City Commission chooses Barwin

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously selected former Oak Park, Ill., City Manager Thomas Barwin to be the next city manager of Sarasota at its regular meeting today at City Hall.

Each commissioner showed support for Barwin over West Palm Beach City Manager Ed Mitchell during comments before a vote was held.

"Mr. Barwin listens, he works well with others, he's sensitive to neighborhood issues, he's relationship-oriented and he looks beyond himself," said Mayor Suzanne Atwell.

Even Commissioner Shannon Snyder, who previously said he couldn't support any of the candidates, called Barwin "a decent and honorable man."

The commission will hold a special meeting July 30 to discuss a contract with Barwin and officially hire him. Interim City Manager Terry Lewis has agreed to stay on until Barwin arrives in early August.

For more information, pick up a copy of Thursday's July 19 Sarasota Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].