After its candidate forum, CityPAC asked candidates to respond to the following question: All six of the candidates for the two open seats are good candidates. What differentiates you from the other five? 

Jen’s response:

I agree. All the candidates are not only good candidates they also care about our City. 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. Also, I currently sit on a number of boards representing the City of Sarasota. My participation has allowed me to gain in-depth knowledge – and vote – on some of these organizations dealing with issues so important to our citizens and visitors including the 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-official); Sarasota Housing Authority (Liaison); Metropolitan Planning Organization; ManaSota League of Cities (President); and more. I was honored to receive the League of Cities “Home Rule Hero” award for the fourth consecutive year for my advocacy at the state and federal levels on behalf of the City of Sarasota.