aiquiri
Entertainment
DADS, WATCH THE U.S. OPEN HERE! LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY!
o o
see our ad on page
Captain Curt’s Village
Every Day, Every Night
K a rao k e
5
Why the world comes to Sarasota
Tues & Thurs
Captain Curt’s Village
©
SiestaKeyFitness.com JUNE 2023| 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA LLC | www.SiestaSand.us | COMPLIMENTARY
Did time run out in Tallahassee? Incorporation bill receives unanimous approval of one committee before being ignored and fading away; Save Siesta Key wants answers By John Morton It was like making the show but never seeing the stage. Indeed, Save Siesta Key had what one could call the “green room” experience from hell as members of the team seeking incorporation of the island watched its House Bill 923 sit in limbo for more than five weeks before fading away into nothingness during the recent meeting of the Florida Legislature that concluded May 5. How this bewildering development, or lack thereof, took place is unknown but the board members, who waited two years and spent more than $265,000 to get to this point,
will now be seeking answers. Most puzzling of all was how the bill, assigned to three committees in advance of what would be votes by the House and Senate pending their approvals, shot out quickly with flying colors. On March 29, the Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee voted 17-0 in favor of it, with the Ways & Means Committee and State Affairs Committees up next. But, despite what appeared to be plenty of breathing room on the calendar, those committees never put the matter on their
agenda. The Ways & Means Committee’s vicechairman happens to be state Rep. James Buchanan, the Osprey resident and former Siesta Key resident who represents District 74. As Buchanan a member of the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation, he twice voted against the local incorporation effort -- in January 2022 when
he cited a lack of money in the proposed budget for infrastructure in what would be a 3-3 vote in defeat, and again in January 2023 as the lone no vote when he cited his lack of comfort with the island’s proximity to the city of Sarasota in what would be a 3-1 vote in favor of the bill moving forward. Did Buchanan play a role in keeping the bill off the committee’s agenda? He was asked that question by the Siesta Sand in an email but had not responded by press time. Continued on page 16
South sand project going smoothly By John Morton It’s so far, so good for the $8.2 million South Siesta Beach Repair Project, as smooth sailing is the report from Carolyn Eastwood, the director of Sarasota County’s capital projects. “Everything is moving along as planned,” Eastwood said. Only one day of bad weather has emerged since the project’s April 24 inception, it coming on Sunday, April 30 as strong winds and waves crashed Turtle Beach, home of the worksite. But Eastwood said no significant sand loss occurred. Otherwise, as of the middle of May the dumping of about 25,000 cubic yards of sand
had occurred on the beach during the first three weeks. At that roughly 8,333 cubic-yardsper-week average, with a June 30 deadline in mind, the pace would bring the total to about 85,000 cubic yards being in place. That’s about 10,000 cubic yards shy of the 95,000 cubic yards needed to facilitate the beach’s needs. In 2016, a renourishment of the area saw a major setback when Hurricane Hermine washed away a portion of the new sand, necessitating today’s project. As of now, about 65 trucks continue to make two round trips per day back and forth from Continued on page 14
A mountain of newly delivered sand slowly gets thinned out at Turtle Beach. (photo by John Morton)
Page 25
Page 6
Page 9
Page 19
Musician feels love of his peers
Smoking ban returns for beaches, parks
Midnight Pass gets $1 million
The life of a cruise captain
• Village Map/business listings PAGES 20, 21 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 22 • Music Calendar PAGE 23 •Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 27 • Accommodations Map PAGE 39
Happiness Is…Knowing the Future Okay, maybe not knowing the actual future…but knowing that the future is in good hands. Jerry and Jill Williams, the owners of Abel’s Ice Cream, are excited about this year’s graduating class, and they are certain the future is bright.They’re proud to present this year’s graduating seniors. Liam, whose favorite flavor is Caramel Caribou, will be a marketing major at Auburn University. He’s also going to be a collegiate swimmer. Addie favorite flavor is Birthday Cake, and she is headed to Savannah,
GA to study art and design with the dream of becoming an artist. Bella’s favorite flavor is Elephant Ears and is headed to Idaho to learn the welding trade and is focused on becoming a singer. Maggie, a bigtime Cookie Dough fan, will be attending the University of Northwestern Ohio to play tennis on scholarship and major in Business Administration. Last but not least, Samantha has received her first degree and will continuing her schooling in English Literature. Her favorite flavor is Purple Daze.
Pop in when you can and congratulate these superstars on their successes and encourage them to change the world for good.While you’re there, grab a cup or cone of your favorite summertime ice cream flavor. Abel’s is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at our website, www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
1398