Sue and I do not always agree, but we are on the same page about what happens too often Inside Venice and out of sight.
*****
"Recently, 'A Let’em Have It' caller stated that the city shouldn’t listen to the suggestion I made concerning balancing the budget by using some reserves and making some cutbacks instead of raising taxes.
The caller fails to mention that if no reserves were used or are used for the upcoming year, the city would have needed, or will need
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:07 PM in Category:Inside Venice
ALP Approved by 6-1 Vote
To the surprise of no-one, I expect, Council voted to approve the ALP proposal, and send it to the FAA. That, once approved by FAA will allow various construction projects on the airport, e.g., reconstruction of Runway 5-23, various taxiways, etc. to be put on the list for future FAA and State funding.
It is my guess that some money will begin to flow to Venice in the next year or two. The need for reconstruction of the runway should warrant some FAA priority, even in tough fis
AOPA WRITES IN ATTEMPT TO REASSURE CITIZENS ON ALP
As Council gets ready, Tuesday, June 28, 2011, to consider the Venice Airport Layout Plan, (ALP) the varying views of the proposed plan make interesting reading on the City website.
On the one hand, Chris Davis, president of the Venice Neighborhood Coalition, is concerned with the element in the plan to be considered, today, that the ALP shows a Runway Protection Zone now covers 24-26 (both figures are used by varying writers) homes in the Gulf Shores area. Her point is that the
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:46 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 25
PETITION DRIVE SEEKS TO PUNISH VENICE OFFICIALS (From the Sarasota Herald Tribune, June 25,2011)
The city of Venice is facing decisions on compensation for City Council members, including health benefits for current and former members and for several charter officers, i.e., city manager, city attorney and city clerk. The council has already approved formation of a seven- member committee to study compensation and then move on to a review of the city charter.
Some citizens are circulating a petition that would require council members in the future to pay more than the going rate
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:47 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 24
SUBJECT: U.S. 41 Bypass project coming
The City of Venice is celebrating the start of a project that has been more than two decades in the making. With the state fiscal year beginning on July 1, right-of-way acquisition for the addition of two lanes to U.S. 41 Bypass inside the city limits (between Bird Bay Drive and Gulf Coast Boulevard) is funded. The Florida Department of Transportation will begin construction around 2014.
Adding a northbound and a southbound lane to the existing bypass will make it consistent with U
Posted By Pam Johnson at 11:29 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 23
CARLESIMO COMES KNOCKING AT MY DOOR.
“Who’s that knocking on my door, who’s that knocking at my door….” Actually the door- bell rang and I opened it to find standing there, Emilio Carlesimo, accompanied by a nice, young tv reporter.
It is hard to know who jumped backward, startled, first, but Carlesimo did say, “Wrong number” or the equivalent. Since he was holding a petition-like document in his hand, I assumed he was gathering signatures for his ill-considered petition to have a referendum denying his fellow Cou
Posted By Ed Martin at 7:42 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 22
Anticipated utilities work requires use of boiled or bottled water
DATE: June 22, 2011
SUBJECT: Anticipated utilities work requires use of boiled or bottled water
City of Venice subcontractors will replace broken water main valves from May 23 - June 30. The work will take place in the area bordered by The Rialto, the 600 block of Harbor Drive, and the 700 - 900 blocks of South Nokomis Avenue and Riviera Street; as well as North Nassau Street to St. Augustine Avenue.
Posted By City of Venice at 4:21 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Putting Ajax To Bed On Time--Deja Vu All Over Again
Recently the City Manager approved night time operations at the Venice Minerals plant near the Venetian Golf and River Club.
The City, under former City Manager, Marty Black, approved the ability of the City Manager to allow night-time operations relating to significant work e.g., work on I-75.
It was one of a number of poor decisions involved in annexing the industrial and residential properties into Venice without providing buffering and distance to assure "Compat
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:51 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Tuesday, 21
Among the Joys of Serving on Council, (Not!)
From time to time Ms. Susan Nelson "darkened" the door of the City Council Chambers, providing an object lesson as to why it is sometimes pleasant to be ex-Mayor.
I recall seeing, before the election, Ms. Nelson speaking with John Holic and other candidates and wishing them well, and I must admit, as one not running for re-election, I wondered if they knew what they were in for.
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:23 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 20
JIM BENNETT ARGUES FOR FUNDING FOR LAUREL-BORDER CONNECTOR ROAD FUNDS
Council Member Jim Bennett represents the City on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which deals with road and transportation issues. In this correspondence with County Commissioner Christine Robinson,I believe he has performed a great service to the City as he details why he feels the County's Jim Harriott is on the wrong track in suggesting the City's plan for a connector road between Border and Laurel Roads should not be a candidate for County distribution of the City's Impact F
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:20 AM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 17
Outside Venice: Golf Prediction
Nobody Asked Me But --Rory McIlroy, the 22 year old golfer from Northern Ireland will be the "next Tiger Woods."
Promising young athletes are always being dubbed, "The next--add Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, etc." Most, even if talented, don't make the "next" qualification.
McIlroy is dominating the first two rounds of the U.S. Open, setting a new record for low score in an Open after two rounds.
There is a lot or room for this prediction to explode. McIlroy
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:02 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Outside Venice: Ray Kurzweil, an Artificial Intelligence Scientist and Prominent Futurist's Website
Ray Kurzweil publishes a free daily or weekly report of a wide variety of scientific articles ranging from nano-technology to health related.
In today's report he leads off with an article on brain research into restoration of long-term memory.
Many of the articles are very technical, but it is a wonderful way for people with an interest in science to get a flavor of what kind of research is going on that is of interest to the public.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Kurzweil Artificial Intelligence Newsletter.
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:13 AM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 16
Airport Layout Plan Causes Concern
Sue Lang has written to me and to Jim Marble, who played a part in the citizen organized group which began studying the airport about four years ago. Marble, Mike Rafferty, Kit McKeon, Chuck Schmeiler were the core group trying to come together on a common design for the ALP. The group could not make a final agreement with regard to the RPZ at the Gulf Shores end of runway 13-31, with Schmeiler, representing the airport users and businesses, feeling that the dimensions needed to be there for a
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:14 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 15
Readership of IV Increasing: More Comments Welcome
Several times recently IV has received more than 1000 hits a week, with averages between 75-100 daily.
This figures seem significant because most people read IV to follow the City Government more fully. The daily paper does not usually have a significant column on Venice daily, and the local paper publishes only twice a week, so many days the first chance to read news is here.
Feedback from City Sources is that comments from readers multiply the impact of articles in
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:20 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Tuesday, 14
COUNCIL MOVES TO END FREE HEALTH CARE FOR RETIREES-FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CHARTER OFFICERS.
Council voted today to remove the provision in the City Administrative Code that provided that retired Council Members and Charter Officers would receive health benefits after retirement at the same cost as they had when in office—that is zero costs. At a meeting later this month Council will consider what costs to apply to current city workers, council members and charter officers. It is clear that in increase for all will be involved equally.
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:43 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Breaking News: Mayor Gives In To Negative Voices on Council: Votes for Outside Search for City Manager
Mayor John Holic has been faced with two challenging personnel decisions and each time chose to change his vote rather than to fight for his principles. The first came on the Council’s decision, 4-3 to not accept City Manager Isaac Turner’s “forced” retirement. Holic, clearly pained, after voting to support Turner, and after consultation with Turner, who did not look forward to a divided Council, changed his vote, joining Bob Daniels, Emilio Carlesimo and Jeanette Gates to accept the resign
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:00 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 13
"Nobody Asked Me But...Department."
Years ago columnist Jimmy Breslin of the NY Post and NY Daily News along the way, used to have columns called "Nobody Asked Me But.." and then would share his observations and occasional arbitrary predictions. In that spirit here are two from Inside Venice.
Outside the Tandem Center a sports car was parked bearing the license plate "Italy 1." It was not an "Alfa," or even more unlikely I suppose, a "Ferrari" or a "Lamborghini," or even a "cinquecento." Instead it was a Mazda Miata
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:53 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 11
Outside Venice: Visiting New York's Largest "Chinatown."
Best Bytes in new largest "Chinatown" in NY by Ed Martin on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 4:28pm (Facebook).
Had lunch today in Flushing, NY, now a bigger "Chinatown" than Manhattan, and a big Korean population as well. Went to an underground (literally), food court right out of Szechuan and had dumplings at one stall, lambburgers at another, watched homemade noodles being made, throwing, folding, doubling over and in a few moments thin strands of noodle being cooked. Wow. Little panca
Outside Venice: Visiting New York's Largest "Chinatown."
Best Bytes in new largest "Chinatown" in NY by Ed Martin on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 4:28pm (Facebook).
Had lunch today in Flushing, NY, now a bigger "Chinatown" than Manhattan, and a big Korean population as well. Went to an underground (literally), food court right out of Szechuan and had dumplings at one stall, lambburgers at another, watched homemade noodles being made, throwing, folding, doubling over and in a few moments thin strands of noodle being cooked. Wow. Little pancak
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:37 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 10
BREAKING NEWS-FAA CHANGES SOME ASPECTS OF AIRPORT PLAN BUT REMOVAL OF 24 HOUSES FROM RPZ IS OK
A memo, dated June 8, 2010, from Christopher Rozansky, Airport Administrator to Acting City Manager Nancy Woodley details comments from the FAA to the draft Airport Layout Plan, submitted last October. The key feature of the plan that the 2007-2010 Council struggled to achieve has been approved to be part of the final plan to be submitted—that is removing 24 homes from the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) at the northwest end of Runway 13-31.
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:11 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 9
South County? South County? I think I have heard of that...
Eric Ernst of the HT comments on redistricting. The one thing that Commissioners did right was to not try to mislead anyone about their intentions. They ordered staff to make sure not to double them up in one district. No mealy mouth, best interest of the public there.
I like the County Commissioners and we worked well together on City/County issues, but as one who has lived in Republican areas and Democratic ones, and voted for candidates of both parties--one party without real
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:57 PM in Category:Inside Venice
'OLD BOYS' TIES; CQG POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS;MAYOR HOLIC/PACHOTA TIES-QUESTIONS
The recent approval by City Council of 550 seat's for Sharky's Restaurant, an increase of 150 seats from a negotiated 2008 agreement, and a doubling of current capacity, without renegotiating the percentage of gross proceeds shared with the City is raising questions about the political, business and social ties of the Mayor and other Council Members.
Inside Venice has received claims from people familiar with the situation who have been granted anonymity because they were not a
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:48 AM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 8
Is It Time To Consider Merging Venice Fire Department Into the County System?
Venice Fire Chief John Reed, not surprisingly, is protesting proposed cuts in the Department's budget which will eliminate the Fire Marshall, an assistant Chief and a number of fire department personnel.
Chief Reed warns of the loss of service and possible increase in a number of negative events. (See story in Herald Tribune, link, below.)
As a citizen and as Mayor I have praised the Department for good service to Venice Citizens. My suggestion at this time to exp
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:08 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Mayor Holic Leads Attempt to Protect Incumbents From Knowledgeable Board and Commission Members
Mayor Holic who has done a number of things right, keeps doing things wrong, or trying to, in the area of citizen participation in City business. It is a serious flaw and one he should remedy.
Holic wanted to abolish advisory committees or reduce their membership of volunteers members. He settled for cutting the number on some committees and making others meet less frequently.
The Mayor wanted to stop televising the meetings and then to stop publishing announcemen
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By ed martin at 3:57 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Tuesday, 7
North-South Connector Through Gulf Coast Foundation Property, (Laurel to Border Rds) May Have Snag
BREAKING NEWS---
Residents of Laurel Road east of I-75 have petitioned Council to build a connector road, between Laurel and Border Roads. Several such roads have been in future plans as properties become developed according to Annexation agreements between developers and the City.
The slowdown in development has kept those plans in abeyance.
Recently Council indicated a preference to use available funds for road development for a connector through the p
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:43 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Sunday, 5
A New Voice in Venice:Citizen-Based Politics and Government
A new voice in Venice citizen-based politics and government has been formed, according to Morgan Skoegard, the group's founding Chair. (Editor's note: An article in the Venice Gondolier, June 4, incorrectly states Venice United includes "a group of former members of the Venice Taxpayers League"--that is not correct.)
Venice United, a non-partisan, non-special interest, political action committee states as its purpose, " Venice United is a group of like minded individuals who are t
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Venice United.
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:23 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Trib Story, Once Again, Omits or Gets Key Facts Wrong--This Time on Short Term Rentals in Venice.
editor's note: A letter to Victor.Hull@heraldtribune.com, (Venice editor) and Tom Tryon, Editorial Page Editor, (not guilty), from former Council Member, Sue Lang.
*****
Once again, Ms. Hackett misleads your readers with incomplete and erroneous statements that serve to bolster her personal views on short term/vacation rentals. She purposely neglected to tell readers that the City of Venice's ordinance is grandfathered in just like the County's because it was passed well before the
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:05 PM in Category:Inside Venice
South County Jazz Announces Performances--and More.
The South County Jazz Club, formed less than a year ago to serve Venice, Northport and Englewood, now presents more than 70 concerts a year. In this short period, we have become one of the most active clubs in the country, and the only club in Sarasota County which is dedicated exclusively to presenting mainstream jazz. In our first season we presented world-renowned musicians including tenor sax player Harry Allen, pianist Johnny Varro, bassist John Lamb and Kennedy Center artist in residence
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:55 PM in Category:Jazz Corner
South County Jazz Club Brings More Jazz to Venice Area
A new organization, about one year old, the South County Jazz Club plans eleven concerts, beginning in October, at the Venice Art Center. Tuesday evenings 5:30 to 8:30, Snook Haven presents Jazz Jams. The Club's newsletter may be seen on our "Jazz Corner"--click on Jazz Corner on the right of screen.
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:49 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 4
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Tom Tom Club Tour US and UK. Bruce Martin, Percussion and Keyboards.
Son Bruce, keyboard and percussion for the TomTomClub, will be in Annapolis at the Ram's Head, June 5: Sellersville Theatre, PA. June 6:Ridgefield Ct. June 10; Cardiff, Wales, June 14; Jazz Cafe, London, June 15-17; Institute Birmingham, UK, June 19; ABC Glasgow, June 20; and Harmonic Weekend Festival in Dublin, June 22.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Tom Tom Website.
Posted By ed martin at 10:49 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Dr. Robert S. Burrus Named to the Sarasota County Planning Commission
Robert, “Bob” Burrus, who played an active role in reviewing and commenting on the recently approved Venice Comprehensive Plan, has been named to the County’s Planning Commission.
During the Venice process Burrus demonstrated an outstanding ability to identify important issues involving the intersection between the County’s plan and the evolving City plan. He also played a role in bringing together agreement between City and County officials to clear barriers to approval of the Ven
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:37 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 2
Inside Venice's Letter to Editor of Herald Tribune on Some Venice Assets is Published.
An article on Siesta Key's fine beach mentioned other highlights in "Sarasota" but not a word about Venice. So Inside Venice wrote identifying only a few. The stretch of un-developed beach from Sharky's to Manasota Key should have been highlighted but Inside Venice dropped the ball, (C'est la vie!)
Talk up Venice's charms
Published: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 4:01 p.m.
Regarding "No. 1 beach, and ple
Posted By ed martin at 5:15 PM in Category:Inside Venice
"I am concerned about the disparity of treatment...(between Archives, Higel House) and Circus Arena"
A citizen supporter of Venice's historical buildings and attractions, Hugh Laubis, asks Mayor and Council, thoughtfully, to assure the Circus Arena supporters are receiving fair treatment from the City. (see editor's note at end of letter.)
Dear Mayor Holic, and city council,
I would like to bring to your attention if you do no know already that the Circus Arena folks are in process or may have already signed an agreement with Nancy Woodley and Chris Rozansky for
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:17 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 1
Breaking News Venice—Gates, Pachota of Sharky’s --Loan Guarantees Now in Execution Phase.
The Sarasota Clerk of the Courts’ website shows that two “Execution” notices have been sent, June 1, to attorneys for Donald C. Fee. Fee, a named defendant, has been identified as father to Jeanette Gates, Venice City Council Member. Gates’ husband, Jeffrey O. Gates is also a named defendant in the case filed by Orion Bank versus “The Villages at Manasota Key” et.al.
Michael V. Pachota, a leaseholder for Sharky’s restaurant and part of the management team, is also a named defen
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Clerk of Courts, Sarasota.
