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SRQ DAILY Nov 11, 2014

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"Even in the most challenging circumstances, and I considered this election to be that with who the Democratic candidate was at the top of the ticket, we hope to be successful. "

- Joe Gruters, Republican Party of Sarasota
 

[Politics]  Sarasota Clearly Battleground, But Still Republican

The results of the general election a week ago show more to local political observers than a preference for who should be governor. Armed with a nominee with strong local roots and a sophisticated absentee voter operation, Democrats came as close to winning the county in a governor's contest as they have in decades. But in the end, Republicans still won.

Leaders from both parties found much to be proud about in the general election results, but it was the Grand Old Party than won the major prizes, including carrying the county for Gov. Rick Scott in his successful re-election bid and in the election of a Republican candidate, Bridget Ziegler, in a nonpartisan School Board election that came down to the wire.

"We knew we were in for a real struggle, and we were lucky and fortunate to get our voters out," said Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota.

Rita Ferrandino, chairman of the Sarasota Democratic Party, said she was pleased to see the difference between Scott and Democratic candidate Charlie Crist was just 4,974, less than the race four years when Scott beat Democrat Alex Sink by a slimmer margin statewide than this year but won Sarasota by 6,538 votes.

"We would have been happier and preferred to have won Sarasota for Democrats, but we were proud given the onslaught that we held on," Ferrandino said. Outperforming the results of past elections, she said, showed the local Democratic Party did its part in getting voters out in support of Crist, and noted turnout in Sarasota was much higher than liberal bastions such as Broward and Miami-Dade.

Indeed votes cast before Election Day, an area where party apparatus plays a key role through voter drives and get-out-the-vote systems, went to Crist, and for Ken Marsh, the Democrat running for School Board. In the governor's contest, Crist recieved 27,265 absentee votes to Scott's 24516 absentee votes. Scott won in early voting (15,347 to 14,006) and of course on election day (38,808 to 32,426), but the roughly half of ballots cast before election day itself broke for Crist.

Gruters said that trends were revered by election day thanks to a fervent volunteer push and through the support of donors who spent a great deal in the last 14 days of the race to ensure Republicans came out on top. 

Gruters also said having a full slate of candidates from governor through county commission and even into charter review board posts helped one another. "You run as a team," he said. "I knew some of these races would be real tight, and I was surprised we were able to sweep the county."

Of course, Ferrandino said candidate recruitment can prove challenging in a still-red county during a mid-term election where Republican voters tend to perform better than Democratic ones. "It's just very hard to find high-quality candidates when you look at actual numbers and results," she said. "That's why we are so proud of the candidates who did step up to the plate."

The next major election pitting the parties formally against one another will be November 2016, and Democrats perform better in presidential elections. Gruters said he has considered the county a battleground since Barack Obama came just 211 votes behind John McCain here during the 2008 presidential election. 

SRQ Media Group will hold an election analysis at its next Where The Votes Are event on Nov. 19 at the SRQ Media Group headquarters. RSVP to jacob.ogles@srqmediagroup.com if you would like to attend this event.

[Stage]  They've Taken the Halflings! ...to Sarasota?
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Sarasota Opera looks to beat Peter Jackson to the punch with the Sarasota Youth Opera’s presentation of The Hobbit this Saturday and Sunday. Celebrating 30 years bringing youth into the fold, this year’s production of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic features over 90 young performers ranging in age from 8-18 performing on the Sarasota Opera House mainstage.

“Our primary goal is to break away the mystique of opera and make them understand that this kind of art is not to be feared, it’s something to be involved in,” said Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell. “We’re the only company in the U.S. that makes this sustained commitment to an education program.”

And it is a commitment. Youth Opera shows are full productions with sets, costumes, orchestras and fully choreographed numbers. No expense is spared; the only thing smaller than usual are the performers themselves.

“The fact that we do a full-scale production is very important,” said Ben Plocher, Youth Opera director, who joined the company in 2011. “Instead of learning passively, through observation, they get to be part of the experience and learn by doing.”

But while this means a lot of work for the Opera, it also demands much from the young performers, who can expect to rehearse at least three times a week, sometimes everyday, once staging begins and the performance nears. This all in addition to what Plocher calls the performers’ “full-time jobs” as students and “part-time jobs” with other extracurricular commitments.

Plocher’s terminology is revealing of how the Opera views the youth performers–as performers first, youth second.

“I’ve never been in a professional production like this before,” said Serenna Jones, a 16-year-old from Out-of-Door Academy who plays multiple characters in The Hobbit, including a wood elf and Bolg the goblin. “It’s a fun experience and the stress is enjoyable because it’s fun.”

Coming from Orlando, where she took voice lessons and performed in the more recital-esque settings offered by Florida Opera Theatre, Jones dove into Sarasota Youth Opera with both feet this year and landed parts in The Hobbit and as a youth performer in Pagliacci.

“Compared to what I used to do, it’s much easier to perform, to put yourself in the character’s shoes,” said Jones. “I’m really happy that there’s opportunity, especially at this level.”

As director of the program, Plocher understands the sentiment and sees it reflected in his young charges. It’s their excitement that drives him and led him to restage The Hobbit, which made its U.S. debut with the Sarasota Youth Opera in 2008.

“We really wanted to do a show that was representative of the impact and quality that we provide,” said Plocher. “But also the kids really love it. They’ve been asking ever since I got here, ‘Are we ever gonna do The Hobbit again?’”

Ask Plocher if he feels intimidated competing with the conclusion of Jackson’s version, spanning four years and three movies, and he only laughs.

“You can see the whole story with us in only two hours.”

The Hobbit will be performed at the Sarasota Opera House on Nov. 15 at 7pm and Nov. 16 at 1:30pm. Pagliacci runs tonight at 8pm, Nov. 13 at 8pm and Nov. 15 at 1:30pm. 

[Expansion]  Sarasota Office Of Redwood Financial Network Opens

Nathan Maciejowski recently opened the new Sarasota office of Redwood Financial Network, a Cleveland-based financial services firm with an office in Chicago and over 50 years of combined financial planning and investment management expertise. Maciejowski, the Sarasota wealth advisor, collaborates with affluent individuals and their families to manage, grow and preserve their assets, as well as business owners to evaluate, build and handle employee and individual 401K plans incorporating cutting-edge strategies developed by Redwood’s Certified Financial Planners and Accredited Investment Fiduciary. Maciejowski’s years of experience include both the business and financial advising worlds. 

Redwood Financial Network

[Opening]  Amore By Andrea Debuts On Longboat Key

Chef Andrea Bozzolo and Howard Rooks announced the grand opening of Amore by Andrea, a restaurant and event space that features contemporary Italian cuisine. Amore officially opens to the public on Thursday at 5pm. Amore by Andrea is located at is located on Bay Isles Parkway, just off Gulf of Mexico Drive, tucked behind the Publix mall. 

Amore by Andrea

[Exec Move]  Jung Announces Retirement

Sarasota County Bar Association Executive Director Jan Jung informed the Bar Association's board of directors of her plans to retire effective January 2016. Jung has served as the Bar Association's executive director since 1989. During her leadership, the Bar Association has expanded and improved member services and enhanced its education programs not only for its members but also for the public at large in an effort to better the administration of justice for judges, lawyers and clients. 

Sarasota County Bar Association

[Groundbreaking]  Construction Begins On Infinity On Longboat Key

Crossgate Partners announced the start of construction of Infinity Longboat Key, a luxury condominium community of 11 residences. Tandem Construction has been named construction manager for the project. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the project will take place on the site on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key next Tuesday at 10am. 

Infinity Longboat Key

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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