October 2022

WELCOME BACK all of you who have been away! We sunbirds have been busy keeping the home fires burning (uh, the air conditioners humming.)  We all hope you had wonderful, cool weather where you were.

We have a busy schedule ahead for you to enjoy. We’re planning to march in the Venice Holiday Parade in November; hold a holiday party for our members in December; organize a formal dedication ceremony for our new Circus Car; hold our Annual Member Meeting in March; and organize a celebration in May recognizing our train car and Museum Day (along with the Venice Museum) - not to mention the highlight of every season - Betty Intagliata’s extraordinary lecture series (more below). 

It has probably occurred to you astute readers that all of the above requires VOLUNTEERS - someone to set up, take down, direct cars to parking, blow up balloons, pop the popcorn, serve refreshments, greet members and guests, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (as the King of Siam would say).

I can assure you; your enjoyment of these featured events will be enhanced by the old acquaintances you will renew and the new friends you will make. If you are willing to give of your time to help, please send a message to: information@veniceareahistoricalsociety.org.

Common Cents -

One of my favorite expressions when directed at extravagant wastes of money is “He/she has more dollars than sense.”

When directed at prudent expenditures of local tax dollars, my favorite expression is “Common Cents.” Under this program an extra 1% of sales tax is collected to be used entirely for local infrastructure projects in Sarasota County, such as public safety, libraries, parks, and schools. First authorized by voters in 1989, it has been renewed twice in 15-year increments. And now it’s up for renewal again.

For the first time in history, “history” stands to benefit from the Common Cents program. On top of the list of projects likely to benefit is the County’s proposed 30,000-square-foot History Center, a repository for a collection of the County’s documents, maps, photographs and objects, to be stored safely from fire, wind, and water. Any of you who have visited the old Center--now closed because it’s unsafe for people and things--know this is a very necessary improvement. “While the vote is not on how the funds will be spent… we need to vote for the “penny tax” to be renewed so that funds are available.”

I ask each of our members and friends to SUPPORT the “Common Cents” program when you go to the polls in November--if anybody still goes to the polls--or when you cast your mail-in ballot. This is an easy and (relatively) painless way of supporting programs important to our communities. For more information on the program, see:  https://www.sarasotacountysurtax.net