On The Issues
As Sarasota continues to grow and evolve, we face both new opportunities and ongoing challenges. My focus remains on building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone can thrive. Throughout my time as your City Commissioner, I have worked to represent the values of our residents and find balanced solutions to the issues we face—from responsible development and affordable housing to public safety and environmental sustainability.
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This election is about ensuring that our city continues on a path of prosperity, while preserving the unique qualities that make Sarasota a great place to live. I am committed to addressing these challenges head-on with transparency, collaboration, and a dedication to the future of Sarasota for generations to come.
Development and Responsible Growth
I believe in responsible growth policies where development pays for itself, infrastructure is prioritized, and traffic mitigation strategies are consistently exercised. Unlike Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota is fully built out, so most of our decisions deal with the redevelopment of existing structures; as a commissioner, I prioritize making sure that redevelopment is compatible with the surrounding uses. We must ensure any redevelopment is done thoughtfully without sacrificing the character of our city. We need to prioritize infrastructure upgrades to accommodate growth and ensure they are done responsibly, where costs are not subsidized by the taxpayers.
Public Safety
Public safety is a cornerstone of a thriving community, and I am proud of the strides we've made in Sarasota. Thanks to record investments in our police and fire departments, we have achieved historically low crime rates across many areas of the city. However, we cannot become complacent. We must stay one step ahead by continuing to support our first responders with the resources and training they need to serve and protect all neighborhoods. I also believe in fostering strong relationships between law enforcement and the community, ensuring that public safety efforts are both effective and equitable. Together, we can maintain a safe and secure Sarasota for all residents.
Sarasota Performing Arts Center
While Sarasota is undeniably a city of the arts, we must carefully consider how we approach the development and funding of the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Before making final decisions, we must have all the data, including cost estimates and community input. The potential $300 million price tag requires scrutiny to ensure taxpayer Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars are spent wisely. I believe in maintaining an open dialogue with the public as we evaluate the project’s future.
Workforce Housing
In recent years, our city has taken unprecedented steps toward increasing affordable and workforce housing, but there’s more work to do. We must incentivize small-scale workforce housing projects and allow for additional density to provide more attainable housing. Eliminating barriers to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and using underutilized spaces are essential components of this strategy. Additionally, allowing for the “missing middle” in housing and converting vacant commercial spaces into residential units are crucial steps to ensuring our city remains livable for all.
Water Quality and the Environment
Sarasota’s natural beauty and its waterways are essential to our community’s identity and economy. That’s why I have supported significant environmental initiatives, including the conservation easement over Bobby Jones Golf Course, protecting a historic 262 acres from development and preserving a watershed that filters BILLIONS of gallons of water every year, cleansing it before it washes into our bay. I am committed to ensuring water quality remains a top priority by continuing investments in water infrastructure and promoting sustainable growth policies that minimize environmental impact.
Homelessness
Addressing homelessness requires a compassionate, multi-faceted approach. While immediate relief is necessary, long-term solutions involve addressing root causes like mental health, substance abuse, and economic instability. I support a collaborative, comprehensive strategy that combines city resources, local organizations, and residents to provide short-term aid and long-term pathways out of homelessness. I’ve served on the board of directors for the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and have seen a drastic reduction in homelessness; we used to have over 1200 homeless individuals in 2014 and presently have less than 150.
Historic Preservation
Sarasota’s rich architectural and cultural heritage is integral to our community’s identity. Preserving iconic structures is essential. I believe the Van Wezel should either be preserved for its historical value—potentially as an open-air theater—or leased to an organization committed to its preservation. We must balance historic preservation with forward-thinking redevelopment that serves Sarasota's future. I believe the city should be more discerning about its historic preservation policy because, as I’ve said before, if everything that has aged is deemed historic, then nothing is historic.
Downtown Sarasota Master Plan
The Downtown Sarasota Master Plan has made our city more pedestrian-friendly and vibrant, but it’s due for an update. I support changes like using rooftop spaces for green areas or events, expanding sidewalks, beautifying streets, and converting vacant commercial spaces into attainable housing. I also support additional density in the downtown core to create more workforce housing and make our city more livable for everyone.
Infrastructure & Transportation
Intelligent infrastructure investments are the only way to achieve sustainable growth. I’ve supported efforts to improve transportation options, such as our Artificial Intelligence traffic light system, e-scooters, and the award-winning open-air trolley system connecting downtown to the beaches (The Bay Runner). Moving forward, we must continue to invest in transportation solutions, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and water infrastructure to ensure Sarasota remains accessible and livable for future generations.
Protecting & Enhancing Our Parks
Our parks are vital to Sarasota's quality of life, and during my time on the City Commission, we have made significant investments to enhance and protect these spaces. We placed completely renovated and reopened Bobby Jones Golf Park AND placed it under a conservation easement, ensuring preservation of 262 acres of green space, the most ever in our city's history. During my first time, we approved and saw the completion of phase 1 of The Bay Park, completely remodeled the children's playground in Bayfront Park, and created Overtown Park in the Rosemary District. In addition, we delivered millions in park improvements, particularly in District 3, and introduced Wi-Fi access in many parks as part of a new initiative. These efforts ensure our parks remain accessible, vibrant, and reflective of our community’s needs.