If you were to ask my wife what I was like in high school, she would tell you that I was shy. That’s inaccurate. I was only diffident around her. We met during fourth period lunch at Riverview High School, where she was the captain of the cheerleading team, and I was a new kid from the streets of the Dominican Republic. Back then, I would wake up at 6 a.m. and bike to school, often losing my balance over four of my 10 favorite potholes in the City of Sarasota.

After becoming the first to graduate high school in my family, I went to the University of Florida, where I attained my bachelor’s degree. I came back to Sarasota, where my mom lives, and now help people in this resilient, strong community of which I’m immensely proud.

Sarasota has a unique way of thriving in spite of its many showings of mismanagement. $8 million became $67 million in taxpayer dollars for a lift station project. Then a $50-million judgement was awarded against our city in a lawsuit. I have seen first-hand the deep needs of our community, having knocked on thousands of doors and served as a board member for numerous charities for the past 15 years. Sarasota is a prosperous, generous community that I have had the great honor of growing alongside.

But this election day, our city residents have some decisions to make. Does having a history in our community matter? Does charity involvement and attaining a local education matter? Does having bipartisan endorsements matter? Does running a business locally, or experience in City Hall, matter? Does ensuring our city grows responsibly matter?

The heart of Sarasota is its working class in District 3. We need a champion for the forgotten people east of Tamiami Trail, which get little representation and consideration. You have to sit back and watch in awe as our city spends millions upon million on downtown and waterfront projecst, yet spends cents upon cents for its step-child in District 3. We can’t sit on the sidelines as our taxes and utility rates rise.

I am running for the Sarasota City Commission because I am invested in the entire community, not select parts. My wife Victoria and I have known each other since high school and intend on staying here for the long haul. Aside from the plethora of opportunities, we are invested in the future of this community. Victoria is currently a history teacher and cheerleading coach at Sarasota High School, while I became a local business, wills, and trust lawyer. All of this while being raised by a single parent, being a first-generation America, and becoming my family’s first high school graduate. Against all odds, this happened in Sarasota.

Not bad for a street kid from the Dominican Republic.

Erik Arroyo is a candidate for Sarasota City Commission District 3.