Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/112475
Sarasota News Leader March 1, 2013 Page 12 ors. But there���s risk with that. I do continue to believe that���s a possibility, and I think that���s because we���ve done it and it hasn���t worked in the form we���ve presented it before, [but that] doesn���t mean we have to stop trying. I think as this city moves forward and we build revenue, and we���re getting out of the recession right now ���I think in an ideal world, yes, because you would draw people that make a real commitment, part of the workforce. The more sophisticated we get, and the more we get out If the argument is, we���ve tried it three times of this and keep going, we may be headed in and it���s been defeated three [times] so stop that direction, if we can be financially healthy. trying, I don���t adhere to that argument. If you use that argument, then Linda Holland, Pete If you cannot pay a living wage, the only Theisen, Susan Chapman shouldn���t be running people you attract are either retirees or trust fund babies. You are going to be for City Commission because the electorate eating rice and beans for four years, eshas told me twice before they didn���t want me. pecially if you have children. The electorate���s told Pete Theisen twice before, and they���ve told Susan once before. If Atwell: What���s the public going to say? This you use that theory, then we shouldn���t be out rift between City Hall and the public: ���We���re there running because we���ve already tried it going to pay them what?��� But until we get and been told, ���No.��� That just doesn���t hold wa- some younger people who get a living wage, who have families ��� we���re all getting older. ter for me. But how do you make it palatable to the comThe first time it was proposed, we heard, ���so- munity? How do we begin the process now of and-so is going to run.��� The fear was the per- saying, what are we doing here? son who was predetermined in a lot of people���s minds. I think the current discussion, I The Charter Review Committee recommended it and you vetoed it. think that���s still a factor. I think that fear factor bothers me in terms of not opening our Atwell: I know, because I knew it would go minds. down in flames. ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� Today four of the five city commissioners Today four of the five city commissioners are retired. Should city commissioners are retired. Should city commissioners be paid a living wage? be paid a living wage? Atwell: I���d have to say no, because it���s not Chapman: I think we might get better candidates if they were paid a better wage, or the going to fly. downside is we might have people running for If not, how will the city attract commis- the job. I do think it���s important we have young sioners who are not retired people? people represented on the commission, and it���s very difficult for them ��� a working person ��� Atwell: If they���re not retired, that���s the $64,000 to run and to serve on the City Commission. question. Paul [Caragiulo] is the youngest; he ��� ��� ��� works. Four of us are retired.