Community Corner

🌱 Will downtown Sanford drivers soon have to pay to park?

And on the Sanford Patch calendar - True Health Be Healthy 5K & Kids' Run Presented by AdventHealth

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Hi there, Sanford! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will downtown Sanford drivers soon have to pay to park?
  • Could a November tax change slow Seminole County 911 response times?
  • What changes will Sanford face after its longtime city manager retires?

Also on today's calendar: On My Way To K with WUCF- Sanford and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Cloudy with a t-storm or two, temps: high: 89, low: 72.
  • Saturday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Sanford City Commission delays decision on paying for downtown parking (wftv.com) — Sanford leaders are again postponing a decision on whether to start charging for downtown parking, even as a 2020 plan outlines converting many prime street spots to paid spaces. Commissioners want clearer plans for how potential $1–2 million in annual parking revenue would be used, and are first exploring better enforcement of two-hour limits and dedicated employee parking.
   

2. Florida Amendment 3 could cut Seminole County public safety (mynews13.com) — Seminole County leaders in Sanford warn that statewide Florida Amendment 3 could force deep cuts to sheriff and fire-rescue staffing, potentially slowing emergency response times for local residents. While officials call it the biggest threat yet to public safety budgets, some residents argue governments should trim other spending first, setting up a high-stakes debate before November's vote.
   

3. Long-serving Sanford city manager Norton Bonaparte to retire (orlandosentinel.com) — Sanford's longtime city manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. will retire in October, opening a major leadership transition at City Hall over a $215.5 million budget and 540 employees. As commissioners prepare to choose his successor, residents will see Assistant City Manager Craig Radzak step in temporarily while the city continues downtown revitalization, infrastructure upgrades, and recovery planning from past storms.
   

4. Dr. Phillips Center, UCF, Sanford zoo each win $150K grants in state budget (floridapolitics.com) — State cultural grants are sending $150,000 to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford and another $23,700 to the St. John's River Festival of the Arts, boosting local programs after a tough funding year. These awards will support zoo education efforts and help keep Sanford's signature arts festival thriving, alongside major Orlando institutions also receiving new state backing.
   

5. Parsons' Church Court Verdict Mostly Upheld, Censure Reduced (ministrywatch.com) — A church court has reduced the censure of Burk Parsons, pastor of St. Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, from an indefinite suspension to an admonition, allowing him to resume ministry there. While denominational leaders remain divided over the decision and past concerns about harsh leadership, the Sanford congregation says Parsons has sought counseling and is continuing under accountability.
   

📸 Around Sanford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Sanford

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📣 Sanford Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday September 17
  • Meet The Curator: Mezuzah Traces
    Holocaust Center of Florida, 851 North Maitland Avenue, Maitland
    6:00 pm
  • Ozobot Challenge for Tweens (8-12) - Northwest →
    Lake Mary FL
    6:30 pm
  • City Commission Meeting →
    Lake Mary City Hall, 100 N Country Club Rd, Lake Mary
    7:00 pm
    • Friday September 18
  • DECISION TACTICAL Bourbon Gauntlet
    Decision Tactical, 430 Towne Center Cir, Sanford
    5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Bear spotted on Meadow Street last night at 9 pm knocking over trash cans.
    First bear sighting on this street in years! Construction is pushing them our way. Not the bear's fault. (Nextdoor Hidden Lake)
  • Pedestals for washer and dryer.
    Does anybody have any input as to whether or not they like having pedestals? (Nextdoor Greystone)
  • HCA Healthcare posted a job opening for Medical Office Specialist in Sanford. Apply here.
  • Concentrix posted a job opening for Collections Representative (On-Site) in Lake Mary. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sanford here.

Ok Sanford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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