Home remodeling contractor Mark Hawkins files for Sarasota County District 4 seat
Home remodeling contractor Mark Hawkins files for Sarasota County District 4 seat

SARASOTA COUNTY — Home remodeling contractor and former Sarasota County Planning Commission Vice Chairman Mark Hawkins is the first to file for public office for the 2022 general election.  

Hawkins has lived most of his life in Sarasota County and will seek the District 4 seat now held by Alan Maio. Hawkins, 68, said he hopes to bring common sense and accountability back into hands of the constituents.  

“Right now, we’re lacking that in the district,” Hawkins said. “Common sense says you can’t put a mega-building complex on Stickney Point and U.S. 41 and say it won’t impact traffic and the neighborhood.”  

Hawkins was referring to the Benderson Development Corp.’s Siesta Promenade project. The large mixed-use development plan was approved in 2018 and hotly contested by area residents largely because they felt it would cause greater traffic turmoil.  

“Thousands pleaded for common sense,” Hawkins said. “The people’s needs were ignored and that happens time and time again.”  

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2021/03/30/home-remodeling-contractor-mark-hawkins-files-sarasota-county-district-4-seat/7048927002/