Dorfman files for commission seat

Former Sarasota City Commission candidate Richard Dorfman, who narrowly missed out on a runoff election in May 2011 for the District 1 seat, is ready to try again to attain a seat on the commission.

On Friday, Dorfman confirmed he has filed paperwork at City Hall to become a candidate for one of the two at-large commission seats currently held by Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Commissioner Terry Turner. Both seats are up for grabs next year.

When asked why he would try again for a commission seat, Dorfman said, “It’s more of the same, really. The city is in poor financial shape and a different approach needs to be taken to the manage the city.”

Dorfman’s top four priorities last time around, as a commission candidate, were pensions; job creation and North Trail redevelopment; police services and public safety; and creating more of a can-do environment in the City Commission.

Those priorities still hold true for Dorfman this time around.

Dorfman also wants to create a better dialogue between the city and its neighborhoods.

“There’s an obvious ‘us versus them’ dialogue that exists between the city and its neighborhoods,” Dorfman said. “We need to reconcile the disconnect between the city’s residents.”

Dorfman, however, admits it’s a difficult task during a time of budget cuts and fewer basic services within city limits.

City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini told the Sarasota Observer her office is still waiting on one document from Dorfman to make his filing official.

The only other at-large candidate who’s officially filed at this time is the Rev. Kelvin Lumpkin of Light of the World International Church. Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Vice Mayor Terry Turner currently hold the seats and have not announced their plans for their current seats at this time.

Interested candidates have until Jan. 11, 2013, to file for the two at-large seats. A March 12, 2013, general election and a May 14, 2013, runoff election are scheduled for the seats.

Richard Dorfman
Age: 60
Hometown: Manhattan, N.Y.
Education: business and communications degrees from American University
Occupation: Retired sports agent