Government Digest: May 21 - May 27

Defining private beach property and uses
SARASOTA COUNTY — County commissioners approved a request May 11 to advertise a public hearing to consider changes to the ordinance regulating uses of county parks, beaches and natural lands. Casey Key, Manasota Key and North Manasota Key associations want to see public beaches differentiated from private beaches using the mean high tide line and a separate set of prohibited activities on private beaches.

Lee County commissioner interviews
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist plans to interview former Sanibel Mayor Carla Johnston, former Cape Coral Councilman Chris Berardi, former Lee County Commissioner John Manning and former Cape Coral Economic Development Director Mike Jackson for the open seat on the Lee County Commission. Commissioner Bob Janes died March 10. Some of the other 24 applicants may also be interviewed before Crist makes the appointment.

Health care lawsuit plaintiffs grow
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum filed an amended complaint May 14 in the lawsuit challenging the federal health care reform act. The amended complaint now includes 20 state plaintiffs plus the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which joined the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff on behalf of its members.