News Briefs

+ Downtown Sarasota Alliance sees changes
Mary Anne Servian, the former vice chairwoman of the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA), resigned last week because of time commitments.

DSA Chairwoman Eileen Hampshire, who does not wish to seek re-election as chair, was disappointed to hear the news because she was hoping Servian would consider the chairperson role.

Servian, however, recently moved from her downtown condominium to a home in Parrish.

Commercial Realtor John Harshman is temporarily filling the DSA vice chairman role.

+ U.S. Rep. Bachmann to greet Sarasota voters
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, of Minnesota, a Republican candidate for president, will be in Sarasota Sunday, Aug. 28, for a meet-and-greet rally with local voters.

The free event will be held at the Sahib Temple, 600 N. Beneva Road. Doors will open at 3:15 p.m.; the event will begin at 4 p.m.

Following her victory in Iowa’s straw poll last week, Bachmann has been on a tour of Florida. As part of its Presidential Contender Series, the Republican Party of Sarasota is hosting her Sarasota visit. The party is inviting all major GOP candidates to the county prior to the start of the presidential primaries.

Although the event is free, anyone planning to attend should register on the county Republican Party website, www.sarasotagop.com For more information, email [email protected].

Meetings & agendas
• Planning Commission — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, County Commission Chambers, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota

• City Commission Regular Meeting — 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota

• ManaSota League of Cities Lobbying Training Session — 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota

• City Commission Regular Meeting — 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.