Liz Alpert is a candidate for Sarasota City Commission District 2, and is responding to David Sell�s letter in the March 21 edition of SRQ Daily

Since I began my campaign for Sarasota City Commissioner, District 2, my primary goal was to provide strong, balanced leadership to solve some of the big issues facing our community. To that end, it was important to me to listen to voters and identify their greatest concerns and aspirations. Through hundreds of personal conversations, one thing has become clear: solving the homeless crisis in our city streets in a constructive, meaningful and decisive manner is a top priority for voters.

In addition, the fractured relationship between the City and County Commissions, the approach to growth and cost overruns on city projects are some of the challenges that confront and most concern our residents and business owners. As your next City Commissioner, I pledge to confront these pressing issues head-on with creativity, determination and discipline because the residents of Sarasota expect as much.

My professional career has been dedicated to building consensus, solving problems and getting things done. I am a small business owner and practicing family law attorney. On a daily basis, I deal with people who have emotionally-charged conflicting interests. I work really hard to find win/win solutions to resolve their conflicts while still being an advocate for my client. I will bring those much-needed skills to the city commission. 

As a volunteer in our community, I was a member of Sarasota’s Human Relations Board helping educate the community through community presentations and other means about the non-discrimination ordinance. I served on the board of my condominium association, where as president, I facilitated consensus of the owners regarding passing a special assessment to renovate the entire first floor of our 40-year-old building.

Prior to returning to Sarasota in 2002, I volunteered on Tampa’s Architectural Review Commission where I became passionate about historic preservation and implementing smart growth principles—knowledge that I look forward to leveraging on the city commission.

Whether working on issues of homelessness, smart growth or historic preservation, the one critical tool we must have as a community is a City Commission that is committed to working constructively and proactively—within its own body—with the County Commission, and with our residents on the issues critical to us all. 

Liz Alpert is a candidate for Sarasota City Commission District 2, and is responding to David Sell�s letter in the March 21 edition of SRQ Daily