Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/223368
Sarasota News Leader December 6, 2013 Commissioners Chapman and Suzanne Atwell met on Oct. 10 with downtown merchants to hear complaints about homelessness and vagrancy. On Oct. 18, Citizens for Sunshine, represented by Sarasota lawyer Andrea Mogensen, filed suit against the city and the two commissioners individually. Page 30 has been barred under state law from voting on any of the related motions. ONE FOR ALL … Fournier offered three reasons for his firmer recommendation. "It isn't about the four of you thinking about the strength of her case or The city and Atwell quickly reached a settle- her reason to proceed. It should be up to the ment in the case, but Chapman says she did individual being sued," he said. "It should be not violate the law and instead has filed a a matter of individual conscience." counterclaim against Citizens for Sunshine. According to public statements, the city and "The second reason: There are reasons that Atwell settled to prevent the city from pay- this needs to be adjudicated," added Fournier. ing legal fees to Mogensen (if she wins) and "Maybe it's time for the court to weigh in on Fournier (regardless of the outcome). some of these issues. Is there a Sunshine law Because Chapman has a financial stake in the violation if two commissioners meet but don't outcome of the fee-payment discussions, she say anything?" Four speakers came Monday to support payment of Chapman's legal fees, making the total 17 in two weeks. Among them were Eileen Normile (far left) and Jude Levy (second from right). Photo by Stan Zimmerman