Jen Ahearn-Koch Runs For Sarasota City Commission At-Large Seat

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota voters will choose two city commission members in the upcoming general elections.

The following three candidates, the top vote-getters in the August election, are vying for two at-large commission seats on Nov. 8:

• Jen Ahearn-Koch
• Dan Lobeck
• Debbie Trice

Patch has asked all candidates to complete a questionnaire about their campaign and their priorities.

Ahearn-Koch, the incumbent candidate, responded to our survey. Her responses are posted below:

Campaign website

https://voteforjen.org

City or town of residence

Sarasota

Office sought

Sarasota City Commission, At Large

Education

Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University in New York City; Bachelor’s degree in Internal Affairs at the American University in Paris

Occupation

Art director at the Asolo Theatre and in 2002, founded her own marketing company, JAK Consults, serving area local businesses (including as public relations and marketing director for Mattison’s Restaurants & Catering for 12 years) and local non-profits.

Family

Married in Sarasota in 1991 (my husband is a classical musician and teacher at Booker High School for over 20 years); two boys, both went to city of Sarasota public schools (Bay Haven, Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences, Booker High School).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Currently and locally, I have no family members in government. However, my grandmother was a state senator in New Jersey and my uncle was on the school board.

Age

58

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I am currently in my sixth year as a Sarasota city commissioner at-large (we had a year and a half added to our four-year term because of “Change the Date”) having served as vice mayor and mayor. I was also appointed to serve on the city’s planning board for six years, serving as both vice chair and chair.

Why are you seeking this office?

As the city continues to grow, I remain a strong advocate and representative at the commission table for the citizen’s voice in the conversation and process. The city of Sarasota is a desirable place to be, to learn, to live, to work, to create, to build a business, to raise a family, to retire, to visit, and so much more. This growth needs to be managed in a responsible and comprehensive manner.

I have been civically active for over 20 years - in my neighborhood, the city and the community. I proudly served six years on the city’s planning board and many years as my neighborhood’s representative. As the incumbent, I have over five years of commission experience and have built a valuable understanding of the necessity in working with our regional partners.

I currently sit on a number of boards representing the city which address issues so important to our citizens and visitors of Sarasota. My participation has allowed me to gain an in depth knowledge, advocate, and vote on these boards, including: Sarasota Bay Estuary; Florida League of Cities (FLC) Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works Policy Board (vice chair); FLC Advocacy Board; Coastal Advisory Committee (ex-officio); Sarasota Housing Authority (liaison); Metropolitan Planning Organization; ManaSota League of Cities (president); and more.

I was honored to receive the Florida League of Cities “Home Rule Hero” award for the fourth consecutive year for my advocacy at the state and federal level on behalf of the city of Sarasota. I am dedicated to our city and our community and consider it an honor to represent the citizens.

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

What sets me apart is, not only do I have 20 years of neighborhood and community activism and have my own consulting business, but as the incumbent, I have five years of commission experience, so there’s no learning curve.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

• Expand the hotel house ordinance citywide to protect our neighborhoods and quality of life for our residents.
• Update the city’s Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan from 2017 as the city has achieved some of the goals and we need to reassess our priorities. Continue supporting policies and actions that address sustainable and resilient efforts and support the city’s commitment to the Sierra Club’s “Ready for 100” goals of citywide sustainable efforts.
• Support our city’s businesses through continued collaboration with the Downtown Improvement District and Business Improvement District as well as continued partnership with merchants’ organizations. Continue to participate in and support the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) boards efforts for economic development in Newtown which includes supporting the businesses along the MLK corridor, an historic district designation, improved lighting and sidewalks, supporting Newtown Alive and the future African American Cultural Coalition’s future cultural center, and more. I have been working with the city manager on a Citywide Legacy Business program (which was put on hold during COVID) and hope to restart those discussions to bring before the commission.
• Update the sound ordinance.
• It is important that the city continue to work collaboratively with regional partners to help solve larger issues like affordable housing, the mental health crisis, environmental stewardship, improved water-quality, economic development and more.
• Update the “Standards for Review” for our city’s Historic Preservation Board to improve our city’s historic preservation efforts and support other robust tools for incentives and opt-in historic preservation.

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

It is essential that the community know that there are a number of votes taken by this Commission for which I am very proud, including:

• Strengthening the Tree Ordinance which shows a commitment to sustainability and quality-of-life.
• Protecting the Central Coconut neighborhood by taking proactive steps concerning the U.S. recycling issue.
• Adding inclusionary zoning as a possible tool to address affordable housing.
• The purchase of body cameras and the hiring of 13 new police department employees.
• Voting to not sell Paul Thorpe Park, voting to restore Bobby Jones and to create a perpetual conservation easement over all 261 acres, voting to continue to support The Bay Park.
• The decision to preserve and move the Leonard Reid Home.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

This is difficult to answer but, if I have to pick one answer, it would be the advice from my husband almost 28 years ago. It was after the birth of our oldest son. My mother (she was my best friend) passed away two days after my oldest son’s birth and I was completely devastated. I had a C-section, so I was also recovering from surgery. I was not sleeping or eating (as some new mothers do not sleep well and if they eat, it is way too quickly,) and, I was heartbroken from my mother’s death. My husband insisted I take some time to eat and sleep but I told him I could not because I had to take care of the baby. He responded, “If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.” It applies across the spectrum in so many different ways, but the basic principle is so valuable.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The city of Sarasota’s uniqueness lies in our history, our culture, our architecture, our arts (and) humanities, our creativity, our natural beauty, our story, our parks, and our citizens. I have fought — and voted — to preserve our charm while balancing that with our continued growth. It doesn’t have to be a zero-sum gain because through conversation and compromise much progress can be made — but only if the conversation involves the citizens’ voice. I hope I have worked diligently enough to earn the support of the citizens so that I can continue to represent them at the commission table and I hope to earn their support during this upcoming Sarasota City Commission election.