Going Green is a high priority at City Hall.  The five City Commissioners recently listed their priorities for the City and sustainability/green initiatives were among the top five, along with Newtown issues, affordable housing, traffic/transportation issues and the City’s budget constraints.

For the first time, the City has one point person coordinating the City’s green effort.  Michele Mician is the Environmental Coordinator, and she is responsible for overseeing the City’s plan with all things green.

Volume 1, Issue 2
February 2008

Sarasota City Commission:  From left:  City Commissioner Richard Clapp, Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner, Mayor Lou Ann Palmer, City Commissioner Fredd “Glossie” Atkins, City Commissioner Ken Shelin.

Want to receive City E-News in your inbox? click here.  Let us know what you think about City E-News!  Please contact Public Information Officer Jan Thornburg at 41-954-2613.  City E-News is produced by the City Auditor and Clerk’s Office.

Message from the Mayor Palmer

Within the first week, 100 people registered to have this timely newsletter delivered directly to their inbox.  Based on your feedback, we’ve tweaked City E-News, making it even easier to subscribe.  To all of you who contacted City Hall about this exciting new way of communicating with the community:  thank you!  This second edition is filled with even more interesting stories, photos and tidbits highlighting the happenings within the City of Sarasota.  Enjoy!

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Green Canopy Partnership: 
New Trees Planted

Van Wezel Director Stays Busy!

As the new Executive Director of the Van Wezel, Mary Bensel is staying busy. Over the last few months her time has been spent meeting with the local media, sponsors, City employees and of course scheduling performances for the 2008-09 Season. She is filled with excitement about her new job and often times you will find her laughing backstage as she tries to find her way back to her office. “I didn’t realize how many doors are located in this place,” stated Mary. “It’s a beautiful hall and I look forward to an exhilarating season!”

Crape myrtles produce colorful flowers when in bloom.

Newtown:  Storefront Grants Available

Small business owners in Newtown who operate out of a building in need of a makeover can now obtain financial help from City Hall.  In January, the City Commission approved a pilot program called the Newtown Storefront Rehabilitation Grant Program.  The program will allow small business owners in Newtown to apply for grants up to $50,000 to rehabilitate the exterior of their buildings.

If you haven’t seen the magnificent new statues along St. Armands yet, make a point to do so! 

Thanks to the tireless efforts of a group called “Save Our Statues”, 21 new marble statues are on permanent display throughout St. Armands and 16 older statues were cleaned and refurbished.

The ambitious project began one year ago with a few residents discussing the unfortunate disrepair of some of the statues.

Take the Access Sarasota Survey

Access Sarasota, the government access channel for the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County would like your input about programming.  What programs do you watch?  What types of new programming would you like to see?  Please take a moment to take our brief on-line survey:
Access Sarasota Survey
Your feedback will help guide current and future programming, including City and County Commission meetings.

Access Sarasota can be found on Comcast channel 19 and Verizon channel 32.

Reminder:  City Hall Closed

City of Sarasota offices will be closed Mon., February 18th in observance of Presidents’ Day.  The regular City Commission meeting scheduled for that day will be held Tues., February 19th.  Solid waste and recycling collections will not be impacted by the holiday. For a list of City holidays and events, visit the City of Sarasota Calendar.

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