REDISTRICTING DEBATE RAGES IN VENICE

SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GOT AN EARFUL FROM ANGRY RESIDENTS AND CITY LEADERS ON THE FIRST DAY OF A TWO DAY PUBLIC HEARING OVER POTENTIAL REDISTRICTING FOR COMMISSION SEAT DISTRICTS.  EVERYONE THAT SPOKE AT THE DAIS TUESDAY WAS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD HAVE THREE OF THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS CHOSEN FROM THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE LOST POPULOUS SINCE THE LAST CENSUS IN 2000.  AMONG THE IDEAS BANTIED ABOUT WAS GOING TO SEVEN COMMISSIONERS LIKE MANATEE COUNTY, BUT COMMISSIONER NORA PATTERSON SAID SHE WOULD NOT PERSONALLY SUPPORT THAT, SAYING IT WOULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT ON THE COUNTY STAFFERS PLUS YOU WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH TWO ADDITIONAL SALARIES IN A TIME WHERE BELT TIGHTENING IS NEEDED.  THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD IN SARASOTA THIS MORNING WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TONE.