News Briefs

+ Arlington Park pool reopens
The rain held off Saturday, allowing nearly 100 patrons to enjoy the newly renovated Arlington Park Aquatic Center.

The pool facility reopened this weekend following $1.1 million improvements, which added new diving platforms and showers, among other enhancements. The city of Sarasota also rebuilt 30-year-old mechanical equipment during the project, which was delayed due to electrical issues with new heaters.

“It’s been a long, hot summer,” said Arlington Park Neighborhood Association President Rick Farmer, who received weekly calls about the pool’s status since it closed in February. He said the neighborhood is excited to have residents swimming again.

A swim team held practice after the pool opened, and more than 40 people showed up throughout the day, according to Program Coordinator Scott Jalwan.

“It’s a real gem for Sarasota to have,” Farmer said. “It’s kind of a hidden gem.”

The facility will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. The Aquatic Center is located at 2650 Waldemere St.

+ Survey: Residents more confident of county officials
Three years after a purchasing scandal that hobbled trust in Sarasota County government, residents’ confidence in local leaders continues to grow — at least according to a new survey by the Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University.

The 2014 Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey, which sampled 800 mostl-year-round residents, showed 47% of respondents trust local officials, compared with 32% in the same study last year. Trust in local leaders outweighs confidence in officials at the state and federal levels by 14 percentage points each.

“Those who rate county services more positively are more trustful of county leaders,” the survey states.
The number of citizens who chose population growth and new development as the county’s most important issue has increased from 3% in 2011 to 21% this year, reflecting an improving economy, while those most concerned about the economy and jobs fell from 39% three years ago to 7% in 2014.

Property taxes and gas prices are among the top reasons 67% of local households say they are experiencing fiscal stress, according to the survey. The amount of residents citing jobs and employment as a stressor fell from 9% in 2013 to 6% this year, following the downward trend in the unemployment rate in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metropolitan study area.

However, 43% of survey respondents cited the lack of jobs and industry as the biggest threat to the economy.

Meetings & agendas
Regular City Commission meeting — 2:30 and 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Sarasota County School Board meeting — 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, School Board Chambers, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota.