Sarasota County Approves Stadium Renovations...Again

In case you missed it, Sarasota County held public hearings...again...about the Ed Smith Stadium deal that was struck with the Baltimore Orioles to make Sarasota their Spring Training home. Why?

It's all because a citizens group has filed a lawsuit against the county, claiming sunshine laws were broken... Residents packed the commission chambers. They heard a similar presentation about the deal between the Baltimore Orioles and the county...costs, and benefits. They also heard from representatives of the team and local leaders...

Just a few came to complain. Those who did say Friday's proceedings are a sham. That all the information given is a result of back door out of the sunshine dealings.

Many of those are involved with a group called Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government. They even put up a huge inflatable rat in front of the administration building Friday morning with a sign reading "bcc redo rat".

A huge inflatable rat? Yep.

A few things...I think once you break out the huge inflatable rat to get your point across, you not only have left the high road, your original argument was a little weak to begin with. Also, who rents out huge inflatable rats? Is there a demand for this? I can't imagine car dealerships would want one for their weekend blowout extravaganzas.

Most times, these lawsuits are brought about because of personal grudges or the promise of monetary gain, not political ideals. I think a smell a rat on this one...

The Sarasota Opposition...Revealed!

In front of the Ed Smith renovation hearing happening tomorrow in Sarasota, the Herald-Tribune has a story on the leaders of the opposition to the project who have filed to lawsuit to stop it in its tracks.

Cathy Antunes was incensed when she learned that the county was considering trading away youth ballfields at Twin Lakes Park to make room for Major League spring training.

"I think this is legalized stealing," said Antunes, 46, who mobilized an activist group to stop taxpayer resources from going to pro baseball...

She is a devout New York Yankees fan. Her husband, endocrinologist Jose Antunes, is a Boston Red Sox fan.

Isn't it enough that Baltimore has to face off against AL East foes between the lines? Now they have to face them in court?

On a side note, Cathy Antunes is also a pharmaceutical saleswoman. Blech.