Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/233139
Sarasota News Leader December 27, 2013 Nonetheless, Patterson pointed out, she is a city resident who served on the City Commission before she was elected to the first of her four terms on the county board. "Lido is one of the assets that Sarasota County has," she stressed, and not just in economic terms. "I don't take this lightly at all. We've got all kinds of important assets to protect here." Although the economic factors are just part of the focus, a study undertaken for Visit Sarasota County — the county's tourism agency — shows visitors to Lido Key account for about $155 million every year in the county's economy. Page 16 Referring to the proposal in the 1990s to dredge Big Pass, Bankemper said, "I think it's outrageous that we are now sitting here 15 years later with the same idea. [Siesta] obviously [is] a jewel for this county." The public beach, she pointed out, with its 99.9-percent quartz sand, is unlike most beaches anywhere else. "I don't think anyone argues the fact that Lido needs renourishment," she stressed. However, "Big Pass is the way it is because of Mother Nature, and it hasn't been touched." Its sand very well could have originated in a lot of other places, including Lido, she said. Nonetheless, the Army Corps cannot guarantee Big Pass will be the same if it is dredged, she pointed out. Back at the Best Western Plus Siesta Key, Bankemper points to the financial impact She takes comfort in the fact that Patterson tourism on Siesta has on the county. has called for a completely independent peer The final 2013 fiscal year report on Tourist review of the Army Corps analysis. "We have Development Tax revenue collections for time to be able to make sure that this, hopeSarasota County showed Siesta Key came fully, is vetted correctly." out on top for the multiple locations tracked, accounting for 32.17 percent of the total: The real solution to Siesta's concerns, $4,769,652.40, as of Oct. 31. The city of Bankemper added, seems to lie in an underSarasota — in which Lido Key is located — taking the Army Corps project team members was in second place, with 30.37 percent, or have discounted: "They need to go find sand $4,503,911.68. someplace else." % Neal Schafers My interest in photography reminded me about how my smile made me unhappy. A childhood accident caused my permanent teeth to come in askew. I had seen how Dr. Koval restored the smile of a friend's father. With Dr. Koval, we discovered I also had cracked fillings and a shifted jaw – all which she corrected. I am 100% satisfied with Dr. Koval's meticulous work and sincere care to make my smile look natural and picture-perfect. For a complimentary consultation call 941.923.5406 To view our extensive smile gallery, visit askdrkoval.com ENHANCE YOUR SMILE. ENHANCE YOUR LIFE. Christine Koval, D.M.D. Awarded 20 Gold Medals for Smile Makeovers by the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.