Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 Page 52 Hines continued, "If all the money's going to North County, there's something wrong." In making his amended motion, Barbetta pointed out that while he appreciated Robinson's efforts to help her South County constituents, "[Shirley is] a professional. I've known him for a long time. He hears the message. He's doing his best." Barbetta added that he felt it behooves representatives of the two organizations Robinson referenced to sit down and discuss their views with Shirley. Robinson reiterated that she had encouraged them to make their concerns public, but they had declined. "I would definitely love to hear from the organizations that have indicated fear in talking to us," Shirley said. "There should be no fear, because every grant program we have … is evaluated by an independent panel. … I do not participate on those panels. … Our job is to support the arts in Sarasota County." Commission Vice Chairman Charles Hines. Photo by Norman Schimmel November meeting, before the issue comes back to the County Commission for final approval. Those grants provide support for organizations that do not qualify for, or did not receive, one of the regular arts and cultural grants, the Alliance website says. Finally, Barbetta said, "Let's revisit this at a "I would hope that we're not just talking about future date and see how Jim does with it." brand new organizations [applying for these Robinson responded that she could not sup- grants]," Patterson said, but also those that port Barbetta's motion. "The process is failing feel like they could bring more tourists into an area of our county right now. It's not fixed; the county with the extra funding support. it's getting worse." SUPPORT ON OTHER POINTS "Absolutely; absolutely," Robinson replied. Patterson noted the only caveat she would add to that would be "if nobody's worthy, [a Robinson did win support from her fellow grant] doesn't have to be distributed." commissioners on two other, related motions. The first called for increasing the amount of The entire commission also supported Robfunding for the Arts Opportunity Grants pro- inson's motion to direct staff to make certain gram from $20,000 to $50,000. However, the that future Arts and Cultural Alliance discusmotion calls for the Tourist Development sions are not included anymore on the conCouncil to weigh in on that change during its sent agenda. %