Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/305631
A Sarasota activist this week filed a for- mal complaint against Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta with the Florida Commission on Ethics, accusing him of cast- ing votes on matters involving companies with which he has financial ties. On March 19, Adrien Lucas — one of the founders of the annual Atomic Holiday Bazaar and an often-outraged voice in local politics — appeared in the County Commission Chambers to oppose the county's long-term operating agreement with Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates. SANCA is the nonprofit associated with Benderson Development that is managing the work-in- progress rowing facility at Nathan Benderson Park. Lucas, fired up, called SANCA a "slush fund" and criticized Barbetta for SANCA's hir- ing of Mary Kenealy Events for nearly $21,000 in catering services in 2013. Kenealy Events is an event planning com- pany run, according to Barbetta, by his wife. But paperwork filed Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. File photo COUNTY COMMISSIONER HIT WITH FLORIDA COMMISSION ON ETHICS COMPLAINT OUCH! I have no reason to believe this is going to go anywhere. I don't trust these people. Adrien Lucas Resident Sarasota County By Cooper Levey-Baker Associate Editor