"I don't know if that's going to mean anything
to them," Nowak tells The Sarasota News
Leader, but since her presentation she has
booked one-on-one meetings with County
Commission Vice Chairwoman Christine
Robinson and Chairman Charles Hines, two
commissioners who have not yet voiced sup-
port for an ordinance. Commissioner Carolyn
Mason has so far been the only vocal propo-
nent on the board.
Nowak won't be able to get the issue on the
county's ballot this year, but she's planning
a campaign to present it to voters as soon
as possible after that. Sarasota Pride Fest is
scheduled for Oct. 18, and Nowak will attempt
a major signature push around that event if
the commission remains disinterested. She's
also launched an online petition to comple-
ment the paper version. %
A petition drive has been launched online to urge the Sarasota County Commission to approve a
human rights ordinance. Image from the website
Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2014 Page 59
