Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/132206
Sarasota News Leader May 24, 2013 Page 89 Siesta Seen "It's a public sidewalk," Blakely responded. the option of walking in a bike lane instead of "It's a judgment call, to be honest with you," in the street, is not as much of an issue. he said, referring to how different deputies Shay replied that the sidewalk and bike lane would handle the situation. where Wheelchair Man has been staying have Blakely noted that Sarasota Police Depart- a width of 4 feet. ment officers have been dealing with numer- "That can be addressed by talking to Lance ous issues involving the homeless downtown. [Wheelchair Man] and asking him to move back," Blakely told Shay, noting later that Lance used to be in Osprey. Nonetheless, Blakely pointed out, "[Lance] can sit anywhere in the county with his wheelchair. It was a very, very touchy situation with the On the other hand, he said, a man blocking 6 city. We want to make sure that we go about it or 8 inches of a sidewalk, when people have correctly." "We have more of a problem with the landscapers blocking traffic" by parking on sidewalks, Blakely told SKA members. "That's a black and white straight problem." 'Wheelchair Man' sits near Windward Passage on Siesta Key in early May. Photo by Rachel Hackney