Bobby Jones Open  - Celebrating 89 Years of Municipal Golf   The City will celebrate the 89th anniversary of our treasured municipal golf course, Bobby Jones Golf Club, with a professional golf tournament next month.  The 2nd annual Bobby Jones Open will be held the weekend of Feb. 14 and 15 with an impressive field of 80+ professional golfers on the West Florida Golf Tour.  Just since the inaugural event last year, interest in the Bobby Jones Open has grown as well as the cash purse.  This year, the players will compete for $20,000 in cash prizes with a guaranteed $4,000 for the first place winner, sponsored by Gold Coast Eagle Distributing. 

Many young professional golfers cut their playing teeth on municipal courses, like Bobby Jones.  But, here's the difference:   Bobby Jones is in very good condition and is considered to be uniquely challenging for a municipal course.

We hope golf fans can make it out to the tournament to watch these talented players.  Spectator admission is just $10 per person.  And, with Mattison's on the Green offering tournament menu specials, you can stay all day. 

For more information about the Bobby Jones Open contact:  941-954-4163.

The 89th anniversary of Bobby Jones Golf Club will be celebrated with the 2nd annual Bobby Jones Open on Feb. 14 & 15.

 

Hart's Landing - Repairs Underway     Repairs started this week to correct the structural issue at Hart's Landing and return it to a condition safe for public use.  The dock, bait shop and adjoining restrooms are popular with anglers, runners, walkers, bikers and others who enjoy the scenic view at Ringling Causeway Park.  But, Hart's Landing was closed in August when the structure was deemed unsafe due to the deterioration of several pilings supporting the dock and bait shop.

A piling is hoisted by a crane at Hart's Landing this week.

During the past several months, a structural engineer performed a comprehensive site inspection and provided recommendations on how to move forward.  With that necessary information, staff was able to seek and hire a qualified marine contractor who could get the job done as expeditiously as possible. 

A local contractor is now installing new pilings and adding structural beams where necessary.  With much of the work being done in Sarasota Bay, crews are scheduling their time to coordinate with low tide, so you may see contractors working at varying times during the day and night.  Barring weather events that would prevent work on the water, the repairs are expected to be completed by early April.

Hart's Landing is a treasured public space with captivating views of downtown, Sarasota Bay and its wildlife.  With moderate temperatures and bright blue skies, this is the time of year when our residents and visitors want to enjoy and experience this area.  We're taking action to facilitate the reopening as quickly as we can, while ensuring public safety.  We appreciate everyone's continued patience for the next couple of months. 

Eloise Werlin Park - Construction Started   Adjacent to Hart's Landing, construction is underway for the new Eloise Werlin Park.  Ernest "Doc" Werlin, an engaged Sarasota resident, generously gifted the funds through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to build a new children's playground along the eastern portion of Ringling Causeway Park.  The new park, named after Doc's wife who loved the area, will feature climbing and play equipment designed primarily for children ages 5-12.  Shade, new benches, a seaside garden and fresh sod also are planned and will be installed by a contractor hired by Doc.  The park is expected to open to the public by April.

The City will care for this new public amenity, and Doc has generously made arrangements for future maintenance support costs to be funded through his donation. 

The love for and philanthropy in this community continues to surprise and amaze.  During my past two years in Sarasota, I have witnessed more diverse, philanthropic endeavors here than throughout my 30 years of experience in other cities combined.  We greatly appreciate Doc's generosity and we look forward to watching Eloise Werlin Park become a reality.

Eloise Werlin Park is now under construction.

Osprey Bridge - Both Lanes Closed Feb. 4 & 5      The inspection of the Osprey Bridge over the Hudson Bayou has progressed much faster than originally anticipated.  That's the good news.  To complete the inspection, though, the bridge will be temporarily closed in both

The Osprey Bridge over the Hudson Bayou will be closed Feb. 4 & 5, then normal traffic patterns will resume.

directions on Thurs., Feb. 4 and Fri., Feb. 5.  After that, vehicular traffic over the bridge and boating traffic under the bridge will resume as normal.

As we've mentioned in previous Weekly Briefs, the temporary bridge and lane closures have been necessary to allow workers to safely access the area while they conducted a comprehensive bridge inspection before the City takes further steps with the Lift Station 87 project.

We understand this has been an inconvenience to drivers and residents in the adjacent neighborhoods, and we look forward to traffic patterns being restored to normal by next weekend.

SPD - Lasting Impact     We have a touching human interest story to share with you, which gets right to the heart of partnership policing.  As we mentioned in the Photo of the Week, Sarasota native Veronica Hernandez was sworn in this week as a SPD officer, and she has a special bond with one of our seasoned officers.

At 14 years old, Veronica was living in public housing at Cohen Way and attending Booker High.  As part of his patrol duties, Officer Ken Castro befriended Veronica and realized, like many teens, she was susceptible to peer pressure and could end up making some bad choices which could affect her education.  So, Officer Castro expressed an interest in her school homework and grades.   

Ultimately, Veronica

Lt. Ken Castro pins a SPD badge on newly sworn in Officer Veronica Hernandez, who he met years ago when he was a patrol officer and subsequently became her mentor.

confided in him that while she could read, she couldn't decipher the blurry, jumbled words.  Turns out, her eyeglasses had been stolen and her family couldn't afford to replace them.

Officer Castro set into motion an act of kindness that would have an indelible impact.  He contacted his childhood friend Ron Soto, owner of Soto's Optical in downtown Sarasota and explained the situation.  Ron was happy to give the gift of sight back to Veronica with a new pair of glasses at no cost.

18 years later, the three were reunited, but in a much different setting.  Ron was in the audience this week watching as Ken Castro proudly pinned Veronica's new SPD badge on her uniform and she pledged to serve and protect our community.

Without question, Veronica says, she was motivated to become a police officer because of the kindness and generosity shown by Officer Castro so many years ago.  Now, Veronica plans to become a similar role model for young children in Sarasota.  What a powerful testament to partnership policing and the lasting positive impact of taking an interest in a young life.

Then and Now.  Top Photo:  1997 -  A Sarasota Herald-Tribune article chronicles Veronica Hernandez receiving a pair of eyeglasses thanks to a SPD officer and merchant.  Bottom:  This Week - Soto's Optical owner Ron Soto, Officer Veronica Hernandez and Lt. Ken Castro at Veronica's swearing-in ceremony.

With the headline, "Gift puts teen's world in focus', the Sarasota Herald-Tribune featured the Hernandez-Castro-Soto story on the front page of the local/state section on December 20, 1997.  To read the article click here.

Throughout the years, wherever Veronica was living in the world, she stayed in contact with both Ken and Ron.

By the way, Ron Soto still owns Soto Optical and is now Chairman of the Downtown Sarasota Merchants Association.  

Ken Castro has moved up the ranks during his 32 years of service with SPD and is now a lieutenant, and remains a mentor to Veronica. 

And, Officer Veronica Hernandez, grateful for the men's generosity and continued support over the years, is looking forward to a long career with SPD.  Interestingly, she no longer wears eyeglasses.  After undergoing two major eye surgeries, remarkably, her eyesight is now 20/20.  

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