JOIN THE MAYORS' MARCH
TOWARD THE DREAM

Sarasota, FL: The City of Sarasota will host a community march in North Sarasota to rally support for a holistic community approach to revitalize Newtown and reduce violent crime in North Sarasota. The Mayors’ March Toward the Dream will be held Fri., July 20, 2007 at approximately 7pm, immediately following the brick installation ceremony at Fredd “Gossie” Atkins Park, which starts at 6pm. The march will begin at Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park, located at the southwest corner of U.S. 301 and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, and travel west about one mile to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, where community leaders will speak about the increasing need to unite the community to direct economic and social changes within Newtown.

“It’s extraordinarily important that every part of the greater Sarasota community participate,” said Mayor Lou Ann Palmer. “The City Commission alone cannot invoke the significant changes we’re talking about, and neither can the Sarasota police department. The churches, the neighborhood associations, the residents, the business owners all must unite with the City to work toward the common goal of revitalizing Newtown. We need to spend dollars on affordable housing, and economic development and perhaps more importantly, we need people to mentor a child, so he or she doesn’t feel the need to join a gang and participate in violent crime,” said Mayor Palmer.

As part of its ongoing commitment to spur revitalization in Newtown, the City Commission earlier this week approved a Narcotics Exclusionary Zone (NEZ) within North Sarasota, prohibiting anyone convicted of a drug related offense and serving probation from entering that geographic area. The NEZ is bordered by North Tamiami Trail on the west, the Seminole-Gulf Railway Line to the east, Myrtle Street to the north and 10th Street to the south.

The public is invited and strongly encouraged to participate in the Mayors’ March Toward the Dream. Please wear casual attire, including comfortable walking shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen. Transportation will be provided back to Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park. Water also will be provided.

 

For more information, please contact:
Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com