Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/86226
Sarasota News Leader October 5, 2012 Walmart killed its plans and pulled out. The site remains undeveloped – and polluted – to this day. The Sarasota City Charter Review Board voted to remove the six-plus pages of anti-Walmart language from the charter, in part, because it believed the charter had no business getting involved in day-to-day decision-making. Sev- eral members of the board said that if the city wanted that kind of protection, it could pur- sue such an avenue with a simple ordinance. Families are invited to enjoy a fun- filled day at the annual Fire Preven- tion Open House sponsored by Sara- sota County Emergency Services. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Fire Station 5, 400 N. Be- neva Road, Sarasota. This year's theme is "Have 2 Ways Out," which focuses on the importance of escape planning and practice, a county news release says. During the event, a World Trade Center ar- tifact will be unveiled and kept on display throughout the day, the news release says. Numerous live fire and safety demonstrations are planned throughout the day, the news re- lease says. The event is free and part of the National Fire Prevention Association's campaign to raise awareness about fire safety during Fire Pre- vention Week, which is Oct. 7-13. Sarasota County Emergency Services Director and Fire Chief Mike Tobias offers the follow- ing safety tips: • Check your smoke alarms every month to make sure they are working. Page 22 Voters who believe the city charter should not contain language concerning specific recom- mendations on economic development will vote in favor of the amendment. Voters who believe the city charter should contain a provision that companies tak- ing government subsidies should pay high- er-than-minimum wages will vote against the amendment. FIRE PREVENTION OPEN HOUSE TO BE HELD OCT. 6 • Replace your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks -- twice a year. • If your smoke alarm is "chirping," it is time for a new battery. • Smoke alarms should be on every level of your home. Make sure there is an alarm in or near every sleeping area. • Plan regular fire drills setting off the smoke alarm so everyone knows exactly what to do when they hear the smoke alarm. • Have a home escape plan. Draw a floor plan or map of your home and make sure every- one knows how to get out of the home in case of fire and knows a safe place to meet outside the home. • Make sure your home escape plan shows two ways out of your home in case your primary way out is blocked. • • If there is someone in the home with special needs, make sure you have consid- ered the person's needs when creating your home escape plan. For additional information, contact the Sara- sota County Call Center at 861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.