Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/281176
In an interesting twist, Snyder combined Chapman's legal fees in a Sunshine case with potential litigation over the city's treatment of the homeless. (Recall the initial discussion at the heart of the case involved homelessness and vagrancy.) "This is not just about Sunshine," said the mayor. "I think this will be part of a Pottinger case against the city. And we will all be held personally liable for the civil rights violations in such a case." (See more on Pottinger in the related article this week about the City Commission meeting.) The motion to extend coverage of legal fees for 14 days failed 1-3 (Caragiulo in favor and Chapman abstaining). LULL BEFORE THE BLOW Snyder had asked that the next issue on the agenda be put there, so the board could reexamine a moratorium on events in St. Armands Circle Park during high tourist sea- son. Neighbors have claimed the extra traffic impedes emergency vehicles; they wanted the ban extended for two more weeks. However, the city last October approved an art show in the park during season, and orga- nizers have paid all the necessary deposits. "I know they don't like this event," said Fournier of the St. Armands neighbors. "But you could run into personal liability here if you extend the moratorium where this one event is a spe- cific target. Applicants who offer the same event have to be treated equally." The neighbors clearly had been pressur- ing the commissioners to use a moratorium extension to cancel the event, but Fournier prevailed. "Leave it alone," he counseled. And the commissioners did. Then the storm hit: the homelessness discus- sion. (See the related stories in this issue.) % • 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 AFFORDABLE ACUPUNCTURE FOR EVERYONE 3615 Webber St • Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 922-4611 SarasotaCommunityAcupuncture.com Open Tuesday through Saturday Our Mission 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. Click for larger map and driving directions Click To Schedule An Appointment Online MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE $5 OFF THE NEW PATIENT FEE Sarasota News Leader March 21, 2014 Page 44