SUMMER DOUBLE ISSUE
TOP STORIES:
Citizen-initiated petition drives at heart of County Commission proposals to amend the county Charter
One amendment would raise signature threshold from 5% to 10% of registered voters, while another would place all successful measures on General Election ballots
With a unanimous vote, the Sarasota County Commission has approved draft language for a number of changes to the Sarasota County Charter involving citizen-initiated petition drives. Among the changes would be increasing the percentage of signatures of registered voters necessary to place a citizen-initiated measure on a ballot. The current level of 5% would double, to 10%. (Read more »)
Siesta Promenade formal review process underway
Benderson still proposing traffic pattern changes, including signal at Stickney Point Road/Avenue B and C
The application for the proposed Siesta Promenade project on the northwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road has been deemed sufficient, Sarasota County Planning and Development Services staff has announced. (Read more »)
Decide the Date Sarasota do-over vote taken to avoid potential for legal action
City commissioners split in choice of one option and then approve series of corrective votes on advice of city attorney
First the Sarasota City Commission voted 3-2 on July 16 to approve one option for ballot language reflecting the success of a citizen-initiated petition drive to change the city’s elections from a spring schedule to an August and November schedule. (Read more »)
Change in method of electing Sarasota County commissioners to be focus of Aug. 29 public hearing
Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections gains enough signatures on petitions to put single-member district issue on November ballot
Instead of voting for all Sarasota County Commission candidates in races on future ballots, citizens may be choosing only those candidates in the districts in which the citizens and the candidates reside. (Read more »)
Siesta Key Association disagrees with Sarasota County attorney’s interpretation of county policy regarding public dredging projects
Nonprofit to proceed with July 23 hearing in Circuit Court
Regardless of the Sarasota County Stephen DeMarsh’s assertion last week that a county Comprehensive Plan policy is not intended to cover public dredging initiatives, the Siesta Key Association (SKA) will continue pursuit of a 12th Judicial Circuit Court case related to that policy, its vice president told The Sarasota News Leader this week. (Read more »)
On another split vote, City Commission approves tentative citywide millage rate increase
Commissioners Brody and Freeland Eddie again raise objections
With Commissioners Hagen Brody and Shelli Freeland Eddie reprising comments they made during earlier sessions on the City of Sarasota’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, the board members split 3-2 this week in approving the tentative millage rates for FY19. (Read more »)
Desire for more details about maintenance expenses among issues leading to City Commission continuance of discussion about St. Armands public restrooms
Commissioner Shaw questions whether the new parking garage will have enough restrooms, and Commissioner Brody calls for restrooms in the middle of the Circle
It took almost exactly 49 minutes, with multiple failed motions, before the Sarasota City Commission this week unanimously voted to continue until a future meeting a discussion about taking on the expense of maintaining new restrooms proposed on two medians on St. Armands Circle. (Read more »)
County Commission splits 3-2 on allowing construction of new Sanderling Road home 111 feet seaward of Gulf Beach Setback Line
To build a new house on site of current lagoon-front structure, applicants also would need a variance, their attorney says
On a 3-2 vote, the Sarasota County Commission has approved a Coastal Setback Variance so owners of a home on Heron Lagoon in the Sanderling Club can demolish it and construct a new home on the Gulf of Mexico that will be 111.2 feet seaward of the county’s Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL). (Read more »)
Maio continues to lead the way in fundraising for District 4 County Commission race
In District 2 race, Ziegler has close to three times as much in contributions as closest competitor, Jouniari
Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio of Nokomis continues to outpace all other candidates for County Commission this year — not just in the District 4 races but also in comparison to the District 2 candidates — in terms of fundraising, the latest reports show. (Read more »)
Two young men arrested on multiple charges — including handgun theft — after Siesta Center tenant finds them unconscious
Sheriff’s Office links 15- and 19-year-olds to burglary cases and charges 19-year-old with drug possession
Siesta Village business owners were abuzz on July 7, The Sarasota News Leader learned, after a tenant at Siesta Center called 911 early in the morning to report two unconscious people at the shopping plaza in the heart of the Village. (Read more »)
South Tamiami Trail McDonald’s to be rebuilt, with reopening planned for December
County Commission approves rezoning of two parcels for the project
The South Tamiami Trail McDonald’s, located near Stickney Point Road, will be rebuilt for the second time since it opened in 1970, thanks to a unanimous Sarasota County Commission vote on July 11. The restaurant has not been remodeled since 1990, Michael Motta, McDonald’s regional development director, told The Sarasota News Leader this week. (Read more »)
Siesta Key resident arrested after allegedly shooting multiple rounds inside his home
Suspect blames medications for inducing hallucinations
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 69-year-old Siesta Key resident after he allegedly fired multiple bullets out of his Siesta Isles home, the office has reported. The suspect, Thomas Kavanaugh Dudenhoeffer of 1007 Contento St., told an officer he was firing at people believed to be breaking into his house. (Read more »)
Fruitville/U.S. 41 roundabout funding transfer formally approved by County Commission
Timeline calls for project to be completed by Oct. 1, 2021
Among numerous items the Sarasota County Commission addressed during its last two meetings before starting its traditional summer recess, the board voted unanimously on July 11 to approve a funding agreement with the City of Sarasota for the design, right of way acquisition and construction of the planned roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. (Read more »)
Siesta Seen
Siesta Key Breeze gets new operator; expanded trolley operations just one facet of latest County Commission paid beach parking discussion; Siesta property owner urging County Commission action to preserve Big Pass; snowy plover update a positive one; second Audubon Beach Walk planned on Siesta; and Village Improvement District property value down a bit for formal July 1 report
The Siesta Key Breeze will have a new operator as of Aug. 29. On July 10, as part of their Consent Agenda of routine business items, the county commissioners approved a contract with C.P.R. Medical Transportation LLC of Washington, D.C., for the continued operation of the trolley. (Read more »)
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Sample ballots for Aug. 28 primary available online