Our View

When Sarasota and Manatee county voters color in their ballots on or before Aug. 26 for the primary elections, they will find most of the races will be for local offices. Keeping track of these candidates — who they are, their qualifications and what they stand for — and determining for whom to vote is a challenge.
If you haven’t already voted, to help you gain perspective, this week we provide information and recommendations on eight of the races in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSION
DISTRICT 2 — Candidates: Paul Caragiulo; Shannon Snyder
With Commissioner Joe Barbetta having reached term limits, politically ambitious Caragiulo apparently decided that marked the opportunity to end his frustration with his fellow Sarasota city commissioners and vie for a seat on a commission that actually accomplishes good work for its constituents.

For months, it looked as though Caragiulo would be the obvious successor to Barbetta — even in spite of Caragiulo’s being a member of the often dysfunctional City Commission.

But then, as bizarreness goes at City Hall, another city commissioner, Shannon Snyder, decided to challenge Caragiulo for the Republican nomination for District 2 County Commission seat.

What?

Now there are two city commissioners, neither of whom can claim a convincing record of accomplishments that have helped propel the city forward.

But now we know what’s going on. Snyder is representing anti-growth neighborhood factions as the antidote to Caragiulo’s pro-business philosophy. That group wants to break up the three-vote, pro-business block on the County Commission, and Snyder is its stalking horse.

But if you evaluate the performances of Caragiulo and Snyder during their tenures on the City Commission, Caragiulo better embraces than Snyder the Republican values of limited government, fiscal responsibility and pro-economic growth — albeit in moderation, not as a strident libertarian. Perhaps one of the convincing arguments for Caragiulo is he is sincerely motivated to do what he can as a policymaker to make Sarasota a place where his children can find good jobs and live in a thriving, beautiful community. Caragiulo would be a work horse and tough watchdog on county spending.

Recommendation: Paul Caragiulo

DISTRICT 4 — Candidates: Alan Maio; Lourdes Ramirez
This race is to fill the seat of Commissioner Nora Patterson, who also has reached her term limits.
And the candidates in this race pretty much portray the story of Sarasota County: an accomplished business owner, entrepreneur and operator whose companies created hundreds of well-paying, tax-paying jobs in Florida and helped build roads and homes for thousands of Sarasota County residents (Maio) versus one of the county’s leading neighborhood activists who advocates for tight restrictions on development (Ramirez).

Pro-growth versus restricted growth.

But here’s one of the unique aspects of this race: Maio is not as unabashedly pro-development as you might expect, and Ramirez is not unabashedly anti-business as you might expect. Call Maio center-right, albeit more right than center; and Ramirez center-left, albeit more left than center.

Maio describes his vision for Sarasota County this way: “How about a healthy dose of positive passion? I hope we can be more accepting to encouraging our young people to stay here and have businesses locate here on their own [not with subsidies, he told us], and in the process we should do no harm to the environment. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.”

Ramirez’s vision is not much different: “I’d like to see more diversity in the economy so we can have more families here.” She would like the region’s colleges and universities to collaborate with the Sarasota County Economic Development Corp. to flesh out growth in key industries — but without subsidies to corporations. And she professes fiscal frugality. “I want to see where we can save money,” she says.

In Maio and Ramirez, voters have two passionate, even-keeled candidates who have been deeply involved in their communities. Maio has the fuller resume — including stints on the county’s code enforcement board, board of zoning appeals, planning commission and the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council. Ramirez has served as president of the Siesta Key Association and Council of Neighborhood Association.

When you compare the history of the two, Ramirez inevitably would fall on the side of favoring more government restrictions on development.

Maio, throughout his 30 years in business and service in Sarasota County, has demonstrated a history of integrity, common sense and fair-mindedness.

Recommendation: Alan Maio

SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD
DISTRICT 1 — Candidates: Velton Hodges, Ken Marsh, Paul J. Schafer and Bridget Ziegler (incumbent)
This is a great lineup of candidates:

Velton Hodges, 60, is a 30-year educator in Sarasota schools and former president for 12 years of the Sarasota County teachers union.

Ken Marsh, 63, has spent 35 years in public education, retiring recently as the head of long-range planning for the Sarasota County School District. It’s not exaggerating to say no one knows more about the inner and outer workings, operations and finances of the district than does Marsh. No one.

Paul Schafer, 71, spent 37 years as a professor of reading and dean of the school of education at St. Bonaventure University and served as a county legislator and school board member in upstate New York.
Bridget Ziegler, 32, the incumbent appointed by Gov. Rick Scott, is a new mother, an insurance representative for a Sarasota company and a fireball of youthful enthusiasm for education.

Together, they would make a solid school board. Unfortunately, only one can win.

Of all the candidates, we like Hodges’ candidness. He gives you the impression he doesn’t expect to have much of a chance to win. But he told us he is running for the board seat because “there are some things I want to say.” Two things in particular:

1. “My biggest issue is we no longer have school resource officers (armed security officers) in our elementary schools. I don’t understand that decision. How can you not pay for that? It’s a matter of priorities.”

2. “I don’t see the district moving forward. It has no discernible action plan.We haven’t gone anywhere. We’re sitting still.”

Hodges says he would include teachers in that process of determining a vision and a plan. “They would own it.”

He makes good points.

So does Professor Shafer. Everything this career reading professor says makes a lot of sense. He knows the issues. He would be a good, pragmatic, common-sense board member. He’s right: There should be a community discussion about charter schools. Should there be a limit?

But when we assess the four candidates vying for this seat, the decision comes down to two: Marsh and Ziegler.

By virtue of her age, Ziegler has the thinnest CV and could be regarded as the least qualified of the four candidates. But that’s also an advantage. Her lack of experience — along with her passion and fearlessness — means she is uninhibited in challenging the status quo and establishment. She represents the next generation of parents and students, and that perspective is a fresh addition to the board.

Too often government bodies become tired and stale. They need someone to rouse the rabble, to help push an organization to the next level. Ziegler would do that well. As the appointed incumbent, she has already started.

But then there’s Marsh. For a career bureaucrat, he is full of entrepreneurial ideas. This one is good: A Pine View-like pre-K and kindergarten for struggling children.

While we strongly endorse the idea of a youthful, challenge-authority board member like Ziegler, when placed side by side with Marsh, his depth of knowledge, his relationships with key people from Tallahassee to the county administration building and his thoughtful, creative ideas are too valuable to pass up.

Recommendation: Ken Marsh or Bridget Ziegler

DISTRICT 4 — Candidates: Shirley Brown (incumbent); Helen Wolff
Kudos to Helen Wolff, mother and professional translator. Rather than just complain, she decided to try to do something about it. That “it” is Common Core.

Wolff doesn’t like the obsession with these top-down standards. Unfortunately, as a school board there is not much she could do. The Legislature dictates.

Brown, a former state representative from Sarasota, knows all about Tallahassee mandates. But she also knows as a board member she is bound by law to implement the Legislature’s laws.

While we often differ philosophically with Brown on the role of government, Brown has proven to be an effective, hard-working board member who understands the myriad issues the board faces.

Recommendation: Shirley Brown

DISTRICT 5 — Candidates: Jane Goodwin (incumbent); Randy McLendon
Randy McLendon, an Englewood Realtor and church minister, is a clear-minded, common-sense thinker who would be just as valuable to the board as, say, most of the other candidates seeking the office.

But as we’ve noted before, elections typically are referenda on the performance of incumbents. In that vein, there is no reason not to retain and re-elect Jane Goodwin. She is a careful steward of taxpayer money, and the fact her peers elected her twice to chair the board demonstrates competence and integrity.

We’ll echo to some extent former teachers union President Velton Hodges’ comment that the district “is sitting still.” Board members and the administration would argue otherwise, given all of the new Tallahassee mandates they must implement. Still, the board and district could do more to tell their story to taxpayers and where they are headed.

Nevertheless, when you think of all of the government entities in this region, the school board and district is one of the boards with the least amount of public strife. This reflects an organization that is well managed and has competent leadership. That starts at the top.

Recommendation: Jane Goodwin

12th circuit court judge
CANDIDATES: Art Jackman; Susan Maulucci

These two candidates both have earned seats on the bench.

Jackman is currently a felony division chief in the 12th Circuit’s state attorney’s office, where he has served for 18 years.

In addition, he has served 28 years — and continues to serve — as a judge advocate and colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Throughout this time, he has tried hundreds of cases of all types.

Maulucci’s experience is equally extensive, if not more so. She served seven years as an assistant state attorney in this circuit; for the next 13 years she practiced family law, with an emphasis on children and juvenile guardianships.

Since 2004, Maulucci has served as a 12th Circuit general magistrate, the equivalent of a judge but without authority to try jury cases. In this position, she has presided over family law hearings and trials and always difficult Baker Act cases.

When you talk to lawyers and judges about Maulucci, they are unequivocal: Her experience, longtime community service as an advocate for children and judicial temperament make her an outstanding candidate for circuit judge.

We recommend Maulucci, and urge Jackman to try again. His turn will come.

Recommendation: Susan Maulucci

SARASOTA HOSPITAL DISTRICT
• CENTRAL SEAT 1: Joseph DeVirgilio (incumbent); Michael A. Suthpin
• NORTHERN SEAT 1: Stefan Butz; Richard Merrill (incumbent)
• NORTHERN SEAT 2: John “Jack” Brill; Robert K. Strasser (incumbent)
• SOUTHERN SEAT 1: David Garafalo; Darryl W. Henry (incumbent)
• SOUTHERN SEAT 2: Gregory Carter (incumbent); Lydia Tower

A few weeks ago, Sarasota’s political gossip channels erupted with breathless, crisis chatter that Hospital Corporation of America was funneling $30,000 per candidate to a slate of candidates who would help HCA convert Sarasota Memorial Hospital from a public hospital to a private hospital.

Suffice it to say, it was juicy gossip, but the possibility of that actually occurring is akin to the Chicago Cubs winning a World Series.

With that issue put to rest, there is not much else in the way of controversies or incumbent board members’ performances that creates much drama for the five hospital board seats.

While the five challengers to the incumbents deserve consideration and respect for running for this office, we are choosing not to devote the space required to show the differences between the candidates. Here’s why:

All five incumbents deserve to re-elected. Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is operating as well as it ever has in the past quarter century. This is a testament to strong operating leadership and competent board oversight.

Recommendation: Joseph DeVirgilio; Richard Merrill; Robert K. Strasser; Darryl W. Henry; Gregory Carter

SARASOTA CHARTER REVIEW BOARD
Sarasota County’s elected Charter Review Board is an odd duck in Florida government. It’s the only elected charter review board.

As such, at various times in the board’s history, individuals and groups have attempted to gain control of the board to engage in political shenanigans and power plays. Some, for instance, have tried to change the board’s bylaws to give it more power outside of its mission.

One former member, for instance, thought the charter board’s role should be that of a watchdog over the County Commission. He maintained a front-row, reserved seat at all County Commission meetings to serve as the charter review board’s self-appointed watchdog over the County Commission.

In truth, that’s not the mission of the charter review board. Its job is quite narrow: It reviews and proposes changes to the Sarasota County Charter. And there is a detailed process for that.

But that’s all it is supposed to do.

It’s not visible; it’s not exciting; nor does it have any authority in the day-to-day policy making in the county. And yet, it’s important to select the right candidates. If voters are not careful, a cabal of charter review board members could turn it into a political tool.

In that vein, there are two charter review board races on the Republican ballot Aug. 26. The winners will face opponents in November.

DISTRICT 1: Paul Cajka Sr.; Steven R. Fields (incumbent)
This one is a conundrum.

Paul Cajka Sr. has been a resident of Sarasota since 1999 and is employed at Publix Super Markets. He ran for a Charter Review seat two years ago.

Cajka is well-intended. But when you talk to him about what he sees as the role of the charter review board, he says:

“I want to make it possible [in the county] for growth, opportunity and prosperity … less restrictive for property rights. But I don’t want the charter to be like the state constitution — to become a three-ring notebook.”

Translation: He would like the charter review board to do more than what its mission requires.
His opponent, incumbent Steven Fields, current chair of the board, makes some charter review board members nervous. While he is adamant about keeping an elected charter review board, Fields is active.

After he appointed a standing bylaws committee to review the board’s bylaws at the committee’s first meeting, he was the only member to show up with proposed changes to the bylaws. We were told Fields proposed 43 changes. Fields says it was only 11.

One those proposals included deleting from the bylaws the following criterion for considering amendments to the charter: “Amendments should avoid usurping the Board of County Commission’s authority.”

Fields says he proposed that at the request of a voter.

Fields knows how the system works. Cajka would need to learn.

To be on the charter review board, one of the litmus tests should be: “Do no harm.” While Cajka wants to make policy changes, his ideas would go nowhere. If elected, he could do the least damage.

Recommendation: Paul Cajka Sr.

DISTRICT 5: Bruce Dillon; Brian Slider
Bruce Dillon is the standout candidate in this race. A 1970 Venice High graduate and resident of Nokomis, Dillon has a long history of community involvement on county advisory boards — president of the Friends of Legacy Trail and Friends of Sarasota County Parks; board member of the Nokomis Area Civic Association; past chair of the Nokomis Revitaliztion Advisory Committee; and more.

Asked if the charter review board should be more active in changing the charter, he says: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Recommendation: Bruce Dillon

OBSERVER PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS
Sarasota County
NON-PARTISAN RACES
Circuit Judge Group 17 — Susan Maulucci
School Board District 1 — Ken Marsh or Bridget Ziegler
School Board District 4 — Shirley Brown
School Board District 5 — Jane Goodwin

REPUBLICAN PARTY
County Commission District 2 — Paul Caragiulo
County Commission District 4 — Alan Maio
Hospital Board Central Seat 2 — Joseph DeVirgilio
Hospital Board Northern Seat 1 — Richard Merritt
Hospital Board Northern Seat 2 — Robert Strasser
Hospital Board Southern Seat 1 — Darryl Henry
Hospital Board Southern Seat 2 — Gregory Carter
Sarasota Charter Review Board — District 1: Paul Cajka Sr.; District 5: Bruce Dillon