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Sarasota News Leader May 10, 2013 Page 58 Hines concurred with Barbetta's concerns When Patterson asked County Attorney Steabout the danger of people passing low-speed phen DeMarsh for a recommendation on how to proceed, DeMarsh explained that the board vehicles. could direct staff to come back during a future Patterson noted that, until recently, she had meeting with a resolution that would allow for "heavily supported and lobbied [the Florida the reduced speed but ban low-speed vehicles Department of Transportation] for reducing on that portion of Midnight Pass Road. speed limits to 35 mph on a number of portions of the main arteries [on Siesta Key]." Robinson then called for the public meetings, However, she added, that was before she re- saying the board's action would "literally afalized that that could pave the way for golf fect every single person who lives or works on the key. … There are strong feelings about cart usage on those roads. this issue both ways." "I think most people think it's kind of cool in the [Siesta] Village area" and along Beach Patterson said that during those meetings, she Road for people to operate low-speed vehicles expected staff would hear from a lot of people and golf carts, Patterson said. "I don't think who rent low-speed vehicles and want to see people have a problem [because] the conges- them allowed all over the island. "And I think that'd be a huge mistake." tion is such there anyway that people aren't going to be wanting to pass." DeMarsh clarified the amended motion before the vote, making sure the commissioners unIn the areas of the island with more residencderstood they were asking staff to come back es, she pointed out, where people do drive with a resolution that would lower the speed back and forth to work, the use of those vehilimit on one section of Midnight Pass Road cles is going to create frustration. while banning low-speed vehicles on it, but Patterson said she could not support lowering still calling for public outreach that could indithe speed limit if that meant expanding the cate a willingness to change their views when the issue comes back to them. use of low-speed vehicles on Siesta Key. Barbetta added that he would support the He added that they would have the prerogalower speed limit but he also had concerns tive of changing their minds about their action when the issue is before them once again. % about allowing golf carts on the roads. facebook.com/SarasotaNewsLeader