THE WIRE Women outrun men in regaining jobs since recession PAGE 1 Deal of the Day Sound bar Maxell, $60 In Today’s Classifieds! Charlotte Sun AND WEEKLY HERALD MEDICARE CONFUSION THE WIRE PAGE 1 VOYAGER EXITS SOLAR SYSTEM IkT Federal health officials are trying to get a message out: Medicare NASA’s Voyager 1 probe has left the solar system, boldly going benefits aren’t changing under the Affordable Care Act. where no machine has gone before. THE WIRE PAGE 1 AN EDITION OF THE SUN VOL. 121 NO. 256 AMERICA’S BEST COMMUNITY DAILY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 www.sunnewspapers.net $1.00 Former dealership sold Destination Powersports company expands in Punta Gorda By GARY ROBERTS Powersports is on track for owner Bill Shenk said. SUN PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS STAFF WRITER $7 million in sales, with Shenk also is relocating for 15 employees. In fact, business improved visibility, with his Bill Shenk, owner PUNTA GORDA — Florida is so good, that the company current Yamaha store set back of Destination Power Sports was losing money is moving to larger quarters in off U.S. 41. Powersports, and down to six employees the long-vacant Buick GMC With renovations expected stands in front of before closing its doors in dealership at 1110 Tamiami to total around $400,000, in the former Buick February 2009. But after a Trail, Punta Gorda, ready to addition to the $2.1 million GMC dealership change in name and owner- open at its new location by the purchase on Aug. 27, Shenk on South ship, the Yamaha and Kawasaki end of the year. is investing heavily in the 1 Tamiami Trail store shifted gears and reversed “We had more than future. Before long, however, in Punta Gorda, course, doubling its revenue $1.5 million in product that he is projecting $14 million in I which he just the following year. we couldn’t even show, so purchased for This year, Destination we just needed more space,” SOLD | 4 $2.1 million. Committee selects full assembly By BRENDA BARBOSA STAFF WRITER MURDOCK — The Charlotte Assembly Steering Committee this week selected the remaining 100 members needed to com- plete the full assembly. Each of the 25 members of the com- mittee, who were appointed by county commissioners, nominated up to three people to participate in October’s assembly. The remaining members were selected from a list of volunteers who phoned or emailed county administration asking to be considered. At their meeting Wednesday, the commit- tee members randomly selected the names of alternates and participants to round out the assembly. Participants’ names were written on sheets of paper, placed in a bag and selected arbitrarily. County officials said they will contact participants to notify them of their selec- SUN PHOTO BY AL HEMINGWAY tion once the final list is approved next week. Through radio and hand signals, the tactical flight officer directs the pilot over the site to transport the “patient” to safety during a first- For weeks, committee members have responder training exercise Thursday in eastern Charlotte County. been busy putting together the group and fine-tuning the questions that will be asked of participants during the two-day assembly. The format for this year will differ slightly from prior assemblies, during which one Every second counts facilitator was assigned to lead the discus- sion and staff was responsible for gathering By AL HEMINGWAY personnel 5 ½ hours to County Sheriff’s Office public information officer that information to include in a final report. SUN CORRESPONDENT reach them. conducted a two-day joint for Charlotte County Fire/ This year, the group will be broken up If a helicopter and crew exercise on Wednesday EMS. “Emergency vehicles into five subgroups, with each assigned a EASTERN CHARLOTTE with the necessary rescue and Thursday to train had to go down dirt roads facilitator. Each group will be given a list COUNTY — When two skills had been available, department members in to reach the kayakers. One of questions that pertain to five topics of individuals recently lost the operation would have long-line/short-haul rescue woman clung to a tree for discussion: economic development, growth control of their kayaks been much faster. techniques. five hours. Luckily, she was management, public safety, quality of life, because of the swift move- That is one of the reasons “We certainly could have rescued.” and water resources. This time, staff will ment of the water in Prairie why the Charlotte County used this last week,” said Creek, it took emergency Fire/EMS and the Charlotte Dee Hawkins-Garland, COUNTS | 4 FULL | 11 Calling all home projects Educators use newspapers to Home & Garden Show as teaching tools By GARY ROBERTS company, products and services. STAFF WRITER “We will have everything for the By IAN ROSS home,” said Mike Ruiz, Sun Coast STAFF WRITER PUNTA GORDA — Is there a home Media Group regional advertising fix-it job in your future? manager. “The public will be able to Can you use a newspaper to Find the answers to all your ques- engage all exhibitors and get all the teach math? 4 tions at the first Sun Coast Home & information they need.” Sandra Asaro, a sixth-grade Garden Show, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Be prepared to learn about every math teacher at Punta Gorda Saturday at the Charlotte Harbor Event facet of your home, and its potential, Middle School, does just that. ij i... ... _ il and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., including kitchen and bath remodel- “I come up with questions Punta Gorda. ing, flooring, appliances, cabinetry, based on the numbers and the The public is invited to attend this plumbing, upholstery, home siding, math in the advertisements, (based on the way) we use that free event, which is being run by the air conditioning, window treatments, math in everyday life,” Asaro Charlotte Sun. It will feature more than security alarm systems, patio furniture said Wednesday. “Like if you SUN PHOTOS BY IAN ROSS 60 exhibitors providing information and more. Visitors are encouraged to and tips about how to increase the were in Kmart or Target and Sandra Asaro, a math teacher at Punta Gorda Middle stop by the various booths for terrific you had some money with you, value of your home. Experts in their deals and free giveaways, Ruiz said. School, uses ad inserts from the newspaper to write respective fields also will offer demon- what would be the total cost? … customized word problems for her students. She strations and presentations about their SHOW | 11 TOOLS | 2 reviewed problems on the projector Thursday. INDEX | THE SUN: Obituaries 5 | Police Beat 7 | Viewpoint 8 | Opinion 9-10 | THE WIRE: Nation 2,5 | State 3 | Business 6-7 | World 8 | Weather 8 | SPORTS: Lotto 2 | CLASSIFIED: Comics 9-12 | Dear Abby 12 | TV Listings 13 Daily Edition $1.00 Look inside for valuable coupons High Low This year’s savings to date ... CALL US AT CHARLIE SAYS … . SUN COUPON - 91 74 941-206-1000 So long, V’Ger! II II IIII II I I I IIII I VALUE METER $70,130 I 7 05252 00025 8 Isolated rain : L . .... ... J AIL- Our Town Page 2 C www.sunnewspapers.net FROM PAGE ONE The Sun /Friday, September 13, 2013 Water district CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSION — HOW THEY VOTED selects new director PROVIDED BY THE SOUTHWEST Operations, Maintenance supply projects. FLORIDA WATER & Construction divisions, Prior to joining MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Beltran also leads the the district, many of Solutions Team for the his projects required The Southwest Florida Central Florida Water working with the dis- BILL KEN CHRIS TRICIA STEPHEN R. Water Management Initiative, a multijurisdic- trict, the Department TRUEX DOHERTY CONSTANCE DUFFY DEUTSCH District’s governing tional effort to ensure an of Environmental board has appointed adequate water supply in Protection and other Robert Beltran to serve a five-county region. water management Approve the Settlement Agreement with District Council 78, Local 1010 of the International Union of as the district’s executive Beltran is a profes- districts on various water Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO (“IUPAT”), in settlement of two pending Charges of Unfair Labor Practice: director. Beltran replaces sional engineer with and permitting issues. International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO, Local 1010, an Affiliate of District Council 78 v. Blake Guillory, who was nearly two decades of Beltran holds a bach- Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, PERC Case Nos. CA-2013-020 and -024. recently hired as the experience helping cli- elor’s degree in civil executive director for ents design and permit engineering and master’s YES YES YES YES YES the South Florida Water solutions for their water degree in environmen- Management District. and wastewater needs. tal engineering from Approve, and authorize the chairman to sign, the yearly renewal contract with Charlotte Harbor Environ- Beltran, a resident He has worked through- Tulane University in New mental Center Inc. (CHEC), to provide environmental programs and services to Charlotte County’s Cedar Point of Lakeland, Fla., most out Florida helping Orleans. He is a diplo- Environmental Center (Park), including workshops and guided trail walks at multiple facilities, wading trips, recently served as the municipalities and mate of environmental youth programs, etc. The amount budgeted in fiscal year 2014 is $32,400. assistant executive private companies on engineering. Beltran is director for the district water-related initiatives a member of various YES YES YES YES YES since March 2012. including stormwater, professional associations Overseeing the district’s wastewater, reclaimed and is a past president of Approve the revised agreement between the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County and Charlotte Regulation, Resource water, drinking water the Florida Engineering County Animal Control.