Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/207831
Sarasota News Leader November 8, 2013 Page 57 We need long-term vision. The county has a lot of short-term solutions, like in economic development. Yes, they're providing some low-paying jobs now, which is needed. That's great, but they haven't set the stage for the higher-paying careers that people are looking for to keep families here. So there's a lack of long-term vision. In the meantime, all the things the last two years to spur economic development, well guess what? We're entering a deficit in 2016. There is a lot of disdain for what the public thinks, and that was proven with Sarasota 2050 when they said, "Oh we got 450 emails, but they don't matter." They show disdain to the North Port [City] Commission. They showed disdain for the Sarasota City Commission when they were concerned about Sarasota 2050. And the biggest problem is they don't care. Why? Who knows. People like me speculate it's because they're only interested in helping their special interest friends. They're Part of that's got to do with fiscal account- also term-limited, so they don't have to run ability, like the [Siesta Public] Beach project. again. The beach needs some improvement, right? The third thing for me is having somebody who Bathrooms and parking: That's it. How much finally wants to serve the people, and that's can that possibly cost — $7 million? Twenty- what I want. I wasn't the chosen one, obvione million dollars? I was brought up that if ously, and so I don't have those connections you don't have the money, you don't do it. Do — that I have to satisfy these contributors. what you need to do. The $21 million is full of luxuries that we really don't need to do right now. They could have postponed it. News Leader: How would you have handled the Warm Mineral Springs situation? Ramirez: In the beginning, like everyone else, I read about it and thought, "What is wrong with North Port?" But then I started to attend some of the meetings and I also started talking to some of the North Port commissioners. I started to realize it's the County Commission that's been the hold-up. The North Port Commission wants to make it into a park. That's what I thought we bought it for, as a park. It has to be treated as one. And now it seems like the County Commission wants to make it into a resort. I think a resort would be nice but not necessarily on county lands. Lourdes Ramirez addresses the County Commission about an aspect of Sarasota 2050. Photo by Norman Schimmel When they do things like that, the county, I really have a suspicion they have somebody in mind for the property.