Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/102968
AN ISSUE OF FAIRNESS Chairwoman Carolyn Mason presides over her first meeting of the Sarasota County Commission Jan. 8, after being elected to the position last month. Photo by Norman Schimmel NEW COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRWOMAN GETS LOTS OF QUESTIONS IN SEEKING CONSENSUS ON COUNTY ACTION REGARDING A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor The Sarasota County Commission agreed this week to hold off on any move to establish a domestic partnership registry while awaiting action on a Florida Legislature bill regarding a statewide registry. Hall Annex on the first floor in the newly renamed SRQ Media Studio. Having won approval of a domestic partnership registry in the City of Sarasota, Shelin has been working with County Commissioner Carolyn Mason since last fall on a similar measure for the county, as well as with the Venice City Council and North Port City Commission on ordinances in those municipalities. "I wanted to get consensus to have the administration look at this and get back to us on the feasibility of it," Mason said. Mason raised the issue during the Commission Reports part of her board's Jan. 8 regular meeting — her first as chairwoman — saying The purported bill, however, may not be intro- she was not certain Shelin had had the opporduced before 2014, according to former Sara- tunity to talk with all her fellow board members about the proposal. sota City Commissioner Ken Shelin. As The Sarasota News Leader previously reported, Mason had promised to bring up the matter after the 2012 elections. "Actually, I'd like the [County] Attorney's OfThe City of Sarasota registry began Nov. 6. Ap- fice to look at it," Commissioner Nora Patterplicants may file their paperwork in the City son told Mason.