The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Community Connections  is a very nicely done electronic newsletter that goes out weekly. Oddly, the County does not post it on a blog or site where one could link to it. If you wish to sign up to receive it, go here. Here are excerpts of this week's mailing: County partners with EPA's WaterSense program  Sarasota County has joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense program to help consumers save water for future generations and reduce utility bill costs. WaterSense reduces indoor and outdoor water use through water-efficient products and simple water-saving practices. The program encourages customers to look for WaterSense labeled products, which have been independently certified for efficiency and performance, and promotes water-saving techniques that reduce stress on water systems and the environment. (MORE) == Mobile health services offered at 15 county sites in July    The Sarasota County Health Department's Hea...

This Sunday the Sky Pilots -- the Disc Golf club -- will be in Lakeview Park doing some trimming and tidying up of the park areas. Those who have been out there recently will have noticed that while the canals seem less clogged with duckweed, there are some "issues": trees have fallen, air potatoes are on the rebound, among other things. If you have a few hours, they'll be in the park from 9 a.m. to noon, Sunday, June 27. If you do come out, bring some clippers, gloves, a garbage bag, and if you let a club member know you're there and working, you'll probably get invited to a picnic lunch at the pavilion, and maybe to a game of disc golf afterwards.

LAKE SARASOTA COMMUNITY CLEANUP Saturday, July 24, 2010, 8 – 2:30 p.m. Bring your discarded household items, yard waste, tree trimmings, junk & any other garbage or refuse. Free  dumpsters will be available for your convenience at the following locations: Tora Place and Brentford Road  (NW Corner—by the Fire House) Tires and appliances will be accepted at this site only and 7100 Lago Street  (front of the dog park) Hazardous materials, autoparts, electronics, TV’s and computers  WILL NOT BE accepted at either location. Sponsored by  Sarasota County  , Planning & Development Services/ Code Enforcement. For more information, please call 861-6403 Hazardous waste may taken to 8750 Bee Ridge Road, Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m ee Ridge Road, Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m PDSBC—Code Enforcement 1301 Cattleman Road, Bldg. A Sarasota, FL 34241 Community Clean-Up

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The Sarasota county commission voted unanimously today to continue a public hearing regarding creating a special planning area for the eastern quadrants of I-75 at Fruitville road until July 14. (For more on this, click here .) The commissioners heard from residents, attorneys and their own staff and after four hours decided unanimously to put off until then a final vote on the proposal, thus giving residents, planners and representatives of the land owners time to address some of the key questions that came up. These include concerns that the amendment would open up the way for harsher impacts on the neighborhood's roads, rural nature, wildlife, and tranquility. We'll continue to follow developments, and will soon post a more detailed look at some aspects of this very interesting effort to bring disparate interests into dialog.

Next Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission will vote on whether to go forward with a planning change or to put it on hold. Here's why we're watching it. The land in question consists of 325 acres, the north and south quadrants to the east of I-75 at Fruitville Road. Six substantial property owners currently have rights to develop their holdings into whatever might fit the definition of "Major Employment Center." To effect these changes, north-south roads would connect this area -- some of it bordering the lovely, quiet residential neighborhoods on and off of Richardson Road -- to Lakewood Ranch to the north. There are two reasons for non-residents to be interested: First, thanks to active citizen organizing, those at a meeting of the Fruitville 210 Community Alliance Tuesday night got to hear from and respond to representatives of both sides, in advance of the County Commission's vote next Tuesday. Second, the county's decision involves amending its Co...

Questions about Benderson Park? That's the park where the racing regattas took place this spring - plans call for the raceway to be expanded. Here's an opportunity to be informed on what could be a major economic attractor for the area: Nathan Benderson Park public meeting scheduled Benderson Park Sarasota County and Benderson Development will host a public meeting to provide background information on Nathan Benderson Park and seek public input on the park concept plan. Date : Thursday, June 24, 2010 Time : 6 p.m. Place : Meadows Community Association,          2004 Longmeadow, Sarasota For a map and more information,  click here .

Scott Montgomery Recovery Chief Sarasota Emergency Management spoke to the Lake Sarasota Community Group on June 10th. His EOC responsibilities are, in the event of a disaster: set up points of neigh distribution - free water, mre's blue tarps. damage assessment preparedness On the Oil spill - "lots of rumors going around" Only report of oil reaching Florida coast so far is in Pensacola  Oil plume is 200 miles from St. Pete, 250 miles from Sarasota's shoreline.  Current projections: the giant oil is moving south and away from us. If BP were to abandon the recovery effort, the county has a contingency plan and response organizational chart. Florida beaches are open. If oil reaches us, it will be weathered, i.e., tar balls or patties, not a sheen. We are in a "forbidden zone" which means, currents don't naturally push things to our shore. Emergency Management Plans for Hurricanes Every county has an emergency mgmt plan Public Sa...

Welcome to the new faces at our June meeting! Sarasota County Emergency Recovery Chief Scott Montgomery provided an overview of the oil spill, and helpful hurricane preparedness information. This will be posted separately (link pending). Meeting Highlights: Treasury: $790.89 total - no outstanding bills Three new Yards of the Month were selected - you'll be hearing from Renee. Sheriff's Report : There was an uptick in incidents in May, from 7 in April to 11. Two on Jarvis, one on Brentford. Most occurred during the afternoons, and a number of break-ins took place on May 17th, suggesting these may be related incidents. Citizens Patrol : Ted indicated he's looking for volunteers for the rest of June and the first week of July. He can be reached at , or 379-0758. Citizens Patrol is a proven way to keep neighborhoods crime free. A resident whose home was burglarized on Wake Ave. urged everyone to look out not only for their own homes, but for those of their neighb...

The next General Meeting of the LSCG is this Thursday, June 10, at 7 p.m. at Sarasota Alliance Church. Special feature: Hurricane Preparedness Seminar  presented by Sarasota County. All facets of preparation, from  Family Disaster Planning  to evacuation strategies. So far, the regular agenda includes: Treasury Report Sheriff's Report, Citizens Patrol Beautification Yard of the Month

Good Morning, Due to a shift in winds, tar patties and tar balls have begun impacting some panhandle counties.  Cleanup is ongoing. The State EOC is now at a Level 1 (Full) Activation.  Hours will be 0700-1900 each day. As this event progresses, there may be an increased number or recon flights flying off of our shores.   At this time there are still no projected impacts for SW FL over the next 72 hours (see NOAA trajectory link below). New  Health Information and Advisories  page added. Information on potential health impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. BP Live subsurface video feed:  http://www.bp.com/liveassets/ bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_ uk_english/homepage/STAGING/ local_assets/bp_homepage/html/ rov_stream.html Latest Trajectories from NOAA:  http://www. deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/ go/doctype/2931/53979/ Volunteer FL:  http://www. volunteerfloridadisaster.org/ Primary Deepwater Horizon Response Website:  http:...