Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 similar ordinances in local municipalities and an analysis of them by County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh. Both Sarasota and Venice offer anti-discrimination protections for gays and lesbians. Commissioner Joe Barbetta seconded that idea, saying he'd like to read what other Florida counties have done. Commissioner Nora Patterson said her main concern was the possibility of "getting involved in a lot of lawsuits." She added, "Ideally, you'd put something out there and everyone would obey," she said, implying that wasn't likely. "Ideally," Mason agreed. Without making an explicit motion, the commission eventually instructed DeMarsh to research and analyze other ordinances. DeMarsh said the process would take a few months, and to expect the issue to return in early 2014. Page 29 Nowak says she feels "optimistic" the commission will OK the ordinance, despite the clear hesitation on some commissioners' part. While the creation of the county's Domestic Partnership Registry has generated a number of local headlines, she believes the human rights issue will affect people more deeply. She once showed an apartment to a young lesbian couple who asked if she had a problem renting to lesbians. A building they had toured before explicitly rejected them because of their sexual orientation — perfectly legal under Florida law. Mason's advice to Nowak was to "lay off" for a while. Nowak, who has spoken repeatedly at public meetings in recent months, says she will step back from the issue while DeMarsh does his work. If the commission lets the issue drop, though, she'll be back up there, speaking her mind. "I'm an annoying, persistent person," she says. % AFFORDABLE ACUPUNCTURE FOR EVERYONE Our Mission MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE $5 OFF THE NEW PATIENT FEE To provide our community with high quality and affordable acupuncture and herbal medicine and to create a treatment space that connects people and builds community. •Gene Burgess and Melonie Burgess, licensed acupuncture physicians •Serving Sarasota since 2008 •Treatment rates are on a sliding scale, from $15-$35; new patients pay a one-time additional fee of $10 Click To Schedule An Appointment Online 3615 Webber St • Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 922-4611 SarasotaCommunityAcupuncture.com Click for larger map and driving directions Open Tuesday through Saturday