Ben Abramson

Like many other local residents, the first time Ben Abramson pulled into Venice, he thought, "I didn't know Florida could still be like this."  The charm and livability of the Nolen Plan spurred Ben and his partner Jan to relocate from the Washington, D.C., area and buy a 1920s house on Venice Island.

Ben's career as a travel journalist gives him a perspective on what makes this area special, and how important it is to preserve the stories and places that contribute to it.  He has also written about development and urban planning, including the unique issues facing SW Florida.

Ben served on the Venice Historic Preservation Board from 2021-2023, is a volunteer literacy tutor, and learned the back roads of Sarasota County while driving for Meals on Wheels.  He is an avid cyclist (favorite ride:  Venice Train Depot to Shamrock Park), kayaker (best paddle:  Vamo to Midnight Pass), and explores small towns and state parks across Florida.