Letters to the Editor

+ Condo lighting contest judged impartially
Dear Editor:
We regret that Jerry Nodeen in his Jan. 15 letter to the editor believes that the Siesta Key Condominium Council Holiday Lighting Contest is not a true contest and that winners are “predetermined” by an “old boys’ network.” The facts may clear up his misunderstanding. 

There are 86 SKCC member condos eligible to enter. Nineteen entered in 2014. Of the 19 who entered, 13 (68%) were first-, second- or third-place winners or won honorable mention.

Entries are grouped into categories by size and are judged in their size grouping: Category 1: 101 or more units; Category 2: 51-100 units; and Category 3: 50 or fewer units. Contestants are judged on a score of 1-10 and judges make their rating based on the display’s uniqueness, colorfulness, telling of holiday story (seasonal) and wow factor. In 2014, only one of the eight judges had been a previous SKCC lighting contest judge. Of the eight judges, four are owners of a Siesta Key business, and four were chosen as representatives of community, business or governmental organizations. No member of the SKCC Board is permitted to judge.

Holiday lighting decorations, primarily, are a visual pleasure for the participating individual condo residents but also for visitors to Siesta Key and many others in Sarasota County. People look forward to the annual lighting display. Whether an individual condominium wins or does not win, the collective condo lighting displays add to so many people’s holiday experience.

In summary, winners are not “predetermined.” Every effort is made to keep the judging impartial. There is no “old boys’ network.” Yes, some condos win more than once, but many rankings have changed over the past three years. In fact, 70% of 2014 winners, by category, were not winners in 2013. The greatest change has been in the Category 1, large condos, where no 2012 winner appeared in the 2014 winners list.

We welcome any suggestions on how to make the annual lighting event even better.

Walt Olson, SKCC president

Diane Erne, chair of the SKCC Holiday Lighting Committee