Sarasota city and county cooperation on public development along the Ringling Boulevard corridor. A fissure between the two governments seems to have grown regarding the use of the old police building site, city land which at one point was to be transferred to the county but which city officials have been reluctant to turn over. “It sits there now as a nicely-mowed lawn,” said County Commissioner Alan Maio. “Surely there is some higher and better use.”

County commissioners expressed frustration about the slow pace of the transfer at a financial workshop on Friday, suggesting no other county development planned in that area of the city should move forward until the matter is resolved. At the same time, city officials have been concerned that the original plans for the site have been abandoned, and that has bearing on any years-old deal dating back to 2003. “We are trying to figure out what the county wants to do with the property,” said Jan Thornburg. “We are just trying to make our plans with the future of downtown.” Initially, the deal in 2003 was in anticipation of a justice center expansion. But that was a recession and three city managers ago, and an update on plans is in order.

County Commissioner Paul Caragiulo, who until November was serving on the City Commission, said he has been frustrated by the handling of the land by city administration. He said it was only when he came to the county that he learned county administration made a commitment to use the property for a public use and not simply sell it. “It’s the way the city administration is doing business,” Caragiulo said. “We can’t work with someone who is not willing to communicate.” 

Editor's Note: This is the first installment in a six-part series. Each candidate for Sarasota City Commission was asked to answer identical questions on city issues in advance of the March 10 city election. Liz Alpert is running in District 2.

What would be your first priority at the start of your new term? The redevelopment of the Bayfront Cultural District is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will forever change the face of Sarasota. As the nearly 40 stakeholders of Bayfront 20:20 move toward creating a long-term master plan, I will work to ensure the Bayfront remains open and accessible to the public. The late John Ringling and his brother Charles left a great legacy of cultural, artistic and architectural excellence. It’s time we now seize this opportunity, and this economic climate, to cement Sarasota’s preeminence as the cultural and artistic leader of our great state of Florida.  

What past or present city commissioner do you believe you would be most like in terms of how you govern? As a practicing family law attorney I am no stranger to tough situations where two parties are in opposition to one another. I always look to find solutions to for my clients and I will bring this problem-solving attitude to the commission.

What do you believe should be the city’s next step in terms of handling the homeless issue in Sarasota? Homelessness is a humanitarian issue. But it’s also a safety issue, economic issue and quality of life issue.  At any one time, the City of Sarasota has anywhere from 250-400 homeless individuals—6 times the national average. The City Commission must first come back to the table with the County Commission to create a long-term comprehensive plan for the homeless in our community. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We must work with business owners, neighborhoods, and non-profits to craft solutions for the newly homeless, homeless families, and the chronically homeless—many of which suffer from mental illness and addiction issues. This includes better funding those private organizations that are already helping our most vulnerable citizens get back on their feet. In the immediate term, funding additional Homeless Outreach Teams to work with the homeless on an individual case-by-case basis is a top priority.

What is the greatest financial challenge for the city right now and what is the most prudent way to handle it? There are three key financial challenges which the City Commission must address: (1)    The City Commission needs to evaluate and balance the Multimodal Transportations Impact Fee, which the City Commission implemented in 2014 at a discounted rate.  Setting this fee at appropriate level is key to ensure the City is doing all it can to provide alternative means of transportation to reduce motor vehicle congestion on our crowded roads, highways, and bridges. (2) The City Commission needs to work with the County Commission to ensure the Downtown and Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency programs remain funded after their current charters expire in 2016. (3) The unfunded pension liability continues to be a major financial issue which the City must address through its budgeting process.  

What is the one change you would like to see in the way city business is conducted today? The City Commission needs to be focused on solving the big problems that are important to its citizens and stop focusing on the issues that do not move the City forward. 

To complement and commemorate the upcoming opening of its new center for Asian art, the Ringling Museum announced a special line-up for Ringling International Arts Festival 2015, bringing all seven performances from the varied cultures of the Asian continent, retaining the international and contemporary spirit, but in a more focused manner than before.

“It’s not very often that what you should do is what you want to do and that you are able to do it,” said Dwight Currie to the crowd assembled last night at the Historic Asolo Theatre. With the arrival of the center for Asian art and a growing feeling that Asian art was underrepresented, Currie reached out to Stanford Makishi, vice president of programming at New York City Center and associate producer of the Center’s Fall for Dance festival, to help craft the roster for RIAF 2015.

The roster includes Phare: The Cambodian Circus, a professional touring circus that grew out of a program for at-risk youth in Cambodia. Combining theater, music, dance and feats of strength and balance, it’s a spectacle that seems both familiar and excitingly new. “It would be the perfect thing for Ringling,” said Makishi. “This is an extremely rare opportunity.” Also performing in the Mertz Theatre, Tao Dance Theater is one of China’s most acclaimed contemporary dance troupes, combining abstract choreography with technical precision.

The Cook Theatre will feature a trio of more intimate performances, beginning with Ronnarong Khampha, bringing the traditional dances of Thailand to the stage with a contemporary aesthetic. Indonesian composer and musician Peni Candra Rini will also take the stage, performing traditional and contemporary compositions with a voice Makishi said, “can only be described as angelic and bell-like.” Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jen Shyu, American-born to Taiwanese and East Timorese parentage, brings her monodramas – “Kind of a solo opera,” according to Makishi – to round out the trio.

Remaining performers include master puppeteer Tom Lee, who will be workshopping and finishing his new production Shank’s Mare to show at RIAF before the scheduled New York premiere in November, and the Indonesian band Orkes Sinten Remen. “I saw them perform live in Jakarta twice and they’re just joyous,” said Makishi of the band. “If you listen to a recording, you can hear them smiling.”

RIAF 2015 opens Oct. 15 and concludes Oct. 18. Now in its seventh year, this will be the second year that RIAF has been under the sole creative control of the Ringling Museum, following the departure of founding partner the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Tickets are currently on sale. 

When you think of the Sandbar Restaurant on Anna Maria Island you probably think of the usual things: seafood, sea view and seaside cocktails. On a recent trip to the storied beachfront fish house we were treated to a surprise: a foodie haven with a redone dining room and a reimagined menu. I haven’t been to the Sandbar in years and I have a vague memory of an old Florida dining room serving fried fish platters and daiquiris. There’s still a casual vibe and friendly atmosphere but the dining room has been transformed into an elegant waterfront living room and the menu features inventive specials like Wild Boar with local Sauerkraut or the airy, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth decadence of Bellies and Caviar. There’s a board outside that informs you of the many locally sourced ingredients and where they come from and the fresh produce and proteins utilized in every dish are of the highest quality. If you haven’t ventured to Sandbar in a while, don’t you think it’s time you gave it a second chance? 

Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, 941-778-0444

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce announced former Manatee County Commissioner Michael Gallen will join its staff as vice president of public policy and small business, beginning March 16. Gallen will fill the position being vacated by Neil Spirtas, senior vice Ppesident, who will leave the Chamber to pursue teaching, writing and travel. Gallen’s past experience includes a four-year term on the Manatee County Commission, as well as a position with the Florida House of Representatives Committee on Business Regulation. Since leaving the County Commission, Gallen has been teaching politics and government at IMG Academy and is a former teacher with the Manatee County School Board at the high school level. 

Manatee Chamber of Commerce

Saks Fifth Avenue announced Terri Najmolhoda will take on the role of vice president and general manager for the location at University Town Center, the first full-line Saks store to open in a decade. She succeeds Joel Ellzey, who opened the new store in October before taking on a position as vice president and general manager for Saks in Boston. Najmolhoda previously held a similar post for Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In the new post, Najmolhoda will report to Kim Nye, Sakes senior vice president and regional director of stores for this part of the country. Najmolhoda has worked in national retail since 1987 for such companies as U.S. Shoe Corporation, Banana Republic and Dayton Hudson Marshall Fields. She joined Saks in 2008 and has worked in Troy, Michigan and in Florida stores in Boca Raton and Tampa. 

Saks Fifth Avenue

KB Pension Services announced Lee Porter has been promoted to a pension administrator II and has passed both IRS exams to earn the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent designation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  The ERPA credential allows retirement plan professionals to practice before the IRS, most importantly, on retirement plan audits. The IRS recognizes that retirement plan professionals are highly competent in their field and play an active and critical role in representing employers before the IRS on retirement plan matters. 

KB Pension Services

Andie and Ashley Mendoza, doing business as Rastas, have leased a 1,000-square-foot retail space on Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota for use as a glass gallery and for sales of glass pieces. Janet Lincoln with Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT in Sarasota represented the tenant and Nef Mascorro of Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT in Sarasota represented the landlord.