Sarasota City Commission
Mayor Richard Clapp
District Two Term Expires: April 15, 2011 Education: B. S., Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) M. S. The Institute of Paper Chemistry (Appleton, WI) PhD The Institute of Paper Chemistry (Appleton, WI) Mr. Clapp has been a resident of Sarasota since 2001. He has served the Sarasota community as President of Indian Beach Sapphire Shores Association, President of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, Vice Chair of the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway Committee, member of the Janie Poe/Public Housing Task Force, steering committee member of Save Our Sarasota and SAVE Riverview. Mr. Clapp's career included management positions in manufacturing operations, engineering, product development and new business development. Mr. Clapp is married to Marti and they have three children and one grandchild. CONTACT MAYOR CLAPP: 1565 1st Street, Room 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: (941) 954-4115 . CONTACT MAYOR PALMER: 1565 1st Street, Room 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 954-4115
Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner
District Three Term Expires: April 15, 2011 Education: B. S. Foreign Service, Georgetown University (Washington, DC) M. A. Latin American Studies, Georgetown University (Washington, DC) Kelly is a life-long Sarasotan. He has served the Sarasota community as President of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association as well as having been an active member of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations. Believing strongly in public service, Kelly has worked for the White House Office of Public Liaison; served as a Peace Corps Volunteer; and led a USAID community conservation project in rural Guatemala. Kelly lives with his wife, Tracy, and son, Bodhi, in District 3. CONTACT COMMISSIONER KIRSCHNER: 1565 1st Street, Room 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: (941) 954-4115
Commissioner Fredd Atkins
District One Term Expires: April 2011 Fredd "Glossie" Atkins was elected to serve as City Commissioner from 1985 until 1995 and selected for two terms as Mayor. He was elected again in 2003, served one term as Mayor and now fills the District 1 seat. Among his past and present community involvements, Mr. Atkins was Founder and Former President of Newtown Little League, Founding Board member of Greater Newtown Community Redevelopment Corp., President of Booker High School Boosters, Chair of the Booker Middle School Advisory Committee, and served on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Economic Development Board of Sarasota County, Tourist Development Council and the Urban Administration Committee of the Florida League of Cities. Mr. Atkins has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Out of Door Academy, was the former Education Chairman of the Sarasota County NAACP and served on the Florida Advisory Council for HUD. CONTACT COMMISSIONER ATKINS: 1565 1st Street, Room 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 954-4115
Commissioner Suzanne Atwell
At-Large Term Expires: April 12, 2013 Education: George Washington University, BA; Psychology/Human Development Marymount University, MA; Clinical Psychology Suzanne Atwell served as Director of Development for the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington, DC. She began her clinical career in Sarasota at Coastal Behavioral Healthcare as an outpatient clinician. She was also employed at Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS). While at JFCS, Suzanne provided services to community, governmental, and judicial agencies regarding the needs of at-risk and underserved population. She is an active volunteer in the community. Suzanne has been a member of the City of Sarasota Human Relations Board since 2003 and has presided as chair twice. Suzanne also served as Board Secretary to the Sarasota County Civic League, member of the Coastal Islands Group, the Bird Key Improvement Association (BKIA) Representative to the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, past Board member and volunteer of the Family Law Connection, and past member of the Sarasota County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. She is also a member of the Downtown Partnership and Tiger Bay Club. Suzanne is married to Robert Atwell, president emeritus of the American Council on Education and a higher education consultant. She has two sons. Justin is a Major in the U.S. Army in San Antonio, TX and Josh is an environmental engineer in Charlotte, NC. CONTACT COMMISSIONER ATWELL: 1565 1st Street, Room 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: (941) 954-4115
Commissioner Terry Turner
At-Large CONTACT COMMISSIONER TURNER: 1565 1st Street, Room 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: (941) 954-4115