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SRQ DAILY Dec 17, 2014

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"I'm so excited to see the kids' faces when they react to a performance like this, never before seen in Sarasota."

- Lazarus Fernandez, Spotlight Events Entertainment
 

[Politics]  North Port Commission Adopts Districts
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Southwest Florida’s fastest growing municipality will now place district residency requirements on city commissioners. A map dividing the city into five districts with roughly 11,500 residents apiece was approved by city commissioners unanimously Monday night, four months after city voters backed a referendum requiring the change.

City Attorney Mark Moriarty said the shift was carefully crafted by consultants based on census data. Six plans were proposed by consultants, and commissioners last night approved a district map and an ordinance enacting the change in election rules. “It was a long process,” said Mayor Rhonda DiFranco. The change requires commissioners now to live in the district they will represent on the commission, though elections will remain at-large. Commissioners until now could live anywhere in the city and run for the numbered commission seats.

The shift hasn’t been welcomed by everyone in North Port, though. While 66.4 percent of voters in August backed a change to the charter calling for district elections, former City Commissioner Richard Lockhart said the city is not ready for such a shift. “We are still growing for years in the future,” he said, noting North Port’s population of 59,212 this year is a fraction of the expected 250,000 residents expected to live in North Port once it is built out. “It’s way too premature to have districts right now.”

DiFranco said she actually would prefer a single-member district system, where only voters in each district elect their own commissioner and don't weigh in on the rest of the board. She wonders if many of the voters thought that was what they would get with the August referendum.

Politically, the change means some shuffling on the board in coming cycles. DiFranco, for example, holds Seat 3 today, but will have to run for re-election in District 1 in two years. The Seat 4 commissioner, Jacqueline Moore, is not up for-re-election until 2018, but lives in a district now that chooses a commissioner in 2016, so that will have to play out as well.

The change in North Port puts the city on a district system more like other mid-sized cities in Southwest Florida. Bradenton elects five council members who live in specified wards but are elected city-wide. Sarasota elected three single-member district commissioners and two commissioners at-large, the former required to live in their districts and the latter allowed to live anywhere in the city. 

[Festival]  Record Blizzard To Hit Payne Park
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Spotlight Events Entertainment transforms Payne Park into a winter wonderland this weekend for Snow Fest Sarasota, a three-day Christmas-themed extravaganza. Featuring ice-skating, pony rides, food from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and over 200 tons of real snow to play in, it’s a Christmas from the storybooks.

“We don’t get the privilege to see snow, to wake up and see snow on our ground, to watch our children make a snowman,” said Lazarus Fernandez, event coordinator for Spotlight. “That’s the importance of Snow Fest, to give that experience of what it is to see your child make a snow angel.”

In addition to the snow, Santa’s Circus will be there, with Jelly Bean Jugglers, Candy Cane Hula Hoopers trapezists, balancers and more spreading holiday cheer with costumed acrobatics, as well as Frozen at the Park, a musical and theatrical performance starring characters from Disney's hit Frozen. Outside of the performance, Elsa, Anna and Olaf will be on hand to meet young fans.

All activities and performances are free (except for the giant snow slides), but a portion of proceeds from vendors will go to the Toys for Tots Foundation via The Lazarus Foundation. Snow Fest Sarasota takes over Payne Park Dec. 19-21. 

[Good Bite]  Southern Comfort
Kaye Warr

Bookended by an independent movie theater and an art gallery in eclectic Burns Court, Owen’s Fish Camp is housed in a large cottage that looks as if it was transplanted directly from a fishing village in Maine. The back porch provides a large cozy garden complete with clusters of comfortable seating, twinkly lights and a sleepy cat curled up on a blanket.  The menu consists of Southern-inspired sides and delicious seafood dishes but I enjoy the ‘jars’ offering boiled peanuts, fried dill pickles, fresh fish spread or, my personal favorite, Southern Chicken Liver Pate with Spicy Rhubarb Jam. The pate, made in house, is rich and earthy and delicious on its own eaten directly from the jar, but the rhubarb jam pairs nicely and the addition of jalapeno adds a background note of spice without overwhelming heat.  

Owen's Fish Camp, 516 Burns Lane, Sarasota, 941-951-6936

[Exec Move]  New Principal At Williams Elementary

Superintendent Rick Mills has named Connie Dixon as the new principal at Williams Elementary School pending approval of the School Board of Manatee County. Dixon replaces Paul Hockenbury who is now the coordinator of School Leadership Development for the school district. Dixon has been with the School District of Manatee County since 2003 and has served as an assistant principal at Willis Elementary since 2011. Prior to Willis Elementary, Dixon was a teacher and curriculum specialist at Braden River Elementary School from 2003 to 2011. 

Manatee County School District

[Synergy]  Halfacre To Renovate Marina Jack

Halfacre Construction has been chosen to oversee a renovation project at Marina Jack, a popular restaurant and deep-water marina in Sarasota. The work, according to a release, includes a new patio bar and service station and a new commercial kitchen to service that area. A folding glass wall system will also be added along the south and west entrances. The work could be completed by February. 

Marina Jack

[Exec Move]  County Hires Development Services Manager

Sarasota County has hired Dennis Murphy as development services manager for its Planning and Development Services department. Murphy, who previously served as director of growth management for the City of Punta Gorda, assumes a leadership role managing and overseeing the county's Development Services division, consisting of its land development, building inspections and code enforcement service units. Additionally, Murphy will assist with the unlicensed/unpermitted enforcement program, the ongoing update of the Land Information System, the Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan and the comprehensive review of land development policies and processes. 

Sarasota County Government



[SRQ Studios Gathering]  Let it Snow: Celebrating the Holidays with the SRQ Team at The Studios

Holiday crooners, a delicious spread of hors d’oeurves and bubbly libations greeted the guests of our 2014 SRQ Media “Let it Snow” holiday party on Thursday, December 11. Each year, the SRQ team relishes spending the evening with business owners and individuals who make “living local” in Sarasota and Bradenton a reality. Michael’s on East catered the event with beautiful platters of the most delicious holiday fare! Stephen Fancher and Bart Lowther, financial advisors of MLC & Associates delighted the party with a selection of classic holiday tunes and a few crowd favorites (they had us at Michael Bublé, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and John Legend). A selection of red and white wine and champagne, provided by Bijou Café was served alongside a variety of beers and the signature “Let it Snow” cocktail made with Siesta Key Rum. As the celebration carried on, our guests congregated in our favorite place at SRQ Studios—the kitchen. Before the evening drew to a close, guests indulged in handmade gingerbread men from Sift Bakehouse and the most delicious mini treats from Heavenly Cupcakes. To read more about the event and view photos, visit Inside the Brand. 

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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