Mayor bristles at appointment of former opponent to Venice environmental advisory board

Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
Bob Daniels, seen here during his 2019 campaign for mayor, was appointed to the Venice Environmental Advisory Board over the objection of Mayor Ron Feinsod.
Bob Daniels, seen here during his 2019 campaign for mayor, was appointed to the Venice Environmental Advisory Board over the objection of Mayor Ron Feinsod.

VENICE – Bob Daniels, a former member of the Venice City Council who in 2019 ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor, will return to public service as a member of the city’s Environmental Advisory Board.

The council approved his application on a 5-1 vote Tuesday, over the objection of Mayor Ron Feinsod, who pulled the matter off of the consent agenda.

“Every one of his large campaign signs was on a construction site,” said Feinsod, who argued that placement was a representation that Daniels was far from pro-environment and that he referred to Daniels as “Bulldozer Bob.”

Venice Mayor Ron Feinsod took issue with the appointment of one of his opponents in the 2019 mayoral race to the Venice Environmental Advisory Board because he had permission to place campaign signs on construction sites.
Venice Mayor Ron Feinsod took issue with the appointment of one of his opponents in the 2019 mayoral race to the Venice Environmental Advisory Board because he had permission to place campaign signs on construction sites.

Vice Mayor Nick Pachota followed by noting, “This sounds more like a personal situation between you and a candidate in the past.”

Pachota added that Feinsod’s characterization of his former political opponent was not reflected in his resume.

Council Member Jim Boldt concurred, noting that “there’s certainly enough on his resume to support having him in there (the advisory board).”

Daniels' resume included working with residents and city legal staff to help preserve Pinebrook Park – 77 acres north of Wellfield Park – by changing the zoning from government use to open use/conservation with restrictions.

Related: Vice Mayor pushes for citywide fertilizer ban

In 2018, after the persistent red tide, Daniels championed a push for a citywide ban on fertilizer and took a special interest in the city’s storm water outfalls – just as Feinsod has done.

Other members also questioned Feinsod’s timing.

Council Member Rachel Frank said it was disrespectful to discuss Daniels’ qualifications on the dais and Council Member Mitzie Fielder agreed.

Pachota moved to approve Daniels for the advisory board and Council Member Helen Moore seconded the motion.

In other action

On Monday, the City Council:

• Approved the second reading an ordinance approving a $130.8 million 2022-23 fiscal year budget, as well as a proposed property tax rate of 4.36 mills.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance that place the Union Missionary Baptist Church on the city’s register of historical resources.

• Approved the second reading of a zoning map amendment changing the designation of 71 acres at Knights Trail Road south of Laurel Oak Road from Sarasota County Open Use Estates to city of Venice Knights Trail Road.

Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Mayor objects to appointment of rival to city environmental board