Govern responsibly.  Break through partisan dysfunction.  Get the job done for the American people.

That’s what the public wants and expects out of its elected representatives.  And as we begin the new year, both parties have the opportunity to do just that by working together and focusing on common-sense policies that move our economy and country forward.

People are understandably fed up with a broken political system that has diminished confidence in our public institutions. 

The challenge before us today is to find areas of agreement that will make our nation more prosperous and secure than ever before.

And here’s the good news – with a little effort, we can succeed. 

Consider the following:

Tax Reform- The U.S. tax code punishes everyone from families trying to make ends meet to employers trying to compete in the global marketplace.  Congress and the President need to work together to create a simpler, fairer, pro-growth tax code that fuels the economy and helps put Americans back to work.  As Florida’s only member of the tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee, I am hopeful we can reach agreement and make this goal a reality.     

Free and Fair Trade- Increasing access to foreign markets is critical to growing the U.S. economy and creating jobs.  Currently, international trade supports more than 38 million American jobs with 2.2 million in Florida alone.  A pending free-trade deal with Japan and 11 other countries offers us a prime opportunity to turbo-charge our economy and restore America’s rightful standing as the world’s global leader.     

Energy Independence- The U.S. needs a comprehensive, balanced energy plan that reduces our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  We can start by increasing production of environmentally safe, renewable energy.  Investing in renewable fuels such as wind, solar, and bio-diesel will help create thousands of new jobs right here in our backyard.  It is also time we eliminated wasteful and unnecessary subsidies for Big Oil.  The last thing we should be doing is throwing taxpayer dollars at an industry that does not need our help.          

Job Training and Education– China recently surpassed the U.S. as the world’s largest economy with India and Japan not far behind.  We need to provide America’s workforce with the education & training necessary to compete in the 21^stcentury job market.  Restoring the American Dream and economic prosperity should be our top priority.

Nearly 157 years ago, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in Springfield, Illinois where he delivered a message that rings true today: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Working together, we can get the job done. 

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, is co-Chairman of Florida�s 29-member congressional delegation

What do the Friends of Sarasota County Parks, the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations and several major homebuilders have in common? What about the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club, the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County and hundreds of private citizens?

For one, they all chipped in to help fund a feasibility study to expand the Legacy Trail.

Right now, county staff is reviewing a draft of that study, which looks at extending the recreational trail from its current terminus in Palmer Ranch to the heart of downtown Sarasota. The eight-mile extension would effectively link nearly 30 miles of continuous, multi-use recreational trails in our community—from the Venetian Waterway Park in Venice through the existing Legacy Trail, all the way to Payne Park.

When the county first allocated funding for the study, commissioners challenged the private sector to raise half the funds that would be needed to complete it. Developer and philanthropist Jesse Biter and nonprofit group Friends of the Legacy Trail picked up that mantle. Comfortable with technology and transformative ideas, Biter thought of crowdfunding as a great way to facilitate donations and build community around the effort. And he turned to Gulf Coast Community Foundation to help tie it all together.

We posted the fundraising project on GulfCoastGives.org, and Biter, the Friends groups, and other champions kicked into outreach mode. Support has flowed in from all quarters—bike and triathlon clubs, real estate developers and economic boosters, and scores of local business people and community members. 

The online campaign didn’t replace real-world activities, though; it enhanced them. Friends of the Legacy Trail, for example, channeled proceeds from its annual Tour de Parks bicycle ride to the project. And Friends of Sarasota County Parks pooled direct donations it received and added them to the total. In the end, 144 “neighbors” are listed as donors on the fundraising page. But that represents literally hundreds more, when you consider how many were collective contributions.

County staff is due to report to the County Commission on the feasibility study next month. From there, a second phase of the analysis could proceed (funded in part by these citizen contributions), moving the project closer to reality.

The Legacy Trail connects our parks and our residents. Extending it would provide greater access for safe cycling and walking, link recreational trails throughout the county, and connect southern Sarasota County with downtown Sarasota amenities. How cool is it that a group of active citizens could leverage technology to coalesce people virtually in support of a project that will better connect us physically? 

SRQ Daily Columnist Teri A Hansen is president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, which administers GulfCoastGives.org.

Since its establishment in 2012,  ManaSota Films has become arguably the tightest and most productive independent film community in all of Florida, and perhaps beyond. And so I was keenly interested in asking some of its most prominent and accomplished members what they would like to see in local film festivals, an opportunity to shine the light on local filmmakers.  

As you might imagine, a film is its creator's work and art, a reflection of one's self, an offspring if you will.  So naturally, most responded that they would love more local exposure at their area film festivals.

Beyond that, the filmmakers generally want from a festival what most people want. To be entertained.  To be enlightened.  To be moved.  After all, that is what they are striving for in their own work.

One member stated it best: "When I go to a festival, the thing I'm looking for most is a new voice. Something original and surprising and a step or two ahead of its audience. It can be in any genre as long as it earns its laughs, tears, jumps, awe, intent. Bonus points in my personal opinion if that is achieved by a local filmmaker." 

Mark Troy is the founder of ManaSota Films.

Veronica Brandon Miller and Rick Hughes from Goodwill Manasota are taking their feel-good message celebrating philanthropy to the airwaves with a new radio show, “Tell Me Something Good.” The show, which airs on Sundays on WSRQ (98.9FM, 106.9FM and 1220AM) at 11:00am, focuses on the good that is happening in our community, highlighting those individuals, nonprofits and businesses that give generously of time, talent and treasure. The show debuted on Sunday, January 11. Guests were Harriet Roberts of Garden of the Heart Yoga Center – with whom Goodwill partners on free outreach yoga programs for veterans and children with special needs – and Steve Altier of Seaside National Bank, who discussed his own charitable involvements. Upcoming programming includes: January 18: Tim Holliday of Children’s World Uniform Supply and Sue Stewart, executive director of the Girls Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida; January 25: Goodwill team member Tommy Brannan and Ellen McLaughlin of Schoolhouse Link; February 1: Sondra Kennedy, Steve Paley of Rapid Security Solutions and Morgan Howell, Goodwill Manasota Program Manager of Mission Employment. 

GoodwillManasota

The Mandeville Beer Garden will open on Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota in March. Rebekah Mandeville Gelvin, proprietor, says her concept, “Sarasota’s first true beer garden”, will feature 30 taps including many Florida brewed beers.  Wine and champagne will also be served.  The unique Mandeville Beer Garden, designed by architect George Palermo and built by The Holliday Group, will include 3,000 square feet indoors and 2,800 square feet of outdoor garden space. There will be plenty of parking in the lot north of the building.  The rustic, casual interior will be made of reclaimed, organic wood finishes and a beer “book nook” with a library of beer books to encourage lounging, eating and drinking.   Seating will include 93 seats indoors and 50 seats outdoors at communal picnic tables with a garden, tire swing and various other games all aimed to attract families.  Christian Hershman, owner and proprietor of CJH Cellars & Cuisine and creator of State Street Eating House has joined the MBG “team” as the Chef Consultant to oversee the development of the food & wine menu. Many signature Chef Hershman dishes will be served, pleasing a Sarasota crowd eager to follow him from State Street Eating House to his next endeavor. Christian states, "Rebekah's passion and knowledge of craft beer will lead the concept, my job is to bring honest food to the table. The menu will be playful and comforting. I am calling it Elevated American Saloon Food." Rusty Carr, formerly of Sarasota Ale House for 11 years, will be Head Chef. 

Mandeville Beer Garden

The Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) is celebrating the history of cats at sea in The Ship’s Cat. Dating back to ancient times, cats served as companions, good luck charms, and mousers on many trading, exploration, and naval ships. Learn more about these adventurous and adorable felines, from Peeble, the talented ship's cat aboard HMS Western Isles who was known to shake the hands of strangers, to Pooli, who earned three service ribbons and four battle stars during WWII. In honor of this exhibit, FMM is holding a cat food drive to benefit Cat Depot, a nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless, abandoned and injured cats and kittens. Donations can be dropped off at the museum during regular business hours and will be  presented to Cat Depot on the evening of the exhibit opening on February 5 from 5:30 to 7pm. This event is free and open to the public. The Ship’s Cat exhibit will only be open until February 20. Admission to FMM, including this special exhibit, is free, although donations are greatly appreciated. 

Cat Depot

Global rock star, solo hit maker, front man for the legendary rock band Poison, and Celebrity Apprentice winner Bret Michaels will perform at Forty Carrots Family Center's Firefly Gala, presented by The Dart Foundation, on March 28 at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club. In its fifth year, this popular fundraising gala is an exclusive performance of the season complete with gourmet dinner, auction and all the fanfare of a full-scale private concert. Following the past four years of legendary bands The Go-Go’s, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Blondie and KC & the Sunshine Band, this year's gala continues to combine rock star entertainment with world-class dining and gala elegance - all with the chance to win exciting auction items. Get ready for this rock ‘n roll, fun, high energy spring fundraiser. It proves to be “Nothin’ But a Good Time”! 

Firefly Gala

ReuseReCONNECT, an idea submitted by Realize Bradenton’s Morgan Bettes, has been selected by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as one of 126 finalists out of more than 7,000 for the first Knight Cities Challenge.  “The concept of ReuseReCONNECT is to look at existing spaces in downtown Bradenton that may be used as community hubs. These spaces will provide a space for millennials to connect socially where they live, work, and play.” said Bettes. Through Realize Bradenton’s on-going millennial conversations, local millennials desire activities outside of the typical bar scene, but rather regular opportunities that allow for social engagement. The Knight Cities Challenge is designed to help ignite civic innovation at the city, neighborhood, and block levels, focusing on three key drivers of city success: attracting talented people, expanding economic opportunity, and creating a culture of civic engagement. “We are delighted to be a finalist. ReuseReCONNECT is in line with the work we’ve been doing for the last five years, creative placemaking” said Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton. Knight Cities Challenge Finalists will have about a month to take their ideas to the next level, and could receive all, or a share, of the $5 million grant that will be announced in the spring. 

Realize Bradenton