A Proven Community Leader.
Liz Alpert worked hard to give back to her community and achieve the American Dream.
Liz grew up the oldest of eight children. Her father was a long-distance truck driver, and her mother stayed at home to raise the children. Neither of Liz’s parents attended college. But that didn’t stop Liz—she was determined to earn her college degree. While raising three daughters, she accomplished her goal after taking classes on and off for more than 17 years and graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida. Liz continued working towards her dream by working her way through law school and graduating from Stetson University College of Law in 2005. Today, Liz is a small business owner--owning her law firm specializing in family law in Sarasota.
Liz has also been continuously involved in her local community in Sarasota for over twenty (20) years-- serving on the City of Sarasota's first Human Relations Board from 2003-2007, the City of Sarasota' General Personnel/Civil Service Board from 2007 to 2015, and then as a City Commissioner since 2015.
Liz served as Mayor of Sarasota during the 2018-19 and is once again Mayor this year.
I am ready to continue working hard as your City Commissioner by collaborating with residents, business owners, and cultural institutions to tackle the key issues in our community so that we can keep moving forward on all of the things that improve our quality of life.
Maintain Charm and Walkability
Liz has supported smart growth solutions to maintain Sarasota's charm and walkability. Such as support incentives for preserving our historic structures. Transportation options like the Trolley, electronic scooters and bikes, the Legacy trail, and bike trails throughout the City. Under her leadership, the city's Legacy Business Program has celebrated and supported local businesses and brought new people into downtown for events like Fresh Fridays.
An Affordable & Safe Sarasota
Liz has been a champion for public safety in Sarasota--by taking care of our first responders who protect & serve our community. Violent crime is down and the murder rate last year was zero. She's supported initiatives and zoning changes that incentivize affordable housing and reduce homelessness so our young people, teachers, and public servants can live where they work.
Arts & Culture
Liz is a proven leader in working with Sarasota's arts and cultural institutions. During her tenure, she's helped create an ad hoc committee to preserve and adaptively reuse the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center and championed getting the approval for the renovation of Selby Gardens. Supports a plan to keep the Players Theatre in the City, and assisting the Florida Studio Theatre with plans to expand their campus.
Environment
Liz has led the way in protecting Sarasota's natural treasures. Under her leadership, Sarasota adopted the "Ready for 100" sustainability plan, working towards 100% renewable energy use. Voted to fund the renovation of the Bobby Jones Golf Course and Nature Park, which is an important watershed to clean the water before it goes into the bay. Supported the creation of The Bay Park and a new playground and splashed in Bayfront Park.