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Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 53 HOW YOU RUN THE BUILDING … Changes are possible, Marbut told the audience Friday, and one overall result is a Marbut believes opposition to a facility could reduction in expenses. It costs about $20 a be alleviated once people learn how the cen- night to house a person in a shelter compared ters he previously helped open are operated. to approximately $120 to keep such a person in jail overnight. "How you run the building is almost as important as where," Marbut told League of Since Marbut helped open the center in San Antonio, the city's streets and parks have Women Voters members. The facilities he been clean, he said. Pinellas County saw a has helped plan are designed to keep people 91-percent reduction in its homeless populainside, instead of fostering gatherings on the tion after the opening of Pinellas Safe Harbor. grounds. Marbut did acknowledge, however, that Sarasota's Marbut offered an example from San Antonio, center would probably look much different than TX, where he lives. Before a shelter was con- the $125-million facility in San Antonio. structed in that city of 1.3 million people, the At the luncheon, Marbut also took the opporhomeless population took over three down- tunity to introduce Wayne Applebee, the town parks and there was "pee and poo all county's point person for homelessness issues, who will be charged with implementover the ground." ing Marbut's plan after the consultant leaves. "You couldn't even go to the Alamo at night," If Marbut recommends a permanent shelter for the homeless within Sarasota County and Marbut pointed out. community leaders agree to build it, Applebee Yet, there was still strong opposition to open- will be the manager working to make sure the ing a homeless facility. At one public meeting, goal is achieved. Marbut offered to take a handful of the most Applebee concurred with Marbut's comments outspoken opponents of the plan on a "field Friday: "We only have limited money in this trip" to see another shelter he had helped bucket. Our goal is to get them used efficiently establish. and effectively." "All of them spoke in support after seeing our City Editor Stan Zimmerman contributed to this report % facility," Marbut said. Tonya Herschberger & Linda Keefe "After a terrible accident I required surgery. Tonya shared with me that Dr. Koval was responsible for her beautiful smile. She gave me hope and direction. I'm so grateful to Dr, Koval. Now I have a smile that I love to share with everyone." For a complimentary consultation call 941.923.5406 | Christine Koval, D.M.D. | www.askdrkoval.com