SARASOTA -- Newly elected Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta joined re-elected Commissioner Nora Patterson for swearing in ceremonies Tuesday in the County Commission chambers.

Barbetta and Patterson took their oaths before a standing room only audience composed of families, friends and county employees.

Barbetta thanked his supporters and said he looked forward to serving with his new colleagues.

"The key issues are already in the forefront with the commission: growth, planning, transportation, affordable housing," he said. "Those are all things we're going to be addressing. Hopefully, I can add to the discussion."

Barbetta mentioned an affordable housing overlay district and some upcoming mixed-use ordinances that will shortly come before the board as vital matters in which he'll have particular interest.

"I look forward to serving with Commissioner Barbetta," said Patterson, who takes over as commission chairwoman. "This has been a great group and he'll be a great addition. It will be wonderful to have some new thoughts at the table."

Fellow Commissioners Shannon Staub, Jon Thaxton and Paul Mercier added supportive words for their two colleagues.

"I've known Joe for about 20 years," Mercier said. "We're already a good commission. I think he's going to make us a great commission."

"We're all coming to realize some of the challenges for building a community that is going to endure over the decades," Thaxton told Barbetta. "You joining us is going to be icing on the cake."

Staub lauded Barbetta then turned her attention to Patterson.

"Nora and I sometimes beat the Sunshine Law because we read each other's minds," Staub said. "We don't even have to talk. Sometimes we just look at each other and we know explicitly the questions she's going to ask if she's called on first and the questions I'm going to ask if I get called on first."

Staub emphasized the importance of working together as a team to accomplish good for the county.

"We have a lot in common and I think it's going to be a fun time for everybody" she said. "I welcome Joe and I appreciate Nora."

Barbetta was elected to his first term on the County Commission in the Sept. 5 primary election. He will represent District 4, which includes the cities of Sarasota and Longboat Key. Barbetta served on the Sarasota County Planning Commission for more than 14 years. He is also a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association and the Florida Planning and Zoning Association.

Patterson was re-elected without opposition to her third term on the commission. She represents District 5, which includes Siesta Key and the Gulf Gate area of Sarasota. A former city of Sarasota commissioner, she represents the county on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Tourist Development Council and the West Coast Inland Navigation District, among other boards.

http://www.sun-herald.com/Newsstory.cfm?pubdate=112206&story=ew4.htm&folder=NewsArchive2