Two Sarasota School Board members were handily re-elected in Tuesday's primary elections, a signal received by one of the winners that voters are satisfied with Common Core standards and district policies for education. "Our community supports quality higher education," said School Board member Shirley Brown, who was re-elected with 66.44 percent of the vote over challenger Helen Wolff. "They understood those higher standards are for our students to succeed."

The election was just one of many in the region on a day when voters weighed in on races for the Florida Legislature and the School Board and County Commission seats for Manatee and Sarasota.

Brown and colleague Jane Goodwin both coasted to their next terms, with Goodwin beating challenger Randy McLendon with 70.44 percent of the vote. A third seat is headed for a runoff, where Ken Marsh, a former director of long-term planning for the schools, had 40.64 percent of the vote compared to incumbent Bridget Ziegler, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott this year, who received 36.81 percent of the vote. Ziegler and Marsh eliminated challengers Paul Schafer and Velton Hodges.

"My support was just across the spectrum geographically and politically," said Marsh, who looks forward to the next stage of the campaign. Ziegler said she will continue running as the voice of parents. "That is what will be the biggest differentiation between the two of us," she said.

In the race for Florida House of Representatives District 74, an open seat, orthopedic surgeon Julio Gonzalez defeated former Florida Real Estate Commissioner Richard DeNapoli in the Republican primary, taking 57.03 percent of the vote in one of the most expensive elections in the state. Gonzalez faces only write-in opposition in November.

For Sarasota County Commission, Paul Caragiulo defeated Shannon Snyder in the race for the District 2 seat with 59.57 percent of the vote; both candidates were Sarasota City Commissioners seeking higher office. Caragiulo now faces independent Alexandra Coe and two write-in candidates in November. In the District 4 seat, former Planning Commissioner Alan Maio beat Council of Neighborhood Associations president Lourdes Ramirez with 69.56 percent of the vote. Maio will now face independent John Minder and Democrat Ray Porter in November.

"There is a whole other stage to get through," said Caragiulo. "I take that seriously. It is not superfluous and I know I have to run another race."

In Manatee County, the greatest bit of drama was surely the District 2 contest for Manatee County Commission. Palmetto City Commissioner Charles Smith, according to unofficial final results, led incumbent Michael Gallen by just five votes, 1,029 votes to 1,024 votes, in the Democratic primary. The contest had been closed to Democratic voters by a write-in candidate, which many believed would hurt Gallen. The close race is enough to trigger a recount.

But in District 4, Manatee County Commissioner Robin DiSabatino defeated challenger Tim Norwood in the Republican primary, taking 61.53 percent of the vote to beat the Tea Party activist.

Manatee School Board member Karen Carpenter beat challenger Frank Brunner to win re-election with 57.39 percent of the vote, and newcomer Charlie Kennedy with 50.52 percent beat Rodney Jones for an open seat on the board. But in District 5, incumbent Julie Aranibar heads to a runoff against Mary Cantrell. Aranibar and Cantrell pulled in 38.18 percent and 36.28 percent of the vote respectively, but they did eliminate James Golden and Les Nichols. 

See More Election Coverage on SRQ Rattlebag

A good dinner isn't hard to find in Sarasota, but for the foodie hunter, stumbling upon a local family owned restaurant is like finding a diamond in the rough. Head down to the Gulf Gate neighborhood and seek out the Schnitzel Kitchen. This local spot serves up the area’s best German food, consistently and deliciously. Owned and operated by Chef Kristen Goldberg and her son, Paul, diners will experience the warm family vibe and pride for their freshly prepared Bavarian cuisine.

First timers should order the schnitzel, a veal, pork or chicken cutlet, pounded thin, breaded, sauteed and served with your choice of four different sauces: Zigeuner, a gypsy style red sauce, Jäger, a mushroom cream sauce with fresh parsley, Zwiebeln, sautéed onions, Kräuterbutter, herb butter, or Holstein, which is topped with egg sunny side up.

True to its name, the kitchen perfectly prepares schnitzel with a moist and tender center and a crispy outside. The Jager sauce is a crowd favorite, its creamy and rich elixir overflows into the handmade spaetzle (one of many side choices available), revealing a flavor and texture combination that is destined to be remembered and craved. 

If you want the true experience, order the daily specials. Last Saturday, Chef Kristen served the Schweine Haxe, a pork knuckle that has been scored slow roasted to fall-off-the-bone perfection and the skin is crispy and downright heavenly. Finish the meal off with their apple strudel. It is served warm with vanilla ice cream and a dash of powdered sugar. Golden and flaky pastry surround a well balanced apple filling. It not only fills the palate with sweet and spicy goodness, but it will also fill your face with a tasty smile.   

Schnitzel Kitchen, 6521 Superior Avenue, Sarasota, 941-922-9299, schnitzelkitchen.com

Manatee Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in the State of Florida to be designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. The DICOE program is an achievement that goes beyond accreditation to recognize best-quality imaging practices and diagnostic care. This includes a comprehensive assessment of the entire medical imaging enterprise, including structure and outcomes. The DICOE designation recognizes excellence at multiple levels — including the professional staff, the technology and the policies and procedures the organization follows — and superior patient care. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital

Bright House Networks is adding a customer support center at its Bradenton area location that will bring 155 new jobs over the next three years. The Manatee County Board of Commissioners approved Bright House Networks for $155,000 in performance-based incentives based on adding 155 jobs over the next three years. The jobs must pay 15 percent more than the average annual wage in Manatee County. The City of Bradenton has offered to expedite permitting when the company renovates its current facility on State Road 64 East to accommodate additional staff.

Bright House Networks

The Children’s World building on Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.  It is only the 18th commercial building in the area to achieve this.  At 7,000 square feet, it is the smallest commercial building to qualify for this award in Sarasota, and it is only the second building to score a perfect 100.   

Children's World

As we celebrate local winners of design awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), marvel at the record real estate sales, and greet an influx of newcomers to our communities, we know that the best way for you to reach this record number of potential patrons is to be in front of them. Ideal for realtors, interior designers, homebuilders, architects, remodelers, and renovation contractors, our SRQ | The Magazine November Home Gallery Roundtable is your chance to ensure our audiences get to know you. Contact our team at 941-365-7702 x211 or GrowMyBusiness@srqmag.com for more information on this opportunity. Space closes September 10, 2014. 

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