NORTH PORT — Some 6.8 million
homes across the country are maintained by domestic partnerships, according to former city of Sarasota commissioner Ken Shelin, who thinks that a domestic partnership registry would be a great fit for the city.

Shelin has been touting the benefits of such an arrangement across Sarasota County over the last year, finding success in Venice and the city of Sarasota, where an ordinance has been in effect since October. Venice is currently crafting its ordinance, Shelin said.