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

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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