News Briefs

+ McAllister withdraws from County Commission race
On Friday — just less than two weeks before the Nov. 4 election — Steve McAllister withdrew from the Sarasota County Commission race.

McAllister, a write-in candidate for District 2, said he has decided to focus on his work as a filmmaker. He wants to focus on his current project, “Home Free,” a Web series about the homelessness issue in Sarasota.

He said he has no regrets and has enjoyed being involved in the election process. McAllister said he would possibly run again in the future, when he could get on the ballot instead of being a write-in candidate.

McAllister voiced his support for candidate Alexandra Coe, no party affiliate, for the District 2 seat.

“I feel confident in Alexandra,” he said. “She has incredible solutions.”

By staying on the ballot, he would be taking away votes from Coe, he said.

+ Sarasota man frees woman from sinking vehicle
A Sarasota woman was rescued from her car after driving it into a retention pond Oct. 23.

Robin Olersiak, 54, of Sarasota, was traveling north on McIntosh Road at around 3:26 p.m. After crossing the intersection of Bahia Vista and McIntosh, she drove off the road and into the retention pond on the corner of the intersection, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. 

David Gaul, 47, of Sarasota, freed Olersiak before the car was completely submerged.

Olersiak told EMS responders and deputies later that she had blacked out before veering off the roadway. She was transported to Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, treated and released.

+ New lights installed along Ringling Bridge
For one of Sarasota’s most noteworthy sights, visibility has been an issue in recent months.

In 2011, the city teamed with Siemens Building Technologies to retrofit the 98 streetlights on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge with energy-efficient LED lights. Just three years later, many of those lights were failing — and the city was receiving complaints as a result.

About one-third of the lights, provided by local lighting firm Evolucia, went dark, according to city staff. City Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat said mechanical issues specific to the Evolucia product were causing the light fixtures to fail. That issue was further compounded by the financial struggles of Evolucia.

As of last week, however, Siemens has addressed the problem, Jeffcoat said. On Oct. 22 and 23, the company replaced all 98 LED light fixtures on the bridge. The project came at no cost to the city.

“Siemens has really stepped up in regards to taking care of the issue we were having,” Jeffcoat said. “That’s a tough thing to deal with, but Siemens stepped up and replaced the lights.”

Meetings & agendas
Regular City Commission meeting — 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Siesta Key Village Association meeting — 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Daiquiri Deck, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key

Sarasota County Commission meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice

Sarasota County Commission meeting — 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, Commission Chambers, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota