Sarasota Livin'

The City Commission run-off election was held Tuesday with less than 17% of registered voters going to the polls. Of those 32% only voted for one candidate.

On the one hand the voters have spoken and that is great. On the other hand most people just don't care much. The moral of the story is most of the battle is getting people to show up and if you do show up and try you can get things done..

Since I am a few days late posting on this topic most all Sarasota readers know that Ken Shelin was the big winner. He was the "challenger" calling for change and got people to the poles. Getting 3,270 votes. Ken "moves up" from the city's planning board and had been a board member of the Coalition of City Neighborhoods, Downtown Condo Assoc and St Armands Resident Assoc...

Lou Ann Palmer won a fifth term with 2,951 votes. Lou Ann has always been a true "citizen" involved in most things going on in Sarasota. She is always ready to listen and encourage people to participate.

Our current mayor (till tomorrow) Richard Martin was not re-elected. I wish Richard the best of luck and sincerely hope he will stay involved with local issues. Richard has a strong love for urban issues and the environment and was always a strong neighborhood supporter. I am sure he can use a few weeks to rest up but really hope he stays involved. Since I know you occasionally read this blog... you can guest post any time (as can most anyone that wants...)

Best of luck to all seven of the candidates that ran in the election. Sarasota is a better place for having people discussing issues and being willing to give their time to civic pursuits.