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LONGBOAT
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Food meets fashion at the Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show. PAGE 1B
Chic Silber rummages through his Broadway toy box. INSIDE
Gov. Rick Scott reflects on his first year in office. PAGE 3A
OUR TOWN
Thursday, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
traffic fatality
by Robin Hartill | City Editor
Pedestrian, 73, dies in GMD crash A woman visiting from Illinois died Friday night after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Johnson
“Can You See Me Now?” is a photo of a jellyfish on Longboat Key beach.
+ International exhibition on display Longboat Key resident and photographer Mary Lou Johnson’s work was displayed in the collection of Professional Photographers of America’s 2011 International Photographic Competition. The exhibition is one of the world’s largest annual exhibits of professional photography. Two of her photos in the collection were taken on Longboat Key: “Mystic Morning” and “Can You See Me Now?”
A woman who was visiting Longboat Key died Friday night, after a Jeep sport-utility vehicle struck her as she attempted to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive. A Longboat Key police report identified the pedestrian as Jo F. Schatterman, 73, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., and the driver as Petar Sibinkic, 36, of Sarasota. Sibinkic is the owner of Your Fitness Instructor, on Longboat Key.
Longboat Key firefighters and police responded to the scene about 6:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. According to a news release, Schatterman was attempting to cross the road heading toward the Islander Club. The release identified Sibinkic as a “Longboat Key businessman” and said that he was headed home from work southbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive
and attempted to avoid striking Schatterman but was unable to do so. Sibinkic stopped immediately to render aid and call 911. Firefighters and police attempted to provide treatment, however, Schatterman died at the scene. Family members of both Schatterman and Sibinkic came to the scene, the release states. A Sarasota Police Department traffic homicide responded to
conduct the investigation. Traffic was limited to one-lane passage for nearly two hours Friday night as police investigated. A full crash report will likely take several weeks to complete, according to police. The crash was the first traffic fatality to occur on Longboat Key in nearly seven years. The last fatal accident occurred in April 2005, when 79-year-old Seaplace resident Monroe “Buddy” Greenbaum was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He died minutes later.
FLYING HIGH
+ We would love to hear your stories For Valentine’s Day, we want to hear your love stories. How did you meet the love of your life? What’s your favorite thing to do together? What do you love most about them? How long have you been together? Whether it’s the love you share for a spouse, sibling, child or even pet, all kinds of love would be, well, lovely! If you’d like to share your story, please email your story, along with a photo and contact information to Mallory Gnaegy: mgnaegy@ yourobserver.com. You may also reach her at 366-3468, Ext. 360.
+ Tribute to Nan Freeman New College students attended a Sabbath service Friday, Jan. 27, as a tribute to Nan Freeman, a New College student who was killed her freshman year 40 years ago. Freeman was protesting for migrant workers. Temple Beth Israel held a service in Freeman’s honor.
Courtesy photos
A bald eagle was perched on the branch of a tree last week behind the Sea Grape Inn on Gulf of Mexico Drive, and husband-and-wife Elizabeth Addison and Gregory J. Ward spotted it. Not only did they witness the spectacular bird, they captured photos of it.
‘SEPARATION AGREEMENT’
by Robin Hartill | City Editor
Gill resigns from Longboat Island Chapel The Rev. Kenneth Gill resigned as senior minister Friday, two days before the congregation was scheduled to vote on his future with the church. The Rev. Kenneth Gill resigned Friday from his position as senior minister at Longboat Island Chapel after 12 years with the congregation. The resignation came two days before the congregation was scheduled to vote on whether to retain Gill. In-
stead, the board of trustees and Gill agreed on what Gill described as a “separation agreement.” The chapel’s board announced the agreement in a Jan. 28 email to members: “The Board of Trustees is pleased
to announce that the matter with Pastor Gill has been amicably resolved,” it stated. “We wish Pastor Gill the best in the pursuit of his future career goals. It is our hope and
SEE GILL / PAGE 2A Gill
INDEX Bridge Bites....... 11B Briefs....................4A
Calendar............ 15A Classifieds ........ 13B
Cops Corner....... 14A Crossword.......... 12B
Opinion.................8A Weather............. 12B
Vol. 34, No. 27 | Three sections YourObserver.com