Atwell To Serve Another Year As Mayor

Mayor Suzanne Atwell will serve another year as Sarasota's mayor after the city commission approved her appointment 3-2 at Friday's statutory commission meeting.

"I really, realy love this job, being an ambassador to the city and sometimes it takes some time getting confidence," Atwell said.

Commissioners Paul Caragiulo, Shannon Snyder and Atwell voted for Atwell's appointment while Willie Shaw and Terry Turner voted against her appontment. 

Caragiulo said Atwell's "guarded sense of optimism" is just what the city needs and not act like the city's having a fire sale.

Shaw had nominated Turner to be the mayor.

Shaw will be the new vice mayor, replacing Turner.

"I am confident that we will survive the crises that stand before us," Shaw said. "We will overcome as we have in the past. I look forward to the challenges."

Sarasota has a commission-manager form of government where two commissioners are voted into office at large and three by districts. The commission then votes which commissioner will serve as mayor for the year. The commission then appoints charter officials, including city manager, city attorney and city auditor and clerk.

The mayoral selection was preceded by the