The World Rowing Championships may have put Nathan Benderson Park on a world stage, but the fact the event arrived before many once-promised structures could rise from the earth opened a fresh round of criticism of the venue, including inquiries from state lawmakers upset at a lack of financial accountability. But officials with Sarasota County and the organization managing the park remain optimistic about the future of the park.

This fall, state Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran requested an accounting of all spending at the facility, which has seen $15 million in state funding awarded. “The House will not tolerate attempts to shield from public scrutiny financial information relating to the expenditure of public dollars,” reads a letter from Corcoran. “The Legislature has enacted reforms and accountability measures to ensure transparency and good stewardship when it comes to public funds.”

The county and Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, the organized contracted to run the park, have provided more than 700 pages of accounting material to the state since then that officials say will prove no funds were mismanaged. “Anything we have received, we have put back in the park,” says Stephen Rodriguez, SANCA president and CEO. “We as an organization only exist as stewards of the park for Sarasota County.” Rodriguez was announced for his post in July, a couple months before the World Rowing Championships that started in September.

The letter from Corcoran notes a promised boathouse that was not finished before the international event. At the Championships, the only major facility complete was a finish tower, which did a major role at the event. But detractors remain concerned that more structures, a selling point from the start for making the park into a sporting venue, have yet to start construction.

The parks brought some $22.6 million in economic impact for the state of Florida, according to a report generated for Visit Sarasota County, and generated 25,491 room nights in area hotels. That’s just a little shy, though, of the $25 million impact predicted, though officials note that Hurricane Irma impacting the region shortly before the games reduced the amount of time teams spent here before the championships.

Sarasota County Paul Caragiulo also notes that the long-term relationship with the World Rowing Championships should be taken into account, After speaking with athletes impressed by the venue, he’s confident the Championships will end up with some level of permanent presence in Sarasota. “It’s expensive, but everything worth doing on a scale like that is going to be expensive,” Caragiulo says.

State Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Clearwater and the expected speaker in the 2021-22 session, says so long as all books are in order, the issue won’t growing a problem. But based on concerns about mismanagement raised to the state, he says it’s important for the issue to be studied. “We’re not going to prejudge anything,” he says. “Once we get our questions answered, we will know what the taxpayer money was used for, and once we have that information, then we will go from there.” 

Trace Eye-D, a security and instant explosive threat detection company headquartered in Bradenton, Florida with a research facility in Sarasota, has hired former U.S. House of Representatives chief of staff and seasoned lobbyist, Rob Hartwell, to serve as its chief marketing officer. Hartwell brings more than 33 years of hands-on Congressional, political and legislative experience, serving on Capitol Hill in 1978 and from 1983 through 1993, and since then has worked within the private sector in key lobbying and political leadership positions. During Hartwell’s career on Capitol Hill he played a key role as chief of staff to Congressman Dick Schulze, (R-PA) a senior Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. He was also a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Mike Oxley (R-OH). Trace Eye-D has positioned itself to become a major player in the security technology industry. This year, the company successfully completed field trials with federal government agencies and was named as one of the top innovative companies in the Tampa Bay area by Innovate Tampa Bay. 

Trace Eye-D

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is hosting a job fair and is looking to fill full-time and part-time positions at the newly opened resort. Opportunities range from trolley driver, recreation associates, front desk hosts, housekeeping attendants and food & beverage supervisor to servers, kitchen steward, cooks and more. The job fair will take place at the Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 10am—4pm. Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, a full-service resort on Anna Maria Island, FL features 37 stylish guest rooms and suites, a 50-slip marina offering a variety of water activities, 2,000 square feet of meeting space, Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen and a resort-style swimming pool with oversized sun deck extending into the marina. For additional information about careers at Waterline, visit the website below. 

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club

Local foodies can now bring the best of Café BarBosso’s menu to the next holiday party or to savor over the holiday season with family and friends, as Café BarBosso has announced a wide variety of its house specialties, such as lasagna, Nona’s meatballs, braised short rib pasta, rigatoni with broccoli, minestrone, tiramisu and chocolate bread pudding. You don’t have to be Italian to taste the best homemade pastas, Bolognese sauce and over the top sausage and peppers, guests just have to call Café BarBosso and let them transform their table at home into an authentic Italian feast. The catering menu offers an array of Italian entrees, salads, soup and desserts to complement an at-home turkey and ham holiday table. Catering orders need to be placed a minimum of 48 hours in advance and can be made by calling the restaurant at 941-922-7999. 

Café BarBosso.