Former Commissioner Thaxton had proposed recognition
In unanimously approving their Oct. 8 Consent Agenda of routine business matters, the Sarasota County commissioners agreed to send a resolution to the Florida Legislature, calling for a portion of U.S. 41 in Osprey to be named the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway, to honor the co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band.
Betts, who lived for many years in Osprey — as noted in the resolution — died in April 2024. The resolution also points out, “Dickey Betts was a world-renowned American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter … [who] was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Allman Brothers Band in 1995 …” The resolution adds that he twice was “recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2003 and 2011 …”
The segment of U.S. 41 identified for the Memorial Highway designation extends from North Creek to Blackburn Point Road, the resolution points out.
Further, the resolution says that the Sarasota County Commission “strongly supports and urges the Florida Legislature to pass the appropriate legislation in accordance with Section 334.071 [of the] Florida Statutes, to make the said designation and require the placement of markers by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) at the termini or intersections specified for the highway segment designated.”
The resolution also notes that the County Commission “requests that all members of the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation actively support this designation.”
The Delegation members are those who represent the county in the Florida Senate and House.
Additionally, county staff drafted a copy of a bill regarding the proposal. It was included in the Oct. 8 agenda packet, as well:
As The Sarasota News Leader reported, during their regular meeting on Aug. 26, the commissioners voted to pursue the recognition, thanks to a request that former three-term county Commissioner Jon Thaxton submitted to Chair Joe Neunder.
During the Open to the Public comment period at the start of the board’s regular meeting on Oct. 8, conducted in downtown Sarasota, Thaxton was present to offer remarks in support of the Memorial Highway designation.
Although he initially called the matter a “little bit more fun” than the usual county business, Thaxton said, “The more I got to thinking about this ‘fun proposal,’ the more I questioned the characterization.” He added, “I think it would be an understatement to suggest that we’re in divisive times right now in this country, and, frankly, anything that brings us together is a serious discussion.”
When he used to attend Dickey Betts and Allman Brothers concerts, “and hear Dickey play the guitar” — not just at major performances across the country but at local fundraisers for children with cancer whose families had no health insurance — “I could see that this music was being enjoyed by people of all ages, incomes, ethnicities, races, and, yes, even different political affiliations,” Thaxton told the commissioners. “Music is this amazing, connecting force that knows no boundaries.”
Recognizing Betts with the resolution before the board that day, Thaxton pointed out, “is a feel-good activity, but it’s much more. It’s the kind of activity that brings our community together and unites us with a shared common interest, even just for a short while.”
Thaxton added that he hoped they would approve the resolution and the draft legislative bill.
Commissioner Mark Smith made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda, with the Betts items, and Commissioner Mast seconded it.