Erik Arroyo is the Vice Mayor and a City Commissioner for Sarasota, Florida.
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Operating as usual
If you’re a fan of the Suzanne Atwell Show, you’re going to be surprised to learn that I was actually invited to interview for a segment. It was a small, intimate conversation between Suzanne, her thousands of viewers, and me. Some of our topics of conversation include: scenarios where I ask my wife for approval, how I’m undecided about a bunch of topics, and other city matters.
I remember the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s description of a little girl marching with her mother who answered a policeman's question, "What do you want?'' by replying, "Freedom.'' Said Dr. King, "She could not even pronounce the word, but no Gabriel trumpet could have sounded a truer note.''
In celebrating the day of the Reverend Dr. King, we honor an American who pursued justice, freedom, equality, fairness, and reconciliation. In a sermon on April 4, 1967, a year to the day before his murder, Dr. King quoted the famous lines from the poem, "The Present Crisis,'' by James Russell Lowell: "Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide; In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side; . . .'
He said that we must not despair, nor become bitter, nor lose faith in each other.
Today his message resonates louder than ever.
After listening to thousands of constituents and spending dozens of hours reviewing government documents, I have compiled a list of 136 things that we need to accomplish at the city level. I've made an infographic to outline what I will be attempting to gain commission approval for in the next three years. Please let me know what you think below.
I’m not saying that there’s a Secret Special Operations Baby Team at the Sarasota City Police (Milk Team 6), but if there WERE such a team, Baby Ava would be the deputy baby chief in charge of that division. God bless the Sarasota Police Department!
Erik Arroyo, Vice Mayor of Sarasota's cover photo
This Sunny City Is the Best Place to Retire in America
The methodology used in the study factors in health care quality, retiree taxes, desirability, job market ratings, and a happiness measure, based on a public survey of individuals of retirement age and those nearing retirement age.
The City of Sarasota wants to attract the country’s most gifted and driven minds to build their careers here and amplify our vibrant community and robust economy.
Happy Hanukkah! The Jewish faith in Sarasota and around the globe will gather to light and proudly display their menorahs and recall the miracles of both ancient times and the present day.
Great news for Selby Gardens! After spending dozens of hours and amending their plan to meet the concerns of their neighbors, they are wanting to eliminate any residential building rights they may have on the property and move towards a newly created botanical garden zone.
The City Commission voted 4-1 to authorize the creation of a new zoning district, which will allow officials to formally consider a proposal to redevelop the bayfront site.
In an effort to increase efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, the City of Sarasota now has an online permitting portal for property owners.
City Hall and City buildings are closed to the public due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Please contact us through this website or call: 941-263-6000 for an in-person appointment. For more information please go to our COVID-19 Information Page
Arroyo town hall stirs homelessness conversation | Sarasota | Your Observer
The return of a controversial homelessness expert included some harsh assessments of Sarasota's response strategies — and pushback from local service providers.
Darci has an amazing track record of running businesses in Sarasota! Great job!
Darci Jacob opened Darci, a new Sarasota women’s clothing boutique, in October.
Better traffic starts with better streets. #safeneighborhoods
COVID-19 has impacted many families. Some are waiting to receive funds from the CARES Act and others are facing unemployment issues. In our next meeting, I will seek the support of my fellow commissioners in preventing utilities from being shut off during the holiday season by allowing our residents to place them on forbearance.
Erik Arroyo wants to partially reinstate a moratorium on utility shutoffs through the end of the year
City of Sarasota Town Hall Meeting | Hosted by Vice Mayor Erik Arroyo | 11.24.2020
MakSchu Productions, LLC
We’re going to be Livestreaming City of Sarasota, Erik Arroyo, Vice Mayor of Sarasota Town Hall Meeting, this discussion is based on ending homelessness in Sarasota. Join us on the livestream today!
City Hall is perhaps the safest place to be during this pandemic. We (1) have rapid COVID testing available to everyone before commission meetings, (2) socially distance 6 feet apart when necessary, (3) have barriers of plexiglass literally dividing us, (4) have spend thousands of dollars to purchase machines that filter the air for coronavirus in city chambers, (5) encourage wearing masks unless there is an exception, and (6) limit the number of people allowed in the chambers at all time.
Yesterday, at the request of some in attendance, I briefly took my mask off to discuss some matters. The plexiglass, mask, and microphone issues were impairing the already impaired hearing ability of some in attendance.
The ordinance passed by the city creates an exception to the mask rule for government buildings and when speaking with those that are hearing impaired. Additionally, the CDC's guidelines create an exception when wearing face shields, which is the function that the plexiglass shields around the commissioners are serving.
There are some news sources that seek to sensationalize what happened and create the appearance that the commissioners are beyond reproach and are refusing to follow their own rules.
This could not be further from the truth and they should do well to report all the pertinent facts to maintain their journalistic integrity.
City of Sarasota, Government
📣 ROUNDABOUT OPEN 📣 Here are some views of the brand new roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road!
Please remember to slow down, proceed with caution and yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the roundabout as we all get accustomed to this new traffic pattern!
Modern roundabouts have been proven to be safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists while also offering improved traffic flow over traditional signalized intersections.
This is one of clearest explanations of the multi-faceted and complex issue that is affordable housing. Whatever you view on development, please read this analysis by Daniel Herriges and comment your thoughts below.
"Developers in my city are only building luxury housing. They're not building anything that ordinary people can afford." If you’ve said this lately, or heard someone else say it, here are five possible reasons why.
On behalf of the Arroyo family, I wish all who are celebrating this festival of lights a very Happy Diwali
Today we honor those from whom we have asked everything. These brave Americans and their families only ask one thing in return: that we remember them.
Thank you, Veterans.
Getting sworn in as a City Commissioner and subsequently getting voted as the Vice Mayor of Sarasota has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
As our campaign was focused on not being beholden to any one group or special interests, I drew much Insight and inspiration from this Walt Whitman poem:
“FROM this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,
Listening to others, and considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.”
Today, I am humbled to have received the unanimous vote of confidence of all my fellow commissioners to become the Vice Mayor of Sarasota. I am confident that this will be a new, inclusive, and unified commission that will be a force for tremendous good.
NEW MAYOR & VICE MAYOR - Congratulations to At-Large City Commissioner Hagen Brody who was just selected by fellow Commissioners to serve as mayor for the next year and congrats to new District 3 City Commissioner Erik Arroyo who was selected to be Vice Mayor.
Recently I appeared on ABC7 to discuss our humble grassroots campaign and priorities for Sarasota moving forward. This is truly the perfect time to shift our city’s goals from short-term to long-term and positively impact numerous generations to come.
A new day is upon us and a bright future is ahead! Tonight, the people of Sarasota’s district 3 yelled out loud and clear that we are tired of being neglected by City Hall. Thank you to everyone that voted and supported our campaign, especially my wife Victoria for being the foundation of my support and encouragement. In this process I got to know my opponent, Dan Clermont— an upstanding individual that ran one of the best political races I have ever seen. I commend him for running in this race and hope that he stays active in the city. I’m humbled to become the first Hispanic commissioner in Sarasota’s history... and also the youngest (waiting confirmation). Now let’s get to work.
The Wu-Tang lobby has come out strongly in support of our campaign this year!
Don’t forget to vote! Ran into my opponent today at the polls. If anyone is undecided about who to vote for, I have a solution for you: just vote for me this time and for my opponent the next!
This has to be the coolest thing I've seen this election. I've read about how nice both these people are and I was at the right place at the right time to catch a photo of them palling around. They were both joking about catching a photo of them and I jumped at the opportunity to help them out. Good luck today!
Don’t forget to vote! Ran into my opponent today at the polls. If anyone is undecided about who to vote for, I have a solution for you: just vote for me this time and for my opponent the next!
Tomorrow is Election Day and I can’t help but express how proud I am of our team. We worked tirelessly together and knocked on over 7,000 doors, putting up 100+ signs, raised over $30,000 dollars and regardless of the outcome of this election, I will be forever grateful to (in no particular order):
Victoria, Mom, Jaime, Doug L., Patrick, Melissa & Jeff, Jim, Shay, Becky, Chad, Jill, George, Pops, September, David, Matthew F., LJ, all 5 Alex’s that volunteered, Niurka, Pete, Johnette, Deborah, JR, Jordan W., Holley, Drew S., Nicole, Natasha, Samantha, Tessa, Makayla, Eddy, LloydAnn and Charlie, Ken J., Carey, Dr. C., Casey, Christine B., Carey, Edna, Edward, Thom, Mark, Cathy, Greg, Daniel, Adrian, Jackson, Jeff, Matt W., Shannon, Rob, Dan, Kathy, Vanessa M., Eileen, Norm, Paul, Sandra, Tad, Martin, MaryEllen, Jack, Joe G., Matt K., Patricia, John, Ray, Karen, Martin, Jane, Nora, Mary, Jon, Rick, and everyone else that I may have missed in this endless list... including those that volunteered, donated, shared a Facebook post, wrote a letter to the editor, answered my calls for advice, volunteered a sign location, or just called to check in.
I appreciate you all eternally.
Give me a second to get my bearings after what just happened. All the buzz around town was that I couldn’t hold the baby still with my bear hands for this photo shoot but I managed to play some Bee-yonce to keep her calm. I was almost the bearer of bad news as we barely made it past three pictures; with all the flies outside, I literally had to cover Ava like some sort of human bearier and I barely made it to the front door. Baby’s safe and after mom combed her hair, a great photo shoot was pawsible.
For those wondering what my costume is... I’m a squirrel.
Thank you to the Herald Tribune for publishing my guest editorial. With 7 days left until Election Day, it is important to remember why we entered this race to begin with. I encourage my friends and neighbors to read this and provide any feedback you can. If you deem it worthy, please share with your friends.
I can only guarantee that I will listen to all sides. I believe this is how all elected officials should behave.
Did you know that Sarasota City’s district 3 has a dirt road right off of Fruitville? District 3 always gets left as an afterthought and I’m running to make sure our streets get the same treatment as those in the other districts. #VoteForE #InDistrict3
I'm honored to receive the endorsement of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. Our campaign has been based on one principle: we need strong leadership that can transcend politics to improve Sarasota. Our campaign's commitment to safe neighborhoods, a high quality of life, updated streets/sidewalks, workforce housing, and allocation of funds to district 3 is what sets us apart. #voteforE #indistrict3
pd. pol. ad.
Today we welcome a new member to our team. After three hours of labor and overwhelming efforts by my super human wife Victoria, little baby Ava Claire Arroyo was born at 8:55pm. Mom and baby are healthy and strong. The future of Sarasota is bright!
2070 Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL
34237
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I'm honored to receive the endorsement of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. Our campaign has been based on one principle: we need strong leadership that can transcend politics to improve Sarasota. Our campaign's commitment to safe neighborhoods, a high quality of life, updated streets/sidewalks, workforce housing, and allocation of funds to district 3 is what sets us apart. #voteforE #indistrict3 pd. pol. ad.
Tomorrow is Election Day! If you are unsure about your polling location go to www.SarasotaVotes.com/precinctfinder.aspx and it will tell you based on where you live! #VoteForE
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