News Briefs

+ Commission candidates present agendas for the arts
All nine City Commission candidates touted their love of the arts during a candidate forum sponsored by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, which was formerly the Sarasota County Arts Council.
The candidates fielded several arts-centered questions, such as “How do you see the arts being helpful to the city? And would you support funding the arts?”

Richard Dorfman: “We have to use budgets more effectively and dig down a little deeper and realize the arts come with a cost.”

Linda Holland: “Arts organizations can help educate the community, which doesn’t understand as well as it should the value of the arts.”

Willie Shaw: “Bring arts onto Martin Luther King Boulevard to make it a destination point to revitalize the community.”

Frederick Williams: “Let’s have our children job shadow those in the arts to instill in them a love of the arts. In the future, they will become patrons and employees in the arts.”

Paul Caragiulo: “I’d rather subsidize (local arts organizations) than Johnny Mathis (at the Van Wezel).”

Dick Clapp: “We do give space to some arts organizations at a nominal fee and support arts fairs. It’s good for us. Talk to us and give us ideas. We’re supportive.”

Diana Hamilton: “Arts are our most important asset. When it comes to the arts, I’m willing to un-balance the budget.”

Shannon Snyder: “I can’t sit here and tell you I will support more (funding), because the budget has big issues. I will help with making the festivals smoother, instead of nickle-and-diming them.”

Pete Theisen: “We’ve got tension between the city and arts organizations. I would pledge to appeal a noise ordinance, (which could find live music in violation).”

+ City hires permanent leader of police panel
The city has hired an administrator for its permanent Police Advisory Panel and Independent Police Complaints Committee.

Peter Graham, who served as an adviser to the temporary panel last year, was awarded the position and began his service Feb. 2.

Graham is an international anti-corruption consultant. He was instrumental in writing the recommendations the panel made to the City Commission.

Commissioners created the panel to examine the policies and procedures of the Sarasota Police Department in the wake of a police-brutality investigation.

The next task will be for the city to choose the panel members. As of Feb. 7, 27 interested citizens have submitted their applications.

Meetings & agendas
Festival Steering Committee — 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
City Commission Candidate Forum — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota
CONA City Commission Candidate Forum — 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
Charter Review Committee — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota
Arlington Park Neighborhood Association — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota