More than 1,800 voters participated in the March 10 Sarasota City Commission elections in District 2 and 3 than participating in those districts for the last city election. But there were also more than 2,600 voters who participated in the last election but did not vote in the contest two weeks ago. This according to an SRQ Media Group analysis of election returns.

While a variety of explanations for the voter attrition, the analysis shows the dramatically different voter make-up from election to election in contests where a turnout of 30 percent would be considered extremely high. In the District 2 contest this year, a total of 3,798 ballots were counted this year, representing just 25.73 percent of the total registered voters in the jurisdiction. Turnout was more scant in District 3, where 1,636 votes were tabulated, representing 16.23 percent of the pool of registered voters.

Of most immediate importance, the big swings in numbers show there is still potential for upset in the May runoff for the City Commission, and neither district has yet elected a commissioner to serve the next four years. In District 2, Liz Alpert came in first in the election with 1,656 votes to incumbent Eileen Normile’s 1,449 votes; David Morgan came in third with 689, enough to prevent either of his opponents from securing a majority. In District 3, incumbent Stan Zimmerman topped the roster with 750 votes but must still face challenger Shelli Freeland Eddie, who had 584 votes; Matt Wooddall was the third-place finisher in this district with 297 votes.

The election results will be discussed at SRQ’s Where The Votes Are event this morning. Doors open at 7:30am and the event is free to the public. The Sarasota City Commission runoff is scheduled for May 12. 

Renowned astrophysicist, Director of the Hayden Planetarium and host of recent FOX series, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson stopped by the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall yesterday as the penultimate speaker in the Ringling College Library Association TOWN Hall Lecture Series, joining previous speakers such as Dr. Charles Krauthammer and preceding final speaker, Dr. Ben Bernanke. Playing to a crowded hall, Tyson continued his role as the nation’s popular spokesman for science; celebrating the latest scientific achievements, promoting scientific literacy and purveying the scientist’s every-present, ever-important wonder for the unknown. But before taking the stage and defending his role in Pluto’s demotion from full-fledged planet to dwarf planet, People’s “Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive” took a moment to field some questions on politics, alien life and his latest television venture StarTalk.

In response to questions regarding U.S. senator and Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz’s claim that NASA should not be spending money on Earth and atmospheric studies, Tyson countered that not only were such studies defined in the organization’s charter but that they were crucial areas of interest for the species. “If you’re going to ignore Earth – and no one else is paying attention to Earth the way NASA is – you could be planting the seeds of your own destruction,” said Tyson. “It’d be different if most of [NASA’s budget] was spent on Earth, but that’s not the case.” When asked about Florida governor Rick Scott’s alleged unofficial policy banning official use of such terms as “climate change” and “global warming,” Tyson expressed dismay. “I don’t know if our country has any precedent for emergent scientific truths to be debated on political grounds,” he said. “I’m astonished by that. Astonished and disappointed. I thought as a nation we were above this.”

Believing that a more scientifically engaged and literate electorate can help prevent further politicization of scientific discourse and policy, Tyson has made a second career endeavoring to bring scientific enthusiasm into popular culture through various appearances on shows such as The Colbert Report and with his own shows, like the long-running podcast/radio show StarTalk, which Tyson has recently parlayed into a TV show on the National Geographic Channel. “It will spread the love of the universe, science and science literacy a little more,” said Tyson. “If you jump to another medium, you’re definitely broadening your audience.”

As to the future of scientific exploration, Tyson showed little confidence in the much-hyped Mars colony conceit recently making waves in the private venture world, saying “I have no doubt we could solve any engineering challenge, it’s just a matter of policy and money, always.” What he would like to see in his lifetime? “I want to find life other places than Earth.”

The Ringling College Library Association TOWN Hall Lecture Series concludes Mar. 31 with a presentation from former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke. 

Goodwill Manasota’s new location in Lakewood Ranch opened to the public on March 19, at 9am, with a long line of shoppers. About 2,000 community members shopped and about 1,400 transactions were made during the grand opening. The retail store has approximately 23,000 square feet, which includes a community room, a donation center and a job connection office. 

Goodwill Manasota

Governor Rick Scott announced the reappointment of Michael Moran to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Moran, 46, of Sarasota, is the owner of Blue Water Insurance Group. He currently serves as a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. He previous served as a member of the Sarasota County Planning Commission. Moran received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University. He is reappointed for a term ending March 1, 2019. 

Loveland Center completed the process to draw down $7.75 million in state funding for the construction of Loveland Village from Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Loveland Village is a planned residential community for individuals with developmental disabilities and supporters that will be located adjacent to the current Loveland Center campus in Venice. 

Loveland Center

Michele August has joined Jennette Properties. After living in Manhattan for 30 years, August recently relocated to Bradenton. She has an extensive background in the modeling industry. During her 15 year career in the modeling industry, she had the opportunity to live in Sydney, Australia. August also owned and operated 212 Artist Representatives, a management company for commercial photographers and directors. She got her real estate license after moving to Florida. She will now be in the West Manatee office for Jennette Properties. 

Jennette Properties