Siesta Key cleanup volunteers bag record event

Siesta Key residents and business owners continue to show their vigilance toward controlling waste on the barrier island.

The Siesta Key Association (SKA)/Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) Adopt-A-Road cleanup held Nov. 23, was the best since its 2003 inception, with 24 volunteers netting 32 bags of trash. SKVA President Cheryl Gaddie announced the news during the latest SKVA meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3.

During the meeting, members continued to push for the purchase of recycling bins — with an artistic twist.

Le Grand Bisou Caribbean Boutique Owner Martha Smith suggested offering the potential new recycling bins as a canvas for local artists. They could paint the receptacles with sea turtles and dolphins to create awareness about the need to recycle and attract use of the bins.

"I think it's a great idea," said SKA board member Peter van Roekens. SKVA board member Russell Matthes echoed support and suggested tying the initiative to local businesses by offering sponsorships for the recycling-bin artwork.

Siesta Key architect Mark Smith, the group's liaison with Sarasota County, said a recent meeting with the municipality didn't further the recycling initiative, but that he would soon send a latter to the county about that and maintenance issues. The group may need to look at a different design for the bins to promote space for artwork, Smith said.

Meeting highlights:
• The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office recorded five physical arrests and issued at least 17 paper arrests during the Turkey Trot pub crawl Wednesday, Nov. 27, according to deputy Chris McGregor.
"Our saving grace was that is was so cold that when everyone came out of the bar they kind of went home," McGregor said.

• Smith noted the need for more deputies at the public beach during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic to bolster public transportation.
"The buses had a great deal of difficulty getting into the parking lot," Smith said.

• Members highlighted the success of the Light up the Village Parade, which resulted in $1,800 to the group from sponsorships and $300 from various games.
"I think that may have been the biggest crowd yet," Gaddie said.

• The committee charged with crafting a proposal to deal with a ban on outdoor merchandise continues work on the initiative, with plans to present the work to the heads of SKA, SKVA and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce this month.
"If your presentation is all encompassing and very explanatory it makes it easier for people to look at it and evaluate it," said Gaddie, who suggested including pictures of potential display configurations.

• Van Roekens encouraged members to attend the SKA meeting this week to hear representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Sarasota discuss plans to dredge Big Pass and place groins on Lido Key.
"(Parts of Lido Beach) don't appear to be critically eroded at all," van Roekens said.