LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
Q+A with Julius Halas PAGE 12A
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 37, NO. 45
FREE
ARTS+CULTURE
PLAYING BY EAR
Stephen Fancher fluidly moves from the world of finance to piano playing.
BLACK
TIE
FASHION INSIDER We explore what shops are selling items in our favorite summer color: yellow.
INSIDE
NETWORK NEWS An undergrounding utilities project has sparked discussion of a fiberoptic network. But commissioners aren’t sure whether they can dig it. KURT SCHULTHEIS SENIOR EDITOR
If voters approve a $23.4 million project in November to bury power lines and other utility wires along Gulf of Mexico Drive, other opportunities could surface. There will be an 11.5-mile ditch that’s ripe for a fiber optic network that could be installed, according to Town Manager Dave Bullock. “You don’t get open ditches very often and you should take advantage of them when they are open,” Bullock said. But is an estimated $500,000 installation of town-owned fiber worth installing, even if it’s done at a reduced cost because the ditch will be dug for utilities?
FIBER-OPTIC NETWORK INCENTIVES
ISLAND-WIDE WIFI
MEDICAL MONITORING
SECURITY SERVICES
9-1-1 CELLULAR SERVICE
911 ACCESS
DISASTER MONITORING
SEE FIBER OPTIC PAGE 3A
CATCH SOME RAYS
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015
YOUR TOWN UNIVERSAL PRAISE
Country Club Shores resident Robert Gault is a strong supporter of a future undergrounding project and the work town staff oversaw to analyze every property on the Key. When Town Manager Dave Bullock informed Gault that Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross deserved the kudos, Gault was quick to fire off this short June 2 email to Ross: “Anne, you’re the best. Could have used you on the executive team at Universal.” That’s high praise from the former president of Universal Orlando and Hollywood who has 42 years’ experience in the business.
Sarasota County parks $2 million at Bayfront The answer to the town manager’s request for funds was a resounding yes — even before he asked the question. KURT SCHULTHEIS SENIOR EDITOR
Cali Cook, 7, and her brother, Tyler, 12, attended the World Oceans Day Family Festival Saturday, at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Attendees learned about conservation and the ocean’s connection to the human spirit. SEE PAGE 15A FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT.
Town Manager Dave Bullock came to the Sarasota County Commission June 3 armed with five town commissioners, a planning board member and a handful of PowerPoint slides. He planned to show how much money Longboaters give the county each year — without any county park service request in return. But he never had to step to the podium to make his request for $2 million for Bayfront Park. Within 15 minutes, the County Commission unanimously agreed to support Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Services Department Carolyn Brown’s recommendations to use $1.3 million from its Neighborhood SEE BAYFRONT PAGE 6A