Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/336863
dissenting. He argued the matter shouldn't have been discussed without its first appear- ing on an agenda and without allowing the public to weigh in on it. The commission had already agreed to discuss the future of Warm Mineral Springs at its July 14 meeting. Jack Bobo, the president of National and State Park Concessions, tells The Sarasota News Leader his company would be inter- ested in bidding again for the short-term contract, assuming, of course, that the lan- guage remains similar to that of the current agreement. "I think it would be a travesty to close it," he says. When asked about the road forward, Bobo adds, "You've got two separate boards with two separate ideas, and it's going to be tough." Robinson tells the News Leader the county only agreed to the current short-term agree- ment because the two boards had settled on working out a long-range plan. "That deal is off," she says. "We had an opportunity to keep the springs open and North Port decided they did not want to compromise and respect their partners and so now the Springs will close." On Tuesday, a frustrated Barbetta suggested selling the county's interest in the Springs to the city. On Wednesday, Blucher said he's open to selling the property to the county or to a private entity. The only way forward might be the city's upcoming elections, he added. Marty Murphy, who is campaigning to unseat Yates this November, criticized the North Port Commission Wednesday for approving its let- ter to the county with no public input, calling the move "outside the rules." "You motioned and voted on something the public had no opportunity to see or hear," he said. "And you guys had plenty of time yester- day to take care of business. The cow is out of the barn. Close the door and move on. You have a fascination for, the next day, after the damage is done, to try to put your finger in the dike. You can't put your finger in the dike now. It's over. Move on and do what has to come next." % Warm Mineral Springs will close again on Aug. 31. Photo by Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons Sarasota News Leader June 27, 2014 Page 19