News Briefs

+ Florida Supreme Court accepts term-limits case
The Florida Supreme Court Dec. 12 agreed to hear a Broward County case that could have a statewide impact on term limits for county commissioners, including those in Sarasota County.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal ruled unanimously Aug. 10 that term limits in Broward County are constitutional, overturning a lower court ruling that was similar to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court’s 2005 ruling in Moore v. Sarasota County. The Moore case found county commissioner term limits unconstitutional.

A Sarasota County lawsuit filed Nov. 16 already had sought to have the Fourth District Court of Appeal decision applied to Sarasota County. However, in a Nov. 21 hearing, Senior Circuit Judge Jack Schoonover had ruled the Moore decision could stand.

Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government President Cathy Antunes, one of the plaintiffs in the November case, issued a press release Dec. 12 reaffirming the group’s support of local term limits. Antunes added she understood the Florida Supreme Court’s decision could come as early as April.

Mike and Sheila Lewis, owners of Siesta Sports Rentals, 6551 Midnight Pass Road, are searching for a beach wheelchair they rented Nov. 13.

Business seeking missing wheelchair
The wheelchair, which disappeared from Lido Beach the same day they last rented it, turned up the afternoon of Dec. 11 at Access 5 on Siesta Key, Sheila Lewis said. However, by the time Mike Lewis arrived at that location, “It had completely disappeared,” she said.

The deputy who saw it at Access 5 confirmed that it had a Siesta Sports Rental sticker on it, Lewis said.
“Somebody must have pushed it into the water (on Lido Key),” she said. “I can’t imagine anybody putting it in a truck at Lido and driving it over to Siesta Key.”

The wheelchair, which is valued at $2,500, has a metal frame with a blue seat and back rest.
“It was our best one,” Lewis said.

Anyone who sees it is asked to call the Lewises at 346-1797.