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three unsuccessful campaigns for the City Commission before throwing himself into the county race, showed up 45 minutes late because he accidentally started a fire in his kitchen. He praised the Village Walk club for the quality "nibbles" it offered at its meeting. Village Walk residents Jack and Judy Paschall told the News Leader they need to read up more on the issues discussed by the candi- dates before knowing whom they'll support. Jack said the jargon used — 2050, ITNs, etc. — can be tough to penetrate. "What it does is make you want to go out on your own and research it," he added. With 24-hour cable news and the prolifer- ation of political news sites and blogs and social media sharing, it sometimes seems easier to keep up with the White House or what's happening with, say, discrimination in Arizona, than to know what's happening in the commission chambers down the street. That's a problem all four candidates are fac- ing as they vie to join the county board. The Village Walk event kicks off a series of upcom- ing candidate forums, with a Tiger Bay debate scheduled for May, so they'll have their oppor- tunities soon. Can anyone break through? Another key question: Will the race remain all-Republican? If so, that means that under Florida's limited open primary rules, all Sarasota County residents — regardless of party affiliation — will be eligible to vote this August. Will a Democrat run? Will someone file as an Independent simply to block out non-Republicans? Burning questions as cam- paign season kicks into high gear. % County Commissioners Joe Barbetta (left) and Nora Patterson (right) will be stepping down in the fall, thanks to term limits. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader February 28, 2014 Page 25