bserver O
EAST COUNTY
You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.
Thursday, MARCH 1, 2012
INSIDE
NEWS
SMART celebrates new facility.
Hillcroft gets overtime win in first Observer Cup. PHOTOS 1B
PAGE 5A
SPORTS
Three East County leagues open for season. PAGE 14-15A
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor proponent beauty and the feet OUR TOWN political
Ranch alum tackles capital As the University of South Florida’s student body president, Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Matt Diaz is serving as the voice for college students statewide.
+ Ranch dodgeball tourney raises $1,500 Lakewood Ranch High School’s Student Government Association raised $1,500 for the Payton Wright Foundation during its annual Dodgeball Tournament Feb. 22, in the school gymnasium. The Payton Wright Foundation will use the raised funds to help other families going through pediatric cancer.
MANATEE COUNTY — Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Matt Diaz still hates what he calls the “nasty side of politics,” — the side he saw two weeks ago while speaking before the state Senate Budget Committee. But the 22-year-old also knows his passion for politics — and moving the country forward — are just what is needed to cure it. Leading a team of students from the University of South
Florida, Diaz, the school’s student body president, headed to Tallahassee Feb. 15, to speak before the budget committee against budget cuts proposed for the school — about $103 million in total, the university states. “We wanted to put a face to the issue,” Diaz said, noting the president of the university had mentioned the idea on Feb. 14. “In less than 24 hours, we had vans chartered, food set up (and other de-
tails handled). It was wild. It was a tough two days.” But Diaz and his fellow students from USF persevered, pleading their case to legislators both from the podium and at one-on-one meetings with representatives. Diaz’s passionate speech was met with criticism from 82-yearold Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach, who said students were
SEE DIAZ / PAGE 10A
development
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
Apartments planned near Bennett Park
+ ‘Oh, the places you’ll go!’ Students in Gullett Elementary School’s voluntary pre-kindergarten class celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday in grand fashion last week. The students dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character and even sampled green eggs and ham. And did they like it? Yes, they did! And they would eat them in a house. And with a mouse!
+ Primrose raising funds for hospitals Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch now is accepting donations to benefit Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The school is selling CMN balloons, which will be displayed throughout the school. In addition, the school again is participating in the Family Dance-off competition. Families can submit 30-second dance videos on the competition website, www. FamilyDanceoff.com. Winners receive cash prizes as well as donations to their local CMN hospital. For more, call Primrose, 373-6363.
Pam Eubanks
Matt Diaz is a 2007 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
Ruben Holland is gearing up to start The Landings at Parkview.
Sixteen-year-old Ben Delaney carries his boat up out of the water following the boys high school 2x race, which he and his teammate won.
MOTLEY CREWS REGATTA
By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor
Hundreds of middle and high school and master rowers from across the country hit the water for the 2012 Sarasota Invitational Regatta Feb. 25-26, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
Rowers competed in a plethora of races, including singles, doubles, quads, eight-person and novice. For complete regatta results, visit www.sarasotainvitational.com.
Eighteen-year-old Katie Allen rows for the Sarasota Scullers.
MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 9A
Members of the Sarasota Scullers crew team head out into the water for the start of their race.
MANATEE COUNTY — As children played on rope obstacles at Tom Bennett Park, developer Wayne Ruben sat at a nearby picnic table and spread out construction drawings for his newest venture. Just a short distance away, he and business partner Roger Holland, owners of Ruben Holland Construction, have been preparing to unveil their newest project — The Landings at Parkview. Construction on the Key Westthemed apartment complex is expected to start in the next few months, with an anticipated opening in early 2013, Ruben said. “I think the location can’t be beat — being that close to Interstate 75,” Ruben said. “It’s on the west side of the interstate. We have a great Super Walmart nearby, a Publix nearby and, of course, the park.” Once finished, the new apartment community, which includes 19 three-story buildings, will wrap around the southwest side of the park. Amenities include a club-
SEE BENNETT / PAGE 10A
INDEX Classifieds ........ 13B Cops Corner..........7A
Crossword.......... 12B Opinion.................8A
Real Estate........ 11B Neighborhood...... 1B
Sports................ 13A Weather............. 12B
Vol. 13, No. 9 | Two sections YourObserver.com