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Why the world comes to Sarasota
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SiestaKeyFitness.com JULY 2023| 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA LLC | www.SiestaSand.us | COMPLIMENTARY
The search for answers is on
The sun sets on a wonderful wedding anniversary
Save Siesta Key begins process of trying to find out what happened to its incorporation bill inTallahassee By John Morton The Friday before Memorial Day, the Save Siesta Key Board of Directors gave these marching orders to its two lobbying groups: Go find out what happened to House Bill 923 – the measure calling for the incorporation of the island that died mysteriously at the state capitol. “The residents of Siesta Key deserve answers,” Tim Hensey, chairman of Save Siesta Key, said. “These people helped us raise $265,000 and delivered an 87% approval for incorporation in a straw vote. The community has come through and, again, all it wants is the right to vote on this.” The lobbyists will be interviewing both members of the legislature and those close to the scene, Hensey said.
Their findings could play a role in whether the incorporation group applies again by Sept. 1 for a third shot at its endeavor, Hensey added, but he noted that the makeup of the legislature in January of next year (when it next meets) would be mostly the same, which could prove daunting. Elections and/or term limits don’t come into play until next fall. Still, the search is on for an explanation. “That’s all we want,” Hensey said. “We have no idea what happened.” The incorporation bill stalled during the recent meeting of the Florida Legislature in the hands of the second committee to which it was assigned,
Ashley and Brian Dastolfo (foreground) enjoy one last sunset along the public beach during a recent wedding anniversary spent on Siesta Key. The couple, visiting from Vineland, New Jersey, stayed at the Crescent Royale. “We had a fabulous time,” Ashley said. Brian captured the powerful image using an Insta360 camera mounted on a selfie stick.
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Governor chops away Midnight Pass money By John Morton Sarasota County was able to enjoy its Midnight Pass financial boost for only a little more than a month. On June 15, Gov. Ron DeSantis eliminated from the state budget the $1 million the Florida Legislature had approved as a starting point for research, design and permitting for the potential of restoring the waterway that once ran between Siesta Key
and Casey Key. Said Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Neunder, whose District 4 seat lies in the territory where Midnight Pass once existed, “Water quality here in Sarasota County has always been a high priority to me and the community I grew up in and serve. I will continue to explore options readily available to our community and look forward to
potential paths that could lead to this endeavor being a reality.” It was one of three Sarasota County projects axed by the governor, bringing the ire of Joe Gruters, the Sarasotabased state senator, who
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Research OPod calls Siesta home
Tavern wants Some recent real estate high and lows later live music
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publicly stated that DeSantis’ actions were likely politically motivated. Gruters, who formerly chaired the state’s Republican Party, has endorsed Donald Trump. DeSantis said in March that he’d run against the former president. “Extremely disappointing,” is how Neunder
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