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SEPTEMBER 2023 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA, LLC PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR
Initial Road Construction Meeting Held Pre-Construction Discussion
Submitted by Elida Ramberger, Chair, The Landings Road Committee
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LANDINGS RESIDENT PROFILE
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Stantec Consulting convened the first of the road construction meetings to be held during the restoration project. In attendance were multiple Gator Paving staff, C Squared (concrete contractor), roads committee members, and board members. The meeting was held via TEAMS inviting members unable to be present to attend. Details of the project remain the same: - Start date September 11 th , - Three phases representing three methods to be employed (refer to “Stages” e-mail for more detail), - Time to completion 150 days.
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FISHING AT THE GAZEBO
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KIDS CORNER: ROBIN BASS
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that The Landings may need to offer some flexibility during the project. For example, the people working in the field are expected to estimate the amount of time it takes to complete a task. If their estimate is not 100% accurate, there is the chance t h at t hey wou ld ne e d s ome extra time to complete the task, running past the 5 pm stop time. Your understanding of these circumstances is appreciated. These updates are posted to The Landings website, under Resident Log-in, LMA, committees, roads. All updates will be available, by date and title.
The success of this project is not only how well the drainage is ma naged, how pedest r ia n safety is improved or how the restored roads will guard against deterioration, but also how we as neighbors encourage and/or work for a goal a common goal. A nd la st ly, plea s e g ive u s feedback and share your ideas. If there are specifics you would like to read about in these updates, please let me know.
Landings Volunteers Who Work for You
POLYNESIAN PARADISE
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Lines of authority and roles were defined. All inquiries regarding the project should be directed to me, either at roads@thelandingsofsarasota. com or my p e r s on a l e -m a i l elidaramberger@gmail.com. The “roads” e-mail will be m o n it o r e d du r i n g b u s i n e s s hours. In the event of a roads’ related, non-911 type emergency, contact me at 609-915-7160. All contractors have been advised that resident inquiries should come to me. The people working on-site are not authorized to deviate from the plans given them. Discussion included recognizing
Photo of Bill Whitman
This is the twelfth in a series of articles highlighting the special volunteers who help to make The Landings such a wonderful community. The Eagle interviewed Bill Whitman for this issue. If you are a homeowner, attend LMA Board meetings, are at the LRC pool in the afternoons, Bill Whitman is a familiar face. A Chicago area native, Bill was fortunate to receive a scholarship to Lake Forest Academy High School, which set him on the road to higher education at Colgate University where he was on the track and football teams. While in his sophomore year at Colgate (1957), he was approached by his former high school teacher who offered him a summer job driving a van for her students who were going to Europe for a learning experience. That experience in Europe set the stage for Bill’s future international work. But most important, while in college he met Sue, who he reconnected with and married in 1967. After college, Bill joined the Navy, where he served for two years stationed in Key West with a helicopter squadron.
Fo l l ow i n g t h e Nav y, B i l l returned to Chicago and had another fortunate experience. Through a friend, he was given a contact at the Brinks Corporation, which provides cash and valuables management. That was the start of a 23-year career with the company. He started in sales and by the time he retired, he was Vice-President of International Development. He worked in six states within the U.S. and in, or with, over 30 countries around the world. He t ra i ned Br i n k s sta ff i n those countries on all aspects of operations. When asked about what he learned the most while working internationally, Bill noted that in addition to picking up many languages, it gave him a better appreciation of democracy in the U.S. For a while, after he retired from Brinks, he also worked in the air freight and security transportation business, based in Connecticut. Sue’s parents had a place in S a r a s o t a t h at s h e a n d Bi l l frequently visited. When visiting his in- laws in 1969, Bill would often run though The Landings and loved the community. They decided to buy a condo in 1972, on Siesta Key, which they still own. They loved Sarasota and moved full time to The Landings in 2002. Their neighbor, Dick Bayles, was already involved in The Landings as a volunteer and together they joined the Landings Homeowners Board of Directors. Bill became President in 2008 and continues in that role to this day. As the President of the Landings Homeowners Association, he always attends LMA board meeting and for two terms also served on the LMA Board. He probably has attended more LMA Board meetings than anyone else in The Landings. In addition, Bill has chaired the LMA Security Committee and has
been a long term member of the Eagle Committee. Bill is a frequent user of the LRC pool and can be found most afternoons enjoying the company of his buddies. Sue has also been involved and sings with the Landoliers. When asked, Bill said that the best thing about The Landings is its location and people. Looking for ward, he wants to ensure that the integrity (aesthetics and infrastructure) of The Landings be maintained. He also appreciates the respect neighbors have for each
other, which is a valuable asset that needs to be maintained. He is most proud of the fact that he has a strong LHA board that is positioned for the future. Those of us who know Bill, know that he is a passionate patriot. He often speaks of his concerns about the lack of respect shown in our country and laments how divided we have become. But most of all, The Landings has benefited from his leadership and volunteer activities on behalf of our community.
Back to School Party By: Rose Goncalves
Discover the tropical fun at The Landings’ Back to School Luau – a refreshing event filled with poolside joy and community spirit on Page 4.