BOCC Workshop Meeting Review

Well Done at Meeting SCST!!!

I want to thank all of our swimmers and their families that came last night to speak and support our team’s efforts to keep the pool open.  I especially want to mention swimmers Whitney Clark, Makenna Lenoir, Ethan Kennedy, and Bryce Uzzolino along with Mrs. Lenoir who did an eloquent job speaking before the Commissioners. In addition we had over 25 SCST swimmers and family members come to the meeting last night.  I am so proud of our swimmers for standing before these elected decision makers and verbally expressing what they believe.  It was a great civic lesson and opportunity.

Over 500 citizens showed up to show support for their respective programs and services and longest serving Commissioner, Dennis Damato stated, “it was one of the largest board meeting turnout” he remembers since becoming a commissioner. This was a workshop so no vote or decision was to have been made last night, it was simply an opportunity for the commissioners to listen to the public on how a reduction in services would affect their lives.  It will be several weeks and months before a final decision is made so you still have an opportunity to write a letter and send your email/letter to all of the Commissioners (please carbon copy [“CC:”] the County Administrator , Deputy Administrator, Manager of Parks & Recreation and the Aquatics Manager as well as myself).  I have included all the email addresses below.

Thank you again for your help and support.  See you at the pool!
Thomas
www.SunCoastSwimTeam.com

Commissioners

Commissioner Rebecca Bays – rebecca.bays@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Commissioner Dennis Damato – dennis.damato@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Commissioner John “JJ” Kenney – jj.kenney@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Commissioner Joe Meek – joe.meek@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Commissioner Winn Webb – winn.webb@bocc.citrus.fl.us

CC:         Brad Thorpe, County Administrator  – brad.thorpe@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Catherine Pearson, Deputy Administrator – cathy.pearson@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Mike Howell, Manager Parks & Recreation – michael.howell@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Robin Braswell, Aquatics Manager – lifeguard@bocc.citrus.fl.us
Thomas Kennedy, SCST – thomas@kennedyforkids.com

IMPORTANT REMEMBER NEXT TUESDAY AT 5:00pm

Thank you to those of you that have written letters to the commissioners and who have shared that you are planning on attending the Special Board of County Commissioners meeting At 5:00pm next Tuesday at the Inverness Auditorium (the meeting location was changed) which is next to the Citrus Fair Grounds near the Inverness airport.  If you have not written your letter yet there is still time.  Please write you letter and send your email/letter to all of the Commissioners and carbon copy (“CC:”) the County Administrator , Deputy Administrator, Manager of Parks & Recreation and the Aquatics Manager as well as myself.  I have posted all the email addresses below.

The meeting begins at 5:00pm with a PowerPoint presentation by the County Administrator.  It is not clear how long that could take.  Depending on questions and comments from the Commissioners following that presentation will be public comment.  If you or even better your swimmer would like to speak that would be excellent.  In order for your message to be best received it is critically important to be respectful and state your request and reasons clearly and tell them why keeping the pool open year round is important to our young people and the citizens of Citrus County.

While I would generally not suggest skipping practice this time it is acceptable. We need you to show up and bring others with you!!!! Please come to the meeting, bring your swimmer and have your swimmer wear their Sun Coast Swim team shirt.  When you get to the meeting look for other SCST people so that we are all in a group this will look more impressive.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Thomas

www.SunCoastSwimTeam.com

Commissioners

Commissioner Rebecca Bays – rebecca.bays@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Commissioner Dennis Damato – dennis.damato@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Commissioner John “JJ” Kenney – jj.kenney@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Commissioner Joe Meek – joe.meek@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Commissioner Winn Webb – winn.webb@bocc.citrus.fl.us

CC:         Brad Thorpe, County Administrator  – brad.thorpe@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Catherine Pearson, Deputy Administrator – cathy.pearson@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Mike Howell, Manager Parks & Recreation – michael.howell@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Robin Braswell, Aquatics Manager – lifeguard@bocc.citrus.fl.us

Thomas Kennedy, SCST – thomas@kennedyforkids.com

Misc Items for April 18th, 2012

If  do not intend to continue swimming at this time please let Capt. Holme  know.  He needs to know how much room we are going to have.

As, Swim Caps are in.  Everyone gets one Latex cap per year free or a silicone cap for $8.  Replacements are $3.50 and $11.50. 

We WILL have practices this Friday.

Regarding the meet this weekend:

WEATHER:  in the event of inclement weather,   a pre-established meet committee will meet and make the final decision as to the continuation of the meet.  In the event that the pool deck needs to be cleared, please have your families proceed to their cars.

WARM UPS & STARTING TIMES for each session:

• FRIDAY PM – warm ups begin at 4:00 with a 5:00 start
•  SATURDAY AM – warm ups begin at 7:30 with a 8:30 start
• SATURDAY PM – 30 minute warm up guaranteed with a start time not before 1pm
• SUNDAY AM – warm ups begin at 7:30 with a 8:30 start
• SUNDAY PM- 30 minute warm up guaranteed with a start time not before 1 pm

There is a separate diving well pool available for warm up and cool down during the meet.

DECK ENTRIES:  are accepted up to 30 minutes prior to the start of the session and only if there are open lanes available.  Swimmers MAY NOT scratch one event to deck seed another, and must abide by the 4 event per day limit.

400 FREE / 200 IM EVENTS:  In the 400 meter  freestyle and the 200 meter  IM, the 13-14 and senior age groups will swim together, but will be scored separately.

*NO POSITIVE CHECK IN for the DISTANCE EVENTS, but it would be helpful to inform the Meet Referee of any scratches.

CAMERA  ZONES:  Please remind your families that cameras or video recording devices of any kind will not be permitted behind the starting block areas in accordance with Florida Swimming rule 223.12