Primary Election: Charter Review Board District 4

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: Mark Hawkins
Age: 60
Family: Married, two children, seven grandchildren
Hometown: Evansville, Ind. Lived in Sarasota since 1961
Education: Manatee Community College and the University of South Florida
Relevant experience: Working with county government over the past six years.
Web site: [email protected]

What is the proper role of members of the Charter Review Board?
The proper role of a Charter Review Board member is to review the operations of the Sarasota County Government on the behalf of the citizens of Sarasota and to recommend changes for the improvement of the County Charter.

What would be your top priorities if elected?
My top priorities would be to bring myself up-to-speed on all current ongoing issues, so I can best be prepared to represent the citizens of Sarasota.

Do you have any specific amendments you would introduce to the board if elected?
I have no specific amendments to bring to the board.

A divided board voted against an amendment to abolish the county’s power to grant money to private, non-profits. Do you favor or oppose such an amendment? Why?
Since I was not at those meetings and have not had conversations with those boards on how they came to those conclusions, I believe it would be improper to comment on them.

Since it was a divided board, with lengthy discussions on both sides, you would have to believe they came to a fair conclusion. I am not a person that believes it is correct to second guess what took a long time for that board to conclude. If it is brought back while I am on the board I will take the time to work through the process before making a judgment.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
My experience working with county government over the past seven years on different boards and groups. I have also been a resident here for the past 50 years and that gives me a feel of what this county is about and what it would like to be.