Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/110922
THE ���800-POUND GORILLA��� Although residents of the high-rise condominiums complain about amplified music at restaurants, the City Commission has backed away from enforcing a ban on that type of entertainment. Photo by Norman Schimmel CITY COMMISSION BOWS TO ACLU, ALLOWING AMPLIFIED MUSIC By Stan Zimmerman City Editor The chairman of the Sarasota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said during the organization���s Feb. 7 board meeting, ���We never threaten to sue.��� ���The [zoning] code bans amplified music,��� he said. ���We believe that is unconstitutional on its face.��� History was on his side. The ACLU several But when Sarasota ACLU legal representative years ago challenged a city ordinance banning Michael Barfield spoke during the public com- loud music from vehicles. The city defended the ordinance in Circuit Court, the District ment section of the Court of Appeal and Feb. 19 Sarasota City the Florida Supreme Commission meeting, The [zoning] code bans amplified Court ��� and lost at he not-so-softly sugmusic. We believe that is unconstitutional every step in the progested the commison its face. cess. sion direct staff to reMichael Barfield consider enforcement So when Barfield sugACLU Chapter gested backing off the of a certain restriction Sarasota amplified music ban, on music.