THE WIRE Red-light camera challenge goes to Florida Supreme Court PAGE 1 Pick of the Day Aquarium, 20 gallons, $15 In Today’s JAL Classifieds! THE WIRE PAGE 1 Charlotte Sun AND WEEKLY HERALD THE WIRE PAGE 1 FDA EYES TRANS FAT BAN TWITTER TAKES OFF -rThe FDA acknowledged that trans fats are unsafe, and Twitter ended its first day on the stock 'MA took steps toward banning the artery-clogging substance. market at nearly $45 per share Thursday. t` W AN EDITION OF THE SUN VOL. 121 NO. 312 AMERICA’S BEST COMMUNITY DAILY FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 www.sunnewspapers.net $1.00 SIDE DISH Ray offers great Skidmore settlement nears food, beer, music County could pay $115K to former employee here are some places that have the feel of an old friend’s house, where By GARY ROBERTS against Skidmore, individually. The Jenkins resigned her position T good times with those who know STAFF WRITER complaint later was amended to June 27, 2011. you (and still love you) lead to rich Koda- include nine counts, alleging the com- The case, filed in U.S. District Court chrome memories. MURDOCK — The Charlotte County missioner harassed her with sexual of the Middle District of Florida, is That’s the Celtic Commission will vote next week on innuendo, overt sexual comments and currently on the jury trial docket for Ray, where a whiff a proposed settlement in the sexual propositions, starting in 2008 when he April 7, 2014. of vinegar can lead harassment suit involving former was elected to the commission. However Skidmore and the plaintiff to a far-off gaze commissioner Robert Skidmore and a The suit also claims county officials reached a settlement of the claims down the memory past county employee. failed to act on Jenkins’ complaints against him on Sept. 20, 2013, and he highway where a The tentative agreement, recom- to the county Human Resources voluntarily was dismissed from the perfectly poured mended by County Attorney Janette Department, which received sexual ha- action. The terms of this settlement Black and Tan serves Knowlton, calls for the county to pay rassment complaints about Skidmore agreement are confidential. Knowlton as the landmark to $115,000. from other county employees as well. said the county paid about $25,000 for a once-forgotten In August 2012, former county code “The county has failed to take any Skidmore’s legal defense. evening of coleslaw Christy enforcement officer Shonna Jenkins action to eliminate the sexual harass- Although taxpayer money was used, silliness. filed her initial complaint in federal ment and/or hostile work environ- FEINBERG That’s the Celtic court against Charlotte County and ment,” the suit states. SKIDMORE | 12 COLUMNIST Ray, where the faint sound of a fiddle triggers instant relaxation lingering from one afternoon in the sun, sipping a pint as Brigid’s Cross plays “I’m Your City Mailman,” “Twelve” or even “Sweet Looking for lunch Caroline.” Ba ba baaa. offers free That’s the Celtic Ray. The Punta Gorda pub, 145 E. Marion Ave., is more than a restaurant or a bar. It can be an experience. You can go for pump-outs live music (Tiki Town Castaways plays at 8 tonight, Brigid’s Cross performs at By BRENDA BARBOSA 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by The Hot Rod STAFF WRITER Hornets at 9 p.m.). You can go for come- PUNTA GORDA — If outstand- dy night, trivia or open mic night. Or you ing fishing and miles of beautiful can go when there is no entertainment, water aren’t enough to lure enjoy conversations with friends or boaters to Charlotte Harbor, city strangers, or bring a book/e-reader/ officials are hoping free pump- tablet/laptop and unwind. outs just might. For first-timers, let me give you a few Wednesday, Community tips: Redevelopment Agency officials 1. Order your drinks and food at the bar (like at a pub in Ireland). voted unanimously to nix the 2. The menu is written on the boards $5-per-pump-out fee recom- near the bar. mended by staff, saying the free 3. Yes, the beer may seem pricey, but service would be just another remember, you are getting a pint of really marketing tool to promote the good beer (not a plastic cup of Natty harbor and encourage use while Light). enhancing water quality. 4. Don’t try ordering Natty Light. In February, the CRA agreed 5. Yes, it may seem a little dark inside. to purchase a 22-foot-long boat But your eyes will adjust. And remember, that will “pump out” and properly we’re all better looking in the dark. PUMP-OUTS | 12 The Celtic Ray has been serving its SUN PHOTO BY JOSH OLIVE famous fish and chips since 1997. The A yellow-crowned night heron stalks the Charlotte Harbor shoreline near Fishermen’s Village in fish (crisp, yet moist) and chips (also Punta Gorda. known as fries) are amazing. Please try it with the pub vinegar before dipping Case in tartar sauce and ketchup (though I’ve been known to do that too). If you aren’t a fan of fish, there are plenty of other Arcadia man lands spotlights good choices as well. Kevin Doyle and his son, Max, have made the Celtic Ray one of the best pubs in Southwest Florida (if not the entire big ‘shark’ on TV show self-defense state). By SUSAN E. HOFFMAN On Friday night, more than 200 people By ADAM KREGER Stop in and enjoy the experience. STAFF WRITER turned out for Georges’ screening party STAFF WRITER If you don’t trust me, check out the at Pine Level United Methodist Church high praise the Celtic Ray receives on An Englewood woman who ARCADIA — Within 48 hours of his for a barbecue dinner before watching Google Reviews, Yelp, Trip Advisor and stabbed a burglar Wednesday appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank” last the show. Georges appeared in the last Urbanspoon. says she’s glad she had a weapon Friday, Johnny Georges had received segment, so the audience had a chance stashed near her recliner. For more information about the Celtic to see how demanding the sharks were, Ray, call 941-916-9115, go to http://celtic hundreds of phone messages, more than “I have kept a knife since my and how much the other entrepreneurs ray.net, or check them out on Facebook. 10,000 emails and 15 marriage proposals husband died in December,” wanted from them. In other restaurant/bar news: — complete with resumes. said Alice Dunn, 70, who When Georges finally appeared in Those who remember Mark Georges’ life has been a whirlwind used the weapon to deter her Spieldenner’s award-winning chicken since “guest shark” John Paul DeJoria the last few minutes, he explained how assailant. wings don’t have to wait much longer for agreed to invest in Johnny’s company, the Tree T-Pee — which looks like a big David Szakalos, 51, allegedly them. Tree T-Pee. broke into Dunn’s home and Downtown Gatorz will be opening in SHARK | 12 grabbed her while she was early December at 502 King St. (off West asleep. He ended up running off, Charlotte Avenue), Punta Gorda, accord- bleeding from his abdomen. ing to owner/operator Doug Harris, who Dunn says keeping a weapon used to run Good Times Lounge, Good in the home for protection is a Time Too and Aqui Esta Liquors before SUN PHOTO BY SUSAN DEFENSE | 12 Hurricane Charley. E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@ sun-herald.com “His famous chicken wings are coming here,” Doug said. The Rev. Brian Russell, CORRECTIONS Mark, one of the original owners of the pastor of Pine Level Port Charlotte Gatorz, will be in charge • VFW Post 5690 will play host to its United Methodist Church, Fourth Annual Veterans Walkway Service at of marketing as well. There is no current on stage with Johnny relation between Downtown Gatorz and 11 a.m. Monday — Veterans Day — at North Georges after his appear- Charlotte Regional Park, 1185 O’Donnell Blvd., the Port Charlotte Gatorz. ance on “Shark Tank” was Downtown Gatorz will be open from Port Charlotte. A story in Wednesday’s Port shown, comments that Charlotte Herald listed an incorrect date. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. There is a new “shark” John Paul DeJoria’s • An article in Thursday’s paper about deck outside. There will be live entertain- phone call actually rolled photographer Patricia Ann Wright and her book ment, karaoke, a pool table and video over to voice mail while on bald eagles contained incorrect information. games. It is family-friendly. Georges was addressing An Internet search for “blurb coupons” offers If you have news to share in the restau- the audience. coupons for 15 percent to 20 percent off the rant/bar industry in Charlotte, DeSoto purchase of her book. Also, Wright observed and South Sarasota counties, email Sun and photographed eagles in their nests for senior writer/columnist Christy Feinberg several months. at [email protected]. INDEX | THE SUN: Obituaries 5 | Legals 6 | Police Beat 7 | Viewpoint 8 | Opinion 9-10 | THE WIRE: Nation 2 | State 3 | World 5,8 | Business 6-7 | Weather 8 | SPORTS: Lotto 2 | CLASSIFIED: Comics 11-14 | Dear Abby 14 | TV Listings 15 Daily Edition $1.00 Look inside for valuable coupons High Low This year’s savings to date ... CHARLIE SAYS ... SUN COUPON CALL US AT #Imohsooverhashtags! 84 66 VALUE METER $75,209 941-206-1000 IIII II 10 percent chance of rain :L J 7vii i' 05252 '''"i 00025 8 Our Town Page 2 C www.sunnewspapers.net The Sun /Friday, November 8, 2013 United Way issues ‘sobering’ report By AL HEMINGWAY and to discuss steps from federal, state and reduced lunch program, and doctors in the SUN CORRESPONDENT to resolve the needs of local agencies,” Tyler which is up nearly region.