CANDIDATE PROFILE: Frank DiCicco, County Commission District 1

In advance of the Aug. 30 primary election, the Sarasota Observer is asking local candidates about the issues impacting their races. This week, we spoke to the Republican candidates vying for the District 1 seat on the Sarasota County Commission.

Frank DiCicco

Party: Republican
Age: 52
Hometown: Mahwah, N.J.
Occupation: Sales professional/mediator

Why do you want to serve on the County Commission?

I’m in my third year as president of our homeowners association in Myakka Valley Ranches. There had been a lot of problems out in that subdivision when I got involved. We had a board of 11 people, and nothing got done — there was not a lot of unity. I got on the board, and I began working toward uniting the board, which worked; it came out very well.

In conjunction with that, we’re noticing there’s a lot of growth going on on the other end of I-75, which affects a lot of the communities I’m working with out there. People started feeling like growth was out of control, roads weren’t being addressed, the environment, schools, traffic — the usual issues. My neighborhood and other people out east of 75 encouraged me to run. They felt it seemed a handful of developers were kind of just doing projects all over Sarasota and that a lot of things weren’t being addressed to really benefit the taxpayers.

My whole platform is based on what I call responsible growth. I do agree that we need growth. You can’t not have growth. On the same token, it’s gotta make sense. We shouldn’t be focusing on a lot of new projects when you have other areas that need attention. This whole Venice library being closed is an issue, River Road not being upgraded. These are the things people are telling me.

We shouldn’t be focusing on a lot of new projects when you have other areas that need attention.

What do you think are the top three issues facing Sarasota County that the commission would have to address in your term?

I think that growth is going to be huge. I believe that our infrastructure, roads and traffic are going to be huge as well. I know they kind of tie in together, but there are areas where there’s not growth but the roads need to be fixed, like River Road.

Third, I think, is the homeless issue. I’ve walked up and down Main Street, and businesses — they’re beside themselves with this homeless issue.

What’s your stance on the county’s pursuit of a come-as-you-are homeless shelter and jail diversion program?

You need a shelter. The problem’s going to be location. And you have a big issue between the city and county over where it’s going to be. Until you can work the geographical location, the shelter discussion is kind of a moot point.

I think that the cities and the county have to work together on this, or quite frankly it’s not going to be to anyone’s benefit

Having a shelter would probably be a good idea. If it’s far away, how are they going to get to their services? If it’s not far away, are they going to go back to the shelter and hang around downtown anyway? It’s a serious problem. I think that the cities and the county have to work together on this, or quite frankly it’s not going to be to anyone’s benefit.

What is your position on the proposed project to dredge Big Pass and renourish Lido Key? 

Here’s my take on that: Those are very sensitive issues on both sides. That’s one of those scenarios where — and I’ve never had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with either group — but I think it’s something where commissioners have to have workshops, meet with these groups, understand both sides of it, see if there’s any way to come to a compromise. And if not, come to a decision — who is it in the best interest for to go in what direction? I can’t, at this point in time, give you an answer saying here’s my position

I’m telling you — it’s the approach. If you don’t approach it correctly and you make a decision, you’re guaranteed to upset half of the people involved. I think that’s the wrong approach. If you try to to sit down and understand it, there’s got to be a way to resolve this in a way that’s fair for everyone. And if not, then you’ve got to make the tough decision. But at least try that. 

I think if you’re going to be anti-growth, it’s going to be very, very difficult — because that doesn’t help our community.

How would you differentiate yourself from previous county commission candidates who were concerned about growth?

Sometimes, they come across as being anti-growth. That’s not me. I disagree with that completely. I think if you’re going to be anti-growth, it’s going to be very, very difficult, because that doesn’t help our community. Secondly, I feel I have a huge positive approach toward bringing business here. I will work with the EDC; I understand some of their focuses. We have a great place to live and we have a low tax base, and the state of Florida doesn’t have income tax.

We can attract businesses here that are going to be able to provide long-term higher paying jobs, as well as lower paying jobs. There’s all different sorts of future businesses emerging. It’s very expensive for them to set up shop in Silicon Valley ... They’re looking for other parts of the country to begin setting up shop. 

What’s one recent issue you would have handled differently than the county actually did?

I’m concerned about the rewriting of the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan and the 2050 plan were written years ago to address future land growth, especially east of I-75 from University all the way down to North Port. Granted, you have to be able to grow with the times. You can’t go into a situation and make it very developer-friendly. I’m not saying to make it anti-development, because then that’s the other side of the pendulum. But you need to have things like impact fees, or the taxpayers are going to pay.

You need to have things like impact fees, or the taxpayers are going to pay.

One of the arguments that I’ve heard is, if the impact fees are there and high, the developer will pass the cost onto the new homebuyer. I get that, but the person who’s buying the new home wants to buy the new home. It’s not that much money you’re talking about, but to pass it on to the taxpayers — who aren’t going to be living in that subdivision and, quite frankly, are suffering through the development with roads and traffic — I don’t really think that’s fair.