I’ve been getting quite a bit of mail for the upcoming Sarasota commissioners election. Today’s best hit piece is on Terry Turner. I haven’t written about Turner because there isn’t much on his website other than he’s endorsed by the Sierra Club. Citizens for a Better Sarasota have sent out a mail advertisement that questions why Terry Turner is a registered Republican. They make a compelling case. Since 2003 Turner has donated $36,600 to Democrat candidates and causes. In that same period he donated $250 Republicans. It kind of makes you wonder why he’s registered as a Republican? He’s given money to John Kerry, Christine Jennings, and Hillary Clinton. I’m surprised he didn’t change his party affiliation before running for commissioner. Turner has also got in trouble for donating to an anti-development group in 2007. It’s not clear this will have any effect on the race. Despite the fact Sarasota is mainly Republican, the city limits favor Democrats.
In 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain won just three of the city’s 27 voting precincts. And Democrat Christine Jennings may have lost her bid for Congress against Rep. Vern Buchanan, but she carried the city of Sarasota. And in 2006, Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, easily carried Sarasota over Katherine Harris, though it is her home city.
That sums up the same problem facing most cities in the United States. Democrat city planners run all these towns. Is it any wonder urban areas are in such sad shape? Is it really that surprising then that Sarasota is run by clowns?
The election for Sarasota city commissions is coming up on March 10. Elections like this are difficult for the normal citizens because information is scarce. Fortunately the Sarasota Herald Tribune asked the candidates some questions. Some of the answers are astounding. Elections like this are important, especially when city planning is at the heart of many of America’s problems. That’s why it’s very important the citizens learn what these people think about simple issues.
Pete Theisen
The only reason I mention Pete Theisen is for comedic value. Mr. Theisen is a retired acupuncturist who can be dismissed quickly. He’s running for city commission because “growth is out of control.” This kind of backward thinking is how problems begin. Growth isn’t out of control. Restrictions on growth have caused housing to become unaffordable all over the country. Unless there’s a huge change in population trends growth is here to stay. Theisen’s answer to every problem is getting money from Washington. Not only does he want no one to move here (Tom Harkin), he wants the people who can’t afford to live here to pay for more city staff. That’s not creative thinking, it’s bizarro wealth redistribution brought to you by an acupuncturist. When pressed about “bayfront connectivity” which is perhaps the biggest non-problem the city faces Theisen suggests the city should buy a golf-cart shuttle to ferry people back and forth. Seriously… how stupid is that?
Here’s my favorite quote:
Q: Can you identify two specific ways to increase revenue?
A: Obviously, Hope and Change. President Obama let it be believed that he was going to get federal help coming our way and we have to pursue that very aggressively.
This person has no business running for office let alone being elected. Next please… There are two spots open for city commissioner. After considering the options my first choice is Jay Berman.
Jay W. Berman
Mr. Berman’s answer to the questions were straight forward. A lot of the questions lend themselves to non-specific answers. His answer to the “bayfront connectivity” issue is to build a bridge over the road. That makes sense and the least puzzling answer given by the candidates. Again it would be awesome if there was something worthwhile to do at the bayfront. Berman’s answer about reducing costs are exactly correct. We shouldn’t be looking for new ways to generate revenue for the city government. Now is the time to cut back.
There isn’t a clear choice for my number two spot. Paul Caragiulo’s didn’t offer much in terms of specifics when answering questions. I visited his website to get more information. Unforately the website doesn’t fill in the blanks.
Paul is dedicated to diversifying our economy and creating more opportunities. Everyone who wants to live in Sarasota should be able to have a good job, affordable housing and a safe neighborhood in which to live.
That’s fantastic but it doesn’t tell us anything. Everyone believes that, it’s like endorsing oxygen. Caragiulo might have some great ideas, but there’s nothing on the website that promotes them. Also, he’s against having an elected mayor. That’s just the kind of status quo I’m against.
I wrote about Suzanne Atwell a few days ago. My guess is Atwell will be elected just because she’s received the most money. Her signs are everywhere and I guess she’s got a strong base of support. It doesn’t change the fact she shouldn’t be elected. Anyone that drones on about pedestrian utopia in Sarasota doesn’t have their priorities straight.
Given the fact that I can’t find another candidate to support I’m going to vote for Frederick Farmer. Farmer is a Ron Paul type of candidate. Many of his answers are to do nothing. In government that’s always a great idea. I’m not thrilled that he’s opposed to having an elected mayor, but that seems to be a common opinion among commissions. I’m not a huge fan of people who don’t have answers, but sometimes someone has to say no. Unfortunately the city commissions have been saying yes too often at the expense of Sarasota tax payers.
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