SIESTA KEY
Observer
Paint the town blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month. SEE PAGE 18A
Formerly the Pelican Press
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 47, NO. 37
FREE
HAPPY PASSOVER!
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THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017
Rebuilding on a fine line Getting projects just right in Siesta Key Village can be tricky. PAGE 3A
SUMMER FUN
RANCH | LAKEWOOD | MANATEE SARASOTA
1
GUIDE SUMMER FUN
IES
| BOTH COUNT
2017
GUIDE
7 201
Your guide to ps summer cam in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Your guide to summer camps
INSIDE
Observer
YOUR TOWN
Gil Waters and wife, Elisabeth
Waters turns 90
Were it not for his efforts in the late 1990s, today’s fixedspan Ringling Bridge would not be approaching its 15th anniversary. Were it not for his and fellow city commissioners’ efforts in the early 1960s, there may not have been a Bayfront Park and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Longtime Sarasota entrepreneur, former city commissioner and philanthropist Gil Waters celebrated his 90th birthday Monday. Nearly 100 of his fans visited to toast him. On Tuesday, his wife, Elisabeth, said: “He still had a big smile all day Tuesday. It was a very good day for him.”
A place of their own Volunteers make Gillespie Park the hub of the neighborhood. SEE PAGE 1B Anna Brugmann
Julie Feeley, Linda Holland and Linda Jacob have led efforts to improve Gillespie Park.
2nd court rules for Chapman DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR
City Commissioner Susan Chapman has been a target of criticism during a lawsuit that alleges she violated Florida’s Sunshine Law, but on Wednesday, a court ruled
in her favor for the second time. The Second District Court of Appeal issued a unanimous decision affirming the initial ruling of Sarasota Circuit Court Judge Brian Iten. In 2016, Iten concluded Chapman had not violated the Sunshine Law.
The case revolves around a 2013 meeting of downtown merchants, which included Chapman and Commissioner Suzanne Atwell, on the topic of homelessness. Neither commissioner spoke at SEE COURT, PAGE 9A
Top teacher Riverview High School social studies teacher William “BJ” Ivey is Sarasota County Teacher of the Year. Sarasota County School District Superintendent Todd Bowden presented the award to Ivey during a Teacher of the Year luncheon April 5 at Michael’s on East. Ivey is also the Riverview’s boys basketball coach.
Above the road Residents float idea for footbridge.
SEE PAGE 4A
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TALES FROM REFRIGERATORS INSIDE