Three Candidate Forums in July from the LWV

                                

HOSPITAL BOARD REPUBLICAN PRIMARY 

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 - 5:30pm

JACARANDA LIBRARY

attend in person or watch virtually

more info view live on YouTube

 

SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD FINAL ELECTION 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024 - 5:30pm

JACARANDA LIBRARY

attend in person or watch virtually

more info view live on YouTube

COUNTY COMMISSION REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

(DISTRICTS 1 & 3)

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024 - 5:30pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

more info  view live on YouTube

SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATE FORUMS

Submit Questions for the Forums

 

 

All candidates appearing on the August ballot for these contests have been invited. Of the eight candidates vying for four Hospital Board seats, six have accepted the League’s invitation to date. Of the five candidates running for the two available seats on the School Board, only three candidates, Thomas Babicz, Liz Barker and Tom Edwards have accepted at this time. 

According to the League’s website, lwvsrq.org, “All candidates are asked the same questions and asked to speak for themselves with no rebuttal.”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CANDIDATE?
CHECK OUT OUR VOTER GUIDES!

Voting for Hospital Board Members

School Board Candidate Checklist

Vote 411

League of Women Voters SRQ

Regressive Sarasota invites citizens to diminish their own Charter Amendment Power

Since We the People voted for Single Member Districts, the Board of Sarasota County Commissioners has tried and tried to repeal our vote.

• First, Al Maio said people voting for SMDs were confused. People showed up in droves to assure them that we knew precisely what we voted for.

• Then they held a special election to repeal our Charter Amendment, and again they were defeated.

• They kicked the issue to the Charter Review Board, which heard from dozens of citizens, and in the end told the Commission to take a hike.

• In the upcoming election they're trying to diminish citizen power to amend the Charter. Page 3 of your ballot has the nerve to invite you to vote to make it more difficult for private citizens to amend the Charter.

The Board's public policy is totally REGRESSIVE, and wants your help to continue. Send them a resounding NO on both County Charter Amendments (p. 3 of your ballot).

#singlememberdistrictvoting #ballot #charteramendments #progressive #regressive

Porter runs for Charter Review Board

 The Charter Review Board's plan to reduce our rights to actively participate in our Home Rule Sarasota County Charter went before the Board on Tuesday, and the Board unanimously voted to hold a Public Hearing, which is required before they can place their amendment on the ballot - an amendment that will make it harder for citizens to amend the Charter. The Board wasn't even going to discuss the CRB's plan until several citizens spoke up - Vic Rohe, Alexandra Coe, Mike Cosentino and more. 

The CRB has several open seats up for election this November, and a new candidate has declared that he's running. Ray Porter, who ran for CRB in 2016, has entered the race -- here's his statement:

Look Beyond the D

On Friday, June 10, I submitted my official paperwork to run once again for the Sarasota County Charter Review Board. Hopefully, this time the voters will look beyond the D after my last name and realize I support the issues over 60 percent of voters also support in this county.

For example, mandatory recycling (approved by the voters in November 1990); single-member district voting for county commission (approved by the voters in 2018 and reaffirmed in 2020); a vibrant, open and free exchange of ideas during Charter Review Board meetings (preserved so far, but always under attack); and reasonable, prudent controls on sprawling growth that endangers Sarasota County's fragile environment and the future livability and unique character of our special part of Florida (perhaps a lost cause).

The Charter Review Board has always served as the alternative method for citizens to circumvent the Sarasota County Commission when that board acts in lock step against the will of the majority of citizens. That's why the county commission over the past 50 years has repeatedly sought ways to block, undermine, discredit, belittle, devalue and ultimately eliminate the CRB. 

It's unfortunate that the Sarasota County Commission will not embrace the founding principle and stated goal of the CRB contained in the Charter - our county's establishing document - "On behalf of the citizens of Sarasota County, the Charter Review Board shall review and recommend changes to the County Charter for improvement of County government."

In other words - the citizens, all of us, are given the opportunity to make changes we feel will IMPROVE county government. For many on the current board, and previous boards, this concept was threatening, upsetting, annoying, and perhaps represents an affront and challenge to their ultimate power and control over the citizenry.

The preservation of the CRB is my primary goal for running once again, and even in defeat, if I can get this message out there once again - the importance of liberty, freedom and democracy in Sarasota County - then I've done all I can.

Ray is at Ray@Portersrule.com

We see them, they just think we don't.

You know, in some municipalities - the lovely city of Asheville, NC, for example - government agendas are published two weeks ahead of time, giving citizens a chance to go through them carefully, and circulate annotated comments with context and analysis for those who could be impacted by decisions their Board is contemplating.

In Sarasota County, Board agendas come out late on Friday afternoon for the following Tuesday. The agenda for tomorrow, June 7, is here, and it has 77 items. If Alexandra Coe, who is a member of the Charter Review Board, had not circulated an email today, many would not be aware of item #2, by which the Board can vote to hold a public hearing to make it more difficult for citizens to amend the county charter. 

Here is what Ms. Coe wrote:

Liberty has no party and if these amendments pass, there will be NO GOVERNMENT of, for and by the people in Sarasota County.

We need people at the Board of County Commission meeting at 1660 Ringling tomorrow morning at 8:45 to speak and fill the room. The agenda is attached. Please notify your groups.The Republican Liberty Caucus is presenting a resolution to postpone the hearing and asking for revisions to the amendments.

Short history...

A Special Committee was created in 2019, in response to the SMD amendment passing to make it more difficult to amend the Charter

On October 14, 2020, in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and without citizen input or consent, the Sarasota County Charter Review Board held a public hearing and approved two proposed amendments to ARTICLE VII, Section 7.1 of the Sarasota County Charter.

Popular Sovereignty is government based on consent of the people. The government’s source of authority is the people, and its power is not legitimate if it disregards the will of the people. These proposed amendments violate popular sovereignty.

Here's the thing - these amendments emerged from a backroom plot back in 2020. They arose in reaction to the fact that citizens of Sarasota had shocked the established syndicate by successfully changing our County Charter to Slngle Member District Voting. 

The Board tried every which way - including holding a costly special election last year - to reverse the will of the voters - but SMDs prevailed. Instead of developers buying official seats, actual candidates from Districts 2 and 4 will face the voters of their districts in this year's election.

The Charter Review Board has been working on this strategic sabotage of our amendment powers for more than TWO YEARS -- yet it's only slipped into the agenda now, for tomorrow, June 7, 2022. The Board will set a date - July 12, it seems - for a public hearing, then set a special election, so that citizens of Sarasota can vote to reduce their ability to amend their own County Charter.

Yep. Sneaky motions, sneaky agendas, Board machinations that try to keep citizens in the dark, out of the loop, and so confused that they'll vote against their own rights and interests.

Perhaps it's time for the adults in the room to let these children know we see them.

Tell the CRB not to attempt to undermine open democracy

 

Sarasota voters want single-member districts

OPINION: Sarasota voters want single-member districts

May 26, 2021 Herald Tribune

Pat Rounds and Bill Zoller

In November 2018 – in a countywide referendum to amend the county charter – Sarasota County voters approved the election of commissioners by single-member districts by an impressive 60% margin across all five districts.  

Board of Sarasota County Commissioners

To get such a mandate requires support from Republicans, Democrats, and No Party Affiliation independents. Voters were clear that they wanted district-level representation and accountability.

Last November three county commissioners were successfully elected by single-member district in Sarasota County. Yet just two weeks later the same county commission began to sow seeds of doubt about district-level representation.

With only three of five commissioners elected by single-member districts – and before allowing voters several election cycles to decide whether they prefer single-member districts to At-Large voting – our commission has intervened and asked the Charter Review Board to review single-member districts.     

Here's why this is a bad idea:  

• Nineteen other Florida counties – both smaller and larger than Sarasota County – currently elect commissioners by single-member district. Like Sarasota, voters in these counties recognize the value of direct representation; it requires a commitment from commissioners to serve the best interests of the entire county. 
• The Florida Legislature and the U.S. Congress are elected by single-member district. Would our county commission suggest that the Legislature convert to At-Large voting, which would allow Miami-Dade County voters to help decide who represents Sarasota County in Tallahassee? Not a chance.
• In 2018, 60% of Sarasota County voters endorsed single-member districts. Now – nearly three years after the fact – our commissioners are suddenly citing a few anecdotes about voter confusion with the ballot language? The county commission should post the 2018 single-member district ballot language on the county website. Why? Because it would remind everyone just how clear and concise the language was –and it would remind everyone that voters were not confused when they endorsed single-member districts.
• Ironically a current county commissioner previously served in the Florida Senate – and was elected to that seat by single-member district. If election by single-member district was OK back then for this current commissioner, why is it a problem now?

Sarasota County voters deserve accountability from all of their elected officials, and in 2018 the voters spoke clearly on how they want their representatives to be elected. Stoking doubts about our chosen election system does a disservice to Sarasota County's voters. That's why the Charter Review Board should reject any unseemly effort by the Sarasota County commissioners to undo the voters’ will.

Pat Rounds is the past secretary of the Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections. Bill Zoller is the past president of the Council on Neighborhood Associations.

Sarasota Citizens come out in support of Single Member Districts

Angered by County scheme to undo the citizens' Single Member District
Voting Amendment, people filled the CRB meeting 

Here's the official video of the Charter Review Board meeting of May 19, 2019. 

The first thing CRB Chair Joe Justice did was cut the attendees' allotted speaking time from five minutes to two minutes.

Nonetheless, many citizens from all around the county stayed for the entire time to offer sense and eloquence in support of Single Member District Voting, which was approved by 116,000 voters from all parties and districts.

"Every single voter should be infuriated about what the county commissioners are doing,' said Louise Machinist (10:15), adding "Single member commission districts benefit voters, not wealthy powerful vested interests."

At-large voting puts elections in the hands of wealthy interests, noted Andrea Shlasko. The high rent districts get a big fake lake to watch rowing, while North Port doesn't have a hospital, she added (12:15).

"Once again, we're here to undo what the voters have chosen for their life," began Valerie Buchand (47:20).

"Many Republicans are talking about "stopping the steal," in a fantasy way. But this would be a real steal, if this happens," said Carol Lerner, (50:00)

"I am probably the best example of the success of Single Member Districts," said Mike Hutchinson, who described himself as a staunch Republican, a Trump supporter who nearly defeated Mike Moran in District 1. Moran, the incumbent, won by a very small margin. (58:48)

"This is not about partisan politics; this is about integrity in our government," said Dan Lobeck, an attorney and self-described conservative Republican (1:06:40). "Almost no county our size or larger throughout the 67 counties in the state of Florida has countywide elections," he added. "You're having contempt for the people if you put this back on the ballot." 

A small number of companions of Jack Brill, Republican party chair for Sarasota, offered well-worn talking points against Single Member Districts. 

The only actionable reason to question the SMD amendment would be proof that the majority of voters were misled by the language of the ballot amendment. Not a single speaker said they did not understand what they voted for.

Other outstanding voices included Lourdes Ramirez (7:30), Kindra Muntz (27:30) Dan Lobeck (1:06:40), and Mike  Shlasko. "Single member districts bring government closer to the people," noted Shlasko, noting that Florida's state legislature has been shifting much decision-making power away from the local level. (1:32)

Charter Review Board gets an earful from citizens regarding Single Member District Voting

The Board has a by-law that requires it to schedule substantial discussion of new business to the following meeting, which is set for October 20, 2021.

===

If you have more to say, feel free to contact the CRB, copying the County Commissioners:

jim.gabbert@scgcrb.net

kennedy.legler@scgcrb.net

ray.collins@scgcrb.net

david.samuel@scgcrb.net

scott.williams@scgcrb.net

elaine.miller@scgcrb.net

alexandra.coe@scgcrb.net

richard.dorfman@scgcrb.net

joe.justice@scgcrb.net

deborah.lapinska@scgcrb.net

commissioners@scgov.net

Board seeks to overturn what we voted for: Single Member Districts

 Kindra Muntz said it best:

===

Hello friends,

 

Will you join us at this meeting May 19?

 

In the meantime, will you send a note to the list of Charter Review Board members below to express your thoughts?

Let’s flood them with emails!!

Thank you!

 

Kindra Muntz

Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections

 

ACTION ALERT: MAY 19, 2021

WHAT: Charter Review Board meeting—where they will start discussion to overturn Single Member Districts

WHEN: 5:30 PM—to buy a T-shirt ($10) to KEEP SMD—or wear a red t-shirt---and get a speaker card (meeting starts promptly at 6:00)

WHERE: Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236

WHY: Show up to KEEP SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS for electing County Commissioners

 

It’s time for people all over the county to stand up for Single Member Districts for electing County Commissioners. 60% of voters of all political parties voted YES to change to single member districts in 2018, to enable principled local candidates to campaign for County Commission, cut the cost of campaigning by 80%, and elect Commissioners who are accountable to all the people in their district, not just the developers, as they serve on the Commission for the good of the county. We elect our State Representatives by single member districts. Sarasota County is so large it includes portions of FIVE state legislative districts: two complete districts (72 and 74) and parts of three others: (70, 71 and 73.) It makes sense to elect County Commissioners by single member districts as well.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Show up on May 19 to KEEP SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS for electing County Commissioners. Just being in the audience will help.

2. Get a speaker card and speak up (you have up to five minutes at the Open to the Public Session at the beginning of the meeting.)

3. Email the Charter Review Board members ahead of time to express your thoughts:  (See the list of CRB members and a sample message to send them below)

4. Review the Single Member Districts website: The Case for Reform, Fact Check, and the four short videos in the Media Center to be reminded of why single member districts are so needed.

Remember, your voice is strongest when only you and others in your district elect your Commissioner— not when 80% of voters all over the county can dilute your votes and choose your Commissioner for you. Keep your power. Keep single member districts.

 

Charter Review Board members: (and the email to send your message to all the County Commissioners as well):

jim.gabbert@scgcrb.net

kennedy.legler@scgcrb.net

ray.collins@scgcrb.net

david.samuel@scgcrb.net

scott.williams@scgcrb.net

elaine.miller@scgcrb.net

alexandra.coe@scgcrb.net

richard.dorfman@scgcrb.net

joe.justice@scgcrb.net

deborah.lapinska@scgcrb.net

 

cc:

Commissioners@scgov.net

 

 

What to say: Sample messages—but please write your own PERSONAL message, and don’t just copy these: (because they think people don’t know what they voted for in 2018, and are unhappy with SMD):

 To the Charter Review Board:
 I'm happy with Single Member Districts. 

I was not confused in 2018. 

Perhaps certain elected officials are confused now. 
I'll be paying close attention to your May 19th discussion of Single Member Districts. 
Thank you.

 

Or maybe:

To the Charter Review Board:

Al Maio said he was waiting for that one person who said they were happy with single member districts.

Please let him know he has to wait no longer! 
I am perfectly happy with single member districts.

I knew exactly what I voted for in 2018.

I’m not a bit confused!

Commissioner Maio

============

Come in person - but if you can't: 

How to watch the Charter Review Board meeting:

Editor's Note: Sarasota County makes it difficult to find live meetings of key boards. If you can't make it to the CRB meeting on Wed. May 19 at 6 pm, you can watch it by tuning in to Access Sarasota on Youtube at that time - it's a live feed, and when there's nothing live, it's useless.

or

If you are unable to catch the meeting live, you can find the recorded meeting here in the CRB's archive at some later point, usually within 4-24 hours.

===============

Background

The Board is starting the process of finding reasons to undo Single Member Voting in Sarasota. A brief update.

Here's a history of Single Member Voting in Sarasota - why voters chose Single Member Voting, and how they changed the Charter. By Kindra Muntz

Sarasota County Voters: Were You Confused?

Dear Voter:

When you voted to approve Single Member Districts, were you confused? County Commissioners believe you were. 

Maio

Commissioner Alan Maio says no one could possibly be "happy" about Single Member Districts:

 "I’m still waiting for that [one] person [to say he or she is happy about the election system], and I’m never going to meet that person, ’cause they can’t possibly be happy” about having a single vote for representation on the County Commission. Sarasota News Leader

 

One of the many citizens who worked to change Sarasota's election structure thinks the Board might be confused:

"The people who voted for single member districts in 2018 understood the issue exactly and voted to elect their own commissioner and not have their vote for their own commissioner diluted by 80% of voters all over the county," [Kindra] Muntz said. 

 

"If county commissioners don’t think the voters know what they are doing, maybe they would be so kind as to resign and call for a new election now." Herald Tribune

Perhaps you'd like to let the Charter Review Board know how you feel. At the request of Mr. Maio that Board will discuss this on May 19th. 

Their email addresses are below. Offer your thoughts, or if you prefer, just send them a brief message like this:

To the Charter Review Board:
I'm happy with Single Member Districts. 

I was not confused in 2018. 

Perhaps certain elected officials are confused now. 
I'll be paying close attention to your May 19th discussion of Single Member Districts. 
Thank you.

jim.gabbert@scgcrb.net

kennedy.legler@scgcrb.net

ray.collins@scgcrb.net

david.samuel@scgcrb.net

scott.williams@scgcrb.net

elaine.miller@scgcrb.net

alexandra.coe@scgcrb.net

richard.dorfman@scgcrb.net

joe.justice@scgcrb.net

deborah.lapinska@scgcrb.net

cc:

Commissioners@scgov.net

We need a brand new Charter Review Board

 

Charter Review Board meeting Oct. 14, 2020

Agenda for Meeting

Complete video of meeting

Sarasota County move to change petition rules is met with outrage

Last evening the Charter Review Board, which has done nothing for a couple of years, voted to approve measures that will complicate the process citizens must undertake to get a Charter Amendment on the ballot.

This specific measure was developed in a CRB committee headed by developer James Gabbert.

It was proposed after the citizens placed an amendment for Single Member District Voting on the 2018 election ballot, and it passed in all five districts.

From a piece by Tim Fanning in the 10.15.20 Herald Tribune: 

SARASOTA COUNTY — Two controversial measures expected to make it harder for citizens to change Sarasota County government rules by voting to amend the county charter sailed through a special review panel late Wednesday:

Among the proposed changes the charter amendments would require:

• A petition cannot conflict with the Florida Constitution, general law or the county’s charter, though charter amendments already cannot conflict with the Florida Constitution.

• A petition to be signed by at least 10% of the number of registered voters in each district in Sarasota County. 

• A petition would need to be reviewed for legal sufficiency by the county upon the collection of validated signatures of 1% of the registered voters of the county. Signatures must be submitted before Jan. 1 of the year the election is held. If the legal review is invalid, it will be thrown out. 

• A petition would need a fiscal impact statement prepared by the county. It would accompany any charter amendment proposed by the petition and would appear on the ballot. 

The proposed changes come just two years after the county placed some of the most restrictive measures to date for charter amendments on the November 2018 general election ballot.

Those measures, passed by voters, increased the number of required signatures for citizen petitions and imposed a narrow deadline for petition signatures to qualify for future initiatives.

The measures to double the number of citizen signatures to qualify for a ballot amendment came at the instigation of Commissioner Mike Moran, who initiated Board discussion at the July 10, 2018 meeting (start at the 2 hr 19 minute mark). The Board quickly adopted new language and got the measure on the Nov. 2018 election ballot.

Many who opposed the Board's doubling of required signatures said it will make new citizen amendments virtually impossible.

More:

Background on the CRB's effort from the Sarasota News Leader

More on the evolution of the CRB skewed by the influence of Bob Waechter

The broadcast of the 10.14.20 meeting was NOT clearly advertised. No one was able to offer input from a remote location. Several citizens did attend in person and spoke. The meeting can be seen at the link below:

Oct. 14, 2020 Meeting of the Charter Review Board

Ready to step up?

Sarasota County Charter Review Board

Are you ready to step up?  You can file to be a Precinct Captain in your neighborhood.You need to file this FORM with the Supervisor of Elections by NOON on June 12th to qualify.

Remember, there is still time to qualify to run for local office.  

Charter Review Board - Free Running Seats

The Charter Review Board (CRB) is an elected body of 10 members, two members from each of the five county commission districts, who serve staggered terms of four years.The Charter Review Board reviews and proposes changes to the Sarasota County Charter which are submitted to referendum in accordance with the provisions of Article VI of the Charter. They serve without compensation.

The CRB meets two or three times a year. Here's the agenda for that meeting. The main business is a proposed change to citizen amendments to the Charter, requiring citizens to come before the CRB before it goes to the County. This proposal has been under the management of CRB member James Gabbert. Below is their last meeting from Jan. 15, 2020.

There is no fee to file to run for this seat. You can learn more here: 

Hospital Board  $25 filing fee

There are 10 seats on the Hospital Board and they are all held by Republicans. There are 4 positions up for election on the Sarasota County Hospital Board. Hospital districts are different than County Commission Districts. See map of districts here. 

Learn more about the Hospital Board here. If you have a business background, experience managing large budgets, or health care experience, please consider running for the Hospital Board. There is a $25 filing fee for this seat.

You can request a candidate packet from the Supervisor of Elections office if you are interested in learning more - 941-861-8600.