Hearing Over Docks in St. Petersburg Will Be Held

Rick Ware is not simply fighting City Hall, he is contending with a bigger Goliath: the state of Florida. And he may have the city of St. Petersburg as his ally.

Rick Ware is not simply fighting City Hall, he is contending with a bigger Goliath: the state of Florida. And he may have the city of St. Petersburg as his ally.
 
The state Department of Environmental Protection sued Ware last summer over his dock.
 
At issue is who owns the underwater land beneath Ware's dock. The state contends it owns all the submerged lands in navigable waterways, including Coffee Pot Bayou. Ware contends the land beneath his dock is his private property.
 
Now, the city of St. Petersburg - which owns 12 docks near Ware and collects tens of thousands in property taxes from dozens of other dock owners - wants to join in the suit.
 
The Tampa Tribune reports that a hearing will be held Tuesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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