News Briefs

+ Eight-day event celebrates local agriculture life
The Manatee County Extension Office wants you to know more about local farmers and the products that grow in the county’s backyard.

Farm City Week, which continues through Nov. 21, is the extension’s venue for educating area students and their families about farming practices and the importance of agriculture to Manatee County.

The event features a beef workshop, 4-H rabbit show and workshops on how to squeeze citrus and plant vegetables, along with other activities.

Although some of the eight-day celebration’s events were designated for 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and other select groups, Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 events are open to the public and provide a comprehensive look at area agriculture.

The Hall of Fame Luncheon Nov. 20 is $12 and the Agricultural Farm Tour costs $45, which includes the tour, educational materials, lunch and refreshments.

Call 722-4525 for more information.

+ Heritage Harbour speeds toward off-duty contract
Heritage Harbour South Community Development District supervisors Lee Bettes and Joe Jaudon finished their last meeting as board members one step closer to speed enforcement.

At its meeting Nov. 12, the CDD unanimously approved for District Manager Greg Cox and District Attorney Andy Cohen to craft a contract for the community to hire a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office off-duty deputy.

Specifics, such as how many days per week and hours per shift, have yet to be determined.

The board has been addressing the speeding issue within its parameters for more than a year, and currently utilizes speed radar signs, casual monitoring by local law enforcement and additional stop signs throughout the community.

But supervisors hope a police officer touting a radar gun will show drivers traveling over the community’s 25 to 30 mph limit that speeding will have consequences, such as citations.

+ Agreement allows 2% increase for school staff
Manatee County School District members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) ratified a tentative agreement that would give employees a 2% pay raise.
Employees to benefit from the decision include transportation, food service, vehicle maintenance, warehouse, custodial, construction and maintenance employees of the school district.

Once approved by the school board, the agreement and pay increases will be retroactive to July 1, 2014.
The agreement marks the first time in years that AFSCME employees will receive pay increases in two consecutive years.

Last year, the district and AFSCME agreed to a 2.12% pay increase.

Schools Superintendent Rick Mills views the agreement as a way of “reinvesting in district employees,” he said.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
Manatee County government offices and Lakewood Ranch Town Hall are closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 in observation of the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving trash and recycling will be collected Friday.