An evening marked by accusations of intentional political disruption and of feeding the toxicity of politics ended with no action being taken to fill Shannon Snyder's soon-to-be-vacated Sarasota City Commission seat. City Commissioners said they wanted to stick with a process already established this summer to accept applications for the board appointment.

"This looks like an end-around to a process we very carefully related and advertised," said Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman. "It's almost an embarrassment to change it."

Snyder was required by law to resign his commission seat when he decided to run for the Sarasota County Commission. On Aug. 26, Snyder lost the Republican primary for the County Commission to fellow Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo, who also had to resign his city seat. Caragiulo and Snyder both will remain in their city seats until mid-November.

In anticipation of the departures, City Commissioners set up an application process for District 2 and District 3 residents interested in being appointed to the posts, with the actual appointment occurring in mid-November after the exiting commissioners leave the board. But last week, Caragiulo suggested the appointment to the District 3 seat, Snyder's, be done now, and that Snyder be put in the role. "God help you if you start a conversation in this community," said Caragiulo after a long list of citizens spoke against the proposal at a City Commission meeting Tuesday night.

Snyder had said he would be happy to serve out his term, but it became clear the votes for reappointment were not there as the meeting progressed. He stressed he had no role in proposing his appointment to the job again. "I didn't find out about this until a reporter left a voicemail," Snyder said.

The seat has already drawn one applicant. Stan Zimmerman, a former reporter for the Sarasota News Leader, applied on Tuesday. The city also has had two District 2 applications, including from former City Commissioner Ken Shelin and Planning Board member Vlad Svekis. 

City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell said she was "stunned" by the suggestion Snyder should be reappointed.

Snyder is still allowed to apply for the seat if he chooses. Caragiulo still has an election ahead of him for County Commission, and faces independent Alexandra Coe and two write-in candidates in the Nov. 4 general election.