Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/227385
Sarasota News Leader December 13, 2013 Page 25 replied, "with the understanding these items Murphy's letter continues, "I have tried would be complete." repeatedly to complete these items and hit a constant road block when it comes to spendPolk added that, in an effort to help new busi- ing money to finish all the items that are nesses open as soon as possible, county staff currently open. … As it turns out the owner has been working "in good faith" with them. of this project has been less than honest on In fact, Polk said, the county has granted several occasions and I cannot continue to TCOs to 65 businesses over the past three represent him as his contractor." years under such circumstances. Barbetta also raised the point of "dueling LLCs here," referring to confusion about the involvement of the Skipper Bob and Best Restaurant on 41 firms with Bob's Boathouse. "We don't have anybody's names. We don't have individuals," Barbetta pointed out. "I'm just trying to figure out how this all happened." CORRECTIVE ACTIONS During the County Commission discussion, Barbetta also reiterated a remark he made during the board's Nov. 20 meeting, that he believes the restaurant's sidewalk was constructed in a meandering manner to comply with the section of county code mandating a minimum distance between a business serving liquor and a church. South Trail Church MORE CONFUSION of Christ is adjacent to Bob's Boathouse on Barbetta later referenced a report in another South Tamiami Trail. publication that Murphy Constructors had withdrawn as the contractor of record. "I'm not happy with what I found through this Donald E. Murphy has been identified as the TCO process," Polk told Barbetta. "We are working toward making corrective actions owner of that firm. to that with staff … not only with staff, but In a telephone interview later on Dec. 11, Polk the process itself. I found that the process explained to The Sarasota News Leader that allowed for some of these things to occur, he had checked with the county building offi- and we need to be more vigilant with respect cial, who had confirmed for him, "Mr. Murphy to the paperwork that's being submitted at is on the application and he will remain on different times." the application." Murphy's name cannot be Robinson commended Polk for appearing removed, Polk stressed. before the commission and for "the fact that The Dec. 6 letter Murphy sent to Deputy Sarasota County Building Official Kathleen Croteau says, "It has become very apparent to me that Mr. Tom Lefever [sic] does not have the financial resources to complete any of the items left open to acquire a permanent certificate of Occupancy." … we are admitting that there were problems and errors in this." Regarding residents' complaints about noise and lighting issues at Bob's Boathouse, she added, "It's tough for us to tell those citizens that this occurred …" She also told Polk, "I fully expect us to get a Tom LeFevre is identified on the Bob's full understanding as to how we can improve Boathouse website as owner of the business. this [process of granting TCOs and COs]."