City Commission candidates share campaign missions

The runoff election for District 2 and District 3 seats on the City Commission takes place Tuesday, May 12. In the last week before the election, the candidates share with the Sarasota Observer their statements on why they should be elected.

DISTRICT TWO

Eileen Normile  

(incumbent)

There has been a lot of noise lately. A lot of untruths. Half truths. And outright nonsense. Let’s stick to the facts.

I moved to Sarasota after a career as a criminal prosecutor. I have been president of my homeowners association, chair of the Police Advisory Panel and a member of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Sarasota Condo Association.  I have been an active civic participant in city politics for years — a speaker at forums, an advocate at City and County Commission meetings and a contributor to newspaper opinion articles. I was chosen — out of a field of 10 applicants — for appointment to the City Commission last November based on my significant civic involvement.

I am proud of what we have accomplished on the City Commission in the past five months. The dysfunctional gridlock is over. Among other things, we are spearheading an innovative program to help the homeless and — in my personal initiative — we are finally getting serious about traffic and transportation in a series of traffic summits that will continue into the summer and beyond.  As I am not beholden to any person, group or faction, I study every issue and vote independently. My voting record proves that. 

I have put myself, my family and my volunteers through this grueling election campaign because I believe in this city. I’d like to think the city believes in me. I am gratified to say that 82% of our campaign donors are city residents versus 43% for my opponent. 

When I was sworn in as a prosecutor — and more recently as a city commissioner — I swore to uphold the laws of the city, the state and the U.S. Constitution and to faithfully and honestly serve the citizens of Sarasota. That is how I’ve lived my life.  I do not take oaths lightly.

Liz Alpert

Your choice for City Commissioner this election is crucial because the next City Commission will be making decisions that will change the face of Sarasota for decades to come.

I will represent a new era of leadership in Sarasota — a commissioner who promises to listen to all residents and provide an optimistic, can-do attitude to resolve the city’s greatest challenges and goals, such as homelessness, traffic congestion, managing growth and the fractured relationship between the city and the county. 

My sole focus during this campaign has been listening to you and finding out what you would like to see for the future of our city.

My professional career has been dedicated to building consensus, solving problems and getting things done. I am a small-business owner and practicing family law attorney. On a daily basis, I deal with people who have emotionally charged conflicting interests. I work really hard to find win/win solutions to resolve their conflicts while still being an advocate for my client. I will bring those much needed skills to the city commission.

I am passionate about historic preservation and smart growth principles — a passion that I look forward to leveraging on the City Commission. As the economy is rebounding, we must ensure new development is done responsibly. The architectural and historical significance of our cityscape must be preserved.

My record of community service to our city is reflective of my love for Sarasota. As your next city commissioner I will bring my experience and passion for problem solving to bear on those issues most important to you.

We need to work together. We need a commissioner who will provide strong, balanced, optimistic leadership. That’s why I’m asking for your vote May 12.

DISTRICT THREE

Stan Zimmerman 

(incumbent)

I’m a neighborhood guy. In these days when candidates and reporters like to split hairs, a few gems of hard-won truth need to be upheld. Neighbors are not against development, they are not anti-business, and they are not selfish … no matter what you read or hear.

Neighborhoods include property owners and renters, of course. They also include developers and business people. And all these people understand it takes communication and teamwork to be successful in a neighborhood.

Neighborhoods are where we raise out kids, buy Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn, do a lot of our business, buy our groceries, support local schools and local nursing homes. Neighborhoods are vital to the health and sanity of our city.

Challenges abound. It is the job of the City Commission to look at new ways to do things, ways that might be better or cheaper or faster or smarter, or maybe all four at the same time. 

It has been my honor to be your appointed commissioner for these past five months. You can evaluate my approach to city government, and my frugality, if you watch any regular meeting since mid-November at the sarasotagov.com website. 

I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, and started covering the City Commission in 1975, attending literally thousands of meetings of the city and county commissions over the decades. 

Along the way I earned the trust of my neighbors and was elected president of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, then twice as the president of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations. With your vote, I can continue to serve. 

Shelli Freeland Eddie

I have a message for all Sarasotans: We can do better.

With relations between the city and county at an all-time low, a homeless crisis that has received an inadequate response and a budget shortfall that endangers our ability to keep promises to our local heroes, we must do better.

In this election, I’ve been endorsed by the Sarasota Observer, the Retired City Firefighters, the Police Benevolent Association and the Realtors. In fact, every endorsement I’ve interviewed for, I’ve earned. I believe that’s because I have a strong vision for Sarasota, and I won’t allow special interests or personal agendas to stand in the way of progress.

I stand for the responsible use of city funds, smart redevelopment that protects our neighborhoods and problem solving through lasting partnerships.

As a former assistant state attorney, I also have a unique understanding of how to best keep our communities safe. And as a business owner of a small legal practice, I fully understand the importance of budgeting, making payroll and living within my means.

In my practice, I often mediate and settle cases. Why? Because bringing people to the table and reaching a resolution is the right thing to do. Bickering with no identified goal is wasteful. I will bring these qualities of communication and problem solving to the City Commission.

We have tough issues to tackle, and I don’t believe our options are limited to “either cut services or raise taxes,” like my opponent. I also disagree with my opponent’s contention that traffic is not a city issue. I believe that through careful planning, fiscal responsibility and raising our taxable value we can meet our budget needs and promises.

Please, vote for me for City Commission District 3. Together, we will do better. Together, we can truly move Sarasota forward!