Ziegler to add variety to board

Between learning the ropes of the Sarasota County School Board and campaigning to keep her newly gained seat, Bridget Ziegler hadn’t had much time to relax before Tuesday night.

Ziegler, the incumbent, narrowly edged out Ken Marsh to capture the Sarasota County School Board District 1 seat Tuesday. The election was a runoff race for a tight August primary, in which Ziegler had nearly 2,000 fewer votes than Marsh. When the results came in for one of the last local races to be called, Ziegler hoped she would finally have a few days to take it all in.

Even on election night, Ziegler’s schedule was packed. When the polls closed, Ziegler — whom Gov. Rick Scott selected to fill a vacancy on the school board in June — was at a board meeting in North Port.

Ziegler’s appointment had surprised some, as the school board pushed for the seat to remain unfilled. In her first months, tensions emerged between Ziegler and the rest of the school board. Accusations of improper campaigning emerged from both sides as the runoff drew nearer.

Still, Ziegler, who has positioned herself as a fiscal conservative, believes she can work well with her colleagues over the next four years.

“I think, even during the campaign, my focus always was: What’s going to be in the best interests of our children?” Ziegler said. “I think there’s a great benefit to having someone who might not stand exactly where the current school board was.”

Marsh, who served as the Sarasota County School District’s director of long-range planning and worked for 35 years in public education, said he was happy with how he ran the race.

“I’m proud of the campaign I ran that was transparent and above board — and it was close,” Marsh said.
Meanwhile, the Sarasota County Commission will not undergo any substantial political shifting as the two newly elected Republicans, Paul Caragiulo for District 2 and Alan Maio for District 4, step up to the dais to replace outgoing Republicans Joe Barbetta and Nora Patterson Nov. 18.

After winning the primary in August, Caragiulo took the lead against his remaining opponent on the ballot, Alexandra Coe, who ran with no party affiliation.

Caragiulo brings three years’ experience on the City Commission with him.

“Municipalities speak a different language than the county,” Caragiulo said. “My understanding — it’s going to help everyone work together.”

As for his goals for his county position, Caragiulo didn’t name specifics, but said he will take an approach to issues with the future in mind.

Commissioner Christine Robinson, who represents District 3, echoed Caragiulo’s mindset, saying she was excited to see another young perspective on the board. With his addition, three of five commissioners have young children still at home, she said.

Robinson is equally excited for Maio to join her in representing the southern part of the county — Maio lives in Nokomis.

“Al is a voice in South County,” she said.

Maio, former Kimley-Horn planner, said the strongest asset he brings is an awareness of the issues. His background as a businessman and a certified planner will give him an edge on some of the bigger projects the county is tackling, he said.

“There’s very little I’ll be seeing for the first time,” he said.

His goal for his time in office is to take advantage of an improved business climate to help the county grow and expand.

“Before you know it, Nov. 18 will be here and I’ll get sworn in,” he said. “Then the five commissioners get to work. I’m absolutely delighted.”

— Staff Writer Jessica Salmond contributed to this story.