Question 1

STAYTRU ASSOCIATION INC becomes a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation

Accepted Answer

On July 22, 2025, STAYTRU ASSOCIATION INC registered with the State of Florida and the Federal Government (FEIN 39-3335685) as a 501(c)(4) non-profit (status pending) community association.

Donations made to STAYTRU ASSOCIATION INC are not tax deductible.

STAYTRU ASSOCIATION INC
7793 Castleisland Dr
Sarasota, FL. 34240

Our Purpose:

To encourage and promote, through and by means of social or community club or association, the dissemination of educational and scientific information which shall have for its purpose the preservation, conservation, protection and development of the natural resources, together with the agricultural, horticultural, and botanical potentialities of the area or regions commonly known as Tatum Ridge which area generally includes lands lying within a boundary described as beginning at the northeast corner of the land currently known as Tatum Ridge Golf Links heading due west to US Interstate 75, then south to Palmer Road then east following Palmer Road to a point due south of the origin, then north back the origin, and including subdivisions of The Legends at Tatum Ridge, Fox Creek I and Fox Creek II, and includes others in Sarasota County in the State of Florida including the flora and fauna indigenous to said area, the integrity of its waterways, flood plains,  the navigability of its waters, and other open space and rural characteristics, all for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens and residences of said community, and the public at large; to acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise and to hold, own, build, manage, develop, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of both real and personal properties, whether owned by itself or others and including, but not limited to, roads, bridges, docks, ferries, wildlife, and bird sanctuaries, museums, aquariums, laboratories, test farms and test stations, orchards, stables, groves, greenhouses, nurseries, farms, fisheries, hatcheries, and such other like instrumentalities as may be necessary, proper or incidental to any or all the objects and purposes foresaid.

Question 2

May 20, 2025 County Commissioner Meeting Results

Accepted Answer

Tatum Ridge Golf Links
Saved!

On May 20, 2025, the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to deny a request to amend the County's Comprehensive Plan Conservation Subdivision policy.  If adopted, this amendment could have led to the construction of 400+ homes on the Tatum Ridge Golf Links property.

We Won! Now what...

Hi Neighbors,

Tuesday's 5-0 vote denying a developer's plans to build 400+ homes on the Tatum Golf Links land was decisive and appropriate.  All five commissioners agreed that expanding an already failing Conservation Subdivision policy was bad policy.  Further, as one commissioner said: the applicant's request to build homes on the golf course was "philosophically wrong".  The density had previously been consolidated into the Legend's 162 homes and "common sense" said that placing density back onto the land was not the "intent" of "the promise" made back in 1997.

We are pleased with the outcome because we feel the commissioners gave thoughtful consideration to public concerns about the short comings of the current Conservation Subdivision policy and to the specifics of our community.  Commissioner Neunder made a point to thank all of you who attended by saying "It takes a lot of courage to be here...to take time out of your day...you were well organized...well behaved."

Your involvement made a difference.  117+ concerned citizens sat for 8 hours to make their voices heard.  You should feel proud of your efforts.  Thank you! Enjoy the win.

Please agree to commit your future participation and unity -  developers rarely just go away.  Tatum Ridge must stay United.  We will commit to continuing to be part of this movement and expanding it.  Will you too?   Our Unity is our Strength.  Stay Tatum Ridge United.

• Going forward, TRUSRQ.org ()will be the landing spot for our community association.  Please bookmark it and make sure our emails don't get caught in your spam folder. I'll put up more photos and if you have your own photos you'd like to share send them to info@trusrq.org()

• TRU will become a real association - more on that soon.

• A PARTY is in order and one is in the works.  Looking for party animals to help plan. Send an email to info@trusrq.org()

• We are planning to nominate a subcommittee who will actively monitor the horizon so that we won't be caught flatfooted again.

• And we are considering some strategic options and ways to work actively with our Commissioners so that our interests - and the interests of similar groups - are kept at the forefront of policy making.

Without each of you, the outcome may well have been different.  Your involvement came in all forms: emails, personal visits, pledges for donations, attendance at meetings, speaking, wearing yellow.... And it all worked well.  Thank you everyone!!!!!  Thank you to the speakers, Jim Wallace, Susan Shoettle Gumm, Bud Gaunce, Scott Featherman, Lisa Sykes, Betsy Freeman, John Davis, Tom Widen, and Duane "The Closer" Henderson who practiced and delivered.  Thank you to our conditional speakers - while you didn't get a chance to speak, you gave your time to the cause.  Thank you to our Sponsors for lending their name and reputation to our cause.  Thank you to those of you who unilaterally offered money.  We don't need it!  Thank you Lois and Dan Stimax.  Thank you Kelly Anderson, Trevor Hind and Jim Scordato.  Thank you Jaci Harris and Lorraine Massaro.  Thanks to Bob & Tom @ CTI Printing (https://ctiprinting.com/)().

And, again, thank you to those residents who called in sick to work, found daycare, took a vacation day, and spent the day to make it happen.

We owe immense gratitude to Ron Collins, Chris Bales, Susan Shoettle Gumm, and Laura without whom we'd have lost.  Their knowledge, strategy, insight, professionalism, and selflessness are humbling and inspiring.  Laura called out of the blue and asked: "did you know they want to develop your golf course?" We didn't. Without Laura we'd have learned of their plans only when they began digging foundations. Attorney Susan provided good counsel and valuable experience. Chris led the Speaker Team and the results were spectacular. And Ron Collins... a superconductor of energy, inside knowledge, passion and conviction. Dude..we owe you . Thank you all! ​

Question 3

Town Hall Meeting Report Out (5/13/25)

Accepted Answer

Thank you to the nearly 100 Tatum Ridge area residents who attended last night's Town Hall meeting.  The show of support is encouraging and the level of anger is high.  Tatum Ridge United.

But...

If only one message was clear last night, let it be this: PLEASE show up on May 20, 2025 @ 1660 Ringling Blvd @ 10am to urge the County Commissioners to VOTE NO to CPA 2024-B.

Wear a yellow shirt as a sign of unity.

I cannot promise a win if we all show up.  But I can promise a loss if we don't.

NEWS UPDATE: Just yesterday: "a sea of red" encouraged the County Commissioners to vote AGAINST a downtown development effort. Click HERE (https://www.mysuncoast.com/2025/05/13/dozens-speak-against-development-tallest-building-sarasota-commission-meeting/)to see the video where Sarasota citizens wore red and dominated the Chambers!!!

A sea of citizens wearing yellow can have the same result.

Lastly: if you haven't sent an email (or two or three) to the County Commissioners, click HERE (https://www.thelegends-srq.org//s/f/how-do-i-send-an)for instructions on how to do so.

The golf course is properly designated, recorded, and permanently protected as Open Space.  For more than a quarter century, area residents have enjoyed and benefited from its protected status.  Let's not lose that to high priced lawyers funded by out of town interests.  Let's protect our interests.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4cf90b_b8e5146de7cb4953869060e733feb6e2~mv2.png
This email is sent on behalf of our Sponsors: Matt Procaccini, John Davis, Kelly Anderson, Duane Henderson, Scott Featherman, Jane Archer, and Lois Foster.  We are residents of Tatum Ridge in Sarasota County acting as individuals with a common interest to preserve our land use interests.  We oppose the increase in density that would come from CPA 2024B for properties like the Tatum Ridge Golf Course.

Want to be a Sponsor?  Send an email to: thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com(mailto:thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com)

Question 4

Update #4 - sent 5/9/25

Accepted Answer

Emergency Area Resident Meeting
All Richardson Road Area residents please attend!
When: May 13, 2025 6:30pm for just 30 minutes
Where: Open Space just east of 7793 Castleisland Drive 
(inside The Legends…the gates will be open)

Good morning, everyone.

CALL TO ACTION

1. There will be a short meeting for all area residents concerning the potential development of the Tatum Ridge Golf Course property.  We will communicate our latest developments and ask for your commitment to attend the May 20th meeting at 1660 Ringling Blvd beginning at 10am.
 
1. Attached you will find an email template and instructions on how to ask the County Commissioners to VOTE NO on CPA 2024-B.  Please take the time to add your neighborhood name and your name/address to the template and send it to all the Commissioner email addresses on the attached document.

The Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA 2024-B) being considered by the County Commissioners on May 20th seeks to change the rules of a "Conservation Subdivision" (a zoning overlay).  If approved, CPA 2024-B could pave the way for 400+ homes to be built on the golf course land.  The golf course land currently does NOT qualify as a Conservation Subdivision, but the developer is seeking to change the rules just enough to make it qualify - and in the process wipe out the golf course completely.

We believe this proposed amendment is unfair, unnecessary, and unfit for the land.  Further, this amendment change will subject other, similar parsels throughout Sarasota County, to High Density housing.  And, importantly, the golf course property is properly designated in County Records as Open Space.

NEWS
 • THANK YOU to Shirley and Michael Jankelevich who have pledged support to our Legal Fund
 • THANK YOU to Renee Finucane & Gerry Dunn for their pledged support to our Legal Fund
 • Saving the Golf Course / Open Space is a community effort with a community benefit.  To represent ALL area neighbors, we are calling our movement: TRU - Tatum Ridge United.  We are more than 1,000 registered voters up and down Richardson Road.  Our community is special and unique: we still enjoy a rural feel with large lots and Open Space but we are convenient to transportation, shopping, etc.  We hope that TRU lives beyond our effort to save our open space and becomes a long term community association.  stay-TRU.  Stay Tatum Ridge United.

Thank You,

Matt Procaccini
North County Coordinator of Say NO to CPA 2024B
203.240.3672
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4cf90b_b8e5146de7cb4953869060e733feb6e2~mv2.png

This email is sent on behalf of our Sponsors: Matt Procaccini, John Davis, Kelly Anderson, Duane Henderson, Scott Featherman, and Jane Archer.  We are residents of Sarasota County acting as individuals with a common interest to preserve our land use interests.  We oppose the increase in density that would come from CPA 2024B for properties like the Tatum Ridge Golf Course.

Want to be a Sponsor?  Send an email to: thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com(mailto:thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com)

Question 5

Update #3 - sent 5/7/25

Accepted Answer

5/7/25

Dear Richardson Road Area Neighbors,

CALL TO ACTION

It's only 13 days until the May 20th meeting at 1660 Ringling Blvd @ 10am.  This County Commissioner meeting will decide if the golf course owner can build 400+ homes on the site.

Please plan on attending.  It is crucial to have as many people as possible in the audience wearing yellow shirts.  Several Richardson Road area residents have volunteered to speak directly to the Commissioners - but we need a Yellow Shirt Brigade in the audience.  The Yellow Shirt Brigade worked perfectly back in 2017 when area residents defeated a concrete crushing company who wanted to set up shop right next door.  See photo at bottom.
Call in sick.  Take a vacation day.  Quit (ok..maybe not that).  Call a neighbor.  Car pool.  We are considering renting a charter bus if enough residents need the transportation.  Please let us know.  Your personal attendance is the single biggest tool we have to beat the lawyers and developers trying to undo the properly recorded land interest we have in the Open Space / Golf Course.  NO homes should be built on property per county records - let's keep it that way.

TODAY'S NEWS

The website has been updated and reorganized.    www.thelegends-srq.org

The website now has a "News & FAQ's" section - you can find it by clicking on the menu icon at the top / right of the home page.

We have a new sponsor - Jane Archer.  She has graciously offered her name, reputation, and financial support to our cause.  Thank you so much Jane!

Yes, we have a Legal Fund - more to come about that shortly.

Want to be a Sponsor like Jane?  Send an email to thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com

Sponsor Kelly Anderson has also committed to a Legal Fund contribution - thank you Kelly!

That's all for now.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4cf90b_d3a7bba578fa4837b809a197b26dd781~mv2.jpeg

Thank You,

Matt Procaccini
North County Coordinator of Say NO to CPA 2024B

This email is sent on behalf of our Sponsors: Matt Procaccini, John Davis, Kelly Anderson, Duane Henderson, Scott Featherman, and Jane Archer.  We are residents of Sarasota County acting as individuals with a common interest to preserve our land use interests.  We oppose the increase in density that would come from CPA 2024B for properties like the Tatum Ridge Golf Course.

Want to be a Sponsor?  Send an email to thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com (thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com)

Question 6

Update #2 - sent 5/5/25

Accepted Answer

5/5/25

Hi Neighbors,

There's been a TREMENDOUS amount of outreach from the communities around the Tatum golf course.  That's awesome... but we need everyone.

We now have a website: www.thelegends-srq.org (http://www.thelegends-srq.org/)which has more information and will be updated daily.

Here's what's happening:

400+ homes proposed for Tatum Ridge Golf Links

The golf course land has been registered in County Records as permanent Open Space for 27 years

Don’t let them remove our recorded property interests and our Open Space

Attend the May 20th hearing at 1660 Ringling Blvd starting at 10am.  Please, wear a YELLOW Shirt as a sign of solidarity

There are 1,003 registered voters in the area who will be negatively impacted by the elimination of this properly recorded Open Space.  SHOW UP - do not let lawyers and developers win.  A strong, BIG crowd is necessary.  They have MONEY but we have NUMBERS.  With your help, we can block this move.

Thank You,

Matt Procaccini
North County Coordinator of Say NO to CPA 2024B

This email is sent on behalf of our Sponsors: Matt Procaccini, John Davis, Kelly Anderson, Duane Henderson, and Scott Featherman.  We are residents of Sarasota County acting as individuals with a common interest to preserve our land use interests.  We oppose the increase in density that would come from CPA 2024B for properties like the Tatum Ridge Golf Course.

Want to be a Sponsor?  Send an email to thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com(mailto:thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com)

Question 7

Update #1 - sent 5/1/25

Accepted Answer

5/1/25

Hello neighbors,

Just a quick update on what has happened TODAY and a request for help.

On May 20, 2025 there will be a Public Hearing at 1660 Ringling Blvd at which plans to allow 400+ homes on the Tatum Ridge Golf Link property could be ultimately approved.

"400 homes will totally change the nature and character of our neighborhood" - Jim Wallace of The Legends.

The golf course was legally and properly designated "into perpetuity" as Open Space.

BUT that will be obliterated on May 20 IF WE DON'T ACT.

Our BEST approach is to:

1. Make as many area residents aware of this unfair assault on our duly recorded property rights.  We need VOLUNTEERS to go house to house and hang a flier.  Please respond to this email if you are willing and able to drop leaflets at homes up and down Richardson and throughout The Legends
2. Mobilize as many area residents to attend the meeting WEARING A YELLOW SHIRT/TOP as a visible sign of unity.  We need volunteers to coordinate this effort - PLEASE respond to this email if you can help.  
3. Add speakers to our growing list of willing residents to address the Commission (a script is being developed for each speaker).  You only get 3 minutes.  Send an email if you can devote a day and read a speech.
4. Encourage every area resident to send an email to each member of the commission.  Templates are being developed containing the key points to make in your email/letter.  The template will be sent out within a couple of days.  Need volunteers to coordinate this effort.

THANK YOU!

This email is sent on behalf of our Sponsors: Matt Procaccini, John Davis, Kelly Anderson, Duane Henderson, and Scott Featherman.  We are residents of Sarasota County acting as individuals with a common interest to preserve our land use rights.  We oppose the increase in density that would come from CPA 2024B for properties like the Tatum Ridge Golf Course.

Want to be a Sponsor or Volunteer?  Send an email to thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com(mailto:thelegends.golfcourse@gmail.com)

We are Tatum Ridge United
Advocating for Tatum Ridge

News & FAQ's

Join stayTRU to stay informed!

We are Tatum Ridge United Advocating for Tatum Ridge

News & FAQ's

Join stayTRU to stay informed!

We are Tatum Ridge United
Advocating for Tatum Ridge