Community Connections

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Greetings!
Welcome to the Sarasota County Community Connections e-newsletter. Please share it with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at communityconnections@scgov.net

Registration begins for new online procurement system training 
financial transTHIS WEEK: Registration for eProcure, Sarasota County's new online procurement system, begins March 19. The eProcure system replaces the current online service with a free, single website for Sarasota County solicitations, policies, procedures and forms.

Sarasota County supports Sunshine Week    
County SealTHIS WEEK: Sarasota County government supports Sunshine Week in Florida March 11-17. As part of its commitment to open government, the county has two new websites, one on Financial Transparency and another on Public Information.

Sarasota County website wins 'A' for transparent government
THIS WEEK: The Sarasota County website,
www.scgov.net, has won a "Sunny Award" as one of the most transparent government websites in the United States. The website scored an "A" transparency grade "A."

Community Field Day: A Rx for
Reducing Community Crime 
MARCH 24: A free grass-roots event, "Community Field Day: A Rx for Reducing Community Crime" will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St., Sarasota. The youth athletic event is designed to foster relationships between local public safety officials and youths in the community.

National Kick Butts Day
MARCH 21:Youths from 14 Sarasota County clubs called Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) are fighting back and "kicking butts" on Wednesday, March 21, which is National Kick Butts Day. This is a national day of activism that empowers youth to build awareness about the health effects associated with tobacco use.

Orioles, libraries enjoy a great
Big League Reader Day!
For the second consecutive year,Sarasota County libraries and the Baltimore Orioles teamed up to promote reading through the Orioles Big League Reader program. Children who read three or more books in
the month of February received a
free ticket to the Wednesday,
March 14 game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

County to celebrate Siesta Beach Day at Ed Smith Stadium 
MARCH 23: Sarasota County and the Baltimore Orioles will celebrate Siesta Beach Day at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota on Friday, March 23 when the Orioles take on the Boston Red Sox.

In recognition of Siesta Beach being designated the #1 beach in the USA, parks and Recreation staff will be at the ballpark handing out limited edition sunglasses, t-shirts and beach towels.

Lack of rain increases state's wildfire risk 
fire truck
Each year, thousands of acres of land and many homes are destroyed by wildfires. Droughts, lightning, burning debris or carelessness contribute to the ignition of wildfires. Also, a growing number of people live in new Florida communities and are building homes in areas that were once undeveloped and overgrown.The below-average rainfall for the last four to five months has significantly increased the state's wildfire risk.

Great American Cleanup set  
APRIL 7: Keep Sarasota County Beautiful has begun registering volunteers for the 2012 Great American Cleanup. The event takes place from 8 a.m. - noon Saturday, April 7, at sites throughout Sarasota County.

Sarasota County urges Governor to veto Medicaid charges bill
Sarasota County Commissioners have sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott urging him to veto a bill that they say would cost county taxpayers millions of dollars for inaccurate Medicaid billings without the opportunity to verify that the charges are accurate. 


Planning Commission has vacancy
The advisory board has one vacancy. This board interprets and advises the Sarasota County Commission on the adoption and amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, as well as land use applications.

The board meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. This is a 4-year term.
The application deadline is March 30 by 5 p.m.  

To learn more, contact Paula Clintsman at 941-861-5154 orpclintsm@scgov.net.

  
First look!
Sarasota County is getting ready to debut its new website.Here's your sneak peak.

Want your very own piece of paradise?
Download color and black and white versions of Siesta Key Beach's new No. 1 sign.

New videos this week 

The Oriole Bird visits Siesta Beach
The Oriole Bird visits Siesta Beach



Commission Reports

More headlines    





Speakers Bureau
Request a member of ourSpeakers Bureau to share their expertise with your community, homeowners association or other civic group.

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