“Serving DeSoto County since 1887” BREAKING NEWS Deputies found not guilty A federal jury found two former DeSoto County corrections deputies not guilty in the beating of an inmate, and the cover-up .01 after the fact. RCJ Xl)lAiN PAGE 8 Thursday,A AugustRCADIAN 21, 2014 - 24 pages / 50 cents A section of the Sun City, county focus on future By STEVE BAUER consultant firm Sight Selection Group projects such as a Florida Department county’s interests in pairing with the city ARCADIAN ASSISTANT EDITOR to analyze DeSoto’s strengths and of Transportation Local Agency on projects. Matthews said much of the weaknesses for potential growth op- Program-funded redevelopment work focus in future projects will be directed The Arcadia City Council got a portunities. As part of the firm’s report, in downtown Arcadia are the beginning toward improving the community’s glimpse into the future Tuesday night although the area boasts a 20 percent of increased partnerships with the city. appearance, which is no easy task. after hearing strategic planning strate- discount compared to building/relo- “I hope we can have a well planned “It’s very difficult to change the visual gies from county and city staff. cating to metro areas, several negatives partnership to move projects like this image of something, but that’s our Interim County Administrator continue to hold the region back. forward,” she said. goal,” he said. Mandy Hines discussed the county’s “Three areas they noted as negatives City Planner Carl McQuay, and Jim Areas that will require attention efforts to encourage job growth and are the shortage of a skilled workforce, LaRue and Jeff Matthews from LaRue include the following: development in the area, saying its the lack of access to buildings and Planning presented highlights of the • Improved roads and utilities challenges mirror many of those in the sites and the community’s curb ap- city’s recent strategic planning efforts, city. She said the county hired the site peal,” she said. Hines continued that saying it’s encouraging to see the FUTURE | 22 Schools welcome students back for a new year _ / ry 1 A x 'l R` rir r`' 1.[F ' 'C I f 'am 14 ri.P ,+ / T I -T + -e - . /ew 1 ` ,fi r 1 ,.. .y. ° . .. _,_ , , - -.Y, . ti Wit. , ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY JOHN BLACK, [email protected] Long lines form at the entry to West Elementary Monday for the first day back at school. • Turn to page 18 for more photos. Students arrive at West Elementary and check in at the office with questions. c v Justin, Julia and Jaelyn Hatcher arrive at West Elementary School for their first day of the new school year. Arcadian 50¢ FORE! Improvements at city golf course may draw more customers ................................... 2 INSIDE RAPE, BATTERY CHARGES: Local man charged with sexual assault, battery ................................. 8 SCHOOL BOARD RACE: Profiles of School Board candidates plus candidate financial reports ............. 12-13 Editorial ...............4 Family Album ..........7 Obituaries .............9 Sports ...............14 7 @'05252"51621 6 Like us on Facebook Calendar ..............6 Police Beat ............8 Religion ..............10 Agriculture ...........22 Arcadian | Page 2 www.sunnewspapers.net The Sun / Thursday, August 21, 2014 Changes taking shape at city golf course By STEVE BAUER disgruntled golfers, Kotzker and his ARCADIAN ASSISTANT EDITOR staff have made tremendous strides in bringing the city-owned entity back to Since his hire last year, Arcadia life in time for fall visitors. Municipal Golf Course Department “When I was hired this was all weeds; Head Michael Kotzker has been a it was horrendous,” Kotzker said. “We man on a mission. Inheriting a course knew we had our work cut out for saddled with weeds, disrepair and us, and we’re excited to showcase the changes we’ve made once more golfers arrive in the fall.” Changes to the course include the reconstruction of 12 greens, along with Tailgate some new, elevated tee boxes. And with the help of new course Superintendent ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY STEVE BAUER Tom Taylor, a more stringent method This green is one of 12 that are being redone by the Arcadia Golf Course’s staff. The course plans with the of weed control has been implemented to have all greens ready for play by September. on the entire course, with fairways and other areas receiving more thorough Bulldogs grooming. amount of money. He adds that because they began making improve- A shaky past ments to the course during last season, Friday the comments from winter visitors Kotzker’s efforts come in the shadow were positive. ARCADIA MAIN STREET of a wary city council, which has seen “The members see we are working the course lose money for several years. hard to make progress, and they appre- The Arcadia Main Street Program, Theft in the pro shop, poor staff atti- ciate that,” he said. “Most of those who DeSoto County High Bulldogs, tudes toward patrons and other issues left last year were excited to see the Desoto Art and Humanities Council, have plagued the course in the past, improvements and looking forward to Antique Association of Arcadia and and council members have questioned returning in the fall.” the DeSoto County Historical Society whether it should be sold to a private The front nine is currently closed as are all coming together on Friday entity. The course’s proposed budget staff works on green repairs and other for a kick-off Tailgate party for the for 2015 is more than $411,000, and course maintenance, but Kotzker says Course Superintendent Tom Taylor inspects DeSoto Bulldogs. Kotzker knows he needs to produce his plan is for the entire course to be a new border taking shape on a green that’s The event will be held from 5 p.m. results sooner rather than later. But open for play by Sept. 1. under reconstruction as part of the course’s to 7 p.m. downtown at the Tree of he also believes the small changes he’s recent updates. Knowledge Park. There will be face already made will pay big dividends in A long-term payoff painting and the Mighty Blazing Blue the near future. said. Kotzker adds he has one request Band will be there. “We’ve raised the cost of member- As the city struggles with another for council members who doubt the Barbecue chicken dinners will be ship this year, which considering the tight budget for 2015, both Kotzker and golf course is worth the costs associat- sold for $8. Call 863-990-9753 to re- improvements we’ve made, really isn’t Taylor hope they are given enough time ed with repairing it. “I wish they would serve your dinner today. Desserts will much,” he said. “But looking at the to bring the course back up to par. The come out here and let me show them in be sold by the Antique Association. numbers, I fully expect to see revenues long-term gain, they say, will be worth person,” he said. “If you can see what Students, wear your Bulldog T-shirt increase by more than 25 percent next the short-term pain. we’ve done in a relatively short time, and win a prize. year, and I think that’s just a start.” “We inherited a golf course that was you can see the enormous potential Come out and support the Dawgs With a small staff that includes four already losing money and going down, this course holds for the city.” as they take on the Port Charlotte volunteers, Kotzker said the changes and have worked very hard to try to High School Pirates at 7:30 p.m. at they’ve made to the course have been get it back into condition where it will DeSoto County High in the Kick-off impressive, and by doing it themselves make money,” Taylor said. “When I was Classic, starting another season of they’ve been able to save a tremendous first hired I told them that bringing this Bulldogs football. See page 16 for course back would be a five-year deal. I more details on Bulldogs football. can patch it up enough to get it play- able its first year, but to get this course where it needs to be won’t be a quick turnaround.” Kotzker says the ultimate goal is This green is in the process of being repaired. to make the course a destination for The process to rebuild each green takes golfers who in the past would drive between 8-12 weeks. past it en route to nearby courses like The Bluffs. “I feel like even this year we are going to have as good if not a better course than the Bluffs,” he said. “If we’re given the chance to continue to move forward here, in five years I think this course can come close to being up there with Kingsway.” Golf Course Manager Michael Kotzker checks on one As the area’s winter visitors return, of the greens currently under repair at the course. Kotzker hopes to disprove any doubters who believe the course will continue to be a drag on the city’s financials. “I’m bringing money into the city, A golf course staffer uses a walk-behind clipper to and I hope the council knows that,” he trim the grass on one of the reconstructed greens. dim , 1 SUN NEWSPAPERS Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation D®vcBoard C ov4M11ertif ied PfpePhysi®eciawsns awnd 3mQgSurgoow®eons DISPLAY ADVERTISING Arcadian Publisher ..............................Joe Gallimore ......................................... 863-494-2434 DeSoto .............................863-494-2434 Arcadian Editor / Art Director.............Susan E.