Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/157038
No. 49 — August 23, 2013 CONTENTS SHELTER PLAN STALLS ROUNDABOUT SCULPTURES PROPOSED Click Any Headline To Go Directly To That Article NEWS & COMMENTARY SHELTER PLAN STALLS 8 PUTTING MONEY ON THE TABLE 13 RAISES, WITH CAVEATS 18 TWEAKING THE TWEAKS 23 ROUNDABOUT SCULPTURES PROPOSED 26 'WHAT ARE WE DOING WRONG?' 32 HOTEL RACE 37 THE $8 MILLION QUESTION 41 BUILDING ON THE DEATH OF DOMA 47 NEWS BRIEFS CRIME BLOTTER 49 56 City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo pushes for a funding commitment for a shelter, but fellow city commissioners opt to hold off on funding — Roger Drouin The County Commission votes unanimously to commit $500,000 toward solutions to homelessness in the area — Rachel Brown Hackney The County Commission approves a merit pay plan for employees, with those receiving the lowest performance rankings to receive nothing — Rachel Brown Hackney Sarasota 2050 changes kicked down the road — Cooper Levey-Baker Roundabout advocate Rod Warner says the visible public art on U.S. 41 could become the city's third icon — Roger Drouin With more mowing firms having abandoned county contracts, the County Commission on Aug. 27 will be faced with approving an extra $1.5 million in its current budget on new ones — Rachel Brown Hackney Jebco Ventures Inc.'s Embassy Suites becomes the fifth hotel tower proposed downtown — Roger Drouin The county commissioners this week debated saving funds freed up by a reserve policy change or using them for economic development, with an Aug. 27 vote set to confirm the decision that makes the money available — Rachel Brown Hackney LGBT group pushes ahead toward fundraising goal — Cooper Levey-Baker PHOTO CREDITS Front cover: Ramming Speed! - Rachel Brown Hackney Sarasota Leisure: The view from on high - Norman Schimmel