Around Town: Volunteer and Visit!

The County would love to have our community get involved with some of the volunteer committees that help our government to function.  Here are some of the vacancies that need to be filled:

•     2 vacancies for the Bayshore Beautification MSTU - must live or work in the Bayshore area.
•     2 vacancies of the Board of Building Adjustments and Appeals.
•     1 vacancy as an Alternate for the Code Enforcement Board.
•     1 vacancy on the Habitat Conservation Plan Ad Hoc Advisory Committee.
•     1 vacancy on the Contractors Licensing Board for the category of Licensed Contractor.
•     If any of these positions interest you, please contact Sue Filson at 252-8097 or e-mail her at suefilson@colliergov.net.  The deadline to submit resumes is May 22nd.

      I was invited to a ribbon cutting at the newly renovated Tuscany Villa of Naples (the old Buena Vida) on U.S.41 E.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  The place looks spectacular!  It's a luxury resort-style retirement living community, complete with a putting green, a bar, lovely dining facilities, suites, large and small living quarters, wonderful entryway, and so much more.  If you feel so inclined, take a ride over and ask to see the model suites.  You'll be impressed.  My old friend Alex Grasberg lives there, so if you stop by, make sure to say hi to him if you get a chance.
   
    Another place I visited this week was the new Pollo (pronounced Poiyo) Tropical, chicken on the grill.  The place was really buzzing!  The prices were reasonable and there were many selections.  You stand in line to order, so be ready, look over the menu first because they wait on you quickly.  They had many selections to choose from.  It is not a fast food place because you can sit inside and eat, but it has fast service.  Their grand opening will be held on May 16th at 4:30 PM.  The whole community is invited to celebrate.
   
    I also saw that Amador's has taken over the large restaurant in Courthouse Shadows, which has had many names over the past few years.  I understand it is the same Amador's that used to be on Bayshore.  That's my next place for dinner!  I'll get back to you next week to let you know how it is.
   
   I have arranged for a tour of the County Landfill!  No, you can't have lunch there, but you'll find it very interesting.  The tour will be held on Friday, May 16th at 9AM.  If you are interested, please call my office at 252-8097 as ask to sign up for the tour.  We will give you directions or e-mail them to you if you give us your e-mail address.  You'll be glad you signed up.
   
   By the time you read this column I will have hosted a meeting to present the plans to the neighborhood for the new Manatee Park.  This will be a family park with walking trails, picnic benches and cooking stations, putting green, small lake with fishing piers and a place to use your remote controlled boats, a community building with a fitness center, a dog park, and more.  This park was slated to be a soccer complex, then a little league complex.  It is now a park for all of us to use!  The commissioners should vote on it in May.   Part of the money had already been put aside to build the park, so construction should begin in FY 09. 
    
   Lastly, there seems to be a delay from my information to the grand opening of Staples.  I was told it would open May 1st, but that date is now around the middle of June, according to my new contact at Kite Realty.