Six questions for Manatee County Commission candidate Sari Lindroos-Valimaki
The Democrat is running for the at-large District 7 seat now held by Republican George Kruse.
Sari Lindroos-Valimaki, a Democrat from Palmetto, last week filed to run for the at-large District 7 seat now held by Republican George Kruse. She is only the second Democrat so far to file for one of the four county commission seats for election this year. The other is Diana Shoemaker, who is running for the District 3 seat (West Bradenton/Anna Maria Island/Terra Ceia) now held by Republican Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
If she qualifies for the ballot and no other Democrat files, Lindroos-Valimaki, a native of Finland with extensive experience in information technology, cybersecurity and related fields, will face the winner of the Republican primary, as well as any non-party-affiliated candidates or qualified write-ins. Kruse is facing Republican challengers April Culbreath, Keith Green and maybe Van Ostenbridge, who is rumored to be considering a switch to run for the District 7 seat.
The Bradenton Journal reached out to Lindroos-Valimaki to ask her six questions about her background and her campaign. Previously, Kruse and Green responded to the Journal’s questions; Culbreath has not responded.
Lindroos-Valimaki’s responses have been edited for clarity and style.
The Bradenton Journal: Presuming you considered political and personal factors before deciding on whether to enter the race, what’s the one thing that most convinced you to run for the at-large District 7 seat on the Manatee County Commission?
Lindroos-Valimaki: I am running for the at-large District 7 seat on the Manatee County Commission driven by a desire to introduce new ideas and perspectives to our county commission.
My extensive background in technology, particularly in IT and cybersecurity, equips me with the essential skills needed to navigate and address today’s critical challenges in governance, especially concerning data security.
As an immigrant from Finland, a country renowned for its commitment to transparency, equality, and sustainable development, I carry with me a set of values and a unique approach to leadership and problem-solving.
The prevalent issues in our county, such as the lack of transparency, traffic congestion due to inadequate planning for rapid growth and the overarching need for integrity in leadership, have compelled me to enter this race. Furthermore, as a Manatee County resident eager for more varied political representation, I am stepping forward to provide a Democratic option on the ballot, embodying the change I believe is vital for our community’s progress and well-being.
The Bradenton Journal: Which issues will you emphasize as a candidate and as a commissioner, if you are elected?
Lindroos-Valimaki: If elected, my focus will be on restoring integrity and ensuring transparent governance, addressing and improving water quality and advocating for sustainable development. My commitment is to policies and practices that are open, accountable and forward-thinking, particularly in environmental stewardship and urban planning.
The Bradenton Journal: What would be your priorities when addressing issues related to growth and development in Manatee County?
Lindroos-Valimaki: My priorities concerning growth and development include safeguarding our wetlands, ensuring adequate infrastructure support to match the pace of development and maintaining stringent accountability for new and existing projects. It's imperative to balance growth with environmental and community needs to ensure a sustainable future for Manatee County.
The Bradenton Journal: What do you think was the county commission’s biggest mistake since the incumbent District 7 commissioner, George Kruse, was elected?
Lindroos-Valimaki: In my view, the biggest mistake since Commissioner George Kruse’s election has been the easing of protections on our precious wetlands.
Protecting these natural resources is fundamental to preserving our county’s environmental health, biodiversity, and resilience against climate change. As a commissioner, I would advocate for reinstating and strengthening wetland protections.
(Editor’s note: Kruse was the only commissioner to vote against reducing the required buffer between wetlands and development.)
The Bradenton Journal: How would you address the traffic/parking issues that have caused so much conflict between some county commissioners and leaders in the city of Holmes Beach? Should the county build a parking garage on Manatee Public Beach over the city’s objections?
Lindroos-Valimaki: The ongoing traffic and parking issues, particularly in Holmes Beach, require innovative solutions.
I propose looking for new ways to expand and encourage usage of mass transit in our county, including to the island.
I am also interested in exploring modern solutions, such as the application of generative AI, to improve our county-wide traffic systems, similar to successful models like Singapore.
The Bradenton Journal: Manatee County is nearly surrounded by and adjacent to water — the Gulf of Mexico, the Manatee River, etc. What should the county be doing to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more intense hurricanes and tropical storms?
Lindroos-Valimaki: Manatee County’s unique position near various bodies of water makes it imperative to proactively address climate change impacts. Protecting and restoring wetlands is crucial. They act as natural barriers against storm surges and help in managing floodwaters. Furthermore, we should invest in sustainable infrastructure, promote community awareness and collaborate with scientific and environmental organizations to develop and implement comprehensive climate adaptation strategies.
Previous Q and A’s
District 7 (at-large countywide)
Candidate April Culbreath has not responded to questions from The Bradenton Journal.
District 1 (Palmetto/Parrish/Myakka City)
Incumbent James Satcher has not responded to questions from The Bradenton Journal.
District 3 (West Bradenton/Anna Maria Island/Terra Ceia)
Incumbent Kevin Van Ostenbridge has not responded to questions from The Bradenton Journal.
District 5 (Lakewood Ranch/East Manatee)
Incumbent Manatee County Commissioner Ray Turner has not responded to questions from The Bradenton Journal.
How refreshing! Yes please!
Wow, I too am very impressed. A survey just came out that ranked Finland as having the 2nd happiest citizens in the world. Denmark was #1. Sweden #3. Scandinavian countries have the healthiest democracies, press freedom and civil liberties. The USA didn't make the top 20 for the first time. I love the focus on transparency. Transparency and technology would make her a valuable influence that would help improve the Public Records policies. Thank you, Sari, for making the sacrifice of time and work to run for office. Please stick with it. Your address in Palmetto might put you in book banning Amanda Ballard's district 2.