The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Greetings! Welcome to Sarasota County Community Connections. Please share this with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at communityconnections@scgov.net Meet the new Deputy County Administrator Thomas Harmer has been named  Deputy County Administrator for Sarasota County . The appointment is conditional pending post-offer requirements. Sample ballots mailed Official sample ballots for the Aug. 14 primary are being mailed to all registered voters this week. Voters may also view their sample ballots on the  Supervisor of Elections website . Disaster recovery center opens Federal Emergency Management officials have opened a  Disaster Recovery Center at Venice City Hall  for property owners who sustained damage from Tropical Storm Debby. Aug. 14 primary early voting Early voting for the Aug. 14 primary begins Saturday, Aug. 4, and continue...

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Here's the latest Sheriff's data on Lake Sarasota from Ted: Incidents of crime in Lake Sarasota continue to drop. In June there were only six incidents: one burglary and five thefts. There were no instances of vandalism or juvenile disturbances. Three thefts occurred in the beginning of the month (June 2 to 7), one incident each on the 14th and 19th, and one on the 28th. Streets involved were Jarvis Rd., Timor Pl., Ponea Dr., Lanai Dr., and Hina Dr.   It appears that several arrests earlier in the year are a factor in the reduced number of crime incidents, and one or two perpetrators were responsible for multiple crimes. Also, it appears that citizen involvement was a factor in at least one arrest. A block watch program combined with occasional patrols may offer more of a deterrent than patrols alone.   This is no time to be complacent, however. Criminal activity can occur at any time. Simple security measures such as locking cars left outside, closing garage do...

Greetings! Welcome to Sarasota County Community Connections. Please share this with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at communityconnections@scgov.net County selects new Deputy Administrator Thomas Harmer has been named  Deputy County Administrator for Sarasota County . The appointment is conditional pending post-offer requirements. Connecting families to services SATURDAY:  A free  "Community Connection Day"  will help connect families with children to community service Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m.-noon at the Venice Public Library. Lake Sarasota cleanup July 21 SATURDAY:  Sarasota County will hold its annual  free community cleanup in the Lake Sarasota area  from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21. Some voter cards have incorrect information Some of the new voter information cards being mailed to Sarasota County voters...

Here's an  update on the Sarasota real estate market  - quite upbeat! See also  here.

Greetings! Welcome to Sarasota County Community Connections. Please share this with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at communityconnections@scgov.net Boat ramp closing for dredging The boat ramp at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota will be  closed to the public July 12-19 to allow for dredging  of key portions of the lake. New website launches July 16 A  new Sarasota County website  with new content and features debuts Monday, July 16. Get a sneak peek by clicking on the home page banner at  www.scgov.net . Law changes for disabled parking permits Florida has  new requirements for replacing a permanent (blue) disabled person parking permit . The state made these changes to ensure that persons receiving the permits are truly disabled. New Clerk office hours Both offices of the  Clerk of the Circuit Court...

A Community Clean-Up is scheduled for July 21st for Lake Sarasota from 8 am-2:30 pm. The County dumpster locations will be the same as last year: 7100 Lago Street (near the dog park on Hand Rd) and the Firestation lot at Tora Place and Brentford Park. If you need additional information please call Code Enforcement Office Ken Burns at 270-0131.

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Greetings! Welcome to Sarasota County Community Connections. Please share this with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at  communityconnections@scgov.net Phillippi Shores sidewalks The  Phillippi Shores Elementary School sidewalk project  is being built under the federal "Safe Routes to School" program. Learn more about the project during an open house-style public meeting Tuesday, July 10, at Phillippi Estate Park. Clerk office hours changing Both offices of the  Clerk of the Circuit Court have reduced hours of service  to the public. As of July 1, the Clerk's main office at 2000 Main St. in Sarasota, and the Venice branch at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, will provide service from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Mobile health services in July Get  free or low-cost health services  this month at 14 sites around the county from the Health Depa...