Shelli Freeland Eddie is running for Sarasota City Commission District 3

Our beautiful city of Sarasota is a physical paradise on earth. Through my years of service, I’ve found another kind of paradise here–one built on the committed passion of many people and organizations to make a difference in their fellow residents’ lives. 

My hard-earned 12-year career here in Sarasota has prepared me well to be a highly effective City Commissioner who respects the service of others and understands what District 3 and our city need.

My tradition of service—which began when I joined my parents in working with homeless organizations years ago—has helped me solve problems through communication, negotiation, compromise and civility. It has given me the honor of working with our law enforcement leaders during five years as an Assistant State Attorney to fight crime, pursue justice and protect our community.

And it’s introduced me to District 3’s own Women’s Resource Center, where I support women in crisis through donated legal services regarding housing, domestic violence and other family issues.

I’ve been on the front lines of many key Sarasota issues through my service on Sarasota’s CRA Advisory and Human Relations boards. There, I’ve helped make decisions and guide policies to increase property values, meet the housing needs of our young professionals and working families, promote smart development and economic prosperity, increase access to the arts, support our low-income senior citizens, and empower our youth.

The opportunity to serve is, to me, an opportunity to transform talk into action. Serving your fellow men and women transcends boundaries of socio-economic status, age, race, sexual orientation, party affiliation, neighborhood, pedigree and “connections.”

That’s why comments like the one that appeared in last Saturday’s SRQ Daily sadden me. In comparing me to “rain lilies which pop out when it rains and then are gone,” a writer diminished the contribution of people more concerned with service than visibility.

Comments like the one floated by the letter writer, a supporter of my opponent, leave hard-working people like me feeling their voices don’t matter. The view of my opponent and his supporters seems to be: “If you don’t come to the table, don’t blame the city.”

A different approach to Sarasota City Commission District 3 is what I offer. I’m here to represent ALL of District 3’s residents and business owners, not just the ones who already at the so-called “table” of influence.

I come from a pure place of wanting to make a real difference, for ALL of District 3’s busy families, young professionals, skilled labor, senior citizens, retirees, and veterans. I will bring to the District 3 seat a unique form of compassion, and a proven strength not to be deterred by challenges.

I encourage you to vote for me based on my proven ability to rise above so-called “connections.’ I am ready, willing and able to fully understand District 3’s issues proactively, to partner with all stakeholders in pursuit of real, lasting solutions; and to provide a better Sarasota for ALL of us.

Shelli Freeland Eddie is running for Sarasota City Commission District 3