This week in history 9.17.15

Sept. 17, 1992

The Sierra Club selected Jon Thaxton as one of 100 environmental heroes from across the country to celebrate the Sierra Club;s centennial. Thaxton was recognized for his role in preserving 1,300 acres of Florida wilderness adjacent to Oscar Scherer State Park. He campaigned to collect $11.8 million in Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) acquisition funds. The addition to Oscar Scherer Park was the first project to receive funding as part of the state's Preservation 2000 program. Through the CARL Committee, the program would provide $30 billion worth of funding for the purchase of environmental lands for another 10 years. 

Thaxton is a third-generation Sarasotan and grew up in the Vamo and Osprey area. He found the effort worthwhile and decided that for four years, he would contribute his time and savings toward preserving the land. After his success with the Oscar Scherer addition, he set his sights on Myakka Island of the Myakka Prairie. 

Sept. 17, 1998 

A good neighbor shows support by keeping the community clean, and it doesn't hurt to have those sentiments printed on a bucket. Central Park Condominiums grounds supervisor, Ken Young, picks up trash along Osprey Avenue and U.S. 41. He walked the road regularly and cleaned up many bottles and cigarette butts.