Budget items approved for Southwest Florida projects felt the sting of Gov. Rick Scott’s veto pen Tuesday. Whether it was sports programs like the Modern Pentathlon, cultural efforts like the Circus Arts Conservatory or medical endeavors like a residency program at Manatee Glens, some $461.4 million in cuts to the budget left leaders in the region scrambling to find new ways to move forward.

Scott in a budget statement said he wanted to eliminate any special funding in the $78.2-billion state budget that wasn’t going toward efforts with direct benefits. Dubbing the budget as the “Keep Florida Working Budget,” he stressed job creation and investment in education, but also cited a need for efficient use of tax dollars. “Tax revenue is generated by Floridians who are working hard to provide for their families and we are committed to effectively using these dollars by investing them in areas with proven results,” Scott said. 

Mary Ruiz, president and CEO of Manatee Glens, said the loss of $300,000 in money dedicated by the Florida Legislature for a residency program there but vetoed by the governor, will affect the ability of the hospital to produce mental health professionals at a sufficient rate. “We’re very disappointed that the needs of Florida’s counties, 17 of which have no psychiatrist and six of which only have one, will be pushed out to the future,” Ruiz said, “but there is always next year.” Ruiz said the program could have been grown from five to six residents and expanded to include fellowships and address addiction and children’s issues. 

At The Circus Arts Conservatory, the institution got news of $500,000 in funding getting vetoed. That happened after Scott vetoed $1 million in last year’s budget. Managing Director Jennifer Mitchell said the institution suffers some stigma from the word ‘circus’ being in its name, but she had been hopeful having the dollars earmarked for economic development instead of simply culture might spare veto pain on a second year. “If you aren’t from Sarasota, I don’t know that you recognize the historical significance of circus arts to the state,” Mitchell said. She also expected the high-profile fights between the state Senate and House, the latter of which ended session without approving a budget this year and forced a special session, led to greater scrutiny on project funding. The conservatory will seek private sector support to make up for the lost funding. 

Modern Pentathlon Organizing Committee chair Katherine Harris seemed shocked by the veto of $250,000 in funding. “It’s completely essential funding,” she said. In coming days, Harris said the committee will meet to discuss how to handle the loss in funding as it prepared for a series of world-class sporting events at Nathan Benderson Park.  

Plenty of other projects saw slashes as well, with IMG Academy losing out on more than $2 million in one of the biggest line item vetoes in this year’s budget. South Florida Museum lost $250,000 for its Backyard Universe program. The Sarasota County Agricultural Fair Association missed out on $500,000 in approved funding, and an $850,000 special funding transfer to the Unviersity of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee got vetoed as well. A $500,000 budget item for an emergency room diversion program in Manatee County got slashed, and $250,000 for the Sarasota Bay Restoration Project’s Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program was cut as well, as was $300,000 in security improvement funding for Port Manatee. The Roskamp Institute’s oncology drug development program missed out on $250,000. 

As a food writer, I get treated to plenty of rich, heavy meals with multiple courses of complex flavors laden with meat and sugar. I’m not complaining, but sometimes this girl just craves a salad. Sarasota is blessed with a plethora of options for creative, fresh and tasty salads and these are my personal favorites.

Horiatiki Salata (Traditional Greek Salad) at Blu Kouzina

This simple fresh salad (pictured) features tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, green pepper and crumbly feta cheese. It’s tossed in extra virgin olive and organic vinegar. I love that there’s no lettuce in this dish and that the tart and creamy flavors stand up to any of the heavier dishes on offer.

Blu Kouzina, 25 N. Blvd. of the Presidents, 941-388-2619

House Salad at Made

My mother has declared this the best house salad in Sarasota—and she’s tried them all. House blended greens with roasted beets, fennel, hard cheese and a maple balsamic vinaigrette make for a gluten free salad that feels thoughtful but has a little edge. It’s like the salad version of a Sia song.

Made, 1990 Main Street No. 112, 941-953-2900

Kale Caesar at Louies Modern

Everybody jumped on the Kale bandwagon and a Kale Caesar might seem uninspired, but Louies Modern has a deft touch when it comes to twisted classics and the Tuscan anchovy dressing, crushed focaccia croutons and bright lemon notes make this salad a standout. Plus, for the rest of the month you can enjoy it as part of the restaurant’s Savor Sarasota menu – Louies Modern has extended through June 30. 

Louies Modern, 1289 N. Palm Ave., 941-552-9688 

Sarasota Memorial’s Breast Health Grant Support Program was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.  This funding will enable SMH’s Breast Health Grant Support Program to continue providing qualifying residents of Sarasota County the breast health screening and diagnostic services they need but cannot afford. With this grant, the program will be able to provide an estimated 665 mammograms (screening and diagnostic), 330 breast ultrasounds and approximately 30 breast biopsies free-of-charge to qualifying Sarasota County residents.  For the low-income, working mother who discovers a breast lump but lacks health insurance, or the retired senior who gets by on social security but cannot afford health insurance, SMH’s Breast Health Grant Support Program provides access to the breast health screening and diagnostics they need but could not otherwise obtain.  

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

Yolanda Dwyer has joined Keller Williams Realty Select as a Real Estate Agent. Dwyer is originally from Manila in the Philippines where she graduated high school from St. Theresa’s College. Dwyer received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Philippines Women’s University, and started her real estate business in 1997. 

Keller Williams Realty Select

The Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota Foundation announced the appointment of Erik J. Arroyo to its Board of Directors. Arroyo is a principal at Francisco & Gregoria, an international firm specializing in emerging market investments, corporate compliance, concierge services and political fundraising. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science and has a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Florida A&M University College of Law. He is the immediate past President of the Lake County Young Republicans, a past Unit Board Member of the South Lake County Boys and Girls Club and part of the Scholarship and Development Committee for the Lake County Community Foundation.  

Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County