Election Q&A: Charter Review Board District 1

Editor’s note: As the Aug. 14 primary election draws near, the Sarasota Observer will publish profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent the area.

Race Overview
Sarasota County is one of only 21 charter counties in Florida — counties that are governed in the operational structure by a charter, similar to a constitution. But Sarasota is the only county with a board elected by voters, not appointed by commissions.

The Sarasota County Charter Review Board reviews and recommends changes to the county charter, representing residents. If it votes to make a change to the charter, the change must be approved by voters in a referendum.

The races are generally low profile as there is no salary for the positions and their power is limited. There has been a little more profile to some of the races this year with splits between candidates backed by the so-called Republican establishment and candidates backed by various Tea Party organizations.

Name: Paul A. Cajka Sr.
Age: 55
Family: Wife Emily, 51; Son Paul II, 27; Daughter Jennifer, 27; Stepdaughter Nicole, 21
Hometown: Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Education: Graduate, Mount Lebanon High School, 1975; Pennsylvania State University, bachelor’s degree in economics, 1979
Relevant experience: Retired from U.S. Naval Reserve, 26 years (11 yrs Navy Active Duty, 15 yrs Naval Reserve); 20 years of community involvement through the Republican Party of Virginia Beach, VA and the Republican Party of Sarasota.
Website: No website; email [email protected]

What is the proper role of members of the Charter Review Board?
The proper role of Charter Review Board members is to carefully consider and review suggested amendments for improvement of the county government for approval by voter referendum.

What would be your top priorities if elected?
I want to maintain the independence of the Charter Review Board that election to the Charter Review Board provides. Amendments should be considered by content and impact, rather than the source of the amendments.

Do you have any specific amendments you would introduce to the Board if elected?
Requiring realistic traffic density measurements by limiting them to the period of October to April.

A divided board voted against an amendment to abolish the county’s power to grant money to private nonprofits. Do you favor or oppose such an amendment? Why?
I'd like to reconsider this amendment. Why does the county want to grant money to private nonprofits? Is it for providing needed services the county cannot do without or for organizations that could be funded by private donors?

What makes you a better candidate than your opponents?
I have a wide experience of other parts of the country through my U.S. Naval career postings. I'll also treat my position on the Charter Review Board as a public trust. I'll attend all meetings of the CRB and prepare for each one in a view to make a positive contribution every time.

Name: Joseph Anthony (Tony) Sawyer
Age: A young 72.
Family: Married to Carol Ann Sawyer for 38 most wonderful years.
Hometown: Born in Lisbon, Portugal; retired to Sarasota, 14 years ago.
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science; Juris Doctorate degree.
Relevant Experience: Staff attorney, Legal Aid Society; Volunteer Public Defender; Assistant City Prosecutor; Senior Assistant City Prosecutor; City Prosecutor; Chief Attorney/Civil Division; Chief Trial Counsel; City Attorney/Director of Law; Member of the Board of Directors of the Meadows Community Association; President of the Board of Directors of the Meadows Community Association; Member of the Sarasota County Board of Zoning Appeals; Vice Chair of the Sarasota County Board of Zoning Appeals.

What is the proper role of members of the Charter Review Board?
The main purpose of the Charter Review Board is to "review and recommend changes to the County Charter for the improvement of county government."

The members of the Charter Review Board must take into consideration the fact that their functions and decisions have serious implications and consequences in how county government in Sarasota County is conducted. The members of the Charter Review Board must seriously consider all opinions and points of view, be they generated by themselves, members of the public or other elected officials.

To fully and honestly discharge their functions, the members of the Charter Review Board should not come to the table, so to speak, with preconceived notions and/or agendas.

What would be your top priorities if elected?
I would be extremely proud and privileged to be elected to such an important position. I would view my election as having been entrusted with a position, which must be protected and discharged with absolute integrity and honesty. In all the years that I have been in public service, while I surely have made my share of mistakes, there has never been a situation that did not pass the test of honesty and integrity.

Do you have any specific amendments that you would introduce to the Board if elected?
No, not at the present time. But that does not mean that if elected I would not advance and support worthwhile amendments to the charter.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent(s)?
I do not know my two opponents, but I must give them credit for wanting to serve our community by either volunteering for or seeking public office, especially if the latter is an uncompensated position.

While I cannot compare myself to my opponents, I should point out that my dedication to public service is not a late-coming concept in my life. All of my working life has been dedicated to public service, including my retired life. Not having had the privilege of being born in this great country of ours, I have tried to the best of my ability to make my country of adoption the best that it can be.

Name: H. Ross Gustafson
Age: 69
Family: My parents, Bob and Elva Gustafson, lived in Sarasota from 1975 until their passing. Elva was 99 when she passed in 2011. We have a son Eric living in Sarasota with his family and a daughter Lynn living with her family in Indiana.
Hometown: My wife Claire and I came to Sarasota from Massachusetts in 1975 and have lived and worked in the area ever since.
Education: I attended Guilford College in North Carolina
Relevant experience: I have not served in public office before, but my life experience at work and in church has given me the ability to be quick to listen and slow to judge.

What is the proper role of members of the Charter Review Board?
To allow good ideas, on how to improve Sarasota County government, go to a referendum vote by the people of the county. Board members must listen to all ideas presented and research what the effect and cost would be to the county. The members of the Board must invest time, patience and effort.

What would be your top priorities if elected?
First, a board member must listen to all with an open mind.

Do you have any specific amendments you would introduce to the board if elected?
I have no agenda, but would review all proposals in the light of the principles written into the U.S. Constitution.

A divided board voted against an amendment to abolish the county’s power to grant money to private nonprofits. Do you favor or oppose such an amendment? Why?
I have not heard both sides of the question on grant money to private nonprofits; I reserve judgment.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
I am ready to devote the time and effort required to be responsive to the needs of Sarasota County.