East County Observer 5.15.25

EAST COUNTY

The store is open, if you’re a Bean counter

Corey Bouyea, vice president of retail for L.L. Bean, said that there is a common misconception that the Freeport, Mainebased retail outlet only offers rugged outdoor apparel, but now shoppers in Sarasota and Manatee counties can see for themselves.

L.L. Bean District Manager Kenon Mitchell, Store Manager Jennifer Molloy, and Bouyea (above) presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony May 9 as the chain’s first store in Florida opened at 111 North Cattlemen Road in the UTC plaza.

Molloy said shoppers will see that they have a “specially curated warm weather collection.”

This store is the 63rd L.L. Bean location in the country.

in a

The sickness is when you can’t stop buying cars. He’s capped at six because he can’t safely store more. Honda arrived to the event in a reimagined 1974 Volkswagen Bug he bought for $175. Because he invested so little, the restoration was “no holds barred.” He used nearly all recycled materials. The stick shift is a wrench, and the shade band on the windshield is made from an old refrigerator part. His wife, Debra (above with Jay), calls him a “tinkerer.”

County says reports will prove it needs higher impact fees

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Manatee County commissioners want to raise impact fees on new developments, but to do that, they first have to prove to the state the county is experiencing “extraordinary circumstances.”

On Dec. 10, a unanimous vote directed staff members to update the county’s impact fee study, and to create a supplemental report to demonstrate Manatee County’s need for higher impact fees than what is statutorily allowed.

The report was presented to commissioners in two back-to-back work sessions May 6 and May 7. The updated impact fee study will be presented to the board May 22 and June 5.

Both the study and the supplemental report were conducted by Benesch, a consulting firm headquartered in Chicago and the same firm that conducted the last updated impact fee study in 2023.

Florida statute only allows fees to increase by 50% over four years. Manatee County increased its fees by 50% in August 2024. However, if the state agrees that Manatee County is undergoing extraordinary circumstances, fees can be increased up to 100%, which is where commissioners are aiming.

The goal is to have the increased fee structure in place by Sept. 9. Here’s a review of the data commissioners hope will prove their case for extraordinary circumstances.

MANATEE COUNTY RANKS NO. 8 IN RESIDENTIAL PERMITTING

Out of 67 counties, Manatee County ranks No. 15 in population and No. 8 in the amount of residential permits issued.

While an updated impact fee study was completed in 2020, commissioners never adopted it.

Up until the 2023 study was adopted in 2024 and enacted Jan. 1, 2025, the county was collecting 90% of 2015 calculations.

As it stands, the 50% increase will tick up over four years in equal installments of 12.5% each year.

Compared to 10 years ago, the number of permits issued by the county has more than doubled.

In 2015, 3,619 residential permits were issued. In 2024, 7,472 residential permits were issued. Between 2021 and 2023, over 8,000 permits were issued each year. Nilgum Kamp presented the findings from Benesch. She said growth levels following the COVID pandemic hadn’t been that high since the 1990s.

“That just kind of emphasizes the pressure that you’re getting from high growth levels,” she said. “There has also been significant cost increases since 2015.”

The report states that costs have been steadily increasing since 2013 with “more significant increases occurring after the pandemic.”

Kamp used the cost of lane miles as an example. A lane mile only travels in one direction, so a four-lane road that is two miles long would be calculated as eight lane miles.

In the 2015 study, the cost for one lane mile in Manatee County was about $3.3 million. In the 2025 study, the cost for one lane mile is about $8.5 million, which is a 156% increase.

Kamp noted that $8.5 million was a conservative estimate because Benesch excluded any unusually expensive projects, such as bridges, in its calculations.

If the county continues to operate under its current study and the state cap on impact fees, it will be collecting up to 60% less than the full cost.

35% OF LANE MILES ARE PROJECTED TO BE OVER CAPACITY BY 2045

Benesch used the Transform 2045 Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long Range Transportation Plan and the Central Florida Regional Planning Model when projecting that 35% of lane miles will be over capacity by 2045.

The report states that currently planned and funded projects in the Long Range Transportation Plan are not sufficient to keep up with the county’s growth.

A list of 17 road projects, totalling $674 million, was included in the report because those improvements are eligible to be funded with impact fees.

Out of the 17, five of the improvement projects are in East County and are estimated to cost $340.1 million.

The county is currently collecting about $48 million a year in multimodal transportation impact fees.

If the county was to charge the full amount of the updated rates for 2025, it could collect between $87.6 million to $112.1 million per year. The actual total would depend on how many permits are issued.

‘THESE GROWTH LEVELS RESULT IN A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.’

Commissioners say the report indicates Manatee County is not collecting enough impact fees to keep up with its population growth.

Transportation is not the only department in need of “future capacity projects.” The study covers the needs across Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Library Facilities and Parks and Natural Resources, as well.  Law Enforcement Law enforcement has an estimated

$67 million worth of needs, one of which is a building to hold property and evidence.

County Administrator Charlie Bishop said a lack of evidence storage for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has been an ongoing issue. He explained that if a bingo hall is raided, everything inside the building needs to be collected and stored.

That one project accounts for $30 million and is slated to be built on the county-owned property next to the Lena Road Landfill.

Over the past five years, the county has collected about $3.6 million per year in law enforcement impact fees.

If the state approves the county’s request, it could begin collecting between $5.5 million to $7.2 million per year.

Public Safety Public Safety has about $46 million in needs spread across five projects.

The current collection for public safety impact fees is about $2 million a year, which could increase up to $2.6 million a year if the increased fees are adopted.

None of the projects are in East County, but the overall need is for additional EMS and Sheriff’s Office substations throughout the rest of the county.

Libraries Libraries are looking at about $34 million in project needs, and $6.2

EAST COUNTY PROJECTS

These East County road projects are eligible to be funded by impact fees: ■ 44th Avenue East from 44th Avenue Plaza East to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard: $192.3

Upper Manatee River Road from north of State Road 64 to the Fort Hamer Bridge: $99.9

million of that is to build out the second floor of the Lakewood Ranch Library as flexible meeting space.

Bishop’s plan is to design the space so it can as easily accommodate small study groups as it can a large community event.

The county currently collects about $1.8 million a year in library facility impact fees. Under the increased fee schedule, the projections show the collection would be between $2.1 million to $2.7 million per year.

Parks and Natural Resources

Parks and Natural Resources has $43 million worth of eligible projects, and Lakewood Ranch parks account for over $8 million of that estimate.

Improvements to the baseball fields in Country Club East Park are anticipated to cost $6.5 million, and another $1.6 million is earmarked for Lakewood Ranch Park improvements.

Park improvements include LED lighting and a multigenerational health and wellness playground.

The current collection from parks and natural resources impact fees is about $7.8 million per year. That number could spike up to between $22.2 million and $28.4 million. The updated impact fee study and extraordinary circumstances report will be presented to the Planning Commission on May 15 before returning to the commission for two more public hearings May 22 and June 5, rendering an effective date of Sept. 9.

Electric bikes speed toward restrictions

Commissioner Bob McCann is pushing for an ordinance that will establish rules to ensure safety.

District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann took action.  County staff is now in the process of drafting an ordinance to establish regulations when operating electric bikes and scooters on sidewalks, crosswalks and in intersections within the unincorporated portions of Manatee County.

McCann originally sent residents to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office with their complaints, but he was told by law enforcement officials that the Sheriff’s Office had “no teeth” to meaningfully address the problem.

“So we’ll give him teeth,” McCann said of Sheriff Rick Wells. “It’s time to start enforcing some things.”  McCann provided staff with an outline of what he’s looking for in the ordinance at the May 6 Manatee County Commission meeting. He also provided a copy of the ordinance Collier County approved in April that addresses the same safety concerns.

His fellow commissioners supported McCann’s initiative to update the county’s Code of Ordinances in a unanimous 5-0 vote with commissioners Mike Rahn and Tal Siddique absent.

Manatee County’s staff was directed to bring back an ordinance that is “substantially similar” to Collier County’s ordinance.

McCann proposed additional safety measures, as well.

inspections of micro mobility devic-

es to ensure they are equipped with working brakes, lights and reflectors.

McCann also proposed an age restriction: Only riders 16 and older can operate electric bikes and scooters. Collier County’s ordinance is more specific; it states a rider must be 16 years old to operate a Class 3 electric bike.

Capt. Brad Johnson with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office explained the difference between classes. A Class 1 electric bike is pedal assisted and can travel up to 20 mph. A Class 2 can be used without pedaling to reach 20 mph, and a Class 3 reaches 28 mph with pedal assistance.

COLLIER COUNTY’S ORDINANCE

The Collier County Commission amended its Pedestrian Safety Ordinance on April 22 to reflect the following regulations regarding traditional and electric bicycles. Manatee County is studying the ordinance.

■ Bicycle riding will be allowed on public sidewalks, but electric bicycles ridden by anyone over the age of 16 must take place in the bicycle lane when available.

■ Adults operating an electric bicycle when accompanying children under the age of 16 may lawfully operate an electric bicycle on the sidewalk to allow for supervision of the children.

■ Prohibits the operation of Class 3 electric bicycles by persons under the age of 16 on public roads, bicycle paths, and shared roadways/pathways. (A Class 1 electric bike is pedal assisted and can travel up to 20 mph. A Class 2 can be used without pedaling to reach 20 mph, and a Class 3 reaches 28 mph with pedal assistance.)

■ Anyone operating an electric bicycle on either the sidewalk or in a bicycle lane must stop when approaching a school bus displaying a stop signal and remain stopped until the signal has been withdrawn.

■ Passing the school bus on the side where children enter and exit while the stop signal is displayed is a violation of the ordinance.

Mopeds are typically powered by a motor alone, have foot rests and require registration.

The teenagers spotted by the East County Observer were riding electric dirt bikes, which Johnson said could classify as a moped.

■ A bicycle traveling in the opposite direction of traffic must come to a complete stop before entering an open intersection and must yield the right of way if a vehicle is already in the intersection.

■ When a bicycle reaches a signalized intersection, the rider must obey the instructions of any applicable pedestrian control signal and must yield the right-ofway of vehicles that are already in the intersection.

■ On shared pathways adjacent to roads and including those located in parks and recreational areas, all bicycles and electric bicycles must yield the right of way to pedestrians on these types of pathways, and when passing a pedestrian must deliver a warning by some type of sound device before the act of passing them.

■ Prohibits the operation of an electric bicycle that produces more than 750 watts of power on the sidewalks, bicycle paths, and shared roadways/pathways in Collier County.

He wants riders to complete a safety course before operating an electric bike or scooter, along with regular

Johnson said the state statute doesn’t define anything above 28 mph, so an officer has to make contact with the rider to determine if what they’re riding falls under the category of an electric bike or a moped.

However, the rider would have to be stopped for speeding, and the officer would have to perform an inspection, which would include looking for either pedals or foot rests and how the manufacturer is classifying that specific bike.

While the state statute doesn’t address electric bikes that exceed

28 mph, Collier County addressed electric bikes that exceed 750 watts of power. They’re banned from sidewalks and shared-use paths.  Sur-Ron is a popular electric dirt bike brand. Its 2025 Light Bee X model boasts 8,000 watts of max power.  Staff members were instructed to bring back the ordinance “as soon as reasonably practical.”

Major move for The Concession

Manatee County releases easement so The Concession Golf Course can make improvements needed to pursue prestigious pro tournaments.

LESLEY

Manatee County has taken another step to help The Concession Golf Club attract PGA Tour events, and even Majors such as the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship.

Manatee County commissioners released a conservation easement on approximately three acres of wetland in a 4-3 vote May 6 so The Concession Golf Club can make the necessary upgrades that the PGA Championship requires of host facilities.

Elliott Falcione, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Manatee County, said hosting a PGA Championship could generate $250

million or more in economic impact.

Falcione’s estimate didn’t just include the potential one-year impact on the area, but the “domino effect” such major sporting events would have on the surrounding area.

According to third-party research, 74% of sports visitors are likely to return for a vacation within one year.

The one-year impact also is considerable. Louisville Tourism estimated an $80 million impact to the Louisville, Kentucky, area in 2024 while the Greater Rochester Enterprise estimated a $190 million impact to the Rochester, New York area in 2023 during the last two PGA Championships.

While Manatee County is courting the PGA Championship to the area, Falcione said the county and The

Concession are close to finalizing a three-tournament deal to host the Senior PGA Championship starting in April 2026.

His “conservative” estimate is that each of those events will generate anywhere from $20 million to $50 million in economic impact.

“(The Senior PGA Championship) will give us more experience to showcase The Concession and the ability for our region to host that kind of high-caliber event for the PGA to consider a PGA Championship in 2031 or 2032, give or take,” Falcione said.

To accommodate the PGA, The Concession needs an ingress and egress for VIPs to be dropped off at the front door of the clubhouse, which is the immediate plan for the

ECONOMIC DRIVER

Elliott Falcione, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Manatee County, said “five-star venues” like The Concession Golf Club not only stimulate the economy, but they help “weather adversarial occurrences.”

During the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Falcione received a call from The Concession asking if he thought it could partner with the PGA to bring a World Golf Championship event to the club.

“Mexico City couldn’t host it because of its COVID protocols,” Falcione recalled. “We cut that deal in a New York minute, and it brought $8 million to our economy in February of 2021.”

The World Golf Championship then led to the senior World Champions Cup that was played at The Concession in 2023. Last year’s World Champions Cup was canceled, but the event is scheduled to return to The Concession on Dec. 4-7.

tract where the easement was lifted.

Falcione said the rest of the plan will come together after a trip to the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on May 22-25 for the 2025 Senior PGA Championship.

“We don’t know anything more than (the club needs an ingress and egress), but it’s as simple as that,” he said. “The area will be beautified to match the brand elements and the landscape of The Concession.”

Commission Chair George Kruse called the plan “one step removed from a conservation easement” because the area will be covered in shell and remain pervious.

THE EASEMENT

While commissioners Bob McCann, Carol Felts and Jason Bearden voted against the measure, the request was somewhat of a formality.

By the time The Concession sought approval from the commission on May 6, it already had gained

approval from the state.

“This is one of those areas where the county used to have conservation easements over all wetlands and wetland buffer areas,” said Kara Koenig, environmental section planning manager for Manatee County. “Now, we can only require conservation easements for wetland mitigation areas.”

A wetland is a naturally watersaturated area, whereas a wetland mitigation area is a wetland that was either created or restored to compensate for man-made impacts to natural wetlands.

Koenig told commissioners that The Concession will offset its environmental impact in two ways.

First, 2.94 mitigation credits of forested freshwater wetlands were purchased within the same watershed. Second, the Land Development Code requires that every tree removed from outside that wetland area has to be replaced.

McCann’s argument against releasing the easement was that some residents of The Concession contacted him and said they don’t want it released.

Kruse mentioned complaints, too, but no residents were in attendance to speak for themselves at the meeting. Kruse voted in favor of releasing the easement because he said it will benefit the entire county.

Felts had stormwater concerns but mainly argued that the release of the easement was misplaced by being on the consent agenda. She wanted to delay the vote, so it could come back as a discussion item on the agenda instead.

Had McCann not pulled the item from the consent agenda, it would have been lumped in with a list of other items being given a blanket approval with no discussion. When an item is pulled, it allows for an on-the-spot discussion, but citizens aren’t given public notice ahead of time so they can join the conversation.

“Don’t hide it in the consent agenda,” Felts said. “Give people the confidence that we thought this through.”

Brian Weimann, general manager of The Concession Golf Club, did not return a call for comment.

Manatee does it again

Learning Manatee commissioners voted to pursue voiding a contract was too much for SMR’s Rex Jensen.

On May 6, the Manatee County Commission voted 6-0 to begin steps to determine whether it can terminate a contract with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to copay for a roundabout at University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard. The next day, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen learned of the commission’s surprise vote. What follows is a May 12 memorandum from Jensen to six of the seven Manatee commissioners — George Kruse, Amanda Ballard, Carol Felts, Jason Bearden, Tal Siddique and District 5 Commissioner Robert McCann.

“I am fed up with the disregard for the law,” Jensen told us. It’s yet another embarrassing blemish on the antics of the Manatee County Commission and Commissioner McCann.

— Matt Walsh

Background

Forgive the tone of this memorandum as it is necessitated by your unilateral, inconsiderate and ill-advised kneejerk action.

Commissioner (Mike) Rahn is copied as opposed to being directly addressed because he did not participate in the travesty that I’m about to discuss.

the lack of communication all the more troubling, particularly in light of the longstanding, collaborative relationship between SMR and the county. It seems to me that mutual respect and basic professionalism should guide our interactions — even when opinions differ.

You also believed and acted upon the lies, distortions and hyperboles (and terribly stupid jokes) of the District 5 commissioner, despite the fact that all of you know that this man neither cares about facts, nor is capable of keeping them straight.

Yet you believed him, knowing from other situations that he lacks credibility. Just like in the earlier post-hurricane drainage situation, he either can’t understand the truth or doesn’t care or maybe both.

construction and material costs. I’d have to check on that to be sure.)

We are taking the legal position that we have every right to continue performing, build the improvement and collect the agreed-upon reimbursement. If you fail to pay, you will be sued for damages, costs and attorneys’ fees.

As to negotiating a termination, such termination would minimally require things like:

1) A written public apology from each of you individually

2) Reimbursement of every cent spent together with interest

because the light must cycle for each movement. I believe a roundabout would speed up peak traffic to a degree as well because of this fact. Additionally, we are working with ODA to create a back entrance through the corporate park that would remove much of its pickup/ drop-off traffic. This would make the roundabout even more efficient.

There are other positives to roundabouts. First, they have been shown to be safer. According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts reduce injury crashes by 75% and fatal crashes by up to 90% when compared to traditional signalized intersections. (Many of you commissioners have expressed on several occasions you want to eliminate traffic fatalities.)

With roundabouts, accidents are typically fender benders, not headon or high-speed collisions you see with signalized intersections.

Second, roundabouts work during hurricanes that knock out the power. (Some of you commissioners have expressed on countless occasions your concerns about hurricanes and big storms.) Roundabouts work in all weather!

Remember from Hurricane Milton, signals don’t work in the aftermath of such storms and we all need to work to increase resiliency.

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On May 6, on a 6-0 vote, you as a group were attempting to terminate a legally enforceable and binding contract for the construction and cost sharing of certain traffic improvements at the intersection of Legacy Boulevard and University Parkway. This contract was approved by UNANIMOUS vote of the prior commission (which included four of you, so it wasn’t a BOCC from Mars) on Nov. 12, 2024. This effort to terminate was made at the behest of the District 5 commissioner who falsely claimed (as usual) that SMR “forced these improvements on the County,” and that his legal experience (which frankly is rather limited) led him to believe that the county had the right to terminate this agreement or rescind.

I believe that your very capable real attorney saved you from immediate legal action by having you cast the vote as a request to negotiate a termination. You were wise to listen to her, instead of the District 5 commissioner with the “law degree.”

Because you elected not to include me in the deliberation, I would like to discuss your conduct openly and in public via a public record memorandum (hence this memorandum to all of you) so that the District 5 commissioner is not free to misquote me.

II. What Happened Wasn’t Right What you did was not right in any sense of the word and not respectful of the usually good and decades long mutually beneficial relationship between SMR and the county. This item was added to your agenda at night after the deadline in direct violation of your vaunted pledge of transparent conduct. We, a party to the contract, were not even given notice or the courtesy of a telephone call or an email.

Commissioner Kruse was correct in thinking this was the case. Do you not have telephones? Do you not have professional manners?

You couldn’t have given proper notice and allocated a later time to discuss this?

Can you not communicate to someone with whom you have a contract? Did any of you think your high-handed and unilateral actions would be well received?

We have multiple joint projects underway that serve the broader community’s interests. That makes

In support of his attempt to turn what should be an engineering process into a political one, a few citizens were paraded to the podium in show trial fashion who opposed the roundabout. One of the District 5 commissioner’s star witnesses admitted to being legally blind as his reason for opposition to a roundabout. Seriously?

And you fell for this tripe? I even saw one of you nodding your head in agreement with this nonsense when I watched your spectacle after the fact. Also, with due respect, I doubt there were 5,000 emails; not many more than 5,000 people live in the community under discussion.

The assertion SMR forced the roundabout on the county is false, politically motivated and completely unproductive.

Attached as Exhibit A is the sketch of improvements to the intersection that we proposed to make in our first meeting with the county. You can readily see that it is a signalized intersection with turn lane improvements and not a roundabout.

In that initial meeting, however, county staff made a persuasive case that a roundabout would be a better long-term improvement. My staff agreed with their rationale. Because a roundabout is much more expensive than a signalized intersection, a cost-sharing arrangement was suggested, to which we also agreed and the BOCC (again, including four of you) unanimously approved the same on Nov. 12, 2024.

We began performance under that contract immediately since time is of the essence in fixing that intersection, and unlike you, we have a sense of urgency in accomplishing our projects. In the seven months of the life of the contract we have spent significant sums and spent very valuable time on improvements that are your suggestion, not ours.

SMR has moved forward in good faith and at considerable expense, believing we were working with a partner who shared our goal of improving public infrastructure. The suggestion that this decision was imposed on the county or lacked public process is revisionist and inaccurate.

III. Where Do We Go from Here?

There are a variety of ways to deal with this — ranging from professionally to not so much.

You have behaved in a rather unprofessional manner with your May 6 action. Would you like a return serve?

One way of moving forward is to say that we have a valid contract, and we are in the middle of performance, and this is the position that I am taking. (In fact, we may even have gotten around to tying up materials due to rapidly rising

3) The acknowledgement that the delays that you’ve caused us have resulted in highly increased per unit construction costs and your agreement to front (not reimburse) these costs to us as liquidated damages, and we could then build what we initially proposed and not the roundabout

4) If, however, a future analysis shows the need for a roundabout, the county will, as part of the settlement, contractually and irrevocably assume full liability to fund and complete that improvement, not SMR, as we were prepared to do so under the approved contract which you are wanting to terminate.

There would certainly be other things that would go into this termination, but I am not prepared to take that approach. As you can see, a termination would be an economically worse deal for taxpayers.

You, as stewards of public funds, should consider that fact.

IV. A Suggested Approach

The better approach is to continue with our valid and enforceable contract. Our experts agree with your staff that the roundabout is the best long-term solution.

To do less may mean tearing up the intersection multiple times if other improvements are required in the future. We are not accustomed to wasting money, whether it’s our money or yours. This roundabout is the improvement that provides the greatest long-term capacity.

The community and residents deserve the right long-term improvement, not the most popular improvement, and that’s what we are going to give them.

Traffic optimization wins, not who writes the most and nastiest emails or wears the most T-shirts, and that’s an end to it.

I don’t always favor roundabouts. They have pros and cons. In fact, I opposed one at Players Drive and Lorraine Road. The reason for that opposition was that:

1) It didn’t physically fit the site. (The Country Club gates were too close to provide adequate storage for morning construction and service traffic.)

2) It was imposed by another political opportunist solely to curry favor with her neighbors. (I hate politics, can’t you tell?)

3) There is a disproportionately high number of golf cart crossings in that location.

4) Your staff agreed with me that a signalized intersection was best in this situation. In this case, however, the roundabout does fit the physical footprint. Moreover, the roundabout is the right solution. That intersection is not always busy. There have been many times that I have personally sat there with little or no oncoming traffic waiting for the light to turn.

At many times of the day a roundabout would allow traffic to proceed without much, if any, delay. At busier times (morning and afternoon Out-of-Door Academy times) traffic stacks up artificially

Third, the maintenance is reduced; there is no need to ensure the signal timing is correct or to replace traffic lights.

Fourth, just modifying turn lanes may require additional future improvements. The improvement we are designing under the contract provides the maximum capacity that we can achieve for that intersection.

We are not going to set ourselves up for multiple construction projects in the future and knowingly disrupt the community more than once in a key location by going halfway.

This is a crucial intersection that needs fixing now, and we are only tearing it up once, not twice. To delay the project by redesigning it again doesn’t serve anyone who travels through it on a daily basis.

I am not making my community suffer twice just because you get emails. You encourage them with your behavior, so enjoy the emails and stop worrying about your convenience. Think of those stuck in traffic.

The choice should be about what’s right. The roundabout may not be politically popular, particularly at first impression. Popularity, however, shouldn’t be the basis for infrastructure decisions. Traffic engineering should be left to the professionals.

Your staff and mine have the expertise to evaluate the best improvement. They have already done that. We are not revisiting it.

In all future road improvements, should we just count T-shirts and not cars on everything we do??

My community deserves the right functioning improvements NOT THE POLITICALLY CORRECT IMPROVEMENTS.

We also aren’t terminating valid agreements every time a politician wets his pants or seeks public relevance over emails. I’m sorry that you are getting emails, but you will live.

We have never done improvements by a vote. I’m not starting now and won’t do it in the future. When I see someone’s name on a check that pays our property taxes, I’ll listen … otherwise not so much.

Roads shouldn’t be political, and communities aren’t built by polls.

In the roundabout I opposed, for example, the county told me the opinion split was about 50/50. What would you do with that? The right thing should prevail, and that should be an end to it. We have an agreement, let’s stay with it.

Meantime, I have referred this matter to legal counsel (with a real law degree rather than one from the ACME school of law or whatever).

I realize this communique could have been more civil. Next time, pick up the phone and act with civility if you want civility in return.

Your interference with a binding legal obligation in the middle of a project isn’t appreciated. We have no intention of rescheduling our trains every time the District 5 commissioner’s cuckoo clock sounds.

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This Ghost appears regularly in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Camryn Duley takes her cinnamon pied ball python out in public to show that not all snakes are dangerous.

MADISON BIERL

STAFF WRITER

Ten years ago, Lakewood Ranch

resident Michael Duley took his then 5-year-old daughter to A to Z Reptiles in Ocala as a joke, not expecting her to fall in love with snakes. But she did.

Camryn Duley was fascinated by their flicking tongues, their bone structure, their scales and the way that creatures who don’t have feet can move. She asked her dad to take her back to the pet shop.

“By my third visit, they were allowing me to reach into the cage and just grab the snakes,” Camryn Duley said.

The Duleys went to the pet store every weekday for four months. After that, they would visit once or twice a week until the store went out of business seven years ago. Six months after the store closed, the Duleys moved to Lakewood Ranch.

Camryn Duley is now 15 years old and a sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High School. She got her first and only pet snake, a cinnamon pied ball python named Ghost on June 15, 2024 from Exotic Pet Center in Sarasota.

It was far from her first pet. She once had six dogs — five Shiba Inus and one Akita — all at once. She has also had six Chinese striped hamsters.

Her mother, Sharon Duley, would tell Camryn that a snake and her

hamsters would not mix well, which is why they never had a snake until the hamsters were gone. Then they went to the pet store.

Camryn Duley said her mom told her, “We’re just going to go look at him, but I can’t promise anything.”

Camryn Duley said they saw Ghost’s little head poking out from a rock. He was brand new at the store.

After convincing her parents, Camryn Duley was able to take Ghost home for $350, along with a cage for $250. The cage they have is 55 gallons and has to have a hot side and a cold side, because a cinnamon pied ball python has to self regulate its body temperature.

A cinnamon pied ball python cage has a heating pad on one side while the house is kept cool for the other side. This breed of snake has a possible lifespan of 16 to 20 years.

Her father said that means the snake will be around a long time, “Unless the end of the world comes and we’re hungry.”

The Duleys spend lots of time handling Ghost around the house as well as in public. Camryn will have him around her neck as she’s cooking and her father  allows Ghost to sit with him under a blanket.

They have had both positive and negative reactions from people in public when they have Ghost with them. Some are fascinated, while others are terrified.

On May 7, the Duleys were sitting outside of Starbucks on Lakewood Ranch Main Street and caught the attention of Lakewood Ranch residents Jennifer Zych and her 7-yearold daughter, Avery Zych. They had seen a different black snake earlier in the week and Jennifer Zych wanted to show that snakes can be cool.

“She’s learning about all kinds of animals and I wanted her to touch it and to explore,” Jennifer Zych said.

While Ghost is not a poisonous snake, Jennifer Zych has had to avoid

FUN FACTS ABOUT SNAKES

■

■

some that are.

“I grew up outside of Gainesville, and we had coral snakes,” Jennifer Zych said. “You see a snake there, you don’t even take a chance on it.”

Camryn Duley recalled going to University Town Center on Oct. 23 when a 6-year-old girl came up to her and said how much she liked her snake. She asked what his name was and Camryn told her it was Ghost. The girl replied, “Like a boo? The

things on Halloween?”

On the same day at UTC, a lady in her 30s ran away when she saw Ghost. She tried to assure the woman that Ghost wouldn’t attack her in any way.

Michael Duley said the snake would only attack something he could fit into his mouth.

“It’s almost like a 15-story skyscraper to us; we’re not going to try to kick it,” Camryn Duley said.

Michael Duley warns people not to approach Ghost too quickly. He said the snake needs time to warm up to them. The Duleys will allow anyone to pet Ghost, but they usually won’t let someone else hold him. The fear is that they will get spooked and drop him.

Like any pet, snakes need to be cared for and fed. The Duleys feed Ghost a small but chunky live rat about every three weeks.

Michael Duley said his fascination with snakes was simply from growing up in Florida. He does a lot of research on snakes and shares anything he discovers with his daughter.

“She’s good about retaining it,” Michael Duley said. “She’ll look up some facts and will tell me and we will communicate with each other.”

When Camryn Duley moves out, Ghost will go with her. Michael Duley said he would potentially get another snake if his wife allows it.

Local veteran, 106, joins France’s Legion of Honor

Platoon Sgt. John Skeen has received a countless honors, including a Purple Heart, for his service in World War II, yet Skeen said he never expected to be knighted in the Order of the Legion of Honor.

The distinction is the highest honor France awards to military personnel and civilians. United States veterans, who fought on French territory during the Second World War, can also be inducted to the legion.

At 106 years old, Skeen is living history.

“This young man fought in the Pacific (War),” Maj. Gen. James Hartsell said. “He didn’t get enough, so they sent him to Europe, and he fought in Germany and France, so thank you.”

One by one, dignitaries continued to thank Skeen for his service at the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge on May 8.

Retired Army Capt. Thomas Carter organized the event for Victory in Europe day, which celebrates the day that German forces unconditionally surrendered during the Second World War and liberated Europe 80 years ago.

“Your attitude and courage during World War II battles contributed to the restoration of peace in Europe,” France’s Consul Gen. Raphael Trapp told Skeen. “You set an example that we all must keep in mind because you fought for the values that define our two nations — liberty and democracy.”

— LESLEY DWYER

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LETTERS

Before buying administration building, county should study traffic

I’ve read with great interest your two articles in the most recent East County Observer (“Go East” and “Manatee offers residents a $23.5 million surprise” May 8) and have some additional thoughts.

As a former county employee of 22 years in the Public Works department as the utility planner/ designer/project coordinator, one of the basic tasks required of new development included a traffic study to be performed. This would have been accomplished when the original building was developed, accounting for the usual morning and early evening traffic by the onsite offices.

However, moving many of the county’s planning and development services to the Town Center Parkway site will add a multitude of traffic from developers, engineers and the vast number of county residents each and every day. As anyone knows, this site has a one-direction ingress and egress along Town Center Parkway to the four-way stop. The shortest route to I-75 and points west is along Market Street with the hybrid roundabout, which is already congested.

Before the county proceeds with the site purchase and as part of the transparency we all have desired, a full traffic study should be undertaken to determine the full extent of the traffic impact and any required remedies to the existing streets, including anticipated construction

costs for road improvements, if any. We need to require the county’s administration and commissioners to follow and adhere to the same development criteria to which all development is held accountable.

DAVE BRANNING COUNTRY CREEK

Give animals on University Parkway a brake

Just about every week, animals are hit by cars and killed on the stretch of road on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch between Bourneside Boulevard and Lorraine Road.   About five weeks ago, a dead boar was on the median lying on its back with all four legs sticking straight up into the air. It was so sad to see. About four weeks ago, there was a dead deer lying on its side, nearly decapitated. It was horrifying. Two weeks ago, there was a tiny dead baby crane with its parents hovering over the body, mourning the loss of their baby.

It was heartbreaking. (Last week) there was another dead deer. At this point, the amount of drivers killing animals is reprehensible.

I can maybe explain away that the boar and the deer “ran into the car,” but what about the baby crane’s demise? Did the driver not see the baby? Was the driver distracted? Was the driver speeding?

I drive the speed limit of 45 miles per hour on that stretch and slow down or stop when wildlife is close to the roadway or crossing the road. I have been tailgated, honked at, received the flashing headlight signal, and even bypassed by a speeding driver on that single lane road.

The massive amount of new construction in Lakewood Ranch, particularly along the stretch of road between Bourneside Boulevard and Lorraine Road on University Parkway, is displacing our wildlife. Drivers should obey the posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour on that road. Drivers should be especially aware of our precious migrant wildlife.

ANGELA P. FLESCHÉ LAKEWOOD RANCH

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo online at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere. Stay tuned for this year’s prize, and happy travels!

“Everyone showed up and was super invested in track, and it made the team feel like a family.”

FAST BREAK

The Braden River High baseball team fell one win short of advancing to the 5A state tournament. The Pirates lost to Fort Myers 2-1 May 7, won the second game 4-2 on May 8 and lost the series-deciding game 4-3 on May 10. Braden River finished the season 19-12 and reached the regional final round for the first time in program history.

The Out-of-Door Academy boys 4x800 relay team had the best finish among East County schools at the track and field state championships May 10 at the University of North Florida. The relay team of Finn Randall Collin Dillingham Isidro Iturralde and Cash Murphy placed sixth (8:11.42). The Thunder also placed in five other events: Kevin Gyurka was fourth in the 1,600-meter run (4:23.81) and eighth in the 3,200-meter run (9:29.81), Paxon Hermann was 11th in the pole vault (3.60 meters), Dillingham was 16th in the 800-meter run (2:01.66) and the 4x400 relay team of Dillingham, Murphy, Iturralde and Themba Hillary was 18th (3:38.23).

The Lakewood Ranch boys track and field team sent two athletes to the 4A state championships in Jacksonville on May 10. Benji Best placed 14th in the long jump (6.41 meters) and Liam St. John placed 15th in javelin (47.12 meters). The Mustangs girls track and field team sent its 4x800 relay team to the state championships. Briana Taylor Avery Stewart Addison Shear and Savannah Adams placed 12th (9:54.37). Lakewood Ranch area soccer player Sky Commissar has been selected to Team Great Britain’s Under-16 girls soccer team in the Maccabiah Games — sometimes referred to as the “Jewish Olympics” — in Israel from July 1-22.

THE NEXT STEP

The Lakewood Ranch High football team is seeking its first playoff win in 23 years.

VINNIE

PORTELL STAFF WRITER

Scott Paravicini is reaching a critical juncture in his tenure as head coach of the Lakewood Ranch High football team.

Paravicini, a class of 2012 Mustangs linebacker, is entering his third year leading the football program. Typically, by the third year, head coaches like Paravicini have had time to establish a culture, develop players and become comfortable.

Judging by the past two years, a breakthrough third season isn’t out of the question.

Lakewood Ranch went 4-7 in 2023 and improved to 6-4 in 2024.

After leading the Mustangs to a winning season, Paravicini still has boxes left unchecked, including: a district championship, a regional playoff win, and the team’s first seven-win or better season in the past

“This spring is a point for us where we strive to get to the next level and continue to change the culture a little bit from where it was.”

Though the Mustangs were competitive in most of their games this past season, two district losses — 38-0 to Palmetto and 35-0 to Parrish Community — stand out as results that need to be improved moving forward.

Lakewood Ranch is losing some key players to graduation, such as leading tackler Richard De Paula (145 tackles, 10 for loss) and running back Cullen McRae II (233 yards, seven touchdowns in four games), along with five players who transferred.  Rising juniors Trenton (WR) and Cade Huffman (SS), rising senior left tackle Luke O’Brien, rising senior cornerback Mike Turner and rising senior quarterback Liam Fernandez all have transferred.

However, the Mustangs are still loaded with proven players who have played under Paravicini for two to three seasons.

Dempsey (1,015 yards, 13 touchdowns), rising senior tight end/wide receiver Cooper Orzell (13 receptions, 193 yards, one touchdown), rising junior cornerback Ka’Marion Jones (six interceptions, five pass breakups) and rising senior cornerback Judah Galessiere (two interceptions, 11 pass breakups).

Of those standouts, Orzell, Jones and rising junior cornerback Jayden Rivers have been practicing on both sides of the ball this spring — a bit of an unusual tactic for a 6A school like Lakewood Ranch, but one that could move the needle.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Orzell said of adding outside linebacker to his skillset. “Obviously, it’s going to be a challenge and it’s going to take a lot of work, but I’m up for it and my teammates who are doing it are up for it. This is what we prepare ourselves for.”

Other experienced returners include rising senior receiver Viktor Monoki and rising senior linebacker Aiden Getschow.

However, there are some positions left to be determined, including the team’s starting quarterback following the departure of Fernandez.

Paravicini said the team is trying out different options under center this spring, but would not comment on which players were in the running.  With the direction of the passing game still up in the air, Dempsey could prove essential to keeping the offense on the field. If he lives up to his senior-year goals, that shouldn’t be an issue.

“Senior year, you want to go out with a bang,” Dempsey said. “I would love a record-breaking season. I’d love to break the rushing record here, and touchdowns, if that comes too. I know I had a thousand (yards) last year and I think I have to get two thousand this year.”

Paravicini and his staff should have a better idea of how their team will look this fall after Lakewood Ranch’s spring game against George Jenkins at home on May 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 15: vs. Newsome (Preseason Kickoff Classic)

Aug. 22: at Lemon Bay

Aug. 29: vs. Seminole

Sept. 5: at Braden River

Sept. 12: vs. Southeast

Sept. 19: Bye week

Sept. 26: at Lennard

Oct. 3: at Sarasota

Oct. 10: at Palmetto

Oct. 17: at Gateway

Oct. 24: vs. Parrish

Oct. 31: vs. Bayshore

Lakewood Ranch graduate advances to U.S. Open final qualifier

Parker Severs won a six-man playoff at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Parker Severs didn’t waste any time getting started on his post-Lakewood Ranch High golf career.

The 2025 Lakewood Ranch High grad’s last day as a Mustang came on May 6. Two days later, Severs shot a 2-under-par 70 at Waterlefe Golf and River Club and won a six-man playoff to advance past the local qualifying round for the 125th U.S. Open.

He will next play in the final round of qualifying at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach on June 2. Though that feat is impressive in itself, how Severs earned his qualifying spot speaks volumes about his potential.

Playing against an 84-man field that included a majority of veteran golfers with caddies, Severs worked his way around the par-72, 6,869yard course without a caddie while toting his high school golf bag. For most of the day, Severs had put himself in position to receive one of the qualifying spots awarded

to the golfers with the five lowest scores.

He opened the day with an eagle and a birdie on back-to-back holes, but shot 1-over-par on the following 16 holes, including a critical mistake on the final hole.

Severs striped his tee shot down the middle of the fairway on the par-4 18th hole, but missed his approach shot to the right of the green and hit underneath his chip shot, leaving it on the fringe. After two-putting for bogey, Severs shifted from inside the top five and into a six-way tie for fifth place.  If not for a high school career

U.S. OPEN LOCAL QUALIFIERS AT WATERLEFE

■ Hans Risvaer (Miami) 67 (-5)

■ Blake Dyer (St. Petersburg) 68 (-4)

■ Tyler Wilkes (Tampa) 68 (-4)

■ Stephen Sowards (Bradenton) 69 (-3)

■ Parker Severs (Lakewood Ranch) 70 (-2)

■ Alternates: Charlie Delsman (Hartland, Wisconsin) and Austin Schultz (Fort Myers) 70 (-2)

filled with high-pressure moments, Severs might have stumbled.

He wrapped up his high school career this past fall in a tie for second place at the 3A state golf championships with a 70-73 (1-under-par) at Howey-in-theHills that helped lead the Mustangs to a second-place finish as a team, and he has had several close calls in other tournaments.

“My playoff record is not too good, I think I’m like 1-2,” Severs said. “I think I have a lot of experience in it though. I lost one in states and then I lost one in the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association), so I feel like I’ve been in this spot a couple of times.”

Severs took an unconventional approach during the playoff on the par-5, 554-yard 10th hole, using a three-wood instead of a driver because it “had been bad all day.”

He then hit his best shot of the day, a four iron that traveled 250 yards and settled roughly six feet away from the pin.

“I saw it carry the bunker, and I was just hoping it was on the green, to be honest,” he said. “My brother (Preston Severs) was over there in the corner, and he gave me the thumbs up.”

Severs drained his 6-foot eagle putt and celebrated with a muted fist pump before standing close by to watch the second threesome play the hole.

Though there were a couple of close calls, none of his five competitors were able to match Severs’ eagle.

“This is my first year playing the local (qualifier),” he said. “I knew I had a chance, for like forever now, so I was just like, ‘Let’s sign up for it and give it my all.’ I’m just super excited. This is a great opportunity.”

What made Severs’ playoff heroics even more impressive was his ability to overcome any doubts he had. He said he hadn’t been playing well the past two months. His scores had been going in the wrong direction and doubts had been creeping into his head.

“I was just a little bit in my head,” he said. “I kind of got stuck in my golf swing and just kind of played through it for a couple months. It’s a hard game. It feels good to mentally get through this round.”

Severs had plenty of time to doubt himself at Waterlefe. He had to sit through a roughly two-hour rain delay with only a handful of holes left to play, and then had to wait another half-hour on the driving range to see if his final score would be good enough for a playoff. Now with a local qualifier under his belt, Severs is hoping to have “a really good summer.” Along with playing in the final round of U.S. Open qualifying, he said he plans to practice a lot and play in some other tournaments to prepare for his next phase of golf.

He will debut as a freshman for the University of Florida men’s golf team later this year. The Gators won the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship in 2023.

Before that happens, though, he could be playing in one of the most prestigious tournaments the sport has to offer.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kevin Gyurka

The Out-of-Door Academy junior Kevin Gyurka placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run (4:23.81) at the State Track and Field Championships at the University of North Florida on May 9-10. He also ran the 3,200-meter run in 9:29.81 and placed eighth.

When and why did you start running track?

I started running track in elementary school around fourth grade. My kindergarten teacher (Miss Graber) saw me during run club and she really pushed me to start running track. Ever since then, I got more into running track and I just fell in love with it.

What’s been your most memorable moment this track and field season?

Probably just the runs together as a team and when everyone’s together warming up or stretching. Everyone showed up and was super invested in track and it made the team feel like a family, which was important this season.

What went right for ODA’s track and field team this season?

I think feeling as a family. Coach (Erin) Mulvihill organized team meals before every race. We warmed up together and that kind of brought everyone together. The spirits were high and everyone enjoyed com ing out here.

What is your favorite run ning memory?

When I got third at states last year in the 3,200 (meter run). That was pretty fun. It was my first time at states and I didn’t realize how important it was. Of course at the time I was super happy, but thinking back at it, it’s probably my proudest moment.

What went right for you this track and field season?

I think a change in attitude.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to VPortell@YourObserver.com.

I started believing in myself and trusting myself. Everyone around me, like coach Mulvihill and coach (Chris) Dillingham, believed in me, which led me to believe in myself, too. Even if the races weren’t as I was expecting, they still encouraged me and motivated me. I had let myself down (early in the season), but the constant reassurance helped me get better and believe in myself again.

What has been your most humbling moment in track and field?

Definitely the 3,200 (meter run at the state meet) this year. I came in expecting to be good and during the seventh lap, I just died off. I was hoping to get top three and I just was fading and fading and got eighth.

What’s your go-to warm-up song? I’m definitely listening to Kanye. I like “Devil in a Red Dress.” The Rick Ross verse gets me going.

If you’re not running, what are you doing?

Probably playing video games at home, like Fortnite or Forza Horizon. I’m always playing with my friends. Finish this sentence. Kevin Gyurka

Waterside celebrates moms YOUR NEIGHBORS

It was her first time celebrating Mother’s Day as a mom, and Star Farms’ Justine Morehart said she had come to the right place.

Waterside Place hosted a special event for moms May 10 that was highlighted by the Petals and Poses fashion show.

“This is surreal to me,” said Morehart, who was carrying her 6-month-old daughter, Mabel. “I am so full of joy.”

She said Lakewood Ranch knows how to throw an event.

“This is the best thing in the world,” she said. “It’s a hit, and I

hope they do this every year. We (moms) feel so special.”

Waterside’s Andrew and Kristine Santucci didn’t expect to be celebrating Mother’s Day. At 38, Kristine had been told going through breast cancer would prevent her from having children.

But there they were, pushing a double baby carriage with their 2-month-old twins, Scarlett and Zayden.

“It’s all about me today ... and them,” Kristine said. “It’s nice to have a day to celebrate you and your babies.”

The couple was all smiles.

“This has been an amazing surprise,” Andrew said of the twins.

They said they loving living at Waterside because so much is happening all the time in the community.

“We can just walk over,” Kristine said. “It’s one of the reasons we moved here.”

They weren’t sure how much of the event they would be able to attend.

“It depends on them,” Andrew said of the twins.

JAY HEATER

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Keller Williams shines its red light for kids

Company employees provide labor for the Beds for Kids

EHOW TO HELP

BEDS FOR KIDS

What they do: Beds for Kids is dedicated to providing free beds to kids who need them in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Who is served: Beds for Kids works with more than 90 government, school and church organizations and their case workers to identify children in need of beds.

ast County’s Mark Coates, co-founder of the Beds for Kids nonprofit, had delivered a bed to a Bradenton family in need in 2020 and had finished setting it up. He was ready to leave the home, but first asked the family members if they would say a prayer with him. The bed was for a 6-year-old girl, who bowed her head to pray. She had seen the Scripture verses that a volunteer had written on the slats of her new bed.

More information: To donate or to find out how to help, go to B4Kids.org or call 290-2774.

When Coates finished the prayer, the little girl looked up at her mother and said, “It’s like Jesus will be hugging me while I am lying there asleep.”

Coates has many stories of families who have been positively affected

after receiving a bed from his

and he shared some of those stories with writer Eric Snider of LWRLife, a sister publication to the East County Observer.

Paula Jones, the head of the Culture Committee for Keller Williams Coastal Living II, was in charge of picking the company’s annual Red Day theme for 2025. On Red Day, Keller Williams shuts down its business so its employees can participate in volunteer activities to give back to the community where they work.

Jones came upon Coates’ story when she read LWRLife magazine in November and found her Red Day theme.

“I loved that they were building beds in his workshop,” she said of Coates, whose East County home is adjacent to Panther Ridge off State Road 70. “I love that everything was going to the local community.”

Coates was thrilled that Keller Williams brought approximately 50 volunteers to his home May 8 to build beds for children in need.

“I am overwhelmed,” Coates said to the group. “I have no words.”

He then found a few.

“What I have seen is that so many people want to help,” he said. “But they don’t know how. We get to be part of the how.”

Keller Williams’ Loretta Copper said she is passionate about humanitarian efforts that make a difference in the community. She said pairing Beds for Kids with Red Day was a perfect fit.

“It’s amazing for two individuals (Coates and his wife, Brenda) in their 70s to be doing this,” Copper said. “They are following what they feel God has asked them to do.

“And there are so many children in need. (This effort) is very compassionate and moving. Mark told us a story about two boys who were 18 and who had never slept in a bed before they received one (from Beds for Kids). Every single penny goes to the kids and the beds.”

Red Day is held each year by Keller Williams on the second Thursday of May. It was founded by former Keller Williams CEO Mo Anderson. This year, employees of Keller Williams Coastal Living II raised $10,000 to fund the building of beds through its KW Cares nonprofit.

Beds for Kids became a nonprofit in 2020. Coates, a former tavern owner in Fort Wayne, Indiana, had come upon First United Methodist Church Pastor Clark Edwards, who was running a program by himself to supply kids in need with beds. Coates decided he wanted to help Edwards, who is now a Beds for Kids board member.

Coates said the BridgePoint Church of St. Petersburg originally had been running such a program and showed Coates how they ran it. No matter who had the idea first, it was something that was needed.

“BridgePoint got it from a church in Kentucky,” Coates said.

Typically, a bed package is delivered to families in need, including either a twin-sized frame or a bunk bed, a mattress or mattresses, bedding (sheets, a comforter, pillow), a Bible, a kneel prayer rug and a stuffed toy for younger kids.

“We took it on to help the case workers,” Coates said. “The case workers know of the need.

“We work with over 90 organizations ... government, churches and schools. It is about creating a safe place for children to sleep.”

Coates said he is thrilled that Snider told the Beds for Kids story in LWRLife.

“The article opened the hearts of people who wanted to help,” he said.

Red Day isn’t the only day the nonprofit stays busy. Beds for Kids holds a building day once a month, and the organization has more than 190 volunteers, not including those who helped May 8.

Coates said Beds for Kids will supply kids in need more than 500 beds in 2025, after delivering 487 beds in 2024.

Among those who deliver beds is Todd Shear, a major in the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and a Beds for Kids board member. He said it might be surprising to people that in every part of Manatee County, there are children who don’t have a bed to sleep on.

He recalled delivering a bed to a family in a Lakewood Ranch apartment complex. He said there was no furniture in the apartment ... none. He said the mom and two kids were sleeping on a blanket on the floor.

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DENTAL IMPLANTS

PET PICS

Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/Contests/Pet-Pics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

ON THE PROWL: Binxie enjoys the sun while doing a little running and hunting in the backyard in Greenbrook of Lakewood Ranch.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 5:30-7:30 PM

Art Center Sarasota 707 N Tamiami Trail

Meet & Mingle with 5 Local Artists Complimentary Beer, Wine, & Specialty Cocktails/Mocktails Hors d’Oeuvres by Mattison’s Live Jazz Music by The Geniuses Fabulous Live Auction Free Valet Parking

Tickets $100/person Sponsorships Available Purchase at NAMISarasotaManatee.org

THURSDAY, MAY 15 THROUGH

SUNDAY, MAY 18

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING

Runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Jam Busters (Friday) Donnie Bostic (Saturday), and Santiago (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5; the others are free. For information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 16

GOLF BENEFIT

Begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at Rosedale Golf and Country Club, 5100 87th St. E., Lakewood Ranch. Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee is hosting the Drive Away Hunger Golf Classic. Proceeds help children, families and seniors in need in Manatee County. The $150 per golfer fee includes the scramble tournament, green fees, cart, driving range balls, food, beverages and prizes. Go to MealsOnWheelsPlus. org for information or to register.

FRIDAY, MAY 16 AND

SATURDAY, MAY 17

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs from 6-9 p.m. each evening at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Frankie Lombardi pays acoustic rock and pop favorites for the Waterside Place crowd on Friday while blues musician Zach Pomerleau entertains the crowd on Saturday. For information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

SHRED DAY

Runs from 9 a.m. until noon at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority, Stewardship District, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and the Food Bank of Manatee are hosting a free Community Shred Day and Food Drive. Take advantage of the shredding service to dispose of old bills and receipts, junk mail, account statements, and more. Those who use the service are asked to bring a nonperishable and nonglass food item that will go to the Food Bank of Manatee. The service is for personal

BEST BET

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

SENIOR FAIR

Runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Lakewood Ranch YMCA is hosting a free senior fair that will feature exhibits showcasing products, services, programs and resources for seniors and caregivers. The exhibitors will have free giveaways, and food and raffles will be available. For more information, call 798-9622.

documents only. For more information, call the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority at 907-0202 or the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District at 727-1505.

SARASOTA PARADISE SOCCER

Begins at 7:30 p.m. at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota Paradise opens the season at the team’s home field against the St. Petersburg Football Club. Tickets start at $10. For more information, go to SarasotaParadise.us.

SATURDAY, MAY 17 AND SUNDAY, MAY 18

MUSIC AT THE LODGE

Runs 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Linger Lodge, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton. Linger Lodge’s live music schedule includes Brooke Hargrove on Saturday and Dave Burks on Sunday.

SUNDAY, MAY 18

FARMERS MARKET

Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. Vendors offer seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products and bakery goods, among other items. For information, visit MyLWR.com.

BIG 12 ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP

Runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Nathan Benderson Park hosts the Big 12 Rowing Championship that will include Tulsa, Old Dominion, UCF, Kansas, Kansas State and West Virginia. Go to NathanBendersonPark. org for more information.

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Live Life Luxe

Lake Club home tops sales at $5.78 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

ALake Club home on Clearlake Avenue topped the week’s sales at $5,775,000. David Ramsdell and Kevin Long, of Siesta Key, sold their home at 16407 Clearlake Ave. to Vasilios and Jennifer Kiritsis, of Sarasota. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, five-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 4,967 square feet of living area. It sold for $4,514,300 in 2023.

POMELLO PARK

The home at 6511 200th St. E. was sold by 2412 Bay LLC to Jeffrey Scott Millea and Krista Millea, of Bradenton, for $2.43 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,924 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million in 2019.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

James and Marina Burkholder, of Richmond, Virginia, sold their home at 712 Crosswind Ave. to Thomas Mark and Laurel McLain, of Windham, New Hampshire, for $2,219,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,222 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,396,300 in 2021.

Elizabeth Lemons, of Sarasota, sold her home at 899 Seascape Place to Ernest and Elaine Davis, of Sarasota, for $1,035,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,281 square feet of living area. It sold for $589,300 in 2020.

Adam and Nicole Rubinger, of Bradenton, sold their home at 883 Seascape Place to Robert and Tram Grohowski, of Baltimore, for $957,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $737,100 in 2022.

COUNTRY CLUB

Glenn and Linda Davis, trustees, of Greensboro, North Carolina, sold the home at 12611 Elgin Terrace to Thomas and Linda Edelston, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.15 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,426 square feet of living area. It sold for $657,000 in 2019.

Roulund Holdings 8219 LLC sold the home at 8219 Championship Court to Michael and Jill Donnelly, of Lakewood Ranch, for $645,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,507 square feet of living area. It sold for $521,700 in 2022.

Steven and Carol Lanard, of Leawood, Kansas, sold their home at 7608 Windward Cove to Curtis William Byrne and Lisa Pool Byrne, of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, for $635,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,269 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2019.

RIVERDALE

Bradford Michael Gucciardo, of Bradenton, sold his home at 4605 Fifth Ave. N.E. to Scott David McKay, trustee, of Bradenton, for $1.05 million. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,569 square feet of living area. It sold for $840,000 in 2015.

Scott David McKay, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 311 41st St. N.E. to Bradford Michael Gucciardo, of Bradenton, for $700,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,282 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,400 in 2003.

SAPPHIRE POINT

Snehal and Nirali Patel, of Bradenton, sold their home at 16446 Slate Place to Derek Hayden Backer and Jennifer Folkerts Backer, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,015,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,404 square feet of living area. It sold for $949,300 in 2022.

Sean Reed McGee and Wileeta McGee, of Lakewood Ranch, and Vaughn and Marnie McKoy, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, sold their home at 6144 Baywood Court to Mario Robert Barrera Del Aguila and Joanis Noemi Cruz Franco, of Lakewood Ranch, for $715,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,638 square feet of living area. It sold for $704,400 in 2023.

Paul Francis Twigg and Mishal Chawdry, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, sold their home at 6076 Baywood Court to Hannah Kelsie Anglemire and Troy Thomas Anglemire, of Lakewood Ranch, for $600,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,638 square feet. It sold for $607,400 in 2023.

SHOREVIEW

Ronald Lehr and Letitia, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 701 Sigsbee Loop to William Werden Jr., of Sarasota, for $950,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,486 square feet of living area. It sold for $712,500 in 2020.

GREENBROOK

Robert and Valerie Lind sold their home at 14806 Sundial Place to Ivan and Louisa Bodul, of Lakewood Ranch, for $942,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,868 square feet of living area. It sold for $665,000 in 2020.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Marc Eberhardt, trustee, of Castle Rock, Colorado, sold the home at 14208 Woodhall Place to Cheryl Schmidt and Craig Andrew Schmidt, of Bradenton, for $885,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,819 square feet of living area.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Darrel Lloyd Jr. sold the home at 5913 Cessna Run to William and Julie O’Connor, of Birmingham, Alabama, for $875,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,248 square feet of living area. It sold for $510,000 in 2019.

Irenee and Gisele Bourque sold their home at 17415 Hickok Belt Loop to JRV Professional Corp. for $855,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,900 square feet of living area. It sold for $465,000 in 2019.

RIVER WIND

James Ferguson and Kari Sprecher, of Sarasota, sold their home at 967 River Wind Circle to Scott and Deborah Hocking, of Bradenton, for $867,500. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,676 square feet of living area. It sold for $560,000 in 2017.

UPPER MANATEE RIVER ROAD

Troy Reagan, of Lakewood Ranch, sold his home at 14204 Upper Manatee River Road to Kyle David Elliott and Sierra Audra Elliott, of Bradenton, for $861,300. Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,672 square feet of living area.

SWEETWATER

Jonathan and Jessica Kalman, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 16754 Savory Mist Circle to Charlie and Jamie Henderson, of Bradenton, for $850,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,939 square feet of living area. It sold for $740,900 in 2023.

BRADEN WOODS Carrie Drez, Lisa Matlock, Francis Regan II and Matthew Regan, of Lemont, Illinois, sold their home at 9104 68th Ave. E. to Jameson Taylor, of Lakewood Ranch, for $800,000. Built in 1988, it has three

RESIDENTIAL

APRIL 28-MAY 2

bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,811 square feet of living area. It sold for $778,000 in 2023.

MILL CREEK

Kristian and Jillian Bieber, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14530 17th Ave. E. to Aaron and Paxton Whitley, of Bradenton, for $799,900. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,663 square feet of living area.

WATERCREST

Clariee Smith, trustee, of Cincinnati, sold the Unit 202 condominium at 6340 Watercrest Way to Matthew and Rachel Brody, of Bradenton, for $765,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,376 square feet of living area. It sold for $504,000 in 2019.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Jay and Julie Cleary and Lawrence and Linda Cleary, of Barrington, New Hampshire, sold their home at 7207 Pine Valley St. to Kellianne and Kevin Podsiad, of San Antonio, for $750,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,681 square feet of living area. It sold for $975,000 in 2022.

King of the essays

Willis Elementary fifth grader wins essay contest by writing about chess with his grandma.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

Eleven-year-old Mark Eubanks always has been a social child, making friends with people of all ages. He never complains when he has to sit with adults or has to play with all younger kids.

“He has this quality to listen and be social,” said his mom, Jennifer Eubanks. “You gain so much from that. It’s very enriching and I think that helps his imagination and his writing. Authors need experience.”

At 6 years old, Mark Eubanks knew he wanted to be an author. His goal is to write a fiction book and while on that path, he already has added a couple of essay contest wins to his resume.

The most recent essay contest victory was through the Florida Retired Educators Association, which has been holding its essay contest since 2006.

The topic was sharing a favorite memory with a grandparent.

Mark Eubanks won the Manatee County contest and was third in the state division with “Chess with My Grandma.”

“I know I’m a good writer,” Mark Eubanks said. “I just don’t expect to win because I think there’s going to be one that’s five times better than mine.”

His dad, Mark Eubanks IV, appreciated that his son’s essay was simple and didn’t contain a lot of extra fluff. He said it still struck a chord with everyone who read it.

‘CHESS WITH MY GRANDMA’

An excerpt from “Chess with My Grandma” “I am very grateful that my grandma helped me learn how to play chess. In this way, she taught me how to be patient, to strategize and to look at my surroundings. This has really impacted my life in a great way and has brought me closer to my grandma and to my other friends who play chess. I will never forget how she took the time to teach me how to play this game and how it has helped me grow closer to her. I didn’t just learn chess. I learned that my grandma and I had something in common that was special for just the two of us. That is truly what makes this my favorite memory with a grandparent.”

In the essay, a main theme stressed by the writer was that it was important because it was a game for just the two of them.

The Eubanks’ family gave Arreola a red folder that contained a copy of the essay as a Valentine’s Day present.

Jennifer Eubanks said she had won an essay contest as a kid and her son’s essay might have reminded her grandmother of that time. Arreola was excited, sharing her grandson’s victory with everyone she could.

“I think it warmed her heart,” Jennifer Eubanks said of her mom.

Mark Eubanks read his essay aloud at the school board meeting April 29. His dad said his son never gets nervous while reading his work or speaking in public. However, he did say he was worried that day, because he didn’t want to take attention away from his 6-year-old sister Georgia’s birthday.

Jennifer Eubanks said after he was done reading his essay, he introduced his family members including Georgia, “the birthday girl herself.”

“He kept saying, ‘I had to do it on Georgia’s birthday,’” Jennifer Eubanks said. “He’s like, ‘I’m so sorry, Mom.’”

Jennifer Eubanks said Mark Eubanks wrote the core of the essay in one sitting over Christmas break and revised and edited it over a threeweek period. Jennifer Euubanks encouraged her son to never leave an extra credit point behind

“I love the structure of it, and I think it’s just such a good skill to have to be able to research, write it,  formulate your thoughts and organize it and then edit and revise,” Jennifer Eubanks said. “I love that whole process.”

They also keep in touch with a video call every Sunday.

“His grandmother’s very good (at chess), she taught him and he took to it. It’s a real bond between the two,” said Mark’s father.

The elder Eubanks said his son’s writing brought out new images that he hadn’t even seen being part of the family. Eubanks’ grandmother, Palmetto’s Lynn Arreola, was the subject of the essay. They play chess together every time they’re together, often on the bottom bunk in Mark’s room.

The younger Mark Eubanks said the most challenging part of writing the essay was the word count and narrowing down his work to fit the requirements.

Jennifer Eubanks said what was so special about the contest is that it was all retired educators. Anne Fagan, executive director of the

Florida Retired Educators Association, started creating posters for the top three winners in 2011.  Fagan said it was “especially wonderful to create as I, too, learned chess from a grandparent and still have wonderful memories of those quiet hours to this day.”

Mark Eubanks will attend a recognition luncheon at World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort on May 21, where he will receive the poster of his essay and meet the members of the Florida Retired Educators Association.  Eubanks said there are a lot of

people who helped build his dreams of becoming an author, including his fourth grade reading teacher Carrie Botros and his current fifth grade English teacher Jennifer McGregor.  Denise Herrera, the fourth grade teacher who taught Eubanks math and science, was also a support system for Eubanks. Jennifer Eubanks said she went out of her way to support Mark on a Saturday and listen to his speech on why he thinks longer weekends would be beneficial. That speech won the 2024 Manatee County 4H County Level Public Speaking Contest.

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