Voter Guide 2018 general election final

1 Voter S Guide SARASOTA COUNTY general election Nov. 6, 2018 Charter Review Board District 1, 2, 5 City of North Port Commissioner District Seat 4, 5 City of Venice Council Member Seat 3 County Commission District 2, 4 Hospital Board Central Seat 2 Northern Seat 1 About the league The league OF women VOTERS is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of all citizens in their government. After study on governmental measures and policies, the league takes action in the public interest. It does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. As part of its Voter service activities, the league OF women VOTERS sponsors candidate debates and forums; it encourages and supports Voter registration drives and other activities that promote Voter participation. Membership information and additional nonpartisan information can be obtained from: The league OF women VOTERS of Sarasota County Board of Directors Carol Hartz Carol Cooke Kitty Galica Jan Pearce Nancy Israelson Pat Price Patty Schreiber Barbara Ryder Phyllis Vogel league of women Voters of the United States league of women Voters of Florida league of women Voters of Sarasota Tips for Voters From the Supervisor of Elections Bring valid photo and signature ID with you to the polls.

2 An elector who fails to provide a photo and signature ID may vote a provisional ballot. If you have moved or changed your name, don t wait until election Day to update your registration with my office. If your signature has changed, update it with my office. If you have not received your Voter information card 20 days prior to the election , please call Voter Services at 941- 861-8619. Watch your mail for a sample ballot and take it with you when you go to vote. Vote by Mail (Absentee) Voting Avoid lines at the polling place on election Day by voting in the comfort and convenience of your home. All qualified electors are permitted to vote by mail under Florida law. Requests for a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed must be received by the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 5 on the Wednesday before the election . Call 941-861-8618 to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Early Voting As a convenience to the Voter , the supervisor of elections conducts early voting prior to an election that contains state or federal races and ending three days before the election .

3 Visit the supervisor of elections website at or check your sample ballot for early voting locations and times. WEBSITES WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Information on vote-by-mail ballots, candidates, early voting times and locations, polling places with maps, sample ballots and optical scan voting. VOTE411 By entering your ZIP code, you can find out who is running for office on your ballot and where candidates stand on the issues you care about. election SCHEDULE general election Nov. 6, 2018 Polls open 7 to 7 Early Voting Begins Monday, Oct. 22, and ends Saturday, Nov. 3. 8:30 to 6:30 daily SARASOTA: NORTH PORT: VENICE: Supervisor of Elections Office Terrace Building 2001 Adams Lane 941-861-8600 North Sarasota Library 2801 Newtown Blvd. Fruitville Library 100 Coburn Road Sarasota Square Mall 8201 S. Tamiami Trail Supervisor of Elections Office Biscayne Plaza 13640 Tamiami Trail 941-423-9540 Supervisor of Elections Office Anderson Admin.

4 Bldg. 4000 S. Tamiami Trail 941-861-3760 CANDIDATESC harter Review Board District 1 Krista Lohr Neil Rainford District 2 Richard Dorfman Mindy Lou Simmons District 5 Kevin T. Connelly Deborah Lynne LaPinska City of North Port Commissioner District Seat 4 Pete Emrich Kevin M. Rouse District Seat 5 Peter Bartolotta Jill Luke City of Venice Council Member Seat 3 Fred F. Fraize Helen Kirchner Moore CANDIDATESC ounty Commission District 2 Ruta Maria Jouniari Christian Ziegler District 4 Wesley Anne Beggs Alan Maio Hospital Board Central Seat 2 Joseph J. DeVirgilio Jr. Miglena Entcheva Northern Seat 1 Russ Battiata Jim Meister Charter Review Board, District 1 BackgroundKrista Lohr Democrat The CRB is currently lacking an advocate for the people of Sarasota and Sarasota County's environment; and I will be that advocate if elected to the CRB. It is the job of an elected official to represent his or her constituents; and that is what I intend to do, if elected.

5 I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Sarasota County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Newsletter Editor for the Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club Group s BOCA newsletter, and Treasurer of Suncoast women of Action. What are the 3 most important issues handled by the office you seek? How do you propose to handle these issues? The most prominent issue, regarding the Charter presently, is the proposal to amend the Charter which would, in respect to a public ballot initiative to amend the Charter, increase the number of petitions required from 5 % to 10 % of registered voters in Sarasota County (essentially changing the number of petitions needed from approximately 15,000 signatures to approximately 30,000 signatures and change the amount of time in which to acquire the signatures. I am opposed to this proposed Charter amendment because it is a restriction of Voter rights. Sarasota County is currently in line with other Charter Counties in its public charter amendment ballot initiative requirements; and I do not support changing the Charter to make it more difficult for the public to be heard.)

6 What changes, if any, would you make in the role of the Charter Review Board? One change I would like to see would be for the CRB to take a more active role in community outreach and educating the public about the Charter and the CRB. Charter Review Board, District 1 Neil Rainford Project Executive Mullet s Aluminum Products, Inc. Republican Background I believe it is important to serve and engage with your local community. The Charter Review Board provides the unique opportunity to do both. I will look to my business experiences and community involvement to work with the citizens of Sarasota County and the Charter Review Board to maintain the values and strengths of our county. What are the 3 most important issues handled by the office you seek? How do you propose to handle these issues? the Charter of Sarasota County that has allowed our county to be one of the most desirable places to live, work and play.

7 To the voice of citizens to ensure that their voice is heard and that all citizens are represented when proposals are discussed. as conservative voice for the citizens of Sarasota countywide to ensure that the Sarasota County Charters form and function remain as originally intended. What changes, if any, would you make in the role of the Charter Review Board? I currently would not change the role of the Charter Review Board as it protects the Sarasota County Charter and provides a forum to citizen engagement. Charter Review Board, District 2 Richard Dorfman 941-320-5937 Retired Republican Background I am the incumbent in this race having served four years commencing 2014. My career-skills, have been useful in the following fields, negotiation, legal, management. While in office I served two of the four years as the Board Chair. What are the 3 most important issues handled by the office you seek?

8 How do you propose to handle these issues? Governing change in a fast-moving county environment is the key issue. Ensuring the Board's recommendations to the BCC reflect both state issues as well as those specific to Sarasota County. What changes, if any, would you make in the role of the Charter Review Board? I would not make any changes at this time. Charter Review Board, District 2 BackgroundMindy Lou 941-685-1010 Music teacher/Entertainer Democrat I was encouraged to seek office as a Democrat to offer a wider voice on the review board to the citizens of Sarasota County. I have served on the Board of Directors and/or Trustees of several different church and music organizations here in Florida. For the Statewide FRIENDS OF FLORIDA FOLK, our local SARASOTA FOLK CLUB and the regional SWIM (Southeast Unitarian Universalist Winter Institute in Mid- Florida). As President of the SWIM Board of Trustees, I recently worked with a committee to rewrite and update their by-laws.

9 I was instrumental in helping the Sarasota Folk Club incorporate as a music club here in Florida, which included writing their by-laws and orchestrating the election of its board members and officers. What are the 3 most important issues handled by the office you seek? How do you propose to handle these issues? Three important issues handled by the office I seek are: To know and clarify for citizens how the Charter works as our governing document. To help amend any part of the charter that needs updating and/or changed to better serve the citizens and communities in Sarasota County. And to work with the other members of the Charter Review Board in making sure that our rules and regulations are being followed by all businesses and citizens of Sarasota County. I am currently studying the Charter so that I will know it thoroughly. I will be open to hearing the concerns of citizens and businesses as they are presented.

10 And I will work openly and directly with the other members of the Charter Review Board to bring sound solutions to all legitimate concerns that are presented to the Board. Charter Review Board, District 5 BackgroundKevin T. 941-321-9763 CEO NPAOur county and our country are under assault from well-funded, un-identified special interests. I bring 45 years of experience from military, government, business, economic development and public service on a variety of Boards to address the need for campaign finance reform. What are the 3 most important issues handled by the office you seek? How do you propose to handle these issues? The primary need is for campaign finance reform, hold all candidates and their financial supporters accountable for accuracy. Further, the Charter Review Boards duties are to ensure that the County Charter requires local government to perform their duties in a manner that reflects the best interest of its citizens- not special interests.