CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON TUESDAY VOTED 5-0 TO END NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE VENICE PIER GROUP TO PUT A TRAILER ON ENGLEWOOD BEACH TO SELL FOOD AND SUNDRIES. NEARBY BEACH BUSINESSES WERE AGAINST THE TRAILER AND THEY GATHERED OVER 1900 SIGNATURES OF RESIDENTS WHO FELT THE SAME WAY. CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONER ROBERT SKIDMORE DID SAY HE WILL CONSULT WITH THE BEACH BUSINESSES TO SEE IF A SMALL FOOD CONCESSION IS A POSSIBILITY. COMMISSIONERS ALSO APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF TERRI KESSNER AS DIRECTOR OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY UTILITIES. KESSNER HAS BEEN THE INTERIM DIRECTOR SINCE MARCH OF 2009, AND SHE HAS BEEN PRAISED FOR HER COST-SAVING MEASURES. COMMISSIONERS ALSO SET A SEPTEMBER 28TH PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ELIMINATING A 3% INCREASE FOR WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR 2011. CCU STAFF SAYS THE INCREASE IS NO LONGER NEEDED.
