Usually when one sets out to run for Public Office, the initial drive or
push is to effect change, which would normally indicate that something
is wrong with how things are currently being run. Well, that may be
partly true, but it's not always the case. Sometimes it's just a
matter of finding or suggesting a better way to do things, maybe a more
efficient way, maybe, in the case of growth, a more sustainable way, a
more environmentally sensitive and friendly way. This is just one
example and could easily carry over to Economic Development,
Affordable/Work Force Housing, Infrastructure improvements,
Transportation, Public Safety, Education, Historic Preservation, Taxes,
Human Services, and any one of the myriad of issues we face every day.
Sarasota County is at a major crossroads right now. As it
approaches maturity, it needs strong leaders to engage the community in
key decision making. I would like to be one of those leaders and work
with you in achieving a steady improvement in our quality of life, while
simultaneously protecting and improving our environmental conditions.
Our natural environmental systems are our lifeblood and we cannot allow
them to become degraded or destroyed. We must all act together, in
concert, not only individuals, but the municipalities, (our Cities, Towns
and Villages), in conjunction with County Government, to address all of
these issues and to maintain the integrity of our Comprehensive Plan.
Positive change requires that communities realize their chances of
succeeding in addressing issues are greater when they act together than
on their own. If we are truly to become a "Sustainable" community, we
must have a unique capacity to offer a high quality of life to ALL of
our residents, without compromising the ability of future generations to
enjoy a similar quality of life.
One of the most important tenets of my campaign deals with growth and
the environment. We have been extremely fortunate here in Sarasota
County to have a very desirable place to live and it is no longer a
secret. We are known worldwide. With that notoriety, however
positive, comes an obligation on the part of public officials,
developers, and the citizens of the community to see that we grow in a
manner that follows our Comprehensive Plan and that is sustainable and
within the means and capacity of our infrastructure. The Plan that we
have in place sets forth the policies and goals to address all of the
various issues confronting us, whether it be housing, public works,
water, the environment, historic preservation, hurricane preparedness,
etc... It is incumbent on us to follow it. It is no secret that
deviations from the plan, or failure to implement it properly, result in
sprawl, traffic congestion, inadequate work force or affordable housing,
lack of quality economic development, infrastructure deficiencies,
neighborhood impacts and intrusion, and environmental concerns.
For
example, when farms and forests are converted to big box stores or
shopping centers, parking lots, large scale developments, wider roads,
or large amounts of impervious surface, storm water runoff increases at
staggering rates. With the loss of wetlands and the degradation of
our natural systems, our bays and waterways suffer dearly with
pollutants flowing into them. Combine that with the ever increasing
automobile dependency and the rise in the number of vehicles on the
road, coupled with the distances being driven and the time spent in
traffic, and therein lie the air quality concerns. Alternative
transportation methods must be looked at closely, quickly, and regionally
where necessary. The time has come to address this issue head-on.
I have lived in this county for the past 23 years, and while we are
doing many good things, there is always room for improvement. I have
often said that there is no reason to "reinvent the wheel". Somewhere
in this great country someone has found a solution to a problem, a
better way to do something, maybe a more efficient way, a more
sustainable, environmentally friendly way. So let's emulate it, learn
from it, borrow from it, or whatever it takes to do it better, to do it
right.
Kindly join with me in bringing these ideas forward, and please grant me
your confidence by supporting me and voting for me to be your next County
Commissioner. Thank you.
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