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Sarasota News Leader January 4, 2013 Page 48 DIPINO TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE ���HOODS Spanking new Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino will meet leaders of the local ���hoods Saturday, Jan. 5 ��� the neighborhoods, that is, at the monthly conclave of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations. While her first ���official��� day at the office was Jan. 1, she was present for the command meeting Dec. 31, surrounded by senior police staff. After the expected ���so-glad-to-be-here��� remarks on Jan. 5, she will face questions from representatives of the 28 registered city neighborhoods. Also at the dais will be Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight. One question sure to come up��� with Knight and DiPino in the room ��� regards the likelihood of consolidating some specialty teams fielded by both departments, such as K-9, SWAT, bomb squad and marine patrol. City Commissioner Shannon Snyder, a former deputy, has harped for a year on the need to consider a total consolidation of city and county law enforcement programs. New Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino addresses an audience in the City Commission Chambers on Oct. 16 as City Manager Tom Barwin looks on. Photo by Norman Schimmel It is likely some or all of the six formal candidates for two open City Commission seats will be in attendance as well. The election will be in March. The coalition will meet upstairs at the Waldemere Fire Station on East Waldemere Street The city Police Department is the largest comstarting at 9 a.m. ponent of the city���s budget, costing more than all the collected property taxes. Stan Zimmerman ���WHAT HAPPENED??!!��� TO BE TOPIC OF PANEL DISCUSSION The Sarasota Republican Club will hold a pan- The social hour will begin at 6:30 pm. Tickets el discussion during its meeting on Wednes- are $30 for members and $35 for guests and day, Jan. 9, focusing on the topic, non-members. ���What Happened??!!��� For additional information and reservations, The panelists will be political consultant Ja- click on ���Upcoming Events��� at www.Saramie Miller; Andres Malave, field coordinator for Hispanic Outreach (Americans for Pros- sotaRepublicanClub.com or contact Donna perity); and radio talk show personality John- Arenschield at 312-5279. ny Jackson, a club release says.