My View: County citizens deserve better

As citizens of Sarasota County, we are blessed with our respective slices of “paradise.” Whether it be world-renowned beaches, the cultural elements, the great expanse and diversity of the county land and the terrific, unassuming people!

Yes, it is all great, and we should each strive to continually make it better. However, without active citizens, I am fearful that with the upcoming elections Sarasota County could start falling into the abyss of the city of Sarasota.

I have lived in Sarasota — mostly in the city — since 2010 and have enjoyed the many attributes and quality of life. However, I am continuously dismayed at what I see or don’t see out of our elected city officials.

We deserve better!

Now two city commissioners — Paul Caragiulo and Shannon Snyder — want us to “promote” them to county commissioners. From my perspective, a promotion comes when one excels and has achievements worthy of mention.

While I prefer to focus on optimism when it comes to Sarasota, it is difficult when one lays out some of the decision making and actions, in no particular order, of our city commissioners:

• Lift Station 87. The original cost of the project was $9 million, and it was to be completed in late 2012. It is August 2014, nowhere near complete, and the latest estimate is for $27 million. No accountability from the city other than to hire a PR firm to soothe the pain.

• Homeless Shelter. Whether for it or against it, we have now spent how much time and dollars debating the issue and are no closer to a resolution — other than daily front-page news. What is the long-term PR cost to tourism?

• Police accreditation. How concerned and embarrassed should we be that we cannot get our city police department accredited?

• Parking Meters Downtown. How long did it take to make a decision, and then reverse the decision and at what cost to the city?

• Parking Garage on Palm Avenue. It was needed and is used. However, what was the original cost estimate, then what was the decision making like to sell or lease and at what cost? Did the city officials do such a good job that they should now become developers on State Street?

Of course, all of this leads to a situation in which, by any reasonable means, the city of Sarasota is bankrupt. It is running an annual deficit and certainly has no way to pay the more than $300 million in unfunded pension liabilities.

Imagine the utilization of the dollars wasted on parking meters and garages and lift stations if instead they had been prudently invested in the future of Sarasota.

While all of this can’t be laid only at the feet of Commissioners Snyder and Caragiulo, they were elected to get things done and should be held accountable.

In the case of Mr. Caragiulo, he goes so far as to state on his website that he is “bringing a small-business owner’s perspective to county government.” If the city results are any indication, then perhaps the residents of Sarasota County are better off without that perspective.

Imagine the opportunities for the county and city of Sarasota with the progressive and decisive leaders we deserve. For instance:

• Bay-front development. We have perhaps the choicest bay-front opportunity in Florida, which could be a productive attraction for residents and tourists alike for decades to come. We need a supportive plan!

• Downtown. It is now at risk as retailers and restaurateurs move to University Town Center. Let’s come up with a plan to encourage people to mingle, shop and dine downtown, as opposed to heading east. Done in conjunction with the bay front, we could be pioneers for Sarasota like John Ringling and Owen Burns.

Let’s embrace the future of change and influence it with common-sense approaches — not be afraid of it with undue restrictions and regulations. With our government of today, there would be no Sarasota for John Ringling and Owen Burns to imagine.

In the end, Sarasota residents — today and tomorrow — deserve thoughtful leadership. I am neither for nor against any candidates mentioned herein or on the ballot. Rather, I hope the citizens of Sarasota demand leadership that is worthy of the task and promote or elect those who have earned it.

Joel A. Schleicher is a resident of Sarasota and CEO of Cyber Risk Management LLC.