Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 Page 49 ance, to make a greatare extremely upset er effort to meet with over this whole proWe need to somehow get away cess. … They feel like South County groups to provide them the from this discussion of territorialism. they can't come forassistance they need- We're all in this as a county. … I don't ward because it might ed. However, she criti- think it's a quid pro quo [situation]. jeopardize their opporcized him last year for tunity for [even] lesser Joe Barbetta failing to supply adeCommissioner grants." Sarasota County quate documentation "I'm sad to hear that of those subsequent constituents don't feel meetings — even after the board delayed a vote on the FY 2013 that they can call us and contact us," Hines grants to allow Shirley time to produce it. said. "This board is open. We answer our Robinson also cast the only "No" vote on the phones; we answer our emails." distribution of $1.3 million in funding last year. While he had heard no complaints this year, During the discussion this week, she told her Hines continued, he did hear some two years colleagues she had heard from people repre- ago from South County groups citing the same senting two South County organizations "who concerns Robinson had heard. The Sarasota Chalk Festival's early efforts to get county arts funding support led to some changes in the grants process, Commissioner Nora Patterson says. Photo by Norman Schimmel