ELECTION 2010: University Place CDD Seat 1

In the weeks leading up to the general election, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, The East County Observer will profile contested races pertinent to East County residents.

Four residents of University Place are vying for the community’s CDD Seat 1 position — Diana Armbrust, Jack Hanrahan, Harold (Hal) Sheridan and Ronald Weismehl.

Current University Place supervisor Richard Romanoff is running unopposed and will maintain his post on Seat 3.

CDD SEAT 1
Diana Armbrust
Age: 50- something
Family: Married with one grown daughter
Hometown: University Park; originally from Narragansett, R.I.
Education: degree in muscular therapy; graduate of Feng Shui Institute; bachelor’s degree in alternative medicine from Everglades University
Career: Businesswoman

Why are you running for a CDD seat?
I care about the integrity of my community with a particular focus on infrastructure, security and property values.

What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I have co-chaired and volunteered on numerous committees in the healthcare field, with children and in the arts. Most recently, I served on the executive board of the Asolo Theatre. I am currently serving on the Leadership Panel at Everglades University.

What are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
Expenditures, costs and taxes. The roads and the awareness that they will soon be in need of repaving is a major concern for most homeowners. Having spoken with many of my neighbors, I am finding they are worried about this, as well about the maintenance of the front and back gates. They wish to feel secure and enjoy the benefits of this great community, and they do not wish to see taxes or CDD fees rise in relation to what is needed.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have an influence on your service as a board member?
As a sole proprietor of my own muscular therapy practice, I was able to offer a professional environment in which other therapists (could) practice. Maintaining, managing and overseeing two offices for more than 11 years, providing leadership and creating a professional and qualitative atmosphere where clients could feel safe and where therapists could endeavor to help those in need was an integral part of the development of my leadership skills.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
Having been actively educating myself in the history of my community, I will be open to the continuum of the learning process in this regard. I expect to be a team player with the current board members, cultivating and fostering a healthy dedication to watching our investments, knowing the issues and being accessible.

Jack Hanrahan
Age: 71
Family: Married to Mary Ann with two children, Laura and Scott, and three granddaughters
Hometown: Grew up in Kansas; lived 38 years in Maryland; a resident of University Place for seven years
Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas
Career: Thirty-three years in the Department of Defense; two years as a consultant and manager with the Republic of China on Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

Why are you running for a CDD seat?
I want to continue serving University Place residents to maintain the high quality of this community and increase the value of our homes. With two years on the Neighborhood Association board, I believe I have the necessary background, history and experience that will serve the community well.

What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I have been involved with the Neighborhood Association since 2004, serving as an assistant to the block captain of our Neighborhood Watch Committee and then briefly as a writer for the newsletter. In 2008, I joined the board of the association and served as its treasurer. In 2009, I was elected to a two-year term on the board and now serve as its vice president.

If elected to the CDD board of supervisors, I will resign my seat on the homeowner’s association. I have also been a regular attendee of CDD monthly meetings since the residents took over from the developer.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have an influence on your service as a board member?
I was a supervisor or manager for much of my Defense Department career and also served in a liaison position with another agency of the federal government. Soon after retirement, I served for three years as the membership chairman of my agency’s retirement organization. If elected, these experiences hopefully will serve the CDD board well.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
I would like to do something positive to involve more of our residents in the operations and activities of the CDD and the Neighborhood Association. As University Place ages, apathy has tended to set in. We have a diverse community, and I’d like to see more involvement of our talented residents.

Harold (Hal) Sheridan
Age: 79
Family: Married, seven children, 15 grandchildren
Hometown: Ulster County, N.Y., and Long Island, N.Y.
Education: Ulster County Community College School of Business
Career: Ran a successful food service and retail business for 35 years

Why are you running for a CDD seat?
So that I can be more active in the planning and development of our community.

What is your previous experience as a community leader?
I have been an active participant in the development of University Place since 2004. I have served on various committees — most recently on the Grounds and Nature Trails Committee. I have been involved in trying to preserve our neighborhood and its surroundings by my involvement in the Riva Trace project.
I have been a volunteer community activist in all aspects of our community. I am a “regular” at the (Manatee County Board of County Commissioners) and CDD meetings.

What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD Board?
Improving our community and, at the same time, keeping our expenses reasonable.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have an influence on you service as a board member?
I have been involved with the public all my life and have always been able to find realistic solutions to most problems. I was actively involved with the Small Business Association in Nassau County, N.Y.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
To explore new ways to keep our community attractive and well functioning and to keep expenditures down.

Any additional thoughts or comments you’d like to share?
In today’s economy, I would like to ease the burden on our homeowners and at the same time maintain a safe and affordable environment in University Place.

Ronald Weismehl
Family: Married
Hometown: Chicago
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago
Career: President and CEO of a large health and social welfare organization for the elderly 

Why are you running for a CDD seat?
I wish to help the residents of University Place maintain and protect the infrastructure of our community.

What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I lead a staff of 1,000 and was president of the Illinois Governor’s Commission on Aging.

What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
Economic conditions make it difficult to respond to needs in a timely manner.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have a positive influence on your service as a board member?
I have spent my life in community service and recognize the responsibility that goes along with leadership.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
To work with other members of the board in developing and implementing a plan and budget that responds to both the short- and long-term needs of University Place.