« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY May 11, 2015

Monday Business Edition

Monday Business Edition

"Nonprofit leaders today have to have both the head and the heart."

- Robin Rose, Girls Inc.
 

[Politics]  Campaign Contributions
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

This chart shows contributions made to campaigns of candidates for Sarasota City Commission, divided by the stated job of donors. "N/A" demarks where campaigns did not identify a donor occupation. The chart only includes donations made since the March election. The May election is scheduled for Tuesday. Liz Alpert and Eileen Normile are running for Sarasota City Commission District 2. Shelli Freeland Eddie and Stan Zimmerman are running for Sarasota City Commission District 3. 

[Government]  Sarasota Voters To Decide Charter Issues
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While two Sarasota City Commission contests have earned most of the press leading into elections on Tuesday, Sarasota voters citywide will also weigh in on two changes to the city charter imposing certain limitations on the citizen petition process and on who will be eligible for appointments to commission vacancies.

Sarasota City Commissioners in January voted to place both charter items on the May ballot, even though there was no guarantee at the time there would still be City Commission races unsettled at that point. City Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini said the May contest was the soonest city election where the charter amendments could still make the ballot. “It was brought to our attention by the Supervisor of Elections Office that it would have been too late to meet their deadline for a March election,” she said. “We did as much as we could. This is just a deadline over which we had no control.”

One charter question on Tuesday’s ballot would require residents to be residents of a district for a full year before being eligible for appointment to the Sarasota City Commission. It’s an issue that came up when the city had two vacancies open last year when Commissioners Shannon Snyder and Paul Caragiulo both resigned to run for county office. The residency requirement already exists for candidates running for a seat on the commission.

The second amendment more firmly establishes a 180-day period for citizen petitions to place on items on future ballots, as well as extending the time for the commission to adopt a referendum from 30 to 60 days. Some have raised concerns whether the change would allow the commission too much discretion in when a referendum goes before voters, but Nadalini said that was not the intent of the measure. Rather, it was to clarify the timetable for petitioners.

Voters in all precincts may vote on the measures, including in District 1, which does not have a commission race on the ballot thanks to Commissioner Willie Shaw being elected unopposed. “We’re always concerned about voter turnout,” Nadalini said, “but the city has done as much as we can do to educate voters citywide that an election is happening.”

Polls for the city election open Tuesday at 7am and remain open to 7pm. Both charter amendments, as well as contests for commissioners for Districts 2 and 3, will be decided by the results. 

[Nonprofit]  Robin Rose, Girls Inc.
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

When Robin Rose took over as executive director of Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, the organization was dealing with debt issues. As she leaves to be closer to a new husband in the Jacksonville area, the organization is in sound financial condition. We spoke to Rose about her tenure at Girls Inc., and where the organization should go from here.

What do you consider the greatest accomplishments in your time at Girls Inc.?  We have a new high school initiative that allows us to continue to provide much needed programs to girls all the way through a post-secondary transition. We were chosen as a pilot site by the national organization to be a reading literacy site, which is huge because the national organization has a grant they received from the Kellogg Foundation. I’ve worked to make sure our goals are in line with community priorities such as the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, and this allows us to support literacy efforts of girls in kindergarten through third grade.

When you came on board, Girls Inc. was dealing with debt issues related to a Ponzi scheme regarding donor Art Nadel. How did that turn around for the organization?  That’s another high accomplishment that we did with the support of The Patterson Foundation. They helped offer to nonprofits that had been impacted to provide a match. We benefitted from [Patterson executive director] Debra Jacobs’ vision and forward-thinking, looking at how to get nonprofits to retire that debt and get back to taking care of their mission. It was a gift and a blessing to come on board as a leader at that time. With work from amazing donors, we were able to retire that debt. It was a huge accomplishment. 

As Girls Inc. conducts a search for a new director, what qualities do you think your successor should have? Every nonprofit organization everywhere in the United States is adapting to a business model to fit a post-recessionary environment. We have been very proactive about ensuring a strong business model. Nonprofit leaders today have to have both the head and the heart. They have to have a good business background and acumen, and they also have to have heart and passion for the mission. 

[Transaction]  Fords Buy Sarasota Trading Company

Andrew and Elizabeth Ford acquired Sarasota Trading Company, on South Pineapple Avenue in Sarasota, from seller Lance Stahl. The deal includes rights to the name and first right of refusal to purchase the 4,500-square-foot building. The Fords have expanded the store at that location, which opened in 2013, and have moved headquarters there. They also plan to make improvements to the property and to develop a Sarasota Trading Company website.The Fords also own Ford Art and Antiques on South Pineapple Avenue, which specializes in 18th, 19th and 20th century fine art, antiques and accessories, and Sarasota Estate Auction, a 7,000-square-foot auction house on North Lockwood Ridge. 

522 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota.

[Exec Moves]  Gingerich Returns to JMX

Debra Gingerich has been named web presence team manager for JMX Brands, a Sarasota-based e-commerce business and the largest web-only retailer of Amish furniture at www.DutchCrafters.com. Gingerich returns to JMX with more than 15 years of web communications and marketing experience, most recently as director of creative services and marketing at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. 

JMX Brands

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

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024