Q+A with Andy Mele

An author and environmentalist, Andy Mele has been immersed in the local water 

systems through organizations such as the Sarasota Bay Watch and the Waterkeeper Alliance. Sarasota Bay Watch, a group seeking to protect the bay’s ecosystems, hired Mele as a strategic long-term planner for eight months. 

Mele has surfaced more recently on the county political scene, and serves as one of the core members of Integrity 2016, a community group that held a protest rally April 1, at the County Administration Center. 

Mele has a master’s degree in environmental science from Bard College and penned “Polluting for Pleasure,” a book about the polluting effects of recreational boating on water.

Q: As an environmentalist, what are your top concerns in Sarasota County?

A: At first glance, the area seems to be trouble free — there are places that are a lot worse. There are some problems: the toxic environment of the county commissioners. 

Development is unrestricted. One problem, the Pinelands Reserve that is supposed to be rezoned for the Knight Trail shooting range. The other is a 50-acre parcel of land up for development by Benderson Development near University Town Center. It has mesic hammock habitat, which is usually identified with endangered species. 

Statewide, I am concerned about the Mosaic Co.’s phosphate mining in Florida. 

Q. What is Integrity 2016 and why did it form?

A: Integrity 2016 is the result of a number of people representing even more people, talking after county meetings and saying, “Did you see what I saw?” It’s collective outrage. 

The fix is in, in Sarasota County: It’s a government of, for and by about six to eight major developers. Stuck in traffic? Blame the county commissioners. 

The city is also unleashing major development projects at once, and we are collectively having to deal with them. If a developer doesn’t like something, they get it amended. East of I-75 was supposed to be rural. Not now. 

We also think Christine Robinson as commissioner and executive director of Argus is a conflict of interest.

Q: What’s one particular policy you would like to change?

A: The election process is definitely a problem. While a candidate is running for one district, they are voted in countywide. It’s really expensive, and there is not a lot of money for candidates who favor community character, wildlife, etc. These candidates are getting pennies where others are getting bundled contributions, which allows them TV ads and mailers, to become more known. It’s the major factor for the current state of politics. If they could only run in their district, it would be more manageable. The election process can be amended.

Q: What’s next for Integrity 2016?

A:  As I see it, we’re an organization with no resources. We just want to create an environment in which change can occur. We will try to boost public awareness and reintroduce the public to county politics through events, the media, forums, etc. 

The public is apathetic; sometimes they feel like their vote doesn’t matter. If you don’t vote, I guarantee your vote has no impact. We want to produce a pledge for candidates in 2016 to sign. We haven’t decided the specifics of what it will say, but it will get candidates to tell us who they are. If they don’t sign it, then we’ll know something. And if they break it later, it’s a betrayal of the public trust. 

We double-dog dare you to run a fair election.

 — Jessica Salmond