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view, but they are still vending the substances from under the counter. Thomas added that the use of synthetic drugs among teens is troubling. "In the 2012 Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 21.7 percent of Sarasota high school students report use of synthetic marijuana, compared to 13 percent statewide," he pointed out. A violation would be a second-degree misde- meanor, but fines are $250 per packet. "Back in September, I had officers go to some 40 dif- ferent stores. We found a few selling it for $15 per package," said Reeser. The county commissioners approved the ordinance on Feb. 12. (See the related article in this issue.) CHARTER CHANGE TIDBITS Proponents of a change — some say a total overhaul — of the city's charter are start- ing their petition drive. City Attorney Bob Fournier says that, based on requirements in the charter, the signatures will have to be turned in by June 16 for the measure to qual- ify for the November ballot. He briefed the commissioners during their Feb. 18 meeting. "They could have started gathering [signa- tures] on December 6th last year," he said. The charter allows a 180-day window to seek the signatures of 10 percent of the city's reg- istered voters. "The petition is supposed to contain a summary of the proposal. Obviously, it should stay the same for the entire 180-day period, from the earliest to the last signature," he added. City Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini, who serves as the city's top elections official, said she has received nothing except a statement of organization for the group promoting the new charter; that came in on Jan. 21. "The clock doesn't start ticking until I receive something from the organization," she noted. Fournier said one troublesome part of the proposal concerns commissioners elected under the current charter if the new charter is approved. The new charter eliminates at-large seats and calls for the five new commission- ers to be elected in the spring of 2015. "Two would get two-year terms, and three would serve three years," said Fournier. "There is a legal issue of shortening the term of a commissioner elected under the old char- ter. You cannot deprive a commissioner of a property right to their elected term." % Don't have your own subscription to The Sarasota News Leader? Subscribe for FREE and receive a weekly notification when the latest issue is available online. FREE SUBSCRIPTION Sarasota News Leader February 21, 2014 Page 45