Goodwill Circulating Petition to Deny Appeal

Goodwill Industries Manasota is trying to rally community support behind its approved super store for North Trail, which faces a challenge by a citizens' group.

The store is using social media to encourage supporters to sign a petition to deny the appeal, filed by Robert M. Casella, Melvin L. Harner, and Scott Eller, who are members of Citizens for a Responsible North Trail.

"Please sign the petition and give Goodwill Industries Manasota the opportunity to continue to serve our neighbors..., " the organization tweeted from @GoodwillFL

The petition states:

"Deny the appeal to overturn the decision

Give Goodwill Industries Manasota the opportunity to continue to serve our neighbors and friends at North Trail with jobs and our Good Neighbors programs."

So far the petition is just signed by its creator, Katie Martin, a receptionist/administrative assistant at Goodwill Industries Manasota.

The appeal will be heard by the City Commission at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 12, at City Hall in Room 112, when the commission is scheduled for its informal meeting.

Goodwill requested that the commission move up the date for the hearing from January, because of the length of time it will take to build the super store.

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The City Commission can either reaffirm the approval, modify the approval or reject it, City Attorney Robert Fournier said.

About 17,000 square feet are proposed for a retail center, selling secondhand goods, with the remainder of the space reserved for job training, goods processing, offices and a community center for the neighborhood.