Former Sarasota County Commissioner Thaxton proposes recognition for the late Allman Brothers co-founder
Thanks to a recommendation from former three-term Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton, the current county commissioners are pursuing the renaming of the portion of U.S. 41 through Osprey the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway.
Betts, who died in April 2024, was best known as a member of the Allman Brothers Band, which he co-founded, as Wikipedia points out. His biggest hit with the group was Ramblin’ Man.
In an Aug. 27 statement provided to The Sarasota News Leader, at its request, Thaxton wrote, “Osprey was the home of Sarasota’s matriarch Bertha Palmer, and more recently the home of rock legend Dickey Betts. For many of us who were teens in the 1970s the Allman Brothers music was a part of the soundtrack of our lives. Many of their songs, including Ramblin Man, are still popular with youth today. Inspired by the lyric ‘I was born in the back seat of a Greyhound bus Rollin’ down Highway 41,’ I thought what could be more appropriate than to name that portion of US 41 that ran though Osprey, in front of Dickey’s home, in his honor.”
Chair Joe Neunder brought up Thaxton’s request during his remarks to his colleagues as part of their regular meeting on Aug. 26, in Venice.
Referring to Thaxton, Neunder said, “He’s certainly the Osprey [and Nokomis] guy … and I think we all know — rest in peace, Mr. Betts, here — that that’s [Thaxton’s] area and stomping ground. He had brought [this] to my attention.”
The formal request, addressed to Neunder — which Thaxton also shared with the News Leader — pointed out, “Dickey Betts, a native Floridian, lived most of his life in the Sarasota area and passed away at his home in Osprey on April 18, 2024, at the age of 80. His wife Donna still lives [in] their Osprey bayfront home.
“As a member of the Allman Brothers Band, Dickey received several awards during his career, including two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine lists Betts as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time.
“Dickey Betts is one of the most notable people to have called Osprey, Florida, home. And I believe his many contributions to the international music industry, and numerous fund-raising concerts for local Sarasota causes, warrants this memorial highway designation in his honor.”
During his Aug. 26 remarks, Neunder acknowledged that he did not know how the process of seeking the renaming a section of highway works. He turned to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and County Attorney Joshua Moye for assistance.
Before they could answer, though, Commissioner Tom Knight responded, saying that the board would need to send information to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), since U.S. 41 is a state road.
Moye told the board members that he was not sure of the process, either, so he and his staff would look into it.
Lewis pointed out that if the board members “were inclined to support a motion” for the proposed renaming of the affected section of U.S. 41, “We’ll take care of it on the staff. The appropriate paperwork has to be submitted to the state for that recognition.”
“OK,” Neunder responded. Then, turning to his colleagues, he asked, “Is there any consternation here from the board?” When no one spoke, Neunder asked that someone make a motion.
Commissioner Mark Smith did so. It directed staff to work on naming a portion of U.S. 41 the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway.
Neunder repeated, “A portion of it, a portion of it; not the whole damn thing.” Chuckles could be heard from others on the dais.
“A portion of it,” Smith responded laughingly. “This is not Jimmy Buffet … we’re talking about. I believe the portion that goes through Osprey.”
“OK,” Neunder said.
When Neunder called for a second, Commissioner Ron Cutsinger offered it.
The motion passed unanimously.