News Briefs

+ Sarasota County Area Transit director resigns
Sarasota County Area Transit Director Anthony Beckford resigned his post Tuesday amidst a SCAT revelation that al most half of the county’s bus fleet had expired fire extinguishers. The revelation caused many SCAT routes to have numerous route service delays Tuesday as the buses were equipped with proper fire extinguishers.

Extinguishers had been expired for one day on 25 of the 56 regular SCAT buses.

Beckford, a county employee since 2005 who had an annual salary of $93,000, was on a performance improvement plan after receiving a negative evaluation.

Meetings & Agendas
Siesta Key
• Sarasota County Commission Workshop — 9 a.m. Thursday, March 29, County Administration Center, Third Floor Think Tank, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting — 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, April 2, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Sarasota County Development Review Committee Meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 1001 Sarasota Center Boulevard, Conference Room No. 2, Sarasota.
• Sarasota County Planning Commission — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, County Administration Center, Commission Chamber, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Coalition of City Neighborhood Association Meeting — 9 a.m. Saturday, April 7, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota.

Meetings & Agendas
Sarasota
• Alta Vista neighborhood Association Meeting — 7 p.m. Thursday, March 29, Concordia Lutheran Church, 2185 Wood St., Sarasota.
• Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, April 2, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Downtown Sarasota Alliance Meeting — 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota.
• Development Review Committee Meeting — 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, City Hall, Room 112, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Coalition of City Neighborhood Association Meeting — 9 a.m. Saturday, April 7, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota.