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JULY 2009

NNN RRTTHHRTHPPOORRTTPORT

DISTINCTION

Compliments of the

Highlights

2 Boots and Badges BloodDrive

2 “Lock It or Lose It”Campaign

3 City of North Port’s FleetDivision Award

3 City of North Port’sEconomic DevelopmentDivision’s Workshop

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City of North Port’s Monthly Newsletter

Summer sizzlesin

North

Portw

ithseveralactivitiesforyouth

Summer in the City of North Port isalways an exciting time. North Port Parks and Recreation staff

is providing several activities for local youth, including hosting asummer camp, providing various recreation activities and opening a

new BMX Park.

BMX Bike ParkIn 2003, Parks and Recreation Manager Bill Ward met with parents and

interested teens to “determine what kind of an interest” the City had in a BMX park.There was strong support for the park, which was first anticipated to be located near

the skate park on North Port Boulevard. In 2006, the decision was made to place acombination Freestyle and BMX Bike Park at Highland Ridge Park on Kenwood

Drive. Construction on the park began last year.Because of his efforts in making the park a reality, a park bench was

dedicated to former Commissioner Richard Lockhart, which displays a plaque “inrecognition of your support of our youth and service to the community.”

After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, eight expert riders offered a shortdemonstration before the gates were opened to helmeted riders who had beenwaiting.

The 15,000 square foot riding area utilizes movable ramp modules. Thepark also features an office, covered spectator seating and restrooms. TheBMX Park, located at 6225 Kenwood Drive (across from the Boys & GirlsClub), is a supervised facility with rules and regulations.

Go Skateboarding Day!On June 21, skateboarders around the globe celebrated the pure

exhilaration, creativity, and spirit of one of the most influential activities in theworld by putting aside all other obligations to go skateboarding. OK, mostskateboarders do this every day of their lives, but this is just one more reasonto turn off your television/computer/ video games and go skateboarding!Skateboarders everywhere showed their love and support for the sport byholding protests and demos.

They skated across cities, gatheredin skate parks, and streamed into their

local skate shops, all bringing together theskateboarding community in the “grind

heard around the world”.The History: “Go Skateboarding Day”,

held on June 21 every year, is the officialholiday of skateboarding. The holiday began

June 21, 2003 as an excuse for skateboarders tomake skateboarding their top priority.

Go Skateboarding Day began with a few simpleskate sessions and barbeque held in skateboarding’s

unofficial capital, southern California. The North PortSkate Park celebrated “Go Skate Day” by holding a

barbeque and a contest.Even with a heat index of 105 degrees, more than 350 kids

showed up through the course of the day to celebrate and skate.

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Blood drive competition helpsreplenish supply

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Compliments of the

JULY 2009

The Suncoast Community Blood Bank is sponsoring the 4th Annual BOOTS andBADGES Blood Drive competition in an effort to increase the amount of blood available to help

those in need.Local first responders from both North Port Fire Rescue (BOOTS) and North Port

Police Department (BADGES) are “out for blood” and asking that residents within the City ofNorth Port donate between June 29th through July 31st to help this countywide effort.

The Boots and Badges blood drive is a countywide competition between the twofirst responding agencies to see who can garner the most blood donated in their honor.When someone gives blood, they are asked, “Boots or Badges?”

According to the Suncoast Community Blood Bank, the blood supply usually fallslow during the summer months.

“This is exactly the time that more accidents occur, increasing the need for blood,”said Deputy Fire Chief Scott Titus. “People are traveling on summer vacations, kids areout of school, playing outdoors, involved in summer camps. Some kids are at homealone unsupervised, all of which increase the chances of accidents.”

Currently, last year’s trophy resides with the law enforcement team (or “BADGES”).A single trophy is passed around for all of the participating county law enforcementagencies. “So, if for no other reason than pity, we ask that you consider supporting theFire Departments and Team Boots this year,”Titus said.

Residents do not need to know a firefighter or law enforcement officer personally toparticipate. Everyone is encouraged to help, Titus said.

A blood mobile will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 17, 2009 at CityHall, 4970 City Hall Boulevard; from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on July 20, 2009 at Fire Station

81 4980 City Center Boulevard; from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 22, 2009 at the North PortPolice Department, 4980 City Hall Boulevard.

For more information, contact the Suncoast Community Blood Bank at (941) 954-1600 or visit www.scbb.org.

“Lock It or Lose It” campaign promotes locking car doors

The North Port Police Department has launched a campaign, “Lock It or Lose It”to let residents know of ways to reduce vehicle burglaries.

Vehicle burglaries are often considered crimes of opportunity. When a burglarsees items inside your vehicle worth taking, it makes the crime even more attractiveto them. Taking a few extra steps to remain vigilant can help reduce these crimes ofopportunity. Studies have shown that following crime prevention tips such as theones listed below can help make our neighborhoods even safer. From time to timethe North Port Police Department will be offering tips on how to reduce crime

and stay safe in our city.Follow these simple steps:

• Park your car in the garage or driveway.• Use exterior lighting to include motion detecting lights thatshine on your car.• Remove valuables each time you leave your car. (For

example, GPS units, radar detectors, computers, loosechange, sunglasses, cigarettes, etc.)

• Close your car windows, lock your car doors, and setthe alarm when exiting your vehicle.

• Never leave your garage door opener inside your car.• Let trusted neighbors know when you are going to be away for extended periods.

• Pay close attention to your neighbor’s property and vehicles.• REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO THE POLICE! Call 429-7300 or call 911 in

the event of an emergency.For more information, call Crime Prevention Officer Sean Viara

at (941) 429-7349.

City’s Fleet Division receivesexcellence award

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JULY 2009Compliments of the

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North Port Distinction is a monthly publication in which the editorial content is provided by the City of North Port andthe production is done by the North Port Sun.

For more information, contactCommunity Outreach Manager

Erin Bryce, the editor, at(941) 429-7165 or at ebryce@cityofnorthport.com.

City offers free workshop for small business owners

The North Port City Commission recognized the Fleet Maintenance Division,Public Works Department, in June for their achievement in receiving the Blue Seal of

Excellence Achievement from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ASE, an automotive industry professional certification program, awards the Blue Seal ofExcellence to businesses that showcase highly qualified repair facilities and commitment to excellentservices.

A “Blue Seal” establishment must meet the following criteria:• At least 75% of technicians must be ASE-certified• At least one technician must be ASE-certified in each area of service offered by the business.

The Fleet Maintenance staff has passed one or more of ASE’s stringent 40-plus repair industry developed exams and have met requirements ofrelevant work experience.

In order to remain a “Blue Seal” establishment, Fleet will be reviewed annually by ASE to ensure its professional certification credentials remaincurrent. Fleet is proud to have received this achievement which is only awarded to those facilities striving to be the best and willing to prove theircommitment.

Congratulations -- job well done!

The City of North Port will host a free workshop on “QuickBooks” from 6 p.m. to 9:30p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at the State College of Florida campus in South County.

This workshop will focus on an introduction to QuickBooks, a line of business accountingsoftware, for business owners who need a simple yet powerful financial management tool.

There is no cost to attend. Because of limited seating, participants are asked to RSVP by callingDonna Suggs at (941) 429-7240.

This workshop is a component of the City’s newly established Small Business Assistance Program, which wascreated by the City’s Economic Development Division to increase the number, size and capacity of businesses in the City of

North Port.The City has partnered with SCORE, Florida SBDC, Florida State College, Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of

South Florida to make this program possible.For more information, contact Economic Development Manager Allan Lane at (941) 429-7001 or at

alane@cityofnorthport.com

The City of North Port’sFleet Division won an

excellence award.

The City of North Port’s Economic DevelopmentDivision is hosting free workshops for business owners.