Commissioner Barbetta Will Not Run Again

First Nora Patterson and now Joe Barbetta have announced they will not run for re-election to the Sarasota County Commision in 2014.

Both were elected in 2010, and have three more years to serve.

Barbetta was first elected to the County Commission in 2006, after serving more than 14 years on the Sarasota County Planning Commission. With his eight years in elective office, that will total 22 years of public service.

Patterson was a two-term Sarasota city commissioner and is in her fourth four-year term as a county commissioner, for a total of 24 years of service.

Between the two they have almost a half-century of experience in helping guide Sarasota goverment and politics.

Barbetta told Patch, “I felt I would only do two terms. With three years remaining, that should be sufficient time to accomplish what needs to be done, including the rowing facility and a stronger economy.”

Barbetta noted he’ll be 68 when his term expires, and says it’s time for a “second retirement.” He came to Sarasota in 1983, after practing law in Clifton Park, New York, in the area of real estate development, planing, zoning and land use.

Barbetta is passionate about the use of sports to promote economic development, and is a founding member of the Sarasota Area Sports Authority.