Stories from the July Issue of Critical Times -- the info is important, local, and free.
Tallahassee - First in reducing public expression -
The formal application for the Hi Hat Ranch change said that the modification will provide “flexibility to respond to market demands and the needs of tenants, and residents" Sarasota News Leader
This commission has put community preservation behind short-term profits. David Guest, Letter to the Editor, Herald Tribune.
What Sarasota County officials did the other day with the Hi Hat Ranch was "devastating," says Becky Ayech. The Commission threw out the planning principles designed to bring order and common sense to developers' supersized plans.
amaio@scgov.netmmoran@scgov.netncdetert@scgov.netrcutsinger@scgov.netcziegler@scgov.netcommissioners@scgov.net
Commissioners:
As a resident and taxpayer of Sarasota County, I ask that you use Facts and Supporting Data to determine a Comprehensive Plan Amendment -- NOT MARKET TRENDS.
DENY CPA-2019-D
or,
Commissioners,
None of the “Directions for the Future” contained in the principles to guide Sarasota County's long range planning and sustainability initiatives include “flexibility to respond to market demands."
DENY CPA-2019-D
or,
Commissioners,
In sound planning practice,
Either: Facts and supporting data matter and market trends do not,
Or: Market trends dictate planning and FACTS DON'T MATTER.
DENY CPA-2019-D
HI HAT RANCH. The BOCC voted to transmit to the State the comp plan amendment that changed the 1,200 acre Hi Hat Hamlet, with a limit of 1 unit per acre to Village with a limit of 5-6 units per acre. Again, thanks to those who sent emails and spoke.
The MOST EGREGIOUS act was allowing our Comp Plan (our Vision for the Future) to be dictated by market demands instead of facts and supporting data. Translated, that means whatever density will make the most money is the density the County will give to the developer. FORGET PLANNING PRINCIPLES. IN FACT, JUST FORGET ANY PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE. This not only affects us, but everyone throughout the County. So, before, there was some comfort provided by the Comprehensive Plan, now THERE IS NONE.
So, where do we go from here? There is more to be written.
The Comp Plan Amendment goes to the State for review. Our attorney is determining if the public can ask to have different agencies review the Amendment. Currently, they must be asked to do a review.
The Comp Plan will come back to the BOCC for a final vote. The June 9 meeting was for transmitting the Amendment to the State. This will be for adoption of the Amendment.
We need to be a political force. We will need broad base support throughout the County like we had before. You need to reach out to all those folks you did in the past and ask them to help. Again, this decision affects EVERYONE. When this comes back to the Commission, we need to pack the room. We need to overwhelm the Commissioners with emails.
Email the Commissioners and ask that Facts and Supporting Data be used to determine a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, NOT MARKET TRENDS. DENY CPA-2019-D
Update: Venice City Council approves letter urging more study of Ocean Era aquaculture permit
VENICE – The Venice City Council approved drafting a letter asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rescind its permit for the Ocean Era aquaculture demonstration project Tuesday, but not before listening to Ocean Era project manager Dennis Peters clarify details about the project. ...
The board specifically did not oppose the aquaculture project. Vice Mayor Rich Cautero noted that the issue had become a political football. [Full story]
Text of Venice Council's letter
A story published in Sarasota Magazine reveals the scale of Ocean Era's ambition:
If the results are positive, you can expect to see another farm with as many as 2 million fish in the Gulf. According to [Neil Sims, Ocean Era’s chief executive officer] that size is an industry standard. “There are certain economies of scale,” he says. “Two thousand tons a year is the minimum for any aquaculture operation.”
Other companies may also join Ocean Era. “By blazing this trail through the permitting process, we want to build an industry,” says Sims. “We don’t want to just be one farm out there.”
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The Venice City Council has voted to support a letter authorized by its Environmental Advisory Board urging the EPA to rescind its permit for the Ocean Era fish farm off the coast of Sarasota.
Venice would join the cities of Sarasota, Anna Maria, Sanibel and Holmes Beach. Apparently the public can observe but not participate -- except to send advance email and mail comments:
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| Photo from Herald Tribune |
OPINION: Sarasota voters want single-member districts
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.
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| Board of Sarasota County Commissioners |
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:
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.
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| Angered by County scheme to undo the citizens' Single Member District Voting Amendment, people filled the CRB meeting |
Commissioner Al Maio says 60% of Sarasota's voters must have been confused when they voted for Single Member Districts back in 2018. The County Commission has asked the Charter Review Board to look into whether that citizen initiative should be reversed. The CRB meets Wednesday, May 19, at 6 pm to consider that possibility.
Here's how to attend that meeting and give them piece of your mind
If you can't get there in person,
Write to them - the email addresses are below. Here's what folks are writing to Mr. Maio:
Hey, Al:
I saw that you have said you are waiting for that one person who is happy with Single-Member Districts: wait no longer…I am very happy with them! I’m not even the slightest bit confused.
Best,
Z
Bill Zoller
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I’m very confused about Al Maio’s comments and his confusion. We all worked hard on this much needed change for many years. Just like the countless hours out in on the 2050 plan, which has now become the victim of death by a thousand small cuts.
Ray Porter
.....
The only people who benefit from going back to the countywide campaign format are the candidates who are funded by the 5 or 6 developers who are hell-bent on developing every inch of the county. But you already knew that, because you are those very candidates. You will succeed in reversing the will of the people by claiming that we didn’t know what we were voting for, and it’s a done deal. You have all the leverage, with enough money to ensure re-election, and the people have none. I have no illusions on that score. But I don’t have to like it. I hope I live long enough to see you judged by history.
Andre Mele.....
I hope each and everyone of you will consider the value of integrity in relationships to citizen's voting for Single Member Districts.
I entered a county public records request a few years ago when Commissioner Detert began her claims that she had received tons of questions from constituents about their confusion over Single Member Districts. The records request search showed that Commissioner Detert had received zero emails from any citizen living in Sarasota about being confused about SMDs. This implies that Commissioner Detert had either been bombarded by constituents while she was out grocery shopping or playing golf. Or she is simply lying.
Integrity in relationship to the value of a person's vote is something that Florida political leaders allude they care deeply about.
With Governor DeSantis' recent voting law being passed, I hope each member of the Charter Review Board will take their role seriously and respect the will of the voters that passed Single Member Districts. Voters took the time to vote in favor of SMDs; there is an implication that the people of Sarasota who vote are stupid when Commissioner Maio and Detert continue to say that we didn't know what we were voting for. We knew what we were voting for and just because Commissioners don't like the the way the vote turned out does not mean they should twist the reality of stating people are clamoring for SMDs to be dissolved.
At the very least, a real survey, that Commissioner Detert said would be conducted, should be done before anything is changed in relation to Single Member Districts in Sarasota County. The survey should be developed, without leading questions and the survey then should be executed by the Sarasota Republican party, the Sarasota Democrat party and whomever is leading the Libertarian party. This way voters are reached and have the ability to really give you the feedback that is needed.
Respectfully,
Adrien Lucas---
Dear Commissioner Maio:
The Sarasota News Leader states you said "After he tells constituents how Single-Member Districts functions, Maio pointed out, “Not one of those people walks away very happy. They are upset. … 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.”
Well meet yours truly that was delighted and EXTREMELY HAPPY to see the single member district initiative pass and by such a large margin – 60%
We are not “confused” or “misinformed”. We need to be represented at the Commission level by the majority of those residing in our district and no one else. Under the at large election system, a candidate could technically win the majority vote of their district but LOSE the election. How in your mind does that make sense?
What I am VERY unhappy with is the notion that the way you get elected affects how you operate. It's a very poor rationale. Do we in Florida currently vote for every district race in the Florida House and Senate? No, we vote only for our own districts. And guess what? It works. Commissioner Detert, as past member of the Florida House and Senate, would you support all Floridians voting for each candidate running for the Florida House and Senate? Would that makes sense to you? Would you like t run that campaign? I doubt it. It is ludicrous logic.
I urge the Charter Review Board members to respect the voters wishes and turn down the Commissions request to review this issue at the May 19th meeting. If Commissioner Maio is correct then all the “unhappy” voters should be willing to get the 10% required signatures for a petition to put this issue on the ballot. That is the only way it should get on the ballot.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Marilynne Martin
Venice======
No confusion over single-member districts
Regarding an article about Sarasota County commissioners scheming to overturn single-member voting districts, and their comments regarding confused voters: I am not confused, I do know what I voted for and I want single-member districts (“Sarasota County Commission looks to redistrict again and repeal voter approved initiative,” April 22)! I have lived here for over 50 years and am an active registered Republican who will do all I can to vote every one of our deceitful, money-grubbing, development- loving commissioners out of office. I will be “pretty glad and absolutely delighted” when they are gone!
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Members of the Charter Review Board:The 2018 decision by Sarasota voters to move to a Single Member District electoral structure was neither an aberrant impulse nor the result of voter confusion, despite what some elected officials reportedly are saying.In actuality, the effort was rational, thorough, and due to the work of many who believe that district-specific issues and interests deserve careful public attention during the campaigns of those seeking to represent us. The clear way to do this is to give a district focus to each candidate's campaign.Why allow 4/5ths of the county's entire voter base to decide who will best represent the specific interests of residents of North Port, Venice, or other portions of Sarasota? The result of that system has thrown into doubt whether a Commissioner in fact knows and represents the interest of residents of his/her district, or whether other interests -- financial, ideological, etc. -- took precedence.Whether or not this doubt is valid, it is there, and will hang over every Sarasota office holder so long as specific district representation is suppressed.I commend to your attention this article on the history of Single Member Districts in Sarasota County, and ask that the CRB show open and rational consideration of these concerns when it takes up this question.
Tom MatrulloDistrict 134241
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To the Charter Review Board:
With overwhelming approval by all five Districts in 2018, Sarasota County voters endorsed the election of Commissioners by Single-Member Districts (SMD). To get a 60% mandate requires support from Democrats, Republicans and NPA/Independents. Voters were clear that they want District-level representation and accountability. The SMD ballot language was simple and concise—not confusing.
In November, 2020, three County Commissioners were successfully elected by SMD. Yet just two weeks later, the same Commission began sewing seeds of discontent with direct representation. So with only a three of five Commissioners elected by SMD, and before allowing any time whatsoever to assess how well it could work, the CRB has been asked to review SMD.
Please respect the voters’ will. Allow SMD an opportunity to run a full four-year course.
After all five Districts have at least two years experience with SMD, feel free to assess its viability.
Reasons for maintaining SMD:
https://www.fl-counties.com/
Please respect the voters’ will and allow SMD an opportunity to run a full four-year course. Assess the value of SMD---but only after all five Districts have ample experience with it.
Pat Rounds
Write your own note to the CRB - and copy the Commissioners
Kindra Muntz said it best:
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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):
cc:
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!
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| Commissioner Maio |
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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.
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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
Dear Voter:
When you voted to approve Single Member Districts, were you confused? County Commissioners believe you were.
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| Maio |
"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
"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
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.
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| Sarasota Commissioner Mike Moran |
The commissioners should explore the idea of allowing permits to be approved when staff fails to meet county timelines, [Commissioner Mike] Moran said, characterizing that stance as “healthy pressure” on employees to adhere to what Moran called a “hard, hard deadline …”
Shall planning heads drub painstaking staff into rapid negligent approvals?
Moran said, an employee who delays a project should “be written up."
Sarasota News Leader With streamlining county’s permitting process a top County Commission goal this year, staff creates ombudsman position to help facilitate timely approval of construction applications
Wetlands near you may be in trouble.
More than 1,000 permits to change wetlands have been submitted to a state agency since it took over Clean Water Act powers from the federal government in December.
“There’s a heck of a lot of demand for new development. You need an efficient permitting program so the projects can go forward.” Herald Tribune
Citizens pleading with the Sarasota County commissioners and waving signs on street corners, aimed at stopping developers from building hotels on Siesta Key and halting the devastation that the Benderson project at Stickney Point Road promises, all seem for naught.
LTE in HT May 3, 2021: Don’t let Sarasota be buried in concrete
Nothing so far has stopped our county commissioners from burying Sarasota and Siesta Key in concrete and massive traffic lines everywhere. Pleasing the monied interests is their only criterion.
With deaf and development-friendly commissioners, there are only two avenues left to preserve our town and stop this headlong rush to pour concrete everywhere.
Get rid of these Republican business types on the commission and vote for environmentalists. Or, sadly, the last resort, the First Amendment: Stand in the streets, peacefully, by the thousands.
It is a pity that just a couple of people on the County Commission can cause so much damage to our town and the environment.
Mike Burns, Sarasota
Tumultuous Growth - Sarasota News Leader
In an April 20 memo to the County Commission , , , the overall number of county permits issued grew to more than 41,000 in the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, 2020. The county has sustained such a high level “for more than three years,” the memo pointed out.
