said the county needed to determine its larger
goal before moving forward. "The best plans
are the ones that can bear alteration," he said.
Maio also supports revising 2050, accusing
current critics of being the same people who
originally fought 2050 when it was created a
decade ago. Citing developer Pat Neal's expe-
rience designing Grand Palm, the first 2050
project to actually get off the ground, Maio
said the plan's regulations, intended to encour-
age the construction of walkable mixed-use
communities, are much too onerous.
Wolff told The Sarasota News Leader after
the debate she felt Ramirez best laid out her
position on 2050. Ramirez has repeatedly crit-
icized the county for overhauling the plan,
arguing the process is being driven by a hand-
ful of well-connected developers. According
to Wolff, people need to get more involved
in what's happening with 2050. "Sarasota is
growing," she said, "and I think we should
get engaged."
But are people paying attention? Only 20 or
so club members turned out for the forum.
During his introductory remarks, organization
President Roy Wells said President Obama's
2012 reelection seems to have dampened
enthusiasm for this cycle. "It's difficult to get
people involved," Wells said. "They worked
hard the last election and just can't get going
on this one."
"I thought they did well," club member
William Morrow told the News Leader. He
hasn't made up his mind on whom he'll sup-
port, but he appreciated the humor Theisen
brought to the affair. Theisen, who ran
Paul Caragiulo makes a point in his remarks during the Village Walk Republican Club debate on Feb.
26. Photo by Cooper Levey-Baker
Sarasota News Leader February 28, 2014 Page 24
