Sarasota City Hall needs an attitude adjustment

 From an editorial that appeared in the Herald Tribune, Dec. 26:

Mollie Cardamone

A recent email exchange between Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown and City Attorney Robert Fournier exposed some of the dynamics that have resulted in the public,and the public interest,being locked out of the policymaking process. At a Dec. 7 workshop on the topic of bars and nightclubs,it was revealed that Fournier had not been brought into the process of drafting the language proposed by the planning staff. It also became clear that Fournier had material concerns about the legal implications of how the planning staff was approaching the issue. But on Dec. 8, Fournier wrote that he decided not to offer substantive comments on the staff's presentation because he knew from past experience that it might "engender a strong negative reaction (from the planning staff) and might result in an argument I had no interest in having." 

Sadly, this closely resembles the daily experiences of many Sarasota citizens; too often, the city's planning staff holds one-way conversations with residents and neighborhood organizations in our community. In short: Residents are viewed as obstacles to be avoided or dismissed. Educated analysis is ignored or denigrated. Facts are not provided to support proposals or legislation. And the planning staff apparently doesn't listen to City Manager Brown either. On Dec. 11, Brown revealed the true depth of the staff's general truculence when he wrote the following to Fournier: "What you and I discussed at lunch was staff being wedded to their 2/2 positions on (zoning text amendments) and not willing to move. I talk to them about that all the time." 

Clearly, the time has come to put the public back into "public service." And it must start with reminding the city commissioners, the city management and the city staff that the residents of Sarasota – their constituents – are at the top of the city’s organizational chart. 

What does this mean? It means realizing that planning starts with planning for people. It means understanding that laws exist for a reason. It means accepting that regulations should not be changed without careful analysis – or without active involvement from citizens regarding the possible consequences for the public at large. 

And it means that when it comes to weighing private profits versus public safety, the long term sustainability and livability of the city must always take precedence. Until the next election, our power lies in making sure our voices are heard by our elected officials. 

It's now time for us to ask our elected officials to direct City Manager Brown to take immediate steps to remind staff members that they serve the citizens of Sarasota.

Mollie Cardamone

Mollie Cardamone is a former city commissioner and current member of the endorsement committee of CityPAC, which is using Bill Sadowski’s “Creed for Public Service” as one of its four measures of qualifications for the position of Sarasota city commissioner in 2024. She encourages citizens to contact city officials at citycommissioners@sarasotafl.gov