News Briefs

+ Manatee seeks code board members
Manatee County is seeking to fill vacant spots its advisory boards.

Applications are being accepted for the Special Magistrate and the Code Enforcement Board, which has the authority to rule on alleged violations of the county’s land development code.

The Special Magistrate usually comprises two people with a legal background or with law experience. The new magistrate appointees will fill three-year terms, which expire in 2014.

The Code Enforcement Board usually comprises architects, business owners, engineers, contractors and Realtors, among others. Appointees also will fill a three-year term that expires in 2014.

The Code Enforcement Board meets at 9 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, at the county’s administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

+ SCF celebrates LEED certification
The State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota earned its LEED Gold certification for its Medical Technology and Simulation Center in Lakewood Ranch and celebrated the accomplishment with a special dedication ceremony Sept. 29.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It promotes sustainable building practices.

The green-certified Technology and Simulation Center opened in August 2010 and houses associate and baccalaureate level nursing programs, other health professions, science laboratories, classrooms and more.

+ Out-of-Door Academy opens community gallery
The Out-of-Door Academy hosted a special introduction to its Community Art Gallery and Black Box Theatre Art Show Oct. 1.

The event featured a chance to meet the artists of jewelry and paintings and to see screenings for two short films.

The school’s community gallery will be open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1-26, at ODA, 5950 Deer Drive, Lakewood Ranch.

+ Taylor Morrison acquires TruLiving
Homebuilder Taylor Morrison has hired a new executive for its West Coast Florida Division.

Tony Squitieri, president and founder of TruLiving Homes, recently joined the company and will be responsible for land development and acquisitions.

In conjunction with the hiring, Taylor Morrison will acquire TruLiving’s homebuilding position within Lakewood Ranch’s Country Club East neighborhoods.

Squitieri has more than 15 years of experience in home building and land operations.

“We are pleased to bring Tony into our organization,” said Steve Kempton, division president of Taylor Morrison West Florida. “His reputation, knowledge and experience add a good deal of strength to our local Taylor Morrison team.

“We are also pleased to have the opportunity to be a preferred builder in Country Club East, and Taylor Morrison looks forward to transitioning the efforts of TruLiving Homes at Lakewood Ranch,” he said.