Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/198837
One night this week, I awoke from the strangest dream. The details flew away within moments, but my lasting impression was of a strange brew that mixed Sarasota County Commission discussions with the battles depicted in the second book of the Game of Thrones series. I am not sure what Roger Drouin dreamed after sitting through the Oct. 23 County Commission meeting, but I know he saw more than enough drama to fuel some creative chaos. Even though rumors had swirled for weeks that County Administrator Randy Reid would be fired, it was one of those incidents whose full impact cannot be absorbed at once. While our other stories in this issue may not seem as intense as that one, many also deal with subject matter of considerable gravitas — from the controversy over the proposed renourishment of Lido Beach (with a never-been-done-before dredging of Big Pass factored in) to the good news about the Affordable Care Act to the lingering question about whether a long-term management plan ever can be developed for Warm Mineral Springs. Cooper Levey-Baker also has an excellent update on how Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is adapting to the changes the Affordable Care Act is bringing to the world of women's healthcare. Thank goodness, after all those serious topics, we have another one of Rick Wielgorecki's wonderful gardening columns and a delightful article about the botanical art exhibit at the South Florida Museum. The latter came courtesy of our "resident" naturalist Fran Palmeri and her friend, artist Barbara Dondero. This week, indeed, you have no dearth of news to "explore." Editor and Publisher