Home remodeling contractor Mark Hawkins files for Sarasota County District 4 seat

Mark Hawkins is running for the District 4 Sarasota County Commission seat.

SARASOTA COUNTY — Home remodeling contractor and previous Sarasota County Setting up Commission Vice Chairman Mark Hawkins is the first to file for general public place of work for the 2022 normal election.  

Hawkins has lived most of his everyday living in Sarasota County and will seek the District 4 seat now held by Alan Maio. Hawkins, 68, claimed he hopes to convey frequent perception and accountability back into hands of the constituents.  

“Right now, we’re missing that in the district,” Hawkins said. “Common sense claims you just can’t set a mega-constructing advanced on Stickney Issue and U.S. 41 and say it will not affect targeted visitors and the neighborhood.”  

Hawkins was referring to the Benderson Development Corp.’s Siesta Promenade challenge. The large mixed-use improvement approach was authorized in 2018 and hotly contested by place residents largely because they felt it would lead to greater targeted traffic turmoil.  

“Thousands pleaded for common feeling,” Hawkins said. “The people’s desires had been overlooked and that occurs time and time all over again.”  

Hawkins also said he won’t acknowledge money from PACs or from area developers who generally bankroll Sarasota County Fee candidates.

Developers “regulate what is actually heading on,” Hawkins claimed. “I want the people today of Sarasota County to control what is heading on.” 

Hawkins ran for the County Commission in 2010 as a Democrat, dropping to previous commissioner Nora Patterson. He switched to the Republican Celebration and won a seat on the county Constitution Overview Board two yrs later. He was appointed to the county’s volunteer advisory setting up panel in 2015.