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Roundabout ditched
Just the right touch
Commissioners opt to do away with the controversial construction when presented with a single, sky-high bid By ChrisAnn Allen They decided to go a different direction. During a May 15 budget meeting, the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners reached consensus to dispense with plans to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Beach and Midnight Pass roads. It was slated to have construction begin as early as the coming weeks. Public Works Director Spencer Anderson said the project, estimated to cost $2.9 million as recent as last year, went out for bid and came back at $8.9 million with only one bidder. He said he spoke with representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation, the project funding source, who said they were committed to pay their part. However, with the hefty price tag, they
would like to cancel and put it out to bid again, which he said “may result in more bidders and may result in potentially more competitive costs.” Anderson said FDOT was planning to continue with the same design, go back to the bidding pool, and wait 12 to 18 months to see what happens with the now-expensive construction market. That’s when Mark Smith stepped in. “The problem that the folks on Siesta Key have is that they don’t want it,” the District 2 commissioner and Siesta Key resident said during the topic’s discussion. Smith also referred to a March meeting of the Siesta Key Association, Continued on page 18
Siesta Key Beach visitors seize the moment to meet “a nice horse” and Mounted Patrol Deputy Chris Hudson. (Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Sherrif’s Office)
Jill Pedigo Oct. 3, 1965 – May 7, 2024
Community blessings go out to the SKOB’s ‘Mama Bear’ Jill Pedigo in the place she called home for not only her but countless others. (submitted photo)
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The Siesta Key community came together to bid a fond and all too early farewell to one of its own. On May 20, several hundred people gathered on a sunny Monday morning at the landmark Siesta Key Oyster Bar for a celebration of life and
Page 4 Bathroom battles
remembrance. They came to pay tribute to Jill Pedigo, SKOB’s co-founder and co-owner. Pedigo passed away on May 7, at the age of 58, with her family at her side. Chicago Bears attire or “bright and fun clothes” were encouraged for all attending
Page 14 A special dining experience
the event. Abundant bouquets of orange and white tulips, a nod to Pedigo’s beloved Bears, stood next to smiling photos of the Chicagoarea native who came to Siesta Key from Continued on page 22
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