News Briefs

+ Gullett launches science and engineering club
Gullett Elementary School teachers Denise Touchberry and Charlotte Latham recently started an after-school STEM Club for students.

The Boston Museum of Science has selected Touchberry to head a STEM pilot program, and she is using the lessons and activities in the club.

+ Manatee County cuts 54 positions
In continued efforts to streamline and downsize operations, Manatee County has cut an additional 54 positions.

The workforce reductions are part of a balanced budget proposal that County Administrator Ed Hunzeker was slated to give the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners June 1, after the East County Observer went to press.

Among those cut is longtime Manatee County Public Information Officer Larry Leinhauser, who will leave his post July 1.

“Having been in public safety for the past 28 years in a variety of positions, it will be challenging to step away from it,” Leinhauser said in a letter. “It gets in the blood. But nonetheless, it’s time to move on.”
The county has cut 237 positions since 2007.

+ County allows buffer variance
Manatee County commissioners on May 24 agreed to allow Benderson Development flexibility in the way it follows the county’s setback requirements.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to allow the company to use a “variable buffer,” to make up buffer shortfalls at various points along the University Parkway corridor.

+ Neal Communities joins tech adventure
Neal Communities has partnered with Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch in its quest to bring technology to the classroom.
The builder recently donated $500 to the school’s first Walk-a-Thon event. Monies raised at the event will be used to purchase iPads and similar technologies for students to use.
  “We applaud Imagine School’s approach to educating our children,” Neal Communities President Pat Neal said. “The school is an excellent addition to the Lakewood Ranch community.”

+ Pastries by Design moving to Main St.
Pastries by Design will be moving to Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Owner Lyndsy McDonald today signed a lease for a portion of the space formerly occupied by Good Earth.
The pastry shop is expected to open by Sept. 1.

“We are really, really excited,” McDonald said. “We have just run out of space and we are having to turn away (business). It will more than quadruple our production capability. We will be able to make more with shorter wait times.”

For more, visit www.pastriesbydesign.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].