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Sarasota News Leader November 1, 2013 Page 56 RISING TEMPERS In the meantime, DiFranco made it clear Monday night that she was past the point of frustration with Vice Mayor James Blucher's appeals to his colleagues to "be nice." Referring to some of the public comments offered that evening, DiFranco won applause when she suggested the city commissioners should "march down to the county at one of their meetings and put it to their face." Yates admonished the audience members to be quiet. It was one of numerous occasions during the meeting when she asked them to stop talking among themselves as the commissioners debated how to proceed. Blucher commiserated with DiFranco, but he added, "That kind of war does not work. That ends us up in court. … Let's continue to be the good guys." Yates again voiced her frustration — as she did at the board's Oct. 14 meeting — about the Springs remaining closed during season. During that Oct. 14 session, she proposed again that Lewis and his staff work with the county administrator and staff to open the resort to swimming only. When she reiterated that desire Monday night, Cook protested. Jonathan Lewis is the city manager of North Port. Image courtesy City of North Port Yates said she understood, but she felt admission fees would cover the city's cost of operating Warm Mineral Springs during season for swimming only. Based on her review of revenue statements for the resort, Yates noted, she felt visitors' fees would generate enough money. "We're not supposed to be in things for profit," Yates "I cannot in good conscience ever support pointed out. spending $700,000 to $1 million of taxpayers' Cook countered that it was unrealistic to money for people to swim there," Cook said, expect admission fees to cover the cost, addreferring to an estimate Lewis had offered ing that the financial documents to which earlier about the city's expense for opening Yates had referred included revenue from and running the facility. other operations on the grounds, such as the spa and the gift shop. "If we need to move forward to develop a long-term [agreement], I have no problem "I just think it's unacceptable" not to have with that," Cook continued, "however long it Warm Mineral Springs open during season, takes us." Yates said once more.