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Sarasota News Leader September 21, 2012 at Nathan Benderson Park, he said, which already has been predicted to be among the top three in the world. Reid also talks of the big economic impact sports tourism already is having in Saraso- ta County, adding, "My mission statement is, 'Creating respect for people and place.'" Sports tourism "teaches people about place," he said, and it encourages families to enjoy activities together. THE HEART OF THE MAN As he continues to build his staff and build upon the county's strengths, Reid keeps a focus on the core values he has constructed for himself. "I think a person's judged by what their em- ployees say about them and what their chil- dren say about them," he said. "The best thing that I've always found is to let peo- ple get to know who you are. So when I'm Page 27 not in the room, people can say, 'No, I don't think he'd do that,'" for example. He voices pride in winning approval from the County Commission for a one-time, lump-sum payment in the new fiscal year for staff members who have not had raises in several years. "You've got to speak up for your employ- ees," he pointed out. Workers come "in all different shapes and flavors," he added, but he wants them to know he respects them "as humans and … as public servants." As the county administrator, he views his primary role as one of stewardship. "Ev- erybody doesn't get this chance. … It's a privilege to serve." And that, he says, is why he signs all his correspondence, "in public service, Randall Reid."