Commissioner Al Maio says 60% of Sarasota's voters must have been confused when they voted for Single Member Districts back in 2018. The County Commission has asked the Charter Review Board to look into whether that citizen initiative should be reversed. The CRB meets Wednesday, May 19, at 6 pm to consider that possibility.
Here's how to attend that meeting and give them piece of your mind
If you can't get there in person,
Write to them - the email addresses are below. Here's what folks are writing to Mr. Maio:
Hey, Al:
I saw that you have said you are waiting for that one person who is happy with Single-Member Districts: wait no longer…I am very happy with them! I’m not even the slightest bit confused.
Best,
Z
Bill Zoller
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I’m very confused about Al Maio’s comments and his confusion. We all worked hard on this much needed change for many years. Just like the countless hours out in on the 2050 plan, which has now become the victim of death by a thousand small cuts.
Ray Porter
.....
The only people who benefit from going back to the countywide campaign format are the candidates who are funded by the 5 or 6 developers who are hell-bent on developing every inch of the county. But you already knew that, because you are those very candidates. You will succeed in reversing the will of the people by claiming that we didn’t know what we were voting for, and it’s a done deal. You have all the leverage, with enough money to ensure re-election, and the people have none. I have no illusions on that score. But I don’t have to like it. I hope I live long enough to see you judged by history.
Andre Mele.....
I hope each and everyone of you will consider the value of integrity in relationships to citizen's voting for Single Member Districts.
I entered a county public records request a few years ago when Commissioner Detert began her claims that she had received tons of questions from constituents about their confusion over Single Member Districts. The records request search showed that Commissioner Detert had received zero emails from any citizen living in Sarasota about being confused about SMDs. This implies that Commissioner Detert had either been bombarded by constituents while she was out grocery shopping or playing golf. Or she is simply lying.
Integrity in relationship to the value of a person's vote is something that Florida political leaders allude they care deeply about.
With Governor DeSantis' recent voting law being passed, I hope each member of the Charter Review Board will take their role seriously and respect the will of the voters that passed Single Member Districts. Voters took the time to vote in favor of SMDs; there is an implication that the people of Sarasota who vote are stupid when Commissioner Maio and Detert continue to say that we didn't know what we were voting for. We knew what we were voting for and just because Commissioners don't like the the way the vote turned out does not mean they should twist the reality of stating people are clamoring for SMDs to be dissolved.
At the very least, a real survey, that Commissioner Detert said would be conducted, should be done before anything is changed in relation to Single Member Districts in Sarasota County. The survey should be developed, without leading questions and the survey then should be executed by the Sarasota Republican party, the Sarasota Democrat party and whomever is leading the Libertarian party. This way voters are reached and have the ability to really give you the feedback that is needed.
Respectfully,
Adrien Lucas---
Dear Commissioner Maio:
The Sarasota News Leader states you said "After he tells constituents how Single-Member Districts functions, Maio pointed out, “Not one of those people walks away very happy. They are upset. … I’m still waiting for that [one] person [to say he or she is happy about the election system], and I’m never going to meet that person, ’cause they can’t possibly be happy” about having a single vote for representation on the County Commission.”
Well meet yours truly that was delighted and EXTREMELY HAPPY to see the single member district initiative pass and by such a large margin – 60%
We are not “confused” or “misinformed”. We need to be represented at the Commission level by the majority of those residing in our district and no one else. Under the at large election system, a candidate could technically win the majority vote of their district but LOSE the election. How in your mind does that make sense?
What I am VERY unhappy with is the notion that the way you get elected affects how you operate. It's a very poor rationale. Do we in Florida currently vote for every district race in the Florida House and Senate? No, we vote only for our own districts. And guess what? It works. Commissioner Detert, as past member of the Florida House and Senate, would you support all Floridians voting for each candidate running for the Florida House and Senate? Would that makes sense to you? Would you like t run that campaign? I doubt it. It is ludicrous logic.
I urge the Charter Review Board members to respect the voters wishes and turn down the Commissions request to review this issue at the May 19th meeting. If Commissioner Maio is correct then all the “unhappy” voters should be willing to get the 10% required signatures for a petition to put this issue on the ballot. That is the only way it should get on the ballot.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Marilynne Martin
Venice======
No confusion over single-member districts
Regarding an article about Sarasota County commissioners scheming to overturn single-member voting districts, and their comments regarding confused voters: I am not confused, I do know what I voted for and I want single-member districts (“Sarasota County Commission looks to redistrict again and repeal voter approved initiative,” April 22)! I have lived here for over 50 years and am an active registered Republican who will do all I can to vote every one of our deceitful, money-grubbing, development- loving commissioners out of office. I will be “pretty glad and absolutely delighted” when they are gone!
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Members of the Charter Review Board:The 2018 decision by Sarasota voters to move to a Single Member District electoral structure was neither an aberrant impulse nor the result of voter confusion, despite what some elected officials reportedly are saying.In actuality, the effort was rational, thorough, and due to the work of many who believe that district-specific issues and interests deserve careful public attention during the campaigns of those seeking to represent us. The clear way to do this is to give a district focus to each candidate's campaign.Why allow 4/5ths of the county's entire voter base to decide who will best represent the specific interests of residents of North Port, Venice, or other portions of Sarasota? The result of that system has thrown into doubt whether a Commissioner in fact knows and represents the interest of residents of his/her district, or whether other interests -- financial, ideological, etc. -- took precedence.Whether or not this doubt is valid, it is there, and will hang over every Sarasota office holder so long as specific district representation is suppressed.I commend to your attention this article on the history of Single Member Districts in Sarasota County, and ask that the CRB show open and rational consideration of these concerns when it takes up this question.
Tom MatrulloDistrict 134241
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To the Charter Review Board:
With overwhelming approval by all five Districts in 2018, Sarasota County voters endorsed the election of Commissioners by Single-Member Districts (SMD). To get a 60% mandate requires support from Democrats, Republicans and NPA/Independents. Voters were clear that they want District-level representation and accountability. The SMD ballot language was simple and concise—not confusing.
In November, 2020, three County Commissioners were successfully elected by SMD. Yet just two weeks later, the same Commission began sewing seeds of discontent with direct representation. So with only a three of five Commissioners elected by SMD, and before allowing any time whatsoever to assess how well it could work, the CRB has been asked to review SMD.
Please respect the voters’ will. Allow SMD an opportunity to run a full four-year course.
After all five Districts have at least two years experience with SMD, feel free to assess its viability.
Reasons for maintaining SMD:
- 19 FL counties currently elect their Commissioners by SMD---both smaller and larger than Sarasota (e.g., Collier, Broward and PB). These counties recognize the value of direct representation which also requires a commitment from Commissioners to serve the best interests of the entire County.
https://www.fl-counties.com/
- SMD is a long-accepted method of representation. The FL Legislature (House/Senate) and the US Congress are elected by SMD, and the FL/US Senates have staggered terms. Are voters confused when they elect State and US Legislators? Should the FL Legislature convert to At-Large voting----with Fort Lauderdale voters deciding who represents Sarasota County in Tallahassee? If SMD is so wrong for Sarasota County, maybe it’s also wrong for Tallahassee.
- 60% of Sarasota County voters endorsed SMD in 2018. The BoCC is suggesting that voters were “confused” by the ballot language. Please review the SMD ballot language at your meeting and show county residents how clearly it’s written.
- A current County Commissioner was also elected as a FL State Senator by SMD. So SMD was okay then, but not now? This Commissioner was just re-elected by SMD in District 5. Dist. 5 voters were not confused about what they were voting for.
Please respect the voters’ will and allow SMD an opportunity to run a full four-year course. Assess the value of SMD---but only after all five Districts have ample experience with it.
Pat Rounds
Sarasota County, District 1
34235
Write your own note to the CRB - and copy the Commissioners
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