Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/133618
Sarasota News Leader May 31, 2013 Page 44 forward. "I think we should pause and not do anything," said DID Chairman Ernie Ritz. "I cannot see the DID paying $100,000 over the next three years. This is a lot of money." operations. For a special reception at the Sarasota Opera House across the street, for example, the DID reprogrammed the lights to show the colors of the Italian flag. While the DID selected a winner for the original light project from among five bidders, the contract with Synergy Lighting was solesource, because only Bradenton-based Synergy held the rights to sell and maintain the patented system developed by the Dutch electronics giant Phillips. Two weeks ago, the DID board instructed its operations manager, John Moran, to come back with options to keep the lights working after the warranty runs out. On Tuesday, Moran presented his list. The first three, with rising levels of cost, carried no guarantee, and they required the DID to pay for any parts needing replacement. Unlike Christmas tree lights, each strand of the Phillips system uses a specialized "con- Prices for the "no guarantee" proposals ranged troller box" that can be adjusted to vary the from $22,000 to $44,000. A photo shows a broken wire in one of light strands adorning an oak in Five Points Park. Photo courtesy of the Downtown Improvement District