Have you ever wondered why it is that Sarasota County turns so many seemingly small issues into gigantic public debates? I did, and apparently so have others who don’t even live in the county.
It seems as though some of our issues – the Ringling Bridge, rezonings, library locations and others – are quite amusing to other county leaders who routinely consider similar issues on a routine basis with hardly a whisper from the public.
At first I felt that Sarasota’s contentious nature was counter-productive and did not cast a favorable reflection on the community, but not any more.
I have begun asking outsiders why it was that an issue that Sarasota appeared embattled over would not also be contentious in their community. A common response is that their community has few options, little choice, or little to lose.
Because of our daily association with the numerous amenities that make Sarasota a great place to live, we take for granted the reasons why we chose Sarasota as our home. The best way I find to remind myself of these amenities is to visit other Florida communities. When I do it is easy to see why many of Sarasota’s contentious issues would be no-brainers in other areas.
We have cultural, environmental and social features that most communities envy. Without having these features, others do not have as much to lose, and thus not as much to fight for.
Sarasotans fight like heck to preserve their environment because we still have one worth saving. We strive for extraordinarily high human services standards because we have the benefit of so many talented volunteer organizations that proactively pursue these worthy goals. Sarasota has more not-for-profit foundations than communities two to three times our size.
Cultural amenities in Sarasota are second to none in any Florida county, regardless of size. There’s much more, including having one of the top rated school systems in the state. Sarasota is an involved, active and yes, argumentative community, because we have so much to lose.
Imagine, if you dare, living in a county that already has paved over its open space. How disturbed would you expect people to get over another parking lot?
Do you think a community that has already compromised most of its bay views would get upset over another high-rise or a high bridge?
Sure, most communities don’t argue for more than a year as to where a library should be sited, but then again, Sarasota’s library patronage is about the highest in the nation.
Sarasotans should not be ashamed of our active and as sensitive public participation. We should be thankful
The challenge for public debate is not to avoid it, but to keep it civil, so that it remains a productive resource rather than destructive force.
his April marks the first anniversary of the prescribed Carlton Reserve fire that resulted in some very non-prescribed events. As with any infamous event, there are lessons to be learned that should safeguard against a reoccurrence. And there are lessons that could advance beyond safeguards and be a long-term benefit to the community.