President's Day Workforce   While administrative offices will be closed this coming Monday (Feb. 17) in observance of President's Day, garbage and recycling will be collected as usual.  Approximately 11 percent of our full time and part time employees will work Monday, providing vital services to the community including drinking and wastewater treatment, solid waste collection, public safety, as well as entertainment at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and recreational activities at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex and Bobby Jones Golf Club.  Running our wonderful city is a 24-7 operation and we appreciate these employees and their dedication to ensure our services continue no matter what the date is on the calendar.  (By the way, our Public Works Department will have the most employees on duty Monday with 44.) 

By the Numbers: Sarasota Farmers Market   It's no secret that the Farmers Market is a popular attraction drawing residents and visitors downtown each weekend.  An attendance count, conducted February 1, by Phyllis and Roger Barry of Barry Consulting, showed some interesting results.  Despite what started as a foggy, overcast morning, an estimated 12,424 people attended the Market between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.  That's a significant amount of foot traffic -- the equivalent of 23 percent of our year round resident population -- all descending upon downtown to shop at the Market.  This kind of destination event not only bolsters the vibrancy downtown, it helps sustain our downtown's economic viability.  As people purchase locally grown organic food, flowers, crafts and other goods at the Market, they end up patronizing our many storefront businesses and restaurants, creating a unique synergy for downtown.  One other interesting fact from the count:  most visitors entered the Market from First Street/Lemon Avenue or Main Street.  Congratulations to all involved with this featured attraction which has become a part of the fabric of our community.  

SPD Helps Build Home  

Building relationships and partnerships helps create a strong community.  And, our police officers are dedicated to strengthening our community, even on their own time.  Ten of our officers volunteered their time last weekend to help build a home for retired U.S. Army Sgt. Tia McCants, who was wounded by an IED while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  She also is a single mom.  Tia's future home, which is expected to be finished in the spring, is the very first Veteran's Build for Habitat for Humanity in Sarasota.  A big 'thank you' goes out to our law enforcement officers and their volunteer efforts to help build an even better Sarasota.