Tracking toxic development

Some of the developments we're currently tracking:



James Gabbert (TST Ventures LLC) thinks a nifty place for a 12-acre recycling plant is right next to the Celery Fields, a haven for birds and birders from around the world. Here's Gabbert's proposal.

MOSAIC proposes strip mining in Manatee County. Sierra Club, Suncoast Waterkeeper and more organizations plan to be at the Manatee County Commission on Jan. 26, 9 am, to stand against MOSAIC. In advance, write to the Manatee Commissioners - addresses and sample letter here.

Sinkhole by MOSAIC

Neighbors are fighting tooth and nail to halt construction on sites that have already been torn up at Foxfire West for new developments by Medallion Homes (Carlos Beruff) and Meritage, a large Arizona Builder. Stay tuned.




Citizens for Sarasota County and other groups are looking into the County's approval of a 3,450-home housing project on Clark Rd. It seems the County will allow Taylor Morrison at LT Ranch to build homes that will encroach upon a floodplain designated AE where, according to a clear policy of the 2050 Comp Plan, no housing is permissible. (2050 Policy RMA 1.1. – Resource Management Area Ideals includes “Direct population growth away from floodplains.)






Finally, how do you like The Vue so far? BGA discussion Feb. 11 2 pm at Selby.

Forum on Reforming Local Elections June 25th

At Gulf Gate Library this Saturday, 2 pm:

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY INVITES YOU TO A FREE NON-PARTISAN FORUM ON REFORMING OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS

1. OPEN PRIMARY AND RUNOFF: Should all registered voters (Republicans, Democrats and independents) vote in a primary for all local elected officials, with the top two candidates, regardless of party, going to a run-off election if none of them receives a majority in the primary?

2. NONPARTISAN BALLOTS FOR NON-POLITICAL POSITIONS: Should all County candidates for elected office EXCEPT County Commission and Charter Review Board (e.g. Sheriff, County Clerk, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Prosecutor, Public Defender, Hospital Board, etc.) appear on the ballot without partisan identification?

3. DISTRICT ONLY VOTING FOR BOARDS: Should County Commissioners, Hospital Board, School Board, and Charter Review Board members be elected only by the voters in their district?

4. AND OTHER IDEAS?

JON THAXTON, Senior Vice President for Community Investment, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and former County Commissioner

CATHY ANTUNES, President, Citizens for Sarasota County and public interest activist

Moderator: FRANK ALCOCK, Professor of Political Science, New College of Florida

Where: Gulf Gate Public Library auditorium

7112 Curtis Ave., Sarasota

When: Saturday, June 25, 2016 

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

See video from an earlier BGA Forum on "Alternative Visions" here.

Coming Events: A short list

Saturday, May 7, 9 am

The Conservation Committee will gather on the sidewalk by Whole Foods in downtown Sarasota. The plan is to carry signs and get petitions signed both at Whole Foods and at the nearby Farmers Market to protest the corporation's wish to locate a second store on top of a 4.5-acre wetland at Honore and University Parkway. Quite a bit more about the Whole Foods wetland fight here.

Monday, May 9, 7 pm - State Senate CONA Forum 

CONA Sarasota holds the second of its candidate forums, this one for State Senate. The format for questions -- short-answer hardballs, with follow-ups when worthwhile -- makes for a lively and revealing exchange. Dan Lobeck again will do the questioning, as he did for the State House Forum in April. Here's hoping all the candidates can appear. It's at the Sarasota Garden Club on Blvd. of the Arts.

Wednesday, May 11, 6 pm - Bob Waechter Proposal at CRB

The Sarasota County Charter Review Board meets at the County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., at 6 pm to hear Mr. Waechter's proposal that the Board commit a form of institutional hara-kiri. Mr. Waechter has stated that he believes it is in the citizenry's best interest to put the Review Board in Limbo until such time as someone (unclear who) sees fit to wheel it out. Citizens for Sarasota County and others question whether this is in the best interest of Sarasotans. We're asking that those who come out Wednesday to oppose this initiative wear white shirts. More background here.

Saturday, June 25, 2 pm - BGA Forum

Better Government Association Forum at the new Gulf Gate Library Auditorium/Conference Room from 2 to 3:30 pm. The topic is REFORMING OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS (County of Sarasota) with Jon Thaxton and Cathy Antunes, and moderated by Frank Alcott.

Also:

The final date to declare candidacy for Federal and Judicial offices is May 6.  The final date for state and local offices is June 24. A website about the candidates is underway - more soon.

Panel to address Fiscal Neutrality Oct. 4

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

OF SARASOTA COUNTY

INVITES YOU TO A LUNCHEON, FOLLOWED BY A PANEL PRESENTATION ON FISCAL NEUTRALITY IN THE 2050 GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN AT MARINA JACK’S ON THE SARASOTA BAYFRONT, SECOND FLOOR, SATURDAY, October 4, 2014. REGISTRATION STARTS AT 11:30AM.

Fiscal Neutrality Requirement in the 2050 Growth Management Plan: Should it be weakened?

Panelists: Alan Anderson, Executive Vice President, Manatee- Sarasota Building Industry Association

Cathy Antunes, Vice President, Council of Neighborhood Associations

Allen Parsons, County Planning Division Manager

Moderator: Ayse Somersan, President, Better Government Association

Luncheon Cost: $23 for BGA members, $25 for nonmembers

(Elevator and free valet parking available)

Registration Form

Name(s):___________________________________________________

Menu Choice(s): ( ) Salmon Oscar ( ) Chicken Tuscany ( ) Vegetarian

(The above served with specialty rice, vegetable and Key Lime pie).

Make checks payable to Better Government Association and mail to BGA, PO Box 18483, Sarasota, FL 34276. For more information call Ayse Somersan at 941-343-0423.