Tell the CRB not to attempt to undermine open democracy

 

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

Dorfman: Why I'm running for the CRB

Lohr: Why I'm running for Charter Review Board

My name is Krista Lohr and I am running for Sarasota County Charter Review Board (CRB) District 1. I am running for the CRB because the CRB does not currently have an advocate for the

people or the environment. 

If elected to the CRB, I will be an advocate for the voters and for Sarasota County’s natural resources. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Sarasota County Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida and the Newsletter Editor for the Manatee Sarasota Sierra Club Group’s BOCA newsletter. I also serve as Treasurer for the Suncoast Women of Action.

Another reason I decided to run for CRB is because The CRB has not been very active in recent years. Most voters are unaware that Sarasota County has a Charter or the CRB. If elected, I would work towards a more active CRB which would implement a plan for community outreach and educating the public about the Charter and the CRB.

Third, I decided to run because I believe the voice of the public should not be limited. In 2016 I was concerned about the possibility of the CRB becoming an appointed board as opposed to elected. I believe the voters' right to determine who represents them on the CRB must not be taken away. Now in 2018 I have concerns regarding a Board of County Commission proposal that would restrict the voice of the voters. The proposal is to increase (double) the amount of signatures needed for a public initiative to amend the Charter to get on the ballot and to also change (shorten) the amount of time to acquire the signatures needed. This proposal makes the process of getting a public initiative on the ballot to amend the Charter even more onerous than it already arguably is. That I would argue is voter suppression.

Please visit my website, krista4charterreview.strikingly.com, and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/krista4charterreview. PLEASE VOTE FOR KRISTA LOHR FOR CHARTER REVIEW BOARD ON NOVEMBER 6, THANK YOU.

CRB Candidates' responses to voter questionnaire

Below are the candidates running for the Sarasota Charter Review Board (CRB) this November. They are listed in District order, as found on the Supervisor of Elections' site.

On Sept. 22, all 11 candidates were sent the same six questions. Click on each candidate's name for his or her responses. If the name is not hyperlinked, the candidate's response has not yet been received.

Charter Review Board, Dist. 1 Arlene Sweeting 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 1  Joseph Anthony (Tony) Sawyer 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 2 Karen Collins-Fleming 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 2 Donna Barcomb 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 2 Robert Neff 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 3 Tom Patalano 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 3 Pat Wayman

Charter Review Board, Dist. 4 Ray Porter 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 4 Jody Hudgins 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 5 Mike Shlasko 

Charter Review Board, Dist. 5 David Samuel

Sincere thanks to all the candidates for their civic effort; special thanks to those who graciously participated to better acquaint voters with the issues and purpose of the CRB, and with the people running for it.

The questions:

1. ​Why do you think you’re particularly well suited for the Charter Review Board? 
2. Do you think the Charter Review Board should be changed from an elected board to an appointed board? Please explain. 
3. What are three issues that have been suggested for the CRB’s consideration that you feel are worthy of further inquiry? For each one, please explain why you think it’s important. 
4. What is your position on single-district elections? 
5. Do you believe citizen petition charter amendment drives should be subject to a time limit on gathering signatures? 
6. Do you believe advisory boards should be subject to a rule that aims to balance them by geography, areas of expertise, and relevant experience in advocacy? (For example, for the Planning Commission, at least one member with experience in advocating for affordable housing.)​

CRB says NO to Waechter

The citizens of Sarasota came to the Charter Review Board's "private meeting," but they let themselves be heard. They held a Rally before it, and they spoke at the meeting.. And they watched as the Board, in a "Private Meeting," voted unanimously NOT to go forward with the Waechter Proposal that the Board destroy its reason for existing - to offer the people of Sarasota a means of checking its government.

Background here, here, and here.

Congratulations to the citizens who Rallied and stayed for the decision.

Letter opposing the Waechter CRB initiative

A citizen's letter to the Charter Review Board regarding an initiative to transform it from an elected board to an appointed body:


To Chairman Dorfman and Charter Review Board Members:

I am writing to express my concern about and opposition to the proposal to amend the Sarasota County Charter to provide that CRB Members be appointed by the County Commission rather than elected by the voters the CRB is intended to represent.  I do not believe that how other Florida local governments manage and structure their Charter review or revisions boards or commissions is anything more than reflective of the many different ways Florida citizens have approached their charter process and is irrelevant to the issues to consider when evaluating this proposal for Sarasota County.  

On the other hand, I believe that it is very important to review the language of the Sarasota County Charter to identify the wishes of the residents and voters of Sarasota County regarding this important avenue for voter participation in our local government process.  Absent some compelling reasons why our Charter Review Board should not be elected, this is simply a proposal to reduce and restrict the level of input by voters in our County government.  I have reviewed the entire packet of documents provided to the CRB for their discussions at the Sept. 28, 2016 meeting and have seen no evidence of any compelling reasons.  Again, I do not consider "no one else elects them" to be a valid reason, much less a compelling reason, for the proposed change.

Let's look at some of the relevant language that reflects what I and other voters in Sarasota County have approved as their intent for and purpose of the CRB:

1971 - 1979:   The Review Board shall review the operation of the County government, on behalf of the citizens, and recommend changes, if they wish, for improvement of this Charter. 

1980 - 1987:   The Review Board shall review the operation of this County Government, on behalf of the citizens, and may recommend changes for improvement of this Charter .... 

1988 - 2003:    The Charter Review Board shall review the operation of County Government on behalf of the citizens of Sarasota County, and recommend changes, for improvement of the County Charter. 

2004 to date:   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.

Two important phrases were included in the initial Charter and have been retained through numerous changes to this sentence as well as to many other portions of the Charter.  The CBR is to represent the citizens of Sarasota County and to review (or improve) the operation of County Government.  I and many other citizens have always viewed and valued the CRB as an independently elected body that represents me -- not the County Commission.  It is impossible for the CRB to act directly on behalf of the citizens of Sarasota County if the Members are appointed by the County Commission instead of being elected directly by the voters.  It is also extremely unlikely that CRB members, if appointed, would fulfill the mission of reviewing the operation of County government if such review is of those with the power to give or take away their positions on the CRB.  These factors are, more likely than not, the reasons pushing this proposed amendment forward.  

I hope that you will consider this proposal in light of the voters of Sarasota County and reject moving forward with the proposed amendment.

Thank you, Susan Schoettle-Gumm

========

Citizens can send letters to the CRB board at the following email addresses:

anthony.sawyer@scgcrb.net
donna.barcomb@scgcrb.net
pat.wayman@scgcrb.net
jody.hudgins@scgcrb.net
john.fellin@scgcrb.net
steven.fields@scgcrb.net
richard.dorfman@scgcrb.net
joe.justice@scgcrb.net
jim.gabbert@scgcrb.net
bruce.dillon@scgcrb.net

Charter Review Board to meet after rally

The county's Charter Review Board(CRB) will meet in a special session on Wednesday, Sept. 28th, at 6 pm at the County Admin building on Ringling Blvd.

At the meeting, the Board will consider whether to go forward with Bob Waechter's proposal that the Charter Review Board set in motion a referendum that would transform the board from an elected to an appointed body. That is, from an empowered Board of citizens chosen by the voters to grapple with the constitution of Sarasota County, to a group of appointees selected by sitting County Commissioners, funded and meeting at the will of the Commissioners.

The special meeting agenda is here. Some background here and here.

Bob Waechter

Two more CRB-related items:

• The public will not have a chance to speak at the special session on Wednesday, but it can express itself at 5 pm, when a slate of candidates for the Board will hold a rally outside the Administration Building, on Ringling Blvd.

• In the interest of acquainting the public with the CRB, its responsibilities and recent key issues, all candidates in the November race for the CRB have been sent 6 questions. Their answers will be posted to this blog soon after they have all had time to respond.

The next public meeting of the CRB is set for the same location - the County Administration building on Ringling - on October 12th at 6 pm. The public will have the right to speak at that meeting.

CRB Questionnaire: Arlene Sweeting

Arlene Sweeting

Sarasota County Charter Review Board, District #1

• Site
• FB

1.     Why do you think you’re particularly well suited for the Charter Review Board?

I’m a native Floridian and have lived in the Sarasota/Bradenton area since 1993.  Since moving here, I’ve taught middle school science (7 years), started and operated a community coffeehouse (5 years), managed a community radio station (9 years) and I currently run the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. Over the years I have been active locally with a number of organizations including the Manatee/Sarasota Sierra Club (outings leader/publications chair/conservation chair/group leader), the American Association of University Women (mentor program), and Transition Sarasota (gleaning project/eat local week/fiscal sponsor). My work over the past decade has been geared to supporting a more active, educated and engaged citizenry.   I believe people should have a voice in their local government and in decisions that affect their community.  

2. Do you think the Charter Review Board should be changed from an elected board to an appointed board? Please explain.

The Charter Review Board should remain an elected body. It provides a no barrier, entry-level position to citizens interested in getting more engaged with their government - there is no petition requirement and no filing fee to run for the office.  It gives citizens a voice in how county government operates and gives them a meaningful way to participate. Keeping the Board elected, keeps it more accountable to the people.

If we want to live in a democratic society, we have to build a culture that supports democracy and that means we need to actually practice democracy in as many areas as we can – work, school, and, certainly, government.

3. What are three issues that have been suggested for the CRB’s consideration that you feel are worthy of further inquiry? For each one, please explain why you think it’s important.

I) I would be interested in revisiting the issue of Single Member Districts for County Commission and the Charter Review Board – petitions are currently being circulated by members of the Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections. In 2013 the Charter Review Board rejected a request to study this issue.  In 1992 single member districts were supported and in 1994 they were overturned before residents really got to see what impact they would have on county government.  With single member districts, CRB members and County Commissioners would be more accountable to their District and maybe would make more of an attempt to actually educate voters in their District AND get their input.  Would we get more candidates willing to run for office?  Who knows?  This year two of our County Commissioners were elected without opposition.  This denies citizens a choice about the direction of the county.  Certainly there are a number of issues at play here – but the cost involved in running a viable county-wide race is certainly one of them.  Having single member districts would greatly reduce the cost of running for office and would allow grassroots candidates to be more competitive.

II)  Making local elections nonpartisan is another idea that has been suggested that I think is worthy of consideration.  One thing this would do is it would eliminate the write-in loophole that allows ‘sham’ candidates to close a primary thus disenfranchising a large part of the electorate.  

III) I would support stronger ethics provisions in our Charter.  Many residents were upset last year when Commissioner Christine Robinson accepted a position with the Argus Foundation while still serving on the Board.  It seemed a clear conflict of interest, yet the County Attorney did not interpret it that way.  People need to have trust in government and right now that is sadly lacking.  People see their interests and their voices being drowned out by those with more power and more money. Integrity in government is essential if we are to re-build trust with citizens.  

4. What is your position on single-district elections?

I support single member district elections.   Right now, County Commissioners and Charter Review Board members are elected county-wide. This makes it extremely difficult for grassroots candidates to be viable. Currently 43% of registered voters in the County are Republicans, 31% of voters are Democrats, and 26% are third party or NPA, but 100% of our County Commission and 100% of our Charter Review Board are Republicans. This year we had two County Commission seats go unchallenged. This is not good for our democracy. I have been approached by a number of residents that support single-member districts and I think it is time for the Charter Review Board to revisit the way in which County-wide offices are elected.   

5. Do you believe citizen petition charter amendment drives should be subject to a time limit on gathering signatures?

I think some time limit would be reasonable. However, before placing a limit of any kind on gathering signatures I would want to talk to groups that have organized petition drives in the past to see what they believe is reasonable.  I believe a time limit actually could help grassroots organizations plan a more effective campaign and bring urgency to their issue.   But I also understand that resources are limited for citizen’s campaigns and they need to have an adequate amount of time to get the word out about their concerns.  It doesn’t really seem to have been an issue up to this point – we don’t have multiple charter amendment petition drives that have been ongoing for a long time.  So if someone brought the idea of time limits forward, I would look closely at who was proposing the amendment and what their real goals were.  My goal is to protect citizen’s rights to petition government and not place unnecessary limits on them.

6. Do you believe advisory boards should be subject to a rule that aims to balance them by geography, areas of expertise, and relevant experience in advocacy? (For example, for the Planning Commission, at least one member with experience in advocating for affordable housing.)

Yes, it is important to have people with diverse experience on advisory boards.

Slate filling out on CRB races

Five democrats filed to run for Sarasota County's Charter Review Board this week. Each district now has an actual race. Despite Bob Waechter's dim view of the Board as an elective body, it's still an active elective board:

Charter Review Board, Dist. 1	Arlene Sweeting (DEM)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 1	Anthony "Tony" Sawyer (REP)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 2	Karen Collins-Fleming (DEM)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 2	Donna Barcomb (REP)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 2	Vic J. Rohe (REP)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 3	Tom Patalano (DEM)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 3	Pat Wayman (REP)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 4	Ray Porter (DEM)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 4	Jody Hudgins (REP)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 5	Mike Shlasko (DEM)	Qualified
Charter Review Board, Dist. 5	David Samuel (REP)	Qualified

Also relevant to our local elections: This saturday, a BGA forum exploring reforms for our election structure:

JON THAXTON, Senior Vice President for Community Investment, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and former County Commissioner

CATHY ANTUNES, President, Citizens for Sarasota County and public interest activist

Moderator: FRANK ALCOCK, Professor of Political Science, New College of Florida

Where: Gulf Gate Public Library auditorium

7112 Curtis Ave., Sarasota

When: Saturday, June 25, 2016 

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Coming Events: A short list

Saturday, May 7, 9 am

The Conservation Committee will gather on the sidewalk by Whole Foods in downtown Sarasota. The plan is to carry signs and get petitions signed both at Whole Foods and at the nearby Farmers Market to protest the corporation's wish to locate a second store on top of a 4.5-acre wetland at Honore and University Parkway. Quite a bit more about the Whole Foods wetland fight here.

Monday, May 9, 7 pm - State Senate CONA Forum 

CONA Sarasota holds the second of its candidate forums, this one for State Senate. The format for questions -- short-answer hardballs, with follow-ups when worthwhile -- makes for a lively and revealing exchange. Dan Lobeck again will do the questioning, as he did for the State House Forum in April. Here's hoping all the candidates can appear. It's at the Sarasota Garden Club on Blvd. of the Arts.

Wednesday, May 11, 6 pm - Bob Waechter Proposal at CRB

The Sarasota County Charter Review Board meets at the County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., at 6 pm to hear Mr. Waechter's proposal that the Board commit a form of institutional hara-kiri. Mr. Waechter has stated that he believes it is in the citizenry's best interest to put the Review Board in Limbo until such time as someone (unclear who) sees fit to wheel it out. Citizens for Sarasota County and others question whether this is in the best interest of Sarasotans. We're asking that those who come out Wednesday to oppose this initiative wear white shirts. More background here.

Saturday, June 25, 2 pm - BGA Forum

Better Government Association Forum at the new Gulf Gate Library Auditorium/Conference Room from 2 to 3:30 pm. The topic is REFORMING OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS (County of Sarasota) with Jon Thaxton and Cathy Antunes, and moderated by Frank Alcott.

Also:

The final date to declare candidacy for Federal and Judicial offices is May 6.  The final date for state and local offices is June 24. A website about the candidates is underway - more soon.

A proposed change in procedure for Sarasota's Charter Review Board

A follow-up to the most recent Charter Review Board meeting, at which Bob Waechter submitted an amendment to the Sarasota County Charter, and the Board agreed to review it at its next meeting. Neither Waechter nor the Board disclosed the content of the amendment, but a person in attendance requested a copy and read aloud from it. It proposed to change the Board from an elected panel to an appointed Board.

Following the meeting, one person who'd been in attendance sent an email to each member of the Board. A copy is below:

To the Charter Review Board: 

I attended your Jan. 20th, 2016 meeting. Much of the discussion involved efforts on your part to be more meticulous about procedure. While this is laudable, I was surprised to learn that you do not routinely make the texts of proposed amendments docketed for review easily available to the public. 

Not publishing proposed amendments as soon as you receive them fails to provide open participation to the public in this process. These are, after all, amendments that could eventually impact great numbers of people. While you appear conscientious about allotting time for the pubic to speak at meetings, it would be consistent for you to adopt a rule or bylaw to the effect that proposed amendments need to be published promptly upon submission to the Board. 

This can be easily accomplished if you would require all amendments to be submitted via digital format -- in a pdf or text file that then could be posted to your page on the county's site. Virtually no resources or storage space would be required for this purpose. 

With this procedure in place, amendment proposals could be shared with the general public via the Internet on many sites, virtually immediately upon submission. One result would be more informed meetings, as those attending will have had time to read and consider new proposals. 

Another benefit: You would avoid even the appearance of impropriety as was raised at the Jan. 20th meeting in which several members of the public objected to Mr. Waechter's proposal being submitted and set for review without having shared its title or intent with those present in the meeting chamber. I understand this was not the first time Mr. Waechter had appeared with his amendment, but for myself and other first-timers, there was a sense of inappropriate secretiveness. 

If you do not have staffing for this purpose, I'm sure we can find a public-minded citizen who can create a dedicated site whose sole purpose would be to publish amendments submitted to the board at no charge in a timely manner. 

Thank you for considering these thoughts. 

Thomas Matrullo
Sarasota, FL

Several days later, Donna Barcomb, Chairman of the CRB, responded:

Dear Mr. Matrullo, 

I do not know why we haven't published proposed amendments previously however I think it is a good idea. I do believe we need to address this as well as some other procedural "rules" or by-law amendments. 

Thank you, 

Donna Barcomb

Ms Barcomb is the only member of the Board to respond to date. She will be stepping down from the Chair to be succeeded by Richard Dorfman. Other members of the Board include: Anthony Sawyer; Pat Wayman; John Fellin; Steven Fields; Joe Justice; Jim Gabbert, and Bruce Dillon