CANDIDATE PROFILES: Sarasota County Charter Review Board, District 2 and 5

In advance of the Aug. 30 primary election, the Sarasota Observer is asking local candidates about the issues impacting their races. This week, we spoke to the Republican candidates vying for the District 2 and 5 seats on the Sarasota County Charter Review Board.

District 2

Donna Barcomb

Age: 60
Occupation: Owner, Professional Physical Therapy
Hometown: Rockville Center, N.Y.

Why do you want to serve on the Charter Review Board?

I have always told my four sons that you win the lottery when you're born in the United States. My life has been blessed with incredible parents, healthy and happy children and a loving and supportive husband. Some people give back with money, and I choose to give back with my time. I have been volunteering for the thirty years that I have been fortunate enough to live in Sarasota County. It started as Southside Elementary School PTA president, president of the Junior League of Sarasota, 12 years on the Sarasota County Hospital Board (chair two years), and 3 1/2 years Sarasota County Charter Review Board, last year its chair. I am honored to serve the constituents of Sarasota County. 

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term?

The CRB has sent to special committee for consideration the amendment relating to an appointed versus an elected board. I voted against sending this amendment to special committee and will continue to oppose an appointed board. I have proposed an amendment to the CRB bylaws that is procedural in nature. This amendment allows the CRB to vote whether to docket and debate all proposed amendments, replacing the mandate of the chair to do so. This would allow a proper vetting of any proposed amendments prior to debating them, ensuring that the amendment was not in conflict with current county ordinances or state statutes, which did occur last year. Finally, my proposed bylaw amendment addresses failed amendments, those not sent to special committee, allowing the CRB the option of not revisiting failed amendments for a one-year period. Last year a single amendment was presented repetitively all year for consideration, and our bylaws do not address an opt-out of this situation.

Do you think the board should take a more active or passive role in determining potential changes to the charter?

I have gone on record of being more of a protector of our charter rather than a corrector. I believe that the CRB should be open to all amendments proposed; however, the charter should be treated like our constitution and changed only with caution and deep thought.

What is your position on the idea of turning the Charter Review Board into an appointed position, rather than an elected office?

I’m opposed to an appointed board and voted against sending this amendment to special committee. I will continue to oppose an appointed board throughout the prescribed process.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

The learning curve to fulfill the duties of the CRB is a steep one. Participation on the board requires patience, integrity and a receptive attitude towards the constituents we represent. Owning a small business for 33 years, interacting and tending to the needs of patients, having served the last 3 1/2 years on the CRB and 12 years on the Sarasota County Hospital Board, I have garnered the experience and preparation to provide the constituents of Sarasota County with an intuitive, sensible, thoughtful, fair and intelligent approach to all that is brought to the CRB. Although I see the role of CRB as a protector of the charter, I believe in freedom of speech and free exchange of ideas. I would be honored to continue to serve you and need your vote. 

Vic Rohe

Age: 67
Occupation: Web development
Hometown: Baldwin Harbor, N.Y.

Why do you want to serve on the Charter Review Board?

Right now, the Charter Review Board has pending a proposal to change this elected board into an appointed “puppet” board. That is, a puppet of the County Commission. That’s the same County Commission that challenged, in court, the term limits placed on it by the Charter Review Board and the voters of Sarasota County. But for serendipity, they would have gotten away with it.

Now, you know, the Sarasota County charter is like a “limited home rule constitution.” It describes the structure of county government and the rules it must operate under. Asking the County Commission to control their own power is like asking your dog to guard your lunch.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term?

1. STOP the move to a puppet board.

2. Require the Charter Review Board members to actually show up at meeting or lose their seat.

3. Require that the Charter Review Board members know and abide by Robert’s Rules of Order as they are required to.

Do you think the board should take a more active or passive role in determining potential changes to the charter?

I do NOT believe that the CRB should be more active in proposing changes to the charter. Many times, law and rule changes can have unintended consequences and effects. I believe the role of the CRB should be to carefully weigh and research proposals that are brought before it by voters, with an impartial eye to anticipating as many unintended effects as possible. It is this impartial eye that an appointed board member couldn’t provide.

What is your position on the idea of turning the Charter Review Board into an appointed position, rather than an elected office?

The CRB needs to be responsible to the voters, NOT the County Commission.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I am committed to keeping the CRB independent and elected by the voters. I have a track record of service to the Sarasota County community and am well experienced in legal and regulatory systems. The benefit of having me on the CRB is that I will use my dedication & experience to help shape legislation for voter approval only when prudent, and discourage ill advised or unnecessary changes to the Charter. See http://SaveTheCharterReviewBoard.com for details.

District 5

Walt Augustinowicz

Age: 48
Occupation: CEO of Identity Stronghold
Hometown: Venice

Why do you want to serve on the Charter Review Board?

I want to protect the board's status as an elected board and not appointed.  My primary opponent appears to be open to switching to an appointed board.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term?

1.  Keeping the board elected rather than appointed.

2.  Giving the public more opportunities to present their ideas without shutting them down just because they might say something negative about a board member.  Our citizens many times have good ideas that came about because of negative event.  The board needs to listen more and grow thicker skin.

3.  Create a more cooperative atmosphere between elected officials and the citizens they represent.  I want the people to once again feel the government is there to help us not rule us.

Do you think the board should take a more active or passive role in determining potential changes to the charter?

Passive.  The board shouldn't be initiating changes to the charter based on their own ideas.  They should be listening to the citizens' ideas.

What is your position on the idea of turning the Charter Review Board into an appointed position, rather than an elected office?

I am 100% opposed to an appointed board.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I have lived in this area since 1985.  I have a history of representing the citizens of this county rather than party insiders.  I am willing to stand to the powerful and will go the extra mile for the people. 

David Samuel

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired high school teacher
Hometown: North Port

Why do you want to serve on the Charter Review Board?

I want to serve my community.

I am a person who understands that you must have the ability to balance desires of many different viewpoints when coming to a final decision as to recommend or deny a proposed change to the charter.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term?

Trust (thorough investigation of proposals)

Respect of differing viewpoints

Service

Do you think the board should take a more active or passive role in determining potential changes to the charter?

More active. The Charter Review Boards should have an active, flexible and evolving focus. A growing, dynamic county cannot maintain a county charter without seeking to have it grow and change in the best interests of the people in the county.

What is your position on the idea of turning the Charter Review Board into an appointed position, rather than an elected office?

That would be a bad idea. This would TAKE power from the people. They have the right to control how their local government operates — not special interests and politicians.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

A reputation of trust based on proven respect for citizens’ rights in determining how government operates.