Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/344348
A friend chided me last week for digressing in this space from my usual report on topics of note in the issue. Therefore, I am making amends this week. And a busy week it was. Not only did the City Commission tackle a wealth of diverse matters — from future use of the bayfront to keeping homes in foreclosure in good maintenance — but the County Commission was working through its last set of regular sessions before starting its summer recess. Amid all that, City Editor Stan Zimmerman sussed out plans for an acknowledgement of defeat by the latest group trying to put a strong mayor in place, and he heard an unprecedented Down- town Improvement District board endorsement of two people for temporary City Commission vacancies. On the county side, the fate of Warm Mineral Springs could be decided very soon, in great contrast to the fate of the planned communi- ty homeless shelter. The County Commission this week also acted on diverting tourist tax revenue from promotional efforts to a fund for new attractions, and it heard eye-opening de- tails about its bus system's operations. In fact, so much happened at the county level, I high- ly recommend you peruse our News Briefs, which has a number of shorter articles on some of the votes. And as icing on the news "cake," Associate Editor Cooper Levey-Baker attended the July 10 Sarasota Tiger Bay Club debate of District 2 County Commission candidates. Last, but assuredly not least, our incredibly gifted nature photographer/essayist, Fran Palmeri, has provided another chapter in her "Florida Alphabet Soup" series. You will not want to miss it. Editor and Publisher