The Downtown Partnership of Sarasota is adding to its menu of public information and policy advocacy programs an Internet-based Civic Affairs Center. With its banner, “Sarasota Town Hall,” the Civic Affairs Center will strengthen the voice and representation of the Partnership and downtown stakeholders and constituencies in city affairs. The web-site and e-mail communications of the Center will be available to Partnership members and other Sarsotans, including members of other civic and interest organizations, who choose to subscribe.
The mission of the Downtown Partnership is to be a “catalyst for Economic and Community Redevelopment, Historic Preservation and Planning to insure an exciting, vibrant and sustainable downtown.” The vision is to advance in the downtown “a thriving business and retail environment, a diverse and affordable residential community, strong relationships with surrounding neighborhoods and recognition of Sarasota, past and present, as one of the best small cities in America.”
To serve this mission and vision, the Center, as “Sarasota Town Hall,” is tasked to provide accurate, relevant, balanced and timely information about:
1.
the issues facing the downtown and the city;
the issues facing the downtown and the city; 2.the decision timetables for consideration and action on pending policy decisions;
the decision timetables for consideration and action on pending policy decisions;3.the positions of city constituencies and interest organizations, and city officials;
the positions of city constituencies and interest organizations, and city officials;4.the positions and actions of the Partnership; and,
the positions and actions of the Partnership; and, 5.the actions taken by local governments and their potential impacts.
the actions taken by local governments and their potential impacts. The objective of the Center is not only to inform but also to coalesce, mobilize and activate those with stakes and interests in downtown into an informed and respected voice of influence that is represented by the Partnership. Additionally, it is anticipated that the Civic Affairs Center’s web-site and e-mail Internet presence, currency and reliability will make it and the Partnership leadership called upon and cited as newsworthy and relied upon sources for the news media on downtown and city affairs.
The Civic Affairs Center will be incorporated into the web-site of the Downtown Partnership (www.downtownsarasota.com), and it will also have it own web-site. Its ability to communicate will be dramatically enhanced and made more immediate and effective through an e-mail network constructed from the addresses of Partnership members and other subscribers, and all Sarasotans who want to be informed and involved. Moreover, the Center’s Internet presence will be interactive, so that users can respond, ask and receive answers to questions, and make comments, as well as receive messages, and thus truly making it a “Sarasota Town Hall.”
Planned components of the Center include:
1.An informational web-site to keep Partnership and other subscribers current on Partnership activities and on recent developments in the downtown area, city and county (e.g., Partnership Board minutes, committee activities and reports, new downtown and local developments, relevant articles on urban and city core affairs, “point-counterpoint” colloquies on current issues).
An informational web-site to keep Partnership and other subscribers current on Partnership activities and on recent developments in the downtown area, city and county (e.g., Partnership Board minutes, committee activities and reports, new downtown and local developments, relevant articles on urban and city core affairs, “point-counterpoint” colloquies on current issues). 2.An e-mail newsletter with the schedule for the coming week or two on Commission, board and other hearings and meetings, their agendas and legislative proposals, upcoming Partnership meetings and events, and similar activities of other downtown and city organizations.
An e-mail newsletter with the schedule for the coming week or two on Commission, board and other hearings and meetings, their agendas and legislative proposals, upcoming Partnership meetings and events, and similar activities of other downtown and city organizations.3.“E-Flash” alerts to stakeholders on issues, events or meetings that have arisen with short notice or to remind them of upcoming important civic affairs events.
“E-Flash” alerts to stakeholders on issues, events or meetings that have arisen with short notice or to remind them of upcoming important civic affairs events.4.Position papers and sponsorship of forums and other programs on policy issues, including ballot initiatives and referenda.
Position papers and sponsorship of forums and other programs on policy issues, including ballot initiatives and referenda.5.Surveys of members and subscribers to learn their views on downtown and local government affairs and their positions on current issues, enabling the Partnership to represent and voice the views and policy positions of members and downtown constituencies with credibility and authority.
Surveys of members and subscribers to learn their views on downtown and local government affairs and their positions on current issues, enabling the Partnership to represent and voice the views and policy positions of members and downtown constituencies with credibility and authority.6.Alerts to the need for letter and e-mail writing campaigns so members and subscribers can communicate their views to local government commissioners, managers and boards when they will be the most influential.
Alerts to the need for letter and e-mail writing campaigns so members and subscribers can communicate their views to local government commissioners, managers and boards when they will be the most influential.7.The results of questionnaires to local government candidates to report their positions on downtown, city and county issues.
The results of questionnaires to local government candidates to report their positions on downtown, city and county issues.8.The sponsorship of forums and debates among candidates for city and county elective office.
The sponsorship of forums and debates among candidates for city and county elective office.9.Voter registration, information and turnout campaigns.
Voter registration, information and turnout campaigns.In sum, the Civic Affairs Center as a “Sarasota Town Hall” will keep the membership of the Downtown Partnership and other concerned constituencies informed about the policy issues and choices affecting the downtown and the city, facilitate their activist collaboration as stakeholders in building a welcoming, vibrant, prosperous and sustainable downtown and city, and in protecting and improving not only the quality of life in the downtown and the city but also the values of their property and other economic interests, and the growth, and therefore the sustainability of the Sarasota economy and community.
DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP TO LAUNCH A CIVIC AFFAIRS CENTER WITH THE BANNER “SARASOTA TOWN HALL”
