Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/194514
Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 Page 34 opportunity. [Pogrebinsky] wants to negoti- idea than what we have been given in the ate something that's non-negotiable, in my past. We have good, high-quality staff in our opinion." Parks and Recreation Division. I think they have some ideas they would like to explore." The primary reason he originally wanted the city and county to stay focused on a long-term "You're not going to charge $20 for the swimagreement, he said, was to avoid just the type ming," Blucher cautioned Yates, referring to of back-and-forth action necessary to get a the daily cost of a pass for a visitor. County short-term operator in place, he noted — "if residents would pay $15 per day. we haven't already chased those large invesYates was adamant that she did not want to tors away" with the conflicts. see the restaurant or spa or any other facility "As much as it pains me," Jones agreed, "we on the grounds reopened until the city and have to start again." county had settled on a long-term manageYates said she was "greatly surprised and ment plan. disappointed … over the situation [because] Having some income, she replied, "[is] better everything has been so public with regard to than zero." every issue, really, that's been brought up." She added that with the resort under local After that unanimous vote, Yates gave the government operation, "We can make that gavel to Blucher. "We've got to keep the long- transition very smooth" to a long-term term planning going," she pointed out. "We operator. are right now in limbo." "Well said," DiFranco told her. That was when she proposed Lewis, Reid and their staffs work together. "Put aside the busi- "I'm really against that process," Blucher said ness part of [the resort]," she added, "[and let] of limiting the opening to swimmers only, "but the public have the therapeutic aspect of the I'll be flexible." spring itself. It's costing us $16,000 a month to He told his colleagues he felt that when they keep [Warm Mineral Springs] closed." saw the costs involved, they would realize "I would support that as long as we make it that was not a good option. clear that we want to continue the discussions of the long-term [plans]," DiFranco told In June, county Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn Brown told the County Commission the board. that just to keep the swimming area open — Jones argued that it "would be premature" to with lifeguard and janitorial services provided take that approach when the boards could — would necessitate 16 employees working pursue another short-term management firm. seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That However, Lewis said, "I think you're giving us expense would be about $17,000 per week, a little bit more flexibility with this particular she added. %