Antunes on Benderson and the Ballot

Cathy Antunes: The Detail

Important Sarasota races will be decided on November 8th. As party lines blur nationally, local elections may be similar. Party affiliation may not be the best guide in identifying who will effectively steward our community, especially since effective oversight of development decisions is no longer found at the state level. Important decisions lie ahead, and they will be decided by the County Commission. Siesta Key’s south bridge at Stickney Point and US 41, a major gateway to a local economic engine and prized beach, may suffer a suffocating traffic future. County government is responsible for creating safe and economically viable development. The County Commission election matters.

We used to be able to count on the Department of Community Affairs for wise development standards in Florida.* The state agency, established in 1969, worked to reduce sprawl and congestion for 42 years. DCA was abolished in 2011. In Sarasota, the most obvious evidence of the absence of DCA oversight is traffic at University Parkway and I75. Without DCA’s usual oversight requirements (e.g. a DRI – Development Regional Impact study), Sarasotans have seen the new mall create dangerous congestion and siphon retailers from existing commercial centers. The traffic fix—a cumbersome diverging diamond—comes with an $80-million priceYou may remember that when approving the new Benderson mall, the County removed a requirement to build over 400 affordable housing units. Affordable housing for those working nearby could have alleviated some traffic near the mall. No affordable housing is planned at Stickney Point and 41.

In the County Commission race between Fredd Atkins and Mike Moran, Benderson’s choice is clear, as evidenced by Moran campaign signs at Stickney Point and 41.  Fredd Atkins has pledged to listen to the people.  Who will you support? tag.

More on the Benderson plan for Stickney Point in this interview with Sura Kochman.

Moran was appointed by Rick Scott to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud).

*The DCA was abolished by Gov. Rick Scott in 2011:

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill (SB 2156) Tuesday that dismantles the growth management agency and merges it with several other agencies, such as the Agency for Workforce Innovation, to form a new state agency. The Department of Economic Opportunity will officially be created on Oct. 1, [2011]. Source.

Fredd Atkins at CONA Sarasota

CONA Sarasota held a "debate" Monday evening - an important race - District #1, the only seat on the Commission to be decided by voters in November -- the other seats were decided by a minority vote of Republicans in the August primaries.

Here's the CONA event - in two parts. First, Dan Lobeck offers his take on the Comprehensive Plan that's about to be approved by the Commission on Oct. 25th -- and why it's a very bad idea.

The second part is a series of questions to Fredd Atkins - the only candidate to appear at the meeting. Another candidate was invited, and his empty chair was an eloquent sign of that candidate's attitude toward the people whose votes he allegedly requires to be elected.

The candidate who did not appear is heavily backed by the community of developers, builders, and financial folks who pay great sums to have their folks in office. They are the machine.

Amendment 1: Vote No - Here's Why

The utilities are spending $20 million dollars on their ballot initiative that has been labeled by Justice Barbara Pariente as 'Sheep in wolf's clothing'. In this short Power Point presentation, I will explain why the League of Women Voters oppose Amendment 1. The only way to defeat the utility monopolies is with a grass roots effort since no non-profit concerned about the amendment has the money to fight them so PLEASE share.

Lourdes Ramirez of the League of Women Voters

Six Questions for Sarasota Hospital Board Candidates

Last Monday's Hospital Board forum presented by the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County offered those who attended many superb insights into the health issues affecting Sarasota County residents, and the candidates proffered a range of positions on those issues. 

By the end of the forum, it was clear to all that the questions facing Sarasota Memorial and the task of public healthcare are large, complex, and highly significant to our residents. To make what's at stake more available to our voters, each candidate has been invited to respond to the questions below. More about the Hospital Board here. A description of the Board's responsibilities is here.

1. What are the major pros and cons of privatizing Sarasota Memorial Hospital and what is your position? 

2. Regarding the expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital: please expand upon why you agree or disagree with the current expansion?   

3. How would you like future expansion to proceed?

4. The failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid increases the hospital's uncompensated costs. What is your position on accepting the Federal Medicaid Funds? 

5. Moral and financial reasons for accepting Federal Medicaid Funds which were presented to the past Legislature did not work. How can the taxpayers encourage the Legislature to accept the federal Medicaid funds?

6. Mental health services are currently poorly funded; the low income working poor and some elders could benefit from the expansion of the federal Medicaid funds. How do you feel the hospital can be instrumental in providing the proposed expansion of mental health services that may be funded under the Affordable Care Act?

We have asked each candidate to provide their written responses by Noon Friday, Sept. 30. We will share their responses verbatim.

***Candidates are invited to provide photos and links to their sites.

Detox Sarasota: Vote August 30th

The Detail:

Since 1973, every single Sarasota County Commissioner has been a Republican. Every. single. one.

Where are we today? Corruption. Over-Development. Traffic. An environment that is turning toxic.

Corruption - Notorious Jim Ley memo gathering the cabal of developer/owners leading to the evisceration of the 2050 plan:

Thanks Jim!

Overdevelopment - Gated communities receive approval in defiance of the (vitiated) Comp Plan. Whole Foods wins permission from County Commission to pave a wetland:

Traffic

The Sarasota County Commission election is on August 30th, not November 8th.