Computer investigation discussed today at City Hall. → A computer forensics investigation into the city’s Information Technology Department is now focused on what kind of city information could be on an employee’s personal computer. Sarasota city commissioners will hear an update today at City Hall regarding a computer forensics investigation into the city’s Information Technology Department. Specifically, commissioners will hear an update into an independent analysis of IT project manager Sandra Coleman’s personal computer, which was used last year to access the city’s computer network. The analysis is being performed [...]

Education department releases FCAT results → Manatee County third-graders’ performance in the reading, math and end-of-course assessments for geometry and biology dropped significantly compared to last year but stayed on par with school scores statewide. Manatee County third-graders’ performance in the reading, math and end-of-course assessments for geometry and biology dropped significantly compared to last year but stayed on par with school scores statewide. Results released Thursday, May 24 by the Florida Department of Education showed 50% of Manatee third-graders scored at a level showing proficiency — level 3 or [...]

I arrived at Sarasota’s City Hall on Monday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. to support the creation of a Domestic Partnership Registry for the city, but I decided to take a trip around the block before parking to see if red shirts (supporters of the registry) were gathering at any other access points. To my surprise, my instincts were right: A sea of red shirts were sitting at the tables outside one of the entrances — “my people” had arrived. My people aren’t gay or lesbian. They aren’t liberal or [...]

City of Sarasota utilities director resigns → Interim city of Sarasota City Manager Terry Lewis said Utilities Director Javier Vargas resigned Wednesday over a difference of opinion on how the utilities department should be run. Sarasota interim City Manager Terry Lewis confirmed for the Sarasota Observer Thursday that city Utilities Director Javier Vargas resigned Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately. “There was a difference of opinion on leadership expectations and how I believe his department should be operated,” Lewis said. Asked if Vargas had any other options other than to resign, Lewis [...]

Sarasota police chief to retire in October → Sarasota Police Chief Mikel Hollaway is a member of the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program, which mandates that an employee receives additional pension dollars for five years before they must retire. Interim City Manager Terry Lewis announced at Monday’s Sarasota City Commission regular meeting Monday that Sarasota Police Chief Mikel Hollaway will retire in October. Hollaway, hired to replace former police chief Peter Abbott, has served two years as police chief and has 30 years of service with the department. Hollaway, 52, [...]

City commission approves downtown projects → The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a list of downtown projects Monday that include a Main Street streetscape projects. AThe Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a $4.7 million Main Street streetscape project for downtown Sarasota Monday with one stipulation: Commissioners must sign off on projects before they start to monitor construction timelines and make sure they don’t coincide with season. The project includes wider sidewalks, improved lighting and brick accents in certain parts of Main Street, with brick sidewalks planned from the Five Points [...]