Master Lift Station #40 - Rehabilitation    Rehabilitating a master lift station isn't a particularly glamorous project, but nevertheless it's very important to our infrastructure.  So, I was pleased to visit Master Lift Station #40 recently and inspect the end result of a $1.1 million rehabilitation.

Originally constructed in 1958, this aging master lift station was ready

The interior of the newly rehabilitated Master Lift Station #40.

for an overhaul. The project included a full wet well rehab, installation of three new 60 horsepower pumps (capable of pumping 2,500 gallons per minute), new electrical panels, and a new instrumentation system for monitoring operations. 

Located at 8th Street and Lime Avenue, Master Lift Station #40 handles 15 percent of the overall wastewater flow in the city.  Three intermediate-sized lift stations carry flow to this facility, as well as 14 smaller lift stations which service the surrounding neighborhoods. 

The service area includes Glen Oaks Estates, Glen Oaks Manor, Glen Oaks Ridge, Glen Elyn, Fairway Oaks, Lake Ridge, Park East, Poinsettia Park and Ramblewood.  In addition, it also serves Bobby Jones Golf Club and Ed Smith Stadium.   As one of just seven master lift stations in the city, Master Lift Station #40 is an integral part of the infrastructure and these improvements will help ensure the proper flow and disposal of wastewater.

The rehab is impressive -- and it's expected to add 25-30 years of operational life to the facility.  What was particularly impressive about this project is that it was completed without interruption to daily activities in the surrounding neighborhoods.  Kudos to Utilities Director Mitt Tidwell and his staff for working diligently to maintain ongoing operations.
   

Veterans Day - City Offices Closed Nov. 11   City administrative offices will be closed next Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.  Garbage, yard waste and recycling will all be collected as usual. 

The City's recreational facilities -- Bobby Jones Golf Club, Lido Pool, and Robert L. Taylor Community Complex -- will be open with regular hours.

Please join us for the annual Veterans Day parade starting at 10 a.m. at Main Street and Osprey Avenue.  This year's theme is 'When Duty Calls'. 

A ceremony will follow immediately afterward at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park.  The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Army Col. Stephen D. Cork.  He served in the U.S. Army for 27 years.  Notably, here in Sarasota, Col. Cork was instrumental in the creation of the Sarasota Military Academy. 

PBS NewsHour -  A production crew from PBS NewsHour Weekend spent several days in Sarasota this week learning how we as a city and community are addressing the chronic homeless issue.  I spoke at length about what we experience daily on our streets and how the collapse of the mental health system across the country has led to more mentally ill individuals living untreated on the streets.  Increased federal and state funding is a critical component of solving the chronic homeless issue here and in many cities around the nation.

PBS also spoke on camera with SPD Chief Bernadette DiPino and rode along with one of our Homeless Outreach Teams to experience firsthand how our street mental health case workers interact with the chronic homeless.  They build a rapport with individuals by being respectful and kind while continually offering help via available social services and benefits for housing, substance abuse programs and mental health assistance.

We appreciate PBS taking the time to travel from New York City to provide America with a snapshot of how Sarasota is responding to this challenging issue in a compassionate way.  The segment is tentatively scheduled to air Saturday, November 14 on PBS television stations across the country, including our local affiliate WEDU. It also will be posted on the NewsHour website.  We'll let you know when we know more.

Bobby Jones - New Tournament!   After receiving many requests from senior golfers for a senior men's better ball tournament at Bobby Jones Golf Club, staff is enthusiastically launching the event this month.  The first-ever Men's Senior Better Ball Championship will be held over two days the weekend of Nov. 21-22.

The tournament is open to all males 50 and older. Registration is underway now through the end of business on Monday, November 16.  The entry fee is $190 per team.  For more details click here.

Thanks to our dedicated staff at Bobby Jones for taking on this additional tournament.   With the combination of high interest for this new event and the beautiful fall weather in Sarasota, we're sure it will be a success!       

Mayors' Feed The Hungry - Food Drive The annual Mayors' Feed The Hungry Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held Nov. 10-19.  And, once again the City of Sarasota will accept food donations at two locations:  (1)  City Hall - 1565 First Street  (2) Sarasota Police Headquarters - 2099 Adams Lane.
All donations must be non-perishable and in non-glass containers. 

The items collected throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties will be taken to Ed Smith Stadium on Nov. 20, sorted, and then given to local food pantries for distribution to families in need.

For more information on the food drive click here.

3rd Annual Trunk or Treat - Best Yet!   With so much going on in Sarasota, Halloween probably seems like a distance memory, but we're pleased to share with you that our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat event at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex last week was our best yet! 

Over 200 children had fun playing Halloween themed games, jumping (and jumping!) in a bounce house, and collecting buckets of candy from friendly faces stationed at a variety of decorated car trunks. 

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this a fun family-friendly event, including officers with the Sarasota Police Department who mingled with the children and handed out gobs of candy, as well as firefighters with the Sarasota County Fire Department who allowed little trick-or-treaters to experience the inside of a fire engine.  And, a big thank you to the staff at RLTCC for expanding the event and including more games for the kids -- well done!

Enjoy some video highlights of Trunk or Treat assembled by Senior Communications Manager Jan Thornburg:

2015 Trunk or Treat