Opinion: Local elections change your life. Make your voice heard on this important race.

For many voters, the focus of the upcoming election has been on the top of the ballot – and understandably so.

Never before has there been such a stark contrast in presidential candidates, nor, depending on who prevails, more divergent paths forward.

Yet I’m always astounded by how many voters pay far less – or any – attention to local races, which may impact their daily lives to a more significant degree.

Among other things, they tell me they have no idea who the candidates are in their district (if they know their district); that they plan to leave blank everything but president on the ballot; or that they’ll make capricious “guesses” based on a candidate’s name recognition, gender or party affiliation.

While opinion writing is always subjective – and I imagine loyal readers know where I stand – as a community, rather than political columnist, I don’t tell people who to vote for. I do, however, share what information I can to help them make up their own minds.

So today let’s look at the little-known candidates for the little-understood Sarasota County Charter Review Board, which reviews and recommends changes to the charter on behalf of citizens. Other than the Sarasota County Commission, the CRB is the biggest voice county residents have.

And this year’s candidates’ positions are as defined along party lines as those for the presidency because of a vaguely worded amendment (7.1a) county commissioners inserted into the charter in 2022 that declared any new amendments must comply with the existing charter.

Half the candidates believe that makes any changes inherently in conflict; the other half see no problem with it. The new board will decide whether to keep, revise or repeal 7.1a.

Only half of the eight candidates vying for four seats responded to a questionnaire I sent three times – in August, September and last week. (That’s almost enough to make up my mind right there.)

What follows are their condensed answers, as well as any information I could find on the non-responders. This should give you enough to make clear and educated choices.

District 1

Candidates : Julie Forestier (D) and Jay Riley (R), incumbent

Forestier , 41, a county resident for 10 years, is space coordinator for the Social Equity through Education (SEE) Alliance, a student-led nonprofit organizing Florida communities and the youth vote.

A longtime community organizer devoted to empowering those “who have traditionally been excluded from decision-making processes,” she holds a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

She’s running “because the county could and should be more proactive in protecting residents” and “to protect our right to self-governance, as was envisioned when the charter was created.”

Her first priority would be to repeal 7.1a  because “we need to make it easier for the county charter to respond to current citizens’ needs, not harder.”

Other changes she’d promote include a concurrency requirement ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development; protections to minimize environmental, infrastructure and transportation impacts of new development; requiring a unanimous county commission vote to increase land density or intensity; and a process for soliciting input from residents.

Riley , 52, a county resident for 29 years, is senior director of special projects and external affairs at the University of South Florida. Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in December 2023, he is an active nonprofit board member and volunteer with multiple local organizations.

Riley is in favor of keeping amendment 7.1a and does not believe it blocks changes to the charter. He proposes no charter changes; his priorities would be to “meet with and listen to citizens' concerns”; to serve with integrity; and to be an active and collaborative CRB member.

District 3

Candidates: Thomas DeSane (R), incumbent and William Brad Hardin (D)

(Neither candidate responded; information gathered from other sources)

DeSane , 60, and eight-year county resident, is a retired New York police officer appointed to the CRB in 2023 by DeSantis to fill a vacancy. He has been active in advocating for first responders.

DeSane has received endorsements from Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, the International Union of Police Associations, the International Firefighters Association and the Sarasota Young Republicans.

He believes in a conservative approach to charter changes, which require “serious deliberation and consideration” and should be infrequent, unmotivated by personal or political agendas and not in conflict with state law.

More: Opinion: You have questions on Florida's ballot amendments. Well, I have answers.

Hardin , a resident of Venice and active community volunteer, has advanced degrees in engineering and social work. He is running as part of a “Protect Sarasota” slate that includes all four Democrat candidates.

His priority is to “ensure that all residents are considered in a recognized model for creative community planning and that agreed-on plans are adhered to.”

The slate is committed to: making it easier for citizens to get referendums on the ballot and update the charter; stopping county commission and state legislative overreach; requiring adequate infrastructure to be built with development; and restoring the original intent of the charter, keeping the state out of local matters and empowering citizens to make changes in their own government.

District 4

Candidates: Greg ‘Tex’ Bukowski (R) and Robin Williams (D)

(Bukowski did not respond; information was gathered from other sources)

Bukowski , 46, is an eight-year county resident who owns a downtown Sarasota restaurant and a mold removal company based out of Chicago. He is first vice-president of the Sarasota Republican Club and a “proud America First conservative.”

His priorities are protecting/conserving the Charter from “the radical left”; protecting/conserving the Charter from major changes; and improving county government’s efficiency. Bukowski promotes “smaller and more local” government, but believes there are valid instances when local laws should be superseded by state law.

Williams , a biology and environmental science teacher and lifelong community activist, retired eight years ago to Sarasota, starting the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Manasota to encourage community support of public education.

She has spoken before the county commission, School Board, hospital board and New College of Florida board on issues facing our community.

Williams is part of the slate protecting home rule and saying no to developer influence. She believes 7.1a should be repealed or revised, as should any charter revisions stifling community input.

She would promote greater land use protections and reductions in density, especially in environmentally sensitive areas; a smaller percentage of voter signatures required to place an amendment on the ballot; and a “plain English” statement that would appear on the ballot alongside proposed legal changes to the charter.

District 5

Candidates: Nancy Ceci (D) and Jose Jimenez (R)

Ceci , a seven-year county resident, is a retired registered nurse. She is a longtime community volunteer, vice president of the North Port Democratic Club and a North Port precinct leader. She served two terms on the city of North Port Citizens Tax Advisory committee.

Ceci is part of the slate protecting home rule and rejecting developer influence.

She feels the wording of 7.1a is “contradictory,” blocking changes and restricting petitions. She would like to require nonpartisan, independent impact studies on any proposed changes, followed by public meetings.

She believes recent state legislation that will require changes to the Charter -- such as SB 1628, requiring local governments to complete business impact statements before adopting Comprehensive Plan changes or development regulation – should be put to voters to weigh in on.

Jimenez : Did not respond, and no information on his candidacy was attainable.)

Contact Carrie Seidman at carrie.seidman@gmail.com or 505-238-0392.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Opinion: Local elections change your life. Make your voice heard on this important race.