I’m endorsing Vic Rohe, Candidate for the Sarasota Charter Review Board – District #2

There are 20 Charter Counties in the state of Florida. In 1968, the electors of Florida granted local voters the power to adopt charters to govern their counties. In these counties the Charter Review Board (CRB) members are elected by the citizens of the county. This is the best way to keep local government in check. It is the purest form of power in the hands of the people, not career politicians.

In November 1971 Sarasotans voted to become a Charter County and control county government via an elected board of citizens.

That ability to control county government rather than be controlled by county government is under attack.

Vic Rohe

Vic Rohe is standing against this effort the disenfranchise Sarasotans.

The Sarasota County Charter is like a limited home rule constitution. It describes the structure of county government and the rules it must operate under.

As Rohe puts it, “Asking the County Commission to control their own power, is like asking your dog to guard your lunch.”

The Charter Review Board is made up of 10 unpaid members elected from 5 districts in county wide elections, one from each district every 2 years. The board holds public hearings at which the public can propose changes to the charter. The board then decides to put those changes on the ballot for voter approval, or not.

During a recent campaign stop Rohe warned:

Someone is trying to steal from the voters of Sarasota County. To Steal from us. Someone is trying to steal from you.  I’m talking about your right to elect The Charter Review Board. Also, your right to a fair hearing, of your ideas before that board. Once you loose these rights you will never get them back.

Right now, as we speak, the Charter Review Board has pending a proposal to change this elected [Charter Review] Board into an Appointed “Puppet” Board. That is a puppet of the County Commission. That’s the same County Commission that challenged in court the Term Limits placed on them by the Charter Review Board and the Voters of Sarasota County. But for serendipity, they would have gotten away with it.

Rohe’s opponent appears to favor turning power to government by taking the elected Charter Review Board away from the people. In a recent Republican Party of Sarasota straw poll Rohe is tied with his opponent in District 2:

• Donna Barcomb: 126 (50%)
• Vic Rohe: 126 (50%)

Rohe is a political and fiscal conservative who is committed to preserving the rights of the people as expressed in the original intent of the Constitution for the United States.

Rohe has pledged to keep the Sarasota Charter Review Board independent and elected by the voters. Rohe has a track record of service to the Sarasota County community and is well experience in Legal and Regulatory systems.

The benefit of having Vic on the CRB is that he will use his dedication and experience to help shape legislation for voter approval, only when prudent, and discourage ill advised or unnecessary changes to the Charter.

Learn more about Vic Rohe by clicking here.

Rohe wants to save the Charter Review Board from the political insiders and keep it in the hands of the people. That is why I am endorsing Vic Rohe for the Sarasota Charter Review Board in District 2.

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