Thank you Sarasota

I should have posted this earlier in the day, but my phone has been ringing off the hook with calls of support and congratulations today. It feels great! I am so honored that the voters of this city have enough faith in me that they helped me get into the April 14th run off election for one of two city commission seats. I know I need to reach many, many more residents & voters to see this to the finish line, but I’m energized and ready for the challenge. If you would like to help me schedule any meet & greets with folks you think I should meet please contact me at atwells@aol.com. If you would like to lend some volunteer support to this campaign or perhaps make a contribution to help me with some of my outreach efforts, I would be very grateful for that support as well.

I think we are all ready for a commission that can work together to do the best for Sarasota and its residents. And I’m ready to join that team. Please help me and thank you for your continued interest in helping to make our great city a great community!

Ed Smith Stadium-

Today I’d like to address Ed Smith stadium and how we can use it after the Reds vacate. This topic comes up frequently during my campaign stops. I think this question deserves a little more time since it has been debated widely among the public. I think we do need to keep an open mind on this subject, but ideally…I would like to see it stay a youth oriented sports facility. I believe keeping the youth busy and involved in activities, such as sports programs, will give them a sense of drive to set goals and be motivated, which in turn will help build our community and our youth programs.

Another great thing about keeping Ed Smith a youth oriented sports facility is that it is a great draw for younger families. Having more things for kids to do here will help us reach our goal, to making Sarasota an attractive place for younger families to relocate and a place for young professionals’ to start families.

What are your thoughts or ideas for Ed Smith Stadium and its future without a professional baseball team?

 

In Your Neighborhood

I love to exercise whether it’s riding my bike, running, or getting a great view of the city, as I power walk over the Ringling Bridge. I have been campaigning in various neighborhoods and walking door to door has been my mode of exercise lately, due to my busy schedule. While I was campaigning door to door, I started thinking about neighborhoods and what do we get from the places that we live in? What is the definition of a neighborhood? Do you see it as your community? The neighborhood I live in is very important to me, that is why I serve on the Improvement Association of my neighborhood as well as serving as a Representative for the Coalition of City Neighborhoods. I think you should take pride in the neighborhood you live in. If you don’t like something about it, be proactive and do something to change it.

During tumultuous times, I believe we need to come together and work collaboratively, collectively, and civilly to make a difference and help each other out. We should feel that our neighborhood is part of the larger community picture. How do you feel about your community? What are you doing to be proactive? What do you think the city needs to do to help our neighborhoods reach this goal?

More City $-

Along the campaign trail last week, the hot topic of the current status of the economy was on everyone’s mind. The question locally is being asked, what can we do here in the city to increase revenue? Let’s examine some creative and unique approaches that we can do here to increase city revenue, without doing the obvious like raising taxes and fees.

There are “missed opportunities” happening right under our noses. Parking meters are the first and easiest thing that comes to mind for me. This is a way to create additional revenue by placing them in high traffic zones in the city. They won’t curb downtown’s appeal and the funds raised from the meters, could be utilized toward downtown improvements.

Please share your comments and ideas on how we can continue to bring in revenue for the city without raising taxes or fees.

Getting Around

I love to bike around town on the weekends with my grandchildren and enjoy being outside. Sarasota has so many great, low cost attractions/activities for residents and tourists to do; such as the Bayfront, Ringling, St. Armands, Siesta Key, and Downtown. I would like to see more accessible pedestrian/bicycle friendly routes in these areas that connect to downtown and other prime areas along US 41 for residents and tourists. I support the design concept of the Bayfront Connectivity proposal that was developed by the Trans Associates. I feel this project will accelerate alternative transportation, reduce vehicle emissions and create safer speed limits. I think this will be a major gateway for our community to help make the city more competitive and sustainable.

Share your thoughts on getting around.

Meeting Members of this Great City

I had a fun week – busy, but fun – meeting lots of people all over this great city.   On Sunday, I spent time at the Community Garden at Orange Blossom Park.  It’s a beautiful spot and it’s beautiful to see so many cross sections from the community come together and build something from the ground up with their hands.

I started off the day Thursday with an interview at the Civic League followed by a visit to some residents at Pines of Sarasota.  Our debates were lively and stimulating!  I could have spent the whole day there, but I had to get over to Michael’s on East in time for Tiger Bay.  There’s always something new to learn there and the room is typically full of movers and shakers from around the community.

Friday morning the Sarasota Chamber conducted candidate interviews and Saturday morning the CCNA held their candidate meet-and-greet.

It takes a lot of stamina to run for office, but you meet so many nice people.  I love walking the neighborhoods.  That’s where I really get to learn what’s on peoples’ minds.  If you have a group you’d like me to address, you can post a speaker request at the contact form on the website.  There’s also a comment area where you can sound off.  Please let me hear from you!  Suzanne