+ Anti school-tax movement grows
A South County businessman is forming a grassroots committee to oppose the March 16 referendum that would extend the 1-mill property tax for the Sarasota County School District.
Walt Augustinowicz is in the process of creating a political action committee to try to defeat the tax.
“I have a lot of people willing to volunteer,” he said. “Some of them are teachers and school bus drivers.”
Augustinowicz said he opposes the school district’s free spending.
“They’re not spending our tax dollars wisely,” he said. “And I’m the guy who finally decided to speak up.”
+ Spring-training settlement rejected
On the advice of county attorney Steve DeMarsh, county commissioners rejected an offer to settle a lawsuit over the county’s spring-training negotiations.
The group Citizens for Responsible Government is suing the county and city over what it said were Sunshine Law violations during talks to bring the Baltimore Orioles to town.
The group’s lawyer offered a settlement last week, and the major term was that the county hold a referendum and ask voters if they support a taxpayer-funded baseball stadium.
DeMarsh said if the voters rejected the spring-training spending, it could expose the county to millions of dollars in damages for breaching the existing contract with the Orioles.
Instead, DeMarsh recommended holding another public hearing on spring-training baseball “as a legal strategy.”
That hearing will take place Feb. 19.
+ Meetings & Agendas
• County Commission budget workshop — 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Third Floor Think Tank, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
• Palm Avenue parking garage workshop — 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota
• Alta Vista Neighborhood Association — 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Harmony Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, 2600 Courtland St., Sarasota
• City Commission — 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota
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- Sep
7 Siesta Key Networking Luncheon
11:30 am - Sep
8 Guardian ad Litem Program Training
9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Sep
8 Informational Meeting for Interested Foster/Adoptive Parents
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Sep
11 Sarasota's Got Talent
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
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Couple heats up culinary competition
09/02/10
Sarasota resident Nicole Luciana-Epperson and her husband, Jonathan, have been selected as one of 10 semifinalists in a national Pyrex culinary challenge. -
Designing Women makes donation
09/02/10
Wrapped up in pretty pink-and-white gift bags were 21 pairs of upscale silky pajama sets and 21 pairs of matching bedroom slippers. -
Show some puppy love for new center
08/26/10
If you're hankering for some puppy love, there's a new spot in downtown Sarasota just for you. Southeastern Guide Dogs will open its Discovery Center to the public Sept. 2, at 1618 Main St.
