News Briefs

+ Bradenton woman vies for commission seat
Bradenton resident Terri Wonder has announced she will vie in 2014 for the at-large Manatee County Board of County Commissioners seat currently held by Carol Whitmore.

Whitmore has served as the District 6 commissioner since 2008.

Wonder’s platform includes promoting environmental conservation, common-sense economic development and the preservation of unique neighborhoods.

“Manatee County must respect and protect all of its resources — human and natural,” Wonder said. “Some people treat the environment and economy as either-or choices, but that’s a false argument. The environment and economy are both important, and they depend on each other. Sarasota Bay is a major economic engine for Manatee County, benefiting tourism, fishing, boating, water recreation, local real estate value and our quality of life.”

Wonder played a key role in rallying opposition for the contentious Long Bar Pointe project.

+ East County Walgreens hosts drug drop-off
Members of the public dropped off unused and expired prescription drugs Saturday, Oct. 26, as the Manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office joined together for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The Walgreens located at 14415 Arbor Green Trail, in Lakewood Ranch, served as the drop-off location.
Manatee County residents now can dispose of their unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications at seven permanent prescription drug kiosks, of which none are located in the East County.

Kiosks are located at: the city of Bradenton Police Department, 100 10th St. W., Bradenton; the Bradenton Police Department, 403 Highland Ave., Bradenton; the Holmes Beach Police Department, 5801 Marina Drive, Bradenton; the Palmetto Police Department, 1115 10th St. W., Palmetto; and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and substations: 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 202, Bradenton; 407 57th Ave. E., Bradenton; and 5030 U.S. 301 N., Ellenton.

+ Manatee County to hide time capsule
Manatee County’s public library system will end a year of programming and exhibits celebrating the statewide VIVA Florida 500 initiative, an effort to highlight 50 years of historic people, places and events in present-day Florida, by burying a time capsule.

A special capsule-sealing ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 15, at the Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton.

Items to be included in the capsule include an ornament commemorating the new Manatee Performing Arts Center, an informational brochure from the Village of the Arts, coins from the Hernando DeSoto Historical Society, student artwork from Southeast High School and a coin commemorating 100 years of the Cortez schoolhouse from the Florida Maritime Museum.

The time capsule will be reopened in 2055 for Manatee County’s 200th anniversary.

For more information, visit mymanatee.org.

Sandies Awards Brings New Feel this Year
The Sandies, an annual awards event put on by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, has a new member-focused theme this year.

This year’s awards, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 13, at the Fête Ballroom at Polo Grill and Bar, will be dubbed the Members Choice Awards.

Last year’s awards featured four categories; a panel chose the winners.

The revamped Sandies includes nine award categories, including the Networking King and Queen, Volunteer of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and the Best Rancher.

Business alliance members will chose the winners.

“Last year was more business-focused, but this year we have more member-driven awards,” said Robin Parsons, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance development director.

“We wanted to do something different, and we feel it better ties in to who we are as an organization.”
In another change, Sandies’ attendees will be served lunch rather than dinner.

“By having it during lunchtime, we anticipate more people attending this year,” Parsons said.
Comedian Tim Wilkins will emcee the event.

Voting for award winners has already ended. Business Alliance members nominated people for the awards in a process that began Oct. 10, and they later chose the ultimate winners.

Tickets to the Sandies are $35 and may be purchased at www.lwrba.org.

The full list of awards is below:
• One of a Kind — to an alliance member who stands out from the crowd
• Bull by the Horns — to an alliance member who exhibits leadership
• Rising Star — to an impressive new alliance member
• Ray of Sunshine — to the most uplifting alliance member
• Networking King
• Networking Queen
• Volunteer of the Year
• Young Professional of the Year
• Best Rancher — to the alliance member who has acquired the highest number of new-member registrations

Adoption of rescued dogs begins
Manatee County Animal Services seized 28 dogs Oct. 2 from a Bradenton home, after investigating an animal-cruelty complaint.

Investigators found a couple had 30 dogs — 28 living and two dead — in their home. The reporting officer stated the home’s floor was covered with feces and urine.

Officers confiscated the animals. Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, on Lorraine Road, took in 11 of the dogs for medical evaluation.

Karen Slomba, associate director of Honor Animal Rescue, said many of the dogs were deaf, two were blind and one had only three legs. All the animals were covered in fleas and ticks and most had severe dental disease.

As of Oct. 28, five of the animals had been adopted. The animals remain in foster care while they receive necessary medical care until they are ready for adoption, she said.

Individuals wishing to contribute to medical expenses for the dogs seized can visit gulfcoastgives.org.

For more information on Honor Animal Rescue, visit nateshonoranimalrescue.org.