SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) - The new director of a new department within Sarasota County government began work recently.

Ben Quartermaine took the job as director of the county’s stormwater department Aug. 11.

Sarasota County separated the stormwater department from public works after the 2024 storm season.

Many Suncoast residents were hurt badly by the effects of Hurricane Debby. “It wrecked 85 people’s lives in this neighborhood and many more in different locations,” said Judy Valvo of Laurel Meadows.

Quartermaine today, as he held his first media appearance. ABC7 was able to pass along a question from Valvo, she asks, “What assurances are you going to give us this hurricane season, for everyone that lost everything they own, that you are going to do it right this year?”

“We certainl

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