision at their Sept. 16 meeting, but tabled the matter in lieu of a nonunanimous vote until Commissioner Debbie Trice had an opportunity to vet the three.
to Downtown Core would permit construction of residential towers up to 10 stories. The as-yet designed project would partially wrap around the Encore condominiums and proffers significant streetscape improvements around the entire block from U.S. 41 to Cocoanut Avenue.
Fruitville Road.
Downtown Edge
Courtesy image
The City Commission will consider the implementation agreement with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation for construction of the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Hall.
Andrew Warfield
Payne Park Auditorium is under consideration to be leased to The Players.
or
demanding environment, and will create the first impression your front door deserves.
Midnight strikes twice
Midnight Pass enthusiasts celebrate nature’s reopening of the inlet to Little Sarasota Bay.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
Hurricane Helene provided a tease with the temporary opening of Midnight Pass 40 years after it was closed by human intervention. Then Hurricane Milton came along and blew the inlet between Siesta Key and Casey Key wide open.
Amid the tragic aftermath of backto-back hurricanes, kayakers, boaters and beachgoers have taken to social media to celebrate the natural reclamation of the free-flowing hydraulic exchange of water between the Gulf of Mexico and Little Sarasota Bay, some posting images of enjoying a beach day there with friends and family, on the Facebook page “Restore Midnight Pass Now” and the website RestoreMidnightPass.org.
Even Walt’s Fish Market Restaurant at 4144 S. Tamiami Trail joined in, declaring on its marquis, “Walt’s and Midnight Pass are now both open!”
Shortly after Helene’s storm surge carved a narrow channel, shovelwielding volunteers began arriving in an attempt to keep the pass
Hurricane Resources for Sarasota Families
As our community begins to rebuild following the devastation of hurricanes Helene and Milton, it is important to extend grace to our neighbors, help each other and provide support. We are resilient and we are determined to come back even stronger.
open, surfacing a memory of Derrick Jacobsen in recalling a similar previous effort.
“I was 14 years old in ’84, the last time we had over 200 people trying to keep Midnight Pass open with shovels for about four days straight,” Jacobsen posted. “We were the owners of Bill’s Ideal Landing from 1979 through 1990, which is now Casey Key Tiki bar. I remember camping on our boat during that, and the community really came together BIG TIME doing our best to keep that NEEDED pass open!”
The movement to reopen Midnight Pass in the decades since has never waned, and appeared to be making progress when the Sarasota County Commission on Sept. 10 voted to lobby the Florida Legislature to permit a reopening of the inlet.
Not to be handcuffed by mortal law, however, Mother Nature came along to intervene.
Whether the natural reopening of Midnight Pass endures remains to be seen, but for the time being, the benefits of the hydraulic exchange of water are evident.
Wrote Jacobsen, “I will NEVER forget the sad day bulldozers were brought in from the county to finalize the complete (closure) of that pass. All of us knew it would be the end of the 3-foot-deep beautiful grass flourishing on the flats and the important estuary that Midnight Pass supported!”
available for Sarasota residents:
Ways to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov
Download the FEMA App
Call 1-800-621-3362
For more recovery resources & info, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates
Hurricane Milton further opened Midnight Pass after Helene partially opened it. The pass was closed in 1983.
Count On Community
When Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key, it brought the worst of the storm to our doorstep. It also brought out the best in our community. From first responders saving lives through the squall to cleanup crews rekindling hope after the storm, from shelter volunteers guiding strangers to safety to neighbors opening their doors to those in need, we rediscovered a depth of community we always knew we had.
Our enduring gratitude goes out to everyone who offered aid, assistance or shelter, including the SMH Team who stayed at their posts throughout the hurricane, away from families and loved ones so they could care for the most vulnerable among us.
Thank You
CITY COMMISSION RACE: DISTRICT 2
Editor’s note: These questions were asked prior to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
As a frequent public voice at Sarasota City Commission meetings, Ron Kashden is challenging Liz Alpert, the city’s current mayor, for the District 2 seat she has held since 2015.
The Observer surveyed all six candidates for the three district seats on the City Commission, selecting three questions for print. Kashden’s full survey answers may be viewed online at YourObserver.com.
Why are you running for election?
I am running to address basic livability concerns that have been ignored, such as an effective noise ordinance, safer streets and sidewalks, tree planting, code enforcement and street flooding.
As a certified public accountant, computer programmer and former CFO of a multinational investment firm, I’ll make decisions that are fiscally and civically responsible.
Private use of city properties, such as parks and city-owned buildings, has been a major topic of discussion. Recent examples are The Players and Payne Park Auditorium and Ride Entertainment’s proposal for Ken Thompson Park. How do you view such public/private partnerships with regard to city assets?
Public/private partnerships can be a good mechanism to leverage outside expertise and avoid the necessity of increasing city staff. The Bay Park Conservancy is a great example. However, undesired uses of public land (such as commercializing park green space) or inappropriate projects (such as violating the Payne Park deed by building a performance center within the park) should be avoided, regardless of the proposed management structure.
RON KASHDEN
Age: 60
Occupation: Retired CFO
Resident of Sarasota: 13 years
The city commission is creating an ad-hoc committee to provide recommendations for a downtown master plan update. Please cite some specific changes you think need to be made to the plan.
Several aspects of the downtown master plan could be updated to improve the quality of life for downtown residents and help local businesses flourish.
By incentivizing a wider range of downtown stores, downtown life would be more walkable, reducing traffic. The existing master plan calls for several roads to be optimized for either vehicles or bikes/pedestrians. This allows better traffic flow and keeps bikers and pedestrians safer by redirecting away from faster moving traffic. The road designations should be reviewed, and the plan implemented.
ELECT Alan Sprintz for SMH Board
Alan is the only candidate who has spent his entire career in hospital management.
He has handled virtually every major challenge and opportunity a hospital like ours might face.
ALAN’S PLEDGE TO YOU.
n I will not submit to political pressure to change SMH from a public hospital serving our community to a private hospital serving investors.
n Your health care is what you and your physician decide, not the state.
n Any treatment you get at SMH is physician-reviewed and proven to work.
It’s Time to Give Your MEDICARE COVERAGE A CHECKUP
To help people with Medicare make informed decisions for the coming year, Sarasota Memorial offers this information about Medicare Open Enrollment, now taking place through December 7.
This year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7.
During this time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage, including:
returning to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare)
joining a Medicare Advantage Plan or switching from one plan to another
joining or changing prescription drug plans
Health and prescription drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during Open Enrollment to ensure it meets your needs. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
ORIGINAL MEDICARE (“Traditional”)
Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group (FPG) always accepts all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap Traditional supplemental plans.
If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2024.
Make A Plan.
It Makes a Difference.
Taking a few moments now can make a significant difference for your loved ones down the road. From removing the stress and financial burdens to fulfilling your exact wishes for your celebration of life, pre-planning is the best gift you can give your family.
We’re here to help. Give us a call today to start the conversation.
CITY COMMISSION RACE: DISTRICT 2
Editor’s note: These questions were asked prior to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
uring her tenure on the Sarasota City Commission, current Mayor Liz Alpert says the city has accomplished much, but some unfinished business prompted her to run for yet another term. She faces Laurel Park neighborhood advocate Ron Kashden for her District 2 seat.
The Observer surveyed all six candidates for the three district seats on the City Commission, selecting three questions for print. Alpert’s full survey answers may be viewed online at YourObserver.com.
Why are you running for reelection?
I am running for reelection because, although we have made great strides in the city of Sarasota in the past few years, there is still much to do. We finished the renovation of the Bobby Jones Golf Course and used part of it to create a nature park. We finished Phase 1 of The Bay and are into Phase 2. We passed an award-winning zoning change to tackle our affordable housing problem. We have momentum, and I want to see that momentum continue with projects like updating our downtown master plan to improve on what we already have, provide more alternative transportation options and build a new world-class performing arts center.
Private use of city properties, such as parks and city-owned buildings, has been a major topic of discussion. Recent examples are The Players and Payne Park Auditorium and Ride Entertainment’s proposal for Ken Thompson Park. How do you view such public/ private partnerships with regard to city assets?
It depends. We already have private entities who are using public facilities through leases and/ or concession agreements. These are facilities such as Lido Beach
LIZ ALPERT
Age: 75
Occupation: Attorney Sarasota resident: 27 years
Pavilion, Marina Jack, O’Leary’s, Mattison’s, Salute’s outside area, Save Our Seabirds, Mote Marine, the Sailing Squadron, the Old Salty Dog, Marine Max, Hart’s Landing. My position is that it depends on what type of public/private partnership and is it in the best interest of the city and its residents. The proposal for Ken Thompson Park is not in the best interest of the community, but The Players proposal is in the best interest.
The city commission is creating an ad-hoc committee to provide recommendations for a downtown master plan update. Please cite some specific changes you think need to be made to the plan. The reason we have a committee and want to bring in an expert is to look at the downtown master plan with fresh eyes and have them make recommendations. I am open to creative solutions. In addition, I want to get the public’s input and then let the process help determine what changes need to be made.
MONDAY, SEPT. 30
TOWED VEHICLE GOES MISSING
800 block of Siesta Drive
Civil dispute: A man whose home was flooded during Hurricane Helene said his vehicle was damaged as well and, after it had been towed, was missing. He told an officer he contacted a dealership and paid to have it retrieve the vehicle, and the previous night a towing company arrived. The complainant advised the dealership had informed him it had not received the vehicle and the towing company will not return his calls. He was advised to have the dealership contact the towing company to locate the vehicle, and he was provided with a case number.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
CHALLENGED TO FIGHT
7:03 a.m., Royal Palm Avenue at Royal Palm Drive
Dispute: A woman said she was being followed by an irate driver of, in a twist of irony, a green Dodge Challenger, through the city while asking if she wanted to fight. While an officer was en route, the location of the caller changed frequently as she kept driving.
The woman said she was being followed by a known subject, who is the current girlfriend of her exboyfriend, advising she was able to positively identify her at the driver of her ex-boyfriend’s car.
According to the complainant, the subject was trying to get her attention and challenging her to fisticuffs, or at the very least openhand slapping and hair-pulling.
The complainant said she was eventually able to lose her pursuer before meeting with the officers at the listed location.
The encounter was part of an ongoing dispute between the two women, the complainant said, adding the man in the middle of it all had texted her earlier in the morning asking how she was, which may have triggered the subject’s behavior. The complainant said she was interested in pursuing a restraining order and was provided with instructions.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
THROWING STONES
1:44 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Drive
Property damage: Thrown rocks broke windows in two separate dwelling units, which, according to the incident report, were clearly not caused by Hurricane Helene. The damage occurred sometime between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. the night prior.
One unit is owned by an HOA board member who advised that numerous residents are upset with her because she is a member of the board of directors. She did name one particular resident with whom she has had numerous disputes over HOA-related issues.
The officer then visited a second unit and, like the first observed a large rock thrown through his window. He advised he is unaware of any issues with fellow residents. A third party was facilitating the low enforcement response as both residents were out of state. With no way to identify a perpetrator, no further action was taken.
TUESDAY, OCT. 1
MISSING MERCHANDISE
12:15 p.m., 300 block of St. Armands Circle
Civil dispute: During the postHelene mayhem, the manager of a retail store accused her landlord, her landlord’s boyfriend and other unknown subjects of entering the store and taking merchandise that was salvageable.
Contact was made with one of the subjects on the scene, who provided a letter that read if the store was not cleared out by Oct. 1, any remaining items would be disposed of in order for remediation of the property to begin.
He added all salvageable items were placed into bags to be delivered to his warehouse. He then instructed his employees to return with the merchandise.
Later in the day, the store manager called SPD and advised the landlord had changed the locks to the store and was not providing access. The officer contacted the landlord and advised she needed to provide a key to the staff. The officer then advised store employees to count the inventory and account for all items, and that civil action may be taken if any merchandise is missing.
A/C FOUND ON THE GROUND
11:45 a.m., 1800 block of 20th Street
Disturbance: A complainant said he saw a subject removing his air conditioning unit from the ground and, when he confronted her, an altercation occurred. The complainant said the subject had swung a stick at him, resulting in a small cut on his left hand.
The subject told an officer she did not know the that the air conditioning unit belonged to the complainant, and when the altercation occurred, she started to swing the stick to keep the man at bay before running into a neighbor’s house.
Neither party wished to make a complaint, and both left the area without further incident. The complainant refused treatment for the cut on his hand.
Lido, St. Armands suffer less damage than Siesta
The picture was the same — the ravages of Helene’s flooding on the contents of homes and the giant felled trees from Milton’s winds.
MATT WALSH CEO
The Ringling Bridge reopened Friday morning. As you coasted down the bridge over the speed limit, the expanse before you seemed normal — and then it wasn’t.
A boat aground at Bird Key Park — a typical post-hurricane sight. Twisted pool screens on homes to the left. Typical.
Front loaders were moving sand on the compromised northern span of the Coon Key Bridge. Long-timers always knew it was a matter of time before something like that occurred.
Altogether — not all that bad.
And then ...
The twisted pieces of white aluminum catch your eyes. Carport roofs, some hanging like large piano keys, some gnarled into the shape of Dot’s pretzels, resting on top of a few cars at the Sarasota Harbor West condominiums.
Residents’ sailboats and power boats sat tilted on the ground, lifted to land from their moorings.
Across the street, the grand ficus trees that graced the entrance to Plymouth Harbor lay on their sides, with their 10-foot high roots sticking up like toppled lamp stands. This was only the beginning of the ravages of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
On Thursday, a tour of Siesta Key revealed street after street after street of old and new vacation cottages and homes abandoned and beaten, with mounds of the rotting remnants of Hurricane Helene tossed into front yards. Milton added a punishing frosting to the disaster with felled palm trees and broken limbs from decades-old trees strewn about.
Friday’s tour of the residences of St. Armands and Lido keys, the beachfront resorts and St. Armands Circle was a similar photograph. But to the good, the damage was not quite as bad and extensive as Siesta Key in terms of the number of homes flooded from Helene’s surge and Milton’s winds.
Dror Mizrahi, owner of the Cotton Club of St. Armands, a women’s clothing store, was swooshing the layer of muck from the back of the store to the front.
“Helene was worse,” he said. “The fourth time, fourth time,” he said, noting his 20 years of operating on St. Armands Circle.
Helene pushed four feet of water into the store. “It destroyed everything,” he said.
With Milton, Mizrahi put what remaining merchandise he had high on shelves and covered in plastic. This time around, the water was half or less as high as it was with Milton.
“What are you going to do?” he
asked. “Thank God we’re alive. We’ll get over it.”
South of St. Armands Circle, in the 400 block of South Monroe, Mike Regnier, former Sarasota County fire chief, picked up pieces of debris, a man alone in his disaster and admittedly dejected.
“Things were going great,” Regnier said. He had retired recently after 43 years with the county’s fire department. “Then five days before (Helene), I find out I have head and neck cancer,” he said. “Then this.”
Helene’s surge destroyed the interior of Regnier’s home. Milton just added to the misery.
Traveling south on Ben Franklin Drive, a front loader roared and beeped as its driver scooped the leftover layer of sand from the road. Just beyond stood the sign for the Sandcastle Hotel.
You had to admit, it was funny to see four-foot mounds of sand from Ben Franklin Drive piled in front of the Sandcastle.
Staff photos
Remnants of a carport at Sarasota Harbor West.
A front loader clears a layer of sand from Ben Franklin Drive on Lido Key, leftover from Hurricane Helene.
Dror Mizrahi, owner of the Cotton Club of St. Armands for the past 20 years, lost most of his merchandise in Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Milton, he said, was not as bad. “We’ll get over it,” he said. “Thank God we’re alive.”
In a league of his own
This 100-year-old bowler is still
rolling along.
degeneration.
Oh, he’s also 100 years old.
James Simpson is not a bad bowler, by most accounts. He rolls every Monday as a member of the Bowl Dogs, a team in A League Of Our Own at Bowlero Gulf Gate. “He always bowls better than I do,” said his friend, David Wright.
“He usually saves the team,” said one of his teammates, Jesse Yap. Simpson was throwing a few warm-up frames on a recent Monday, hoping he would do better than the day before. “I didn’t bowl very well last night. I only bowled 149,” he said. Not bad for someone who can’t see the pins because of his macular
On Oct. 7, the league celebrated Simpson’s 100th birthday with a cake, a huge card and a bowling pin signed by everyone in the league.
“He bowls really well and makes us try harder and stay humble,” said bowler Susan Atwood.
“He’s very good and consistent, but he practices,” she said, every Sunday. Atwood says it’s inspiring. “Living long, staying active, body and mind.
I think he’s a testament to that.”
Simpson was an interior designer in California for 40 years and moved to Florida with his partner to retire in 1995. “We had friends who lived here, and we would come down and stay in their house while they went
on cruises,” he said.
“And one Sunday, we turned on the television set and looked at houses and so forth on the television and said, ‘We can move here.’”
Simpson said they were not deterred by people warning him about Florida heat. “I moved here in, let’s say April or May ... and they said, ‘Don’t you realize it’s going to be hot when you move there?’ And coming from the desert, I said, ‘You don’t know what hot is.’”
Wright has known Simpson for about 10 years. “Jim and I actually met on a cruise, near Norway, on his 90th birthday,” he said.
“Yeah, they threw me a party on board ship when I was 90,” Simpson said.
“And I’ve known him ever since, harassed him ever since,” Wright joked.
Simpson said he was invited to start bowling by friends when he was 85. “I lost my partner, and they came to me and said, ‘Would you like to bowl?’ And I said, ‘Sure, if I can. I don’t know whether I can.’ So I’ve been bowling ever since.”
Fifteen years ago, he said he often bowled well. “Oh, 190, but not much over 200,” he said.
Since then, macular degeneration, a disease that affects a person’s central vision, has forced him to adapt his game.
Simpson says he can’t see the pins at the end of the alley but knows where to stand to roll his first ball.
If that ball wasn’t a strike, he looks at a large video screen above the lane to show him what pins are still standing.
“Then he goes up, and he lines up to his mark,” Susan Atwood said.
“He’s got it all memorized. He knows where to go, where to stand, what his mark is. It’s really amazing to watch.”
Simpson shows few signs of slowing down, even at 100. “Oh, it’s fun,” he said. “As long as I can get around and do things, that’s the important thing.”
He said he enjoys the friendships he’s made. “It’s a nice group. I mean, they come here to bowl; they don’t come here to drink, and that makes the difference.”
The feeling is mutual. “He’s wonderful, he’s very high spirited, he’s lively, he’s awesome,” said teammate Adam Bell. “That’s amazing. Hey, man, to be 100? He’s a good guy, for sure.”
James Simpson laughs during his 100th birthday celebration Oct. 7 at Bowlero Gulf Gate in Sarasota.
James Simpson, who turned 100 on Oct. 7, sends his 12-pound bowling ball down the lane at Bowlero Gulf Gate in Sarasota.
Photos by Jim DeLa
YOUR NEIGHBORS
PICKING UP THE PIECES
Helene and Milton battered the Old Salty Dog and New Pass Grill & Bait Shop. But they plan to come back — yet again.
MATT WALSH CEO
They are beloved restaurant institutions — the New Pass Grill & Bait Shop and the Old Salty Dog on City Island. They take you back to Florida’s bygone era — laid back, where you hang out in your trunks, coverups and flip-flops and enjoy the casual cuisine and unpretentious friendliness of the staffs.
And you do all that while breathing in the sea air and looking out at Sarasota Bay almost lapping at your feet. Take your pick. They’re almost a stone’s throw from each other on New Pass.
But how they fared after Hurricanes Helene and Milton are remarkably different.
Both restaurants sit 10 feet above sea level, but with the Old Salty Dog situated farther east from the New Pass Bridge, it was more exposed to the open waters and crashing waves.
The New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, meanwhile, is almost tucked in a corner near the bridge. And that made a difference.
Location, location, location.
“Helene was nothing,” Ashley Gauthier, the Grill & Bait Shop’s grill manager, said Friday as she and six others picked up debris and stacked scattered dock boards into piles. “We made out like a champ. We didn’t lose anything inside.”
The outside was another story. A deck atop a concrete slab on the water’s edge was uprooted and tossed. A roof covering for the deck now sits on the ground next to the shop. Looking at the place from the water or from the road Saturday morning, it took on the appearance
of a salvage yard you’d see on a county road in Apopka. Despite Helene and Milton being the ninth and 10th hurricanes to batter the 42-year-old Grill & Bait Shop, Gauthier said the owners plan to rebuild and keep going.
“Absolutely we are reopening and rebuilding,” Gauthier said Saturday. “Ten times better!” For the Old Salty Dog, Helene and Milton appeared to be more brutal — on the inside and outside.
Friday afternoon, Amy Blair, general manager of the Salty Dog for the past 32 years, sat on the restaurant’s concrete foundation with fellow manager, Josh Shear, and her daughter, Emma Blair, taking in the latest sights of the damage.
“It’s not totaled,” Blair said. “The building and the roof are OK.”
But that’s about it.
Helene flooded the 40-year-old restaurant with four feet of water and destroyed all of the kitchen equipment. Over the next 10 days,
the restaurant had new wiring, a new computer system and all new restaurant equipment installed. And just when it was about to reopen, Milton showed up on the radar screen.
On Oct. 8 and 9, Blair and her team disconnected all of the new kitchen equipment and hauled it to safety. They battened the shutters around all of the restaurant’s open-air views to Sarasota Bay and hoped for the best. They didn’t get it.
The force of Milton’s winds and the waves bashed through the shutters. The water from the crashing waves was so high, the restaurant’s water bowls for dogs, on a shelf about 10 feet high, were full of water Thursday after the storm.
The restaurant’s outdoor, plastic chairs, stacked up against the kitch-
en wall before the storm, were scattered in a bramble of mangroves 100 and 150 yards to the south across Ken Thompson Parkway.
Blair walked along the mangroves Saturday morning, pulling orange plastic chairs out of the muck.
Half of the Old Salty Dog’s famous bar — an old wooden racing boat given to the restaurant by Gene Whipp, Marine Max’s original owner next door, was blown to the Mote Marine Education Center to the southwest.
As Blair surveyed the devastation inside the restaurant Friday, an air of exhaustion hovering over her, she said, “It’s heartbreaking — all the memories we have here.”
But like the New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, Blair said the Old Salty Dog isn’t giving up.
Staff photos Crashing waves filled the dogs’ water bowls high up on the shelf.
The view of the Grill & Bait Shop from Ken Thompson Parkway.
Friday’s cleanup crew at the New Pass Grill & Bait Shop: from left, Chelsey Clements, Emily Ford, William Thompson, Matt Dandy, Lucas Gauthier, Ashley Gauthier and Rhoda Tanui.
Back for a second time in 10 days to assess the damage to the Old Salty Dog were daughter Emma Blair, Manager Josh Shear, General Manager Amy Blair and Bill Blair.
Helene, Milton were too much for a vintage Florida cottage
The owners of a 1954 cinder-block, pecky Cypress cottage are crushed. It appears they’ll be unable to preserve the home.
Hurricanes don’t care about historic preservation.
Nestled in the shadows of a 10-year-old, threestory, 4,750-square-foot Gulf-front home, less than a 40-yard walk to the beach, is a 1954 cinder block cottage that looks like a Florida time warp.
The street: Whittier Drive on the southern tip of North Lido Key Park. Fact is, few people know the street exists, which may explain why this historic Florida cottage has with -
stood the test of hurricanes for 50 years and the test of redevelopment the past two decades.
But its days look to be over. At least that’s the assessment of its owners Deb Mackiewicz and her husband, Ed Mackiewicz.
“I don’t think we can save it,” Deb Mackiewicz said Friday as she escorted a tour through the classic Florida beach cottage. She and her husband call the home the Flamingo home — named that because of pink flamingo paintings that have been on the walls through previous owners. The parking sign in the driveway
says, “Flamingo parking only. Violators will turn pink.”
Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t care about the Flamingo’s charm. They did more damage penetrating the wood and cinder block home than it could withstand and more than all the previous storms over the previous seven decades.
“The appliances are fried,” Mackiewicz said. The HVAC system — fried. Helene’s flood waters rushed into the house through the screenedin porch and front and back doors. Milton’s winds damaged the home’s classic jalousie windows.
It pains Mackiewicz to think of the home going away and becoming the site of yet another towering mansion that is spreading across Lido Key like kudzu.
Mackiewicz and her husband bought the Flamingo and the 1963era cottage next door five years ago precisely to keep them alive as vintage Florida vacation homes.
Since then, they have been careful to rent the homes to the same families again and again. “These aren’t party homes,” Mackiewicz said, taking a break from hauling soaked Tiki hut wood from the back to the curb.
As she walked through the Flamingo, Mackiewicz pointed out the original (now mud-covered) terrazzo floors; the pristinely preserved pecky Cypress wood cabinets and walls throughout; the vintage windows; and, of course, the two bathrooms — one with original bright yellow tile, the other pink tile.
It was a walk back in time.
As the Mackiewiczes assessed the damage to the Flamingo, the cost of repairs began adding up quickly to being more than insurance would cover.
Next door, the Pelican, a fourbedroom, three-bath cottage, may have a better fate. It sits higher than the Flamingo and didn’t have near the water damage that the Flamingo did. Its HVAC system went undamaged.
Can it be preserved? “We’re hopeful,” Mackiewicz said.
Deb Mackiewicz and her husband, Ed, call their home the Flamingo home — named that because of pink flamingo paintings that have been on the walls through previous owners.
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Deb Mackiewicz and her husband are distressed over whether they’ll be able to save their vintage 1954 cottage on Lido Key.
Staff photos
The Flamingo house: Built in 1954, it has original pecky Cypress wood cabinets and walls and terrazzo floors.
Violators beware.
GETTING FUN BACK ON ITS FEET
Among events the public can still enjoy are the Pumpkin Festival at Fruitville Grove and the second anniversary celebrations at The Bay.
to look forward to as the fall season gets underway.
That’s due in no small part to some quick cleanup efforts.
Following the storm’s interruption to everyday life, Fruitville Grove prepares to host its annual Pumpkin Festival, while The Bay moves ahead with its Two Terrific Years at The Bay Anniversary Community Celebration.
PUMPKIN SEASON RESUMES
At Fruitville Grove, a family owned farm, the cleanup process has been underway since the day after Milton came through.
The facility saw some damage, with roofs destroyed on two buildings, and a concessions trailer incinerated during the storm due to a downed power line.
However, Fruitville Grove owner Kim White said the hurricane will not put a stop to the fall spirit, with the festival, normally held throughout the month of October, resuming for Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27.
This year, visitors can also find a new “Haunted Manor” attraction.
“There’s so many local families; all the craft vendors, the artisans,
and also the food trucks, they really depend on the Pumpkin Festival, and so the show must go on,” White said.
She said some in the community have been asking whether the festival could be extended into November to make up for the lost time, but said this may not be possible based on permitting. On Oct. 14, the farm was still awaiting some necessities. Although power had been restored and the downed power line removed, White said she was hoping to have water restored on Oct. 15. “We’re so grateful and so blessed that all the people are OK, all the animals are OK and no major structures
were lost,” she said.
About three days were spent on roof work.
When the festival opens, the public can find everything offered in the past, including crafts, pony rides, hay rides, a mini train ride, pumpkin painting and face painting.
The Hollowgraves Haunted Manor attraction comes from New Jersey, where it was formerly featured in Keansburg Amusement Park.
The attraction is entirely the work of Stan Ambro, now a resident of Englewood, who created it by hand, including its animatronic characters.
Intended for brave younger kids about 8 and older, it has multiple
rooms to visit and includes live actors. It’s the first time the festival has hosted a haunted house in several years.
Previously, the manor had to withstand the impacts of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, and although it was disassembled entirely for Hurricane Milton, it made it safely through that storm as well.
For both of the upcoming weekends, there will also be circus performances with a magician who will create balloon animals.
White hopes everyone can find a respite from the storm at the event.
“We would love to have the leaves change, and some sweater weather,
IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER
Two roofs were lost at Fruitville Grove because of Hurricane Milton.
File image
Easton Butcher and Sabrina Funsch participate in pumpkin painting.
File image
Edward Stoll, 10, tries out the zipline.
cleaning up limbs and taking plywood off of our windows. We all just want to walk away for a moment and have some have some fun with the family.”
In Saturday’s newsletter, The Bay surveyed the community on what they hoped to see in October’s event schedule.
The overwhelming response, from 90% of the public, was that it wanted the Two Terrific Years at The Bay Anniversary Community Celebration to continue, as planned, throughout the month of October.
The park is now open to the public, but according to Diana Shaheen, director of park guest experience at The Bay, that wasn’t without a considerable effort.
On Thursday and Friday, the Bay Park Conservancy assessed the damage to the park, then worked quickly to make the park operational again.
That included the Ibis Playground, the mangrove walkway, as well as every path and feature within Phase 1 of the park, amid the collapse of trees large and small, and much debris.
“The park performed as it’s designed to do for resiliency,” Shaheen said of its Phase 1 projects. “It suffered some damages, but for the
most part, those damages are predictable.
The series of anniversary events, which is being held throughout the month of October, can now go on.
That includes an Oct. 18 concert by the Scottish funk and R&B band Average White Band, now on its final concert tour, with an opening performance by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, as well as the popular Boo! at The Bay on Oct. 25, a family Halloween celebration that will include a haunted trail for trickor-treating, in addition to sensoryfriendly experiences.
It also means the Two Terrific Years at The Bay Community Celebration Party, which celebrates all things two, including twins, can also take place on Oct. 16. The storm did result in the cancel-
lation of Bark-toberfest at The Bay, which had been planned for Oct. 12, while The Bay is working to reschedule Taste at The Bay, which involves 20 restaurants of the Sarasota Manatee Originals.
The Nest, a concessions facility, also reopened Oct. 12.
Nonetheless, the park did see damage to its Phase 2 area.
Alongside the Van Wezel, a bayside walkway and its overlooks were damaged.
“You can’t stand on them,” Shaheen said. “The concrete got thrown up. Big trees and planters got thrown; the benches moved 100 yards.”
However, Phase 2 includes the Resilient Shoreline Project, designed to protect the property against similar weather events in the future.
As the weather cools down, the community will still be able to enjoy the rest of the month-long celebration.
“This will allow the community to come together during this time on common ground and experience a little bit of normalcy,” Shaheen said.
Two Terrific Years at The Bay Community Celebration Party was held Oct. 16.
Courtesy images
Average White Band, with opener Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe “Sistas in the Name of Soul,” will be held Oct. 18.
Robert Lane, treasurer at The Bay, helps to remove fallen tree branches.
A large tree is snapped at The Bay.
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Hot spots
Businesses stepped up to offer meals to those in need.
EMILY WALSH OBSERVER STAFF
At a time when the community was left without power following Hurricane Milton, businesses in the area were still powering on the grill.
At different locations in the community, folks had a chance to take a break from cleaning up the storm’s damage and enjoy a hot meal.
PERSONAL CHEF MAKES
SERVICES PUBLIC
Although only a handful of businesses were open in Siesta Key on Oct. 14, the smoke of a grill could be found in a tent just in front of Siesta Key Beach Resort & Suites.
It wasn’t the first location that Bruno Wu, a local personal chef and caterer, had decided to set up shop to put his “energy and action” into the recovery from Hurricane Milton by offering hamburgers and hot dogs.
“People are sick of going through canned goods, or whatever they are eating,” he said, noting there were many lineworkers in the area and that he had spoken to a resident who said people were having trouble finding food.
On Oct. 13, he had set up at Bee Ridge Road and Cattlemen Road, later heading to Glebe Park in Siesta Key.
at the gym’s Bee Ridge Road location on Oct. 12.
“We had all of our Bee Ridge staff,” he said.
“Even had a couple of the other clubs in the area that were out of power come over to support and make sure that we had enough hands on deck to be able to pull it off.”
When their grill began to run out of propane, members at the gym provided it, he said.
The gym also offered the public the chance to use the facilities without being charged for a day pass.
“When there’s a time in need like this, this club will always be available to the community for hot shower, electricity, you know, just whatever we have that we can give,” he said.
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“Really nice folks saw what I was doing and donated money,” he said.
He said he also wanted to visit the Florida Power & Light staging sites but could not do so due to restrictions.
Finally, he headed to Siesta Key Beach Resort & Suites due to a family relationship to the owners.
He said that day, Oct. 14, he had been through about 50 burgers and 45 hot dogs.
Resident Susan Molinari, while stopping by to grab a meal, offered compliments to Wu and Dan McNamara, who was helping cook and serve the food.
“When Siesta Key and Sarasota seems so sad, this is so beautiful,” she said.
A HOT MEAL AND A HOT SHOWER It wasn’t just the corporate headquarters of Crunch Fitness that helped support the effort to give free hamburgers and hot dogs to the public. Personal Training Manager Mike Davis said many people in the community also stepped up to help
The previous day, the corporate office for Crunch Fitness had dropped off the needed supplies in a van, which included the meat and buns, condiments and plates, while Darrick Druce, vice president of personal training, and Peter Cosentino, COO of Crunch Fitness, both visited the location.
“When there’s an opportunity for us to give back and be here for the community, they always come through,” Davis said.
Davis said the previous day, the gym had served almost 500 hamburgers and hot dogs.
Mike Cianciolo, a maintenance staff member at Beneva Ridge Condominiums, said since the storm, he had had no opportunity to cook as he was busy cleaning up damage around the property.
“This is awesome they’re doing this for everybody,” he said.
THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS
Longboat Key resident Chris Sachs stopped at ACE Hardware for a quick trip to get some essentials after Hurricane Helene and left with a full stomach.
On Oct. 2, owners Reed and Ginny Savidge had decided to throw a barbecue at their store to bring joy and
Ian Swaby
Bruno Wu and Dan McNamara serve up hamburgers.
camaraderie to the island after the surge of Hurricane Helene destroyed many Longboaters’ homes.
Ginny Savidge was saddened by seeing all the people without homes, especially those who lived in mobile homes in Gulf Shore of Longboat Key. Following her grandchildren’s suggestion, they hosted a grillout to provide some free food to anyone who needed it.
The Savidge family grilled about 500 hot dogs along with some hamburgers to go with a side of chips and soda.
“I’m always trying to help in any way I can,” said Ginny Savidge. “So if it is baby steps like feeding the community, I don’t mind. They kept trying to pay, but I would say, ‘It just costs your smile.’”
After Hurricane Milton, the Savidges would like to plan another barbecue before the end of October in partnership with Sheila Loccisano’s Instagram, Follow Me To Longboat Key. With Loccisano’s 214,000 followers, they want to reach as many people as they can.
FEEDING THE FRONTLINES
Michael’s On East Co-Proprietor
Phil Mancini started prepping to help feed first responders on Tuesday, Oct. 8, before Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota.
He knew that food purveyors would have trouble getting their trucks down to the area, so he rented a refrigerated truck and stocked it with 10,000 pounds of food.
Michael’s On East was contracted to provide 1,500 to 2,000 meals a day for first responders in a relief effort coordinated by U.S. Tent Rental.
“If we have power and food and a clear path, we’ll be there,” said Mancini. “So far, we have all three.”
On the afternoon of Oct. 10, Mancini and his catering staff just finished packaging up 1,250 meals that were supposed to go to Tropicana Field, yet got diverted at the last minute due to damage to the stadium’s roof.
They were awaiting the meals’ final destination in Tampa.
Next, they began plating 500 hot meals slated for delivery in North Port and staged containers in an assembly line for 2,000 breakfasts to be made on Friday morning. “They will start cooking at 1 a.m. for breakfast,” said Mancini.
With many of the staff experiencing power outages and damage to their own homes, Executive Chef Jamil Pineda and Executive Catering Chef Carlos Avella were on hand to prep, cook and plate the meals.
Mancini shared that the team can put together 1,000 meals in one hour.
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Jamil Pineda, Carlos Avella, Damian Richardson and Ryan Alexander prep 500 hot meals for North Port first responders.
For some, it’s business as usual
Amid the impacts of two successive hurricanes, a glimmer of business activity is still found in Siesta Key.
The streets of Siesta Key Village may have been relatively desolate on Oct. 14.
Many businesses and residents of the island continue to struggle with the impacts of the devastating storm surge of Hurricane Helene, which wrought significant destruction on homes and on some of the island’s iconic local businesses. After Hurricane Milton followed only two weeks later, however, some businesses were nonetheless opening their doors, with the clinking of glasses heard or the smell of food wafting from some sites.
RESTAURANTS BEGIN TO REOPEN
As Café Gabbiano prepared to open its doors the afternoon of Oct. 15, Manager Kris Pierce hoped the pub-
lic would turn out.
“Hopefully this weekend, we’ll start to see more people start to trickle in,” he said.
The restaurant, which is located in an elevated plaza, saw few impacts during both storms, managing to mostly escape Helene’s surge.
Milton brought what he described
as more wind-related damage, with downed trees, some damage to the roof and the patio roof, which is being repaired.
He said the windows were boarded, which prevented damage to the interior, and the roof of the restaurant had just been replaced. Nonetheless, both storms brought
about spoilage of food, something that required extensive cleaning before staff put the restaurant in order on Oct. 13.
Its head chef, Paolo Di Costanzo, comes from Italy, and all pastas are made in-house. It also offers over 200 wines.
However, even if the public begins to turn out, it’s still a difficult time of year for businesses on Siesta Key.
“Unfortunately, this time of year is already slow, so when a storm like this comes through, it just kills whatever other business we might have, so it is definitely a struggle,” Pierce said.
He said after Helene, the restaurant benefited from Performance Food Group donating product for staff, including hot dogs and buns and cases of water.
Next week, he hopes Café Gabbiano can offer something to the community by hosting a free barbecue for lineworkers. His friends will be offering their barbecue smokers, while Sysco, one of the restaurant’s distributors, agreed to donate food.
The restaurant is also extending its 30% employee discount to all restaurant workers in the community.
“I know a lot of the restaurant workers out here are struggling,” he said. “That’s 90% of business out here.”
At The Blasé Café & Martini Bar and its joint establishment Pi Pizza, the public was already turning out to enjoy drinks and escape from the concerns of the storm aftermath.
General Manager William Dunn said while the location is only open for drinks right now, he expected it to have a full kitchen the next day, Oct. 15.
At that point, he was occupied with helping another manager, Rebecca Jackson, string lights on the newlybuilt deck at the martini bar.
“The locals need somewhere to drink. The linemen need somewhere to drink after work,” he said.
Although Milton created some holes in the Tiki hut and removed some shingles, he said the site was nonetheless well prepared, with all liquor and beer stored at an elevated location and all tables moved inside.
“The last storm was worse for us. We had water up in the building. We lost some coolers, lost some kitchen equipment,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this time of year is already slow, so when a storm like this comes through, it just kills whatever other business we might have, so it is definitely a struggle.”
Kris Pierce, manager, Café Gabbiano
He noted all food was lost in both storms, which was a substantial expense.
“Mozzarella isn’t cheap,” he said, noting the restaurants spend “probably” about $2,000 a week on mozzarella, while about four cases of chicken wings, each $120, had to also be discarded.
He hopes the opening will “get some music going, boost people’s spirits and help the community out.”
That night, the public had the chance to enjoy martinis, followed by live music from 7-10 p.m., an experience the location plans to offer every night.
“We want to get our musicians back up and working again,” he said.
As other businesses rebuild following the impacts of Helene, there is still hope in sight.
Lobster Pot in Siesta Key Village had to tear out drywall after Hurricane Helene, but its owners, Kathy and Glen Medeiros, say they hope to be open in six to eight weeks.
Fortunately, their home on Siesta Key has a living area elevated above the water-damaged portion of the house.
Also fortunately, they suffered few impacts from Milton, the worst part of the storm being the debris it left behind.
A worker helps repair the thatch roof of Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar.
Photos by Ian Swaby
Rebecca Jackson, a manager at The Blasé Café & Martini Bar, strings lights on the restaurant’s new railing.
Johnson Estates home tops sales at $3.45
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Johnson Estates tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Bernard and Judy Greenhill, trustees, of Linville, North Carolina, sold the home at 1622 Kenilworth St. to Ferdinand and Elizabeth Ann Crovato, of Temple Hills, Maryland, for $3.45 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,058 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,838,500 in 2020.
SARASOTA
SANSARA Ruthanne Koffman, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 701 condominium at 300 S. Pineapple Ave. to Lawrence Bernard Bowman, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2.14 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,702 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.7 million in 2020.
THE LANDINGS
David Litvinov and Amanda Wallace, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1649 Pine Harrier Circle to Jessica and Dustin Albert, of Sarasota, for $1,725,000. Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,054 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.18 million in 2022.
BAY PLAZA
Gerald and Katherine Lindaman, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 807 condominium at 1255 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Carol Fox Hartz, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,719,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,629 square feet of living area. It sold for $975,000 in 2019.
SARASOTA BAY CLUB
Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 1101 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Charles and Heloisa Jennings, of Sarasota, for $1.7 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,902 square feet of living area. It sold for $825,000 in 2010.
HILLVIEW STREET
James and Olga Hanlon, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1644 Hillview St. to Mission Property Partners LLC for $955,000. Built in 1910, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,570 square feet of living area. It sold for $438,500 in 2015.
LAUREL LANDINGS ESTATES
Rick Billings and Denise Billings, of Nokomis, sold their home at 1129 Kings Way Drive to Matthew and Stephanie Laws, of Nokomis, for $787,500. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,637 square feet of living area. It sold for $377,500 in 2002.
LAKEVIEW HOMES
Raymond and Linda Lee, of Ontario, Canada, sold their Unit 201 condominium at 5416 Eagles Point Circle to Michele Engdahl, trustee, of Sarasota, for $770,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,995 square feet of living area. It sold for $505,000 in 2020.
KAUFMAN AVENUE
Glenn Mullet and Mary Ellen Mullet, trustees, of Sarasota, sold two properties at 1018 Kaufman Ave. to E & J Family Ltd. Partnership for $580,000. The first property was built in built in 1950 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,732 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1948 and has one bedroom, one bath and 430 square feet of living area. They sold for $10,800 in 1971.
HUDSON HARBOR
Waunita Sawler and Tim Bokor, of Ontario, Canada, sold their Unit 108 condominium at 800 Hudson Ave. to James Abraham, of Montclair, New Jersey, for $562,500. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,252 square feet of living area. It sold for $230,000 in 2009.
WOODPINE LAKE
Catamount Properties 2018 LLC sold the home at 2950 Woodpine Court to Timothy and Lisa Seery, of Sarasota, for $553,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,292 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in February.
SAPPHIRE HEIGHTS
Austin Dasilva and Alexis Estefania Dasilva, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4925 Remington Drive to Giulia Salustri, of Sarasota, for $550,000. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 1,605 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2016.
SIESTA KEY
SIESTA MANOR
Neil and Robin Baltus, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 301 Avenida Madera to Telephone Road LLC for $1,985,000. Built in 1970, it has four bedrooms, four
baths, a pool and 2,288 square feet of living area. It sold for $740,000 in 2017.
SARASOTA BEACH
Brenda Croisdale, of Scottsdale, Arizona, sold her home at 311 Island Circle to Charles Agnew, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.65 million. Built in 1953, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,146 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.19 million in 2021.
ONLINE
See more transactions at YourObserver.com.
SIESTA KEY: $2,425,000
Horizons West
David Alan Bossard and Janet Patricia Bossard Jordan, trustees, of Little Rock, Arkansas, sold the Unit 801 condominium at 6140 Midnight Pass Road to Eriks and Jennifer Kruze, of Park Hills, Kentucky, for $2,425,000. Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,625,000 in 2022.
PALMER RANCH: $1.4 MILLION
Esplanade on Palmer Ranch
Richard and Patricia Solovay, of Lewes, Delaware, sold their home at 5469 Manchini St. to Laura Anne White and Maria Dagostino, of Sarasota, for $1.4 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,032 square feet of living area. It sold for $697,200 in 2018.
OSPREY: $925,000
The Woodlands at Rivendell Jacqueline Keller and Jeffrey Young sold their home at 1030 Scherer Way to Brandi Archer, trustee, of Chicago, for $925,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,433 square feet of living area. It sold for $469,000 in 2018.
Ian Swaby The home at 1622 Kenilworth St. was built in 2017 and has four bedrooms, four-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 4,058 square
YOUR CALENDAR
BEST
BET
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
AVERAGE WHITE BAND WITH OPENER WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE
TROUPE ‘SISTAS IN THE NAME OF SOUL’
7-9:30 p.m. at The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Influential soul and funk band Average White Band makes their final concert tour, which includes The Bay in Sarasota as one of its stops. Sarasota’s Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe opens the performance with “Sistas in the Name of Soul,” featuring hit songs. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
COMMUNITY
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
FUN FRIDAYS: MUSIC WITH MR. DAVE 11-11:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. Join folk guitarist and singer Dave Moran for children’s songs and a show by the Selby Puppets. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 19
ZUMBA AT THE BAY WITH YAËL CAMPBELL
10:30-11:30 a.m. at The Nest, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Join Yaël Campbell’s Zumba Rockstars as you “move, dance, smile, jump, shake and sing.” Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
SUPERHERO SCIENCE
SUNDAY, OCT. 20
2-3 p.m. at Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium, Selby Library. Free. Recommended for ages 5-9. Explore the science behind superpowers with Mad Science of Greater Tampa Bay, as minds are read, electricity and fire are controlled, and magnetism is contained. Visit SCGovLibrary. LibraryMarket.com.
NIGHTMARE ON BRUNCH ST.
6-11 p.m. at Joyland, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road. $40 to $550. Join Joyland, a live music venue, for its Halloween brunch featuring a costume contest. Visit EventBrite.com.
MONDAY, OCT. 21
JAZZ JAM SRQ
5:30-7:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. This bi-monthly open mic jazz jam session brings together amateur jazz performers and listeners. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
THURSDAY, OCT. 24
CREATION STATION TWEEN/ TEEN MINI HAUNTED HOUSE
4:30-to 5:45 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. Make cardboard or paper haunted houses that you can illuminate with LED tea lights. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket. com.
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NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
FORECAST
FREE FORMS by Kevin Christian, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
Christopher Harrington captured this cluster of eggs on
leaf at Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota.
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*All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.
*It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.
Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
