Friday, May 8, 2015

Just a few of the 304 comments by Citizens of Sarasota about Argus and Robinson - have you signed?

Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government
Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government








The obligation of a Sarasota County Commissioner to serve the public interest must not be compromised by competing responsibilities to a special interest group. We the signatories call upon Christine Robinson to step down as Argus Foundation Executive Director, or resign the Sarasota County Commission. It is an unacceptable conflict of interest to do both jobs at the same time.

Background: Last November, Christine Robinson accepted an offer to serve as executive director of the Argus Foundation in 2015. The Argus Foundation represents the interests of over 170 members from development, legal, financial and other business sectors. Argus lobbies County government on a variety of issues, including impact fees, land use decisions and SRQ Airport governance. Argus also lobbies the City of Sarasota on issues including elected mayor, strong City manager, Newton redevelopment, and Downtown development. The executive director of Argus frequently weighs in with City and County Commissioners on these and other issues.

The Argus website states "The Argus Foundation has established liaisons with city, county, state and federal governments.....Activities of the various governmental bodies are monitored and positions are taken on selected issues. With the broad background and practical expertise of the members of The Argus Foundation, we are in a position to advise and assist public officials in decisions that will affect the life-style, environment and economic well-being of our area now and in the future." http://argusfoundation.org/

Argus is a long established local lobbying organization. This is Conflict of Interest 101. In DC elected officials leave office before working as lobbyists. This ill-considered move by a Sarasota County Commissioner sets a much lower standard.

As Mollie Cardamone, former Mayor of the City of Sarasota put it "Christine Robinson cannot represent both the citizens who elected her and the Argus members, the employers who are paying for her support and leadership in accomplishing their goals. Will she go out front to the podium and state the case for Argus like [former Argus Executive Director] Kerry [Kirschner] did and then run around to her commission seat and vote? It is my opinion she cannot serve two masters!"

Mrs. Robinson cannot faithfully execute her duties to the public free from undue influence while she is also Executive Director of Argus. We call on Christine Robinson to do the right thing. Embrace sound ethical standards. Resolve this conflict of interest. Step down as Argus Foundation Executive Director, or resign the Sarasota County Commission. It is an unacceptable conflict of interest to do both.

HIGHLIGHT

February 17
We are now live!

    COMMENTS


    John C. Minder

    Feb 17, 2015

    Argus Foundation, Inc. Executive Director or Sarasota County Board of County Commissioner but not both at the same time. I have been a member of the Argus Foundation Inc. since 1985 and I have lived in Sarasota County for the past 34 years . I am a Registered Professional Engineer and a Registered Professional Surveyor in the State of Florida. I am the President of Minder & Associates Engineering Corporation, a 29 year old Consulting Engineering, Landscape Architecture And Surveying & Mapping Firm located in Sarasota County. I am appalled at The Sarasota County Attorney advising Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson that she did not have a Conflict of Interest by accepting the Professional Position of Executive Director of the Argus Foundation, inc. while continuing to serve as a Sarasota County Commissioner. I have told Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson that I will support her as the Executive Director of the Argus Foundation, Inc. or I will support her as Sarasota County Commissioner but I will not support her as serving in both positions at the same time. I have served on numerous Argus Foundation, Inc. Committees and I have served on Numerous Sarasota County Committees in the thirty four years I have lived in Sarasota County and it is my professional opinion that Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson has a Direct Conflict of Interest by serving as a Sarasota County Commissioner while also serving as the Executive Director of the Argus Foundation, Inc.

  • charles hickey
  • Apr 19, 2015
  • resign
  • Apr 16, 2015
    business as usual in Sarasota County
  • Apr 16, 2015
    politics as usual in Sarasota County
  • Apr 15, 2015
    You cannot ethically serve two masters
  • Apr 14, 2015
    A 5 year old can see this is an obvious conflict.
  • Apr 14, 2015
    let her be with argus, and run her out of office.
  • Apr 14, 2015
    Keep up the good work.
  • Apr 14, 2015
    Appears that this is a conflict of interest
  • Apr 12, 2015
    I have much respect for the volume of knowledge and hard work which Commissioner Robinson brings to her work: but the appearance of impropiety is undeniable and should be eliminated. One job on behalf of her constituents is all the people of Sarasota require -- and desire.
  • Apr 11, 2015
    You have no shame, however, WE do and you are an embarresment.
  • Apr 11, 2015
    Beyond anyone's idea of reasonable ethics.
  • Apr 07, 2015
    She must resign,not hang on.
  • Apr 06, 2015
    Make a choice.
  • Apr 06, 2015
    Please step down from the County Commission. It is way too clear with whom your loyalties lie;
  • Apr 04, 2015
    It is time to choose one
  • Apr 04, 2015
    This is wrong on its face. Blatant disregard for Ethics 101.
  • Apr 04, 2015
    Please resign from one of them

  • Apr 04, 2015
    Reinforces thebeliefthatthe commissioners are corrupted ineptly violates ethical standards.
  • Apr 03, 2015
    Step down!
  • Apr 03, 2015
    this is clearly a conflict of interest.
  • Apr 03, 2015
    It's not a question of wheather Argus does business with the county which is her argument. It's about peddling influence for people and corp. In front of the Board. She can't have it both ways.
  • Apr 02, 2015
    as a native of sarasota born here 53yrs ago..as well as mother in 1939..this women needs to go ,,you cant have it both ways and im sick of these people coming into MY town and ruining it ..no more building ..ANYWHERE
  • Apr 02, 2015
    Public interests must not be compromised by competing interests.
  • Apr 02, 2015
    Sure smells fishy to me!
  • Apr 02, 2015
    Sad abuse of power for self interest pocket lining
  • Apr 02, 2015
    this is absolutely ridiculous she needs to resign from one or the other.
  • Margie HansonUnited States, Sarasota
    Apr 02, 2015
    Huge conflict ! Step down !
  • Apr 02, 2015
    We have more than enough conflict of interest in Sarasota County. Get bout or step down.
  • Apr 02, 2015
    If her constituents regard this as a conflic of interest, and they clearly do, an Elected representatives of the people
  • Apr 02, 2015
    So disapointed in the Republican party for its opinion on this conflict of interest! I am a Republican.....but this one stinks!
  • Apr 01, 2015
    What are you thinking?
  • Apr 01, 2015
    It borders on criminal to have the fox in the hen house...and this is what is happening.
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Terrible conflict of interest!
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Planning and growth, not growth then planning
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Thanks
  • Apr 01, 2015
    It is my understanding that employees of Sarasota County are required to avoid even the appearance of impropriety or a conflict of interest. I believe that if this standard is good enough for the "little" people then this same standard should be upheld by our County Commissioners. Please choose Argus or the Sarasota County Commission.


  • Apr 01, 2015
    The information on the left, mote than speaks for itself.
  • Apr 01, 2015
    I feel Commissioner Robinson will resign from one or the other before too long a time.
  • Apr 01, 2015
    It is so important that the people's business be conducted by someone who puts them first above special interest groups. It would seem that Commissioner Robinson's ability to be impartial would be seriously compromised by holding both positions.
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Please do what is best for the public that elected you to serve the people of this community. Please resign from either the County Commission or Argus. Your choice. Do what is right.
  • Apr 01, 2015
    You cannot serve the best interest of the citizens while lobbying for business interests. One or the other - choose and quit one!
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Dual relationships lead to conflicts of interest!
  • Apr 01, 2015
    The fact that citizens have to resort to a petition to demand that this individual steps down from one of these 2 positions demonstrates the degree of arrogance and poor judgement that Ms. Robinson appears to have.
  • Apr 01, 2015
    Greed & Incompetence!
  • Apr 01, 2015
    This is definitely a conflict of interest!
  • Apr 01, 2015
    resign

    • Apr 01, 2015
      Ms Robinson needs to pick who she wants to represent.
    • Apr 01, 2015
      she should distamce herself!
    • Apr 01, 2015
      We need people that are for responsible building, not over building. It's people like this that are helping to destroy our community
    • Apr 01, 2015
      Your actions are making the County look pathetic.
    • Apr 01, 2015
      don't we have enough politians who try to serve 2 masters, where are the Peoples representatives???
    • Kelly RaganUnited States, Sarasota
      Apr 01, 2015
      Kelly Ragan
    • Apr 01, 2015
      Can only choose one job. Either commissioner or Foundation Executive Director, not both
    • Mar 31, 2015
      no doubt a conflict of interest!
    • Mar 31, 2015
      Seems like this ia conflict of interest as described in F.S. Chap. 112
    • Mar 31, 2015
      Florida
    • Mar 31, 2015
      Walks like a duck
    • Mar 31, 2015
      Step down from one or the other
    • Mar 31, 2015
      really what kind of integrity does this woman exhibit to? REALLY.
    • Mar 31, 2015
      Thanks for your service
    • Mar 31, 2015
      Make the ethical decision. Resign from one of the groups.
    • Mar 31, 2015
      preservr our opne land. Do what you were elected to do.
    • Mar 31, 2015
      This is dirty politics and disgusting. We the people are tired of politicians and local govt officials playing games with taxpayer money.
    • Mar 31, 2015
      another corrupt government official

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