Angelo for Commission District 3 seat

If we set out to find an outstanding county commission candidate at a time when Charlotte County faces myriad difficult problems, we'd begin by looking for a problem-solver.

We'd want a smart, thoughtful person who demonstrated an ability to analyze problems in a fresh way, someone who is articulate and can communicate with other commissioners, staff and the public.

We'd want someone with experience, someone who showed a willingness to do the homework and the legwork needed to grasp the underlying nature of problems and work with others to hammer out a reasonable solution.

We have two excellent candidates this year for the District 3 (West County) seat for the Charlotte County Commission, but we believe Democratic candidate Percy Angelo has some unique qualities that clearly make her the stronger choice.

The Republican candidate, Robert Skidmore, also is a fresh, new voice. Skidmore is the young Turk of West County. The 26-year-old grew up in Englewood, working at his family's video store, and now works as membership director of the Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce.

Skidmore has long shown an aptitude for politics. He already has served on the Charlotte County Airport Authority and this year dove into a primary fight against incumbent Republican Commissioner Tom Moore, beating him handily. Skidmore has the energy and the desire.

Angelo is a newcomer to the local political scene, but she has decades of experience as a lawyer in Illinois. The Stanford University Law School graduate characterizes herself as a conservative Democrat and said she has represented both local governments and businesses -- including Monsanto and Caterpillar -- in her environmental law firm in Chicago.

Angelo first came to the area to visit parents in 1989 and bought a home in Placida in 1999. She retired here four years ago.

On a number of issues during the past year, Angelo has impressed us with her vision and approach to problem-solving. Foremost was her involvement in the proposed planned development zoning ordinances for coastal areas.

As initially conceived, the ordinances were confusing and controversial. Angelo was instrumental in bringing together environmental and business factions to agree on a clearer, simplified compromise that was embraced by all sides. It was an impressive feat.

At another recent meeting between county officials and Manasota Key residents anxious about potential changes to popular zoning regulations, she spoke clearly and forcefully for a solution that would primarily respect residents' desires for protecting their neighborhood while also clarifying the zoning.

In both instances, she demonstrated a strong, level-headed approach to problem-solving, a willingness to listen to and respect citizens' opinions and a desire to build consensus.

Angelo said the biggest issues facing the county were economic development and the budget. As an example of her approach, she wrote a seven-page "Blueprint for a Stronger Charlotte County." (It has a "blueprint in a nutshell" for a quick read and can be viewed at her Web site.) As for the budget, she said the only way to clarify the situation was to take a zero-based budgeting approach that, essentially, builds from the bottom up.

"I actually want to fix what's wrong with the county," she told us.

With her clear, meticulous approach, she just may be able to make a dent.

The Sun recommends Percy Angelo for the District 3 seat on the Charlotte County Commission.