Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/100825
Sarasota News Leader December 28, 2012 JUNE 15 During a budget workshop, two Sarasota County commissioners reiterate support for funding the planned Siesta Public Beach improvements in a short time frame, as they discussed their Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2013-2017. When Commissioner Nora Patterson questions James W. Harriott Jr., director of public works, about the $9.5 million allocation for the beach improvements during that five-year time frame, Harriott responds that current planning spreads the funding beyond the period the board is reviewing. He reminds her that over the past couple of months, staff has talked with the commission about working on financing plans to complete the improvements by the end of 2014, instead of spreading them out through Fiscal Year 2024. Page 36 to the noise generated by cars riding over the markers.��� During an interview, Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson, who lives on Siesta Key, tells The Sarasota News Leader, ���I���m disappointed [about Hattaway���s response], but I don���t think there���s a whole lot we can do at this point.��� JUNE 18 At the conclusion of a 20-minute hearing, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Lee Haworth refuses to grant a motion by Sarasota County to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit Siesta Village property owner Chris Brown filed against Sarasota County in October 2011. Brown���s lawsuit claims that the county lowered the 2011 parking assessments for 74 other Siesta Village properties in the Parking Improvement District at the same time it raised the assessments on three of his properties. The lawsuit ��������� calls that action discriminatory and a violation The Florida Department of Transportation of Brown���s civil rights. turns down a Sarasota County Commission However, Haworth does dismiss two of the request for a reduction in the speed limit and original counts in the lawsuit: that the court installation of reflective pavement markers direct the county to repeal those contested along a Midnight Pass Road curve that residents say has been the site of numerous acci- parking assessments for Brown���s parcels and dents. However, District One Secretary Billy that the court declare that the use of a ���meaHattaway writes to commission Chairwoman suring wheel��� to determine the patron area Christine Robinson that FDOT will add re- of Siesta Village restaurants violated Brown���s flective sheeting to the supports of the signs constitutional rights. ���We���re very pleased that warning motorists approaching the curve the judge has allowed us to go forward on from both directions to reduce their speed. our complaints, as this has been an ongoing ���That treatment will effectively supplement problem,��� Brown���s attorney, Morgan Bentthe chevrons along the curve,��� Hattaway adds. ley of Bentley & Bruning, tells The Sarasota Regarding the reflective pavement markers, News Leader after the hearing. ���Having said Hattaway writes, ���Similar treatment used at that,��� Bentley adds, ���we���re hopeful that we another location along Midnight Pass Road can work this out with the county in some was criticized by residents in the vicinity due amicable way.���