1.      UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS

Tree Lighting and Holiday Party, Sunday, December 3^rd in Laurel Park from 5:00 to 8 p.m. The LPNA will use its collection of ornaments to decorate a holiday tree in the park followed by a holiday sing along. Sandwiches and beverages will be provided. Please bring cookies or a holiday dessert.

Laurel Park Gatherings @ Metro, on the first Monday of the month, starting December 4th, Metro Coffee and Wine Bar will host Laurel Park Gatherings for residents of the neighborhood from 5:30 to 7:00.

2.      NOVEMBER/DECEMBER NEWSLETTER OUT THIS WEEKEND AND WEB SITE UPDATE

The November/December edition will be distributed this weekend.  Look for it on your doorstep (or somewhere nearby)!  Next week, a color version of the newsletter will be available for download on the Laurel Park website at the following address: http://historiclaurelpark.org/Downloads/tabid/65/Default.aspx

Also, the Laurel Park website has been updated a lot lately.  Please check out the photos of Tunes in the Park in the gallery section and all the latest postings. 

3.      LPNA NAMES FINALISTS FOR LAUREL PARK LANDLORD OF THE YEAR

At its November board meeting, the LPNA selected five Laurel Park property owners as finalists for the inaugural Laurel Park Landlord of the Year Award.  These landlords were selected based on nominations and comments of renters and by a multi-focused evaluation by the LPNA (appearance of the property, lack of crime, historic preservation, affordability, event participation by the landlord and renters, etc.).

The LPNA will select the winner of the award at its board meeting in January 2007. Until that time, renters and residents are encouraged to provide comments

to the LPNA, which will be carefully considered before the winner is selected. Comments should be made in writing and can be submitted in person to an LPNA Board Member, sent by mail to P.O. Box 1485, Sarasota, Fl 34236, or sent via email to Chris@VisaAmerica.com.

The five finalists in no particular order are as follows:

4.      WALPOLE HOUSE DEMOLISHED

On Wednesday, November 29, 2006, the historic Walpole House was demolished.  It was a two-story home on Laurel Street. 

5.      PENNY TAX PRIORITIES

Residents are invited to complete an online survey to help develop a project list for the next phase of the penny sales tax throughout Sarasota County, including the City of Sarasota.  The survey can be found at: http://www.sarasotagov.com/Landing/County_Penny_Tax_Survey.htm  All surveys must be submitted by December 8.

If you are looking for some ideas:

Kate Lowman filled out the survey asking for restoration of our brick streets and a pedestrian sleeve on 301.  And, Deb Dart suggested the following:

- Fund the retention and renovation of our historic brick streets.

- Fund benches and shade/rain shelters at a number of the Laurel Park Neighborhood bus stops

- Fund a satellite history/information center in our downtown core. The County archives/history center and all of our historical collections are being moved permanently to east of Cattleman Rd.

Regarding the penny tax, the following comes from the city/county:

City of Sarasota and Sarasota County officials plan to ask voters on November 6, 2007 to continue the penny sales tax from 2010 through 2019.  The referendum will provide a slate of projects that will be constructed with the money generated from the tax renewal.

Since the surtax was extended for 10 years in 1997, the penny sales tax has provided funding for much needed roads, new libraries, new parks and numerous other projects throughout Sarasota County.  Within the City of Sarasota, your penny has helped fund Payne Park, Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park, police vehicles, neighborhood sidewalk improvements and many other community projects.  Those projects came from a list created and approved by residents like you. The next list of projects will come from the lists developed by people during upcoming public meetings.  The City of Sarasota invites you to attend the following penny sales tax meetings:

January 11th: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall
January 18th: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall

6.      WE NEED YOUR HELP ON EFFORTS TO PRESERVE BRICK STREETS

Look for a comprehensive update on the effort to preserve LP’s brick streets in the latest newsletter.  In the meantime, newly appointed LPNA President Deb Dart has requested your help with something.  Here is her message:

We are making great progress with the city to retain our brick streets. In October, the city engineering department asked Laurel Park residents living on brick streets, next to new development projects to provide written support of their desire to keep the brick street. We have had a great response from all but two property owners. PLEASE, if you received a form, send it back to Deborah Dart, 542 Ohio Pl., Sarasota, FL 34236 ASAP.

Chris Jaensch