Sarasota Election: Cutsinger, White Vie For District 5 Seat

SARASOTA — In the 2020 election, Sarasota-area voters will choose the winner of the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners District 5 race. Republican Ron Custinger and Democrat Alice White are vying for the seat.

How to vote

As the Nov. 3 election approaches, Sarasota-area voters can submit their ballots at early voting locations, at drop-off boxes and by mail. They can also vote at their local voting precinct on Election Day.

If voting in person, either early or on Nov. 3, voters must bring a current and valid ID with their name, photo and signature. Find a full list of acceptable IDs here.

Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned using the U.S. Postal Service. The return postage for a vote-by-mail ballot is two Forever stamps or $.70. They must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day. Additionally, they can be dropped off at any early voting location. Find a list of early voting locations here. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot has passed.

If you choose to vote in person on Nov. 3, you can look up your voting precinct online here. For your vote to count, you must vote in the precinct in which you reside. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Meet the candidates

Sarasota Patch recently sent out questionnaires to learn more about who these candidates are and where they stand on local issues. Below are the responses submitted.

Alice White, 64, lives in North Port. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Kean College of New Jersey and taught for 36 years. She retired in 2018.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

White: Representative of the people. There has been a gradual but steady disconnect in our local government between our elected officials and those they were elected to serve and represent. I will have regular "town hall" meetings, casual get-togethers, etc. that include video conferencing to create an open door policy between myself and the people, and above all, make people feel welcomed and their input valuable at commission meetings.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

White: My opponent is heavily backed by developers and special interest groups and so the status quo of our governing board being in place to serve those entities will remain in place; my campaign has been financed by individuals, the people, in amounts ranging from $7 to $200.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

White: I have been an advocate for the environment and would continue to be that, development must be both financially and environmentally sustainable, and above all I would bring the voices of the people in District 5 to the table, most notably those who reside in North Port, the largest municipality in Sarasota County and of which I've been a resident of for 30 years.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

White: I have displayed the tenacity and drive to get things done that has always included reaching out for all available resources. I have created a broad network of people who I consider to be invaluable for learning, seeking information, and the history of an issue.

I founded People for Trees, a non-profit native tree advocacy group in 1997, and completed the process for it to be a 501c(3). Through that group, I have initiated and spearheaded many community projects and events that included coordination with the city of North Port for organizing and supervising a street tree project that planted over 300 trees for an arterial road, coordinating with five elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school to plant a number of trees at each school, planting trees in city parks, planning and installing a Commemorative Tree Walk along Rt. 41 in North Port (ongoing), annual events such as the Tree Festival ( since 1999) and the Tour de North Port bicycle ride (400 cyclists) since 2010.

I also served in an advisory capacity for street tree plantings for the Parkside project in Port Charlotte and was invited by the Sarasota County Tree Council to speak to them as well about the tree projects I have spearheaded. I have served on advisory boards for both the city of North Port and Sarasota County such as the Citizen Oversight Tax Board and the Historical Commission, been a board member for several non-profits including the Lemon Bay Conservancy and the Environmental Conservancy of North Port, been recognized numerous times by Keep Sarasota County Beautiful for my work, chosen as North Port's Greenest Citizen of the Year, and Citizen of the Year.

In 2002, I formed a Political Committee and used the petition process to place a referendum on the ballot to add tree protection standards to the North Port City Charter. I was involved with the adoption of North Port's 1997 Comprehensive Plan as well as the review process that followed, took part in rewrites to the city's Unified Land Development Code and lobbied the city commission to amend the residential zoning in order to allow retail sales for home-based bakers to sell from their homes that comply with the Florida Cottage Food Law. I am "of" the people and so feel I can best advocate "for" the people.

Why should voters trust you?

White: I have displayed a deep sense of community for 30 years without it ever being self-serving, politically motivated, or for any financial gain.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

White: That people would feel comfortable to contact me and speak openly and freely about their concerns and issues and knowing my voice on the dais was the result of their voices.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

White: Taxpayer monies should be spent with fiscal responsibility, putting the needs of the residents first; maintaining and providing for a good quality of life should be a priority. The county commission should be creating a vision and forward path based on the values and desires of the people; they appoint a county administrator who in turn is charged with putting together a competent staff to make that vision and path happen.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

White: I believe this is not an issue a county commissioner has any jurisdiction over.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

White: “Defund" would have to be defined. The re-channeling of funds towards more pro-active, preventative measures or budget cuts across the board?

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

White: Again, the county commission can only mandate or determine action at the county level when state or federal actions have not been put into place. Mandates that limited business operations, dining, etc. were put in place at the state level.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

White: No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

White: Have a plan.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

White: I have many interests and am involved with different activities; I have a plethora of diversified "circles" which helps me to be able to relate to people, to the person, first.

Learn more about White on her campaign website.

Ron Cutsinger did not submit his questionnaire to Sarasota Patch. According to his campaign restaurant, though, he lives in Englewood with his wife, Alison. He’s owned several businesses, including Ron’s Restaurant and Waypoint Wealth Management.

He is the founder and former Chairman of the Board of the Suncoast Christian School which later became Venice Christian School. He has also served on the Sarasota County Library Advisory Board, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, the Legacy Trail Expansion campaign, and most recently, as chairman of the Sarasota County Planning Commission.

Cutsinger’s website states that he “is a steadfast supporter of President (Donald) Trump and is committed to the conservative cause.” He also promises to fight for lower taxes, less government regulation, the rights of the unborn and all constitutional rights, especially the Second Amendment.

His website also states that “Ron honors our veterans and respects the first responders who run towards situations that everyone else runs away from. He will equip law enforcement with the resources needed to keep our community safe and will demand that they uphold the rule of law, starting with enforcing our immigration laws and securing our borders.”

Learn more about Custinger on his campaign website.

This article originally appeared on the Sarasota Patch