Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 Page 56 Further, it appeared city commissioners were upset that the county board did not want to use employees to open the Springs for the upcoming season, Robinson noted. Only City Commissioner Cheryl Cook voiced adamant opposition to the cost of such a plan, while Yates continued to argue for it on Oct. 28. "I'm hoping that we can get this back on track," Robinson told her colleagues. Reliving the history of the boards' conflict over the Springs "will not serve anybody well going forward." Patterson made a motion to send the new letter. "I'm not going to support it," Barbetta said. "I'm sick and tired of revisionist history. I'm sick and tired of hearing the comments that are coming from down there, that are mostly not true. The only thing I would be willing to do," he continued, "is … go back to the 2012 10-0 vote." North Port Assistant City Manager Daniel Schult has been the city's point person on Warm Mineral Springs matters. Photo courtesy City of North Port goal of trying to get a good short-term operator, if it's possible." "Nobody's more goal-oriented than me and the rest of this commission," Barbetta responded. "We have invested a lot of time and effort in this thing, a lot of staff time … and every In July 2012, the boards, meeting together, time we near the goal line, [the North Port voted unanimously to pursue an ITN for the Commission] kicks it back." long-term operation of the resort. Yates was on the North Port Commission at the time, Robinson pointed again to the North Port commissioners' decision to work on a longBarbetta pointed out. term plan, "which is a significant move on However, after Cook and North Port their part. … I'm asking my board to just try Commissioner Rhonda DiFranco were again, just please let's try again." elected in November 2012, they joined Yates in a majority to oppose any development of Hines sought confirmation that both boards the Springs, saying they preferred to maintain would have to agree to the same long-term vision for Warm Mineral Springs before they it like a park. could move forward on that. Several of his "I think we have to ignore conversations at the colleagues confirmed that. [North Port] table," Patterson told Barbetta. Then when Chairwoman Mason called for "Everybody's frustrated." the vote, she joined Robinson and Patterson She added, "This commission has always been in supporting the language proposed for the results-driven. I think we should pursue the new letter. %