Charter Review Board District 3: Chip Adams

Age: 65

Current occupation: Retired firefighter/paramedic for 34 years. Currently working part-time in security. 

Resident of Sarasota County: Six years

Why are you running for election? 

After attending CRB meetings the past two and a half years, the seat I am running for, was not well represented. The voters deserve an elected person who will be dedicated representative for them.

What qualifies you to be a Charter Review Board member? 

I spent my career as a public servant in the fire service. That work afforded me the experience to make critical decisions each day. Including as a paramedic marshal working with fire and life safety codes, among many other specialities. My 17 years as a battalion chief gave me not only the experience of incident commander, but also the opportunity to be part of the district's administration, working with the board of the taxing district. 

What makes you the best candidate? 

The fire service gives you the opportunity to be involved in many organizations within the service. Everything from my ongoing education and training, leadership in specialty teams, as fire marshal running the district's Fire Prevention Bureau, which involved working with builders and business owners. I was co-organizer of a fundraiser to help a catastrophically injured fellow firefighter and his family. I have served in leadership in many work related, non profits and philanthropic organizations, including FF Pension Board president, IAFF union local president, Masonic Lodge master, Blue Line Club (first responder) current board member, local Republican Club board member, REC of Sarasota current member, past board member of my previous church, participated in food pantries and several Habitat for Humanity builds and active parishioner of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. I have the privilege to be endorsed by many of our current elected officials including James Buchanan, FL House D-74; Danny Nix, FL House D-75; Kurt Hoffman, Sarasota County sheriff; Teresa Mast, Sarasota County Commissioner D-1; Charter Review Board members Joe Justice, chair D-5; Tom DeSane, vice chair, D-3; Jay Riley, D-1; Rachel Frank, Venice City Council and Sarasota County State Committeewoman. I am also honored to be endorsed by the IAFF Local 2546 Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, and IUPA- International Union of Police Associations. 

What, if anything, needs to be updated or changed in the county Charter?

The current board has been working on reorganizing the charter document and cleaning up language and explanations. Any additions or deletions to the charter must be done with judicious consideration. The charter is affected by court decisions, federal, state legislation and constitutional considerations that may require altering, deleting or adding to the charter in order to keep it in compliance.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term? 

1) To be a consistent member of the board to represent my constituents, 2) To ensure the charter remains a functional framework for our county's government, 3) To be judicious and conservative in my decisions, considerately listening to the input of resident and the board's counsel before making decisions on issues in front of the board. 

Where do you stand: Should the CRB be proactive in initiating changes to the Charter, or should the board make recommendations based on voter desires and ideas brought to the board? 

Whether it is a member of the CRB initiating changes or a resident of the county who brings their concerns to the board, I will approach them the same. We must be conservative and protect the charter while balancing those concerns. I spent my career protecting the public and those I worked with, while making critical decisions for the best outcome. I will continue to do that for the charter and the people of Sarasota County.