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1. City of North Po
N RTHRT H
rt’s Monthly Newsletter
P O RT
PORT
DISTINCTION Summer in the City of North Port is
always an exciting time. North Port Parks and Recreation staff
is providing several activities for local youth, including hosting a
JULY 2009 summer camp, providing various recreation activities and opening a
new BMX Park.
Sum me BMX Bike Park
rs In 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.
i 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 a
zz
combination Freestyle and BMX Bike Park at Highland Ridge Park on Kenwood
les
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 “in
in
recognition of your support of our youth and service to the community.”
Nort
After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, eight expert riders offered a short
demonstration before the gates were opened to helmeted riders who had been
waiting.
The 15,000 square foot riding area utilizes movable ramp modules. The
h Port wit h
park also features an office, covered spectator seating and restrooms. The
BMX Park, located at 6225 Kenwood Drive (across from the Boys & Girls
Club), 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 the
world by putting aside all other obligations to go skateboarding. OK, most
skateboarders do this every day of their lives, but this is just one more reason
to turn off your television/computer/ video games and go skateboarding!
s e ve r
Skateboarders everywhere showed their love and support for the sport by
holding protests and demos.
They skated across cities, gathered Highlights
in skate parks, and streamed into their
local skate shops, all bringing together the PAGE
a
skateboarding community in the “grind
l ac
heard around the world”. 2 Boots and Badges Blood
Drive
The History: “Go Skateboarding Day”,
ti
held on June 21 every year, is the official 2 “Lock It or Lose It”
holiday of skateboarding. The holiday began
vit
Campaign
June 21, 2003 as an excuse for skateboarders to
ie
make skateboarding their top priority. 3 City of North Port’s Fleet
Go Skateboarding Day began with a few simple Division Award
sf
or skate sessions and barbeque held in skateboarding’s
unofficial capital, southern California. The North Port 3 City of North Port’s
yo Skate Park celebrated “Go Skate Day” by holding a
Economic Development
ut Division’s Workshop
barbeque and a contest.
h 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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Compliments of the

2. Pa
g
Blood drive competition helps
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2
replenish supply
The Suncoast Community Blood Bank is sponsoring the 4th Annual BOOTS and
BADGES 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 of
North 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 two
first 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 falls
low 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 are
out of school, playing outdoors, involved in summer camps. Some kids are at home
alone 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 enforcement
agencies. “So, if for no other reason than pity, we ask that you consider supporting the
Fire Departments and Team Boots this year,”Titus said.
Residents do not need to know a firefighter or law enforcement officer personally to
participate. 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 City
Hall, 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 Port
Police 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 burglar
sees items inside your vehicle worth taking, it makes the crime even more attractive
to them. Taking a few extra steps to remain vigilant can help reduce these crimes of
opportunity. Studies have shown that following crime prevention tips such as the
ones listed below can help make our neighborhoods even safer. From time to time
the 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 that
shine on your car.
• Remove valuables each time you leave your car. (For
example, GPS units, radar detectors, computers, loose
change, sunglasses, cigarettes, etc.)
• Close your car windows, lock your car doors, and set
the 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.
SP22423
Compliments of the For more information, call Crime Prevention Officer Sean Viara
at (941) 429-7349.
JULY 2009

3. 3
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Pa
City’s Fleet Division receives
excellence award
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 of
Excellence to businesses that showcase highly qualified repair facilities and commitment to excellent
services.
A “Blue Seal” establishment must meet the following criteria: The City of North Port’s
• At least 75% of technicians must be ASE-certified Fleet Division won an
• At least one technician must be ASE-certified in each area of service offered by the business.
excellence award.
The Fleet Maintenance staff has passed one or more of ASE’s stringent 40-plus repair industry developed exams and have met requirements of
relevant work experience.
In order to remain a “Blue Seal” establishment, Fleet will be reviewed annually by ASE to ensure its professional certification credentials remain
current. Fleet is proud to have received this achievement which is only awarded to those facilities striving to be the best and willing to prove their
commitment.
Congratulations -- job well done!
City offers free workshop for small business owners
The City of North Port’s Economic Development
Division is hosting free workshops for business owners.
The City of North Port will host a free workshop on “QuickBooks” from 6 p.m. to 9:30
p.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 accounting
software, 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 calling
Donna Suggs at (941) 429-7240.
This workshop is a component of the City’s newly established Small Business Assistance Program, which was
created 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
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North Port Distinction is a monthly publication in which the editorial content is provided by the City of North Port and
the production is done by the North Port Sun.
Compliments of the For more information, contact
Community Outreach Manager
Erin Bryce, the editor, at
(941) 429-7165 or at ebryce@cityofnorthport.com.
JULY 2009