We are in the peak of season in Sarasota, and I don’t mean tourist season. I mean the political season. It’s very apparent at the City Commission with the two commissioners working hard to get things done during their respective election campaigns. As incumbents, they don’t have much to run on since they were only appointed last November. Their effort is in earnest.  Because showing unity and a solid direction, pay off could be seen at the polls.  But in that earnest, citizens are showing concern about the decisions made in haste and in lieu of due process, all to get it done before the election.

One Commissioner in particular, Eileen Normile, has made traffic a focus of her time on the board. Understandably so, since she lives at the heart of the traffic problem–Gulf Stream and U.S. 41. In February, she suggested a traffic summit to, according to the Herald-Tribune, “explore ideas about how to get traffic moving on the causeway and at its intersections with U.S. 41 at one end and St. Armand’s Circle at the other.”

I’m not sure if that summit has been held, but change in that area of the city was immediate. An alteration of the direction in lanes and an addition of a “right turn only” lane was added to the intersection of U.S. 41 and Fruitville. Claiming credit on her campaign page, Eileen Normile’s post read “They (The Observer) forgot to mention who asked the FDOT to consider doing this! It was Commissioner Eileen Normile!”

Normally, decisions to change the flow of traffic in such a heavily congested area involve traffic studies prior to any changes. “A study typically consists of collecting data, projecting traffic volumes, and identifying the improvements required for the transportation system,” according to the Florida Department of Transportation, “in this case, that did not happen.” If Ms. Normile’s fan page is accurate, it appears she called FDOT and the change was made. And only now, after the changes were made, is the traffic study being conducted. For the drivers who take U.S. 41 north or south, you have become the guinea pigs in a grand experiment.

In the month of January, there were four crashes reported at 41 and Fruitville. In February, there were zero reported crashes.  In the month of March (the same month that the lane changes were made) there were 14 total crashes reported at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. Since the restriping of the intersection on March 11, there have been 13 crashes. One of those accidents was a collision that sent people to the hospital.  If you compare that to last year, you will find that there were five crashes reported at the intersection in March 2014.

Residents of the area are in an uproar over what appears to be a lack of concern for safety.  A flooding of calls are coming in, not only to FDOT, but also to City Hall. Videos, taken by area residents, are being sent in as evidence of how harrowing the experience is to drive that intersection, followed by pleas to change it back. Judging by the uptick of accidents, I have to question the judgment of the decision makers when they skipped the process of a traffic study. In their haste, they skipped over things like proper signage, reflective roadway markers and notification to the area residents who use the road the most. 

On Tuesday, FDOT had workers measuring the flow of traffic at that intersection.  But what good is a study when you have no base line?  How many more accidents will have to occur before someone realizes it was a really bad decision? Change it back. Now. 

SRQ Daily Columnist Susan Nilon is the president of Florida Talk Radio and owner of WSRQ Radio. She hosts The Nilon Report on WSRQ Sarasota 1220AM/106.9FM weekdays 4pm-6pm. Email her at susan@sarasotatalkradio.com.

I am frequently asked why Washington seems incapable of resolving our nation’s biggest challenges. Gridlock and dysfunction have come to define a broken political system. 

But last week something unusual happened—bipartisanship broke out in Washington.

The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved landmark legislation to strengthen Medicare and provide long-term certainty for our nation's seniors. The bipartisan measure, which passed 392-37, represents the most significant structural entitlement reform in nearly two decades.  And more importantly, it will enable doctors to keep their doors open to millions of seniors in Florida and the rest of the nation. 

When it comes to caring for the next generation, the House-passed bill would also reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides health insurance to more than 473,000 children in Florida alone.  Since its creation in 1997, CHIP has helped American families access comprehensive, secure, and affordable health care coverage. No child should ever be denied access to quality medical care. 

For years, doctors have been forced to live with the uncertainty of looming cuts to the reimbursement payments they receive for treating Medicare patients. Absent congressional action, health care professionals would have been forced to confront a 21 percent cut on April 1. Many doctors have said they would stop taking Medicare patients or leave the profession altogether. The bill passed by the U.S. House, and now awaiting Senate approval, would replace this flawed payment formula with a more stable and fair reimbursement system while providing seniors with continued access to their doctors.

Passage of H.R. 2, which is estimated to save taxpayers nearly $1 billion over the next decade, is a testament to what Washington can accomplish when we work together to solve problems that will improve the lives of others. 

The bill’s key provisions would: 

• Remove the threat of draconian cuts to Medicare providers and ensure a five-year period of annual fee increases as Medicare transitions to a new system that rewards health outcomes.
• Establish the first real, structural entitlement reform in nearly 20 years—offsetting all new spending without tax increases.
• Strengthens Medicare's ability to fight fraud by removing Social Security numbers from beneficiaries' Medicare cards, preventing payments for deceased and ineligible individuals.
• Preserve and extend CHIP, fully funding the children's health insurance program through September 30, 2017.

As Florida's only member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Medicare program, I am honored to represent more than 200,000 seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties.  I will continue to fight for a better health care system that does not strain or burden seniors and those at the front lines of our health care delivery system. 

I will also work to ensure that last week’s bipartisan action becomes the norm instead of the exception. 

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, is co-Chairman of Florida

Several writers have suggested party involvement in City Commission elections is no big deal: they are mistaken. Voters are always searching for a combination of good character and—from the voter’s point of view—good policies. At the state and national level, party affiliation is an important clue to policy and philosophy. Even there, it is no iron-clad guarantee of how an elected politician will vote, and of course it tells you very little about character, but it is a useful tool for higher level elections.  

At the local level, party affiliation tells you almost nothing about a candidate. The issues are completely different. Are the candidates competent, honest, intelligent and dedicated to service? Will they listen to their constituents? Will they attend all the meetings that they really should attend, and will they do the massive amounts of homework needed to do the job well? Party won’t help you here. Will they pay attention to process or are they willing to take shortcuts? Do they care about quality of life issues or are they simply going to be boosters, mouthing platitudes but not really working in the interest of the community?  

Party affiliation can’t answer any of these questions. I have worked on many City campaigns over the past 10 years, supporting both Democrats and Republicans. In this race, I support Eileen Normile and Stan Zimmerman. Both are Republicans: I am a Democrat. I support them because I have observed them over the years, working on City issues and attending important City meetings. I know their character, and I know they care deeply about this City. I don’t agree with them on every issue (nor do I with any other politician), but I am confidant of their overall attitudes and of my vote. I do not support their opponents because until this election, I have not seen them in action. They have no history on the important issues I care about. They have appeared with this election cycle like the rain lilies in my garden which pop out when it rains and then are gone. I’m looking for people with stamina and commitment over time.

Party involvement confuses the issue at the local level, encouraging people to vote on some imaginary affiliation with a candidate, an affiliation without meaning at this level of election.  And that is most unfortunate. 

Kate Lowman, Sarasota

It was wonderful news this week to learn that Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin has stepped up the City's response to the homeless people living on our streets, by essentially re-presenting to the City Commissioners the 2014 homeless plan devised by Dr. Marbut.  The plan would add nearly 50 temporary beds for the homeless, as well as 500 long-term homeless housing units, and a similar amount of affordable, transitional housing options. 

Having spent the last three months talking with Sarasota residents, business owners, city leaders and the homeless themselves, I've listened as time after time, concerned citizens expressed their deep concern about the plight of the homeless in Sarasota and the effect the issue has on visitors, residents, business owners and taxpayers. It's a relief to know that the voices of the people have been heard and that some movement on the issue is being made by the City.

Our current Commission has been slow to support the Marbut plan.  In fact, my opponent in the runoff election for District 2, has frequently publicly opposed a shelter in general, and specifically discounted the Marbut plan. 

My emphasis on solving the homeless issue and my willingness to work with the county to solve this issue is key to why my campaign for City Commission District 2 has been endorsed by a bipartisan cross-section of our city, including:  Realtors Association of Sarasota and Manatee; the retired Firefighters Association; the retired police; Ruth's List of Florida; and Equality Florida Action PAC.

 I will work with both City and County leaders to find solutions to the homeless crisis and implement them as quickly and efficiently as possible. The people of Sarasota deserve nothing less than that we give this matter our fullest attention. I plan to do just that once I am elected. 

Liz Alpert is a candidate for Sarasota City Commission District 2

 The search is on once again for the Suncoast area’s favorite mothers. Beneva Flowers and Gifts, creator and sponsor of the 8th annual “Sarasota’s Favorite Mom” contest, in conjunction with SRQ Magazine and Milan Jewelry, is excited to host this annual Mother’s Day tradition. This year’s grand prize winner will receive a custom-made pendant from Milan Jewelry, and a special Mother’s Day bouquet of flowers from Beneva. She will also be featured in SRQ Magazine. Other prizes include a spa gift basket from Spa Hollywood and dinner at Mattison’s City Grille. Nominations can be made from now until May 8.  Winners will be decided by popular vote. “Sarasota’s Favorite Mom” contest has been celebrating local moms since 2008. This year’s edition is bigger and better than ever, and has become a highly-anticipated event in the Sarasota area. "The best feeling I have as a business owner is the opportunity to bring a sense of community through local efforts such as this," said Art Conforti, owner of Beneva Flowers. "The whole team at Beneva takes serious pride in seeing all the contestants come together, and especially when we honor those deserving women who win. It's just an amazing feeling to be a part of it.” To enter your favorite mother, visit www.SarasotasFavoriteMom.com, where you can create a member profile and write a brief summary of why she deserves to win. All entries must be received by 11:59pm EDT on May 8, and winners will be announced May 9, 2015. 

Sarasota's Favorite Mom contest

Sarasota Opera has announced the line-up for the 2015 season of "HD at the Opera House".  This series, which debuted in 2014 and more than quadrupled its projected income goal in its first year, has allowed Sarasota Opera to expand its programming from the fall and winter season to year-around. In addition to opera, the 2015 series will include ballet and theater from some of the world's most famous venues. All showings will occur in the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre at the Sarasota Opera House. "We could not be more pleased with the response from the community for this program,” says Executive Director Richard Russell. "We believe our patrons will enjoy this season’s expanded lineup of operas, plays, and ballet from around the world."   

Sarasota Opera

David Bromstad, Ringling College of Art and Design class of 1996 graduate and artist, designer and television personality, will be the commencement speaker for the Class of 2015 graduation ceremony on Thursday May 7. “David is a Ringling College Illustration Program class of 1996 alumnus who represents all majors with his focus on both art and design and the business of art and design,” said Dr. Thompson. “His success is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit that is so much at the core of Ringling College.  Our graduates can relate to his pathway to success and we are very happy to have him come back to Ringling to speak to provide inspiration for their futures.” After graduating from Ringling College, David worked for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to complete very large thematic installations. He then became the original winner of Home and Garden Television’s (HGTV) Design Star, which led to his first hit series for HGTV, Color Splash, where he completed more than 150 makeovers around the country. David has gone on to achieve significant success in the business of art and design, and as a professional artist and designer. 

Ringling College of Art and Design

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation has received America’s Blood Centers (ABC) Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award for its support of SunCoast Blood Bank. The award recognizes a community organization that encourages the spirit of volunteerism among citizens in their community. SMHF was selected from a field of 70 nominees nationwide. Since 2004 SMHF has contributed $404,102 to SCBB’s lifesaving mission. Alexandra Quarles, President and CEO of SMHF accepted the award at ABC’s 18th Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony held in Washington D.C. America's Blood Centers is North America's largest network of community-based, independent blood programs. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its critical work in patient care and disaster preparedness and response, the federation operates more than 600 blood collection sites providing half of the U.S. blood supply. 

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc

The Pops Orchestra